A game like yesterday's leaves plenty of room for excuses. The bench was thin, thinner than ever before. Harvard is significantly improved from last season. Shots stopped falling at a critical point.
The Terriers aren't making excuses, though -- and they shouldn't. This game was theirs for the taking, and it was given away, piece by piece. When BU was up nine and had a chance to put Harvard away, the Terriers let Harvard creep closer. When BU had three offensive rebounds on one critical possession and Jeff Pelage was sent to the free throw line, the 6-foot-9 center missed both free throws. When BU was down three points late in the game and called a timeout, the next two Terrier offensive possessions resulted in turnovers leading to Harvard fast breaks.
The Crimson seized control of the game when control was offered -- but control was offered by the Terriers. There's no excuse for that.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Around the League: November 30, 2009
Yesterday's games:
Vermont 82, Toledo 49
The Catamounts (3-4) snapped a three-game losing streak with a dominant performance against the Rockets (0-6). Maurice Joseph was the primary scorer, tallying 21 points for Vermont. Garrett Kissel stepped up and provided 10 rebounds for the Catamounts. Toledo never found its range, making just 2-of-15 on its 3-point attempts.
Today's games:
Albany at Florida Atlantic, 7:00 PM
Stony Brook at Lehigh, 7:00 PM
Vermont 82, Toledo 49
The Catamounts (3-4) snapped a three-game losing streak with a dominant performance against the Rockets (0-6). Maurice Joseph was the primary scorer, tallying 21 points for Vermont. Garrett Kissel stepped up and provided 10 rebounds for the Catamounts. Toledo never found its range, making just 2-of-15 on its 3-point attempts.
Today's games:
Albany at Florida Atlantic, 7:00 PM
Stony Brook at Lehigh, 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Live Blog: Harvard University at Boston University
Expected starting lineups:
Boston University
G Tyler Morris
G Corey Lowe
G Carlos Strong
F Valdas Sirutis
F Jake O'Brien
Harvard University
G Jeremy Lin
G Oliver McNally
G Max Kenyi
F Doug Miller
F Keith Wright
Final score: Harvard University 78, Boston University 70
Team leaders:
Points
BU: John Holland, 18
Harvard: Jeremy Lin, 19
Rebounds
BU: John Holland, 9
Harvard: Pat Magnarelli, 6
Assists
BU: Corey Lowe, 4
Harvard: Jeremy Lin, 4
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Around the League: November 28, 2009
Yesterday's games:
Drexel 74, Vermont 61
The Dragons rode a career-high 28 points from Jamie Harris to victory in the Legends Classic. Drexel (2-3) played evenly with Vermont (2-3) on the glass and in turnovers, but found efficient and prolific scoring from its backcourt, something the Catamounts could not match. Marqus Blakely had a double-double for the Catamounts, but his seven missed field goal attempts and six missed free throw attempts were symbolic of the overall trouble Vermont had putting points on the board.
Today's games:
Marist at New Hampshire, 1:00 pm
NJIT at Stony Brook, 2:00 pm
Vermont vs. Cornell, 2:00 pm
Albany at UCF, 5:00 pm
Binghamton at Rider, 7:00 pm
Hartford at Dartmouth, 7:00 pm
UMBC at James Madison, 7:00 pm
Drexel 74, Vermont 61
The Dragons rode a career-high 28 points from Jamie Harris to victory in the Legends Classic. Drexel (2-3) played evenly with Vermont (2-3) on the glass and in turnovers, but found efficient and prolific scoring from its backcourt, something the Catamounts could not match. Marqus Blakely had a double-double for the Catamounts, but his seven missed field goal attempts and six missed free throw attempts were symbolic of the overall trouble Vermont had putting points on the board.
Today's games:
Marist at New Hampshire, 1:00 pm
NJIT at Stony Brook, 2:00 pm
Vermont vs. Cornell, 2:00 pm
Albany at UCF, 5:00 pm
Binghamton at Rider, 7:00 pm
Hartford at Dartmouth, 7:00 pm
UMBC at James Madison, 7:00 pm
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The Day After: Boston University 69, Northeastern University 64 (OT)
Entering yesterday afternoon's game against the Huskies of Northeastern University, BU had played in five games. Each lasted 40 minutes, and each featured at least 70 possessions per team, with some of those games featuring several additional possessions. While BU's preferred tempo is not defined as a specific number, it's safe to say the Terriers want to play fast.
