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Memo to ETSU: VMI Can Beat You
The Keydets, usually found at the bottom of the Southern Conference mens’ basketball standings, are perhaps the surprise team of the league this season and come to Johnson City on Monday to play the Buccaneers.
The surprise men’s basketball team of the Southern Conference this season is Virginia Military Institute.
The Keydets (7–6, 2–2) can beat opponents from the outside with Greg Parham. They can beat opponents inside with Jake Stephens.
And while their Southern Conference victories have come against a sinking ship in Chattanooga and The Citadel, those two teams are a combined 19–6 this season.
VMI officially sit in fifth place. They would still be considered a long shot to win the conference.
But they can beat any team in the SoCon on any given day, including 7 1/2 point favorite East Tennessee State (7–6, 2–1) when the two teams tip off at 7 pm in Johnson City on Monday, January 18.
The key to Buccaneers victory is not necessarily to get leading scorer LeDarrius Brewer back in to the fold after he missed the Bucs’ 78–66 loss at Furman on Saturday following a positive test for COVID-19.
