There is a really good women's game coming up this week: Kennesaw State at ETSU. KSU is 5-2 in conference, 10-9 overall. East Tennessee is 6-1, 10-10.
Kennesaw State is led by Brittney Henderson, who is averaging 13 points and 9 boards fr the season. Greteya Kelley has also done well in conference play, averaging 14 points a night in the A-Sun.
ETSU counters with two solid guards in Siarre Evans and Michelle DeVault, both double-digit scorers and solid rebounders and defenders. Leticia Belcher's post play has improved dramatically in conference play; in seven starts, her efficiency rate is up around 14, one of the best in the conference.
This match-up will be the classic cncflict between tempo and defense. ETSU likes to run and shoot a lot of 3's. Kennesaw makes its living creating turnovers and playing well in the half-court. Kennesaw's 22 steals helped them beat Lipscomb last week despite going 0-7 on 3's.
The game could come down to who shoots free throws better. ETSU shoots 71% as a team, while KSU is a hair under 65%. Given how they've been playing lately, I like ETSU -- especially at home -- but Kennesaw has the horsepower to give them a good game.
The other game on the women's side that looks to be close is Stetson @ Lipscomb. Neither team is in the upper echelon of the conference, but they play comparable styles and are relatively close in talent. If both teams play well, this could be a good game. But if one team lapses -- as both are prone to do at times -- the othe rhas a chance to run away and hide.
Not mchh to wrtie about on the men's side. Kennesaw is at Upstate Firday night in what looks to be the best match-up. But if Kennesaw keeps playing like they did this weekend against the Boulevard, USCU is in trouble. I don't know that Kennesaw has three straight superior performances in them, but we shall see.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A-Sun Week in Review
I've already written about the biggest game of the weekend (ETSU over Jacksonville), so here's a little more
Biggest Surprise, Women -- Stetson over Gardner-Webb. Stetson fell behind 13-2 right off the bat, rallied to take the lead, then trailed by 6 with 5 mintues to go. Lady Hatter Sharnesha Smith then hit a jumper with 2 seconds left to tie. Gardner-Webb then made only 1 of 6 shots in overtime and Stetson wins 71-68. Player of the Game Ayesha Barkley of Stetson led the way for the Lady Hatters, coming off the bench for 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Biggest Surprise, Men -- Kennesaw State sweeps Nashville. Ronnell Wooten earned every oounce of his A-Sun Player of the Week Award, going for 30 points at Belmont and follwoing that up with 23 more back home against Lipscomb. Wooten hit 11 of 21 3-pointers in 2 games. But to win POW, it took every bit of production to out-distance teammate Shaun Stegall, who had 21 points and 8 boards against Lipscomb after missing a Triple-Double by one assist (18 pts, 10 rebounds, 9 assists) against Belmont. Both the Bruins and the Bisons played pretty well, but KSU was just better both nights.
One note: Lipscomb is now 0-4 in conference games that end in regulation, and 2-1 in OT.
Biggest Surprise, Women -- Stetson over Gardner-Webb. Stetson fell behind 13-2 right off the bat, rallied to take the lead, then trailed by 6 with 5 mintues to go. Lady Hatter Sharnesha Smith then hit a jumper with 2 seconds left to tie. Gardner-Webb then made only 1 of 6 shots in overtime and Stetson wins 71-68. Player of the Game Ayesha Barkley of Stetson led the way for the Lady Hatters, coming off the bench for 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Biggest Surprise, Men -- Kennesaw State sweeps Nashville. Ronnell Wooten earned every oounce of his A-Sun Player of the Week Award, going for 30 points at Belmont and follwoing that up with 23 more back home against Lipscomb. Wooten hit 11 of 21 3-pointers in 2 games. But to win POW, it took every bit of production to out-distance teammate Shaun Stegall, who had 21 points and 8 boards against Lipscomb after missing a Triple-Double by one assist (18 pts, 10 rebounds, 9 assists) against Belmont. Both the Bruins and the Bisons played pretty well, but KSU was just better both nights.
One note: Lipscomb is now 0-4 in conference games that end in regulation, and 2-1 in OT.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Don Meyer Wins #880
Congratulations to former Lipscomb head coach Don Meyer, who picked up career win #880 this weekend. In his ninth season at Northern State, Meyer is 178-79, 18-4 this year. Coach Meyer won 665 games in 24 years at Lipscomb, one of whcih was for the 1986 NAIA national championship.
Among men's coaches, Don Meyer is now second behind only Bob Knight, who won #900 on January 17th. Pat Summitt of Tennessee holds the overall wins lead with 963 (at last count).
