VALDOSTA, Ga. – The No. 9 Valdosta State Blazers (22-4, 17-3 GSC) will conclude the regular season at The Complex as they play host to Auburn Montgomery (9-16, 6-14 GSC) on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. followed by Montevallo (17-9, 13-7 GSC) on Saturday, Mar. 1 at 4 p.m. for senior day.
 
The Blazers will honor six seniors as Christian Sadler, Ian Jordan, Cobey Harraway, JC Clausi, Carlos Hart, and Braxton Williams will be celebrated for their commitment to VSU basketball as we wish them well on their journeys.
 
South Region:
The Blazers are currently sitting in fourth in the first numerical NCAA South Region Rankings. The full list goes as follows:

1. Nova Southeastern (SSC)
2. Alabama Huntsville (GSC)
3. Florida Southern (SSC)
4. Valdosta State (GSC)
5. Lynn (SSC)
6. Trevecca Nazarene (GSC)
7. Miles (SIAC)
8. Montevallo (GSC)
9. Embry-Riddle (SSC)
10. Tampa (SSC)

 
Top Ten:
The Blazers stayed put at No. 9 in the most recent NABC Coaches Poll as the top four of Daemen, Nova Southeastern, Alabama Huntsville, and Washburn was the same. Two top ten teams lost last week as Dallas Baptist and Lincoln Memorial suffered losses which caused them to drop in the poll. Colorado School of Mines sits in the five spot with West Liberty, Columbus State, Missouri S&T, Valdosta State, and Dallas Baptist rounding out the top ten. This is the ninth week VSU has been ranked within the top 25 and fifth straight being ranked inside the top ten. To view the full rankings, click here.
 
Breaking Records:
Head coach Mike Helfer recorded his eighth 20 win season in Valdosta last week as this year's squad has been one of the most talented ones he has ever had. Helfer's squad broke a program record on Monday night, as they surpassed the 2009-10 team for the most steals in a season with a total of 295 and counting. VSU is averaging 11.3 steals per game, which is fifth nationally and would rank second all-time in GSC history in steals per game if the season ended today. The Blazers have also been hot at the line, as they are currently shooting .765 from the stripe, which is tied with the 2018-19 team for best in program history. Individually, senior Carlos Hart broke Tyrone Curnell's record for most made free throws made in a season as Hart went 9-11 at the line on Monday which put him at 160 on the season, surpassing Curnell's 158 made back in 2009-10 season. Hart is no slouch on defense as he is six steals from tying Patrick Diop for most steals in a season, which was set back in 2012-13 as Diop ripped away 74 steals that year.
 
VSU Season Outlook:
Valdosta State has rattled off three straight wins after falling to Delta State last Thursday and are looking to keep that momentum rolling into the postseason as they are hosting the GSC Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Mar. 4 at The Complex as the No. 2 seed. The Blazers are currently averaging 93.3 points per game which is first in the GSC and sixth in the nation. VSU has hit this number on .470 from the floor, .347 from distance, and .765 from the line which is fifth in the GSC and 30^th nationwide. Transition has been the main focal point for the Blazers this year as they are currently forcing 18.4 turnovers per game with 11.3 of those coming via steal. These live ball turnovers get VSU out and running and that is resulting in 25.8 fastbreak points per game which is second in the nation as they are just behind Mount Olive who are scoring 27.5 in transition. Carlos Hart scored a season high 32 points on Monday night at Christian Brothers as he has averaged 30.5 points in his last two road games. On the year, Hart is averaging 19.0 PPG on a .498/.271/.773 shooting split while leading the team in rebounds per game (6.8), assists per game (4.0), and steals per game (2.6). Hart's 2.6 steals per game is currently ranked eighth in the country and second in the conference behind Delta State's Chris Terrell, who is averaging 3.6 steals per game which is first in the nation. Braxton Williams and Drew Mills are the other two that lead the Blazers in scoring as Williams is averaging 14.5 PPG while leading the team in three pointers with 50 on the year. Mills is one of the most efficient shooters in the league as he is averaging 13.9 PPG while shooting a team best .520 from the field which is sixth in the league.
 
A Look into the Opponents:
Thursday's game will be against the Warhawks of Auburn Montgomery who look a lot better than their 9-16 (6-14 GSC) record suggest. AUM is currently on a five game losing streak but nearly beat No. 3 Alabama Huntsville in a 106-104 thriller on Thursday night before falling to West Alabama by a final of 75-61 in Montgomery. When both teams squared up in Montgomery earlier this year, VSU came out with a 97-87 win over AUM as Cobey Harraway has his best showing of the year on 17 points while shooting 6-9 from the floor and 2-3 from deep. Despite only scoring two points, MJ Jones picked apart the Warhawk offense as Jones recorded seven steals and eight assists while hauling in five rebounds. Auburn Montgomery committed 26 turnovers but were led in scoring by Trent Coleman, who scored 23 points off the bench while hauling in 14 rebounds. On the year, AUM is averaging 77.1 PPG while allowing 82.1 and are shooting .436 from the field, .342 from deep, and .720 from the line while opponents are shooting at a .472/.365/.749 clip. The Warhawks run a deep bench and let everyone score as six players average nine or more points per game.
 
Senior day on Saturday will be a battle against the Montevallo Falcons, who are currently in third place in the GSC with a record of 17-9 (13-7 GSC). The Blazers used a well-rounded scoring effort to defeat the Falcons in Montevallo on Jan. 16 as JC Clausi was on fire with 17 points in 16 minutes off the bench as the guard shot 6-8 from the field and 5-7 from the floor. Hart led the Blazers in scoring as the guard scored 20 points on 5-7 from the field and 9-11 from the line. For the Falcons, guard Derek Moore led them in scoring with 20 points on 7-10 from the floor while hauling in 13 rebounds. On the year, UM is scoring 79.2 PPG while holding the opposition to 75.8 points per contest. Sophomore guard Brandon Fussell leads the Falcons in scoring as he is averaging 17.0 PPG on .476 from the floor, .370 from deep, and .860 from the line while also leading the team in assists (92) and steals (51). Jaylen Curry is not far behind in scoring as he is averaging 16.4 PPG while leading the team in three pointers made at 60 while shooting .366 from long range.
 
Following this weekend's games, the Blazers will host GSC Super Tuesday on March 4 for the Quarterfinal of the GSC tournament with a time and opponent TBD.