Pictures of hot chicks.

Not really, we’re just adding a weekly conversation about the state of Niner basketball between J Felt (me) and NLP. We’re both completely untalented and unfunny by ourselves, but together we form a mildly humorous duo capable [...]]]> So we’re trying this new thing. Adding a new dimension to our blog.

Pictures of hot chicks.

Not really, we’re just adding a weekly conversation about the state of Niner basketball between J Felt (me) and NLP. We’re both completely untalented and unfunny by ourselves, but together we form a mildly humorous duo capable of making you smirk once or twice. This one was started right after the Saint Joseph’s game. Read on…

J Felt (I’m in italics because I’m artsy): Well, who saw that coming? With the way we’ve been struggling, the thought of us beating a team down like that, in conference play no less, was far fetched. Saint Joe’s looked like us last year: bad at everything. They walked into a buzzsaw, and after 5 minutes into the game it was never in doubt. The Hawks forgot how to play basketball on the same day our team remembered. What does this victory tell you about our team heading into the last few games of the season?

Ian Andersen is fired up!!!

NLP (in regular, because he’s a straightfoward guy): It tells me that we need to play the Hawks more often.  I don’t know how much of it was execution on our part or ineptitude on their part, but I’ll take the result either way.  Take Ian and Gokhan for instance:  30 points between them.  Basically they were hitting the shots they’ve been missing as both have been able to get open looks during their respective scoring droughts (Ian’s lasting all season up until last night).  Really how often do you have someone as a Sr. who isn’t injured burst for 19 points when he’s been below the double-digit line all season?  Rare.
 
We’ll find out if we’re back this weekend when we take on the Foggy Bottom Colonials.  The team that lost three straight will lose that game by double digits.  The team we saw last night would win by double digits.  I don’t think we’ll see anything in between.  It’s going to be either one extreme or the other.

J: That GW game has worried me all season. They really are starting to develop as a rival, and Lutz even mentioned in the postgame, “they REALLY don’t like us.” So you know the Colonials will be fired up for the game, and it’s on MASN. We never win on that channel, unless you count barely beating Fordham as a win…
 
Speaking of Ian Andersen, where does his layup on the break rank amongst your “Most Awkward Fast Breaks” list? To me, it’s got to go pretty high, right up there with E.J. Drayton getting called for a palming violation against Miss St. a few years ago. I wonder what was going through Ian’s head, if his first intention was to bring down a tomahawk slam but got distracted by thinking about whether or not he should blow a kiss to his wife after a slam dunk.

N: I’m on Orbitz right now looking for flight and hotel packages (I’d take the bus up but NQH has never seen DC and we might head up tomorrow night and come back Sunday.  Point?  I’m trying to guarantee a loss.  Although we’re undefeated at the Smith Center with me in attendence… granted my last appearance was in 2002 when we still had Jobey, Cam, Eddie, and the Curtis Nash experiment hadn’t yet begun. 
 
Ian’s layup?  I think he achieved the minimum elevation possible while still leaving the ground… maybe 1 or 2 micrometers, which is funny because he can actually dunk fairly easily.  In warmups.  Important distinction.  Yesterday’s game is proof that the basketball gods are willing to relent at least for one game.  Bask in the glory Ian, there’s no knowing how long it will last!

Free the Golddusters!

J: Back to the really important issues. Which Goldduster is #1? Short haired brunette, or GingerDuster? There are serious arguments being made on both sides, but I think some people are neglecting the blondes. I would be worried about asking this question because it might offend some women, but we already know women don’t read our blog.

N: Look, they’re both gahgeous.  It just comes down to preference.  Most people will probably gravitate towards Ginger for the novelty factor and you can’t fault that. 
Personally?  Short-haired brunette wins the NLP Goldduster award.  Both can feel free to schedule a competition with GTG as judges to determine the ultimate winner. 

J: Its too bad our athletic department doesn’t have a page dedicated to them where we can bios and Judy Rose-approved headshots. They’d probably all list UNC-CH as their favorite college basketball team anyway. However, Short-Haired Brunetter Duster is probably leading the vote right now, You’re right, the only way to settle it is a GreenTintedGlasses.net Goldduster competition, which I’m sure Judy Rose would be more than happy to allow.
 
