Game Information
Matchup: Wofford (8-4, 0-0 SoCon) vs. VMI (7-5, 0-0 SoCon)
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium (Spartanburg, S.C.)
Series: Wofford leads, 19-7
 
Wofford (8-4) opens the Southern Conference slate welcoming the VMI Keydets to Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 29. Wofford is 13-11 all-time in Southern Conference openers since 1997, while possessing a 19-7 all-time series advantage over the Keydets for its 27^th meeting.
 
Head coach Jay McAuley is 3-1 all-time against the Keydets, though, VMI downed the Terriers in overtime in Wofford's last meeting in Spartanburg on Feb. 3, 84-80, for the Keydets first win over Wofford since February 10, 2001.

The Keydets enter the conference schedule with a 7-5 overall mark and winners of four of their last five games. VMI is excelling in several statistical categories entering tomorrow's contest, leading the SoCon in 3-pointers per game (12.7), free throw shooting (.806), field goal percentage defense (.365), 3-point field goal percentage (.273), and defensive rebounds (31.3). The Keydets are led by guard Kamdyn Curfman (18.4 ppg) and forward Jake Stephens (15.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg).

LAST TIME OUT
The Terriers return to action for the first time since their 76-49 win at Presbyterian on Saturday, Dec. 18, after having their final nonconference matchup at Duquesne on Dec. 22 canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the Dukes program. Wofford erupted in the second half against the Blue Hose, shooting 76.2 percent from the floor (16-for-21) and hitting 13-for-13 of its final looks from the field in the contest, led by 21 points from sophomore Max Klesmit and junior Isaiah Bigelow's season-high 14 points. Sophomore forward Sam Godwin tallied 11 points and six rebounds, while B.J. Mack and Austin Patterson each contributed 10 points apiece to cap five Terriers in double figures.
 
2021-22 KenPom / NET Rankings
Wofford holds the highest KenPom ranking of all SoCon teams (No. 94), while being just one of two squads in the league (Chattanooga - No. 40) to rank within the top 100 of the NET rankings (No. 77).
 
HANDLING THE BALL
Wofford leads the SoCon in fewest turnovers (138), as the Terriers average a +4.3 turnover margin per game. Ryan Larson is second in the SoCon with a 2.6 Ast/TO ratio, having dished five or more assists in five games this season
 
KLESMIT COMING ALIVE
Max Klesmit has found his groove this season, more than double his scoring average from his rookie campaign at 15.5 points. The sophomore's reached double-figure scoring in 10 games this season, while having knocked down three or more 3-pointers in five games this season. Additionally, the Neenah, Wisc. native's a knockdown free-throw shooter at a team-high 87.5 percent (42-of-48) while leading the SoCon in steals per game (2.0/g).
 
THE MACK ATTACK
Junior forward B.J. Mack has surpassed his career-highs in scoring and rebounding three times this season, while more than doubling his scoring average & productivity from the 2020-21 season at 14.1 points per game (from 6.8 ppg) and 5.5 rebounds. Mack has reached double-figure scoring in nine of 12 games, including two double-doubles, while in 27.3 minutes per contest.
 
BIGELOW CLICKING OFFENSIVELY
After sitting out the 2020-21 season due to an ACL injury, junior guard Isaiah Bigelow has started to shape into form in reaching double-figure scoring in three of the last five games, including a season-high 14 points at Presbyterian on Dec. 18. Bigelow's hit 6-of-15 from deep over the last three games (40%), while also being solid from the charity stripe in connecting on 89.7 percent of his attempts from the line on the season (26-of-29).
 
TERRIERS TURNING TEAMS OVER
Wofford prides itself on turning defense to offense, as the Terriers are forcing an average of 15.8 turnovers per game on opponents, having forced 15-plus turnovers in seven games. Wofford has committed to taking better care of the ball this season, ranking first in the SoCon and 30th in the NCAA in turnover margin (+4.3).
 
LIVING AT THE LINE
Wofford has had six games this season shooting 20-plus free-throw attempts and five games hitting 20-plus shots at the line, as the Terriers lead the Southern Conference in free throws made (182) and are 41st in the NCAA for the category. Wofford shoots 75.5 percent from the charity stripe (second in SoCon) and averages about 15.2 free throws per game.
 
GODWIN'S EFFICIENCY INSIDE
Sophomore forward Sam Godwin is Wofford's most highly efficient scorer inside the paint, shooting 74 percent from the floor when needed for the Terriers. Godwin's scored in double figures in five games, averaging 7.5 points on the season, as the Moore, Okla., native has shot over 50 percent from the field each time doing so.
 
PATTERSON OFF THE BENCH
Freshman guard Austin Patterson has provided solid minutes off the bench for the Terriers this season, leading the team and SoCon in 3-point percentage at 54.3 percent (19-for-35). Patterson hit a career-best 5-of-5 3-pointers in the win over Kennesaw State (Dec. 5) before hitting 4-of-6 at Coastal Carolina on Dec. 12. The Sonora, Calif., native has hit double-figure scoring four times this season, and has hit 11-of-15 from 3-point range over the last four games (73.3%).
 
COLLEGEINSIDER.COM MID-MAJOR TOP 25
Wofford (36) is one of three SoCon teams receiving votes in the Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25, possessing the most votes of the three, while Chattanooga (No. 15) and Samford (No. 25) remain the two SoCon teams included.

Season tickets, conference-only mini pack and single-game tickets are on sale at www.woffordterriers.com or by calling the Wofford ticket office at (864) 597-4091.