I'll do the preview today because I'm sure that dan10 doesn't need to or want to waste his time researching a Division III team.

I know that people complain about these games, but it's become the norm in college basketball and it seems that every team plays them. Normally, I would say that this game would be a great opportunity for some guys to play who don't get many minutes. But with Lee quitting the team and injuries to Doles and Perry, just about everybody else has gotten decent playing time thus far. I suspect that Drexel will go with it's regular starting 5 in order to show respect to their opponent and show them that this isn't any less of a game than normal. But once the game starts getting out of hand, we should see Tadas and Julian Adams get considerable minutes.

Rosemont is a bad Division III team that is already 1-6 and lost their opener 106-68 to a mediocre Salsbury University squad. There are 4 upperclassman in double figures in scoring, but nobody stands out as a threat.

It will be school day at the DAC tomorrow and over 1,000 elementary and middle school students will be getting time off from the classroom to enjoy some Drexel Basketball. They're not going to care who the opponent is, as long as it gets them out of math class. Should be a fun, and loud atmosphere.

Drexel 100
Rosemont 50

I was not going to start one for 2 reasons. 1 it was not game day yet and 2 I hate these games. I see no redeeming value in them. If you want a free win play a low DI team. Playing a non-DI does not help. I understand the thought process of gaining momentum etc but practicing against yourself is more of a challenge for gaining time and reps than playing a badly outmatched foe.

As for this one, I agree get Tadas as much time as he can handle, give Cam and Butler as few as possible. In fact, I would be ok if those 2 dont even step foot on the court. Without Lee that would be difficult, but we can use this game as practice for Juric running point. We will need him running point when Cam needs a break. If Doles can go he should get most of the minutes at the 2, or at least as much as he can go without reinjuring himself. If he isnt 100% yet he should sit. This is a game Mate should get a lot of run to find the flow of our offense as well. Would be a good easing in game for TPJ if he is able. If we win by fewer than 50 I would consider that not good. I just hope first and foremost that we leave this game with no injuries and giving as much rest as possible to Butler and Cam. This should be a "cheesesteak" game, even though they dont do that anymore.

Rosemont- 48
Drexel- 112

Well the threat of losing seems to have passed, but for 13 minutes or so was in doubt. I hate that we are only up 38-25 at half. I also hate the Butler and Cam both had to play 17 minutes in that half. To struggle against this team with mainly starters is a huge concern.

Either Spiker lit into them at half or Rosemont is what they are and we figured them out. Made it to the media timeout at 15:49 and Rosemont has been shutout this half and it is now 50-25. I think they were 4 minutes going into half without a FG so this puts them at 9 minutes without a field goal. Time to get Cam and Butler out and tell them nice game. 27-4 run currently

Under 8 timeout, we lead 67-41. Juric is running the point for us at this point, which is good. No reason to have Cam out there.

84-51 final. Ugly at times for sure. Everyone that was dressed played at least 15 minutes. Appeared we gave Mate a lot of run while letting Walton sit, which was nice. Coletrane got some useful minutes as well. TJ had a rough game. Cam left shortly after taking a charge, hope he is alright.

(11-25-2019 12:23 PM)dan10 Wrote:  Well the threat of losing seems to have passed, but for 13 minutes or so was in doubt. I hate that we are only up 38-25 at half. I also hate the Butler and Cam both had to play 17 minutes in that half. To struggle against this team with mainly starters is a huge concern.

There was never a threat of losing that game, even when it was close. ESPN's win probability was at 98% or higher for the entire game. I agree that they didn't play well in the first half. I also felt like they were doing things a bit differently. I recall Butler trying to test the competition by trying to force his way to the basket when he was in no position to do so. They also missed a ton of open 3 point shots. In the second half they did struggle at times against Rosemont's press, but they also abused it at other times and got some easy buckets.

Tadas also played a lot more minutes than he would normally play. He really showed today that he's just not a division I player. He made nice defensive plays, but offensively he makes the easiest of points look extremely difficult.

Another thing to factor is that this was a game that the Drexel players really didn't care much about, while it was the Super Bowl for Rosemont. Rosemont played as well today as they probably are capable of playing.

All in all, it was still a 33 point win against a division III opponent. Nothing to see here. Guys should get a nice break for Thanksgiving and then be ready to try to get a revenge win over UMBC on Saturday.

The headline in the Inquirer stated that this was a costly win for Drexel due to Wynter's injury. I just thought that he hit his head and was being check for a concussion. He walked off the court fine. Hopefully that's all it was and nothing serious.


https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/...91125.html

Of the top four freshmen in the CAA last season, here are the ones other than Wynter:

William & Mary's Chase Audige transferred
Delaware's Ithiel Horton transferred
UNCW's Kai Toews has a .350 field goal percentage, 6.9 points per game (down from 8.8), and 4.1 assists per game (down from 7.7)

James Madison's Deshon Parker, who was on the Rookie Team but much worse than the other four, also regressed so far this season.