I’m a glass-half-full guy. That’s why I can feel encouraged by last night’s drubbings.

I sent a text to an in-the-know at the under four minute media timeout of the JMU debacle against Ohio State. It read: 23-20 osu at under 4 media…I bet osu has 8 layups. Halftime text: osu leads 34-25 on near buzzer 3…jmu little defense and ragged forced shots but in it. Next text: I see why you liked them.

The good feeling is summed up thus: JMU looked awful on offense–forced shots, no flow, picking up dribble 20 feet from the basket, lots of bad turnovers. They also gave Ohio State free run of the basket. I don’t the numbers, but I’d bet (again) that the Buckeyes were 9-11 on shots inside three feet in the first half and maybe 6-24 from outside three feet.

It was bad and even though you could see it was a matter of time, the Dukes were in the game. And remember the name Darren White. That kid is a top five athlete in the conference, and plays with the confidence of a junior. All freshman team is in his March.

***

Georgia State hung tough for about 30 minutes with NC State. Ultimately, the numbers won out. My Man Oooos Krubally had a double-double, and the Panthers hung in there despite getting little from Joe Dukes and less from Trae Goldston.

Keep an eye on Xavier Hansbro. He had 13/9, but more importantly played like the guy everyone thought he would be last year. Consistency is the need here.

And don’t sweat the free throw disparity (35-12 in favor of the ACC team). NC State was simply more aggressive.