Back to basketball. There was a noticeable difference in the demeanor of our team last night. They were smiling and enjoying basketball. Even during the 7 game win streak, our team didn’t exactly look excited to be playing basketball until the end of the games, but last night they were a different team before tip off. I guess winning does that to you. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out for the rest of the season. Do guys like Gokhan and Ian see more of a role? Will Derrio come out of his “slump”?

N: Do we really have to go back to basketball?  I guess I don’t want Judy Rose sticking a shank in my neck at the Richmond game.
 
Yeah the team looked like it had fun out there, which is the big idea.  Win and enjoy doing it.  We absolutely need more of that.  As for roles, I’m scared Bobby might overuse Ian after his ‘breakout’.  He’s still awful on defense and just doesn’t have the speed and overall athleticism to do anything more than come off screens.  If he’s on though, give it a whirl but watch that +/-. 
 
I do want more Sirin, I’ll admit it, I’m enamored with his game but he’s still a work in progress and needs to be more aware on defense, work on his dribbling as you mentioned when we were gtalking it up, and get stronger.  Most of those things will come in the off-season.  The SF position will be interesting.  Dewhurst just doesn’t provide much on offense, but he’s a great glue guy who can get offensive rebounds and tends to get fouled if and when he shoots.  But I really like the way Wilderness is playing.  It’s just unfortunate he’s never really developed that consistent jumper that teams have to respect.  Still, he’s amazing around the rim.  Easily our best finisher.  The question is whether teams will let him get there. 
 
As for Derrio, he’ll be fine.  He just needs to re-iterate that shooters mentality and have the short memory whenever he makes a mistake.  That doesn’t mean force up shots, that just means always believe a good shot will go in.

J: You know Judy has all that hair for a reason. She keeps a collection of weapons in there for people like you.
 
Sirin has an amazing shot, and fairly good basketball IQ, but call me when he can play defense, adds some muscle, and can dribble the ball out of double teams. If he can do at least one of those things, I say give him plenty more playing time, but in the meantime I like his “Sean Phaler + Skill” role right now. And Wilderness, man, what a beast. In my mind I’m picturing a Basden-esque senior year for Wilderness. Remember how much more dangerous Eddie was when he sort of developed a jumper? If Wilderness can do that and stay healthy, watch out, we could be really good next year.
 
I hate saying that with so much of the season left, but that’s really the biggest thing I’m getting from this season: we could be REALLY good next year. I’m already excited and this one’s not even over yet.

Obligatory

N: We’re the kings of next year.  For once, I’d like to be the king of this year.  This team could do it -the ability is there, but can they seize it?  That I don’t know.  I’m personally of the belief that unless we run the remaining 3 regular season games, we have to win the A10 title to make the NCAA tournament.  In the event we do run the table, I think we still have to make the A10 finals, or at least beat an RPI top 40 team like Dayton who had to play their way to AC by winning a first round game.
 
I’m excited too, but unlike the Pointer Sisters I’m still kind of hiding it.

J: I refuse to mention anything about the big post season event that happens following the conference tourney. No point getting our hopes up, because I hate to be disappointed. I will say this, we still have a chance because there are a TON of bubble teams that could easily drop off and let us in. We still have work to do.
 
Last topic for your discussion (I sense our reader is bored), what do you think matters the most heading into these last three games?

N: Our reader?  We have just one now?  :’(
 
Going into the last three games the difference is going to be defense.  We need to get better at it and play the kind of defense we did against Richmond.  We’ve been good at getting open shots this season, but they don’t always fall.  We’ve been good at getting Shamari the ball down low, but he doesn’t always get the call when he’s fouled.  But none of that should impact how hard we go at it on defense.  There’s no better way to keep a game close when shots aren’t falling than going all out on defense.
 
After that, it’s taking care of the ball.  We’re still turnover prone between the circles, and that’s the worst play to turn it over.  It’s an almost guaranteed layup/dunk/foul because of the numbers.

