A total of 6 players from in-state colleges have received superlatives in the Southern Conference. Furman, Wofford and the Citadel all had two players on the list. While Furman's Jalen Slawson came up short in the conference race for conference player of the year, he earned another honor. The all league selections by the coaches were announced Wednesday afternoon.
Furman's Jalen Slawson was named to the 1st team and was selected as the defensive player of the year. He led the Socon in steals and was in the top in rebounding and blocked shots at 6ft 7. His teammate Mike Bothwell also garnered 1st team honors. The pair helped lead the program to the 20 win mark. It's the 4th time in 5 seasons under Head Coach Bob Richey Furman has 20+ wins. No other coach in Furman history has achieved that feat.
Wofford Forward B.J. Mack was named 2nd team all league. His teammate Max Klesmit garnered 3rd team honors. Citadel's Hayden Brown was a 2nd team selection. Bulldog newcomer Jason Roche was named Freshman Of The Year. Chattanooga standout Malachi Smith was named SoCon Player Of The Year and his coach Lamont Paris was named Coach Of The Year.
The Southern Conference Tournament starts later this week. A bid to the NCAA tournament will be on the line. The Ingles SoCon Tournament will run Friday March 4th-Monday March 7th at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville.
Citadel will take on ETSU in the 8 vs 9 match up Friday at 5 PM. Wofford is the 4 seed , they will tangle with 5th seeded VMI. Furman earned the #2 seed as they finished 2nd to regular season champs Chattanooga. The Paladins will get the winner of Friday's 7 vs 10 match up between Mercer and Western Carolina. That game is set for Saturday night at 6 PM. Furman will try and punch their ticket to the dance and you can hear every play of Paladin Basketball on ESPN Upstate.
