Saturday, November 15
Rock Hill, S.C.
3:00 p.m.
Davidson College Athletics
at
Winthrop
W. Basketball Tips Off 2008-09 Season at Winthrop Classic
11/13/2008 11:18:32 AM | Women's Basketball
Game Notes: Winthrop Classic, Nov. 15-16
Coming off a 19-win season and its fifth straight winning record in the past seven years under head coach Annette Watts, Davidson opens up its 2008-09 campaign with the first of two in-season tournaments when it travels to the Winthrop Hilton Inn Classic this weekend.
Davidson opens up against host Winthrop on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. and then will either face North Carolina A&T or Mississippi on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.
Below is a look at what can be expected this year from the Wildcats in the 2008-09 Season Preview...
Balance and versatility from top to bottom has been one of the Wildcats' main strengths during head coach Annette Watts tenure at Davidson. Despite their depth issues the past couple of years due to injuries, the Wildcats have far exceeded people's expectations and stayed atop the league.
For Watts and the 2008-09 Davidson women's basketball team, those two key components above will again be one of the many assets the Wildcats will have as they seek their sixth straight winning campaign
and hunt for their first Southern Conference title in program history.
“There is no debating it; the ladies have done a great deal despite their limited depth of late,” said Watts, who last year became the all-time winningest head coach in program history. “Everyone on the team has stepped up at some point or time, and I feel this year's squad is much like the past great Wildcat teams with many versatile players and a nice balance.”
Gone due to graduation are starters Danielle Hemerka and Honna Housley, along with one of the top Wildcats in program history, Katie Hamilton. They all left their marks in the Wildcat record books, and were part of the great balance that Watts has used over the past seven years. There still though remains a very solid core group, starting with the senior duo of Mercedes Robinson and Mandy Halbersleben.
“The team will look to our seniors to help keep the squad at the top of the league standings,” said Watts.
Robinson can score inside or outside, while Halbersleben provides Davidson with that great spark of high energy.
Next in line is the junior class who have played a key role in displaying the valuable balance the Wildcats are known for. Juniors Alex Thompson, Julia Paquette and Monica Laune all have showcased their value to the team the past two years through a variety of roles, and more will be displayed in their third year. Add in the final pieces with sophomores Ashley Lax and Kelly Gardner and red-shirt freshman Chloe Woodington, along with a very talented and driven freshman class, sets up the 'Cats for another great season and run in the SoCon.
“This team has worked very hard and they've shown they are motivated, primed and ready,“ said Watts. “They want to continue what the past players have established and continue the strong tradition of winning and succeeding here at Davidson.”
One of the key goals year-in and year-out for the 'Cats is to improve in all facets of the game, offensively and defensively.
The 2007-08 season was no exception as Davidson ranked yet again in the top-five on both offense and defense.
As has been the case since Watts took over seven years ago, defense has been one of the Wildcats' trademarks night in and night out, and it has helped them become one of the top teams in the league.
“In my mind, our lack of numbers have at times hurt our defensive intensity, ” said Watts. “But when we have 11 healthy players, our defensive proficiency translates into the type of offensive basketball we intend to play.”
Davidson finished in the top-five in the SoCon in defensive points allowed at 62.3, and held its opponents to 38 percent shooting.
“You hear it a lot but it is true, your great transition teams play great defense,” said Watts. “We want to make teams take bad shots so we can rebound and run. We try to make teams turn the ball over on the perimeter where we can turn those loose balls into easy lay-ups and points.”
Davidson forced its opponents to turn over the ball an average of 20 times a game.
Offensively, the Wildcats will have a nice combination of speed and height to either push the tempo, or dominate on the blocks. Last season saw Davidson finish with an average of 65.5 points a contest, good for third overall in the SoCon. The Wildcats also ranked first or second in three other offensive categories.
“As we open this season I feel confident in our point guard and post positions,” said Watts.
