MBB: University Athletic Association

[jaybird44]

I watched the 2nd half and thought the Bears played well against a good team that had good ball movement that created some open looks from 3.  Rebounding picked up after Centre closed within 2, and there were a couple of steals executed without fouls that helped the defensive effort.

Looking at the short bench that Coach Edwards used...that might be the trend entering UAA play.  Getting Schmelter back is huge (literally and figuratively) because that extends the bench one more person.  There hasn't been a lot of reserves that have stepped up to get into the substitution mix, enough to garner playing time.  We'll see if a couple of players emerge to bolster the bench...that would be welcome in UAA play, especially against teams like Chicago and Emory who are athletic and like to push the ball up and spot up for 3s.  Need fresh legs to chase them down.

WUH, regarding your question of Kucera and his play this season...I agree with you, he has played very well considering the shoes of David Fatoki's that he had to fill.  Kucera has run the offense with efficiency...a bit of a surprise for a new starting point guard.  But, the JV program continues to pay big dividends--new starters like Kucera and Andrew Sanders have especially benefitted from extensive JV time, to where they could be plugged in to the starting lineup this season after very little playing time last season.  The Wash-U JV minutes were not frivolous--Edwards, Caleb Lawson, and Will Carey have done excellent work grooming JV players for prime time.  Certainly helps minimize the damage from the graduation of key seniors over the past couple of seasons.

[WUPHF]

According to the Carnegie Mellon Twitter feed, the Tartans just defeated No. 13 Franklin and Marshall.  I am not surprised by the upset, but I am surprised by the final score of 74-54.  Go Tartans!

[WUPHF]

Washington University trails Wittenberg 34-31 at the half.  The Bears had yet another slow start, shooting 0-7 from three point range to start the game before eventually going 3-13.

[WUPHF]

Wittenberg leads Washington University, 52-49 with six minutes left.  Wittenberg is +6 on offensive boards so far and has contested a few others that went out of bounds off the Bears.

[WUPHF]

Wittenberg scores 7 unanswered points to push the lead to 10.  4 minutes left.

[WUPHF]

Washington University falls to Wittenberg 72-61 in what was generally a good game, but Wittenberg was +10 on the boards.  Washington University did not shoot particularly shooting 36% from the floor and 5-24 (21%) from three point range.

[jaybird44]

Wittenberg played very good defense, IMO...Wash-U didn't have very many good looks at the basket, at least in the 2nd half when I was tuned in.  A telling stat along with the rebounding was the Bears' 12 assists...about 4 or 5 below their norm.  Witt did a very good job of gumming up the works of Wash-U's offense flow.  No open back-door cuts or many openings down the lane.

Disappointing loss, but the tournament was a good one for Wash-U to play.  Two good opponents that helped illuminate the shortcomings that can be addressed before Chicago comes calling Jan. 9 to start UAA play.

[WUPHF]

The UAA has almost finished the non-conference season with only NYU left to play their usual week one game against Hunter.  The UAA record is currently 60-26.  Massey suggests that the UAA is the third best conference overall.

Emory, NYU, Washington University and Case Western Reserve will host this Saturday.

Both Chicago and Washington University won easily at home a season ago.  This may be the biggest game of the season if Washington University wants to have a shot at the conference championship.

[WUPHF]

Emory defeats Rochester 78-75 after leading by 10 with less than two minutes left in the game.  Good game in Atlanta to kick-off UAA play.

[WUPHF]

Chicago leads Washington University at the half 37-26.  The Bears off to another slow start and poor three point shooting, but respect to Chicago for allowing very few opportunities.

David Schmelter is clearly 100 percent considering the way he is banging with Crawford and Nate Brooks.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

NYU comes back to beat Brandeis by 2.  NYU trailed the whole game at home.

[WUPHF]

Despite the Division I prospect notoriety,  the baddest front court combo on the court today is Schmelter and Highsmith and it is not even close.

[WUPHF]

Baddest No. 24 on the court today is...wait for it...Jake Knupp.

CORRECTION: Jake Knupp is No. 23 and No. 24 Jordan Smith was the man today with 23 points including a clutch three pointer off a Brooks screen to give the Maroons the lead and ultimately the win.

[Gregory Sager]

Wow. Quite a finish. I would've called a timeout if I was Wash U after the Smith trey once the ball crossed the midline, but it's oh-so-easy to armchair-quarterback it while watching it online hundreds of miles away.

[WUPHF]

Chicago with the heartbreaker over Washington University, 70-69.

For the second game in a row, Washington University could not overcome a dreadfully slow start.  The Bears battled back from an 18 point deficit to lead by two points with 22 seconds left, but let Jordan Smith get a great look off a ball screen for the three and then, rather than calling a time out as mentioned, and with only 11 seconds left, they failed to execute what had been working well down the stretch.

Jake Knupp had his career best game by far, coming on as point guard after Kevin Kucera moved over to cover for Luke Silverman-Lloyd who seemed to go out with an injury.  Knupp went 8-14 from the field en route to scoring 18 points.  He was also was by far the most capable of guarding Jordan Smith.

David Schmelter played a beastly 28 minutes in what was probably his best game even if the stats did not show it.  Washington University is last in the UAA in rebounding margin and rebounds, but Washington University was +9 today thanks in part to 11 rebounds by Schmelter.  Moreover, Schmelter held Brooks and Crawford to a combined one field goal and five points.

Perimeter shooting and defense was definitely the difference today as the Maroons went 9-23 vs. 4-17.  The Maroons also did a good covering Andrew Sanders who disappeared at time during his 20 minutes on the floor.