The Abney Athletic Center is the site for the Eagles' meeting with the Anderson Trojans (5-11, 3-7 SAC).
The Trojans have struggled on the road this season, going 0-7 away from the Abney Athletic Center. However, Anderson is 4-3 at home this season and the Eagles haven't won at Anderson since beating the then eighth-ranked Trojans 75-71 in 2010-11 during a season where AU would make a run to the Elite Eight.
"Jason Taylor did a great job building a program that had a distinct home court advantage," head coach Chuck Benson said. "It's not any easier playing there under Jeff Brookman (Anderson's new head coach). They're one of the best defensive teams in this league and we know we'll face yet another tough challenge going down there."
Indeed, AU gives up 71.9 points per game (3rd) while allowing 42.3 percent shooting from the field (4th) and 34.9 percent shooting from three (4th). On the flipside, Anderson has struggled to score the ball at times this season, the Trojans average a league-low 69.1 points per game. AU has cracked 70 in seven of their 16 games this season.
Rakish Taylor has turned into a stud for the Trojans. His 9.4 rebounds per game lead the league while his 68.0 shooting percentage is fourth in the conference.
"He's a really good player who's been there for four years," Benson said. "You have to put a body on him to make sure he doesn't get second and third opportunities. He's only one of their weapons, we also have to worry about the likes of a Maurice Howard and a Randall Shaw in addition to the rest of their cast of characters."
Shaw leads the Trojans with 17.4 points per game. Howard adds in 12.6 per contest.
After starting SAC play 0-4, the Eagles have rallied to win five of their last six league games. The Eagles are shooting 57 percent from the field in the wins over that span and averaging 88 points per game.
Carson-Newman will be looking to correct its road weary ways. The Eagles are 1-4 away from Holt Fieldhouse in league play. C-N averages 64 points per game in its road league losses and has averaged 43 percent shooting.
"Every year is its own unique journey," Benson said. "Our opening part of the road schedule has been against the elite of the elite. It's been a tough stretch and I think our young perimeter players weren't quite ready for that experience. I think we're better prepared to contend for the back half of the league schedule."
Carson-Newman got a combined 55 points from Sawyer Williams (27) and Charles Clark (28) in its win over Coker at Holt Fieldhouse Saturday. It marked the first time two players combined for 55 points since a meeting with Brevard on Feb. 14, 2014 that it happened for C-N.
Those were the days of Antoine Davis and Ish Sanders. Davis had 27 and Sanders 29 that game to combine for 56. The duo accomplished that feat earlier in the season at Mars Hill as well with 31 points for Sanders and 24 for Davis for an even 55.
Sanders and Davis combined for 55 three times in their junior seasons (2012-13). Dec. 18, 2012 when Antoine Davis and Ish Sanders combined for 61 against Queens. Davis had 36 and Sanders 25 that day. They also combined for 59 against Andersn (Davis with 26 and Sanders with 33) and 58 against Newberry (Davis 31, Sanders 27).
Tipoff between the Eagles and Trojans is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 7:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
