Air Force to play a tough Wofford team

Don’t be fooled by the name, or even the 2-3 record. Wofford is going to be a tough opponent for Air Force today.

Wofford is a small school (enrollment of about 1,500) and most people couldn’t tell you where it is (Spartanburg, S.C.). The Terriers have been to the NCAA Tournament just once, and didn’t post a winning record from 1996-2009.

But this preseason they were consistently listed as one of the mid-major teams to watch. Last year, they beat Georgia and South Carolina, lost to Pittsburgh by three points, and in the NCAA Tournament Wisconsin needed a game-winning shot in the last minute.

Air Force has to travel to the East Coast to face Wofford in what should be a difficult game.

“It’s a very hard test,” coach Jeff Reynolds said. “I would think it’s the biggest challenge we’ve had. It won’t surprise me to see them in the NCAA Tournament again.”

Air Force fans might remember Wofford — the Terriers beat the Falcons 74-61 in the Reggie Minton Classic finale in 2008. This is the return game for that home-and-home arrangement, and Wofford is a better team than two years ago.  

Four starters return from last year’s Terriers squad. Forward Noah Dahlman is an efficient scorer. He averaged 16.6 points per game last year, and coach Mike Young described him as a program-changing player. Other pieces around Dahlman, such as guard Jamar Diggs, make Wofford a quality team that has started to get some respect nationally.

“It’s rewarding. I’d be less than honest if I said it didn’t matter,” Young said about getting that recognition. “It was hard fought. It wasn’t an overnight success story.”

Wofford is 2-3 but its losses have come against Clemson, Minnesota and Georgetown — three 2010 NCAA Tournament teams. The Falcons understand what they’re going to be up against.

Reynolds said he has a lot of respect for Wofford and is friends with its coach, Young, and the players respect the Terriers.

“It’s a very tough test, and we’re all excited for it,” forward Tom Fow said. “It’s the best team we’ve faced. Hopefully we can come out with a win.”