ETSU Looks to Disrupt Furman in SoCon Showdown

The Bucs hold a two-game lead in the conference standings heading into the matchup.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

East Tennessee State University's basketball team, the Bucs, will travel to Furman University to take on the Paladins in a key Southern Conference matchup. The Bucs currently hold a two-game lead in the conference standings, but Furman will be looking for revenge after ETSU rallied to beat them 75-71 in their previous meeting.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for ETSU's hopes of winning the Southern Conference regular-season championship. A win would give them a three-game lead with just a few weeks left in the season. Furman, meanwhile, is looking to keep pace in the conference standings and avenge their earlier loss to the Bucs.

The details

In the first matchup, ETSU's defensive intensity led to 21 Furman turnovers, which was a key factor in the Bucs' comeback win. Freshman sensation Alex Wilkins led Furman with 19 points, but had 11 turnovers. ETSU will look to be just as disruptive on defense in the rematch. Furman has a balanced scoring attack, with Wilkins, Cooper Bowser, and Asa Thomas all averaging over 13 points per game.

  • The game will be played on Wednesday, February 16, 2026 at 7 p.m.
  • The Southern Conference tournament is scheduled for March 6-9, 2026 in Asheville.

The players

Brooks Savage

The head coach of the East Tennessee State University basketball team.

Alex Wilkins

A freshman guard for Furman University who led the team with 19 points in the previous matchup against ETSU.

Cooper Bowser

A 6'11" post player for Furman University who had 18 points against ETSU in his second game back from injury.

Asa Thomas

A sophomore guard for Furman University who scored a team-high 25 points in the Paladins' last game, a 90-72 win at VMI.

Cam Morris III

The leading scorer for the East Tennessee State University basketball team, averaging 14.4 points per game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You have a competitive league, not a lot of margin for error, not a lot of separation.”

— Brooks Savage, Head Coach, East Tennessee State University

“I thought we got after the ball in the pick-and-roll. I don't know if we can get them to turn it over 21 times again, but we're one of the best in the league at forcing turnovers, one of the best in the country at creating steals. We've got to be disruptive, get after people and use our athleticism to create some easy baskets.”

— Brooks Savage, Head Coach, East Tennessee State University

What’s next

A win for ETSU would give them a three-game lead in the Southern Conference standings with just a few weeks remaining in the regular season. The Southern Conference tournament is scheduled for March 6-9, 2026 in Asheville.

The takeaway

This game is a crucial test for both teams as they jockey for position in the competitive Southern Conference. ETSU's ability to disrupt Furman's offense and force turnovers could be the difference, as the Bucs look to maintain their lead in the standings and secure a regular-season title.