When yesterday's game concluded, BU had eclipsed the 70-possession mark, but it took 45 minutes to do so. At the end of regulation, the Terriers had only just passed 60 possessions, playing at a pace well within their opponent's preferred range but somewhat outside its own. To a certain degree, BU had been playing Northeastern's game.
But a funny thing happened when the Terriers arrived at Case Gym yesterday. Someone had taken the lids off the rims.
When yesterday's game concluded, BU had eclipsed the 70-possession mark, but it took 45 minutes to do so. At the end of regulation, the Terriers had only just passed 60 possessions, playing at a pace well within their opponent's preferred range but somewhat outside its own. To a certain degree, BU had been playing Northeastern's game.
But a funny thing happened when the Terriers arrived at Case Gym yesterday. Someone had taken the lids off the rims.
Around the League: November 26, 2009
Yesterday's games:
Binghamton 66, Arkansas-Monticello 56
Consider this the high point of the Bearcats' season so far. While Binghamton (2-4) was facing a Division-II team, Arkansas-Monticello lost to Atlantic 10 contender Duquesne by just three points. Given that knowledge, a ten-point win constitutes legitimate progress for the Bearcats, whose other win to date came at home against Division-II doormat Bloomsburg after much difficulty. Greer Wright scored 18 points for Binghamton, securing a spot on the O'Reilly Auto Parts College Basketball Experience Classic All-Tournament team. The Bearcats return to action Saturday against Rider.
Harvard 78, New Hampshire 60
After dropping a close game to Army, Harvard (4-1) recovered by putting the hurt on New Hampshire (1-2) from the get-go. The Crimson built a 20-point halftime lead with an enormous shooting advantage. Through 20 minutes, Harvard sank more than 60 percent of its shots, more than half of its threes and 13-of-14 free throws. The Wildcats, by comparison, made 19 percent of their shots before the break. UNH is still searching for its first win against a Division-I opponent this season; Metro Atlantic bottom-feeder; Marist, still reeling from its demolition at the hands of Hartford, should provide a good opportunity.
There are no games scheduled for Thanksgiving Day.
Friday's games:
Vermont at Drexel, 1:00 PM
Binghamton 66, Arkansas-Monticello 56
Consider this the high point of the Bearcats' season so far. While Binghamton (2-4) was facing a Division-II team, Arkansas-Monticello lost to Atlantic 10 contender Duquesne by just three points. Given that knowledge, a ten-point win constitutes legitimate progress for the Bearcats, whose other win to date came at home against Division-II doormat Bloomsburg after much difficulty. Greer Wright scored 18 points for Binghamton, securing a spot on the O'Reilly Auto Parts College Basketball Experience Classic All-Tournament team. The Bearcats return to action Saturday against Rider.
Harvard 78, New Hampshire 60
After dropping a close game to Army, Harvard (4-1) recovered by putting the hurt on New Hampshire (1-2) from the get-go. The Crimson built a 20-point halftime lead with an enormous shooting advantage. Through 20 minutes, Harvard sank more than 60 percent of its shots, more than half of its threes and 13-of-14 free throws. The Wildcats, by comparison, made 19 percent of their shots before the break. UNH is still searching for its first win against a Division-I opponent this season; Metro Atlantic bottom-feeder; Marist, still reeling from its demolition at the hands of Hartford, should provide a good opportunity.
There are no games scheduled for Thanksgiving Day.
Friday's games:
Vermont at Drexel, 1:00 PM
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Live Blog: Northeastern University Huskies vs. Boston University Terriers
Starting lineups:
Northeastern University Huskies
F Alwayne Bigby
F Manny Adako
C Nkem Ojougboh
G Chaisson Allen
G Matt Janning
Boston University Terriers
F Valdas Sirutis
F Jake O'Brien
G Corey Lowe
G Carlos Strong
G Tyler Morris
Final score: BU 69, NU 64 (OT)
Team leaders:
Points
NU: Matt Janning, 18
BU: Corey Lowe and Jake O'Brien, 18
Rebounds
NU: Nkem Ojougboh, 8
BU: John Holland, 7
Assists:
NU: Matt Janning, 5
BU: Corey Lowe, 7
GAMEDAY: Northeastern University vs. Boston University
Four-year program versus five-year program. Current America East member versus former America East member. A school that dropped football against, well, Northeastern fans don't want to talk about it.
