MBB: USA South Conference

[hugenerd]

Not to mention that CMUs best inside scorer has a broken left thumb and NYU had just killed Rochester by 18 (who was ranked higher than CMU).  NYU also shot something like 50% from the foul line on about 35 attempts, and Nate Maurer had his worst game of the season (5-21 from the floor and 6-12 from the FT line).  NYU lost because they didnt take advantage of their chances, they had plenty of oppurtunities to win they just didn't get it done.  Don't get me wrong, I think they are a great team and highly underrated due to their early cupcake schedule, but yesterday's game was one in which they just did not get it done.

I look forward to seeing how the CNU vs. CMU matchup is next saturday, Coach Wingen should have them riled up with the whole week to prepare.

[cnu85]

Probably the worst job of officiating Ive ever seen...

Welcome to dIII

[PrideFan1986]

Guys Lets Get a little chatter on what I posted I think it was yest.

[cnu85]

Guys,
2. GC -- Best back court in USAS; Beat Piedmont in deep south

[cnu85]

Guys,

2. GC -- Best back court in USAS; Beat Piedmont in deep south

you're on drugs...I'll let Captj and Narch tell you why!

[cnufan]

Not really in the mood right now to banter about what GC said. Maybe later.

[captj]

85, Goose –

I think he's asking for us to join him in predicting final conference team standings, not his claim that GC has the best back court.  I think it would be interesting to get everyone's revised predictions now that we're essentially finished with our non-conference schedules.  I'll come up with mine by tomorrow, certainly before the Shenandoah game (even though knowing the outcome of that one would help me a lot).

But if I'm wrong... we'll need from him to be more specific.  What is the GC backcourt that you are talking about?  Newman/Greene?  Newman/McDuffie?  Newman/Berg?  Collectively?  Give us some parameters for discussion.

[captj]

Not really in the mood right now to banter about what GC said. Maybe later.

Cheer up, Goose!   

[cnu85]

Goose - I just gave you a Karma point!! Made your day, huh?

[cnu85]

Captj,

I'll work on my stuff, too. But in the end, if anyone thinks GC will finish #2....well, they're on drugs!

[cnufan]

Awww thanks 85, your so sweet.

[captj]

Captj,

I'll work on my stuff, too. But in the end, if anyone thinks GC will finish #2....well, they're on drugs!

I think you're right... I haven't done mine yet but I think they'll be around 4 or 5.

[narch]

aucougars - i simply meant to say that piedmont led by double digits almost the entire game and au needed a few desperation 3's along with some poor execution by pc down the stretch to make it as close as it was

gullet...i'll take the bait - here is my projection:

1. su - good post play - solid schedule
2. cnu - good inside-out play, soft schedule has built confidence, too young to win it all, but will be very good down the road if cj can keep the pups together
3. au - great perimeter play - good win vs. m'ville, but otherwise soft schedule
4. mc - need to find a post player ASAP and need thomas to step up...if those things happen, they could go to #1
5. gc - i'll believe they are contenders when i see it
6. ncwc - tough schedule and a young team...could the schedule be TOO tough and take some confidence?
7. fc

[captj]

CaptJ's mid-season USASAC prediction

1) CNU (9-3) Lots of team harmony and some BIG pre-season concerns answered
2) Averett (9-4) They just scare me
3) Methodist (2-9) The best team on paper doesn't always win
4) Shenandoah (8-2) They have some quality wins under their belt
5) Greensboro (4-7) Also have some quality wins
6) NC Wesleyan (2-9) Too many losses, underachievers again (at least until tournament)
7) Ferrum (4-9) Just not impressed

[sushotblocker04]

OK...I've remained quiet, I haven't said much because its been out of conference play and I've been to busy to try to get a blurb in on yalls discussion. But with conference play being 2 days away, I had to add my 2 cents. I'm sure you all know it was coming anyway. Now this is just a warning but I'm gonna be getting on some, more than others, not saying you other people are safe, but I've got a couple things to say and some fires to start. (Besides I cracked on one of my own SU fans earlier, which I'll address further down.) If you have a problem with it then obviously you've never read anything I've posted in the past and don't know that I could care less.  Bring some water its about to get HOT in here.

First of all, ALL the coaches read the post on this board, if the head coaches don't read it, than the assistants do, if they don't than the SID's do and report to them. Why? Because coaches want feedback too, there isn't 1 coach who has a perfectly sound program that even a little feedback isn't needed. This page is the easiest way of getting opinions and comments on coaching style "without knowing who they are". Last year I was asked by a coach to watch what I say because and I quote "dude, the primary objective hasn't been reached yet". Sorry coach, its a new year!!

