The Tidewater Region - The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (11-9, 5-0) sit atop the MEAC standings as they embark on a challenging road trip against Norfolk State (Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.) and Hampton (Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m.). The Wildcats are two wins from tying their Division 1 win-streak record.
Game Info | Game Notes
Television: NSUspartans.com | hamptonpirates.com
Radio: WELE
Live Stats/Tickets: NSUspartans.com | hamptonpirates.com
Twitter: @BCUHoops
Hashtag: #PreyTogether #Commit
Series: BCU trails, 13-19 | 12-21
The Starting Five
1 Entering this weekend, BCU leads the MEAC in total rebounds (41.20), and is second in offensive rebounds (13.90), blocks (77), and scoring offense (79.3). Amongst the NCAA, it is sixth in total rebounds, 10th in offensive boards, 64th in scoring offense, and 119th in blocks.
2 Isaiah Bailey has broken the 20-point mark twice since the turn of the calendar, including a season-high 23 at Delaware State. In total, Bailey has reached double-figures in 11 consecutive outings, and in 17 of his 19 games played
3 During the six-game win streak, BCU has out-rebounded its opponents by 50, and in each game except DSU, has scored more second chance points than its opponent. Soufiyane Diakite has averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds in the span
4 Brandon Tabb ranks in the MEAC's top 4 in four three-point statistical categories- 3ptFGA (180), 3ptFGM (63), 3ptFG per-game (3.50), and 3ptFG % (35.0%)
5 BCU's 5-0 conference start matches its best since 2011. The six January wins also put BCU in striking distance for the most Jan. wins in program history. Six times have the Wildcats recorded eight victories in the month, but they have never gone unblemished in D1
Previously
Brandon Tabb scorched Delaware State with 27 points, and Isaiah Bailey nearly matched him with 23 as Bethune-Cookman University took an 86-78 decision last Saturday at Memorial Hall. The Wildcats (11-9) earned their sixth straight victory and matched a program-best 5-0 start in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
Diakite's Rise To Dominance
If forward Soufiyane Diakite scored one more point vs. South Carolina State on Jan. 3, he would have recorded six-straight double-doubles. His streak of four in a row concluded at DSU on Jan. 20. He leads the conference with 178 rebounds and 8.9 rebounds per-game. He ranks second in the conference with 2.95 offensive boards per-night. During the six-game win streak, Diakite is averaging 12.2 rebounds and 13.5 points, and earned consecutive MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Tweets of the Week
Up Next
The Wildcats open a friendly portion of their schedule with six of their final nine games played inside Historic Moore Gymnasium. The home stretch begins with Coppin State on Feb. 4 at 4 p.m.
