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 [...]]]>

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

The last time we saw the men in green and white in action they were dismantling the Louisville Cardinals and handing the second Cards coach in a row his worst ever home loss.  The Niners return to action Tuesday night in Halton Arena [...]]]>

Wilderness may make his regular season debut against the Rams.

The last time we saw the men in green and white in action they were dismantling the Louisville Cardinals and handing the second Cards coach in a row his worst ever home loss.  The Niners return to action Tuesday night in Halton Arena at 8 PM against the Winston Salem State University Rams.  The Rams enter the contest at 2-5 boasting proud wins against NAIA-member Milligan College and D-II Atlanta Christian College (word has it Davidson is looking for a game against both next year).  WSSU is yet to skin a D-I program’s hide this season and that is fitting; the Rams are playing their final season as a Division I program.  Most recently, WSSU lost to South Carolina State University at home on December 5th.

Looking at the Rams’ roster, it’s easy to pinpoint their struggles.  It’s a team that returned just 3 players from an 8-22 season that resulted in a final RPI of 327.  Of the 9 newcomers, one player who has performed reasonably well is Shelton Carter, in his first season with the Rams after transfering from Charleston Southern.  Carter is a 6’5″ wing forward who shoots the ball well from the perimeter (38.6%) and is averaging 13.3 ppg. and 6.3 rpg to lead the team in both categories.  Other notable players for the Rams are second leading scorer Brian Fisher, a senior guard who’s averaging 12.4 ppg. on a dreadful 32.1% from the field and 22.2% from behind the arc; exactly the type of player you want taking a lot of shots.  The top post player for the Rams is 6’9″ junior forward Paul Davis, who’s pulling down a respectable 6.1 rpg. in just 20 minutes of action per game and leads the team with 9 blocks on the season.  He also pitches in a modest 5.9 ppg on 50% shooting from the field.  I’m not going to bother reviewing the other players because I expect an easy win for the Niners against a team that isn’t going to contend for anything.

For the  Niners, this is a game that presents some opportunities.  For one, it should mark the return of rugged small forward An’Juan Wilderness from his strained calf injury.  Although word was he’d return against Louisville, in my opinion he was smartly held out from action (to be honest, for all I know it could have been a medical decision).  Tuesday’s game will allow him to be returned to the lineup gradually, as both rust and game-conditioning will be an issue.  Hopefully the Niners will also be able to dominate the game on both ends of the floor as I expect them too, giving a chance to rest key players like DiJuan Harris (played 39 amazing minutes against Louisville) and Derrio Green (probably still sore from his plantar fascitiis).  We average fans would also welcome a chance to see new players like Gokhan Sirin get some seasoning, as well as what Javarris Barnett might be able to contribute.  Lastly, it could represent an opportunity to work on some facets of the offense that struggled just a bit against Louisville.  The Niners had problems passing in traffic to try to work the ball to open scorers in the lane against the Cardinals.  This is really just a matter of execution rather than a mental error, and something that can be improved hopefully with repetitions.

Will Tuesday give us an extended look at Gokhan's development?

I’m going to abstain from bullet points for this game.  We simply need to take care of business against a clearly inferior opponent that’s playing a lame duck season as they prepare to drop to Division II.  The Niners have historically under Lutz have lacked a “killer instinct” and have often played to the level of their opponents.  Hopefully the improved play and ability to close the game demonstrated against Louisville will prevail and the Niners will win this game by 25 points or more.