Gameday Preview: at Winthrop (10–12,4–6)
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Pat Kelsey is yet another example in the Big South of how a young, energetic head coach can work to turn a program around.[/caption]
Where: Winthrop Coliseum
When: Saturday February 9, 4PM
TV: Big South Network
Longwood heads to Rock Hill, South Carolina today looking to snap the second longest losing streak in program history (14) while also looking for their first road and Big South victory. Things hit a new low for Mike Gillian’s squad on Wednesday night when VMI throttled the Lancers at home 93–60.
Winthrop is a team looking to claw back into the thick of the Big South South Division race and inch back to .500. The Eagles were one of the Big South’s most surprising teams in the conference this December when they took down Ohio and Auburn on the road, and also played #10 Ohio State tough. They got the most recognition though when their coach Pat Kelsey made a heartfelt speech after the Ohio State game regarding the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Kelsey has been a fireplug to say the least for the Eagles. He is a young, energetic coach who spent time at Xavier and Wake Forest. He had a strong relationship with former Deacons coach Skip Prosser, who he considered his mentor. Kelsey replaced veteran head coach Randy Peele who took the Eagles won two Big South championships in six years at Winthrop. After two straight losing seasons the 77–81 Peele was replaced. The 38-year-old Kelsey and his staff have certainly ignited energy in the Eagles program that was not there before.
On the court, the Eagles essentially play an eight man rotation lead by Sophomore guard Derrick Henry. Henry is currently the only Eagle averaging in double-figures with 12 points per game. Winthrop is known for being very methodical on offense and playing a bit of a slower paced game. The Eagles are coming off a loss at Asheville on Wednesday but Winthrop is a different team at home this year where they are 8–3 overall and 4–1 in Big South play.
For Longwood, the Lancers just need to find some sense of confidence and energy. To say Longwood looked flat and disinterested on Wednesday would be an understatement. Mike Gillian and his staff have to find some way to match the energy of their opponents staff or there is no hope for Longwood. Simply put, this team has gone from having a monkey on their back to looking like they’ve lost the game before the opening tip.
The all-time series for Winthrop and Longwood is 1–1, but the two squads have not played each other since 1986. This will be the last cross-divisional game for both teams before the Big South tournament. The word on Nik Brown now is that he has be diagnosed with vertigo and no one is quite sure when he’ll be back.
