MBB: USA South Conference

scottiedoug · December 09, 2012, 10:29:54 PM

I agree that Givens is quite the force! I hope the grubby one is right that he is the best player in the league. Some of the baby scots did really well today. Jaumonee Byrd, for instance. He is fun to watch.

JRitt · December 10, 2012, 11:04:46 AM

Great win for our Pride last night. A nice come from behind win. From observing the teams in the league it seems to me that this years version of the USA South is much deeper. I believe the league will get 2 teams in the NCAA Tournament.

Top teams are CNU, Maryville, Lagrange, and NC Wesleyan.They could finish in any order 1-4 in my opinion. The rest 5-9 is also up in the air. I think our Pride has the ability but has not given a consistent effort defensively to be considered with the Top 4.

Givens kid from NC Wesleyan is putting up some huge numbers. Just from reading box scores and game summaries it seems that their is some unbelievable young talent in the league.

Happy holidays to the student athletes as they have some rest before the going gets tough in the conference schedule.

scottiedoug · December 10, 2012, 03:59:37 PM

Somebody did not get the memo about taking a break until the hard part starts. Maryville is at LaGrange Saturday.

scottiedoug · December 10, 2012, 05:16:11 PM

Link to Maryville Times article about the MC-NCW game:

http://www.thedailytimes.com/Sports_News/story/Byrd-leads-55-point-effort-from-MC-bench-id-030693

bballlover · December 12, 2012, 03:41:16 PM

Scotty, being a Piedmont fan I have failed to see the easy part. It doesn't feel right for Murville and LaGrange to be playing this early.Should be a great game.

mattgrubb · December 14, 2012, 11:13:35 AM

I am excited about this weekend. The disciple of defense and maker of men against the old ball coach. Lagrange will be intense and play hard. Murvul will be calculated and methodical. My two favorite coaches going head to head and those are some big domes.

Right now I am predicting a murvul victory by 2 which is basically a push if anyone wants a piece of that action let me know. I think Bowers and Placeres tip the scales to the scots, but Wallace will have some tricks up his sleeve.

I do think that Murvul and CNU are the 2 best teams in the league, but I think NCWC and LC will be the 2 toughtest teams to face in the conference tourney.

Captain Bob · December 15, 2012, 02:04:56 AM

Quote from: mattgrubb on December 14, 2012, 11:13:35 AM
I do think that Murvul and CNU are the 2 best teams in the league, but I think NCWC and LC will be the 2 toughtest teams to face in the conference tourney.

Two weeks ago, CNU beat M'ville by 17 points in their building and it didn't seem like a fluke. Do you think the result will be much different when we play at home?

I don't mean to say that Maryville isn't a good team, but it seems a bit strange to put them on equal footing at the top of the conference so quickly after a double-digit head-to-head loss.

mattgrubb · December 15, 2012, 05:34:30 PM

yes, but Murvul is a young team with a lot of talent and a great coach. There is a big difference in early December and Late February.

Obviously, there will be lumps along the way, like today with the loss to LC. Lambert will have it figured out by January. Before christmas does not mean a lot b/c the xmas break can be monstrous for teams...good or bad. Lambert runs a complex motion that usually takes 2 full seasons to learn. These sophs will be ready by Feb and the freshman will be serviceable by Feb. This conversation would be different if Murvul was a bunch of upperclassmen.

Congrats to Coach Wallace. I know he likes this win. He has a talented hard nosed team. He has turned Lagrange into a tough place to play. This looks like it good turn into a good conference season.

hasanova · December 15, 2012, 06:55:38 PM

Final Guilford 80, NC Wesleyan 64

Close at the half with Guilford holding a 37-35 lead, but the Quakes pulled away in the second half for the win. NCWC is a good team, but they got beat on the boards today.

Guilford's 6-2 and NCWC's now 7-2.

scottiedoug · December 16, 2012, 03:03:03 PM

CNU played quite a few underclassmen when they spanked Murvul. I agree with The Grubby One, who should know, that Coach Lambert will field a much better team later. Maybe CNU will, too. It should be interesting! When does CNU "get" to go to LaGrange?

mattgrubb · December 16, 2012, 07:05:51 PM

CNU is really nice at the 1,2,4, and 5 position so nice in fact that it is hard to get other guys lots of experience b/c they guys are so good. Right now Murvul certainly does not have that problem. Hopefully Murvul will have that problem soon.

The scots are 4-4 and lost by 23 at lagrange. i didn't know it was possible to lose at lagrange. I sure hope Coach Wallace gets some consideration for the top 25 with his record. What is up with his 2 players who did not play on Saturday? Will they be back?

The scots have a lot of work to do the rest of the season. A lot.

narch · December 17, 2012, 02:18:43 PM

Quote from: mattgrubb on December 09, 2012, 09:44:56 PMBrandon Givens is a beast and without a doubt the best player in the USASouth.

roanoke bible has him figured out

...held him to 14 and 13 on 10-25 shooting - nobody else has held him under 26

he seems to be a legit baller who has come out of nowhere...

hasanova · December 28, 2012, 10:48:54 AM

narch, are you going to the Guilford at Methodist game on January 2? It starts at 5, but I'm considering leaving work early to go.

Ralph Turner · December 28, 2012, 01:44:04 PM

Piedmont suspended its season! Front-page news.

http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2012/12/piedmont-cancels-remainder-of-mens-basketball-season

hasanova · December 28, 2012, 04:57:03 PM

I just read the Piedmont news - too bad for them and the USASAC. Leaves open dates on their opponents' schedules as well. It's not a good start for the Lions!