Among men's coaches, Don Meyer is now second behind only Bob Knight, who won #900 on January 17th. Pat Summitt of Tennessee holds the overall wins lead with 963 (at last count).
Jeopardy Practice Test Available
A-Sun Women's Upset of the Year (So Far)
ETSU 80, Jacksonville 74
What's amazing about this is that the game was in Jacksonville, the Dolphins played pretty well, and ETSU still found a way to win. Michelle DeVault was out of her mind, hitting 6 of 7 three's en route to 20 points, 4 boards, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Siarre Evans chipped in 18, and Kelly Turman added 14 off the bench.
Impressively, ETSU basically shut down Regina Omoite, holding her to 10 points on 2 of 7 shooting. The Dolphins tried valiently to pick up the slack, getting big nights from Ashley Williams, Courtney Jackson, and especially Virginia Gregorie (21 points, 7 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals).
But ETSU got ahead early, and Jacksonville just couldn't make enough of a run to retake the lead. Every time the Dolphins got close, ETSU had an answer. On the road.
Well done.
What's amazing about this is that the game was in Jacksonville, the Dolphins played pretty well, and ETSU still found a way to win. Michelle DeVault was out of her mind, hitting 6 of 7 three's en route to 20 points, 4 boards, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Siarre Evans chipped in 18, and Kelly Turman added 14 off the bench.
Impressively, ETSU basically shut down Regina Omoite, holding her to 10 points on 2 of 7 shooting. The Dolphins tried valiently to pick up the slack, getting big nights from Ashley Williams, Courtney Jackson, and especially Virginia Gregorie (21 points, 7 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals).
But ETSU got ahead early, and Jacksonville just couldn't make enough of a run to retake the lead. Every time the Dolphins got close, ETSU had an answer. On the road.
Well done.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Breaking News
The Ohio Valley Conference has lifted a key membership restriction -- requiring member schools to field a football team.
The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle reported the story yesterday:
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/SPORTS07/801240343/1006/rss04
The OVC offices are in Nashville. All but 4 of their members are in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Is this a play to get Belmont and Lispcomb out of the A-Sun? Are they making a run at former members ETSU, Evansville, or somebody else?
We shall see. Stay tuned.
The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle reported the story yesterday:
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/SPORTS07/801240343/1006/rss04
The OVC offices are in Nashville. All but 4 of their members are in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Is this a play to get Belmont and Lispcomb out of the A-Sun? Are they making a run at former members ETSU, Evansville, or somebody else?
We shall see. Stay tuned.
I Was Right, For Once
Lipscomb's game with Mercer last night was every bit of the ball game we thought it would be.
Mercer 84, Lipscomb 82. Lipscomb has 3 chances to tie or win in the final 6 seconds. Ard missed a 3. Pfaff missed two free throws (the second one on purpose). Josh Slater got the rebound, but his 3-ball was blocked by Player of the Game Calvin Henry.
Henry was one of 4 Mercer starters in double figures -- 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. Mercer also had 8 players play at least 14 minutes, showing off the depth we discussed yesterday.
Lipscomb also showed some nice depth, too. 9 players played at least 12 minutes, a welcome change of pace from Scott Sanderson's M.O. Jason Hopkins had a nice night, pulling down 8 rebounds in 24 minutes. He only scored 6 points, but he didn't miss a shot all night. Lakroy Daniels played well (as he usually does in games Lipscomb has a chance to win), and Eddie Ard was Eddie Ard.
In other action, Gardner-Webb beat Stetson by 5 (I was right again), Kennesaw got Belmont by 2, and Gulf Coast upset Campbell. Here's hoping the rest of the weekend is this much fun.
Mercer 84, Lipscomb 82. Lipscomb has 3 chances to tie or win in the final 6 seconds. Ard missed a 3. Pfaff missed two free throws (the second one on purpose). Josh Slater got the rebound, but his 3-ball was blocked by Player of the Game Calvin Henry.
Henry was one of 4 Mercer starters in double figures -- 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. Mercer also had 8 players play at least 14 minutes, showing off the depth we discussed yesterday.
Lipscomb also showed some nice depth, too. 9 players played at least 12 minutes, a welcome change of pace from Scott Sanderson's M.O. Jason Hopkins had a nice night, pulling down 8 rebounds in 24 minutes. He only scored 6 points, but he didn't miss a shot all night. Lakroy Daniels played well (as he usually does in games Lipscomb has a chance to win), and Eddie Ard was Eddie Ard.
In other action, Gardner-Webb beat Stetson by 5 (I was right again), Kennesaw got Belmont by 2, and Gulf Coast upset Campbell. Here's hoping the rest of the weekend is this much fun.
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