Coaches (present and former) come out differently about conference games in December. “Purists” are vehemently against, claiming this time of year is for learning and teaching, often claiming they’re not ready to begin conference play. A former (and still often) purist, I love league games in December, jumping right into games with real meaning and intensity.
But Wait - There's More!
Are These Huskies as Good as Advertised?
It was only a couple of weeks ago that Northeastern looked like it was at the beginning of a very promising season. Despite not showing up against Michigan in their second game of the season, the Huskies bounced back with impressive wins at Providence and against Holy Cross. They stood at 3-1 through four games and had two more home games left before they would be on the road until the new year.
Brady Has Dukes Improving Defensively
It’s not a stretch to say that in recent years, James Madison couldn’t stop anyone. The Dukes were routinely a poor defensive team, and that was their fatal flaw since it’s not like they lacked the ability to score. Last season marked the third season in a row in which opponents shot over 48 percent from the field against the Dukes. Colonial Athletic Association opponents shot over 50 percent against them last season.
Fairfield Starting to Grow Up as Early MAAC Games Approach
Ed Cooley’s team is growing up, and it hasn’t come at a bad time.
Fairfield enters their next two games, both early MAAC contests, having won three straight games. They look like a team that is getting better each time out, and they certainly did that against a Holy Cross team that had knocked them off the last two years in similar kinds of games.
Big East Notebook: Orange Turn Heads, Irish Run into a Buzzsaw
Easy-Going Gavin rapidly morphed into Gung Ho Gavin last night, an aggressive individual UConn fans have rarely seen during the reserve forward’s stay with the Huskies. The kid from Gilbert, Az., finally got physical, played above the rim, and displayed a sense of urgency, en route to the reserve forward’s career-high 17 points in 16 minutes on 7-of-9 shooting.
Strong Panthers Win Legends Classic
Over the years I have maintained an interest in the statistical analysis of basketball. Today the term “tempo-free stats” is the hot terminology used by those breaking down numbers. Tempo-free is self-explanatory. It provides a number that can assess a team or performer whether said team walks the ball up the floor or pushes it to a track meet pace.
San Diego State Gets Hot in Great Alaska Shootout
The Aztecs left sunny San Diego for a real taste of winter in snowy, Anchorage, Alaska to participate in the Great Alaska Shootout. They warmed up Sullivan Arena with three victories in three days to capture the 2008 championship.
Weekend Tournament Quick Hitters
While NJIT’s losing streak gets plenty of attention, Monmouth also entered Saturday’s game without a win. They were 0-6, albeit against a very difficult schedule, so they were happy to get a win. The least difficult opponent they had played before Saturday is probably FIU, and that was a road game against a team not lacking in talent that has been hit by injuries.
The Biggest Win
It’s been a very, very long four years for the Boston University men’s basketball team. But the Terriers may have finally exorcized some of their demons from the past four years with a huge victory over the Huskies of Northeastern.
Cunningham Leads Frontcourt Uprising on Main Line
Being from the area, Reggie Redding knows what Villanova’s reputation has been over the years. He can also see that a current senior might change that, for this year at least. “They say this is ‘Guard U’. I think it’s turning around this year to ‘Dante U’,” the junior wing said after the Wildcats won the Independence Bracket in the Philly Hoop Group Classic on Saturday night.
