Real Ram's Wool - Just in time for Christmas!

Don’t you love a good thrashing?

Charlotte came out and dominated every facet of this game from start to finish. Just as we should, since the Rams are next to last in RPI overall and have practically dropped all expectations to ever compete in D1 basketball this year. We controlled every part of this game. From defensive rebounds (28 to their 10) to offensive rebounds (22 to 17) to assists (18 to 10) to field goals (35-20), the 49ers completely shut down WSSU’s entire game plan (did they really have one?).

The performance of the night, without a doubt, goes to Chris Braswell. He was phenomenal, scoring 16 points, 7-7 FGs, and bringing in 15 rebounds. He also had one assist, and it was a beauty. That high-low assist to Phil Jones for the dunk is the perfect example of what this team has lacked for a few seasons. 3 pointers, alleyoops, break away dunks, all nice, but legitimate post play is what we want to see. The best part of all? He’s a freshman!

Before this author gets lazy and starts bullet-pointing it, it would be unwise to go without mentioning the very entertaining conclusion of the game. Sure, it was WSSU, but we showed some serious depth. Our walk-ons seem legitimately serviceable, and who didn’t get visions of Plavich in their head when Colby shot that three pointer from Bass Pro Shops?

The Pros

• Post play is legit, we were looking inside all night and seemingly scoring at will
• Our defense doesn’t force turnovers (only 12), but it is working by forcing bad shots (WSSU shot just 30.8%) and getting the rebounds
• Dewhurst seemed to be in a funk to start the game, but he’s getting comfortable on offense
• Wilderness is back on the court and showing that “must-kill the humanoids” mentality we all enjoy
• Harris may have developed a jumpshot
• It may have been WSSU, but we were getting it inside pretty easily
• Our transition offense is coming together
• Gokhan Sirin showed off his beautiful shot again
• Two home games in a row with an airballed free throw, can we make it three?
• Oh yah, Chris Braswell Chris Braswell Chris Braswell

Put on your Green Tinted Glasses

• Spears may have led all scorers with 17, but he seemed to be forcing it
• Bowden was colder than ice and willing to sacrifice our love
• Kyle Church didn’t get a basket, though he did get a sweet assist to the Turkish Terror

Forgive us, we’ve all been reeling since last Tuesday and it’s hard to focus when you’re recovering from such severe eye pain. So we lost to Duke, big deal. Most teams lose to Duke in Cameron. That stadium has a reputation for eating non conference opponents (and their fans’ pinky fingers) alive. We at Green Tinted Glasses cannot however, excuse the seemingly lack of effort displayed on the court. Hopefully that will be remedied in the second round of the PNIT as the Niners take on the almighty Bulldogs of Yale.

Again, Shamari makes an appearance on another college's logo.

Give me a break, it’s Yale. We can beat Yale. We beat Yale in 04-05 in the Cable Car Classic. Leemire Goldwire was there (along with some other very good Niners in Basden and Withers). Since Yale is an Ivy League school, they probably play smart basketball. In other words, they do what we don’t. They’ll run a half court offense and wait for a key shot, we’ll shoot it from 3 ft beyond the arc and then jog down the court. Both have their merits, right?

Truth is, Yale doesn’t have an answer for Shamari Spears, and just like Elon, he’ll promptly have an early Thanksgiving feast and lead us to victory. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll see Shamarr pass the ball too, but based on his performances so far, it’ll be to himself, so he can then shoot it. Have you ever seen a player with a quicker trigger than Bowden?

DiJuan is the man, but he needs to drive the lane more. Until he does, defenses will be able to shut down our awesome motionless offense with ease (for example see: Duke). Maybe today is the day. You know what, it is. We’ve already beaten one Bulldogs team this year, and we’re going to do it again. Predictions are below, and of course add your own in the comments, winner gets a free subscription to greentintedglasses.net   – J Felt

J Felt – Charlotte 85, Yale 71. We dominate all over the court but on the defensive end, Spears is hassled by PETA for treatment of bulldogs.

JRitchie – Charlotte 103 Yale 67 – The cosmic bitch slap that was Cameron Indoor v Duke has only catalyzed a hunger in the team, we win over Yale and put together our first solid 40 mins of basketball for the season.

D-Fo - Charlotte 90, Yale 78. This one’s gonna be a drubbing.  The soreness from the Duke spanking has worn off, and the Niners come in hungry.  Shamarr Bowden drops 18 points from all the way at the concession stands, and Shamari Spears eats Bulldog guard Alex Zampier alive.  Literally.

Bust – Charlotte 83, Yale 67. Niners have the Yalies hollering Boola boo.

HP – Niners forget Cameron, win 74-65.