The Matchup
Friday:
Converse (0-0) vs Mars Hill (0-0)
Location: Weisiger Center/Spartanburg, S.C.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Live Video
Live Stats
Tickets
 
Saturday:
Converse (0-0) vs Wingate (0-0)
Location: Weisiger Center/Spartanburg, S.C.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Live Video
Live Stats
Tickets
 
The Series:
Friday and Saturday night will be the inaugural weekend for the Converse University Men's Basketball program.
 
Coaches Quote:
I can't believe that it is finally here. It's so exciting to actually start game week and to start preparing for our two games this week. It's a lot of excitement here within our program, the athletic department, the university and the community. I'm excited to see where we are at this weekend.
 
Converse Notes:

• Converse will be looking to get their first ever program win this weekend against Mars Hill and Wingate.
• Upperclassmen transfers Jimmie Sanders III, Wes Morgan, Sigurd Lorange, Jordan Warlick, Trent Green and Landon Harrington will be looking to provide leadership to a young Valkyries lineup.
• Freshman Jedaiah Alexander, Bailey Wiseman, Elijah Pitts, Jay Mitchell, Xavion Bennett, Will Searl, Cohen Gaskins, Earl Burgess III and Nate Gordon will be looking to make an impact early for the Valkyries in their career.

 
 
Mars Hill Notes:

• Due to COVID-19 the Lions only played South Atlantic Conference games to cut down on travel and exposure.
• Mars Hill went 2-16 overall last season and finished 1-9 on the road.
• The Lions averaged 73.3 points per game last season and shot 41.9 percent overall from the field. Mars Hill shot 31.0 percent from beyond the arch and as a team shot 62.3 percent from the free throw line.
• The Lions averaged just under 39 rebounds per game a season ago and recorded 12.6 assists. Mars Hill also averaged 4.7 steals and 3.3 blocks per game.
• Mars Hill lost their top three scorers from a season ago as Javonte Cooke (14.1 ppg), Austin Gilyard (13.6 ppg) and Reggie Wright (10.1 ppg) all left the program.
• Isayah Johnson is the top scorer returning averaging 9.9 points per game last season. Johnson shot an even 50 percent from the field a season ago. Johnson is also the teams leading rebounder returning. Johnson hauled in on average 4.1 rebounds per game.

 
Wingate Notes:

• The Bulldogs went 11-9 overall last season in a COVID shortened season.
• Wingate averaged 82.2 points per game a season ago and shot 46 percent from the field. The Bulldogs shot 37 percent from beyond the arch and as a team shot 74 percent from the free throw line.
• The Bulldogs averaged 36.2 rebounds per game, 14.8 assists per game, 5.8 steals per game and 2.1 blocks per game.
• First Team All-SAC performer Jarren Cottingham returns to lead the Bulldogs offensively this season. Cottingham led the team in minutes played (34.7), field goal percentage (.484) points per game (17.4), assists (64) and steals (35).  

 
Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter: @Valkyries_MBB
Instagram: @valkyries_mbb
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics