6 reactions to Winthrop basketball’s season-opening 75-67 win over UNCG
After having the game postponed due to COVID-19 “issues” only to have it rescheduled two nights later, Winthrop and UNC-Greensboro delivered a fun one to watch.
The Eagles from Rock Hill — without two Tier 1 personnel, The Herald reported before the game — ended up earning a 75-67 win in their season opener, fueled by a 14-point debut from Adonis Arms; a near triple-double from Chandler Vaudrin; a freshman playing like a veteran and more.
Here are six rapid reactions from Tuesday night’s contest.
1. A high-profile coaching matchup
OK, here’s less of a reaction and more of a storyline that was largely lost in the pregame, COVID-19 hoopla: The two coaches who were featured in Tuesday’s matchup are among the best mid-major college basketball coaches around. Winthrop’s Pat Kelsey and UNCG’s Wes Miller were reportedly each final candidates for the head coaching job at Wake Forest — the only Power 5 school to see a coaching change this offseason.
UNCG, a team that regularly upsets its ACC neighbors in North Carolina, finished 23-9 last year and is in the upper echelon of the SoCon — a conference that some experts thought could be a multi-bid league last season.
In so many words: UNCG, as well as its heralded coach, is no slouch — and Winthrop’s win is a pretty big deal.
2. Winthrop misses Chase Claxton, Russell Jones Jr.
Winthrop competed without Chase Claxton and Russell Jones Jr. on Tuesday night.
Chase Claxton (6-7, 185 pounds) is Winthrop’s only other big man, really, to complement 2019-20 Freshman of the Year DJ Burns. The Eagles were outrebounded (41-44) without the Greenville native and allowed 16 second-chance points while only adding five.
Winthrop point guard Russell Jones, similarly, was also missed: UNCG came out of all made baskets in what looked like a 1-2-2 full-court press — one that evolved into either a match-up zone or man-to-man defense once the ball crossed halfcourt. The problem? The trap caused Winthrop headaches, some of which translated into one of 18 Eagle turnovers and, at times, an offense that couldn’t capitalize when it broke said press.
3. DJ Burns...a jump shooter?
Burns, who went 3-for-10 from the field with six points Tuesday, managed a decent sophomore debut despite coming up gimpy after hitting his go-ahead, 15-foot jump shot before halftime. The 2019-20 Big South Freshman of the Year tried his first 3-point attempt of his career as an Eagle in the contest’s first half, too. He missed.
4. It’s clear: Kelton Talford belongs
Talford led Winthrop in scoring at the half (with seven points) and was one of three Eagles to finish in double-figures (12) on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 from the free throw line. He also led the team in dunks — a stat category the Great Falls, S.C., native is used to owning. Talford passed the eye test Tuesday night.
5. Adonis Arms makes debut
Arms’ debut was a good one. The reserve guard, who Kelsey said last year could very well be a Big South Player of the Year candidate in 2021, scored 14 points on seven free throws and 3-of-8 shooting from the field. He furnished an important energy, skill and bravado that Winthrop may need at some point — he was able to fly high on fast breaks and was unafraid to attack the basket in Winthrop’s halfcourt offensive sets.
6. Chandler Vaudrin put on triple-double watch again
Vaudrin closed out Winthrop’s first win with a masterful crossover and spin move that led to the layup that served as the proverbial dagger with about a minute and a half left to play in the game. He finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists — and even improved from the free throw line (going 8-11), improving upon the 2019-20 season, when he went 50% on the year.
Editor’s note: A previous version of the article incorrectly stated one of DJ Burns’ accolades. Burns won the 2019-20 Big South Freshman of the Year award.
This story was originally published December 1, 2020 at 11:53 PM.
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