MBB: USA South Conference

[Monarch96]

by the way my predicitions are;
1. MC
2. NCW
3. AC
4. SU
5. CNU
6. FC
7. GC

should be a very interesting year in the league 8-4 may win the league.

[captj]

He did have alot of steals and blocks, but both of those stats are very misleading.  Nothing breaks down a team defense like missed steals and blocks, because when you miss steals it creates 5 on 4 advantages for the offense. missed blocks take you out of position for rebounds. 

I need to get this message out to CJ and tell him to NOT let our guys go for steals or blocks.  Let those passes go through, guys, and by all means don't contest their shooters!

[captj]

Although I can't find a score anywhere, The D3Hoops.com site is showing CNU's record as 7-2.  Did we beat Lincoln?

[Hampton U SID]

lost 114-112 in OT

[cnufan]

I cannot divulge any information on the status of one Matt Coleman.

[captj]

Oh, the agony.  But SO many pluses.  112-114 in overtime.  Not exactly the blowout you predicted, 85.  Now, if we can only find out who has cast the hex on Jeremy Romeo, we'll be ready for conference play.  Come on, Jeremy; 2 for 17 is not going to cut it.  What was going on?  Did you carry your Biology 455 text book onto the court with you?  I didn't see or listen to the game, so maybe you had a good game defensively, but I think I could BOUNCE 2 of 17 in.

We only played 6 guys, 7 if you include the less than a minute from Purdham.  I think that CJ has found his guys, and when Coleman returns we will be even better. 

Selden: 45 minutes and 33 points on 11 for 14 shooting (8 of 9 from long).  DONTA IS THE HEART OF THIS TEAM.

Barton: 45 minutes and 32 points on 13 for 23 shooting (4 of 6 from long).  Like I said before; you guys are going to love this guy's game.

Lewis: fouls out after 17 minutes PT and 19 POINTS!  What would have been if he'd stayed in the game?!

I predict that the subs are going to get a lot less PT from now on.

[captj]

If there is such a thing as a good loss, this was one.  Our guys have to know that they can compete with ANYBODY from now on.

[narch]

We only played 6 guys, 7 if you include the less than a minute from Purdham.  I think that CJ has found his guys, and when Coleman returns we will be even better. 

a 6 man rotation is NOT the recipe for long-term success in the usasac - what's interesting is that i remember reading on the front page about lincoln earlier and they talked about how well conditioned they were...they didn't exactly use that conditioning to run cnu out of the gym - great showing against a good team for the capts. - j...can i get a box score???

[captj]

narch –

There is a box score on the CNU site. 
http://athletics.cnu.edu/Sports/mensbasketball/2005-2006/cnum1221.htm

You're right about depth being important for long term success, but teams have definitely been successful playing 8 deep.  With Coleman back in the lineup and Purdham playing the minutes he usually does, that's our 8.  Dickerson and Witham can also give us strong minutes; I just think that those minutes will be limited from now on.

[njlincolnlion]

captj & cnu85:

From what I can gleen from reports, the Captains played Lincoln tough.  I don't know if it was the fact that Lincoln played four consectutive days and was tired, or if CNU is better than people are giving them credit for.

It seems as if your team did a number on myrick in the first half, however the second half, he exploded.  Good luck the rest of the season.

[captj]

Here's our 8-deep lineup and who spells who –

Barton (Selden)
Selden
Romeo (Purdham)
Lewis (Riley)
Blasingame (Coleman)

When you look at it like this there is an obvious problem.  Selden is stretched very, very thin.  But if there is a guy that can handle it, he's the guy.  He plays as intensely (and with as much energy) at the end of a game as he does at the start.  He just doesn't tire. 

Here is how I see our minutes breaking down in a closely fought game -

Barton   31
Selden   36
Romeo   31
Lewis   24
Blsingame   24
Riley   24
Coleman   12
Purdham   12
Witham   3
Dickerson   3
TOTAL 200

Naturally, there will be games in which we will be able to go to the bench more, so these numbers should all tend to push toward the middle values as averages (i.e.; starters with less, subs with more).

