Date: January 23rd, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM
Opponent: Furman (10-4, 4-1 SoCon)
Place: Freedom Hall (limited fans)
Television: none
Webcast:
ESPN+
Radio online:
640WXSM.com
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Head to head is the first tiebreaker when determining the regular season winner. A second loss would put the Bucs in a big hole.
Must play better defense this time around. Limit those back cuts and easy baskets.
FURMAN 10-4 (4-1 SoCon); #52 Kenpom, #82 Offense, #151 Defense
ETSU 8-5 (4-1 SoCon); #154 Kenpom, #214 Offense, #104 Defense
Last time the Bucs faced Furman it was our first game in 14 days, with even practices during that period severely limited by Covid. So just to make up for it, we now get to face Furman as our 4th game in 8 days! That’s one way to “even things out”. Make up for a 2 week layover by playing 4 games in 8 days! Love this Covid twisted season. This game may answer the question, “What hurts worse, rust or weariness”?
Just to make sure that we weren’t being unfair to Furman by playing them so “rested” last time, we also sat down our best player, Ledarrius Brewer. Subtract 16.8 points on .384 from 3 (2.4 makes), 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals from the Bucs.
Despite struggling against these ”disadvantages”, Furman managed to post its most convincing conference win of the season, whipping the Bucs by a dozen, 78-66. In its 4 other conference games, Furman struggled to scrape by Chattanooga by 4 (77-73), Mercer by 3 (83-80) and The Citadel by 6 (94-88) – their 3 closest wins of the season. And of course they lost to VMI.
In the first Furman game, the Bucs totally cratered down the stretch, going from a 2 point game at 7 minutes (60-62) to a dozen down at the end (66-78). That kind of thing can happen when you score six (count ‘em, 6!!) total points in the last 8:34.
ETSU did a fair job of defending 3’s, holding Furman to 30.8% and 8 makes (they are 35.0% and 9.7 makes on the season). The Bucs did a reasonable job of defending Furman’s nasty Pete Carril inspired back cuts. But the Bucs totally failed to defend Mike Bothwell driving to the basket, as he rang up a career high 32 points on only 2-8 from 3 (.250) but 9 of 11 from 2. Yes, the 6-3 190 Junior has jumped up to a POY type season, but that was ridiculous. (FWIW, Kenpom rates Bothwell 2nd in the SoCon at this point. They rate Ledarrius 4th.)
Some think that the Bucs had begun turning the offense around with our first conference game, and that the Furman game without Ledarrius was an aberration. The very next game against a pretty good VMI team the Bucs did set a school record making 16 three’s winning 92-81. That's 19 points better than Furman managed while losing to those same Keydets a few days later. A game against the conference favorites will test how far the Bucs have really come at this point.
Here’s hoping for a tough, gritty, 40 minute effort this time. And for offense that continues to take a step forward. The team has got to see this as a process where we need to be improving every game to get to where we can be. Dinah Washington once sang about "What a Difference a Day Makes". We will see what a difference 8 of them plus Ledarrius Brewer can make.
Kenpom doesn’t believe in us, predicting Furman by 3, 71-68.
I believe in us – Bucs by 5. Go Bucs!!!
The loss to VMI was hard to understand. Almost every starter for Furman had a poor game. Mounce had a stinker - 1-13 from the floor and 0-7 from the three point line; losing the ball out of bounds on a fast break uncontested at the rim. Players dribbling the ball off their leg while unguarded - leading to a VMI layup late in the game. Weird play. Mounce had been played great the previous few games, Bothwell too. Bothwell scored 14 but was only 5-12, Hunter was 2-9, Gurley was 5-13.
Slawson was the only starter to excel with 18 pts and 14 rebs and 5 steals. He also hit 4-5 threes - maybe his best outside shooting ever.
It was the bad defense late that coach Richey talked about after the game though.
I assume they will be a lot sharper Saturday. We will see.
(01-23-2021 12:19 AM)FUATT Wrote: [ -> ]The loss to VMI was hard to understand. Almost every starter for Furman had a poor game. Mounce had a stinker - 1-13 from the floor and 0-7 from the three point line; losing the ball out of bounds on a fast break uncontested at the rim. Players dribbling the ball off their leg while unguarded - leading to a VMI layup late in the game. Weird play. Mounce had been played great the previous few games, Bothwell too. Bothwell scored 14 but was only 5-12, Hunter was 2-9, Gurley was 5-13.
