MBB Game 26 at Charleston on February 14, 2019 at 7:00 P.M.

[Polito]

Agree on that, some poor / rushed decision making - good thing is HU is a fantastic FT shooting team (still feel weird saying that! LOL)

Disagree a bit with the defensive comments. Riller is literally half the reason over a dozen NBA scouts are in the arena - tremendous basketball player. Brantely VERY skilled. They will score. But CofC is a two man team as I said early in the year. They are HU for the last few years.

But CofC getting some 3's off and falling, so this game is much closer than it really should be. Can just feel HU is better.

JWF a little off finishing this game, not sure if pressing, but would like to see him drive to the hoop instead of hoisting past NBA range 3's at this point - get to the line guys. Easy W at that point.

[Wags]

40 for Riller, 11 point game, we are a terrible defensive team.

That's pretty strong. Riller is one of the best in the league. Brantley is no slouch either. They have 60 of Charleston's 79. No one else stops those too, either. And Charleston isn't stopping JWF, either. No one else on Charleston is doing anything. Hofstra's defense has been pretty solid most of the season.

Are you watching the game.

I am. Have you watched the season? Their defense is the biggest reason between this year and past years with this group.

Who else is hurting them besides Riller and Brantley? Those guys are stars in this league. Charleston's at home. Did you think they'd just roll over and not make a run?

[daHUPride]

Nice W - I hate the idea of having to play the Tourney down there - but if there ever was a HU team that can go down and handle themselves it IS this TEAM.
Start the bus and get out of Charleston!

[Flying Dutchmen]

I am. Have you watched the season? Their defense is the biggest reason between this year and past years with this group.

Who else is hurting them besides Riller and Brantley? Those guys are stars in this league. Charleston's at home. Did you think they'd just roll over and not make a run?

Sorry I jumped on you I know you're at every game, but that was the worst defensive performance we've had in years. We gave up 95 friggin points on wide open looks all night, and yes with a 24 point lead with 10 minutes, I thought we were in good shape. We let Riller do whatever he wanted, it was like watching any of the defensive performances the last two years, two horrible defensive efforts back to back.

Unbelievable offensive showing though. Huge huge win. JWF was great, JT was so big down the stretch.

Hey gotta take that W and run, but what could have been our statement win turned into a cardiac finish, I guess that will keep us humble at least.

[Polito]

Case in point, that last Brantley 3, I mean that was a ridiculous shot - that's not his game at all, was not a clean look, wasn't set, defender right there and he drained it lol - felt like CofC had a LOT of 3's like that to end the game and make it closer than the reality of these two teams.

HU is the better squad this year, no question in my mind. CofC is literally the HU teams of the past, 2 studs and bodies around them. Enough to win a bunch of regular season games, not enough to win it all. One of the main reasons HU has yet to, holds true for other teams as well IMO.

Contrast, I don't feel that way about NU, and the napoleons are even scarier to me than CofC. Alas...Still have to respect them of course, the 2 studs they have are LEGIT. But not going to be enough to cut nets.


Anyhoo, this was a BIG TIME win, tail end of season on the road. Took Riller's best shot of his entire career on his home floor and it wasn't enough. FEELING GREAT about that! Congrats fellas, need to tighten up play and decision making the last 5 min, but all in all a fantastic win!

I always feel VERY good about games when Coburn plays aggressive and hits his shots - changes the dynamic of the game for everyone else. Pemba seems to always play well against these guys. JT played really played another great game, big asset. And like I said, get to the line and it's over - incredible ace card in the pocket for this team - I feel that way about just about every game this year - HUGE advantage, and HU should use it and ride it to the dance - HU can absolutely win and beat opponents at the line - attack that basket fellas!

Let's go get those Hawks

[The Shadow]

HU scored 56 second half points, but gave up 60. It seemed like the teams were playing first to 99 points wins! But, a 4 point road win in SC is just about all anyone could ask for. Now on to another difficult place to play at UNCW.

[Wags]

I am. Have you watched the season? Their defense is the biggest reason between this year and past years with this group.

Who else is hurting them besides Riller and Brantley? Those guys are stars in this league. Charleston's at home. Did you think they'd just roll over and not make a run?

Sorry I jumped on you I know you're at every game, but that was the worst defensive performance we've had in years. We gave up 95 friggin points on wide open looks all night, and yes with a 24 point lead with 10 minutes, I thought we were in good shape. We let Riller do whatever he wanted, it was like watching any of the defensive performances the last two years, two horrible defensive efforts back to back.

Unbelievable offensive showing though. Huge huge win. JWF was great, JT was so big down the stretch.

Hey gotta take that W and run, but what could have been our statement win turned into a cardiac finish, I guess that will keep us humble at least.

All good, no worries! But hey, look at it this way... if Hofstra's D was bad tonight, what was Charleston's, giving up 99 points on its home floor, on 53.6% shooting, including 13/26 from 3?

