Storylines – vs. West Virginia Wesleyan

West Virginia Wesleyan will visit UVa-Wise on Wednesday night without a win so far this season, most recently falling to Fairmont State on the road, 83-77. Against the Falcons, the Bobcats shot a season-best 50 percent from the field, hitting 30-of-60 shots. The Bobcats enter their first season under the leadership of newly appointed Head Coach Jack Meriwether. Meriwether served as the interim head coach to close out Wesleyan's 2016-17 season, finishing with an 8-7 record during his stint. Meriwether first arrived at the University in 2015 and served as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team prior to taking over the head coaching position. The team concluded last season with a 13-16 overall record and 10-12 in the Mountain East Conference, tying for fifth place in the MEC final standings. This season West Virginia Wesleyan is averaging 67.2 points per game, compared to 82.8 points per game by their opponents. The Bobcats are hitting 201-for-458 from the floor (43.9 percent), while going just 44-for-155 from three-point range. Through eight contests, Wesleyan is recording 35.1 rebounds per game, but has been plagued by turnovers, averaging 14.8 per game while opponents are averaging just 10 per game. Senior forward Aaron Ariri leads the Bobcats in scoring and rebounding with 12.1 ppg and 7.1 ppg, shooting 33-for-53 (62.3 percent) from the field. Wesleyan was picked to finish sixth in the league, receiving 64 points in this year's MEC Preseason Poll.

About UVa-Wise

Men's basketball will host the Bobcats of West Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday night after shooting struggles re-emerged for the Cavaliers on Saturday. UVa-Wise suffered its first conference loss of the season against the University of Charleston on Saturday afternoon, 78-75. The Cavs were unable to get in a rhythm, connecting on just 24-of-65 (36.9 percent) shots and going 11-for-33 (33.3 percent) from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers posted 22 points inside the paint compared to 34 points for Charleston. The Golden Eagles were also assisted by 29 points from off the bench while the Cavs had just nine bench points. Sophomore point guard Michal Seals and redshirt senior forward Taiwo Badmus led the Cavaliers with 17 points apiece in the loss. Thus far this season, UVa-Wise is averaging 77.8 points per game while opponents are recording 83.6 points per game. The Cavalier men are shooting 236-for-566 (41.7 percent) from the field and 153-for-222 (68.9 percent) from the line. Badmus continues to lead the Cavs in scoring and rebounding with 21.2 points per game on 58-for-121 (47.9 percent) shooting and 8.2 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-7 forward ranks fifth in scoring and fourth in rebounding in the Mountain East Conference standings while Seals ranks first in assists with seven per game.