MBB: USA South Conference

[CaptJ]

I think this is right –

1   NCW  11-1, 15-9
2   SU 7-5, 10-15
3   CNU 7-5, 12-12
4   AU 6-6, 9-15
5   FC 4-8, 10-15
6   GC 4-8, 11-14
7   MC 3-9, 3-22

1    NCW
BYE

4    AU
5    FC

3    CNU
6    GC

2    SU
7    MC

[CaptJ]

If my bracket is right, I want to thank Shenandoah and NCW for handing Averett losses for their last 2 games.  IMHO, being the #3 seed is MUCH better than being the #4.  Both get a home game to open, but the #4 gets NCW in the 2nd round and the #3 gets the winner of SU vs. MC.  CNU might have lost to SU twice this year but IF we get by GC in the 1st round I don't think that the Hornets can beat us a third time (and 2nd time at the Freeman).  Not with a 4 game CNU winning streak going.  And since CNU is the only team to beat the Bishops this year, I like our chances at doing it again since the conference final is also in our gym. 

And finally, congrats to CJ for getting win #499.  GO CAPTAINS!  Beat Greensboro to give our HOF coach his 500th win.

GO CAPTAINS!!!

FIRE CJ WOOLLUM!

[CaptJ]

Today I was once again totally disgusted with the way that the Captains opened the 2nd half.  Why are we so unprepared for the 2nd half of our games?  We went into the locker room with a 14 point lead and within minutes in the 2nd half it was gone.  CNU is 0-8 this year in games that we trailed at the half.  ZERO comeback wins.  And, since we lost 12 this year, we obviously have lost some of the games that we led at the half.  Is it stubbornness?  Lack of coaching savvy?  Fatigue?  Whatever it is, we need to do better.  Trailing at the half shouldn't mean an automatic loss.

[CaptJ]

Oh, yeah.  Almost forgot.  Add this to the last post -

GO CAPTAINS!!!

FIRE CJ WOOLLUM!


GO CAPTAINS!!!

FIRE CJ WOOLLUM!

[CNUHoops2010]

One of this season's great mysteries is why CNU has been rarely able to string together two halves of good basketball.  No lead has been safe and yesterday was no exception. 

During MU's 20-5 run to open the 2nd half, you saw the same problems that have plagued the Captains all season....poor shot selection, turnovers and soft defense.  Everyone starts pressing.  Our shooting guards (Josh and Theo) step further and further back to take really early NBA length jump shots.  Our other shooting guard (the one without an outside shot) goes one on one to the basket several times and but doesn't get the ball to drop.  Hermann and Big Mark settle for jump shots when we should be posting up the big fellas.  4 turnovers result in easy transition baskets.  No defensive intensity as MU players are left wide open to knock down 3 pointers.  Most importantly, we seem to lack a Davon Barton type leader this year to take control and slow everybody down when things start to go haywire.

All said, two road wins should build good momentum for the tournament.  The team was +19 on the boards yesterday and only gave up 4 offensive rebounds.  I thought I was in heaven.   Good luck to CJ and the Captains this week.

[cnububba]

Glad to see the Caps get two big road wins.  Couple of tough road losses for the Hornets, but Kline didn't play.  Anyone know his status?

The difference maker for me is Paul Going.   Paul is not the most athletic point guard, but he is most certainly heady.   And really do we need scoring from the PG?  We have plenty of guys who can put the ball in the hole.   Baker is by far my favorite #2 or #3.  He plays hard at both ends.  Russell seems to be a little frustrated, I sincerely hope he keeps his head in it, he can really stroke it and opens it up for our bigs.  When both Josh and Theo get it going we're a VERY dangerous team.  Conley is playing well, though he puts his head down a little too often going to the hole.  Also, while I like his toughness, needs to keep that 'tude in check during close games.  It cost us one and almost two.  Pretty good weekend for Hermann; 13-23 shooting / 16 rebs and B'game 11-16 shooting / 22 rebounds and 9 HUGE blocks. 

The beginning of the 2nd half was frustrating against Methodist.  Seemed we were in man-to-man.  Not sure why we didn't stay in the matchup zone which seemed to work best.  Carnes can flat out stroke it and is a tough matchup for our bigs.   What could have been with Carnes at the #4 and Marcus Conner at the #5.

Good luck Tuesday guys! 