The Wildcats return three of their five starters from a year ago, led by First-Team All-SoCon pick Robinson and point guard Alex Thompson.
Robinson, a versatile forward who provided depth off the bench her first two years, had a breakout junior campaign. She led the SoCon with 14 double doubles on her way to averaging team highs of 12.7 points per game and 8.5 rebounds a contest. In addition, the senior was third in the conference in field goal percentage, nailing 51.7 percent of her shots and showed her versatility by draining nearly 40 percent of her attempts from behind the arc.
“Mercedes is the soul of this team,” said Watts. “I want her to have a taste of what we brought her here for. She has given our program a lot and I want to make sure we finish this year putting her in position to receive every accolade she deserves.”
Besides being a first-team pick on both the media and coaches teams last season, Robinson also garnered all-state first team honors and was a two-time SoCon Player of the Week.
Thompson stepped in right away for Davidson and had a very successful second year.
“Alex matured into one of the best point guards in the league last year,” said Watts. ”She is such a versatile player as we hope to play her some at two-guard as well.”
As one of the league's top point guards, Thompson ranked first in assists per game (3.97) and free throw percentage (.870), while she was very deadly from the three-point line, canning a league-best 42.7 percent of her treys.
Add in the five other key letterwinners from last season's 19-win season, and the four talented freshmen, and the 2008-09 season is starting to show the same design of success that the Wildcats have experienced since Watts arrived on the Davidson College campus seven years ago.
The Backcourt
After starting the 2007-08 with a few question marks on who would run the point, Davidson found its floor general when Thompson stepped in from the start and took the reins.
“As we open this season I feel very confident in our point guard situation with Thompson handling the duties,” said Watts.
Thompson averaged career highs in points and rebounds, while her free throw percentage last year tied the single-season school record.
She showed great composure in games last year, including in a win over NJIT on Dec. 29 when she hit three clutch three-balls in the second half, her last one giving the Wildcats to lead for good, on her way to 11 points in a 55-48 win.
Backing up Thompson is red-shirt freshman guard Chloe Woodington, who left Parkway High in Bossier, La. two years ago as the all-time leading scorer and an all-state second-team member her senior prep year. Missing all of the 2007-08 season, Woodington is expected to be back to full strength when the season starts.
“After sitting out last season because of a pre-season injury, we expect Chloe to come into this year with the opportunity to shine,” said Watts.
Though the backcourt is deep, Davidson will need to replace their wing players from a year ago in Hamilton and Housley.
“Our point guard spot is solid, but our wing position is where some of the other guards are going to need to step up,” said Watts. “We need our wings to get out in front and run ahead of Alex and create some transition. Numerous options present themselves and they will have ample opportunities to assert control over these slots.”
Looking to take advantage of those opportunities will be junior Moncia Laune, sophomore Ashley Lax, and the freshmen tandem of Amanda Ottaway and Christina Perez.
Laune, whose versatility allows her to play in the front court as well, has filled a number of roles while on the court during the past two seasons. In her first two years, she has played in 58 of the possible 62 games, including playing in all 30 contest a year ago.
“Monica has used the off-season to rehab her ankle after having surgery in the summer as well as to enhance her physical strength,” said Watts. “She made tremendous strides last season, and is confident and eager to go.”
Seeking to replace some of the scoring lost from the graduation of Hamilton will be sophomore Ashley Lax.
“Filling the shoes of Katie Hamilton, is not an easy job,” said Watts. “She is stronger after working this summer on her game and her conditioning, and has made the adjustment to the college game.”
Lax played in 22 contests as a freshman and averaged close to three points a game off the bench.
Rounding out the backcourt will be freshmen Ottaway and Perez. Ottaway had a stellar career at Hollidaysburg Area in Pennsylvania, where she was the all-time leading scorer with over 1,500 points for her career.
“One of the quickest individuals to join the Wildcat family, Amanda has the ability to run up and down the court and will fit perfectly into an up- tempo style,“ said Watts.
