MBB: USA South Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Don't forget, final three-plus hours to enter the D3hoops.com bracket challenge.

You have extra time for the women's bracket, since the first game isn't until 4 p.m. ET on Friday.

http://www.d3hoops.com/pickem/

[hasanova]

Go to Guilford's website before the game and take a look at the roofline of the gym - if you've never been there before, it's certainly beautiful, if not unique!

'nova - is the dyslexia kicking in a bit...i think you meant it's certainly unique, if not beautiful

in all seriousness, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and also depends on the vantage point...having been inside of ragan-brown a few times (although not since the most recent renovations), it is stunning from the inside...perhaps at the expense of exterior beauty - there is, however, no denying the uniqueness of the structure and architecture

Point well taken, narch, but I was actually very careful to word it the way I did.  I was always taught to avoid phrases like "very unique" because it's either unique (one of a kind) or it isn't.  I've known for a long time that Amherst in the NESCAC has the same roofline style and I recently heard about a third school (but I can't remember who it is!).  Perhaps Pat Coleman or another poster can tell me. 

So, as you can see, it does, in my mind, have a beautiful interior (I agree about the exterior), but it's not unique.  At any rate, however, I think it's safe to say a first-time viewer or visitor will surely take a few minutes to look up and around to savor the venue before the game even begins!

Okay, speaking of dyslexia, here's my favorite joke:

Q. What does a dyslexic, agnostic insomniac do in the middle of the night?
A.  He stays awake and wonders if there really is a Dog.

[Pat Coleman]

Clark is the other school.

[hasanova]

Clark is the other school.

Thanks.  I had a hunch you'd know! 

[CaptJ]

Hey, nova, I took a look at the photo of your gym on the men's hoops webpage.  I agree, the interior is quite beautiful.  Is there a photo of the exterior somewhere?  It looks like a great place for a "dance."  If I were still in Virginia I would be very tempted to make the drive to Greensboro for the game.

BTW, the time here is 13 hours ahead of EST during daylight savings time, 12 hours the rest of the year.  I will be watching the game at 9AM on Saturday.  That means I've already experienced Friday night so if you want to know in advance who won the game, just send me a message.

[hasanova]

Hey, nova, I took a look at the photo of your gym on the men's hoops webpage.  I agree, the interior is quite beautiful.  Is there a photo of the exterior somewhere?  It looks like a great place for a "dance."  If I were still in Virginia I would be very tempted to make the drive to Greensboro for the game.

BTW, the time here is 13 hours ahead of EST during daylight savings time, 12 hours the rest of the year.  I will be watching the game at 9AM on Saturday.  That means I've already experienced Friday night so if you want to know in advance who won the game, just send me a message.

CaptJ, this link's probably a better view, but still doesn't show the highest "peaks" in the exterior roofline.  If you look at the "beach" volleyball court photo, you'll see two sections of the basketball side in the background ... the high points are out of view to the left.  Give me a day or so and I'll send a photo to your email.

http://www.guilford.edu/athletics/facilities.html

The timing issue reminds me of the movie "The Sting", but I'm not sure that's how it'll work!  lol  BTW, what am I going to have for supper tonight?  I don't have a clue!

[CaptJ]

CaptJ, what can you tell Quaker fans about CNU?  I looked up some stats and see that Taylor is the leading scorer and Blasingame looks to be a force averaging a double/double.  What is the story with Green?  He is the second leading scorer but only plays 10-13 minutes in the conference tourney?

CaptJ can't tell you squat. He lives in the Phillipines and hasn't seen a CNU game in a couple of years. If you looked up stats, you would probably be just as much in the know!

Since 85 hasn't been any help I will weigh in here.  Even though I only see a game through an internet connection I still feel like I know a few things about the Captains.  And since 85 doesn't have the time to help, I'll do my best.  This is just one man's opinion.

CNU is a team full of underachievers.  Even though we have had a disappointing season I think we can still be dangerous.  We have the very bad habit of playing to the level of our competition.  We have played our best games against our strongest opponents.  NC Wesleyan was supposed to be the best team in our conference but we beat them 2 out of 3 games.  You can expect that we will be prepared for the game against your Quakers. 

We have some very good players who seem to be coming alive right now.  Conley Taylor has played great the 2nd half of the season and can turn into a scoring machine at times.  Mark Blasingame is a career 1000/1000 player who is VERY good at shotblocking.  I think he is 3rd all time in D3.  Sanford is not going to have an easy night against Mark.  Brian Herrmann has also played much stronger the last half of the season.  Most thought he would be a solid first team player this year but it seemed to take him a while to come into his own, or maybe it took our coach that long to recognize his talent.  We have some very good shooters.  Josh Russell, Theo Baker and Jake Capin can all light it up from outside.  Our weakness is at point guard, which is a tradional strength of CNU teams.  We have a guy with experience but a fear of taking it to the hoop.  We have a young guy who is fearless but sometimes that is his weakness.  Altogether the team seems to be peaking at the right time.  It might not be enough to pull out a win but I think they will fight for this one.  I wish I could be there to watch it.

