ELON – The Elon men's basketball team will challenge Miami on Thursday night in Coral Gables, Florida. Tipoff between the Phoenix (3-1) and the Hurricanes (3-1) is slated for 7 p.m. ET at the Watsco Center.
 
GAME INFORMATION

• Date & Time: Thursday, Nov. 20 | 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Coral Gables, Florida | Watsco Center
• Watch: ACC Network Extra | PxP: Kyle Sielaff | Analyst: Jack McClinton
• Listen: Elon Sports Network | The Varsity Network App | PxP: Taylor Durham
• Live Stats: Statbroadcast

 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP – ELON vs. MIAMI

• Series record: Elon leads, 1-0
• The Phoenix and Hurricanes met once previously on the hardwood on Feb. 6, 1940. Elon won 58-30 on its home floor.
• Elon is seeking its second straight win against an ACC opponent, having bested Notre Dame 84-77 in South Bend, Indiana, on Nov. 22, 2024, of last season.
• The Phoenix has four total wins against power conference opponents in its NCAA Division I modern era (1999-present), including a second victory against an ACC squad; Elon won 74-69 at Clemson on Dec. 30, 2005. Elon also defeated South Carolina in back-to-back seasons (2011, 2012).
• Miami is 3-1 with decisive victories against Jacksonville, Bethune-Cookman and Stetson, as well as an 82-68 loss vs. No. 10 Florida in its most recent contest last Sunday. The Hurricanes are led by first-year head coach Jai Lucas.

 
STARTING FIVE
1. Bucket Getter
Graduate forward Chandler Cuthrell has been an imposing offensive force for the Phoenix, leading the CAA and ranking seventh nationally at 24.5 points per game through four outings. The graduate forward was named CAA Player of the Week on Monday after posting back-to-back career-high performances of 28 and 29 points against Marshall and Gardner-Webb. He has scored 20-plus points in every game while shooting 51.6% from the field. Cuthrell also ranks 10th in the CAA at 7.0 rebounds per game and has logged one double-double – a 20-point, 10-rebound showing in the overtime win at UNCG on Nov. 8.
 
2. Dish It, Protect It
Elon has taken excellent care of the basketball through its first four outings, averaging just 8.8 turnovers per game – good for 18th nationally and tops in the CAA. The Phoenix also ranks 23rd in NCAA Division I with a 1.97 assist-to-turnover ratio, highlighting the team's collective unselfishness. Leading the way are graduate guard Ja'Juan Carr and freshman guard DeMarco Johnson, who own impressive assist-to-turnover marks of 17-4 and 19-2, respectively. Johnson has already twice led the team in assists through just four career games with six in his collegiate debut vs. Belmont Abbey on Nov. 5 and eight on the road at Marshall on Nov. 12.
 
3. Double Trouble
Cuthrell's frontcourt partner, Kacper Klaczek, has been just as impactful through his first four games in maroon and gold. The graduate forward is one of only four players in NCAA Division I averaging at least 13.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game – a group that includes Duke's Cameron Boozer, Butler's Michael Ajayi and Grand Canyon's Nana Owusu-Anane. A native of Chorzow, Poland, Klaczek delivered his best outing in Elon's overtime win at UNCG on Nov. 12, posting 25 points and 13 boards. He enters the week shooting 50% from the field (19 of 38) and 47.1% from three (8 of 17).
 
4. Let It Fly
The Phoenix has been both prolific and efficient from beyond the arc this season, leading the CAA in 3-point makes (12.8), attempts (34.0) and percentage (37.5%) entering Thursday's matchup at Miami. Elon has hit double-digit threes in all four outings – its first such stretch since a six-game run late in the 2020-21 campaign (Feb. 8–29) – and most recently buried 16-of-31 (51.6%) against Gardner-Webb. Eight different Phoenix have connected from deep, led by junior guard Randall Pettus II, who has gone 14-of-28 (50%) with multiple makes in every game, including a 5-for-10 performance last Saturday.
 
5. Bench Boost
Sophomore Bryson Cokley has quickly emerged as a valuable scoring spark for the Phoenix off the bench. The George Mason transfer – who originally committed to Wake Forest out of high school – is averaging 11.3 points in 22.8 minutes per game and has reached double figures in three of four outings. The 6-foot-6 guard delivered a season-high 14 points, including three 3-pointers, in the road matchup at Marshall and has recorded multiple threes in three games so far.
 
UP NEXT
Elon plays another road game at Appalachian State on Monday in Boone. Tipoff at Holmes Convocation Center is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
 
SUPPORT THE PHOENIX
Fans can support Elon Athletics through the Phoenix Club. To purchase 2025-26 tickets, visit TicketMaster.com/ElonTickets.
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Elon men's basketball, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonMBasketball) and Instagram (@ElonMBasketball).