Perez hails from North Attleboro, Mass., where she averaged nearly 10 points a game and led Bishop Feehan to a 59-11 overall record during her four-year prep career.
“Christina is a great team player, and brings a lot of chemistry to the team, she'll give us depth off the bench,“ said Watts.
One player who will be missed on the court is Kelly Gardner. Forced to miss all but five games her freshman year, Gardner is medically done for her career.
“Medical issues have placed Kelly on the sideline her career,” said Watts. “She has taken on the roles of student assistant coach, team motivator and Kelly is the glue that binds us all together. She constantly exhibits a positive attitude and we are so glad she is a member of our team.”
The Frontcourt
Anchoring the inside play with Robinson for the Wildcats will be Halbersleben and junior Julia Paquette.
Forced to miss the final 11 games of the season after tearing her ACL, Halbersleben has worked hard to get back to her form of two years ago, when she played in 31 of the 32 games.
“Mandy has worked hard to return from her ACL injury a year ago,” said Watts. “She has a lot of passion for basketball and she is a valuable asset to our program.”
The senior averaged career highs in points and rebounds before an injury halted her season.
In addition to Robinson and Halbersleben down low, Davidson has the services of 6-2 junior Julia Paquette.
The junior forward started 20 of her 30 games a year ago, averaging close to nine points a contest, reaching double figures 13 times, including a career-high 23-point effort on Feb. 23 in an overtime win at Wofford.
“Jules had a good summer, as she remained here in Davidson and concentrated on her strength and foot work,” said Watts. “We need her to pick up the rebounding totals lost by graduation of Hemerka, and I believe Julia will accept the challenge.”
Paquette hauled in close to five boards a game a season ago with ten times recording six or more in a game. The junior will also be expected to be a force down low on the defensive end after blocking a team- and career-high 27 shots last season.
In addition to Julia, Mandy & Mercedes, the depth at the post will include freshmen Logan Hartman and Kristen Johnsen.
The two freshmen along with Ottaway hope to keep up the strong Pennsylvania connection Davidson has had over the years.
“The program has found great success when recruiting the state with the likes of former Wildcat players in Leah Uhernik, the Brown sisters (Jamie and Kerry), 1,000-pointer scorer Jessica Montrella, and Kristin Ferrucci,” said Watts. “The staff and I believe the latest Quaker state signees will continue that successful trend.”
Hartman, a 6-1 forward from New Wilmington, Pa., averaged nearly a double-double her junior campaign, and finished out her prep career with a nod on the first-team all-section in 2008. She was ranked as one of the top-five forwards in Pa., by PaPrep Report.com.
“Logan will give us some added strength in the post,” said Watts. “She had a good preseason and is a solid on the boards and
finishes well around the basket.“
Johnsen will team with Hartman to fill in on the blocks for the Wildcats. She earned first-team All-Central league honors as a senior, and averaged 14 points and hauled in eight boards a contest as a senior.
“She has come in poised to make a difference as a freshman,” said Watts. “Kristen's work ethic is tremendous. She has good size and is a very good passer.”
The Schedule
Of the Wildcats' 29 games this year, the schedule will be highlighted by two in-season tournaments, trips to South Carolina, Xavier and Cincinnati as well as a 20-game Southern Conference slate. Davidson, which is 13-12 when playing at in-season tournaments during Watts' seven years, will play at tournaments hosted by Winthrop and Vanderbilt this season.
“Our staff has assembled another tough schedule,” said Watts. “We are excited to take our two seniors back home to Baltimore, Md., and Cincinnati, Ohio, for three tough games against Towson, Xavier and Cincinnati, and finally, the SoCon will be tough from top to bottom and we will need to be ready each and every night.”
