pono
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
Syracuse got a lot of calls against Toledo too, but I saw all 3 games and the Buffalo game was the worst. There was actually a play where Buffalo missed a jump shot and the rebound kicked out to the corner where Buffalo got it, but the refs blew a late whistle and said the ball went over the backboard and gave Syracuse the ball. Not only is this call never made unless the ball clearly kicks up over the backboard, but it is geometrically impossible for the ball to go over the backboard and be caught in bounds by a player in the corner. And that call happened at a key moment. While the EMU game was influenced by homer calls the way the game was going suggests Cuse was gonna squeak it out. Buffalo was leading and with momentum when the refs went homer and that changed the game. As I recall Syracuse barely made a basket in the last 10 minutes of both the Buffalo and Toledo games surviving almost exclusively on friendly foul calls and free throws.
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12-28-2017 03:50 PM |
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emu steve
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
BTW, here is my synopsis of EMU's losses (easy read):
One thing about our four losses.
We were in every game in the second half or in the last minute.
@Indiana was close with 12 minutes to go, @UNF was an OT loss, @Oakland was one possession with a minute to go and @Cuse was tied in the second half.
No blowout losses where we were outclassed early and not in the game. No home losses.
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12-28-2017 06:33 PM |
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pono
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
true, although EMU only played 6-7 games against good comp and lost 4. I think EMU has the most NBA like roster in the league in terms of size, athleticism and versatility. The problem is still - as it always is with Murphy's teams- having good shot selection against a capable defense. I thought they had comparable talent to Syracuse but didn't execute as well on offense. EMU will steamroll some MAC teams with their talent and size but to win the league or tourney will need to run better offense down the stretch of tough games
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12-28-2017 06:55 PM |
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pono
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
As far as I see the league-more or less better to worse:
Buffalo seems to play with the most consistent passion and intensity. Best defense in terms of creating turnovers and disrupting the flow of an offense. Limited by a lack of inside scoring except when Perkins has a good matchup. Outside shooting inconsistent although as Clark gets integrated into the flow might be better.
Ball State has been improving. Had a really killer road trip early that didn't go well, but probably the most balanced team in the league, enough depth, a legit go to scorer in Persons. Their big guys aren't very athletic but play smart and know the game. Close wins over Notre Dame and Valpo show they can win the tough ones.
EMU has a great mix of talent, length, a legit both ends of the floor post player in Thompson, a guy who can catch fire in Minnie, and some transition ability. Problem is that they've looked stagnant on offense down the stretch of some big games and their zone is familiar in the MAC so some teams may be able to exploit it on occasion.
CMU has shown the ability to win close games against average teams away from home. Their defense is much better and they seem to enjoy playing as a team now that those 2 gunners are gone. Overall talent level is average. I still don't get that Kozinski kid playing 30 minutes a game.
Toledo started out looking as good as anyone then lost their confidence and struggled. Now, working talented transfer Willie Jackson into the rotation and still not sure if they want to go with their more athletic guys or their better shooters. Team tends to rise or fall on play of Jaelen Sanford who is an all-MAC guy when he plays loose and relaxed but has a tendency to struggle and play tight in tough road games. Can they play enough defense to overcome the periodic poor shooting nights?
Kent hasn't played that well so far but has had some injuries and new guys to fuze together. Potentially, one of the better mixes of talent, defense and scoring if they put it together like they did down the stretch last year, but it hasn't come together much so far.
BG is playing pretty cohesive balanced basketball. Average talent level and some frosh in key roles, but Huger has done a good job putting a decent team together in what looked to be a losing season.
Ohio has struggled and is just getting their best player up to speed after injury. not great depth so vulnerable to injuries and foul trouble. Block emerging into a good all around player. Phillips can coach but has had some tough luck at OU. One of those wait and see teams that looks very average but has enough pieces to be pretty good if they gel.
WMU was a bit overrated coming into the season. Wilder is great. They have some athletic swingmen types. Their big guys are big and experienced but not always very good. Hawkins can coach defense and how to run an offense but they haven't done both well in the same game much this season. I always fear WMU late in the season as well coached teams usually peak late.