From my past posts here for years (even going back to CAAZone), you already know you're preaching to the choir if you think I want them to try to win 99-95, without D, and for them to think that'll work in the CAA tourney. But I think this was not that tonight (like in past years). This was more one of the best scorers in the entire conference and his very good sidekick going off like you'd expect them to do against anyone in a big CAA game at home. Bottom line is, no one ELSE for Charleston was allowed to do much and ultimately, they walk out of there with a huge win. It was also the fact that they got out to a big 81-57 lead and Charleston (I don't think anyone was complaining about the defense then), as you'd expect on its home floor, showed plenty of fight over the final 11 minutes. That's fine. They were slight underdogs, looking to make a statement on Charleston's home floor, to sweep them for the regular season series, and Hofstra did that, despite the ending -- which I think will only serve to help the staff get the players' attention about finishing a game like that when it matters the most. Taking all of that into account, I'm okay with 99-95. Still much better than trying to winning 88-84, close throughout, with no D the ENTIRE game, and having that be the typical approach all season long. The 60 for Charleston in the second half, and the 95 for them for the game, I chalk up to two great players being great (especially one) and letting the guard down a little with a huge lead. Still atypical from the defensive effort and results for most of this season and still atypical from the poor defensive effort and results prior to this season.

[The Shadow]

Wags, very good analysis.

[Wags]

JT played really played another great game, big asset.

Seems like whenever they've had some tense moments late in games on the road this year (at Elon, tonight, other times), he has come up with that huge offensive rebound to keep the momentum from completely shifting the other way if the home team would have instead got a huge stop at a critical moment. That is SO big. It's SO deflating for the home team and their crowd at that point and so crucial to taking more time off the clock and getting another chance to score for some critical late breathing room. Of course, he has also committed some ill-advised fouls at the other end in those close, late-game scenarios. But the offensive boards at the some of the most important times, when no other Hofstra player is able to get a finger on the ball, make you jump out of your seat.

[HUSID74]

Hey guys you can nitpick all you want but we went up something like 23 points in the second half and naturally we had a bit of a letdown...we didn't even iso Justin at the end of the game...we sent a message to the League....we scored 99 against the best defensive team in the CAA..on their home court...very impressive....also how about JT at the end of the game! Rebounds put backs, free throws...JT is a baller...huge difference from Rok last year...also shootout to the Freak Tariq...what a first half!

[Cards]

Agree about getting to the line - its a big advantage for this team and is clearly part of the strategy from teh get-go.

A lot of good things going on offense - we just have so many options that drive other defenses crazy. if I have any concerns, I would have to say its JR looking a little like a freshman sometimes. Seems to rush things and get a little nervous handling the ball late in the game. His jumpers are fine (kid has ice in his veins), but his ball handling makes me a little nervous. I have no doubt he will get better over time, but watching him drives home the point that we need to pick up a stud PG to back up DB next year and beyond.

The defense - well, I realize Riller and Brantley are two talented guys, but Riller drove the ball to the hoop at will! Gotta come up with some stops in that situation. Reminded me of the perimeter "D" of a few years ago.....with no help for the bigs coming from the guards up top. Look, both teams have big time scorers, and I still believe we are clearly the better team. That being said, being up 24 with about 10 minutes left in the game.....they should have been able to cruise to the win. That's concerning. But, and its the all important "but", they came away with a big win on the road - they seem to always get the W this year!

[Flying Dutchmen]

Anyhoo, this was a BIG TIME win, tail end of season on the road. Took Riller's best shot of his entire career on his home floor and it wasn't enough. FEELING GREAT about that! Congrats fellas, need to tighten up play and decision making the last 5 min, but all in all a fantastic win!

The fact we withstood that offensive barrage from Riller, and from Knight on Saturday is freakin awesome. Back to back games where we got the opponents best shots and prevailed. I know the CAA is down this year, but we've seen elite offensive hoops the past few games.

That 19-0 run was the best stretch we've ever played in the 20+ years I've been watching the team. The second half was insane, that's why I love Hofstra Hoops!

[HUSID74]

I am. Have you watched the season? Their defense is the biggest reason between this year and past years with this group.

Who else is hurting them besides Riller and Brantley? Those guys are stars in this league. Charleston's at home. Did you think they'd just roll over and not make a run?

Sorry I jumped on you I know you're at every game, but that was the worst defensive performance we've had in years. We gave up 95 friggin points on wide open looks all night, and yes with a 24 point lead with 10 minutes, I thought we were in good shape. We let Riller do whatever he wanted, it was like watching any of the defensive performances the last two years, two horrible defensive efforts back to back.

Unbelievable offensive showing though. Huge huge win. JWF was great, JT was so big down the stretch.

Hey gotta take that W and run, but what could have been our statement win turned into a cardiac finish, I guess that will keep us humble at least.

Touché!
All good, no worries! But hey, look at it this way... if Hofstra's D was bad tonight, what was Charleston's, giving up 99 points on its home floor, on 53.6% shooting, including 13/26 from 3?

