A Fun Week Proving Nothing

Close games, big shots, and a comeback for the ages, all of which resulted in almost no movement in the standings at all.

Game of the Week -- Can there be any doubt? Belmont is down 18 with 3 1/2 to go, down 11 with under two left, and comes back to win. In regulation. On the road at Campbell.

Other Good Games -- Three one-point games, an OT game, and another 3-point game. Bobby Davis hits a pair of FTs with 3 seconds left to beat Stetson. James Florence rebounds his own miss with 6 seconds left and scores five seconds later, completing a 9-point comeback in the last 2 1/2 minutes to beat Jacksonville. In a game they never led, ETSU had three shots, including a FT, that would have either tied the game or put them ahead in the final 90 seconds but missed them all, losing by one to Stetson. In another rebound game, Jacksonville survived a missed 3-ball by John-Michael Nickerson of Kennesaw to hold on and win by 3.

Player of the Week: Close call this week. Mercer played 3 games, Belmont and Lipscomb only played once. Only 5 guys posted multiple 15-plus PEG nights, and three of them played 3 games. Overall, this was one of the weakest offensive weeks of the year, which makes defense and rebounding key. The conference office went with James Florence, and a PEG average of 17.3, the late-game heroics against Jacksonville, and a team that won 3 times in 5 days make their choice solid. That said, Kevin Tiggs had a better week statisctically (a 30 PEG against FGCU and 18 against Stetson), but his team went 1-1. But if you're looking for a good player on a winning team -- especially one who rebounded well in a week where defense was at a premium -- I'd pick Daniel Emerson. Nothing flashy, but PEGs of 19, 29, and 17 -- his biggest performance coming in the biggest game. Florence may be the guy you want taking the shot late, but Emerson is the guy who is going to keep you in the game long enough for Florence to put on his superhero cape.

Honorable Mention -- The other guys to post multiple 15+ PEGs were Jon-Michael Nickerson of Kennesaw (28 against UNF and 16 against FGCU) and Bryan Mills of Mercer (22 against Kennesaw and 18 against UNF). Jonathan Rodriguez posted 26 in the loss to Belmont. In that game, Alex Renfroe and Nick Hedgepeth (WTTB) of Belmont posted 24 and 20, respectively. Bobby Davis' heroics against Stetson were part of a 27 PEG night. A. J. Smith of Stetson compiled a 20 PEG in the loss.

The NCAA is hosting their third annual mock bracket selection weekend for journalists this weekend. In their simulation, Belmont wins the conference tournament. Just so you know.

Battle of the Boulevard II tonight.