CARROLLTON, Ga. – The University of West Georgia Men's Basketball team is set to play the Florida Southern Mocs in the South Region Semifinals
on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. from the Rick Case Arena.
West Georgia (27-5) enters after advancing to the Round of 32 on Saturday with a, 75-61, win over Lee while Florida Southern (22-9) also advanced on Saturday after defeating Clark Atlanta, 79-72.
"Florida Southern has been a national program for a long time," said head coach
Dave Moore. "We've got our hands full with them. They play in a great league and they're going to be really good. This is going to be a big challenge for us, but hopefully we can come out and play our game. That's what we've done all year long."
UWG brings one of, if not, the most talented duo in the country into Sunday's game in
Zawdie Jackson and
Camron Donatlan. Before the duo combined for 34 points, leading the Wolves to their 14-point win over Lee, they became the first pair of teammates in UWG history to be named First Team All-Region. Jackson, the reigning GSC and South Region Player of the Year is now averaging 21.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while Donatlan is averaging 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. West Georgia's star-studded duo will be in attack mode from the tip against a Florida Southern team that isn't as guard heavy compared to most of the teams that the Wolves have played this season.
Florida Southern is the highest scoring team of any that UWG has played this year as the Mocs are currently averaging 89.5 points per game. Their forward Luke Anderson leads the way on the offensive end and is the Mocs' best player. Anderson is a 6'7", 225-pound forward that can score the ball at all three levels. The redshirt junior is arguably the most skilled big man that the Wolves have seen this season and after averaging 19.8 points and 8.2 rebounds on 45.5 percent shooting and 40 percent from three this year, Anderson joined UWG's Jackson and Donatlan on the First Team All-Region squad.
Next to Anderson in the Mocs' frontcourt is Alex Steen. Steen is more of a traditional big as he excels on the glass while being an excellent finisher at the rim. The sophomore leads Florida Southern in rebounding with 11.0 boards per game while adding 17.2 points per game on 59.5 percent shooting. Steen has recorded 15 double-doubles this year and comes into the matchup against the Wolves after a 17-point, 12-rebound, and six-block performance against Clark Atlanta in the South Region Quarterfinals.
West Georgia possesses one of the best defenders in the country in
Kolten Griffin who will most likely get the Anderson assignment while
Amari Davis will most likely start on Steen. UWG have a tall task in front of them with Florida Southern's dynamic and skilled big man duo while the Mocs have to find a way to slow down the Wolves' Jackson and Donatlan.
"Anderson and Steen are skilled, active, and have great size," coach Moore continued. "We've got guys on this team that aren't going to back down from anything and have great confidence in themselves and each other. We're excited about the opportunity to go 2-0 and that's what we're going to try and do."
Tip-off for Sunday's game is set for
5:00 p.m.from the Rick Case Arena.