From my past posts here for years (even going back to CAAZone), you already know you're preaching to the choir if you think I want them to try to win 99-95, without D, and for them to think that'll work in the CAA tourney. But I think this was not that tonight (like in past years). This was more one of the best scorers in the entire conference and his very good sidekick going off like you'd expect them to do against anyone in a big CAA game at home. Bottom line is, no one ELSE for Charleston was allowed to do much and ultimately, they walk out of there with a huge win. It was also the fact that they got out to a big 81-57 lead and Charleston (I don't think anyone was complaining about the defense then), as you'd expect on its home floor, showed plenty of fight over the final 11 minutes. That's fine. They were slight underdogs, looking to make a statement on Charleston's home floor, to sweep them for the regular season series, and Hofstra did that, despite the ending -- which I think will only serve to help the staff get the players' attention about finishing a game like that when it matters the most. Taking all of that into account, I'm okay with 99-95. Still much better than trying to winning 88-84, close throughout, with no D the ENTIRE game, and having that be the typical approach all season long. The 60 for Charleston in the second half, and the 95 for them for the game, I chalk up to two great players being great (especially one) and letting the guard down a little with a huge lead. Still atypical from the defensive effort and results for most of this season and still atypical from the poor defensive effort and results prior to this season.

[EvanJ]

in the 17 complete seasons we've been in the CAA, there have been 1,811 games between two CAA teams and 2,202 out of conference games for CAA teams. That includes the postseason. The 1,811 includes CAA Tournaments and our NIT loss hosting Old Dominion in 2006. If there were any other tournament games between CAA teams, my numbers will be slightly off. That was 5,824 games adding up how many games every CAA team played every season, with CAA games counting as 2. In those games, there were two times where a CAA player scored at least 42. Old Dominion's Alex Loughton scored 45 on December 6, 2003, and Delaware Davon Usher scored 42 on February 5, 2014. Put another way, in the last 41 days, Hofstra has played in 3 games between two CAA teams in which somebody scored 42. Ending with the day before we beat Northeastern, there were 3 games between two CAA teams in which somebody scored 42 in 12,365 days.

[Sctvman]

Hofstra was outscored 38-18 in the last 10:33 of the game and still found a way to win. What an incredible 2nd half of basketball.

[cactus]

Disappointed in the defense and how tight they played down the stretch but a win is a win, and to win in Charleston is great. Better to struggle to close out a game now than in a couple of weeks. Taylor again was huge making big plays to stem Charleston's runs. He's been such a great addition this year.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Wags]

Anyhoo, this was a BIG TIME win, tail end of season on the road. Took Riller's best shot of his entire career on his home floor and it wasn't enough. FEELING GREAT about that! Congrats fellas, need to tighten up play and decision making the last 5 min, but all in all a fantastic win!

The fact we withstood that offensive barrage from Riller, and from Knight on Saturday is freakin awesome. Back to back games where we got the opponents best shots and prevailed. I know the CAA is down this year, but we've seen elite offensive hoops the past few games.

That was a career-high in each case, for Knight and Riller. There aren't a lot of teams in the nation, let alone in the CAA, that can win both games when allowing one guy to get 39 on 16/24 shooting in one game, followed by another getting 43 on 17/25 shooting in the next one.

[EvanJ]

All 10 people on CSNBBS predicted Charleston to win. JWF and Riller made my CAA Lineup of the Day, which is at https://csnbbs.com/thread-867244.html and I considered Pemberton but didn't choose him.

[Wags]

All 10 people on CSNBBS predicted Charleston to win. JWF and Riller made my CAA Lineup of the Day, which is at https://csnbbs.com/thread-867244.html and I considered Pemberton but didn't choose him.

They still don't believe in Hofstra yet. They might believe after the next time Hofstra leaves Charleston.

[triplec2195]

I was getting very uneasy at the end of this game and realistically we played pretty good defense in the first half giving up 35 points but letting Riller run loose makes me a bit concerned. There's no question he's a very good player but we let him score on too many one on one drives to the basket. Taylor tried to contest a lot of those but he made some tough shots. A couple of breaks went our way with the technical foul sending Taylor to the line and he calmly sank both of them. I thought at the end we would of had Coburn on the floor and took out Taylor. I think I have bad memories when Rok would have been fouled and couldn't shoot a lick at the foul line. We should have won this game by more much more but we let it slip a way a bit in the last 5 minutes or so. Can someone please explain the reasoning behind Coburn only playing 19 minutes and Ray getting 23 minutes. This doesn't seem to make sense to me especially the game Coburn was having and he was playing with no fouls. Ray didn't seem to bring much to the table in this game offensively. I think he had 19 in the first game but this was not a repeat performance from Ray in this one. Coburn didn't play a lot of minutes in the second half. Was this a defensive decision? Love to know what prompted this.