Davidson will be tested early as its first six games are on the road. To get things rolling for the 2008-09 season, Davidson first heads to Rock Hill, S.C., to participate in the Winthrop Tournament, Nov. 15-16. Davidson looks to extend its winning streak against the Winthrop Eagles, having won the past eight meetings, including last year's 68-63 victory at home.
Following the tournament, Davidson stays on the road to play at Towson and South Carolina, Nov. 22 and 24. Towson is coming off a 22-10 year, while the Gamecocks finished an even 16-16 and advanced to the second round of the Women's NIT. It will be the first time since 1975 the Wildcats have battled the Gamecocks.
Finishing up the month of November will be Davidson's final in-season tournament, the Vanderbilt Tournament. The 'Cats face off against a Commodores team that brings back all five starters from last season's squad that advanced to the Spokane Regional Semifinals and went 25-9 overall, while winning a school-record 11 Southeastern Conference games. Davidson will also either face St. Joseph's (17-14 record last year) or Virginia Tech in its second game of the tournament.
The month of December sees the Wildcats jump right into their slate of conference games with four contests, starting with a home date on Dec. 2 against Furman. They will also face Appalachian State, Western Carolina and Wofford throughout the month, hosting three of its first four league games at home. In the past three years, Davidson has gone 28-8 overall in the friendly confines of Belk Arena. Western Carolina will be one of the teams challenging for top honors in the SoCon after finishing second last year in league play at 15-3 and returning three of its five starters.
In between its conference contests in December, Davidson finishes up its non-conference schedule with a game against cross-county rival Charlotte (Dec. 9), and then a trip before Christmas to Ohio for games against Xavier (Dec. 19) and Cincinnati (Dec. 21), both of which the 'Cats have never faced in program history. Charlotte, which has a 10-10 all-time record against Davidson, advanced to the WNIT last year with its 18-13 mark, while Xavier rattled off 24 wins, defended its Atlantic-10 championship title and made the NCAA Tournament.
Once the new year arrives, the Wildcats will be in the thick of SoCon play. Davidson will get its first look at the newest member of the SoCon, Samford, when it travels to Birmingham, Ala., Jan. 19. The Bulldogs enter their first year in the league after spending five seasons in the Ohio Valley Conference. They went 23-9 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the OVC Tournament.
Should the regular-season crown come down to the final games, Davidson will have to fight its way through on the road as six of its last nine contests are away from Belk Arena.
The SoCon Tournament, Mar. 5-9, will be held this year in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Coming off a 19-win season and its fifth straight winning record in the past seven years under head coach Annette Watts, Davidson opens up its 2008-09 campaign with the first of two in-season tournaments when it travels to the Winthrop Hilton Inn Classic this weekend.
Davidson opens up against host Winthrop on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. and then will either face North Carolina A&T or Mississippi on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.
Below is a look at what can be expected this year from the Wildcats in the 2008-09 Season Preview...
Balance and versatility from top to bottom has been one of the Wildcats' main strengths during head coach Annette Watts tenure at Davidson. Despite their depth issues the past couple of years due to injuries, the Wildcats have far exceeded people's expectations and stayed atop the league.
For Watts and the 2008-09 Davidson women's basketball team, those two key components above will again be one of the many assets the Wildcats will have as they seek their sixth straight winning campaign
and hunt for their first Southern Conference title in program history.
“There is no debating it; the ladies have done a great deal despite their limited depth of late,” said Watts, who last year became the all-time winningest head coach in program history. “Everyone on the team has stepped up at some point or time, and I feel this year's squad is much like the past great Wildcat teams with many versatile players and a nice balance.”
Gone due to graduation are starters Danielle Hemerka and Honna Housley, along with one of the top Wildcats in program history, Katie Hamilton. They all left their marks in the Wildcat record books, and were part of the great balance that Watts has used over the past seven years. There still though remains a very solid core group, starting with the senior duo of Mercedes Robinson and Mandy Halbersleben.
“The team will look to our seniors to help keep the squad at the top of the league standings,” said Watts.
