MBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[pbrooks3]

As phillipst noted, Rhodes is doing another men's tournament this weekend - today Rhodes plays Principia; Sewanee takes Earlham. Tomorrow Rhodes plays Earlham and Sewanee plays Principia.

[phillipst]

A little preview of the Thanksgiving Classic by Hampton Inn

http://www.rhodeslynx.com/documents/2009/11/27/Rhodes_Thanksgiving_Classic_Preview.pdf?id=1333

Come watch two SCAC teams play if you are in the Memphis Area for Thanksgiving Holidays!!!

[phillipst]

Sewanee 87
Earlham 81   in OT

Rhodes 92
Principia 63

Rhodes overcame a Thanksgiving Hangover to score 55 points in the second half for the victory.  Game recap is at http://www.rhodeslynx.com/news/2009/11/27/MBBALL_Rhodes_vs_Principia_1127092541.aspx?path=mbball

Second day of Thanksgiving Classic by Hampton Inn~Poplar is:
Sewanee vs. Principia   1pm
Rhodes vs. Earlham       3pm

[pbrooks3]

Got an early look at Sewanee today @ the Rhodes Thanksgiving Classic. The Tigers toyed with Principia for the first 30 minutes or so. They wrestled control easily winning by 10. I thought it was ironic that the team with size (Sewanee) was pretty much perimeter-oriented while Principia drove the ball to the basket. Sewanee made their share of 3's but weren't super crisp on the passing or the defensive end of the court. The 6'9" post presence (Hollingsworth) was neutralized by the smaller quicker Panthers. A couple of sparks for Sewanee were Andrew Little and the backup pg Brett Bouldin (a freshman). Sam Martin played a steady backup role iNn the 4 & 5 slots for the Tigers.  It's early and the holiday weekend but I'd say Coach Smith is still retooling and looking for the right rotations at this stage. They will win some games on the mountain but I don't see them making a habit of getting SCAC road victories. 

[phillipst]

Rhodes Thanksgiving Classic by Hampton Inn ~ Poplar

Sewanee 2-0 with wins over Earlham and Principia
Rhodes 1-1 with win over Principia and overtime loss to Earlham

Recap of the Rhodes / Earlham game are at:

http://www.rhodeslynx.com/news/2009/11/28/MBBALL_Earlham_College_1128092905.aspx?path=mbball

Rhodes is back in action on Monday, November 30th at 7pm versus University of Dallas.

[pbrooks3]

The 2nd game at Rhodes turned in an exciting one as Rhodes came back at the end of regulation to tie the game & create OT. The Lynx got the opening basket in the OT and it looked like they had regained momentum to perhaps close it out. Unfortunately, it didn't follow suit. A lot of missed OT shots and a bunch of made free throws from Earlham spelled DOOM for the Lynx 87-79. Earlham was good on the line when it counted. Rhodes played well in short waves in this one. They came out of the gate early opening a 10-12 point lead. This didn't last; Earlham found the range & began hitting shots. They caught the Lynx midway through the opening half. The game had numerous lead changes, and was fun to watch.

Rhodes is similar in many respects to last year, but probably a bit better. They are capable of playing decent defense but they either have single player breakdowns or they lose track of the time on the shot clock.  Consistency is definitely an issue.  Basketball generally is game of runs. Unfortunately for Rhodes the swings are just too dramatic during their games.

Last thing - young Andrew Gallow played a nice game for the Lynx today with 27 points. He shot a bunch of free throws and I don't think he missed a one.

[pbrooks3]

Centre hits the NAIA road tonight playing a midstate rival in Berea. Berea provides a competitive game as the Colonels prepare for the opening of the SCAC schedule this coming weekend when they travel to Birmingham-Southern & Rhodes. I look forward to finally catching the Colonels on their early season swing to Memphis.

This Centre team needs to continue building off the nice win against Franklin. Scoring the basketball with high percentage looks is the key.  Lockdown half court defense and rebounding are important as well. Last but not least - the further melding of the new players into Coach Mason's system.
   

[pbrooks3]

Rhodes missed Andyshea Saberioon tonight as Dallas beats the Lynx 65-57. Rhodes seemed slightly out-of-synch much of the night offensively without an injured Saberioon available to give much needed leadership. Rhodes didn't shoot it well and young Gallow struggled to find both teammates and baskets much of the night. Give Dallas credit - they played decent defense and were 1st to most of the loose balls.  Kory Kilpatrick had a pair of lengthy rainbow 3's and led Rhodes in scoring.  A pretty ugly game from both teams actually, but Dallas was a tad bit better and scraped more.   


