A loss on the road to ODU is acceptable. Ditto for road loss at W&M. Dropping a home game to GMU is disappointing, but not the end of the world. Getting blown out by Drexel is troublesome. Coughing up a 10 point lead to a UNCW team that had lost 5 straight might mean it’s time to panic.
As we’ve come to expect, the Dukes couldn’t put together a full 40 minutes of basketball. Admittedly, the Seahawks aren’t very good. It was still encouraging to see JMU play some solid D and head into halftime with a 30-24 lead however. The fact that the Dukes build the lead without Bowles seeing much time due to foul trouble, made it even more impressive. In the second half, JMU just let the game get away from them with some untimely turnovers and poor shot selection.
Despite the Dukes’ typical offensive disappearing act in the second half, JMU still could have won the game. As I mentioned above, the Seahawks aren’t very good and they did their best to prove it to everyone watching last night. Seriously. They pretty much did whatever they could to let JMU back into the game. Foul the Dukes often to stop the clock? Sure. Miss wide open jumpers? Uh-huh. Brick free throws down the stretch? Yup. Commit costly turnovers? Definitely. It was ugly. And JMU still couldn’t capitalize.
So, is it time to panic? I still say no. What is there to panic about? This loss to to UNCW doesn’t really teach us anything. The Dukes are talented enough to beat any CAA team, and they’re inexperienced enough to lose to any CAA team. If you thought this team was poised to compete for the CAA, then God bless you and your optimism, but the time to panic was weeks ago. If you were hoping to see signs of improvement and for the Dukes move their way to the middle of the CAA pack, then just sit back and see how this thing plays out. Maybe JMU can grow up by trying to pull itself out of this mess.
So I was going to wrap-up the MBB game last night. How another loss to a dreadful UNC-Wilmington team who tried very hard to give the Dukes a gift by missing a ton of free throws down the stretch has brought the squad to a new low. Was going to talk about how Diouf and Moore need more minutes and how the team strangely had their best stretch of the first-half when Bowles was out with 2 fouls since they stopped forcing the offense. And about how Matt Brady seems to have been taken over Exorcist-style by the spirit of Sherman Dillard – going twice to suspect foul-shooter Bowles in the last 30 seconds. And finally about how Matt Brady needs a huge contract to promote whatever hair-restoration product/treatment he’s been using the last year.
But then MASN chose to use the regular UNCW announcing team to cover this game. How did I know it was the UNCW team? Only because fabulous color-man Billy Lee used the word “we” as in “we gotta get our offense going if we’re gonna beat this heavy JMU pressure” about three times in the first half. In a drawl that was pure Carolina low-country, he absolutely stole the show, and I think you’ll be able to tell from the highlights below that he made Tony Siragusa look like a master linguist.
To give credit where credit is due: He did seem to personally know the high school and junior-college coaches of every player on the Seahawks roster, especially the crackers. So without further ado, and I believe with no commentary from us necessary, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Billy Lee:
On pressure situations: You can’t be surrounded by circumstances, you’ve just got to use confidence.
On Pierre Curtis’ role: He’s the head on the giant. They [jmu] gotta lota athletes out there, but they need a head. Without a head on the giant, that giant is goin’ in the ditch.
On UNCW making a run: Now righcheer (right here) is where UNCW is tryin’ to move from the car into the driver’s seat. (This is where the column was written)
On college basketball: The human element of the college kid is what makes college basketball so interesting.
On the close game: Now these two teams are like two sumo wrestlers tyrin’ to bump each other off the mat.
And best of all, his pet name for UNCW’s best player, skinny, balding, little Brett Tomko: Lil’ Shaver
In positive news from the JMU sports scene, apparently the Dukes diving team has found a star. Congrats to Jessie Everett for breaking two school records and beginning to dominate the CAA!
Last night’s game against Drexel proved Rob’s hypothesis that a simple formula can be used for each Men’s Hoops game this year. Hell, the Dukes are formalizing the process so well they could be ISO certified.
Here is Rob’s formula with new insertions for last night:
“The Dukes defense and intensity disappeared in (insert time of game) the second half which offset a strong offensive outing from (“Wells”, “Bowles”, or “Wells and Bowles”) Bowles while (insert opposing team’s player’s name) Drexel’s Jamie Harris knocked down wide open shots all game.”
To be slightly more specific, the Dukes gave up an astounding 51 second-half points. Really the only question to be answered in the 2nd half was if they stayed in the locker room playing PS3 after halftime, would Drexel have scored any more? Hard to say.
Dukes are now 0-3 in the string of televised games that will wrap up Saturday 8 p.m. against UNCW on MASN. Hey, at least us DVRers out here haven’t had to use our “making the wife watch a JMU game all the way through on delay” chits yet.
