caesari I hope your health issues are getting better.  Keep an eye open and I'm sure another team in the Heartland will come open sometime over the next few seasons.

Posted by davefilby on 3/3/2013 6:37:00 PM (view original):
#18 Rockhurst (2-1) -1 at #15 Queen's U (2-1):  The opening night of the Challenge has a couple of great matchups.  Unipanther takes the Rockhurst Hawks on the road to NC to visit muskies85's Queen's squad. 

Pre-season #4 Rockhurst dropped its opener on the road against S New Hampshire, followed by a pair of easy road victories against no one in particular.  But don't let the lack of resume fool you:  The Rock has some players.  Four players score in double-digits:  PFs Jack Fulmer & Allen Weaver, SF Conrad Inoue, and PG Bruce Jessup.  Rockhurst goes 12-deep, scoring 90 ppg.  The team averages 55% from the field, with only one player less than 50%.  They score in bunches. 

Queen's owns an impressive victory over Goldey-Beacom and a 2 point loss to West Georgia.  Bigmen Irving Bullard & George Batchelor lead the way for Queens, pouring in a collective 35 ppg.  Don't sleep on three-point threat Fred Molden.  Fred is 7 for 11 from deep on the young season. 

Queen's has some defenders that can lock down opponents in their man-to-man, having the advantage on ATH & DEF.  Rockhurst will have a speed & passing advantage, as well as more offensive skill.  The Rock will try to press the Queen's guards with their depth.

#3 Limestone (3-0) at #6 Valdosta St (3-0) -1:  How about this matchup?  Brianxavier takes Limestone to GA to battle alazer & Valdosta St. 

Limestone has been heavy favorites in their first three games, although they eeked out a one point victory at LIU, CW Post.  Limestone's attack is fairly balanced but SRs William "Willie" Nelson and Eric Avery lead the way with almost 23 ppg.  Limestone dominates opponents on the boards, enjoying an almost 9 rpg advantage. 

Perhaps we should rename alazer.  Aldavis might be more appropriate as Valdosta St has just won baby in their first three games.  SRs Wayne Pickering and Andrew Oliver barely crack double-digits, but pace Valdosta's balanced attack.  

Limestone appears to have plenty of advantages, but alazer has found a way this season.  Oddsmakers believe, making home-team Valdosta a one-point favorite.

Posted by davefilby on 3/4/2013 7:51:00 PM (view original):
Oklahoma Panhandle (3-1) -5 at St Andrews (1-3):  Khook19, in his first year, takes OkPan into yaklyn68's domain at St Andrews. 

After a 4-23 campaign a season ago, OkPan is off to a 3-1 start.  Khook19 relies on the backcourt duo of Rodney Ferguson and Jospeh Green to put points on the scoreboard, combining for 25 ppg.  OkPan's man-to-man defense is holding opponents to 38% shooting on the young season.

It's hard to tell how good St Andrews is this year.  Their lone victory was an OT win against a winless opponent, while the 3 losses come against foes with a combined 12-2 record.  Randy Carter is easily the team's leading scorer at 16.5 ppg. 

Oddsmakers like the resurgent Oklahoma Panhandle St, and their strong defensive advantage, by 5.

Lincoln (3-1) and Anderson (4-0) -2:  This a matchup of #11 seeds?  Detfirecat returns to the CVAC with Lincoln to face bscollier's Anderson team.

Lincoln's 3 wins have all been on the road, so that bodes well for detfirecat and and his JR scoring tandem of John Gipson and Clayton Tyksinski.  The two average almost 26 ppg.  Lincoln's press is forcing over 20 TOs per game and generating 12.5 steals. 

Anderson has been blowing out opponents this season by 25 ppg.  Lincoln will be the best team they've faced but bscollier has been taking care of business.  Who doesn't score for an Anderson team that averages over 90 ppg.  Dix, Vasquez, and Hodgins all reach double-digits. 

A special shout-out goes to bscollier.  Anderson is off to a 4-0 start, after 0-54 the prior two seasons. 

Posted by davefilby on 3/6/2013 8:39:00 AM (view original):
#10 Lees-McRae (4-1)-3 at W Florida (5-0): Albatross1 and undefeated W Florida step up in class when they play host to deny and Lees-McRae.

After dropping the season opener at Adams St, dennyj's team had ripped off 4 straight including a win over ranked U of Indy. Only 9 eligible scholarship players makes the start all the more impressive. Everyone contributes for Lees with 6 players averaging at least 9 ppg, led by James Shipps' 14.

