As the first conference games for the men’s and women’s basketball teams approach on Jan. 5 in a double-header at Kennesaw State, both teams are busy preparing for final non-conference opposition.
After opening the season with possibly Mercer’s biggest win ever – a 96-81 upset over No. 18 Southern Cal – the men’s team is unbeaten in December. The Bears have recorded wins over Charleston Southern, 93-92; Furman, 75-59; and Sewanee, 76-62; and have a chance to even their season record at 5-5 on Dec. 18 when they travel to Auburn University to take on the Tigers of the Southeastern Conference.
On Nov. 13, the first-ever, standing-room-only crowd at University Center arena watched the Bears host the Alabama Crimson Tide. Excitement for the game began as early as 4 p.m. on game day when students began tailgating at the UC. Students and faculty from the McDuffie Strings program performed the national anthem, and the Little League World Champions from Warner Robins were honored at halftime. The Bears matched the Tide shot-for-shot until the final whistle before finally falling, 90-83.
Two days later, a group of more than 100 alumni and supporters joined President Underwood in making the trip to Boston, where the Bears battled Harvard on Friday night and Boston College on Sunday afternoon.
Remaining non-conference games include the Jim ‘N Nicks Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29 and 30, hosted by the College of Charleston, coached by former Georgia Tech head coach Bobby Cremmins. Other teams participating in the tournament include James Madison and South Carolina State. A final non-conference home game is set for Jan. 2 against Virginia Military Institute.
The women’s team, under the direction of first-year head-coach Janell Jones, was 3-6 heading into a very challenging December with five excellent programs awaiting the Bears’ visits. The women opened the season with two impressive home wins over South Carolina State and Louisiana-Lafayette, a participant in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Following a four-game road stretch and losses at Florida A&M, Southern Miss, Mississippi State and Columbia, the women returned home to host South Alabama. They got back on the winning trail on Nov. 30 with a come-from-behind 64-60 win over Southeastern Louisiana before falling at Troy, 71-50.
The next few road games would be difficult for any program with games at nationally ranked and unbeaten Georgia on Dec. 17; UNC-Asheville on Dec. 21; Louisville on Dec. 28; and Xavier on Dec. 30.
Catch Up with the Bears on Cox TV’s Coaches Shows
Mercer basketball fans can follow the action of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams on television this season with the airing of two, 15-minute coaches shows. “The Janelle Jones Show” and “The Mark Slonaker Show” air on Cox Communications Channel 15 in Macon and Warner Robins each Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.
The shows have been filmed monthly from October through December, but will begin weekly taping in January. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to watch the videotaping each Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Bear Rock Café in the University Center.
Rick Cameron, also known as the “Voice of the Bears,” is moderator for the shows that are produced by Becki Sandifer, new media designer for the University, along with Mercer students John Wooden and Jordann Hall.
Times of Homecoming Games Change
Mercer Athletics has announced that game times for the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader versus Stetson on Feb. 16 have been changed to accommodate homecoming activities.
The women’s contest is now scheduled for a 5 p.m. tip-off at the University Center, while the men’s game will follow at 7:30 p.m.