Only four games into the season, the Furman men’s basketball team has picked up where they left off last season. Men’s basketball had a record season in 2018-2019, claiming a school-record 25 wins, as well as defeating the defending champion Villanova. The team advanced to the National Invitation Tournament; however, they fell short in the first round.
Now, the team looks to have another record season with a 4-0 start to the 2019-2020 season. The season began on the road against Gardner-Webb. Furman kept in control for most of the game; however, at the half, the game was close, with Furman leading 37-36. The game concluded with a Paladins win, 70-63.
Then the team’s home opener for the season was up against Loyola Chicago. Last year, Furman defeated Loyola Chicago with 1.6 seconds remaining, 60-58. This year, it was a much easier game for the Paladins, who defeated Loyola Chicago 87-63. Senior Jordan Lyons scored 24 points, while junior Clay Mounce scored 22 points. The home opener this season was a record for student attendance, with 746 students attending the game.
The Paladins since then have played two more games, dominating both. The men’s team easily defeated Charleston Southern on the road, 91-47. The points were more evenly dispersed among the team, with five players scoring at least 11 points or more. The Paladins’ most recent game was back home against Southern Wesleyan, which resulted in another win for the team, 83-61. This time, sophomore Noah Gurley scored a career-high 25 points.
The next game up for men’s basketball is on the road at the University of Alabama. After that game, the team will be back at home on Friday, Nov. 22 to play Columbia International.
A new event that will be ongoing throughout the basketball season is the Weekends at the Well games for both the women’s and men’s basketball teams. In December, January and February, the men’s basketball team will play in Bon Secours Wellness Arena as a way to promote Furman as Greenville’s team and to encourage local Greenville citizens to get behind Furman Athletics. The first game will be Dec. 14, and will be played against Winthrop. Jan. 11 will be a doubleheader, with the women’s team playing first against Samford, and then the men’s team playing following that game against UNC Greensboro. To conclude, the men’s team will play Feb. 22 against local rival Wofford. All games are free for students with a valid student ID.