Friday, March 7th, 5:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: North Charleston Coliseum (13,600) -- Charleston, South Carolina. Television: None. Home Record: Furman 5-6, Elon 8-6. Away Record: Furman 1-13, Elon 3-12. Neutral Record: Furman 1-3, Elon 0-0. Conference Record: Furman 6-14, Elon 9-11. Series Record: Elon leads, 4-2.

GAME NOTES: First round action of the Southern Conference Tournament pits the seventh-seeded Elon Phoenix against the 10th-seeded Furman Paladins tonight. The winner of this tilt will move on to the quarterfinal round and face second-seeded Chattanooga tomorrow. Furman has six SoCon titles to its credit, but the last came all the way back in 1980. The Paladins are long shots to capture the crown this season, as they are just 7-22 overall and 6-14 against conference foes. They did win three of their last six outings however, including a couple of impressive performances. As for Elon, it has never won this tournament and has only participated in seven games at this event. The Phoenix have lost their last two games and just 3-12 away from home. On a positive note, Elon won both of its meetings with Furman during the regular season, and the Phoenix own a 4-2 edge in the all-time series.

There are only two double-digit scorers in the lineup for Furman, but neither player is much of a threat to take over a game at the offensive end. Alex Opacic is netting 10.7 ppg, and Justin Dehm is close behind with 10.6 ppg. Clearly, a lack of offensive punch has been the biggest program this season for the Paladins, who are last in the SoCon with an average of 62.1 ppg. They are being outscored by 10.0 ppg and are 10th in the 11-team league in field goal percentage (.407). Furman is also second to last in field goal percentage defense, rebounding margin and blocked shots, as only the Bulldogs of The Citadel keep the Paladins out of the basement in most of these categories.

Ola Atoyebi is scoring 12.6 ppg on 56.8 percent shooting from the floor, and he is also pulling down 6.1 rpg to lead Elon in both categories. Brett James is close behind in scoring with his 12.3 ppg, and Montell Watson is posting 10.9 ppg. Elon is generating only 63.4 ppg as a team, the second-worst output in the 11-team conference. Only Furman has been less productive at the offensive end. The Phoenix have been solid defensively, however, as their 66.8 ppg allowed is good for a third-place tie. They are eighth in field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense, and they are the worst three- point shooting team in the SoCon. Finally, Elon is last in assists, but even considering all the negatives mentioned, the team is favored to win today.

Go with the Phoenix, as they are going to take care of business against the Paladins. Still, second-seeded Chattanooga awaits tomorrow in what will be a much more difficult challenge.

Predicted Outcome

Elon 71, Furman 64