[ballgame]

Gents, I was one of about ten folks at the games....lol....but definitely enjoyed it!   Myrtle Beach is even busy in December!   Excuse my musings, as I am still a little tired from the drive.

First, hats off to Lincoln....those dudes can score some points in a hurry.  The scary part was Myrick had only four at the half....he definitely caught up for lost time in a hurry.   He is a strong player and very good with the short jumper in the paint. 

CNU vs Keystone.....we should have won that one.   If Jeremy could have had a half decent shooting day we would have won....I felt for him both games—definitely did not see that coming....could never get a rhythm going.  Good azimuth...always seemed to be a little long.   And to many turnovers against what I thought was a "fair" press.   Korey Lewis is playing VERY well on the offensive end.  Fouls—urgh—he has to stop bringing his arms below his waist when guys are penetrating the lane...he reaches way, way too much.   Like I said, we should have won this one!

CNU vs Lincoln...first half.....wow!   Fifty-seven points!  Donta....automatic...was just fun to watch.  However, you knew Lincoln was coming....   Korey again....offensively he was great....defensively.....fouls...he had one foul at half time....in a span of about 1:30 seconds in the second half he had four.     Got his 5th on a reach.  Had one thunderous dunk over a Lincoln player....was sweet.    Davon played a great game also against some very aggressive pressure.   Refs were definitely letting them play physical on the ball.  Ed Riley had a very good game off the bench.   Blasingame was not as effective offensively as he was the previous game and looked a little tired, but still had 13 rebounds.  Let's hope Matt gets back soon, he and Ed have a good chemistry going.  Jeremy—tough afternoon—again just could not get in a rhythm.   

CNU has a lot of potential.  But, it's just that potential.  Let's hope Romeo can shoot his way out of it (I believe we go as far as our senior takes us) and we can cut down on TOs.   We'll be fine.   

[njlincolnlion]

ballgame:

Thanks for the recap on the Myrtle Beach Tournament.  Lincoln is heading north during the second half of the season, so I'll get a chance to see them in person.

[cnu85]

Captj holds the record for most "I could BOUNCE" 3 pointers...I think he has 3 this year!!!!

I did predict a blowout by Lincoln....I was surprised we weren't. Maybe the depth we have deserves more credit. I'll remain skeptical until a few conference games are in the bag. It's one thing to be 6-3 vs 9 good teams..........but Maryland Bible, even a much improved Southern Virginia team, just don't stack up to what is about to invade the Freeman.

Captj - I know you are "being a fan". Nobody questions that...you support the program very well. You're just more optimistic than I am......maybe it's becuase I'm a Vikings fan and optimism crushed me in 4 Super Bowls!!! I hope by the end of the year you'll be able to tell me I was wrong!

[captj]

85 –

I might be an optimist, but my optimism isn't "blind".  You predicted a 12-13 final record.  I call that defeatist.  How are we going to go 6-10 from here out?  Ten losses?!  I'm going to try to figure out how we're going to lose 10 more games this year.

We play Maine Presque Isle (1-8) and the winner of Eastern Conn. (3-5) and Westfield State (6-3).  I guess since you have such a low opinion of our team you must be counting on a loss in one of these games, right?  Surely Westfield State (whose 6 wins have been against teams with a combined record of 16-32) is much better than we are so this must be 1 of your 10.

Fisher is 1-6 right now in NAIA Division 2.  From what I've been reading on this site, D3 has gotten the better of NAIA Div2 this year, so I'm not too worried about us picking up a loss against them in the Freeman. 

We play Carnegie Mellon (9-0).  Surely you don't give our guys a chance in this one.  Another blowout for sure.  2 of 10. 

That leaves 8 losses in conference play?  OK, I guess we COULD go one and out in the conference tourney, so that leaves a 5-7 record in regular season.  Not going to happen, my gloomy friend.

Here's what CaptJ's crystal ball says – MAYBE one loss in non-conference play.  I've already made my prediction on conference play (see above).

You're right 85; Santa's coming soon.  I hope that lump of coal keeps you warm.