The Matchup

The Bobcats return home to the Rockefeller Center on Saturday afternoon with a matchup against second-place Charleston. The Golden Eagles have been stout defensively all season, leading the Mountain East Conference in opponent points per game. Combined with their MEC-leading offensive shooting percentage, Coach Dwaine Osbourne's team has been a matchup nightmare for teams all season. Wesleyan knows this well, as they fell 102-77 in their last matchup in Charleston. This should be a slower, and more efficiently played game than the high-scoring affair at WVSU on Thursday night. Both teams enjoy half-court offense based upon and inside-outside game with their forwards on the block, and shooters lining the perimeter. Lamont McManus and Devon Robinson combine to make up one of the league's best frontcourts, and their presence helps provide spacing for shooters Drew Rackley and Seth O'Neal. Wesleyan will counteract that with Luka Petrovic and Dusan Vicentic currently playing at a special level late in their senior seasons.

Key Statistics

Charleston is first in the MEC in team defense (72.0 ppg).
Charleston is first in the MEC in field goal percentage (52.0%).
Devon Robinson leads the MEC in rebounding (10.9 rpg).
Lamont McManus is third in the NCAA in field goal percentage (67.7%).
Luka Petrovic is tied for first in the MEC in assists (5.6 apg).
Petrovic is fifth in the MEC in minutes per game (34.9 mpg).

Storylines

Luka Petrovic scored a career high 31 points on Thursday night at WVSU, including a game-tying three pointer with under thirty seconds to play that sent the game to overtime. That continued his stretch of strong play that now dates back to the game at Davis & Elkins on January 25th, and he has been one of the best point guards in the MEC over these past three weeks. With him leading the offense, the Bobcats will have the advantage at the point guard spot on Saturday. What is going to be difficult for the Bobcats is slowing down Charleston's three point shooting. Wesleyan is second to last in opponent three point percentage, and Charleston is second in offensive three point percentage. Drew Rackley has been one of the best shooters in the league so far this year, and the Golden Eagles also have more scoring depth off the bench. Wesleyan's bench netted them two total points on Thursday night, and Coach Nick Patella will need significantly more from them on Saturday, regardless whether or not Daylin Lee will be able to suit up.

Players to Watch - West Virginia Wesleyan

Dusan Vicentic (17.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 51.0 fg%)
Luka Petrovic (13.6 ppg, 5.6 apg, 4.6 rpg)

Players to Watch - Charleston

Drew Rackley (18.6 ppg, 44.1 3pt%)
Devon Robinson (13.2 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 63.3 fg%)

How to Engage

Lucas Trovato will be on the mic for the digital broadcast that can be found on the MEC Digital Network, and streamed live at @WVWCBobcats on Twitter. In-game video content can be found @WVWC_Hoops during and after the game as well.