Robinson can score inside or outside, while Halbersleben provides Davidson with that great spark of high energy.
Next in line is the junior class who have played a key role in displaying the valuable balance the Wildcats are known for. Juniors Alex Thompson, Julia Paquette and Monica Laune all have showcased their value to the team the past two years through a variety of roles, and more will be displayed in their third year. Add in the final pieces with sophomores Ashley Lax and Kelly Gardner and red-shirt freshman Chloe Woodington, along with a very talented and driven freshman class, sets up the 'Cats for another great season and run in the SoCon.
“This team has worked very hard and they've shown they are motivated, primed and ready,“ said Watts. “They want to continue what the past players have established and continue the strong tradition of winning and succeeding here at Davidson.”
One of the key goals year-in and year-out for the 'Cats is to improve in all facets of the game, offensively and defensively.
The 2007-08 season was no exception as Davidson ranked yet again in the top-five on both offense and defense.
As has been the case since Watts took over seven years ago, defense has been one of the Wildcats' trademarks night in and night out, and it has helped them become one of the top teams in the league.
“In my mind, our lack of numbers have at times hurt our defensive intensity, ” said Watts. “But when we have 11 healthy players, our defensive proficiency translates into the type of offensive basketball we intend to play.”
Davidson finished in the top-five in the SoCon in defensive points allowed at 62.3, and held its opponents to 38 percent shooting.
“You hear it a lot but it is true, your great transition teams play great defense,” said Watts. “We want to make teams take bad shots so we can rebound and run. We try to make teams turn the ball over on the perimeter where we can turn those loose balls into easy lay-ups and points.”
Davidson forced its opponents to turn over the ball an average of 20 times a game.
Offensively, the Wildcats will have a nice combination of speed and height to either push the tempo, or dominate on the blocks. Last season saw Davidson finish with an average of 65.5 points a contest, good for third overall in the SoCon. The Wildcats also ranked first or second in three other offensive categories.
“As we open this season I feel confident in our point guard and post positions,” said Watts.
Robinson, a versatile forward who provided depth off the bench her first two years, had a breakout junior campaign. She led the SoCon with 14 double doubles on her way to averaging team highs of 12.7 points per game and 8.5 rebounds a contest. In addition, the senior was third in the conference in field goal percentage, nailing 51.7 percent of her shots and showed her versatility by draining nearly 40 percent of her attempts from behind the arc.
“Mercedes is the soul of this team,” said Watts. “I want her to have a taste of what we brought her here for. She has given our program a lot and I want to make sure we finish this year putting her in position to receive every accolade she deserves.”
Besides being a first-team pick on both the media and coaches teams last season, Robinson also garnered all-state first team honors and was a two-time SoCon Player of the Week.
Thompson stepped in right away for Davidson and had a very successful second year.
“Alex matured into one of the best point guards in the league last year,” said Watts. ”She is such a versatile player as we hope to play her some at two-guard as well.”
As one of the league's top point guards, Thompson ranked first in assists per game (3.97) and free throw percentage (.870), while she was very deadly from the three-point line, canning a league-best 42.7 percent of her treys.
Add in the five other key letterwinners from last season's 19-win season, and the four talented freshmen, and the 2008-09 season is starting to show the same design of success that the Wildcats have experienced since Watts arrived on the Davidson College campus seven years ago.
The Backcourt
After starting the 2007-08 with a few question marks on who would run the point, Davidson found its floor general when Thompson stepped in from the start and took the reins.
“As we open this season I feel very confident in our point guard situation with Thompson handling the duties,” said Watts.
Thompson averaged career highs in points and rebounds, while her free throw percentage last year tied the single-season school record.
She showed great composure in games last year, including in a win over NJIT on Dec. 29 when she hit three clutch three-balls in the second half, her last one giving the Wildcats to lead for good, on her way to 11 points in a 55-48 win.