Akron has been frustrating to watch this year. Pretty talented in spots and capable of playing most anyone in the country tough for a half or so, but shown a tendency to fade in games and lacking enough interior depth and versatility to beat teams that game plan to exploit it. Sayles is a solid freshman big guy, but somewhat limited, Olajapoke hasn't really blossomed with opportunity, Utomi can beat you with his jumper on a good night but isn't a consistent all around player. Their PG is a physical beast who looks great in stretches but is inefficient often. I love Parrish the big young wing who can do it all on both ends and should evolve into an all-MAC player if he continues to improve. Might be a league favorite next season.
Miami has clearly found a better direction with their new staff and has some promising young pieces. Still not quite enough talent and experience to challenge, but if they stay healthy and the staff can keep the young guys focused and they don't hit the wall in February they might sneak up on people.
NIU is the one team I haven't seen play. Actually, they have done a bit better than expected, beating some average teams and playing competitive against several good ones. Small quick backcourt will work in certain match ups and be challenged in others (like who guards Persons when they play BSU). Montgomery seems to get his weaker teams to do a little better than expected and his better teams to not quite meet expectations.
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12-28-2017 07:27 PM |
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GoBullsGo
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
UB beats NJIT in an unexpectedly close game 86-81 in OT. UB led by 11 at half time then found themselves down 11 with 6 minutes to play. They had an opportunity to win in regulation but missed their final shot. UB ultimately won because they didn't miss a shot in overtime. They end their OOC slate at 8-5.
Wes Clark is the real deal. In the 3 games since he was declared eligible Clark has averaged 19.7 points and 6.7 assists - considering 2 of those 3 games were against Syracuse and Texas A&M, he should be a strong contender for best player in the MAC during conference play.
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12-29-2017 08:44 AM |
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pono
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
Wes Clark is the real deal. In the 3 games since he was declared eligible Clark has averaged 19.7 points and 6.7 assists - considering 2 of those 3 games were against Syracuse and Texas A&M, he should be a strong contender for best player in the MAC during conference play.
[/quote]
Clark is a good player but I think you are overstating his overall value. He's a shot maker and a pretty good ball handler, but I think there will be a few other MAC players that show more overall impact on a game as the season progresses.
Today Ball State gets its 8th straight win over a weak MEAC school, a bunch of MAC teams win against lower division comp and Toledo gets one of the league's better road wins by 13 over a hot Penn team that looks like a contender in the Ivy league. The Rockets started the year off well, then slumped, but are looking pretty good again heading into MAC play.
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12-30-2017 03:39 AM |
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Boca Rocket
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
(12-30-2017 03:39 AM)pono Wrote: Wes Clark is the real deal. In the 3 games since he was declared eligible Clark has averaged 19.7 points and 6.7 assists - considering 2 of those 3 games were against Syracuse and Texas A&M, he should be a strong contender for best player in the MAC during conference play.
Clark is a good player but I think you are overstating his overall value. He's a shot maker and a pretty good ball handler, but I think there will be a few other MAC players that show more overall impact on a game as the season progresses.
Today Ball State gets its 8th straight win over a weak MEAC school, a bunch of MAC teams win against lower division comp and Toledo gets one of the league's better road wins by 13 over a hot Penn team that looks like a contender in the Ivy league. The Rockets started the year off well, then slumped, but are looking pretty good again heading into MAC play.
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This was only the 4th game since Missouri transfer Forward Willie Jackson has been eligible and a starter for the Rockets. UT is 3-1 with Jackson as a starter and have an 18 point victory margin over the 3 game win streak.
(This post was last modified: 12-30-2017 09:24 AM by Boca Rocket.)
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12-30-2017 09:24 AM |
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GoBullsGo
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
(12-30-2017 03:39 AM)pono Wrote: Clark is a good player but I think you are overstating his overall value. He's a shot maker and a pretty good ball handler, but I think there will be a few other MAC players that show more overall impact on a game as the season progresses.
He’s a very good defender too. It’s too early to say anything for sure, but he looks every bit as impactful as Massinburg and I don’t think anybody is disputing Massinburg as a POTY contender.
(This post was last modified: 12-30-2017 10:12 AM by GoBullsGo.)
