MBB: University Athletic Association

[blue_jays]

WashU's precipitous slide is putting them on the bubble, and the fact UChicago has found its shooting stroke and is playing its best ball of the year should be equally concerning for the Bears.

[WUPHF]

WashU's precipitous slide is putting them on the bubble, and the fact UChicago has found its shooting stroke and is playing its best ball of the year should be equally concerning for the Bears.

The Bears have been able to field their Fall rotation just twice in conference play.

Nolan played, but did not look close to healthy.

Maroons on the other hand, wow.

[y_jack_lok]

WashU's precipitous slide is putting them on the bubble, and the fact UChicago has found its shooting stroke and is playing its best ball of the year should be equally concerning for the Bears.

The Bears have been able to field their Fall rotation just twice in conference play.

Nolan played, but did not look close to healthy.

Maroons on the other hand, wow.

The Bears clearly needed Hardy today.

That #11 for NYU, with the gimpy right arm, was really quick and had some great moves, both on offense and defense.

[jaybird44]

I think first and foremost, we need to hope and pray that Justin Hardy is able to fully enjoy Senior Day at WashU a week from today.

With what he is battling, what I saw in the last WashU homestand, and what was disclosed in the ESPN College GameDay feature, NCAA tournament berths don't seem to be quite as important to fret about. 

Admittedly, I'm one of the most fretful every year as we near the end of the regular season.  This year, I just can't bring myself to that level. 

My most fervent hope is that Justin gets to savor one last game in the Fieldhouse with his band of WashU brothers, and that he gets to play one more time at the high level that he displayed pre-cancer.  If for only a couple of minutes.

And, I hope he gets to do so in front of a capacity crowd.  Justin deserves that.

Then, after next Saturday's game is complete against the U. of Chicago...if the Bears are in a good position to be considered as a Pool C at-large entrant I will then begin my NCAA Tournament fretting.  I have been hoping that Justin, Jack Nolan, and others from the 2019-20 season would be able to have one more shot to achieve what COVID took away.

But, for the moment, my thoughts and prayers are with Justin, his family, and his coaches and teammates. 

[deiscanton]

I think first and foremost, we need to hope and pray that Justin Hardy is able to fully enjoy Senior Day at WashU a week from today.

With what he is battling, what I saw in the last WashU homestand, and what was disclosed in the ESPN College GameDay feature, NCAA tournament berths don't seem to be quite as important to fret about. 

Admittedly, I'm one of the most fretful every year as we near the end of the regular season.  This year, I just can't bring myself to that level. 

My most fervent hope is that Justin gets to savor one last game in the Fieldhouse with his band of WashU brothers, and that he gets to play one more time at the high level that he displayed pre-cancer.  If for only a couple of minutes.

And, I hope he gets to do so in front of a capacity crowd.  Justin deserves that.

Then, after next Saturday's game is complete against the U. of Chicago...if the Bears are in a good position to be considered as a Pool C at-large entrant I will then begin my NCAA Tournament fretting.  I have been hoping that Justin, Jack Nolan, and others from the 2019-20 season would be able to have one more shot to achieve what COVID took away.

But, for the moment, my thoughts and prayers are with Justin, his family, and his coaches and teammates.

I DVR'd the College Gameday Feature this morning, and after the feature, ESPN College Gameday's Gene Wojciechowski, who did the feature, revealed after the feature played this morning that Justin Hardy started a new experimental treatment on Monday, Feb. 14, (that part was also in the feature), and did not travel with Wash U to this weekend's games.  Those people who do not follow DIII that closely only know that Wash U is on the east coast doing games this weekend, but for us, it meant that I will not be able to see Justin Hardy (or his family) in person at Auerbach Arena tomorrow. 

I will be praying "Mi Sheberiach" (prayers for healing) for him at any possible service that I can attend virtually with my congregation on Zoom.  At the moment, it may only be at the daily evening services right now, but I do at least privately what I cannot have time for publicly.

I am hoping that at least one UAA men's basketball team will get a Pool C at-large bid this season, but this year, compared to that fact that basketball has resumed this year, if the season ends for a few of my favored teams next week, so be it-- just the fact that we got a season this year has been great, and I appreciate it.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

ESPN put the video of Hardy's future on youtube today. It's available and very well done.

[WUPHF]

The ESPN video on Justin Hardy for those who may not have seen it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5uRdIMRVEA

[deiscanton]

The digital game program for today's Brandeis game vs Wash U has confirmed that today is Senior Day for 6 Brandeis men's basketball players who are entering their final week in a Brandeis uniform-- just to clear up any confusion:

brandeisjudges.com/programs

Today, Brandeis will honor the accomplishments of Austin Clamage, Tommy Eastman, Nolan Hagerty, Chandler Jones, Sam Nassar, and Collin Sawyer.