Don't let oblate spheroids -- or rubber cylinders, for that matter -- distract from that matter. With the gridiron a mere memory for both schools and both hockey teams cooling off after last season's successes, roundball is where it's at for Boston University and Northeastern University. At stake is more than just bragging rights among rivals. The two best mid-major programs in Boston are set to hit the court, and their respective styles could not be more different.
Around the League: November 25, 2009
Yesterday's games:
Quinnipiac 59, Maine 46
The Black Bears never got their offense going, allowing Quinnipiac (3-1) to coast to victory despite 17 Bobcat turnovers and fairly equal rebounding. Maine (2-3) was led by Troy Barnies' 11 points, while Gerald McLemore and Sean McNally were a combined 6-for-25 from the field. In contrast, the Bobcats had three players score in double figures, with each converting at least half of his field goal attempts. The Black Bears are idle until December 3rd, with winless Colgate next on the schedule.
Coppin State 77, UMBC 66
Robbie Jackson had the best game of his career, amassing 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting to go with 11 rebounds. But while Jackson was complemented by 20 points from Chauncey Gilliam and a double-double from Chris De La Rosa, UMBC (0-4) could not stop the Eagle offense. Coppin State (4-1) picked up its first win against a Division-I opponent this season due to a balanced and efficient attack. Five Eagles scored in double figures, and Coppin State was 21-of-24 at the free throw line. With four road games awaiting the Retrievers, a win may not arrive for some time.
Providence 106, Vermont 64
This one was over at halftime. The Catamounts ran into a buzzsaw; Vermont (2-2) was helpless against a Friars team that dominated the glass and made 15 of its 27 3-point attempts. Providence (4-1) also forced 23 turnovers, including 19 steals, and generally dominated the game from the opening tip-off. Between yesterday's shell-shock and this Thursday's tryptophan-induced comas, the Catamounts will be hard-pressed to come to their senses in time for Friday's trip to Drexel.
Western Carolina 73, Binghamton 44
Binghamton played a Division-I team. Nobody should be surprised by the result. While Greer Wright had 21 points for Binghamton (1-4), Western Carolina (3-1) easily disposed of the depleted Bearcats. Arkansas-Monticello, a Division-II team, is next on the Bearcats' schedule, and while Binghamton should be able to win that game, the team's trouble with Bloomsburg earlier this season fails to inspire much confidence.
Rhode Island 75, Stony Brook 58
The usually-careful Seawolves played fast and loose with the basketball, committing 21 turnovers en route to their first loss this season. Stony Brook (3-1) has no specific individual to blame -- eight players surrendered the ball at least twice, none more than four times. Rhode Island (3-0) put its extra opportunities to good use, securing a free throw advantage and making almost 80 percent of its freebies. Four players scored in double figures for the Rams. The Seawolves' next opponent should provide an easier task: NJIT, at home, this Saturday.
Lafayette 86, Hartford 82
The Hawks made a valiant attempt to come back from a significant deficit in the second half, but ball control can only do so much against an opponent shooting better than 60 percent from the field. Hartford (2-3) suffered a partial relapse against Lafayette (4-1), reverting to nearly non-existent defense. Still, the Hawks could have won this game had abysmal free throw shooting not done them in: Hartford missed 11 of its 17 attempts from the charity stripe. Winless Dartmouth awaits, but the Hawks are probably wishing they had another shot at this one.
Today's games:
Binghamton vs. Arkansas-Monticello, 5:00 PM
New Hampshire at Harvard, 7:00 PM
Quinnipiac 59, Maine 46
The Black Bears never got their offense going, allowing Quinnipiac (3-1) to coast to victory despite 17 Bobcat turnovers and fairly equal rebounding. Maine (2-3) was led by Troy Barnies' 11 points, while Gerald McLemore and Sean McNally were a combined 6-for-25 from the field. In contrast, the Bobcats had three players score in double figures, with each converting at least half of his field goal attempts. The Black Bears are idle until December 3rd, with winless Colgate next on the schedule.