I leave to go to Vancouver for the Olympics, stay with JRitchie, and as I’m enjoying our visit, Charlotte goes and loses to Duquesne at home. (does anyone else remember how to spell that by saying ‘doo-kes-ney’?) Then we White-Out Xavier but get massacred regardless. Can we [...]]]>

He DOES look like a dinosaur!

I leave to go to Vancouver for the Olympics, stay with JRitchie, and as I’m enjoying our visit, Charlotte goes and loses to Duquesne at home. (does anyone else remember how to spell that by saying ‘doo-kes-ney’?) Then we White-Out Xavier but get massacred regardless. Can we officially call an end to White-Out-ing Xavier? We’re 1-2 in those games and Dayton already did it Xavier. I think we should do something insanely radical, like a Neon Green-Out, or Plaid-Out (aka Al Borlan night), or Hot Girls Sit Front Row-Out. Those are winning ideas.

Needless to say, I came back to the East Coast disappointed. Maybe I should blame myself. I’m sure the players were thinking, “That guy who yells really stupid stuff isn’t here, why should we bother?” and decided to phone it in and save their best efforts for when I was in attendance. Also missed was the debut of the “Ginger Nation” sign, as one of our loyal readers, Pip, is doing his part to further the redhead race (is that really a good idea?) by wooing the crowd favorite GingerDuster. We at GTG wish him luck, and although success is unlikely, anything is possible. We were in 1st place at one time, remember?

Being at the Olympics got me thinking, what events would best suit our players?

Ian Andersen would be in curling, for obvious reasons. Shamari Spears and An’Juan would make a good two-man bobsled team. Dewhurst would do the aerials. DiJuan would tear up the moguls. Derrio seems like a speed skater. K.J. would be a great defenceman for hockey. And Phil Jones and Chris Braswell would make a formidable two-man luge squad.

We can’t leave Bobby out, of course. There’s no other place for him but Figure Skating. Have you ever seen his trademark Spin-into-Crouch and Scream? His form is impeccable.

Well, now that I’ve officially wasted your time, we need to discuss our Niners. We’ve lost three in a row. That’s rough. We’ve arguably been in a tailspin since the UMass game and we’re having a difficult time recovering. Whereas earlier in conference play luck was on our side, we seem to have run out and can’t seem to get our mojo going again. Tonight’s game is the perfect opportunity for our team to get back on their feet and remember how to win. No more imitating Mitchell Baldwin, DiJuan, play like you know how to.

Predictions are below. You know what to do.

D-Fo – The Niners really need to find their rhythm again after the past couple of weeks.  In optimism, with true green-tinted glasses, I’m gonna say that it finally happens. Charlotte 75, Chicken-Hawks 68.

HP – Martelli leaves Halton scratching his bald head on what it once was like to be significant… Niners 78, Hawks 64.

letsgoNINERS11 – Phil Martelli looks like a dinosaur.  WTF happened to Saint Joe’s? Charlotte 82 – Joe’s 67

J Felt – Charlotte 85, Saint Ho-seph’s 69. Braswell, Green and Spears all wake up and nom nom on some Hawk meat.

JRitchie – Charlotte narrowly avoids continuing its losing ways by topping the hawks with a minute to go sealing the victory. Charlotte 73 – St. Joe’s 69

UMass Minutemen (4-5)

The UMass Minutemen sport a mostly new roster under second year head coach Derek Kellogg, bringing in 5 new freshmen including heralded wing forward [...]]]> Today is the second of two installments giving a brief run-down of the A10 so far during non conference play.  Click HERE for Part 1.

UMass Minutemen (4-5)

The UMass Minutemen sport a mostly new roster under second year head coach Derek Kellogg, bringing in 5 new freshmen including heralded wing forward Terrell Vinson, a former target of our Niners coaching staff.  Joining the strong freshman class are transfers Sean Carter (Oregon State, also a former Charlotte recruit) and Hashim Bailey (Memphis).  So far the results have been less than spectacular for the Minutemen.  Although the losses have been to mostly decent programs, the wins have mostly come against lesser D-I competition and DII Arkansas-Fort Smith (their hypen, not mine).  With such an inexperienced roster, these trials and tribulations can be expected, but if improvement isn’t seen over the course of the season, questions of whether Kellogg is much of a head coach will start to arise.