Backing up Thompson is red-shirt freshman guard Chloe Woodington, who left Parkway High in Bossier, La. two years ago as the all-time leading scorer and an all-state second-team member her senior prep year. Missing all of the 2007-08 season, Woodington is expected to be back to full strength when the season starts.
“After sitting out last season because of a pre-season injury, we expect Chloe to come into this year with the opportunity to shine,” said Watts.
Though the backcourt is deep, Davidson will need to replace their wing players from a year ago in Hamilton and Housley.
“Our point guard spot is solid, but our wing position is where some of the other guards are going to need to step up,” said Watts. “We need our wings to get out in front and run ahead of Alex and create some transition. Numerous options present themselves and they will have ample opportunities to assert control over these slots.”
Laune, whose versatility allows her to play in the front court as well, has filled a number of roles while on the court during the past two seasons. In her first two years, she has played in 58 of the possible 62 games, including playing in all 30 contest a year ago.
“Monica has used the off-season to rehab her ankle after having surgery in the summer as well as to enhance her physical strength,” said Watts. “She made tremendous strides last season, and is confident and eager to go.”
Seeking to replace some of the scoring lost from the graduation of Hamilton will be sophomore Ashley Lax.
“Filling the shoes of Katie Hamilton, is not an easy job,” said Watts. “She is stronger after working this summer on her game and her conditioning, and has made the adjustment to the college game.”
Lax played in 22 contests as a freshman and averaged close to three points a game off the bench.
Rounding out the backcourt will be freshmen Ottaway and Perez. Ottaway had a stellar career at Hollidaysburg Area in Pennsylvania, where she was the all-time leading scorer with over 1,500 points for her career.
“One of the quickest individuals to join the Wildcat family, Amanda has the ability to run up and down the court and will fit perfectly into an up- tempo style,“ said Watts.
Perez hails from North Attleboro, Mass., where she averaged nearly 10 points a game and led Bishop Feehan to a 59-11 overall record during her four-year prep career.
“Christina is a great team player, and brings a lot of chemistry to the team, she'll give us depth off the bench,“ said Watts.
One player who will be missed on the court is Kelly Gardner. Forced to miss all but five games her freshman year, Gardner is medically done for her career.
“Medical issues have placed Kelly on the sideline her career,” said Watts. “She has taken on the roles of student assistant coach, team motivator and Kelly is the glue that binds us all together. She constantly exhibits a positive attitude and we are so glad she is a member of our team.”
The Frontcourt
Anchoring the inside play with Robinson for the Wildcats will be Halbersleben and junior Julia Paquette.
Forced to miss the final 11 games of the season after tearing her ACL, Halbersleben has worked hard to get back to her form of two years ago, when she played in 31 of the 32 games.
“Mandy has worked hard to return from her ACL injury a year ago,” said Watts. “She has a lot of passion for basketball and she is a valuable asset to our program.”
The senior averaged career highs in points and rebounds before an injury halted her season.
In addition to Robinson and Halbersleben down low, Davidson has the services of 6-2 junior Julia Paquette.
The junior forward started 20 of her 30 games a year ago, averaging close to nine points a contest, reaching double figures 13 times, including a career-high 23-point effort on Feb. 23 in an overtime win at Wofford.
“Jules had a good summer, as she remained here in Davidson and concentrated on her strength and foot work,” said Watts. “We need her to pick up the rebounding totals lost by graduation of Hemerka, and I believe Julia will accept the challenge.”
Paquette hauled in close to five boards a game a season ago with ten times recording six or more in a game. The junior will also be expected to be a force down low on the defensive end after blocking a team- and career-high 27 shots last season.
In addition to Julia, Mandy & Mercedes, the depth at the post will include freshmen Logan Hartman and Kristen Johnsen.
The two freshmen along with Ottaway hope to keep up the strong Pennsylvania connection Davidson has had over the years.
