Big game starting! First time two 20-win ASUN teams meet in regular season since the 80's (says ASUN Twitter)

Belmont resting two starters today (Kerron Johnson and Blake Jenkins). Tied at halftime. I don't think Rick Byrd is as worried about this game as Mercer seem to be. It will be interesting to see what happens in the second half.

It's a great sold out crowd. Trying to go into the tourney on a high note.

I don't know if beating a team resting its leading scorer and catalyst is a major accomplishment. Jenkins has also been the energy guy that has put Belmont back on track.

Belmont wins by 1. For some reason Mercer shot with the game tied at 13 seconds with the shot clock off. I also expect different subs for Mercer during the tournament. Some deeper bench guys got more minutes than normal today.

(02-25-2012 07:29 PM)MercerFan Wrote:  Belmont wins by 1. For some reason Mercer shot with the game tied at 13 seconds with the shot clock off. I also expect different subs for Mercer during the tournament. Some deeper bench guys got more minutes than normal today.

I doubt either coach wanted to show everything they had. Byrd was on the radio a couple of days ago and they asked him the question about how he will prepare for this game since it was meaningless. He said that he wants to win, but he doesn't want to show their entire game plan unless they meet in the tournament finals.

(02-26-2012 06:43 AM)Bruin2002 Wrote:  

(02-25-2012 07:29 PM)MercerFan Wrote:  Belmont wins by 1. For some reason Mercer shot with the game tied at 13 seconds with the shot clock off. I also expect different subs for Mercer during the tournament. Some deeper bench guys got more minutes than normal today.

I doubt either coach wanted to show everything they had. Byrd was on the radio a couple of days ago and they asked him the question about how he will prepare for this game since it was meaningless. He said that he wants to win, but he doesn't want to show their entire game plan unless they meet in the tournament finals.

That makes sense. It was a bizarre finish where the only explanation is that Hoffman wanted to avoid overtime. Tied at 61, no shot clock, and Gollon takes a 3 with :17 on the clock.

I have felt for a while that Belmont could become another supposedly "small" school that rises up and accomplishes much more than expected in the NCAA Tournament. After seeing the recent success that Butler, VCU, and George Mason have had, who knows what to expect next?