MBB: USA South Conference

[narch]

the race for the #3 seed (and, presumably, a first-round home contest in the tournament) should be interesting over the next few weeks - right now gc and ncwc are 4-4 in conference and mu is 4-5 - mu really controls their own destiny because they play both gc and ncwc - if the monarchs win out, they will control all tie-break scenarios with either team and both will be assured of having at least 5 losses - i don't think any team would be excited about the prospect of visiting the riddle center in the tournament (this is assuming that the conference is still having higher seeded teams host tournament games)

the monarchs could actually get the #2 seed by winning out since they already have one head-to-head win over fc - ferrum is at 6-4 right now, so if the monarchs win out, ferrum would have 5 conference losses, but mu would own a season sweep over fc and subsequent tie-break

the push for the #2 seed starts tonight for mu...a win at gc makes it possible, a loss makes it improbable that they will host a first-round game (although not impossible)

[hasanova]

the race for the #3 seed (and, presumably, a first-round home contest in the tournament) should be interesting over the next few weeks - right now gc and ncwc are 4-4 in conference and mu is 4-5 - mu really controls their own destiny because they play both gc and ncwc - if the monarchs win out, they will control all tie-break scenarios with either team and both will be assured of having at least 5 losses - i don't think any team would be excited about the prospect of visiting the riddle center in the tournament (this is assuming that the conference is still having higher seeded teams host tournament games)

the monarchs could actually get the #2 seed by winning out since they already have one head-to-head win over fc - ferrum is at 6-4 right now, so if the monarchs win out, ferrum would have 5 conference losses, but mu would own a season sweep over fc and subsequent tie-break

the push for the #2 seed starts tonight for mu...a win at gc makes it possible, a loss makes it improbable that they will host a first-round game (although not impossible)

It's possible, but not probable, that I understand all the scenarios you just presented.  CNU's currently in first and Ferrum's in second. Right?

[narch]

'nova - it doesn't matter - gc gets an ot win over mu - the monarchs trailed by as much as 12 with around 12 minutes left to play, but gc was too much in ot

[hasanova]

'nova - it doesn't matter - gc gets an ot win over mu - the monarchs trailed by as much as 12 with around 12 minutes left to play, but gc was too much in ot

Yeah, I saw it went to OT.  Thanks for the update. 

[narch]

mu knocks off ferrum to finish off the season sweep of the panthers...if only they had won in g'boro the other night...the mu ncwc game would be for the #2 seed - of course, if ncwc loses to mu AND ferrum, there is still an outside chance the monarchs could grab the 2 seed, but i don't want to confuse 'nova with too many numers...i know he's more of a wordsmith

[hasanova]

mu knocks off ferrum to finish off the season sweep of the panthers...if only they had won in g'boro the other night...the mu ncwc game would be for the #2 seed - of course, if ncwc loses to mu AND ferrum, there is still an outside chance the monarchs could grab the 2 seed, but i don't want to confuse 'nova with too many numers...i know he's more of a wordsmith

Maybe I just use words to make people think I don't understand numbers.   

[narch]

heading out to watch mu/ncwc and the last regular season home game for mu seniors (still a chance for mu to get a home tournament game) - i was looking at jernigan's career numbers, and he's had a nice run - 90+ starts and almost 15ppg career average (he should surpass 1,400 points tonight)...unfortunately, not enough wins, but a great career still - i hope i get to post about a monarch win later tonight

[narch]

tough loss for the monarchs tonight...nwcw hit a 3 with 1.3 seconds left to get the 57-54 win - they really let this game slip through their grasp - hockaday and combs really struggled inside, missing at least 6 shots from within 6 feet...they appeared to be rushing, anticipating contact and block attempts - whitehead missed the game with an injury...would have been nice to have him on the floor, but kerr had a big night, hitting his first 5 trey's and finishing 5-6

earlier in the season, someone said that mu was the most athletic team in the conference....they clearly had not yet seen ncwc - that team is super athletic (as they always are)

i'm still amazed at how the monarchs failed to reach double digit victories this year...lots of talent there that just didn't mesh in time - now they need a run in the tourney!

[D-BAT]

SU played a very good game and these young guys compete their butts off, their is no quit in them!



February 15, 2012

WINCHESTER, Va. - Christopher Newport University sandwiched a big rally around halftime Wednesday evening to key a 69-60 USA South Conference men's basketball victory over host Shenandoah.

Shenandoah (4-20, 2-9 USA South) led 30-24 at the break after holding a 10-point lead with 3:07 remaining in the first.

Unfortunately for the capacity crowd at Shingleton Gymnasium, the Captains (20-4, 11-0) refused to drop their sails.

CNU scored 11 of the game's next 13 points, cutting the deficit to one point by the 17:34 mark of the second.

The two teams traded buckets for the next two minutes before Christopher Newport seized control with a 6-0 run from the 15:49 to 14:23 marks.

Luc Atangana capped this run with a 3-point play and CNU had its first lead since the 15:08 mark of the first.

George Williams answered for the Hornets on the next trip down the floor, but this could prove to be the Hornets final lead of the evening.

Christopher Newport went on a 13-1 run over the next 3:52 and remained in the lead for the remainder of the contest.

Shenandoah continued to battle, cutting it to five points thanks to a pair of Xavier Alston free throws with 2:01 left, but could get no closer.

The Captains, who trailed on the glass 23-17 in the first half, ended the game with a 45-38 rebounding advantage.

CNU outscored the Hornets 23-6 in second chance points, including 16-2 in the second stanza.

Alston led the hosts with 14 points while Avery Green had 12 rebounds.

Conley Taylor had 19 points, Mike Cherry 18, Tra Benefield 11 and Atangana 10 for the Captains.

Shenandoah plays its final USA South Conference regular season game on Saturday at Greensboro. The game is scheduled for a 4:00 start and is the back-end of a doubleheader with the SU women.

###

[narch]

http://www.usasouth.net/general/2011-12/12cnuwithdrawl

...and the other shoe drops...i thought that might happen - watch for cnu to head to the cac

[Pat Coleman]

Thought this would have happened years ago, to be honest.

http://www.d3sports.com/notables/2012/02/cnu-withdraws-from-usac-for-cac

[narch]

it will be interesting to watch this play out, but i imagine that the cac could make overtures to some of the regional teams which are associate football members of other conferences (stevenson, catholic, etc) to form a conference which has enough members for a football aq...

i'll say this...the cac just got better in every sport, and the usasac got worse...

[Pat Coleman]

Stevenson is going to the MAC in all sports. They are not an affiliate member going forward.

[narch]

Stevenson is going to the MAC in all sports. They are not an affiliate member going forward.

..doh...that blows that theory

[CNU85]

it will be interesting to watch this play out, but i imagine that the cac could make overtures to some of the regional teams which are associate football members of other conferences (stevenson, catholic, etc) to form a conference which has enough members for a football aq...

i'll say this...the cac just got better in every sport, and the usasac got worse...

quite a compliment NArch. Thanks. I'm gonna have to process this to grasp it. I like change overall.