MBB Game 18 @Stony Brook, Jan 15 (Thu) 7 PM

[dutchPride86]

Well team got what they deserved tonight. Play has been trending down for a while now outside of the Towson game, so cant say I'm all that surprised it finally bit them. Hopefully serves as the wake-up call team needs.

Elon suddenly becomes a very interesting and important game on Saturday

[Mikey77]

Hofstra: Totally agree. Came out shooting awful again and why no Roberts is a mystery. They have not played well since Towson and it stinks losing 4 in a row to Stony Brook.

[ZMAN3]

I told you about DeCady - he's terrible - took Coach long enough to figure it out. Not having Biggie is making us Smallie. How many chippies can the Bigs miss ? Edmead is a terrific offensive player but he's getting killed on the other end - needs to get stronger. Everyone overplaying Cruz - not to mention double teaming him. Had 2 teeth extracted today - HU made it feel like 4. On the other hand everyone throws in a rotten egg - we were due.

[Wags]

What's up with Cruz Davis from inside the arc suddenly? Past two games: 7/10 from 3, yet 1/14 from 2.

I never like the "shooters shoot" thing. Admittedly, I said before German should get more shots, and he should have when he was shooting well. Tonight was not that night. He can't go 3/16 and shoot them out of the game. Recognize when it's not your night, pass the ball, and shoot the next game.

They played well at Towson but this really started the second half at Drexel, so 5 of the last 7 halves where they haven't played the way they were playing previously.

At least at Drexel, they had a strong first half. But this is now two straight games when they started poorly (24 first-half pts last game, only 25 tonight). That has to change next game, and that may not be easy with a noon tip.

Doesn't make sense that Roberts wouldn't see a second of action with the offense struggling UNLESS he was feeling some after effects from the hard fall he took against Monmouth.

They played well without him at Towson, but outside of that game, Biggie's absence has hurt since he's been out. They need him back ASAP. What he provides allows everyone else to stay within their normal roles, and that makes the team better overall. That much has been pretty clear down the stretch at Drexel and in these last two games.

Every year, I say give it six CAA games, the one-third mark of CAA play to see what direction things seems to be headed in. Tonight suddenly makes Saturday a very big game. Will they end that one-third mark still at a very good 5-1 or will it merely be a decent/fairly good 4-2, but reeling with two straight losses after a good start?

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Things tightened up in the CAA tonight with two prior unbeatens losing and leaving UNCW as the lone undefeated team:

* Towson got up 34-17 at halftime on Charleston and won, 61-52.
* Elon, somewhat surprisingly (?) lost a Northeastern, 85-78.
* Drexel, shockingly dominated at Monmouth and shut them down defensively, 73-51.
* W&M beat NC A&T, 97-89.

* UNCW (5-0) gains by sitting and watching.
* Hofstra stays tied with Charleston (4-1), but they each fall a game behind UNCW.
* Elon (3-2), misses a good chance to join Hofstra and Charleston, and instead joins Campbell (3-2).
* Drexel (3-3) keeps pace with William & Mary (3-3).
* Monmouth (2-3) falls under .500 instead of going over that mark and joins Hampton (2-3).
* On a night when two unbeatens lose, three 1-4 teams wins (typical CAA). Towson, Stony Brook, and Northeastern all go to 2-4.
* Perhaps the only expected thing to actually occur tonight was NC A&T remaining the CAA's only winless team in conference play (0-5).

[triplec2195]

I had to shut this game off a couple of times just couldn't believe what I was seeing. Way too many open three looks for them and they had two players that average 7 points a game go off for 20 each. IF we had played our normal shut down D we win this game UGLY but we still win. After DeCady missed two FT's(a real SHOCKER) he comes down the court and fouls maybe out of frustration that's when I yelled at the TV to get him off the floor. TG my prayers were answered and almost right away Wills answers the call and gives us offense and in your face D. As been said really good call from the coaching staff. Again just to reiterate why didn't Roberts see the floor that was a mistake considering how many three's were missed by German. I think he missed four in a row all good looks. He was shooting over 40% now 37% so it's understandable why he stayed in the game. IF ROBERTS was in the game and hit a couple of those three's could have changed the game but like was said we got what we deserved.

It's easy to pile on DeCady but he does provide INTENSITY and rebounds but please don't expect him to have an O numbers. He scored 15 in one game but that was an anomaly he's what he's just not a scorer yet but does have SOME upside. Has to get better at the FT line or he should have his minutes reduced.

Whoever made the point of DeCady not starting the 2nd half really good point having Wills start instead. Speedy was already getting nervous about the outcome of an important game. I really can't remember the last time that happened??

[triplec2195]

QUOTE DUTCH PRIDE 86; Wills starts the 2nd half over DeCady. When was the last time Speedy didnt go back to his starting lineup for 2nd half without an injury? Cant remember any instance

I had to go back and find this. Speaks volumes!

[HUSID74]

Give Stony Brook credit. They played HARD and SHOT the ball well...we did not...think we expected to waltz in there and win...not so.
Can't beleive Cruz was SCORELESS in the first half and Plotnikov was throwing up BRICKS!
We've got to play better than this...hopefully Biggie is back Saturday and Roberts is ok...