[D-BAT]

USA-South tournament Championship is WIDE-OPEN!

Anyone could win this darn thing.

[CaptJ]

USA-South tournament Championship is WIDE-OPEN!

Anyone could win this darn thing.

Definitely, but I think the top 4 seeds have to be considered the favorites.  If I were betting I would select them in this order -

CNU
NCW
SU
AU

I think that home court advantage is the difference here.  CNU beat NCW at home once and has a great chance to do it again.  I like SU over AU because they beat the Captains in the Freeman Center.  They should have good memories there.  I also have AU last in my top 4 because I'm not sure they can get by FC.

[CaptJ]

According to the USASAC website, SU is playing in the tournament final on 2/27.  I think it's a little premature to be making that call.  Is SU97 the commissioner now?

[narch]

USA-South tournament Championship is WIDE-OPEN!

Anyone could win this darn thing.

the monarchs are getting ready to go on a 3 game win streak

[CNU85]

Schweers hit her 3 pointer at the buzzer.

And Hoops2010 said she nailed it with 1.7 seconds remaining.  Could she have shot it at 1.7 and the buzzer went off before the ball went through the basket?  What's the difference?  It was a clutch shot.  No need to be argumentive.

Tell me what you think about the chances of the Captains getting that 3rd seed.

Actually, the distinction was important to me. Since it's a buzzer beater, it's eligible for inclusion on our Buzzer Beater page and I emailed CNU to request video of the shot based on 85's post.

HAHA - so there Captj....quit arguing with me!! 

[CNU85]

Schweers hit her 3 pointer at the buzzer.

And Hoops2010 said she nailed it with 1.7 seconds remaining.  Could she have shot it at 1.7 and the buzzer went off before the ball went through the basket?  What's the difference?  It was a clutch shot.  No need to be argumentive.

Tell me what you think about the chances of the Captains getting that 3rd seed.

Actually, the distinction was important to me. Since it's a buzzer beater, it's eligible for inclusion on our Buzzer Beater page and I emailed CNU to request video of the shot based on 85's post.

Pat - I'd be interested to hear the response you received from CNU. Feel free to email.

[CNU85]

Glad to see the Caps get two big road wins.  Couple of tough road losses for the Hornets, but Kline didn't play.  Anyone know his status?

The difference maker for me is Paul Going.   Paul is not the most athletic point guard, but he is most certainly heady.   And really do we need scoring from the PG?  We have plenty of guys who can put the ball in the hole.   Baker is by far my favorite #2 or #3.  He plays hard at both ends.  Russell seems to be a little frustrated, I sincerely hope he keeps his head in it, he can really stroke it and opens it up for our bigs.  When both Josh and Theo get it going we're a VERY dangerous team.  Conley is playing well, though he puts his head down a little too often going to the hole.  Also, while I like his toughness, needs to keep that 'tude in check during close games.  It cost us one and almost two.  Pretty good weekend for Hermann; 13-23 shooting / 16 rebs and B'game 11-16 shooting / 22 rebounds and 9 HUGE blocks. 

The beginning of the 2nd half was frustrating against Methodist.  Seemed we were in man-to-man.  Not sure why we didn't stay in the matchup zone which seemed to work best.  Carnes can flat out stroke it and is a tough matchup for our bigs.   What could have been with Carnes at the #4 and Marcus Conner at the #5.

Good luck Tuesday guys! 

Problem is  - since his freshmen year, Theo "gets it going" only about 2-3 times a season.

[CaptJ]

Schweers hit her 3 pointer at the buzzer.

And Hoops2010 said she nailed it with 1.7 seconds remaining.  Could she have shot it at 1.7 and the buzzer went off before the ball went through the basket?  What's the difference?  It was a clutch shot.  No need to be argumentive.

Tell me what you think about the chances of the Captains getting that 3rd seed.

Actually, the distinction was important to me. Since it's a buzzer beater, it's eligible for inclusion on our Buzzer Beater page and I emailed CNU to request video of the shot based on 85's post.

HAHA - so there Captj....quit arguing with me!! 

There you go again... being argumentive (sic).   

What's your perdiction for who will get the banner this year?

[SU97]

According to the USASAC website, SU is playing in the tournament final on 2/27.  I think it's a little premature to be making that call.  Is SU97 the commissioner now?

+1 karma for you CaptJ!