Congrats on a hard fought battle against the Dukies. Byrd once again showed that he's an elite-level coach. You guys showed a great deal of 'fight'. After watching your team, especially without Hare in the game, I think you guys are the favorite for next year.

Bucfaithful Wrote:Congrats on a hard fought battle against the Dukies. Byrd once again showed that he's an elite-level coach. You guys showed a great deal of 'fight'. After watching your team, especially without Hare in the game, I think you guys are the favorite for next year.

Thanks. We're extremely proud of their performance and disappointed for all of us in the outcome. I too was encouraged about next year watching Renfro actually go right with his drives. I'm sure Bartow learned how to defend us better during the A-Sun tourny and am expecting similar games next year. Hopefully this will help the conference as a whole with exposure and respect.

Couldn't believe that I was actually posting "Go Belmont!" on the ETSU board last night - but I wasn't the only one doing it. You can look it up.

Great game, and lots to look forward to next year with Renfro, Wicke, Dansby, Campbell, etc.. Matthew Dotson has become a force and not just a perimeter player.

See you next winter.

Everyone in the ASun should have been pulling for Belmont last night.

It looks like another ETSU-Belmont battle for the top slot next year. I think that we are the best two programs in the conference, and it is about time that both sides start viewing it as a rivalry. Rivalries take time to build, and I think the ASun Tourney game this year has made this a real rivalry in the hardcore fans' minds. That's good.

If ETSU can get good PG play next year, you will be just as, if not more, tough. Pigram is POY favorite in my mind and Tiggs can be even better. That could be the top 1-2 punch next year.

Belmont will be loaded with depth again next year. I am hearing great things about Hedgepeth from Alabama that we have coming in (6-8 post player). I would have to say that we will be the favorites, but with the way ETSU can pull in athletic talent, you guys do scare me. Especially if you can dip into the JUCO's and pull out a ready-made post player.

Needless to say, I am looking forward to next season! And thanks the the nice posts from Buc Nation!

Next year is a stage set for drama. Let's hope it's only in basketball. No fist fights, name-calling, etc. Just good mid-major basketball from the top programs in the A-Sun.

I am sure that you guys have not seen this yet ....

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/200809-be...-105-59057