Not surprisingly, the top players for UMass are a pair of upperclassmen guards, Ricky Harris and Anthony Gurley.  Both are averaging north of 17 points per game and Harris has been tops in assists.  Freshman swingmen Freddie Riley and Vinson are also both off to solid starts for their careers, with Riley putting up over 9 ppg in just 16.2 mpg and Vinson averaging 8.1 ppg. and chipping in 3.9 rpg.  Sean Carter has been the top post player leading the team in both rebounding and blocked shots.  Although the Minutemen have improved their rebounding from a season ago, problems defensively persist.  UMass is allow opponents to shoot 46% from the field and a horrific 41.8% for shots taken behind the arc.  If UMass wants to finish above .500 in A10 play, this is a must for Kellogg to address.  Although I do expect the Minutemen to improve, real progress in the win/loss column will probably have to wait until next year.

La Salle Explorers (6-2)

The season has started basically as expected for the La Salle Explorers.  Dr. John Giannini has done a sharp job improving a program that lacks the facilities to really “wow” recruits despite playing on a court that bears the name of the legendary Tom Gola.  In the early going of the season, La Salle has taken care of business, winning the games it should win, but has lost both opportunities for BCS scalps (South Carolina in Charleston and @Villanova in Big 5 action).  The non conference slate has several very tough games remaining, including this weekend at Kansas, and future dates against Oklahoma State and Ivy favorite Cornell.

The Explorers are led by Sr. guard Rodney Green.  Green is averaging an even 18 ppg. and leads the team in assists.  Green also pitches in an impressive 5.8 rpg.  Fellow seniors Kimmani Barrett (13.3 ppg.), Ruben Guillandeaux (61.5% from 3), and and Yves Mekongo (10.1 ppg.) have all played well, though Mekongo is struggling a bit from the field.  Joining the senior-led Explorers is highly touted freshman center Aaric Murray.  Murray has played quite well in the early season, averaging 11.5 ppg. and leading the team with 7.1 rpg. and 2.5 bpg.  One area that needs work for Murray (as well as the Explorers as a team) is FT shooting.  Murray only has 13 attempts on the season, and has made less than half.  Despite the FT struggles, La Salle has developed into a very good team and could contend for the A10 title and should certainly contend for a conference tournament bye.  The Explorers are shooting a stellar 47.2% from the field and 43.5% from behind the arc.  They have also taken care of business on defense, enjoying an over 10 rpg. advantage over their opponents.

Dayton Flyers

I actually dread writing about Dayton.  Their neurotic fans over on the A10 board scare me.  But they’re a solid team with a good coach and hey, it’s my job.  So here goes.  The Flyers started the season with a bang, getting a victory over common non-conference foe Georgia Tech in Puerto Rico.  This was followed by a pair of losses in the same venue to Villanova and Kansas State, both very good teams and nothing to be ashamed of for the Flyer faithful.  Since returning to the continental US, the flyers have taken care of business against some slightly less-than-stellar competition including an escape @ George Mason (56-55) where the Flyers surrendered a large lead in the 2^nd half.  The remainder of the non-conference slate features good opportunities to pick up quality wins against Old Dominion (another common foe with the Niners) at home and on the road against New Mexico.

Despite being the preseason favorite to win the A10, the Flyers do have some holes that need addressing before conference play begins.  Dayton has struggled to keep opponents from reaching the FT line, allowing 24.8 trips/game (about 5 less per game than the Flyers).  They have also struggled to outrebound their opposition, holding the slightest of edges (0.4 rpg.).  Offensively, the Flyers are led by a pair of very good forwards, Chris Johnson and Chris Wright.  The pair lead the Flyers in both scoring and rebounding providing 14.5 and 7.0 (Johnson) and 14.3 and 6.1 (Wright) respectively.  In the backcourt, Sr. PG London Warren and Sr. SG Marcus Johnson get the starting nod.  London is a blur with and without the ball, but looks to pass and defend as opposed to scoring.  Johnson is scoring 8.4 ppg. but has struggled with his shot.  The top outside threat for Dayton has been F Luke Fabrizius who is hitting on 45.5% of his long-distance attempts.