“The program has found great success when recruiting the state with the likes of former Wildcat players in Leah Uhernik, the Brown sisters (Jamie and Kerry), 1,000-pointer scorer Jessica Montrella, and Kristin Ferrucci,” said Watts. “The staff and I believe the latest Quaker state signees will continue that successful trend.”
“Logan will give us some added strength in the post,” said Watts. “She had a good preseason and is a solid on the boards and
finishes well around the basket.“
Johnsen will team with Hartman to fill in on the blocks for the Wildcats. She earned first-team All-Central league honors as a senior, and averaged 14 points and hauled in eight boards a contest as a senior.
“She has come in poised to make a difference as a freshman,” said Watts. “Kristen's work ethic is tremendous. She has good size and is a very good passer.”
The Schedule
Of the Wildcats' 29 games this year, the schedule will be highlighted by two in-season tournaments, trips to South Carolina, Xavier and Cincinnati as well as a 20-game Southern Conference slate. Davidson, which is 13-12 when playing at in-season tournaments during Watts' seven years, will play at tournaments hosted by Winthrop and Vanderbilt this season.
“Our staff has assembled another tough schedule,” said Watts. “We are excited to take our two seniors back home to Baltimore, Md., and Cincinnati, Ohio, for three tough games against Towson, Xavier and Cincinnati, and finally, the SoCon will be tough from top to bottom and we will need to be ready each and every night.”
Davidson will be tested early as its first six games are on the road. To get things rolling for the 2008-09 season, Davidson first heads to Rock Hill, S.C., to participate in the Winthrop Tournament, Nov. 15-16. Davidson looks to extend its winning streak against the Winthrop Eagles, having won the past eight meetings, including last year's 68-63 victory at home.
Following the tournament, Davidson stays on the road to play at Towson and South Carolina, Nov. 22 and 24. Towson is coming off a 22-10 year, while the Gamecocks finished an even 16-16 and advanced to the second round of the Women's NIT. It will be the first time since 1975 the Wildcats have battled the Gamecocks.
Finishing up the month of November will be Davidson's final in-season tournament, the Vanderbilt Tournament. The 'Cats face off against a Commodores team that brings back all five starters from last season's squad that advanced to the Spokane Regional Semifinals and went 25-9 overall, while winning a school-record 11 Southeastern Conference games. Davidson will also either face St. Joseph's (17-14 record last year) or Virginia Tech in its second game of the tournament.
The month of December sees the Wildcats jump right into their slate of conference games with four contests, starting with a home date on Dec. 2 against Furman. They will also face Appalachian State, Western Carolina and Wofford throughout the month, hosting three of its first four league games at home. In the past three years, Davidson has gone 28-8 overall in the friendly confines of Belk Arena. Western Carolina will be one of the teams challenging for top honors in the SoCon after finishing second last year in league play at 15-3 and returning three of its five starters.
In between its conference contests in December, Davidson finishes up its non-conference schedule with a game against cross-county rival Charlotte (Dec. 9), and then a trip before Christmas to Ohio for games against Xavier (Dec. 19) and Cincinnati (Dec. 21), both of which the 'Cats have never faced in program history. Charlotte, which has a 10-10 all-time record against Davidson, advanced to the WNIT last year with its 18-13 mark, while Xavier rattled off 24 wins, defended its Atlantic-10 championship title and made the NCAA Tournament.
Once the new year arrives, the Wildcats will be in the thick of SoCon play. Davidson will get its first look at the newest member of the SoCon, Samford, when it travels to Birmingham, Ala., Jan. 19. The Bulldogs enter their first year in the league after spending five seasons in the Ohio Valley Conference. They went 23-9 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the OVC Tournament.
Should the regular-season crown come down to the final games, Davidson will have to fight its way through on the road as six of its last nine contests are away from Belk Arena.
The SoCon Tournament, Mar. 5-9, will be held this year in Chattanooga, Tenn.
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