at Radford, 2/9 ESPNU

[gwebb1994]

National television from D.J. Laster floor at the Tim Craft Center in Radford.

UNCA and RU are tied for first at 10-2, GW and LW are tied for third two games back at 8-4. If we can win and if WU can go into UNCA and win, then it's going to be a wild ride down the stretch.

Getting Dufeal back healthy for this one will be key. These are the top two scoring defenses in the league, so points will be at a premium like they were in the earlier meeting here this season. We've got to protect the ball like we have been and rebound well, thus the need for Dufeal to be back. RU has two of the top ten rebounders in the league, we have nobody in the top ten. Put the clamps on Smith, 13.7 ppg, coming off conference player of the week honors. They've won 9 straight, we've won 5 in a row, the two longest win streaks in the league. I expect a big, loud, and raucous crowd in that building on national television. We've won 4 straight in that building, and I vaguely remember the last time we played in that building with national television and a crazy crowd and atmosphere......




Yes, it will NEVER, EVER get old to watch.

[gwebb1994]

Women host RU Wednesday. RU is 6-6 in the league in 4th, a decent chance we would matchup with them in the semifinal round in Charlotte the way things are at present.

We beat them by 4 there earlier this season, no reason to think they are coming into our house and ending the ladies hot streak. 13-0 heading into a big time matchup at CU Saturday.

[gwebb1994]

Methodical 70-49 win for the women tonight, 13-0 in conference, 21-4 overall, but even if we run the table, getting above a 15 seed is unlikely due to our SOS.

Should be a challenge at Campbell Saturday, although the Camels have lost two straight and are alone in third at 8-5. HPU is in second at 9-4, I believe that makes our magic number to clinch at 1 right now, since we have the season sweep against HPU.

[gwebb1994]

Suffocating display of defense in a solid 61-48 win. Held RU to 32% from the field and 19% from 3 pt land. Forced 14 turnovers as well.

Offensively, we shot well, 51% from the field and 43% from deep. However, our terrible free throw shooting showed again, 13-27, 48%. We would be contending for first if we just shot average from the charity stripe. That’s why I can’t pick us to win the whole thing in Charlotte, free throws decide close games, and we’re #340 in the nation.

Now a long bus ride home and a quick 36 hour turnaround to tip at 2 pm Saturday afternoon. The league needs to look at allowing the road team in these Thursday night games to be allowed to switch their Saturday tip time to the evening if they are hosting. Teams are getting penalized after being rewarded with the national television game. It makes zero sense, but that’s the Big South for you in a nutshell. RU has a long trip to CSU Saturday, but at least that one tips at 5:30.