CULLOWHEE, N.C. – After finishing its nonconference schedule with a winning record, the Western Carolina men's basketball team opens the Southern Conference portion of its schedule on Thursday afternoon against UNCG at 2 p.m. before closing out 2022 against chromatic rival Furman at 4 p.m. on Saturday on Ingles Court in the Ramsey Center.
 
Both games will be streamed on ESPN+ (paid subscription required). The Catamount Sports Network will provide free live audio coverage for both games beginning 30 minutes prior to tip-off.

Once again this season, WCU Athletics has implemented a clear bag policy for all home men's and women's basketball games in the Ramsey Center. Only standard clear bags, 12-inches by 6-inches by 12-inches in size, small purses approximately 4.5-inches by 5-inches not including the strap and clear gallon-size storage bags are permitted. Diaper bags (child must be present upon entry) and any medical-related bags will be allowed.
 
WCU is 7-6 following a 117-50 win over Toccoa Falls on Dec. 20 in its final nonconference game. Tyzhaun Claude led seven Catamounts in double figures with 21 points to match his career-high, while boarding 10 rebounds for the double-double. Marcus Kell also posted a double-double with 12 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Tyler Harris (13 points), Marlow Gilmore (13), Tre Jackson (12), Bernard Pelote (11), and Elijah Cupples (10) each finished in double figures.
 
UNCG is 6-7 following a 68-64 road loss to Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 22. Kenodre Kennedy leads the Spartans with 13.5 points per game and is joined in double figures by Keyshaun Langley with 12.2 and Mikeal Brown-Jones with 10.6. Kennedy is the team's leading rebounder with 7.3 rebounds per game, fourth-best in the SoCon. Picked third in the SoCon preseason coaches poll and fourth by the media, the Spartans are 4-1 at home but just 1-4 in road contests to date.
 
Furman is a league-best 9-4 after downing Anderson 106-79 back on Dec. 19. Mike Bothwell leads the Paladins and ranks second in the SoCon with 20.2 points per game. Jalen Slawson is also averaging double figures with 15.0 points per game while Marcus Foster and Garret Hein average 9.8 and 9.7 points, respectively. Slawson paces the Paladins with 6.9 rebounds per game, fifth in the conference. After falling in the conference tournament final on a last-second 3-pointer, Furman was picked as the favorite to win the SoCon this year in both preseason polls.
 
The Catamounts lead the all-time series against UNCG 32-29 and look to earn their second straight victory to kick off the SoCon schedule following a 94-90 home overtime win over The Citadel last year. Saturday's game is the 82^nd all-time meeting between the Paladins and Catamounts with Furman leading the series 52-29
 
WCU hits the road to open the calendar in 2023, venturing to ETSU on Jan. 4 for a 7 p.m. tip-off at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tenn.
 
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