Keegan Bell has his most difficult defensive assignment of the SoCon season this evening: Stay in front of Bulldogs point guard Cameron Wells.
Bell and his University of Tennessee at Chattanooga have handled heir defensive assignments well during the Mocs’ five-game winning streak.
They’ll attempt to extend it tonight at 7 in McKenzie Arena against Wells and The Citadel (8-8, 2-2 SoCon).
“Coach has really been talking about our defense and we’ve done a pretty good job lately,” Bell said. “It proves coach’s point that when you defend, good things happen.”
Wells — a midseason candidate for SoCon player of the year — averages 17.1 points including a 28-point game at Texas A&M.
“I think he’s had an outstanding year,” The Citadel coach Ed Conroy said. “He’s really been aggressive in getting to the basket whether it’s on a drive or post-up.
“He’s also taken a leadership role in terms of helping (teammates) find ways to be productive for us.”
So slowing the lead Bulldog could go a long way in continuing a different five-game trend.
“I don’t know of many better players in our league,” UTC coach John Shulman. “He scores it in, scores it out and controls the game. I don’t know what he can’t do.”
The Mocs (10-6, 2-1) have held each of their last five opponents under 40 percent shooting from the floor. Coincidentally, for the first time since the Sweet 16 season of 1997, the Mocs have won five straight games by at least 10 points.
“I haven’t drank the Kool-Aid yet so let’s keep doing what we’ve been doing,” Shulman said. “I’m not sold. I can’t tell you that we’re lock-down defenders.
“The Citadel, the way they run their motion, they’re difficult to guard with Wells at the point and then there’s a 7-footer on the wing.”
Yes, a 7-foot-tall shooter Washington transfer Joe Wolfinger who’s hit 38.8 percent of his 3-point attempts.
“He can really shoot the ball,” Conroy said. “He can spread the floor and defenders have to be out there on him. But in our last game, against Charleston, I thought their speed in the front court made it tougher for him.”
But Charleston can’t help Bell.