I will be at Auerbach Arena today, watching the Brandeis v Wash U doubleheader in person.

[Greek Tragedy]

The ESPN video on Justin Hardy for those who may not have seen it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5uRdIMRVEA

Thanks.

[deiscanton]

I am at Auerbach Arena now-- I arrived a few minutes before the Wash U men's team-- they are getting dressed in the visitors locker room now-- it is 10:10 AM Eastern

[WUPHF]

Can you let the broadcasters know that the sound is not on?

[WUPHF]

Can you let the broadcasters know that the sound is not on?

They fixed it!

[deiscanton]

Sorry, I have not had time to read the comments on the d3boards this morning and afternoon-- otherwise I may have been able to ask Jesse Lieberman about the technical difficulties with the Brandeis webcast today.  I am just glad to see that at least the second half came through without a glitch.

I am so glad to finally see the Brandeis men win a home UAA Basketball game.  It has been a while.

Naturally, coach Jean Bain wants me back at Auerbach Arena next Sunday for the game vs NYU, but there will be so many conference title games taking place at the same time.  It is really difficult to follow the action on the court in person while watching video of another game on a smartphone-- at least, I personaly feel so.

No official alumni club event today-- but the Brandeis men's basketball team had their own post game meal in the Multi Purpose room.  The Wash U men settled for grab and go pizza.  For those who have not been to Brandeis recently, the Multi Purpose Room has been moved further down the hall to where it is now one floor above the far side of Auerbach Arena as you walk in (it is now on the side of Gosman Center closer to the Linsey Pool building), rather than being on the same end as the Napoli Trophy Room.  As a fan, you have to wear a high quality mask inside the building, but nobody really minds if you sneak in protein bars and soda as long as you eat it in private away from the rest of the fans. 

How about that overtime game today at Emory?  Still some exciting action even with the UAA title race decided.

Update-- I was able to catch the exciting final 39 seconds of overtime between Emory and Carnegie Mellon after the Brandeis men's game came to a conclusion.  I watched it on my smartphone from the Napoli Trophy Room while the Brandeis and Wash U women's basketball teams were warming up.

[deiscanton]

From the Brandeis recap of today's victory over Wash U--

In short, some history was made today with Brandeis's win over Wash U--

1.)  First Brandeis home win at Auerbach Arena over Wash U since 2012.

2.)  First Brandeis win over Wash U since 2016.

3.)  First time that Brandeis men's basketball coach Jean Bain has defeated Wash U-- before today, the Bears were the final team that Coach Bain did not own a victory over in UAA play.

4.)  The 19 point margin of victory is Brandeis's largest over Wash U in the history of the series.

Some other things that struck at me in today's win over WashU.

Second chance points:  Brandeis won that category, 18-8.

Points in the paint:  Brandeis won that category, 44-16

Bench points:  Brandeis won that category, 32-4.

Game recap:  Judges shoot down #17 WashU on Senior Day, 84-65

[deiscanton]

Don't blame me, I am only the messenger on this with regards to the spectator policy of NYU--

Some good news, starting tomorrow, family members on a pass list can resume watching their players play basketball at NYU home games.

The bad news-- this Friday's NYU men's basketball game vs Brandeis is being played at the smaller Brooklyn Athletic Facility rather than at "the Pope" at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.

Only 100 spectators will be allowed to attend Friday's men's contest-- (as well as the NYU women's contest the following afternoon vs Brandeis, which will also be played at the Brooklyn Athletic Faciility due to a DI men's basketball game being played at St.Francis College at the same time.)

The spectators are restricted to mostly members of the NYU internal community (NYU Students, Faculty, Staff, and Administrators).

Only up to 2 family members per NYU basketball player will be allowed on a pass list-- No one from Brandeis will be able to attend Friday's game in person.

To get on the pass list, the family members must contact Coach Dagan Nelson in the case of the men, or coach Meg Barber in the case of the women.  It does say that the contact must be done ASAP, as ideally each coach needs at least 5 days advance notice of any request to be added on to the pass list.

Access at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility is restricted to the bleacher area and restrooms.  No food/beverage allowed at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility and high quality masks (surgical, KN95, N95, or KF94 masks) must be worn inside the building at all times.

For the Sunday, Feb. 27 game between the NYU men and the Brandeis men at Auerbach Arena in Waltham, MA-- there is no limit on spectators allowed inside Gosman Center.  Each spectator must complete and pass a self-screening Brandeis Daily Health Assessment questionnaire on the morning of the game.  Each spectator must also wear a high quality mask (surgical, KN95, N95 or KF94 mask) inside Auerbach Arena at all times.