Slawson was the only starter to excel with 18 pts and 14 rebs and 5 steals. He also hit 4-5 threes - maybe his best outside shooting ever.
It was the bad defense late that coach Richey talked about after the game though.
I assume they will be a lot sharper Saturday. We will see.
Let's hope both teams play their best today. That would make for a great game, and I think Buc fans are anxious to see just how good our team can be.
If anyone is interested, have 2 tickets for today's game with 2 hospitality tickets as well?
Email me
sam.curde@yahoo.com and I can forward the tickets via text message.
GO BUCS
Will be a tough game for sure today. Bucs need to be playing well to compete in this game. I assume that Furman will be going all out to stop Ledarrius and I wonder if our coaches have a strategy to counter this. I think that could be key.
A game of runs so far. LA had a silly foul that took him out of the game and lost momentum. Then Monsanto heated up again. Lost momentum again with some bad turnovers by Sloan, and some cold shooting.
That jab step on Mounce. Send him stumbling. Drill a 3 in his face. Monsanto, stahp it!!!
ETSU is the team to beat in the SoCon. I was right about WCU round 1 being the formative moment, and I’m right about this. Fight me. Very proud of Shay and the Bucs right now. These dudes have found their swagger, and they let it swing against the next best team in conference. I normally hate the bravado, but what I saw tonight absolutely delighted me.
I'll be honest, I didn't have a ton of hope for this season, but we look like we could have a real shot to win this league. Big shout out to Shay and staff for getting this team playing excellent defense. We are dialed in! Excellent win!
(01-23-2021 05:58 PM)ETSUfan1 Wrote: [ -> ]I'll be honest, I didn't have a ton of hope for this season, but we look like we could have a real shot to win this league. Big shout out to Shay and staff for getting this team playing excellent defense. We are dialed in! Excellent win!
I was so wrong about this team. At the start of the season I had little hope as well.
But this team is really coming together. Huge win today.
Good win against a solid team.
There's still a way to go for this team. Games tend to be lots of runs. We're hot, they're hot, etc.. We need consistency. And the offense could improve even more.
But........... lot's of great effort, strong defense, and the potential to be way better than we are right now. We broke the school 3 point record with an offense that had only been together for a dozen games in this Covid fractured season. I don't think we are close to reaching the ceiling for this bunch... IF they keep the attitude and hustle that they're showing now.
Furman still a VERY fine team. I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing them again.
What a difference 8 days make, if you have LA Brewer! Apologies to Dinah Washington.
Silas A played a great game today. Great D .
I guess we had the last big run in a game of runs.
Our defense is shutting everyone down. I love it. Monsanto should be the favorite for Socon freshman of the year so far. We are lucky to have him.
(01-23-2021 06:37 PM)JWBUC Wrote: [ -> ]Silas A played a great game today. Great D .
I guess we had the last big run in a game of runs.
I liked the offensive adjustment in the second half, bringing Silas out to the top of the key to distribute. Seemed to help.
He matches up well with Furman. He has enough size and power to muscle them, and enough athleticism to defend a front line that moves pretty well.
Excited to see how this team is coming together and exceeding a lot of expectations. Probably not the best spot to ask, but what does the NCAA eligibility relief do for us next year? Will Vonnie, Silas, etc. be granted an additional year and be able to play again next year? I sure hope to have a chance to see these guys in person sometime.
(01-23-2021 07:46 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote: [ -> ] (01-23-2021 06:37 PM)JWBUC Wrote: [ -> ]Silas A played a great game today. Great D .
I guess we had the last big run in a game of runs.
I liked the offensive adjustment in the second half, bringing Silas out to the top of the key to distribute. Seemed to help.
He matches up well with Furman. He has enough size and power to muscle them, and enough athleticism to defend a front line that moves pretty well.
I think our coaching has been great. Adjustments in the second half have allowed us to win. Bucs are coming together and getting better. Good job Coach Shay.