Centre got clobbered pretty good at Berea tonight 71-59 shooting a horrid 31% from the field with 3-22 from behind the arc. Berea was never really challenged by the Colonels. Danny Noll had probably the poorest shooting night of his career.  Centre won the rebounding battle but lost in virtually every other key statistical category.   

[phillipst]

As pbrooks stated Rhodes dropped a home game to the University of Dallas tonight 57-65.  Recap is posted on the Rhodes website at:

http://www.rhodeslynx.com/news/2009/11/30/MBBALL_UniversityofDallas_1130092114.aspx?path=mbball

[pbrooks3]

It all gets serious this weekend with SCAC action already having cranked up with Southwestern putting a double-digit win on Trinity last night. Will take in the games Friday & Sunday @ Rhodes with DePauw and Centre.

Good story in the local Danville paper on the two Centre freshmen in their starting lineup - Crawford & Ellis. Here's the link:

http://www.amnews.com/stories/2009/12/03/spo.854435.sto

[jekelish]

AC hosts Hendrix tonight and Millsaps tomorrow.  It'd be awfully nice for the 'Roos to get a 2-0 start to the season, but both teams should present a bit of a challenge.  I don't care about records so far, because we all know things change once you get into conference play.  I mean, does anyone really think Trinity's start is at all indicative of how they'll finish out the SCAC season?

Either way, the fact that Andrew King is no longer around is huge for the 'Roos, and if Alade and Straley can keep it up (fully expect it from Kola) and Sturtevant can finally get his offense going, it could be a good weekend for AC.

[pbrooks3]

AC hosts Hendrix tonight and Millsaps tomorrow.  It'd be awfully nice for the 'Roos to get a 2-0 start to the season, but both teams should present a bit of a challenge.  I don't care about records so far, because we all know things change once you get into conference play.  I mean, does anyone really think Trinity's start is at all indicative of how they'll finish out the SCAC season?

Either way, the fact that Andrew King is no longer around is huge for the 'Roos, and if Alade and Straley can keep it up (fully expect it from Kola) and Sturtevant can finally get his offense going, it could be a good weekend for AC.

I actually like Austin's chances of getting through these opening 2 games 2-0.  Hendrix in my opinion, is not quite where they were last year when they had the senior leadership of King, Foley and gang.  I think the Warriors will get better with every game - think Austin wins by 7 this evening.

Other games - I like Colorado College at home to beat Millsaps by 5.  Centre invades Birmingham-Southern & likely loses by 6.  DePauw is all over Rhodes tonight by 13.

[hendrixfan]

AC by 10 tnight.  Closer than final score.  Alade and Sturdivent didn't do much, but several player came off the bench and played great.
Rizos played good tonight but HC will suffer not having ford.  He was a t the game in street clothes.  No word on  injry.
The problem was free throws.  HC couldn't buy one. 
maybe better at CC Sunday.

[pbrooks3]

DePauw handled Rhodes with relative ease in the 2nd half and coasted in the stretch 86-64.  The Tigers were strong throughout the game with one big lull just before half where Rhodes scraped and cut a 10-12 point lead to a 1 pt deficit at the half.  Rhodes' energy level dissipated in the final 20 minutes.  David Gray began asserting himself in the middle and helping his team get some 2nd chance baskets.  LeMasters found his shooting touch early and made 16 of his 23 in the opening half; he canned six 3's and Rhodes simply couldn't keep up with him.  The Lynx made some hustle plays but their defense wasn't up to the task of handling the DePauw offensive ball movement.  Key stats for DPU were solid rebounding and limited turnovers.  Both teams shot the ball at about a 50% clip, but DePauw got a lot more looks & shots based on their superior rebounding.  Kory Kilpatrick's numbers were pretty good for Rhodes with 13 points, only 2 missed shots, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 turnover. 

DePauw definitely showed depth, high energy and pretty nice chemistry.  They're off to a good start which may establish them as the favorite in the SCAC east.  Tony James is not flashy and rarely shoots the ball, but he made plays tonight - 8 assists, no turnovers.  Coach Fenlon's team is more balanced this year than the 2008-09 version that had Mike Moore.  While I think a good defensive opponent with some post strength could give DePauw a challenge, I'm scratching my head wondering who that might be in the SCAC this year. 

[phillipst]

Rhodes Story is on the web at:

http://www.rhodeslynx.com/news/2009/12/4/MBBALL_DePauw_Recap_1204094939.aspx?path=mbball

A tale of two halves offensively for Rhodes as they scored 37 in the first frame but managed only 27 in teh second.

Rhodes versus Centre at 3pm on Sunday.