Well, I think it’s safe to say that watching that game was a complete waste of two hours. Drexel absolutely destroyed JMU tonight by the score of 78-57. It was much worse than the score might indicate. Much, much worse. I won’t waste everyone’s time with a bunch of armchair analysis. Let’s keep this simple. Denzel was good. Everything else was bad or some variation of bad. I’d say the shot selection was just plain bad. The ball control and turnovers could be described as very bad. The defense unfortunately was typically bad. And let’s characterize the rebounding as atrociously bad.
I know this team is down some key guys. I know this was a road game. I get it. I just don’t get what the hell was going on tonight. Denzel was pretty much lights out. Then Drexel got hot and the Dukes decided it was better to shoot off balance step back threes with hands in their faces, than it was to keep feeding Denzel the ball. Whatever. This game was terrible. Let’s ignore it and talk football. Seriously. Please make your way to our continuing discussion on the 2010 schedule.
Look, we love Dawn Evans, are looking forward to a RIC trip for the men’s tourney, and consider the Field Hockey team our personal favorite, but let’s be honest, nothing gets SportsBlog HQ excited more than football news. And today was a good one for the offseason. The 2010 schedule was finally reworked and released after the debacles in Boston and out on Long Island scrambled things up for the CAA there for a bit. And I have to say I’m very excited even if the one CAA team we miss out on is one of the few cupcakes (RhodeI):
September 4 – Morehead St. – Glad we got this game rescheduled as I think it had been set for the VT date. The boys could really use a confidence builder before the ACC game and after last season’s rain-soaked, cold, miserable, home schedule, we can hope for some serious summer weather on Labor Day weekend.
September 11 – @ Virginia Tech – Rob and I have discussed our divergent feelings on this at length previously, but seriously, even those who hate these games have to admit a September trip to Lane Stadium, complete with big-time tailgating (I feel like Bode Miller just writing that), huge regional media coverage, and the chance to smack-talk with friends and family who constantly tout their ag-school alma mater is going to be great!
September 25th – Liberty – This really has potential to be a great future rivalry. Lots of different feelings on Liberty out there, but I’d love to see them in the CAA someday bringing the conference back to it’s VA roots. I’d expect a big contingent of their passionate fanbase to make the trip, and then promptly be appalled at the Sodom-style September tailgating in the ‘Burg. A repeat of last year’s 24-10 game would go a long way towards a playoff berth. Also nice to have a bye after VT before this one (in fact, nice to have a bye at all after last year’s horrendous slog).
October 2 – Delaware (Family Weekend) – It’s too bad the Blue Hens, with their Philly-infested supporters, are lucking into the golf tourney crowd that is Family Weekend and the inevitable bad-tailgating start time, but as long as D.J. Bryant shows their fancy-pants QB Devlin a close-up of the Bridgeforth turf, things will be alright.
October 9 – @ Towson – Apparently the schedule rearranging had to include moving the traditional season ender earlier in the season. This roadie is a staple for JMUSB out of our DC HQ. To me, we’ll know everything after this game. The Dukes have to make hay in the first five games. Other than the Blacksburg trip, they’ve got 3 home games and Towson, a virtual home game. A 4-1 start with wins over Liberty and Delaware would be big as the second half looks much tougher on the surface.
October 16 – New Hampshire (Homecoming) – This is the North team we would have liked to switch with URI, but should be a great HC matchup and again, an important game long-term.
October 23 – @ Villanova – Defending National Champs and my wife’s alma mater. HUGE game. Enough said. Oh yeah, and they don’t allow tailgating.
October 30 – Massachusetts – always a tricky game, especially sandwiched between Nova and UR. But hopefully more treat than trick in the ‘burg this Halloween weekend.
November 6 – @ Richmond – It’ll be the Dukes first trip to the state capital since the Ticks moved their home games to J.R. Tucker High School’s stadium so our advice to the huge Richmond JMU contingent is to start hoarding tickets right away.
November 13 – William & Mary – Should be an awesome finish to the home season and hopefully W&M’s new mascot will make the trip to Bridgeforth for a dose of Robin Ficker-esque heckling.
November 20 – @ Maine – One CAA trip I’ve always wanted to make and this could certainly be an epic weather game in late November in Orono. Let’s hope it’s to lock up a title or a seed and not to scratch back onto the bubble.
We hate the kid that threw one of these.
Seriously, man? Seriously? You just had to throw a friggin hot dog didn’t you? I mean, it’s not like the Dukes weren’t having a tough enough time against Mason. Maybe you were struggling to find a truly original way to kill JMU’s momentum? Maybe you couldn’t literally run onto the court and let the air out of the basketball? Maybe you’re just a jackass? Yeah, let’s go with that one. You’re a jackass.
