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Post by luhoopsfan on Feb 27, 2013 13:04:34 GMT -5
Likely result is going 2-1, finishing 3rd in the A10 and facing Charlotte in our first Brooklyn game. I like our chances against any of the Charlotte, XU, UMass rematch scenarios facing us as a 3 seed in Brooklyn.
Pretty much all prognosticators agree that 2 wins and an A10 tourney win punch our ticket right now.
My only point was that a win at SLU locks it up regardless of the A10 tourney so why not get it secure as quickly as possible.
We don't have to have a miracle game to beat SLU, we just need to have a game where there aren't awful stretches of cold, cold offense. Our perimeter defense will have to do a good job keeping SLU from getting the ball inside easily. It's going to take a team effort on defense and good ball sharing on offense, two things this team has shown its collective ability to do.
It will be difficult but let's not act like there is 0% chance, it's probably like a 30% chance. The one unknown is what SLU's mindset will be entering the game. If they are at 13 wins heading into that game they will have secured 1st place no matter what happens. Remember that these are college kids who will know what's at stake and if nothing is at stake could potentially slip up. Our guys will be chomping a tthe bit to beat them and it may just come down to what team wants it more and I think that I would put the money on our guys.
Win the next 2 games and see what happens, the outcome is not critical to the NCAA berth.
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Post by Shout out to my Cousin Bern on Feb 27, 2013 13:30:50 GMT -5
We still got 2 games and that SLU games is 10 days from now. Not saying we need to "focus" because none of us are players or coaches so it doesn't matter really, but we'll drive ourselves crazy worrying about this game every day until then. Let's see what happens on the road to St. Louis first. To this point, I am just worried about Duquesne now. After that game (assuming we win), I'll just be worried about GW. I think either of those teams could beat us if we don't play to our potential. I am glad we're home though. The last time we had a long break then a home game, we crushed Fordham. Here's to hoping we do that against Duqeusne too and shake that habit of coming out cold after long breaks.
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Post by explorerman on Feb 27, 2013 14:15:17 GMT -5
St. Louis is a great team but they're not John Wooden-era UCLA. If we can beat Butler and VCU (on the road) we can beat the Billikens. It will be tough but they're far from unbeatable. Friggin' URI got them. Yeah, and Central Connecticut got us. We are talking in relative terms. SLU can be beaten and we can beat them. But everything as usually it stands to be, they are a very difficult team for us. We are far more likely to achive beating Duquesne, GW, and losing to them while winning one game in the A-10 tourney than sweeping the rest of these games. Agreed... We have the advantage at guard but their advantage in the low post is greater than our advantage in the backcourt... We are going to have to do a better job of defending the pick and roll (or in St Louis' strategy the pick and pop).. Having big man that can shoot and shoot for percentage is huge.. We need that 3rd guard to play better on the offensive end... Whether it is Mills or Garland... In Garland's case, better defense and better finishing around the basket (more consistency).... In Mills' case, he needs to be more of a threat offensively.. After getting a step on your man, instead of stopping at the top of key and looking to pass to Galloway he needs to take it to the basket to either draw a foul or let Zack try for the offensive rebound with the big man coming to challenge Mills' lay up attempt... (Peterson does this too, look for it in the game).. Relying on Galloway/Duren constantly to beat their man with 7 seconds on the shot clock because Mills doesn't want to take it to the basket is not a good recipe for a consistent offense...
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Post by coachd on Feb 27, 2013 14:32:38 GMT -5
I've heard that Mills and Garland are having competitions in practice this week. They start with 12 foot jumpers and move. Layups and driving and finishing also being taken very serious by both as they will open up the floor for JW and Zack. This should be a very focused and well executed offense we see on Saturday.
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Post by explorerman on Feb 27, 2013 14:35:19 GMT -5
I've heard that Mills and Garland are having competitions in practice this week. They start with 12 foot jumpers and move. Layups and driving and finishing also being taken very serious by both as they will open up the floor for JW and Zack. This should be a very focused and well executed offense we see on Saturday. CoachD... This is fantastic to hear.. I will look forward to it...
