LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Off the heels of their first conference win, the University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team continues their conference slate this weekend as they travel to the state of Tennessee for matchups against the Lee Flames on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
West Alabama (5-3, 1-1 GSC) comes into the weekend after going 1-1 on GSC opening week with a 10-point loss coming to Valdosta State and an eight-point win coming against West Florida. As for Lee (4-2, 0-2 GSC) and Trevecca Nazarene (6-3, 1-2 GSC), the Flames enter on a two-game losing streak with losses against Montevallo and AUM while the Knights come into the weekend after an 18-point loss to the Falcons.
Through the early portion of the season, UWA will be the most disruptive defense that Lee or Trevecca Nazarene has faced this year. Coming into play, the Tigers remain the league leader in scoring defense and rank 19th in the country, allowing 64.3 points per game. During his time at West Alabama, head coach
Nick Woodruff has thrived in putting together defensive schemes that fit the team's personnel and that's the case once again in 2024-25.
Thaddeus Williams and
Marcellious Lockett are arguably the two best perimeter defenders on UWA's roster while
Jaylen Lemons and
Jalil Robinson are active in the passing lanes, combining to average 2.3 steals per game.
While being a top notch defender in the league, Williams has also found his rhythm on the offensive end after a slow start to begin the year, making him a top two-way player in the conference. After shooting 34 percent from the floor in the first four games, the senior guard comes into the matchups against the Flames and Knights averaging 21.3 points on 50 | 45 | 81 percent shooting splits over the last three games.
Alongside Williams, Lockett and
Rasean Frederick are playing their best basketball of the young season. Lockett has been a three-and-D type of player for West Alabama this year but he's also shown his ability as a slasher, resulting in the guard averaging a career-high 10.7 points thus far. The senior has been immensely valuable to the Tigers, being one of two players to start every game this year, and comes into this weekend's play averaging 13.0 points on 47 percent shooting and 50 percent from three in conference play. Frederick has also averaged 13.0 points on 57 percent shooting in GSC play and has now taken over starting duties down low for UWA.
The Lee Flames have been on a consistent ascension in the Gulf South over the past few years, making appearances in the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons. In the offseason, Lee lost their best player and one of the best guards in the program's history in Beyuan Hendricks. In attempts to replace the void that Hendricks left, head coach Bubba Smith went out and secured Stetson transfer, Gincarlo Valdez, and West Georgia transfer, Marlon Smith. Valdez and Smith are the Flames' leading scorers through the first six games as Valdez leads the team with 16.0 points per game while Smith is averaging 12.5 per game. Valdez is playing exceptionally well, shooting 60 percent from the floor and dishing out a team-high 4.3 assists. With new additions atop the roster, Lee is still gelling as a team and looks to figure it out at home after dropping their first two conference games in upset fashion to Montevallo and AUM.
For Trevecca Nazarene, they join the GSC after going 11-9 in the MAC last season. Through their first nine games, the Trojans have been a juggernaut offensively as they rank third in conference with 86.7 points per game. Leading their high powered offense is Jalen Page who was named Preseason All-GSC after averaging 19.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on an efficient 49 | 41 | 81 percent shooting splits in 2023-24. Page has carried last year's momentum into this season as the senior sits second in the league with 19.9 points. The 6'3 guard hasn't been as efficient as he was last season, but he is without a doubt the highest level three level scorer that the Tigers have seen this year. Page's backcourt partner, Jikari Johnson is also having a superb season, averaging 18.9 points on 48 percent shooting and 40 percent from three, making an elite backcourt duo with Page that will test West Alabama's stout defensive backcourt.
Tip-off for Thursday's matchup against Lee is set for 6:30 p.m. CST while Saturday 's contest against Trevecca Nazarene is slated for 4:00 p.m.