GO CAPTAINS!!!

[CaptJ]

The timing issue reminds me of the movie "The Sting", but I'm not sure that's how it'll work!  lol  BTW, what am I going to have for supper tonight?  I don't have a clue!

It will be something with rice.  No, wait... that's me.  I guess this won't work after all.

[sludge]

Hey, nova, I took a look at the photo of your gym on the men's hoops webpage.  I agree, the interior is quite beautiful.  Is there a photo of the exterior somewhere?  It looks like a great place for a "dance."  If I were still in Virginia I would be very tempted to make the drive to Greensboro for the game.

BTW, the time here is 13 hours ahead of EST during daylight savings time, 12 hours the rest of the year.  I will be watching the game at 9AM on Saturday.  That means I've already experienced Friday night so if you want to know in advance who won the game, just send me a message.

It should be against NCAA rules to reveal the results of a game before it is actually played.

[CaptJ]

Hey, nova, I took a look at the photo of your gym on the men's hoops webpage.  I agree, the interior is quite beautiful.  Is there a photo of the exterior somewhere?  It looks like a great place for a "dance."  If I were still in Virginia I would be very tempted to make the drive to Greensboro for the game.

BTW, the time here is 13 hours ahead of EST during daylight savings time, 12 hours the rest of the year.  I will be watching the game at 9AM on Saturday.  That means I've already experienced Friday night so if you want to know in advance who won the game, just send me a message.

It should be against NCAA rules to reveal the results of a game before it is actually played.

Hey, I made a bundle on the Superbowl this year.   

[ViewfromtheJames]

From the Newport News Daily Press ...

By Melinda Waldrop

Statistically speaking, this season ranks a little below C.J. Woollum's standards.

But the 15 wins Woollum has directed his Christopher Newport men's basketball team to — in a year filled with lineup shuffles and losing streaks — may be among the most impressive of a 26-year career that now numbers 502 victories and counting.

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt_cj_0305mar05,0,5652053.story

[CaptJ]

From the Newport News Daily Press ...

By Melinda Waldrop

Statistically speaking, this season ranks a little below C.J. Woollum's standards.

But the 15 wins Woollum has directed his Christopher Newport men's basketball team to — in a year filled with lineup shuffles and losing streaks — may be among the most impressive of a 26-year career that now numbers 502 victories and counting.

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt_cj_0305mar05,0,5652053.story

Thank you, Lynn Burke.  Why don't you stay around and do more than promote the Daily Press?  I'm sure you have a lot of insight to offer here.

[CaptJ]

Conley Taylor scored at 4:58 of the first half to put the Captains up by one but it seemed like that woke up the Quakers because they proceeded to go on a 13-2 run to close the half up by 10.  Second half all Quakers.  What a great team.

Congrats to the Captains for resurrecting the season by winning their 17th NCAA banner.  I'm looking forward to next year.  We lose some starters.  Theo Baker seems to have been a Captain for a decade.  He just missed out on getting 1000 career points.  Too bad he slept through huge stretches of several games.  Josh Russell and his scoring will also be missed.  We also lose our 1000/1000 work horse Mark Blasingame, but I think we have plenty of talent remaining for a coach to build on.  We MUST get a good point guard to be competitive.  I look forward to new faces next year, one in particular.

GO CAPTAINS!!!

FIRE CJ WOOLLUM!

[hasanova]

Sorry I didn't see your message about holding up a sign, CaptJ.  We were top row directly across from the CNU bench.  Blasingame is a fine player - I'd take him on my team any day!

As you know, GC was 12 of 25 on threes ... Bonner was 8 of 10 and had 28 points.  The Quakers have a strong inside game, too.

Congratulations to the Captains on a fine season!

[CaptJ]

Sorry I didn't see your message about holding up a sign, CaptJ.  We were top row directly across from the CNU bench.  Blasingame is a fine player - I'd take him on my team any day!

As you know, GC was 12 of 25 on threes ... Bonner was 8 of 10 and had 28 points.  The Quakers have a strong inside game, too.

Congratulations to the Captains on a fine season!

Thanks, nova.  Best of luck to the Quakers and the rest of the ODAC teams.  The South Region is well represented this year.