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Post by scarletexplorer on Feb 27, 2013 14:44:29 GMT -5
St. Louis is a great team but they're not John Wooden-era UCLA. If we can beat Butler and VCU (on the road) we can beat the Billikens. It will be tough but they're far from unbeatable. Friggin' URI got them. URI also almost got us. As I said during the URI game, any big man of marginal size and skill absolutely kills us inside. SLU has several, including the wonderfully named Rob Loe. I have no doubt our backcourt can go toe-to-toe with them, but we are going to get killed inside. But it's no matter. If we lose GW or against the Dukes then it's a moot point anyway, so let's win.
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Post by Shout out to my Cousin Bern on Feb 27, 2013 14:53:16 GMT -5
St. Louis is a great team but they're not John Wooden-era UCLA. If we can beat Butler and VCU (on the road) we can beat the Billikens. It will be tough but they're far from unbeatable. Friggin' URI got them. URI also almost got us. As I said during the URI game, any big man of marginal size and skill absolutely kills us inside. SLU has several, including the wonderfully named Rob Loe. I have no doubt our backcourt can go toe-to-toe with them, but we are going to get killed inside. But it's no matter. If we lose GW or against the Dukes then it's a moot point anyway, so let's win. scarletexplorer, I'm with you up until you say it's a moot point if we lose to GW or Duquesne. Too me, if we lose to GW or Duquesne, it becomes an even BIGGER point. I think we lose to either of the next two, we may really need to get the SLU win.
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Post by scarletexplorer on Feb 27, 2013 14:58:27 GMT -5
URI also almost got us. As I said during the URI game, any big man of marginal size and skill absolutely kills us inside. SLU has several, including the wonderfully named Rob Loe. I have no doubt our backcourt can go toe-to-toe with them, but we are going to get killed inside. But it's no matter. If we lose GW or against the Dukes then it's a moot point anyway, so let's win. scarletexplorer, I'm with you up until you say it's a moot point if we lose to GW or Duquesne. Too me, if we lose to GW or Duquesne, it becomes an even BIGGER point. I think we lose to either of the next two, we may really need to get the SLU win. I'm sorry, I wasn't clear enough. If we lose to GW or the Dukes, I think you can count us out the Tournament altogether. Those are bad losses, and since I'm anticipating an SLU loss (not because we are a terrible team but because SLU is really, really good) we'd be done. My point, however poorly worded, was that we have to win the next two games then worry about SLU afterward.
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Post by theneumann64 on Feb 27, 2013 15:15:09 GMT -5
A Duquesne loss would end it, no question. GW would be a near-fatal blow. Would probably require 3 more wins after that (assuming we'd beaten Duquesne already).
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Post by Shout out to my Cousin Bern on Feb 27, 2013 15:48:09 GMT -5
scarletexplorer, I'm with you up until you say it's a moot point if we lose to GW or Duquesne. Too me, if we lose to GW or Duquesne, it becomes an even BIGGER point. I think we lose to either of the next two, we may really need to get the SLU win. I'm sorry, I wasn't clear enough. If we lose to GW or the Dukes, I think you can count us out the Tournament altogether. Those are bad losses, and since I'm anticipating an SLU loss (not because we are a terrible team but because SLU is really, really good) we'd be done. My point, however poorly worded, was that we have to win the next two games then worry about SLU afterward. I follow you! And I completely agree. A Duquesne loss would end it, no question. GW would be a near-fatal blow. Would probably require 3 more wins after that (assuming we'd beaten Duquesne already). We're not talking about it much, but your point Neumann made me think about it: we have a decent chance of winning the A10 tournament. Especially if we get a bye, we'll position ourselves well to potentially win and get in the Dance that way. I don't think we have any less of a chance as anyone in the league. I wouldn't want to encounter Temple again though as they have had our number.
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Post by coachd on Feb 27, 2013 15:56:07 GMT -5
It ain't over until the Phat Lady (The A10 Commish) sings "A10 Tourney Champs".
