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Men's Basketball

Keydets to face Mercer in SoCon home opener

Game Notes  |  Game Program
 
LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI basketball team looks for a quick rebound coming off Wednesday's overtime loss to Wofford when the Keydets (3-11, 0-1) face Mercer (7-7, 0-1) Saturday at 1 p.m. for the SoCon home opener at Cameron Hall.
 
Broadcast Information
VMI vs. Mercer – Saturday, Jan. 6 – 1 p.m.                    Watch on ESPN+  |  Live Stats
 
In an effort to support the Rockbridge Area Relief Association, fans are encouraged to donate personal hygiene items before the start of the game. A box will be set in the main lobby of Cameron Hall for people to place the items.
Recommended items include shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tampons and pads, soap, toiletries, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

QUICK HITS
* The Keydets are coming off a close 87-85 loss in OT to Wofford to open SoCon play Wednesday night
* VMI is the top rebounding team in the Southern Conference, ranking first in rebounds per game (40.4),
including first in defensive (29.6) and fifth in offensive boards per game (10.9). VMI is fourth in rebounding margin at 5.0.
* Taeshaud Jackson II is the primary force in rebounding, averaging 10.1 per game for second most in the SoCon
* Freshman Stephen Olowoniyi is second on the team in rebounding with 6.1 per game, 11th best in the league
* Junior Brennan Watkins ranks first in the league in free-throw shooting at .927 (38/41) from the charity stripe. He also
ranks fourth in three-point FG percentage (.405) and eighth in scoring (16.0), FG percentage (.434) and three-point FG/game (2.5). Watkins ranks ninth in the league in assists at 3.3 per outing.
 
VMI vs. Mercer Series History (4-17)
Saturday's game marks the 22nd all-time meeting between the schools dating back to 2006. The Keydets looks to snap a two-game skid against the Bears as Mercer won both contests during the 2022-23 season. VMI's last win over Mercer came on Feb. 10, 2022, an 85=79 victory at home. The Bears have won four of the last five contests and have won 17 of 21 in the all-time series.
 
A WIN OVER MERCER WOULD ...
--- Be VMI's fifth win against the Bears in the all-time series and snap a two-game skid to Mercer
--- Be VMI's first SoCon victory of the season
--- Be VMI's fourth win of the season and first Division I victory of the year
 
LAST TIME OUT - January 3, 2024 - Wofford 87, VMI 85 (OT) - Spartanburg, S.C.
   The VMI men's basketball team dropped an overtime heartbreaker Wednesday evening at Wofford College 87-85 in the Southern Conference opener for both teams.
   The Keydets trailed by four in overtime but rallied to tie in the final minute after back-to-back baskets from Tyran Cook and DJ Nussbaum. With the game tied at 85, Wofford's Corey Tripp drove into the lane and converted a layup against a Keydet double team with 3.8 seconds on the game clock for the deciding basket.
   VMI senior guard Devin Butler scored a season-high 20 points, and his most against a Division I opponent in his career, and drilled a season-high four three pointers. Senior DJ Nussbaum came up just two boards shy of his first career double-double as he finished with 10 points and eight rebounds on the night.
 
LAST TIME vs. MERCER - Feb. 4, 2023 - Mercer 80, VMI 54 - Macon, Ga.
   With several team members battling injury, the VMI basketball team fell by an 80-54 score to host Mercer on February 4, 2023, at Hawkins Arena in Macon, Georgia.
   Regular starter Rickey Bradley, Jr. sat out the entire game with an injury, and senior starting guard Sean Conway did not see action in the second half to nurse an injury.
    VMI (6-19, 1-11) made an effort to come back from a 39-26 halftime deficit, but Mercer (12-13, 5-7) had too many weapons and fresh bodies to maintain the advantage throughout the second half.





 
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Players Mentioned

Devin Butler

#11 Devin Butler

G
6' 2"
Junior
Sean Conway

#30 Sean Conway

G
6' 5"
Senior
DJ Nussbaum

#42 DJ Nussbaum

C
6' 9"
Junior
Brennan Watkins

#1 Brennan Watkins

G
5' 11"
Sophomore
Taeshaud Jackson II

#2 Taeshaud Jackson II

G
6' 4"
Freshman
Rickey Bradley, Jr.

#4 Rickey Bradley, Jr.

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Tyran Cook

#0 Tyran Cook

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Stephen Olowoniyi

#10 Stephen Olowoniyi

F
6' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Devin Butler

#11 Devin Butler

6' 2"
Junior
G
Sean Conway

#30 Sean Conway

6' 5"
Senior
G
DJ Nussbaum

#42 DJ Nussbaum

6' 9"
Junior
C
Brennan Watkins

#1 Brennan Watkins

5' 11"
Sophomore
G
Taeshaud Jackson II

#2 Taeshaud Jackson II

6' 4"
Freshman
G
Rickey Bradley, Jr.

#4 Rickey Bradley, Jr.

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Tyran Cook

#0 Tyran Cook

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Stephen Olowoniyi

#10 Stephen Olowoniyi

6' 8"
Freshman
F