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Thursday, November 28, 2024
You can choose to look at Murray State’s 72-67 semifinal win over St. John’s as an instance of youth being served, experience winning out, or some other cliché. While those things apply to a degree, the big story should probably be something Murray State head coach Steve Prohm talked about after the game: resilience.
Dayton certainly didn’t look like a team with seven newcomers on Friday afternoon. If you didn’t know better, you would think this team was more experienced together, seeing how they out-executed Boston College in a big way en route to an 87-71 win.
Colorado doesn’t look like a football school anymore. The football program hasn’t been at the elite level it once was, but there’s a bigger reason: Tad Boyle’s work as the men’s basketball head coach. Included in that is the Buffaloes reaching the championship game at the Charleston Classic after a hard-fought 60-58 win over Baylor on Friday afternoon.
Like most teams at this time of the year, Maine is very much a work in progress. In the Black Bears’ case, their early 0-2 mark, which could easily be 1-1, isn’t necessarily a sign of things to come with this team. Though young, this team also hasn’t really had their full squad together very much, and that’s one reason to think this team has some better basketball ahead.
Bryant was humbled in each of its first two outings of the season, which isn’t altogether shocking considering they were on the road. Unlike past seasons, the Bulldogs will have a better chance to recover from them as they have a better schedule.
St. Peter’s survived a tough contest to defeat Central Connecticut State 64-61 at the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City. The Peacocks are now 2-0, and coach John Dunne is a combination thrilled and relieved.
Providence is so decimated by injuries and eligibility concerns that they have had to play a walk-on for significant minutes, and they have gone from nearly losing the home opener to blitzing their second opponent.
Florida International managed to stay with BC for a while in the first half and rallied to tie the game in the second before succumbing. They showed some potential but also some problems along the way.
Boston College looked nothing like last season’s team in several ways in Sunday’s 84-70 win over Florida International. This team will certainly be better, as expected, but now there’s something to go on for that idea.
In giving Fairfield all it could handle and more on Saturday night, Central Connecticut showed that they will shine at times amidst some growing pains this season.