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Post by victoriouslasalle on Feb 27, 2013 18:14:11 GMT -5
Likely result is going 2-1, finishing 3rd in the A10 and facing Charlotte in our first Brooklyn game. I like our chances against any of the Charlotte, XU, UMass rematch scenarios facing us as a 3 seed in Brooklyn. Pretty much all prognosticators agree that 2 wins and an A10 tourney win punch our ticket right now. My only point was that a win at SLU locks it up regardless of the A10 tourney so why not get it secure as quickly as possible. We don't have to have a miracle game to beat SLU, we just need to have a game where there aren't awful stretches of cold, cold offense. Our perimeter defense will have to do a good job keeping SLU from getting the ball inside easily. It's going to take a team effort on defense and good ball sharing on offense, two things this team has shown its collective ability to do. It will be difficult but let's not act like there is 0% chance, it's probably like a 30% chance. The one unknown is what SLU's mindset will be entering the game. If they are at 13 wins heading into that game they will have secured 1st place no matter what happens. Remember that these are college kids who will know what's at stake and if nothing is at stake could potentially slip up. Our guys will be chomping a tthe bit to beat them and it may just come down to what team wants it more and I think that I would put the money on our guys. Win the next 2 games and see what happens, the outcome is not critical to the NCAA berth. Yes, have to bring our A effort to the Duq and GW games-- Frankly i don't care much about the outcome of the StL game. Duq then GW are imperatives.....if St L becomes an imperative we dropped the ball and put ouself in a crappy spot. Regarding the A10-----Agree, I like our chances with all---- Charlotte, mass and X. I think I would rather play Charlotte.We had a major brain fart the first half with them that cost us the game. I would particulalry like to avenge that loss. In some respect i think the outcome of our first meetings could play in our favor with all. We owe them. We did not bring our best games .We had spotty performances with all. the rgular season has its ups and downs. It is tourny time now I am expecting we are bringing our best most consistent effort. When that happens I think we will beat any of the 3.
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Post by Gnocchi on Feb 27, 2013 19:16:00 GMT -5
Likely result is going 2-1, finishing 3rd in the A10 and facing Charlotte in our first Brooklyn game. I like our chances against any of the Charlotte, XU, UMass rematch scenarios facing us as a 3 seed in Brooklyn. Pretty much all prognosticators agree that 2 wins and an A10 tourney win punch our ticket right now. "La Salle (19-7, 9-4; RPI 39, SOS 77): Two must-win home games against Duquesne and George Washington start out a stretch run topped off by a visit to Saint Louis. Will that game be needed? Let's examine. The wins over Butler and VCU are big, and the computer numbers are manageable. If the Explorers finish 11-5 in the league, it may only take one conference tournament win. It's a thin- line profile." www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cbask/news/news.aspx?id=4571017On board with hoopsfan for Charlotte or UMass rematches but wouldn't want to face X in the A-10 quarters to get a ticket punched...
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Post by broderickpresident on Feb 27, 2013 20:48:19 GMT -5
Penn State stuns Michigan. Can only help our RPI!
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Post by explorerman on Feb 27, 2013 23:05:06 GMT -5
Drake beat Indiana State.... that is nice and eliminates Indiana State from an at large bid..
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baab
Mop-Up Time
Posts: 93
Likes: 15
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Post by baab on Feb 28, 2013 0:02:54 GMT -5
nothing like a drake devil dog. is drake still around?
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Post by explorerman on Feb 28, 2013 0:56:21 GMT -5
Penn State stuns Michigan. Can only help our RPI! It will help our RPI.. But maybe a spot.. Penn State RPI will probably jump 20-30 spots or so from their RPI of 200... Michigan was #5 RPI before the loss
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Post by explorerman on Feb 28, 2013 1:42:33 GMT -5
Also very good for us...