Saint Joseph’s Hawks (3-5)

The season couldn’t have started much better for the Hawks, winning their first three including a nice victory over Boston College in the Virgin Islands.  However, the inexperienced roster (only 2 seniors) dropped the next five, largely to quality teams such as Purdue, Cornell, and Villanova.  The remaining non-conference slate doesn’t get much easier with trips to Minnesota and Siena.  Saint Joseph’s is led by its lone pair of seniors; guards Darrin Govens and Garrett Williamson, scoring 25 points between each other.  A bright spot so far has been the play of Fr. guard Carl Jones who’s contributing 10.1 ppg. in 21 minutes/game off the bench for the Hawks.

Looking strictly at the numbers, a couple stats stand out that contribute to the Hawks’ losing record.  Saint Joseph’s has struggled to rebound the ball, averaging a deficit of nearly 8 rpg.  Couple the rebounding woes with poor shooting (41.5% from the field) and it’s no surprise Saint Joseph’s has posted a 3-5 record thus far.  Though the non-conference schedule is one of the most difficult in the league, the Hawks’ early struggles will likely carry over to conference play and Coach Phil Martelli is likely to see his squad post the first losing record in 10 years.

Duquesne Dukes (6-3)

Despite being friends with Huggy Bear, I’m a Ron Everhart fan.  He’s quickly turned the wreckage of Danny Nee around, inheriting a 3-win team in Nee’s last year and turning it into a 21-win team last season.  Despite the loss of Aaron Jackson, the Dukes have a strong roster to go with their excellent coach and should be in the top half of the A10 this season.  Duquesne has no seniors and is led by Jr. forward Damian Saunders.  Saunders is putting up 14.8 ppg on 54.1% shooting from the field to go with a beastly 12.4 rpg.  Fellow Jr. swingman Bill Clark is also playing well, putting up 16 ppg.  The Dukes have relied heavily on a tight rotation thus far with 5 players averaging over 30 minutes per game.  This should improve in a few weeks with the return of Melquan Bolding, who is nursing a broken wrist sustained in a game with Nicholls State (shame too, he was having a big game).

In non-conference play, the Dukes have victories over Iowa and a collection of lesser regarded such as Binghamton and Savannah State.  Losses have come at the hands of Western Carolina, Pittsburgh, and mostly recently a blowout against WVU where the Dukes managed just 39 points.  The remaining non-conference games are quite manageable with the most difficult being trips to IUPUI and Old Dominion (is it me or is every A10 team required to play ODU or Cornell in the non conference?).  One area Duquesne does need to focus on is 3 point shooting.  The Dukes are connecting on just 27.0% of their 3 point attempts.

Xavier Musketeers (5-3)

The Musketeers, under first year Head Coach Chris Mack, have produced mix results against their usual difficult non-conference schedule.  Xavier has dropped games against Marquette, Baylor, and Kansas State while posting wins against Creighton and Kent State.  Remaining non-conference games against Cincinnati, Butler, LSU, and Wake Forest will further test this edition of the Musketeers and ideally ready them for conference play as well as providing a means to hopefully boost the conference RPI.  Xavier is led by So. transfer Jordan Crawford (by way of Indiana) putting up 18.5 ppg. with a scorching 48.7% from behind the arc.  The only other player scoring in double figures for Xavier is Sr. forward Jason Love who is averaging a double-double with 10.3 ppg. and 10.0 rpg.

Despite a record that is not particularly awe-inspiring, Xavier is playing good basketball.  They shoot the ball extremely well (48.0%) from the field and perimeter (44.5%), hold their opponents to poor shooting (38.7%), and limit second chances by rebounding the ball well (+6.2 rpg).  Don’t let the early losses fool anyone.  This Xavier team plays a very difficult schedule, probably the most difficult in the league.  If Chris Mack is as good of a coach as he is a recruiter, I won’t be surprised at all if Xavier is one of the top teams in the A10.