W Florida has a spotless record, albeit versus questionable competition. Wilson, Francisco, and Hazinsky all score at least 11ppg for the first year coach.

W Florida looks to be outgunned in this one, but you never know when your opponent only plays 9 players.

Drury (3-2) -1 at Mount Olive (2-3): Bentlie29 and wvufan76 lead Drury and Mount Olive in this compelling matchup

SR guard Ronald Bouchard runs the show for Drury with 11.6 ppg. Drury has been out rebounding opponents by more than 8 per game and only commits 14 fouls per contest.

Mount Olive truly embracing the concept of team basketball. No player averages double-digits enroute to 74 ppg. Olive does foul 26 times per game.

This visitor is a slim favorite. I hate to say it, but it wouldn't be surprising if free throws decided this one.

Drury's wins have not been against the competition the likes of Mount Olive

Montevallo (5-1) -1 at Barton (3-3):  Srook & Montevallo, winners of 5 straight, go to Wilson, NC to face jtmatt & Barton.

The Monte's triangle/press attack is led by PG Scott Foster and his 16.7 ppg.  Montevallo's big men have been effective this season, out-rebounding opponents by 7 per game and blocking almost 6 shots a contest. 

Barton's 3 losses are to opponents that are a combined 16-2, so they are better than their record indicates.  Their backcourt scores in bunches, with guards Raymond Vigil, George Battle, and Jesse Street all reaching double figures. 

Both teams press, this one figures to be a battle of attrition.  The team that wins the foul & free throw battle stands a good chance of winning this one.

#24 Coker (4-2) at St Edwards (5-1) pk:  Warshot & Coker take on St Eddies and funngun10 in this evenly matched contest.

Coker gets its buckets from the backcourt.  Lawrence Hoffman, James Springs, and Miroslav Wadzinski all fill it up for coach warshot.  They share the ball well, averaging over 20 assists per contest as a team.   

St Edwards has a potent inside-out attack, with bigmen Benjamin Dove & Mike Moler balancing the outside game of Kenneth Stonge & Donald Nilson.  St Edwards has outclassed the opposition this season, outscoring opponents by 16 ppg and averaging over 50% from the floor.

St Edwards hasn't played anyone near Coker's league yet this season.  But St Edwards has the athletic defenders to give any team fits.  This should be a good one.
 

Posted by davefilby on 3/6/2013 5:49:00 PM (view original):

Montevallo (5-1) -1 at Barton (3-3):  Srook & Montevallo, winners of 5 straight, go to Wilson, NC to face jtmatt & Barton.

The Monte's triangle/press attack is led by PG Scott Foster and his 16.7 ppg.  Montevallo's big men have been effective this season, out-rebounding opponents by 7 per game and blocking almost 6 shots a contest. 

Barton's 3 losses are to opponents that are a combined 16-2, so they are better than their record indicates.  Their backcourt scores in bunches, with guards Raymond Vigil, George Battle, and Jesse Street all reaching double figures. 

Both teams press, this one figures to be a battle of attrition.  The team that wins the foul & free throw battle stands a good chance of winning this one.

#24 Coker (4-2) at St Edwards (5-1) pk:  Warshot & Coker take on St Eddies and funngun10 in this evenly matched contest.

Coker gets its buckets from the backcourt.  Lawrence Hoffman, James Springs, and Miroslav Wadzinski all fill it up for coach warshot.  They share the ball well, averaging over 20 assists per contest as a team.   

St Edwards has a potent inside-out attack, with bigmen Benjamin Dove & Mike Moler balancing the outside game of Kenneth Stonge & Donald Nilson.  St Edwards has outclassed the opposition this season, outscoring opponents by 16 ppg and averaging over 50% from the floor.

St Edwards hasn't played anyone near Coker's league yet this season.  But St Edwards has the athletic defenders to give any team fits.  This should be a good one.
 

Barton 73, Montevallo 68:  Barton held a slim lead through much of this entertaining contest and Montevallo could never quite muster enough to take a second half lead.  Scott Foster had 21, but Montevallo's bigmen lost the battle of the boards.  Raymond Vigil and Jesse Street led Barton with a combined 29 points. 

St Edwards 79, Coker 66:  St Edwards used a dominant second half, marked by foul trouble for two of Coker's starters, to chalk up an impressive victory over formerly ranked Coker.  Mike Moler had 18 & 10, while Kenneth Stonge led St Edwards with 19 points.  As a team St Edwards went 18-of-26 (69%) in the 2nd half.  James Springs had a team-high 13 for Coker. 

After another split, CVAC 5, Heartland 3.