[Mikey77]

The big question is why was Hofstra in home white and not road blue uniforms on the road and Stony Brook in road red?

[Polito]

This game was eerily similar to games we saw from last years team. Absolutely disgusting play and coaching yesterday, turned it off with 3 left. Deserved to lose. Looked lost, no plan, few corrections too late, no in-game awareness, just chickens with their heads cut off backyard ball vs a team that came out looking well coached and ready to compete. HU should've blown this team out.

I said our lacking play of late was going to get us bit. And with this being a rivalry game and Speedy and HU being masters of denial, we are likely due for a real butt whooping soon by CofC or the W before they really wake up. This team is getting exposed a bit, especially Cruz.

Now the CAA super up and down, teams blow out someone then get blown out, so this is just one bad game from a good team having a good season thus far. Don't wanna throw out the baby with the bath water. But there are flaws, and this does need to get some attention near-term.

It's pretty embarrassing to run around claiming you're the pride of long island and your local rival who's a garbage program beats you 4 years in a row. 4 STRAIGHT YEARS. Speedy should be ashamed that he's owned by STONY BROOK of all places.

The supposed CPOY has been largely absent for a couple of games now. Cruz was bad - did nothing for 30 of the 40 minutes except make stupid mistakes and turn the ball over. Speedy needs to help him get his head screwed back on right.

Can't deny DeCady was terrible last night. And don't even get me started on German. We should NEVER see a guy take and brick 4 straight 3's and then blow a layup and continue to be fed and shoot the ball. Awful coaching job and zero maturity from German - you didn't have it, pass or drive man. Simple fundamentals that I've noted seem to be missing of late with this team.

Speaking of driving, our guards refused to finish drives - infuriating - constantly dribbling in circles and desperate to kick out. Didn't try to go up and draw fouls - zero midrange game - zero BALLS. Where's the grit?? Where's the energy and the leadership?? Even the staff sat on their asses the entire first half. Victory about the only one to show some fire late in the game. Played like we knew we would lose. Bad optics all around.

This team needs Biggie and Roberts, 2 guys with skill that can put the ball in the basket - and frankly so can Willis - would've been nice to see them adjust to the game and get him a few more looks instead of German.

In a way I'm glad the stupid streak is over - now they can hopefully get back to basics and playing to their strengths. I think a healthy team with the full compliment of guys is still a force to be reckoned with - but they to gut check themselves. Like I said, this is the grind it out part of the season - they are limping a bit - need to steady the legs the next couple of weeks. All about peaking at the right time.

[Mikey77]

Hard to dispute any of Polito's analysis. Hofstra is so easy for an opposing coach to prepare for as there is not much imagination coming from the coaching staff. It is mostly always the sameo sameo. You would think with the depth at guard Hofstra would press more which would cut 5 or so seconds off each opposing possession and gas the opposing guards.

[dutchPride86]

Hard to dispute any of Polito's analysis. Hofstra is so easy for an opposing coach to prepare for as there is not much imagination coming from the coaching staff. It is mostly always the sameo sameo. You would think with the depth at guard Hofstra would press more which would cut 5 or so seconds off each opposing possession and gas the opposing guards.

It used to just be Bill Coen, but sure feels like many of the coaches in the CAA have Speedy's offensive sets completely figured out now.

And to Polito's point on the rivalry, I was kinda taken aback how in the presser Speedy brushed off it being a rivalry and remarked something like "we know this is their super bowl." If the coach doesnt respect the opponent how can we expect the players to?

[Wags]

It's pretty embarrassing to run around claiming you're the pride of long island and your local rival who's a garbage program beats you 4 years in a row. 4 STRAIGHT YEARS. Speedy should be ashamed that he's owned by STONY BROOK of all places.

Not disputing the overall point, but it's the last four games over the last three years, and if we count regular season only, it's the last two years. Plus, There is at least one more meeting this year.

[Wags]

The big question is why was Hofstra in home white and not road blue uniforms on the road and Stony Brook in road red?

Not a question anymore, unfortunately. Just how it is these days in the NBA and college. They do this, wear alternates (usually, bad alternates that aren't even school colors). I'm with you, I like how it used to be with uniforms.

I can't remember the last time Hofstra wore white in a road game before last night.

[cactus]

It's pretty embarrassing to run around claiming you're the pride of long island and your local rival who's a garbage program beats you 4 years in a row. 4 STRAIGHT YEARS.

This. Painted all over the walls of the Mack, taking a shot at them in the announcement video of the new logo, 516 > 631 t shirts...they've turned this game into Stony Brook's super bowl. They keep losing these games like they are shocked by Stony Brook's energy from the tip.

[triplec2195]

To add insult to injury our women's team also loses to SB by 17 points although this is business as usual. SB once they entered this conference has been very competitive in all sports. A real thorn in our side!

[Jojogunne]

SBU players picked up both CAA awards this week:

https://caasports.com/news/2026/1/19/ca ... -2026.aspx

Pratt and Shoshkikj are both new to the program this year. Good job recruiting by Coach Ford and his staff. How did they ever find a player from North Macedonia?