Coppin State 77, UMBC 66
Robbie Jackson had the best game of his career, amassing 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting to go with 11 rebounds. But while Jackson was complemented by 20 points from Chauncey Gilliam and a double-double from Chris De La Rosa, UMBC (0-4) could not stop the Eagle offense. Coppin State (4-1) picked up its first win against a Division-I opponent this season due to a balanced and efficient attack. Five Eagles scored in double figures, and Coppin State was 21-of-24 at the free throw line. With four road games awaiting the Retrievers, a win may not arrive for some time.
Providence 106, Vermont 64
This one was over at halftime. The Catamounts ran into a buzzsaw; Vermont (2-2) was helpless against a Friars team that dominated the glass and made 15 of its 27 3-point attempts. Providence (4-1) also forced 23 turnovers, including 19 steals, and generally dominated the game from the opening tip-off. Between yesterday's shell-shock and this Thursday's tryptophan-induced comas, the Catamounts will be hard-pressed to come to their senses in time for Friday's trip to Drexel.
Western Carolina 73, Binghamton 44
Binghamton played a Division-I team. Nobody should be surprised by the result. While Greer Wright had 21 points for Binghamton (1-4), Western Carolina (3-1) easily disposed of the depleted Bearcats. Arkansas-Monticello, a Division-II team, is next on the Bearcats' schedule, and while Binghamton should be able to win that game, the team's trouble with Bloomsburg earlier this season fails to inspire much confidence.
Rhode Island 75, Stony Brook 58
The usually-careful Seawolves played fast and loose with the basketball, committing 21 turnovers en route to their first loss this season. Stony Brook (3-1) has no specific individual to blame -- eight players surrendered the ball at least twice, none more than four times. Rhode Island (3-0) put its extra opportunities to good use, securing a free throw advantage and making almost 80 percent of its freebies. Four players scored in double figures for the Rams. The Seawolves' next opponent should provide an easier task: NJIT, at home, this Saturday.
Lafayette 86, Hartford 82
The Hawks made a valiant attempt to come back from a significant deficit in the second half, but ball control can only do so much against an opponent shooting better than 60 percent from the field. Hartford (2-3) suffered a partial relapse against Lafayette (4-1), reverting to nearly non-existent defense. Still, the Hawks could have won this game had abysmal free throw shooting not done them in: Hartford missed 11 of its 17 attempts from the charity stripe. Winless Dartmouth awaits, but the Hawks are probably wishing they had another shot at this one.
Today's games:
Binghamton vs. Arkansas-Monticello, 5:00 PM
New Hampshire at Harvard, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Around the League: November 24, 2009
Yesterday's games:
Duquesne 70, Binghamton 52
The Bearcats (1-3) suffered their third consecutive defeat, plagued by defensive lapses and an inability to securely handle the basketball. Damian Saunders had his way with Binghamton offensively, going off for 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting while adding 11 rebounds and three steals for Duquesne (3-0). Binghamton was led by Moussa Camara's 16 points; Greer Wright added 12 points but also committed six of the Bearcats' 19 turnovers.
Today's games:
Quinnipiac at Maine, 7:00 PM
Coppin State at UMBC, 7:00 PM
Vermont at Providence, 7:00 PM
Binghamton at Western Carolina, 7:30 PM
Stony Brook at Rhode Island, 7:30 PM
Hartford at Lafayette, 8:30 PM
Duquesne 70, Binghamton 52
The Bearcats (1-3) suffered their third consecutive defeat, plagued by defensive lapses and an inability to securely handle the basketball. Damian Saunders had his way with Binghamton offensively, going off for 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting while adding 11 rebounds and three steals for Duquesne (3-0). Binghamton was led by Moussa Camara's 16 points; Greer Wright added 12 points but also committed six of the Bearcats' 19 turnovers.
Today's games:
Quinnipiac at Maine, 7:00 PM
Coppin State at UMBC, 7:00 PM
Vermont at Providence, 7:00 PM
Binghamton at Western Carolina, 7:30 PM
Stony Brook at Rhode Island, 7:30 PM
Hartford at Lafayette, 8:30 PM
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