The unfortunate incident aside, JMU really struggled this game and lost 82-71. I’m starting to think that I could write these post-games using a template. Something like “The Dukes defense and intensity disappeared in (insert time of game) which offset strong offensive outings from (“Wells”, “Bowles”, or “Wells and Bowles”) while (insert opposing team’s player’s name) knocked down wide open shots all game.” For this game we’d go with ” the beginning of each half” for blank 1, “Wells” for blank 2, and “Andre Cornelius” for blank 3.
This game pointed out plenty of reasons to be frustrated by this team; the way they let the games get away from them by losing intensity, the poor shot selection at times, and the inability to play 40 minutes of defense, chief amongst them. However, I think we need to step back and try to be realistic.
For one thing, JMU is actually competitive with top teams in the CAA. Yesterday’s loss to GMU and recent losses to W&M and ODU are miserable, but think back to two or three years ago. JMU wouldn’t have been in any of those games. This year, despite the fact that JMU is down two starters (Moore & Semenov), one senior expected to play major minutes (Thornton) and is only dressing 9 guys, they’re competing night in and night out. Sure, they clearly need help on defense and madly inconsistent. Let me remind you however, Coach Brady was not hired to carry on a winning tradition, but to build the program back up from the depths of despair. Last year was JMU’s first winning season since 1999-2000! When Brady was hired, I said I’d realistically like JMU to finish in the top half of the conference and win a tournament game in year 2. Recent skid aside, that can still happen. A road win at Drexel this Wednesday would be a good way to get back on track.
You know those goofy white guys who sit on the bench and hug each other and waive towels throughout March Madness? Well, William & Mary has an entire roster of them. The thing is, their goofy white guys are good and they defeated the Dukes tonight 85-78 in Williamsburg tonight.
JMU’s first half D was pretty much non-existent and the Tribe treated its home crowd to a vintage display of perfectly executed back door layups and efficient wide open jumpers. (ed. note: I seriously mean vintage. It looked like 1953 out there. I swear I saw a dude hit a two-hand set shot.) I’ll give credit where credit is due however, William & Mary took care of the ball and consistently created easy shots. The Tribe had five players reach double-figures in scoring.
As we’ve come to expect, Denzel Bowles had another big night pouring in a game high 26 points and grabbing 16 boards. Pierre Curtis and Darren White stepped up and provided some much needed scoring for JMU, finishing with 15 points a piece. Unfortunately, Julius Wells had an uncharacteristically off night with only 12 points.
I don’t even know what to say about this game really. It was painful to watch in the first half, with William & Mary knocking down threes and hitting easy lay up after easy lay up. They shot 69% for the half! It’s a good thing nobody under the age of 71 was in the crowd, because otherwise it could have gotten pretty rowdy. The second half though was a different story. JMU picked up the intensity and actually had me believing they were headed for a miracle finish. Kudos to Coach Brady for rallying the troops. It was a tough loss, but it’s not the end of the world. W&M has knocked off some big teams this season, including Wake Forest and Maryland. I don’t think either win was a fluke. JMU hung in their, but it just wasn’t their night. If they play the whole game like they played the second half next time they face W&M, I like the Dukes’ chances.
Finally, a big JMU Sports Blog Happy Birthday goes out to commenter Uncle Ron this weekend. Hope it’s a good one man!
Todd already covered this, but seriously Dazz Thornton? Seriously? By our count that means Coach Brady has a 9 man roster that is really only about 7 deep. That could hurt.
Apparently Denzel Bowles was suspended one game for just being a college student. The link is to the DNR which requires a subscription, so let me save you the trouble. Denzel is in college. College kids like to drink booze. Booze makes you pee. It’s hard for a 6’10” dude to pee discreetly outside.
Coach Brady talks about Denzel’s improved attitude, effort, and potential and Wells’ versatility.
Set the DVR! The Dukes get ready to take on a dangerous William & Mary team Thursday night in the seond of four straight t.v. games.
Former Duke Abdulai Jalloh has signed with Springfield Armor in the D-League. I have no clue what I’m going to do with my Maine Red Claws jersey now.
The Lady Dukes pick up another win, with a victory over GMU and current NCAA leading scorer Dawn Evans is a finalist for the Wooden Award!
Ben Louis gets some love from the Washington Post for his game winner against Towson. Go on Ben!
The future is bright for JMU woman’s soccer star Christinia Julien.
Spring practices is just around the corner, Drew Dudzik’s doctor’s say his foot is better than ever, and thus it appears our first QB controversy of the decade has officially started.