Maryland lost to Georgia Tech
Wichita State lost to Evansville
Arkansas lost to LSU
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Post by 23won on Feb 28, 2013 10:34:34 GMT -5
Likely result is going 2-1, finishing 3rd in the A10 and facing Charlotte in our first Brooklyn game. I like our chances against any of the Charlotte, XU, UMass rematch scenarios facing us as a 3 seed in Brooklyn. Pretty much all prognosticators agree that 2 wins and an A10 tourney win punch our ticket right now. "La Salle (19-7, 9-4; RPI 39, SOS 77): Two must-win home games against Duquesne and George Washington start out a stretch run topped off by a visit to Saint Louis. Will that game be needed? Let's examine. The wins over Butler and VCU are big, and the computer numbers are manageable. If the Explorers finish 11-5 in the league, it may only take one conference tournament win. It's a thin- line profile." www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cbask/news/news.aspx?id=4571017On board with hoopsfan for Charlotte or UMass rematches but wouldn't want to face X in the A-10 quarters to get a ticket punched... Good point, Gnocchi, but X has shown a tendency to wear down and give up big leads and lose games. If G keeps rotating our guys to stay fresh and we keep up the defensive pressure for 40 minutes, I don't think they can keep up, especially on a neutral floor.
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Post by explorer88 on Feb 28, 2013 10:49:49 GMT -5
"La Salle (19-7, 9-4; RPI 39, SOS 77): Two must-win home games against Duquesne and George Washington start out a stretch run topped off by a visit to Saint Louis. Will that game be needed? Let's examine. The wins over Butler and VCU are big, and the computer numbers are manageable. If the Explorers finish 11-5 in the league, it may only take one conference tournament win. It's a thin- line profile." www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cbask/news/news.aspx?id=4571017On board with hoopsfan for Charlotte or UMass rematches but wouldn't want to face X in the A-10 quarters to get a ticket punched... Good point, Gnocchi, but X has shown a tendency to wear down and give up big leads and lose games. If G keeps rotating our guys to stay fresh and we keep up the defensive pressure for 40 minutes, I don't think they can keep up, especially on a neutral floor. Disagree 23. La Salle had prooblems getting easy shots against X's defense. The next time will be no different. They are bigger than us and like other teams of that size we struggle to beat those types of teams. The team I would like to avoid as long as possbile is Temple. X would be in the second tier for me which a couple of others.
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Post by coachd on Feb 28, 2013 10:50:38 GMT -5
nothing like a drake devil dog. is drake still around? Actually Yodels were better IMO. And no, they are no longer around ... www.drakescakesonline.com/
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Post by broderickpresident on Feb 28, 2013 10:57:17 GMT -5
Per Lunardi's #s, we moved from 37 to 35 based on yesterday's results...every little bit helps because these next 2 games will slide us down
I'd love to see the Bonnies and Dayton finish strong and move themselves into the top 100
FWIW, Bucknell is moving back up and is nearly back in the top 50 (54)...I believe they had fallen into the mid-60s recently.
Unfortunately, the bottom is falling out for Charlotte. Don't think they could fall as far 100, but they may end up in the 80s with a poor finish (just an estimate). Fortunately, a road loss to a team in the top 100 will not hurt us.
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Post by coachd on Feb 28, 2013 10:59:24 GMT -5
Charlotte lost one of their better players as he was suspended from the team. They will most likely struggle the rest of the year.
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Post by stlexplorer on Feb 28, 2013 11:29:30 GMT -5
Charlotte lost one of their better players as he was suspended from the team. They will most likely struggle the rest of the year. Would definitely be a team I'd love to play in Brooklyn
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Post by ltrain38 on Feb 28, 2013 12:15:58 GMT -5
I don't see Charlotte finishing in the top half or getting through the first round at this point. I expect them to lose at St. Bonaventure this weekend and possible to St. Joe's to end the season. Interestingly, if we get the three seed and things play out the way I expect for the Hawks, we could see them in the quarterfinals.
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Post by goexplorers on Feb 28, 2013 13:43:51 GMT -5
The top 6 in the league, in some order, are likely to be SLU, VCU, Butler, LU, TU, and X. Getting the 2 seed would be really nice so as to avoid the 5 or 6 seed in the quarters.
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Post by coachd on Feb 28, 2013 15:17:26 GMT -5
At this point I am willing to predict that Dayton will push into the field of 12 and either Charlotte or GW will be out.
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Post by theneumann64 on Feb 28, 2013 15:21:45 GMT -5
At this point I am willing to predict that Dayton will push into the field of 12 and either Charlotte or GW will be out. Agreed.
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