The 2022 college basketball season got underway for the Wofford Terriers in exactly the most ideal fashion possible as they hosted the Bob Jones University Bruins, who compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association and NCAA Division III. Although the Terriers’ roster is heavy with freshmen and transfers with some big shoes to fill this season, the production on both sides of the ball was as explosive as expected in this game and then some.
Jay McAuley’s squad flew past the century mark, opening both halves on a 10-0 run, and at the midway point in the 2nd half, were on a 16-3 scoring run. The Terriers shot 65.3 percent from the field (49 of 75) and were 10 for 12 from the charity stripe. As good as all of that looks, perhaps the most surprising stat was that they shot 50 percent from behind the arch.
Wofford’s offense thrived on three pointers last season, and saw most of their range shooting threats transfer out in the offseason. While, yes, the Terriers were facing an opponent they completely outmatched, this could still be perceived as a positive sign, even if they were still just 12 of 24 from distance. That kind of showing in a game that is on the schedule to get some reps and confidence going, especially for a team this young with question marks and big shoes to fill, can go a long way to bolster them.
The Terriers were led by the big junior transfer center Kyler Filewich, who stands at 6 foot 9 and 250 pounds, as well as freshman guard Jackson Paveletzke. They both tallied 16 points. Paveletzke was a perfect 6 for 6 in the field and 3 for 4 from the freethrow line. Filewich, who with his sheer size will be a holy terror for those assigned to guard him in the paint this year, was 8 of 9 from the field and added 11 rebounds.
Of the returners from last season, senior Forward/Center BJ Mack led the way with 15 points, going 7-10 from the field with 6 rebounds, including going 1-2 from three point range. Senior forward Messiah Jones, in his first start coming off an injury that sidelined him for most of the 2021-2022 season, logged 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting with 11 rebounds to match Filewich. Sophomore guard Corey Tripp, who played off the bench most of his freshman season, got the start tonight and logged 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting, including going 2 for 4 from behind the arch and a perfect 3 for 3 at the stripe.
Other noteworthy performances include a 9 point (3 for 6 from downtown) night from sophomore guard Carson McCorkle and an 8 point/4 for 5 showing from sophomore transfer guard Tauris Watson.
The Terriers will hit the road for their first test this Saturday as they go to High Point, NC to take on the High Point University Panthers. Tip off is set for 4:00 PM and you can catch the action on ESPN plus.
