{"id":5125,"date":"2013-03-10T22:46:22","date_gmt":"2013-03-11T02:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=5125"},"modified":"2013-03-10T22:46:22","modified_gmt":"2013-03-11T02:46:22","slug":"dukes-survive-and-advance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=5125","title":{"rendered":"Dukes Survive and Advance!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forty. Minutes. Away! \u00a0From an elusive NCAA bid! \u00a0JMU knocked off Delaware in thrilling fashion today and will take on top-seeded Northeastern for the bid to the big dance and the CAA title at 7:00 at the Richmond Coliseum tomorrow night. \u00a0Game will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network and the Buy One Get One Free deal is still available if you print the coupon under “Discounted Tickets” on the CAA website.<\/p>\n

We’ve been tweeting like crazy all weekend, just got home, and need to get some sleep so we can get back on the road early tomorrow afternoon so we’ll keep this short and sweet. \u00a0One quick note to students though. \u00a0Rob was lucky enough to be in school the last time the Dukes won one of these, but by the time I got their the long winter of men’s hoops had begun. \u00a0Since I got into JMU way back when, this opportunity has NEVER ONCE presented itself. \u00a0If you’re just getting back from Spring Break, there’s simply no excuse for not hopping in your car at 4 tomorrow with a few buddies and making the run. \u00a0You’ll regret it if 15 years from now you never have another chance. \u00a0There’s nothing so important on campus on the first day back from break that you can pass this up.<\/p>\n

The Good<\/strong><\/p>\n

JMU’s resilience and belief. \u00a0AJ Davis’ run of highlight real ridiculousness.<\/p>\n

Andre Nation’s huge-rocks game today! \u00a0Nation set the tone from the very first possession when he blocked Devon Saddler and then proceeded to absolutely lock him down all night. \u00a0Oh yeah, and then drained an enormous trey to cut a six-point Blue Chicken lead in half in the last couple minutes. \u00a0Yes, he was blocked on the drive, but he is electric and led a freshmen resurgence after they collectively played tight in their first tourney action Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Matt Brady coached his ass off today and we were pleased. \u00a0We’ve been up and often down in our coaching appraisal’s throughout Brady’s tenure, but I’ve been particularly critical of his handling of the starts and finishes to games. \u00a0The last two days he’s been on his game. \u00a0Starting AJ again has definitely helped avoid the slow starts and seems to have\u00a0buoyed\u00a0the team’s confidence early. \u00a0He’s been unquestionably the best player in the tourney so far and added another highlight real dunk today. \u00a0And then Brady did a great job alternating offense\/defense with Diouf and Davis when AJ was getting manhandled on the block by that dumptruck that plays the opposite post from Hagins in the second half.<\/p>\n

The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dukes’ free throw shooting. \u00a0Somehow they’ve gotten away with it for two games, but they HAVE to make foul shots to upset Northeastern. \u00a0Was a big factor in the only meeting in Boston a few weeks ago and likely will be tomorrow.<\/p>\n

The Ugly<\/strong><\/p>\n

Officiating. \u00a0Both ways. \u00a0We should keep in mind the dirty secret that us college hoops junkies know – officiating is horrendous in college ball the last couple years, not just the CAA – but seriously, this is more\u00a0embarrassing\u00a0than the fact the tourney is sponsored by Jani King. \u00a0Today their were horrible calls both ways and at times it seemed the refs would realize they were leaning heavily one way and then run off a series of terrible calls the other way to make up for it.<\/p>\n

Delaware’s shameful coaching and support staff. \u00a0The hoops crew must have been studying hard at the KC Keeler and UD football school of whining and making an ass of yourself. \u00a0Coach Ross engaged in a three-minute timeout staredown contest with an official at one point and then angrily followed the officials off the court and up the tunnel at the endgame. \u00a0Gotta think Yeager was sitting down there somewhere and didn’t miss this, but it is the CAA after all so probably didn’t even know the event’s taking place. \u00a0Apparently the cameras on NBCSN caught us giving our homage-to-Dikembe with a long wave off the court to the Blue Chickens coaching staff. \u00a0Screen shot credit to Ms. Jones!<\/p>\n

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Buh-Bye Blue Chicks<\/p><\/div>\n

And yes, I must confess that is a green wristband from the “CAA Sports Zone Bar” even on a Sunday afternoon. \u00a0Hope they’re still open tomorrow night and the keg of Devil’s Backbone 8 Point IPA hasn’t kicked.<\/p>\n

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