Matchup

The Bobcats are now into the second half of the Mountain East Conference schedule, as they are beginning to play opponents for the second time this season. On Wednesday night it will be Wheeling. These two teams will meet for the final time in the regular season at 7:30 PM at the McDonough Center in Wheeling. The Cardinals have been a surprise contender so far this year, and have a new look under first year Head Coach Will Ryan. There are a lot of new faces in the red and black, and they play hard for forty minutes on both sides of the ball. Earlier this season, they spoiled Wesleyan's momentum following West Liberty, by beating the Bobcats at home 84-70. Four of the Cardinals' starters average double-digits, led by Junior Guard Jordan Reid at 17.4 points per game. Wesleyan has to navigate the press, and again rely on their strength and size inside, to pull off the road victory on Wednesday. 

Key Statistics

Wheeling boasts the second best scoring defense in the MEC (73.8 ppg).
Wheeling makes the least-amount of three-pointers per game in the MEC (5.8).
Wheeling's Emmanuel Ansong is sixth in the MEC in field goal percentage (56.2%, 15.6 ppg).
Dusan Vicentic is averaging 22.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game over the past five games. 
Vicentic is shooting 59.7% from the floor over those five games. 

Storylines

Ball control and perimeter shooting. Those areas of the game are plaguing Wesleyan's performances as of late. They have shot under 30.0% from three-point over the past three contests, and the lack of quality decision making with the ball has cost the team late in games. After missing three straight games, and playing only twelve minutes on Saturday at Davis & Elkins, the Bobcats need Ross Young back in full effect. The Cardinals lack quality size, as four of their starters are under 6'4, and their center, Jeremiah April, is 7'0 but is not able to stay with the quickness of Young and Vicentic in the frontcourt. This one could come down to how Wesleyan's guards handle the press, and the athleticism of Wheeling's backcourt. If Daylin Lee and Luka Petrovic can provide stable ball-handling and consistent outside shooting, the Bobcats can get back in the win column.

Players to Watch - West Virginia Wesleyan

Dusan Vicentic - 17.2 pts, 8.6 reb, 53.0 fg%
Daylin Lee - 13.3 pts, 42.6 3pt%

Players to Watch - Wheeling

Jordan Reid - 17.4 pts, 5.9 reb, 50.5 fg%
Emmanuel Ansong - 15.6 pts, 7.3 reb, 56.2 fg%