And the players....wheww.. the players definitely read this page because they wanna know if their the "talk" of the page. I was recently informed that a certain player thought I was trashing his garbage game when I was actually talking about a fellow SU poster with the same name. Hmm...I'm willing to bet the reason he thought this was because he didn't read into what was said. One day while skipping or in class he probably jumped on the page to see who said what, thought he saw his name and got mad. Didn't look into what was actually said because it IS pretty funny and was an inside joke between me and B-SPEARS. But I digress because after looking at it, I suppose I could be right about the other guy.

(Hmm...getting a little warm in here)

Next...oh yea this whole strength of schedule thing is bogus. Sure if any D3 team went out and played Duke, NOVA, Memphis or any D1 school in the top 10, it'd be a little lop sided. Point is, teams aren't losing because its the strength of schedule, its the strength of heart. Teams who want the W more win it. I'm sure some loses can be credited to the "oh we're gonna blow these guys out" perspective. If a team shows up to play and plays like they want the W, then they'll get the W. Aside from CNwho's schedule of-course.

LEADERSHIP is the name of the game and right now no-ones leading Methodist. Don't get mad because you know I'm right. Porter led yall last year, as he went the team went. Sometimes he'd have to carry the team which is what a leader should do. Right now the void still needs to be filled for yall and I'm sure someone will eventually step up. Coaches play a big part in being leaders but they can't do it all. My coach would tell us " I can't take and make the shots for you, but I can put you in position to take the best shot possible". And 9 out of 10 times he was right, its on-court leadership that some teams are lacking and it shows in their record. A team that practices harder, argues lesser, and works as 1 cohesive unit will win more games than the team with 5 hot heads who don't see things eye to eye on and off the court. CNwho has always had leadership, SU has always had leadership, right now someones leading Averett, MC always has leadership (just having trouble finding it right now), usually NC Wes. has leadership, and back when GC had M. Morgan yep they definitely had leadership.

Biggest OOC surprise thus far goes to Averett at 9-4 they're playing well and it seems like they have some shooters. I'm not saying the 1 vote yall got is something, because look at where SU was ranked preseason. Good luck to the cougars. Definitely gonna be at this game.

(Here's a coaching hint...just a thought but instead of the match up man 2 man, shift to a 3-2 zone with the high outside players sliding to the middle when the balls on the farside of the court. If a man slips to the corner for the 3, have the low man go get him but everyone else has to ROTATE. This won't work if your team doesn't talk though. Hell, might not work anyway. Its just a thought, I'm no coach. YET!)

The award for the poorest OOC performance goes to....NC Wes.. The strength of schedule thing is out the window because they've had double digit leads and blew it. You can't blame the coaching on that.

(Its like a fireplace in here....screw it lets throw another log on)

-Some Sarcasm..
Someone explain to me how Ferrum (4-9) has a better record than both Methodist and NC Wes.. Which by the way were picked 1 and 2 in the USA South in preseason polls. Since I've already addressed Methodist, lets switch gears. Its surprising to see that the leaders on the team aren't the seniors, its definitely not the juniors. But the sophomore and freshman seem to be handling things.Hall and Arrington are averaging 16 and 14 respectively, better hope these guys don't get hurt or it'll be a long season for the Bishops. Thompson is molding these 2 guys into players, as both shoot the 3 well and can take care of the ball. Now all he needs to do is find 3 more.

You know its bad when you can tell the opposing team "easy win for you guys tomorrow, good luck in the championship" and be right. Or watch 12 minutes of game then be able to predict exactly what the end result will be and I've got witnesses on this one...wait a minute... what a coinsidence.. 12 

(It's like someone set the temperature on hell in here)

Can one of you CNwho fans remove your lips from Romeo's and CJ's butt and tell me whats up with Purdham. He was pretty good in high school and I figured he's waited his turn.

(I think I hear the fireman coming)

Lastly....

HOW about them Hornets at 8-2 going into Wednesday vs. CNwho. Coach Harris and staff have the fellas thinking they can win, not to mention they're playing very well right now. Onunaku has emerged as a leader with supporting roles from Johns, Hale, Townsend, Griffin and Lawrence. But I can't discredit the team because everyone's doing their part and playing good team ball. I also see that  James Brodie is back this year, if I recall he played pretty well 2 years ago. Its always good when you have a big body who runs the floor well and have a good touch on his shot. Watch for Onunaku, Lawrence and Brodie to turn some heads inside the paint. While Townsend, Griffin, Hale and Johns, hurt yall from outside.

Might have to make the trip to CNwho.

For all you posters....

Lets look at LAST YEAR and give our thoughts on who we thought would emerge as a leader this year. Total of 3...2 leaders and 1 alternate.


Until tommorrow....