The Cavs will face their first top 25 opponent of the season Saturday when the No. 16 North Georgia Nighthawks travel to Wise for a non-conference showdown.
THE MATCHUP - North Georgia
>> The No. 16 North Georgia Nighthawks will travel into hostile territory Saturday with a 2-0 record to start the season after wins over North Greenville and former conference foe Young Harris. The Nighthawks finished the 2022-23 campaign at 21-8 and fell in the Southeast Regional Semifinal game of the NCAA Tournament against SAC opponent Lincoln Memorial. This season's Nighthawk team returned all 11 players from last year, namely Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year and D2CCA All-American Frank Champion. The junior forward finished 2nd in the PBC in scoring at 20.2 PPG and led the league in rebounding at 9.9 RPG last year. His dominant season earned him numerous accolades including PBC Player of the Year, D2CCA 1st Team All-American, Southeast Region Player of the Year and NABC 1st Team All-District.
In addition to shockingly bringing back all 11 players from last year, head coach Dan Evans also brought in a Division I transfer in junior guard JoJo Peterson who comes over from Purdue Fort Wayne. Despite never starting for the Mastodons, Peterson played in 64 games over two seasons with PFW, averaging 2.8 PPG and 2.0 RPG. Evans also added talented freshmen Jamari Arnold (Huntsville, Ala.) and Zack Hawkinson (Springfield, Ill.).
Last year, Evans led his team to the best season in program history with its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance and win, first ever top 25 ranking and a program record 21 wins. The Nighthawks start this season after having an exceptionally efficient offense last year. UNG plays a traditional brand of basketball, focusing on 2-point shots and making them at a high rate. The Nighthawks finished 12th in NCAA D2 last year Percentage of Points in the Paint at a startling 49.3%. Their 50.2% FG was good enough for 5th in the country, while their 57% 2FG mark ranked 10th.
NEWS & NOTES - UVA Wise
>> The Cavs did something Wednesday night against Johnson & Wales they had never before done in the NCAA Division II era in program history: score 50+ bench points for a third consecutive game. Redshirt sophomore forward Joe'l Pettiford led the way off the bench with 22 points, shooting 10-for-13 from the floor with a pair of three pointers. It was the first time in Pettiford's career in which he made two three-point field goals in a game. The Cavs finished the 102-80 win with 51 points coming off the bench. That puts their season average at 53 bench points per game, 3rd best in the country only behind Gannon University and D2CSC No. 1 overall and upcoming opponent West Liberty.
With a blistering offensive start to the season, UVA Wise ranks among the best in the country in a number of different offensive categories. Knocking down threes at a 43.6% clip, which ranks 26th in the nation, puts the Cavs in the top five of Effective FG% at 64.6%. They have the 13th best scoring offense at 97.0 PPG as a team and the 6th best overall FG% at 55.7. With perhaps one of the most athletic squads in UVA Wise history, the team has scored an average of 20.0 Fastbreak Points Per Game, which is 11th in the country. The Cavs are not only scoring the ball well, but they're sharing it at an outstanding rate too. Their 20.3 APG average is 12th nationally, and their A:TO Ratio of 1.42 ranks in the top 50.
Clicking on all cylinders, the defense has shined through the first three games as well for head coach Blake Mellinger's squad. UVA Wise is 18th across the nation forcing 19.7 Turnovers Per Game and top 30 in Turnover Margin, forcing an average of 5.3 more turnovers per contest than their opponents. Many of said forced turnovers have come in the form of steals. UVA Wise is 17th in D2 with 11.0 SPG.
Saturday's game tips off at 2 p.m. from the David J. Prior Convocation Center. Follow along here:
Live Stats: uvawiselive.com
FloSports Broadcast: flohoops.com/teams/6972111
