Let’s get nuts. Sit back, if you can, and enjoy. Interestingly, Indiana kind of “looks like” Wichita State, when you look at this game from a planning perspective. The Hoosiers are experienced, an offensive juggernaut, can shoot the three, and their big man is their leading scorer. They prefer pretty. Bullet stats that matter, before [...]

In truth, there can be no better summary than what Luke Winn typed. And here’s the boxscore. And here’s a transcription from the VCU postgame presser. *** It was a matter of tempo, and VCU made a mess of things for most of the night. We mentioned yesterday that we didn’t think Wichita State had [...]

It’s about tempo. We established that yesterday–that VCU imposing its havoc will is critical, especially in this game where an outstanding offensive team like Wichita State can succeed or fail in equal amounts of splendor. The numbers bear out the hot and cold reality. Wichita State shot 41% or less in all five of its [...]

Let’s get one misconception out of the way quickly: folks hear havoc and assume VCU likes to play fast. They see Wichita State averages almost 78 points per game and immediately figure the Shockers will be comfortable at VCUs fast pace. Wrong. Havoc plays neither fast nor slow. It’s about tempo, not pace. It relies on disruption, [...]

Programming note: The real world is eating up my Thursday morning–mostly because “vacation” begins around 12:20. Then, there’s the ramp up for VCU/Wichita State. So check back later this morning/lunch for VCU perspective. *** Last night in the CIT, Georgia State bombed Tennessee Tech 74-43 in the school’s first postseason game since 2002. In fact, last [...]

[EDIT] Oops. Drexel is Wednesday, not tonight. We will add the Delaware game later today. Drexel gets started WEDNESDAY at 7:15 on ESPN3 in the NIT. The Dragons, tabbed as a three seed, host Central Florida. The Knights (22-10) finished third in the Conference USA standings with a 10-6 mark. UCF beat Old Dominion 61-53 in Florida in December and [...]

Here’s a point that should not get lost in the run up to tipoff between VCU and Wichita State: these two teams played last year in Bracketbusters, won by VCU. Why does that matter? The Shockers go seven deep (or eight, depending on your view of 10 minutes per game). Five of the seven are [...]

We got exacly what we wanted from the NCAA tournament selection committee last night, and it’s damned disappointing. They’ve chosen optics and messages. Planning and preening over performance. Mediocrity over meritocracy. The message is clear: schedule tough in the nonconference. It doesn’t matter if you actually win these games, but you definitely have to play them. [...]

Much like last year with VCU, it’s time to lay out, in advance, what may make me angry this evening. The selection committee has most likely already made its decision on Drexel, so it’s pointless to dig deep into the damn lies. Now, it’s about framing. For me, there will almost certainly be no grousing [...]

I briefly spoke to Bruiser Flint a few minutes ago. I avoided asking anything having to do with “do you think you are in the NCAAs” or “do you think you should be in the NCAAs.” (Mostly because those are dumb questions.) But here’s what Flint had to say: On watching the games yesterday impact [...]