We’ll get back on the horse next week. Bill-paying detour these past few days.
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Nor’easter lost last night to Rhode Island, and it wasn’t a moral victory. It stinks. There’s no room for close losses, if you are a coach, because you either win or lose. So many games come down to late-game execution, and Rhody hit 11-12 from the line down the stretch to fend off the Huskies.
Here’s what Bill Coen won’t tell you: Northeastern took a colossal step forward last night offensively. This has been its issue all season. The Huskies went with essentially a six-man rotation, took 17 threes, and Matt Janning fired 18 shots at the rim. (Team took three threes and Janning 11 shots against Drexel.) They only turned the ball over nine times and played even on the backboards (32-30). NU had 15 offensive rebounds.
Point: with all the stats and the new stats, it comes down to scoring more points than you allow. This is easier when you score 76 as opposed to 47.
Every team has a personality, an identity, and for the first time this season NU played to theirs. It might not be what everyone wants or thinks is successful, but it’s the best way they win. (Except for the part about defense and allowing your opponent to shoot 53%.)
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Tonight is one of those not-really-a-must-win-but-really-a-must-win games for the conference. ODU plays at Dayton–both teams were forecast for the top of their conference.
You can see it on Comcast SportsNet Plus or WHIO. Tip is 7pm.
The Monarchs have overwhelmed their weaker opponents and been whelmed to death by legit teams. This is their statement game, either way. I’m a homer so I’ll say ODU makes that statement and wins, 62-59.
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As if I would pass on a Corny Vines article…Best Vines quote, on differences in Juco and Hofstra:
“Adapting to the whole scheduling thing—like practice, pre-game, all that stuff,” Vines said. “Sometimes we’ve got an early game, so I had to learn how to wake up in a hotel and do scouting reports, eat breakfast. In junior college, we didn’t have to do that. I just had to stay in bed until it was time to go get on the bus.”
Great stuff from Beach.
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Tomorrow, Mason hosts Creighton at 1:00 and we go all day, ending in the Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Black & Blue Classic between Richmond and VCU. Guy’s coming over shortly to quote taking down a tree in the backyard, so here’s what you get:
Creighton at Mason: Young Mason team glad to be at home…skittering Creighton squad loses an ugly long-roadie game. Mason 65, Creighton 63.
Ohio at Delaware: Fightin’ Montays winning streak ends at one. OU 68, UD 61.
GW at Towson: GW has every reason to win this game, based on having an advantage in every aspect of the game. Towson 71, GW 67.
New Hampshire at Hofstra: Pride is winning track meets and rock fights. This is somewhere in between. HU 73, NH 56.
JMU at Eastern Michigan: This is the bad side of the Bracketbusters return game, though I’ve always said “there’s no place like Ypsilanti in December.” You can ask around. Dukes 73, EMUs 61.
Richmond at VCU: Most young fans haven’t seen the Spiders play actual D1 basketball. Mooney has done a phenomenal job building UR, and if this weren’t at VCU I think they win. It isn’t, and they won’t. VCU 79, UR 74.
St. Francis at Drexel: Ugh. I don’t care if it’s Sunday. Drexel 65, St.F 49.
Ga State at Florida A&M: “Write fast, tree guy” rule is in effect. Panthers 61, Rattlers 54.
