The Georgia Southern Eagles got their first win on the road in the form of an 83-77 win at Davidson Monday, and it made for a more pleasant trip home than those to which GSU has grown accustomed over the last calendar year.
“That bus floated on down I-20 to 675 to 16. It was great. I hate that we’re using the word ‘finally’ but you’ve got to start somewhere,” said Young. “Hopefully, it’s the start of a streak, but to be honest, it’s been kind of hard to enjoy, because as the clock was running down, I was thinking, ‘Man, we should have got Wofford (in Saturday’s 82-76 loss to the Terriers).’ If we would have gotten Wofford, the league would be shaking in its boots thinking we were the hottest team.”
It’s been a long transition as the regular season begins to come to an end on Young’s first season as GSU’s coach, and at today’s 7 p.m. matchup against Elon, the seniors involved in the process will get a bit of recognition.
“I view them as the foundation. They didn’t have to stay here and help rebuild this program and bring us up from the ashes. It’s tough coming into a new system – new coach, new philosophy – when you’ve been doing something else for two or three years. Respect is the ultimate currency, and I have the utmost respect for Sandy Perry, Antoine Johnson, Antonio Hanson, Tyler Troupe, big Kris (Janiszewski) and Blake Thompson.”
The Southern Conference Tournament begins on March 4 in Charlotte, N.C., and as far as Young is concerned, the seniors are not quite done yet.
“I firmly believe that this group of seniors is going to do something special before they leave here,” he said.” I’ve been preaching ‘three games in March’ all year, and we’re playing really well right now.”
The Phoenix (8-20, 5-11 SoCon) comes in to Hanner Fieldhouse facing a similar situation to Georgia Southern’s. They both were selected to finish last in their respective divisions in the preseason polls, and they both feel they have something to prove.
“I’m an Elon fan, to be honest with you,” Young said. “They’re scrappers. They were picked last just like we were, and they take it personally, like we do. If anybody’s coming to see a game between two teams with not-so-good records, they’ve got another thing coming. What you’re going to see is two teams competing like it’s the Super Bowl.”
Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.
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