**** I posted this for the general board and thought it may as well be here too for fans not in hoops mode yet and needing to catch up.

First week impressions of Belmont's up and down start after listening to their first three games are:

1. Played a very nice game against a very solid Portland State team (won by 7). Portland State is picked second in the Big Sky and is coming off back-to-back NCAA appearances. We didn't blow them out, but controlled the game.

2. I thought we were very game against a top 15 Washington team on the road. We hung in there nicely. Lost by 18 against a team with a tremendous backcourt matching up with our very, very, very young backcourt. They hit a three and had a fast break dunk in the last minute to stretch it out a bit more than it was. We didn't have a chance, but didn't get humiliated by any means. Our inside guys showed there were up to the task against Washington's big scoring-wise, but we got drilled on the boards.

3. Wright State (solid mid-major and picked first in the Big Sky) got out to a fast start on us and put us in a big hole. We dug out and played a respectable second half, but really weren't in it in the second half. Lost by 9.

General thoughts:
- We've got very nice young talent
- Ian Clark is averaging 14 ppg as Fr. He can shoot, penetrate and pull up. Very nice offensive game.
- Our bigs are pretty good. Hedgepeth (So.) continued his solid finish and is averaging 13 ppg (terrible rebounding stats though). Saunders (R-So.) is averaging 11. Keaton Belcher (Sr.) has been showing a little more versatility than being just a tall shooter. He's averaging 12 ppg with a greater variety.
- Jordan Campbell is a good shooter, but hasn't been showing it. When he breaks out, we'll be much better.
- PG time is still split between Johnson and Hanlen. Need one to step up.
- We are negative on assist to turnover right now by -9

(11-19-2009 04:38 PM)Northside Bruin Wrote:  - PG time is still split between Johnson and Hanlen. Need one to step up.

Key to the season right here...

I agree. I think Kerron will step up as he gets used to the college game. He had some great moments last night against Alabama State.