I attended Friday's game against Lipscum. While it was an entertaining game and I am happy with our effort and the W, I was disappointed in our play. We shot the ball poorly (especially from the line) and played sloppy throughout the game.

With that said.....

With the game on the line, we found leadership play from JJ Man. Although he shot 0-8 from beyond the arc, he was able to cap the night and ensure a W with clutch play down the stretch. I thought Reece played great, despite his poor effort from the free throw line. He has a knack for drawing fouls and his effort on defense (as always) was outstanding, forcing some key turnovers. While we will definitely miss Kerron's skillset, I believe Reece can replace the intangibles (leadership and heart), that KJ brought to the floor. Drew was fantastic, with a perfect shooting night from the floor. He has the ability to spread the floor, which will enable Craig and Reece to penetrate but increase the workload for Blake on the boards (he came through Friday grabbing 9 rebounds and adding 10 points). While on the floor, Craig looked great, showing the great athleticism we all know he has. He seems fearless and looks more comfortable in the offense. In my opinion, it is Craig's play that will be the key in taking this team to the next level. Evan did not play much getting into early foul trouble and Nick's minutes were limited. I am excited about watching Evan and Nick's games develop throughout the season. Finally, I thought Chad played the best game I have seen him play and it looks like we will definitely need him this year, although he is going to need to step his game up on the boards.

I really doubt that Friday's game was a glimpse of what is to come this season. It was a rivalry game, with a lot of buildup due to coach Alexander being on the other side of the court. We had to fight of early jitters and find a rhythm with a completely restructured offense and a lot of new faces. I expect we will bounce back and play much better tonight against Richmond.

Richmond played Friday as well, barely scraping by a mediocre Delaware team. I think we will match up well against them, but it will likely be a battle against a tough team with a newly renovated arena and rocking crowd. The team is projected 8th in a tough A10 conference.

If any of you know of a way to stream this game please let me know. I can't seem to find one so it looks like I'll be listening to it.

I agree with most of what has been posted. I found the game more tense and frustrating with the way the new rules are being "enforced" and then obviously our FT shooting and 3pt shooting. I expect our shooting will improve as the season moves on, but as we play more athletic teams including tonight, I suspect we'll see more fouls called on us or teams will continue to shoot a very high percentage against us. We may see more zone out of Belmont tonight as Richmond didn't shoot very well from 3 in their first game. Of course that means they'll shoot 75% tonight.

This team will get better as the season progresses, but there will be some growing pains. I look forward to seeing Bradds for more than 7 minutes a game as well.

Comcast is showing the game on 763 but I think you have to have their sports package, maybe some sports bar would be able to show it.

Ahhh thank you. I spent last night scrolling through the sports channels on comcast, checked the Ovc network and Richmond's website to attempt to find a way to watch the game. Must have missed 763. But I've got it and don't have to listen to it now. Thanks blubare. Now I'm pumped! Let's get to 2-0 before ISU and UNC.

Here's to hoping JJ finds his stroke soon. We need it.

We sure need him to. Did he make a 3 tonight? I know he was 0-8 on Friday.

(11-11-2013 09:21 PM)BruinsFan31 Wrote:  We sure need him to. Did he make a 3 tonight? I know he was 0-8 on Friday.

0-6 from 3 against Richmond. I don't want to discount the other things JJ does well though. He's vital on the defensive end and certainly spaces us well offensively. For the minutes he's playing though, we need him to shoot it better. I'm confident he'll come around.

On another note, I thought Nick Smith played a great game in his limited minutes against Richmond. Our depth at the 4 and 5 spots will be outstanding if Bradds and Nick continue to play as well as they have been (and I do believe they will). Shoot, even Holden played a couple minutes at the 5 spot for us against Richmond when Rick went small ball in the first half.

(11-12-2013 09:51 AM)T-W Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 09:21 PM)BruinsFan31 Wrote:  We sure need him to. Did he make a 3 tonight? I know he was 0-8 on Friday.

0-6 from 3 against Richmond. I don't want to discount the other things JJ does well though. He's vital on the defensive end and certainly spaces us well offensively. For the minutes he's playing though, we need him to shoot it better. I'm confident he'll come around.

On another note, I thought Nick Smith played a great game in his limited minutes against Richmond. Our depth at the 4 and 5 spots will be outstanding if Bradds and Nick continue to play as well as they have been (and I do believe they will). Shoot, even Holden played a couple minutes at the 5 spot for us against Richmond when Rick went small ball in the first half.

JJ has always been streaky, and I think he's the type who thinks about his last shot too much. He had a rough patch shooting last season too. We have to have that turn around for us to be effective.