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12-30-2017 09:59 AM |
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Love and Honor
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
Miami actually had a nice run and cut OSU's lead down to 3 with five or so minutes to go, but our three-point D fell apart and we ended up losing by 13.
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12-30-2017 02:00 PM |
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pono
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
Miami is gonna be all right with that coach. Feels like a totally different team already. Give them another couple years of recruiting and they should be good.
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12-30-2017 04:15 PM |
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Eagle66
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
Lines for tonight's conference openers. All home favorites....
Ohio +2 @ CMU
EMU +5.5 @ Ball St.
Miami +5.5 @ BG
Akron +7 @ WMU
Toledo +6 @ Buffalo
Kent St. +3 @ NIU
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01-02-2018 12:48 PM |
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CMichFan
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
(01-02-2018 12:48 PM)Eagle66 Wrote: Lines for tonight's conference openers. All home favorites....
Ohio +2 @ CMU
EMU +5.5 @ Ball St.
Miami +5.5 @ BG
Akron +7 @ WMU
Toledo +6 @ Buffalo
Kent St. +3 @ NIU
I'd say we covered.
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01-02-2018 08:50 PM |
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Frozenbaugh
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
Ball State beats a good Eastern team 72-62.
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01-02-2018 08:50 PM |
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pennies4everybody
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
(01-02-2018 08:50 PM)Frozenbaugh Wrote: Ball State beats a good Eastern team 72-62.
And, of course JT4 is BSU's MVP once again...
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01-02-2018 08:52 PM |
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prairiedawg
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
(01-02-2018 08:50 PM)CMichFan Wrote: (01-02-2018 12:48 PM)Eagle66 Wrote: Lines for tonight's conference openers. All home favorites....
Ohio +2 @ CMU
EMU +5.5 @ Ball St.
Miami +5.5 @ BG
Akron +7 @ WMU
Toledo +6 @ Buffalo
Kent St. +3 @ NIU
I'd say we covered.
damn that wasn't close
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01-02-2018 08:56 PM |
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Love and Honor
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
Miami and BG came into tonight ranked second and third in the nation respectively in KenPom's 'luck' rating, Redhawks hang on for a 77-72 road win.
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01-02-2018 09:01 PM |
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GoBullsGo
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
UB wins at home vs Toledo in an offensive shootout 104-94. Clark, Massinburg and Perkins combined for 76 points (25, 27, 24).
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01-02-2018 09:13 PM |
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EagleSam
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
(01-02-2018 08:52 PM)pennies4everybody Wrote: (01-02-2018 08:50 PM)Frozenbaugh Wrote: Ball State beats a good Eastern team 72-62.
And, of course JT4 is BSU's MVP once again...
Your goons know how to get under his skin. Kudos. I don't think he's had a T all year until today.
Whitford owns Murphy, that's for sure.
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01-02-2018 09:50 PM |
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Frozenbaugh
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
(01-02-2018 09:50 PM)EagleSam Wrote: (01-02-2018 08:52 PM)pennies4everybody Wrote: (01-02-2018 08:50 PM)Frozenbaugh Wrote: Ball State beats a good Eastern team 72-62.
And, of course JT4 is BSU's MVP once again...
Your goons know how to get under his skin. Kudos. I don't think he's had a T all year until today.
Whitford owns Murphy, that's for sure.
Eastern will get their shot in Ypsi. I know you guys are looking forward to it.
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01-02-2018 10:07 PM |
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bobcat_backer
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RE: MAC Basketball 12/27-1/7
(01-02-2018 08:56 PM)prairiedawg Wrote: (01-02-2018 08:50 PM)CMichFan Wrote: (01-02-2018 12:48 PM)Eagle66 Wrote: Lines for tonight's conference openers. All home favorites....
Ohio +2 @ CMU
EMU +5.5 @ Ball St.
Miami +5.5 @ BG
Akron +7 @ WMU
Toledo +6 @ Buffalo
Kent St. +3 @ NIU
I'd say we covered.
damn that wasn't close
it was at the half, 37-31 Central. CMU took over immediately in the second half and coasted.
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01-02-2018 10:08 PM |
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