MBB: University Athletic Association

[deiscanton]

Hoopsfan--

I can't publicly post that information, as opposing coaches are reading this board, and would use my info to live-scout the scrimmages.  I would prefer that if you are on a coaching staff for one of Brandeis's opponents to wait for the video that Brandeis will send to you after the scrimmages are completed, and use the video for your game preparation.

If you can call or e-mail Coach Meehan at Brandeis, and convince him that you want to come as a fan and that you are not there to scout, I am sure that he will welcome you to the scrimmage and tell you himself when it is.  I'm not sure, Hoopsfan, if you are a student or a coach, and unless I am convinced that you won't use my reply to scout Brandeis, I am reluctant to share that info, as I have already heard from the Brandeis team and coaching staff about my just posting of the dates of the scrimmages-- hence my reluctance to make any further public comments. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Wow.  I can't believe they are that uptight about scrimmages.  Most schools post them on their schedules.  I'm not a scout or really affiliated with any of their opponents.  I guess I can find out from EC when it is.  I wasn't aware it was that big of a deal.  I know someone from CSC will probably be there anyway, as they play both schools and EC is the big conference rival.  Unless there is something to hide (like a secret transfer)... yeah lets get the rumors started.

It's fine if you don't want to give it.  You can email me if you want, but I can just check with somebody else.  Thanks.

[Pat Coleman]

Seriously.

Scrimmages are closed anyway, right? How much live scouting is actually done at scrimmages?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Most schools in NE anyway, that I'm aware of allow spectators into scrimmages.  I guess they ocassionally will do some closed door sessions, but I've never had any problem showing up and checking out the action.  I've even seen a lot of schools with normally low attendance promote their scrimmages as a way to get people interested.  I have rarely seen overt scouting at scrimmages, but occassionally I'll recognize an assistant coach who sneaks in undercover.

[deiscanton]

One of the Brandeis student newspapers, the Justice, has come out today (Nov. 15) with a preview on the men's basketball season, as well as an athlete profile on Florian Rexhepi '08 entitled "There is no 'I' in Rexhepi."

Both are available in the sports section of this week's Justice.

You can read the Justice at http://www.thejusticeonline.com

[Mr. Ypsi]

I think the newspaper may need a new proof-reader - there most certainly is an 'i' in Rexhepi!

[Gregory Sager]

I think the newspaper may need a new proof-reader - there most certainly is an 'i' in Rexhepi!

I'm guessing that this is not an error, Chuck, but rather an example of the refined irony characteristic of young Brandeis wits.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg,

Does that go with the guys who respond to "there's no I in team" with

"Yeah, but there is 'me' in team", or

"Yeah, but there is an 'I' in win"?

[Gregory Sager]

My favorite reply to that hackneyed "There's no 'i' in 'team'" cliche came at an NPU game a few years ago. A group of students from the opposing school started it up as a chant after their point guard had delivered a sweet pass to a teammate for an easy layup. The Carlson Crazies chanted in response, "There's two 'r's in 'irrelevant'! There's two 'r's in 'irrelevant'!" 

[Warren Thompson]

GS:

It's most heartening to learn that there are some college students who don't spell that word with three -- count 'em, three -- e's. Or one r. 

[deiscanton]

I'm glad to see that a lot of people can find a good deal of humor in the student newspaper headlines these days.

I see that Mark Simon has named the Brandeis men's team as a d3Hoops.com official men's "Super Sleeper" team.  The job now is to convince the other UAA men's basketball coaches of this.  Brandeis was picked to finish 6th in the pre-season UAA men's basketball poll!  Brandeis is a young team, but a predicted 6th place finish this year?

Just as Brandeis coach Brian Meehan said to the Brandeis student newspaper the Justice:  Brandeis will have to be more consistent on defense if the Judges are to have a shot to win the UAA.

Last year, Brandeis's scoring defense was 5th in the UAA at 71.4 ppg, the field goal pct. defense was 4th in the UAA at 43.6%, and the 3 pt. defense was 3rd in the UAA at 33.3%.  Brandeis was #1 in free throw shooting in the UAA last year at 74.9%.  The free throw shooting has to be consistent, and by the end of the first semester, I would like to see Brandeis with no more than 1 loss with the scoring, FG% defense, and 3 pt. defense significantly improved.  A win in the last first semester game at Colby-Sawyer will be a plus.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

That seems a bit rediculous.  Brandeis got nothing but better and I'm pretty sure most of the other contenders went backwards.  I'm glad that an unnamed coach agrees with me that they could be ready to go this year.  Those young guys are really talented; I doubt they have to wait to next year to make a huge leap.

[WBRSsports]

 After an offseason of waiting, the 2005-2006 season starts tonight.

If you can't get to the Brandeis games, you can catch all of the action live at www.wbrs.org the whole weekend and the rest of the year. We will also be broadcasting away games so check out our website for information on that. Send any feedback to sports@wbrs.org

I think the men's team is going to struggle this year at times with their youth and with the loss of Lambert...but with another year under all these young player's belts, it could be a very exciting and surprising season for the Brandeis men.

Also, check out the Brandeis' sports magazine, the Louis Lunatic for another preview of the men's and women's teams: http://louislunatic.blogspot.com/ (it's located in the top entry on the site)

Looking forward to an exciting season and go Judges!

[sandman]

A new season has begun... and Case has won the opening game of the Case Alumni Association Tip-Off Tournament.

Case 78, Penn State-Altoona 72
http://www.case.edu/athletics/varsity/winter/mbasketball/stats/2005-06/06MBG_01.HTM

This was an important win for the Spartans for many reasons.  First, it was the first time they started the season with a win since 1997.  Second, it was their first comeback victory in a long time-- many times in the last few years, they've been outscored in the second half, but this time, they came back from 10 points down and took the lead for good with 3:00 to go.  And third, they won the first game of a tournament at home in its inaugural year.

Sophomore center Mason Conrad and senior forward Carson Oren led the Spartans with 17 and 16 points, respectively, and Tyler Franklin paced Altoona with 29 before fouling out.

And let me mention the fouls!  Case got whistled for 24 fouls, Altoona for 29, and three visitors fouled out in the last minute!

Case now plays Bethany tomorrow in the championship game.

[sandman]

Case did it again!  This time, they came back from 11 points down in the last 3:45 to beat Bethany, 74-73, and win the CAA Tip-Off Tournament.

After Funso Lafe hit a layup with 7 seconds left to cut the Bethany lead to 1, Case immediately fouled-- but the Bethany shooter missed both free throws.  Carson Oren took a jump shot after catching a long inbound pass but missed-- but Mason Conrad grabbed the rebound and made the put-back as time expired!

Oren ended up with 22 points and 14 rebounds, Conrad with 18 and 11, and Lafe with 14 points, while freshman forward Tyler Rodriguez added 10.  Oren was named the Tournament MVP with Conrad also making the team.

The Spartans' next game is Tuesday night at home vs. Wilmington of the OAC, immediately following the women's game.