Northeastern showed something Monday night in demolishing Hofstra at Matthews Arena. It’s one game, but it didn’t happen in a vacuum, as some of what led to this 73-50 win has been developing for a while. If it keeps up, it won’t look like just one game later on.
Columns
Willard Speaks on Siena-Holy Cross Game
Holy Cross head coach Ralph Willard was hoping to hear from Siena head coach Fran McCaffery to talk about what happened last week when the two teams met and had an ending that surprised just about everyone there. His preference was, understandably, to keep things in-house on the matter.
New Hampshire Finally Wins a Close One
A new day, new month, even new year, and the result was different at long last. New Hampshire has been in a number of close games since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, but all too often has wound up on the short end. They were 7-12 last season in games decided by single digits, including a 1-9 mark in games decided by five points or less, and they lost all three overtime games they played in.
It’s Now Miller Time at Harvard
Every season, a number of players go from being a bit player the year before to a key player or even a star. There are usually a multitude of reasons for it, but it happens often enough that one example of it might not seem to be much of a story. But sometimes it looks like something that was far from being destined to happen, and that makes it a story. Enter Harvard forward Doug Miller.
A Big East and A-10 Hoops Day with Rocks and Ducks
Today’s task was to evaluate Rhode Island’s Ryan Center and UConn’s Gampel Pavilion. In addition, I was hoping to get enough material to write some kind of game story.
Crossroads for Boston College Heading into ACC Play
One non-conference game against Harvard next Wednesday is sprinkled in, but from here on out, it’s ACC games for Boston College. The Eagles will enter with nine straight wins and a 12-2 mark, but the operative question is what to make of this team.
Friars and Blue Demons in Big East Play
An oft-uttered cliché early in a season is that “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” True though it might be, you can’t neglect how you start, because it can have an impact on how you finish. A bad start can have you exerting a lot of energy to try to rebound from it, then leave you out of gas to try and finish it. A good start can give you a boost and help you play better later on.
Quick Hitters For the New Year
Holy Cross continues to be beset by injuries. On Tuesday night, Alex Vander Baan didn’t dress for the second straight game due to his continuing back problems, and at this point the Crusaders are planning to hold him out of remaining non-league games. They are also without Eric Meister for about the same duration. The best news is that they are more optimistic that point guard Pat Doherty may be able to return later in the season, although that’s far from a guarantee that he will.
Siena Has Grown Since the Start of the Season
Before the season, there were many who felt Siena was more than just a mid-major team to watch this season. With five starters back from the team that convincingly knocked off Vanderbilt in last season’s NCAA Tournament, the general feeling was that the Saints would be prohibitive favorites in the MAAC and even win a game or two in non-conference play against high-major schools. They certainly had enough games on the schedule for that to happen.
A Surprising End to Siena’s Win over Holy Cross
It was a surprising scene to end the game. That’s the case not only because it happens so rarely, but also because of who was involved.
As the final seconds of Siena’s 83-71 win at Holy Cross ticked off the clock, Siena head coach Fran McCaffery motioned to all five of his players on the floor toward the exit. The Saints walked right out of the gym without shaking hands with the Holy Cross players and coaches.