He hit one of the most memorable shots in JMU history, but Kent Culuko must have been late on the day everyone got to sign up for NBA entourages.
Finally, Charles Haley continues to make positive strides and came one step closer to being the first JMU Duke in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Really Dazz Thornton?! Really?!
Look, if Dazz was disqualified in another season, say one where Coach Brady wasn’t being forced to karmically pay back some old, misguided deal with the Devil, the Dukes might survive. But right now, when the locker room has turned into an externship opportunity for JMU’s huge (and obnoxious at graduation) RN program, was the absolute worst time for him to prove unable to live up to the extraordinary academic pressures placed on college basketball players. Apparently the crushing weight of Teaching Team Sports – KIN 211 was just too much for the young fellow. Or maybe River Canoeing – KIN 139* on Newman Lake, what with the intricacies of the bowsweep turn and the correct pronunciation of ‘gunwale’ was just beyond Mr. Thornton.
But in any case, this is just the latest in a series of tough breaks for the Dukes: First our incredible sophomore point guard, Devon Moore, goes out for the season. Then fellow super-soph Andrey Semenov joins him on the IR. And now Thornton. Tough to overcome 3 of your top 8 guys being out for the year before conference play is really even in full swing. And that’s without even mentioning games missed due to suspension from the two leading scorers, Wells and Bowles.
Unbelievably, Brady has begun to amass enough talent that the Dukes still have the firepower to play with anyone in the CAA on a given night and maybe, just maybe, if they can avoid further disaster (long shot), they might just be ready to make a sleeper-run in Richmond even if their seeding and overall record suffers now. But as we here at sportsBlog HQ have discussed in watching the team the last couple weeks, you have to wonder what kind of toll this is taking on the few remaining players, and especially those really shouldering the load (i.e. Wells and Bowles) who are being forced to play insane minutes. Not surprisingly, the squad just seems to wear down a bit late in every game and any type of foul trouble is felt even deeper than it othewrise would.
But there is good news: 1) Ben Louis can make gamewinners for us, 2) maybe Rockheed McCarter’s athletic career in the Valley isn’t quite over yet, and best of all, 3) the next four games are televised, including this Thursday night’s game in Williamsburg against the King and Queen/Wren/Pug/Griffins and the big rivalry game at the Convo on Saturday against Mason. Check your local listings and support the Dukes!
* I also took , and struggled with, both of these classes during my (inexplicably) long and very (un)distinguished career at JMU so no offense meant to Dazz. For the record, former Field Hockey star Karen Zarchin was in that team sports class. Concentration for a freshman with a senior of her “caliber” was just too much to ask. In the River Canoeing Class, which was (and may still be) actually taught on Newman Lake, the tough part was that the Final Exam practicum was on some raging (i.e. rippling) river southwest of campus. I ALSO took Racquetball – seriously, I friggin’ love JMU!!!
Ben Louis, big man on campus.
Ben Louis hit a game winning trey with 1.5 seconds remaining to lift the Dukes to a 69-66 victory over Townson this afternoon. Big, big shot off a great feed by Pierre Curtis. OK, so I’m not sure if anyone has ever callled the 6’3″ Junior from Australia, Big Shot Ben. But I do know, he hit a last second three to close out the first half and then closed the game with another clutch three. That’s worthy of a nickname for at least tonight, right? I’ve also got to imagine a game winning three in the afternoon equals pretty good odds with the ladies come nightfall. Godspeed to you Ben.
As we’ve come to expect, Julius Wells and Denzel Bowles each had good games. Wells hit on 5-13 from beyond the arc and finished with 23 points. Bowles chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds. As Smokin Al Koken repeatedly stated throughout the telecast, Bowles showed tremendous patience and really let the game come to him. He didn’t get many looks offensively in the opening 10 minutes, but made his presence felt on the defensive end. He finished with 6 blocked shots.
One thing we consistently have been saying is that the Dukes need a reliable third scorer to emerge. This afternoon Darren White and Ben Louis both stepped up. Each of them had 10 points. Louis obviously was feeling it at the right time and White showed some tremendous athleticism. He’s young, but he’s got the talent to be really, really good. The kid can absolutely jump out of the gym.
Coach Brady seemed pretty frustrated with his team’s inconsistency. I’ve got say, I completely agree. Even with the injuries, JMU has enough talent to compete with any team in the conference, if (and this is a big if) they can play for a full 40 minutes. The Dukes were in position to really blow Towson out midway through the second half and then they just went to sleep. They came through in the end, but there were definite lapses when the entire team just lost focus. I get the feeling that doesn’t sit well with Coach Brady. We’ll see how the look Thursday against William & Mary.
