Davidson (24-7, 16-12)
Western Carolina (17-17, 8-10)
US Cellular Center, Asheville, NC
Tipoff at 9pm on ESPN2
Do the Catamounts have one more game in them to complete the Cinderella story? Do the Wildcats go essentially untouched from preseason favorite to postseason champion? You guys all know the story lines in this one. Western Carolina peaked at just the right time and, as they have demonstrated to Wofford and UNCG, they are a force when their shots are falling. Davidson has had little trouble disposing those in their path so far but no team in the conference is as hot as Western Carolina.
There are two things working in the Catamounts favor: speed and experience. Seniors Mutombo and Cole have been leading the charge in this tournament and Trey Sumler has been playing above the maturity level of most sophomores. The Catamounts also are quick on the perimeter and use a small lineup with Mutombo as the 4 to their advantage.
That leads into Davidson's strengths. Despite the adrenaline and home crowd likely to be present tonight, the Catamounts have played an exhausting 120 minutes of basketball this weekend so far. Out of those 120 minutes their three most important players have played the following:
-Cole: 38, 34, 38
-Sumler: 39, 39, 40
-Mutombo: 35, 26, 28
Thats a lot of tread on the tires for any team with an NCAA berth on the line. Then add into that the size advantage Davidson has. Brooks and Cohen are All-Socon level forwards going up against that puny WCU front line.
Speed vs size, momentum vs steadfastness. Now stop reading and go enjoy some good basketball.
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