The Lipscomb Bisons, more commonly referred to as Lipscomb, travel to The Coliseum to face the West Georgia Wolves, often shortened to West Georgia, in a crucial ASUN conference matchup. With both teams vying for positioning in the conference standings, this game holds significant implications for their postseason aspirations. As the regular season draws to a close, the margins between teams in the ASUN are razor-thin, and a win for either side could substantially impact their seeding in the conference tournament.
This contest pits two teams with differing levels of success against each other, as Lipscomb looks to solidify its place near the top of the ASUN standings, while West Georgia aims to bolster its resume in pursuit of a more favorable tournament draw. Given the disparity in their overall records, Lipscomb is expected to emerge victorious, but the Wolves' home-court advantage and desire to prove themselves against a stronger opponent could make for a closely contested affair. With both teams reliant on winning the ASUN conference tournament to extend their seasons, the intensity and desperation that often characterize these types of games will likely be on full display.
Averaging 18.3 points per game collectively, the team's leading scorers, including and , have been crucial to Lipscomb's success. With Grant Asman contributing 13.9 points per game, his presence has been significant in the team's victories, such as the recent 73-51 win over North Alabama. His 6.1 rebounds per game have also been vital, complemented by 's 5.1 rebounds per game. The team's recent form has been marked by wins over North Alabama and Bellarmine, with scores of 73-51 and 75-72, respectively.
His 45% three-point shooting aside, Ethan Duncan's 11.1 points per game have been a steady factor in Lipscomb's offense, which has propelled the team to an 18-11 overall record and 11-5 in the ASUN conference. ' 2.3 assists per game have helped facilitate the team's scoring, while 's 6.7 assists per game have been instrumental in the team's victories, including the 75-61 win over Eastern Kentucky. With Mateo Esmeraldo's 10.0 points per game and Grant Asman's all-around performance, the team will look to build on its recent wins as it faces West Georgia.
With a 12-16 overall record, West Georgia enters this matchup having struggled in recent games, losing three of their last five contests. Averaging 15.7 points per game, has been a key contributor, while his 1.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game demonstrate his versatility on the court. The team's leading scorer, with 20.5 points per game, is , whose 9.2 rebounds per game make him a dominant force in the paint. His ability to score and rebound will be crucial in this matchup.
In their last five games, West Georgia has suffered losses to Queens (NY), Eastern Kentucky, and Central Arkansas, with their most recent defeat coming in an 84-91 loss at Queens (NY) on February 21. Chas Lewless, with 12.9 points per game, has been a consistent scoring threat, and his 2.6 assists per game indicate his ability to create opportunities for his teammates. Meanwhile, 's 5.4 rebounds per game and 's 3.1 assists per game have been important to the team's overall performance, with Malcolm Noel also averaging 8.3 points per game.
Key Matchups
The matchup between Lipscomb's Grant Asman and West Georgia's Shelton Williams-Dryden will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this game. Asman, with his well-rounded statistics, will need to find a way to contain Williams-Dryden, who boasts a significant scoring advantage. Williams-Dryden's ability to dominate the paint and grab rebounds will test Asman's defensive skills, and if he can limit the West Georgia star's production, it could give Lipscomb a significant edge.
Asman's own scoring ability will also be crucial, as he will need to keep pace with Williams-Dryden's offense. With a rebounding advantage of nearly 3 boards per game, Williams-Dryden has the potential to control the glass and limit Lipscomb's second-chance opportunities. If Asman can mitigate this advantage and find ways to score efficiently, it could swing the balance of the game in Lipscomb's favor. The outcome of this individual battle will likely have a significant impact on the overall result.
CHD Scout Prediction
Lipscomb
81
West Georgia
74
Based on the model's prediction, which favors Lipscomb 81-74 with a 72.9% win probability, I agree that Lipscomb will emerge victorious. The primary reason for this assessment is the significant disparity in the teams' NET rankings, with Lipscomb sitting at #168 and West Georgia at #308, indicating a substantial gap in overall team strength and performance throughout the season.
Tournament Stakes
As the ASUN conference schedule winds down, both Lipscomb and West Georgia are keenly aware that their only path to the NCAA Tournament is by winning the conference tournament, making every remaining game crucial for seeding and momentum. A win for Lipscomb would help solidify their position near the top of the conference standings, potentially setting them up for a favorable draw in the tournament, while a loss could jeopardize their chances of earning a first-round bye. For West Georgia, a victory would be a significant upset, potentially propelling them up the conference standings and into a more manageable position for a postseason run. With both teams facing long odds, the true measure of success will be how they navigate the conference tournament, and it's clear that only one trajectory is truly ascending - and it's not the team that's content to simply be competitive in a league where only one team will ultimately matter.