MBB Game 9 @Columbia, Dec. 3 (Wed) 7 PM

[Wags]

What a shame. Lose the chance to keep any minimal buzz about the team going.

They've proven they'll fight and dont quit, which is great. And agreed does provide some real hope for conference play.

But the lackluster slow starts are becoming something of a concerning trend. Cost them the Iona game and again tonight. Columbia is a solid team, but if we want to raise the expectation level to where this team has shown it can play in spurts no moral victories against an opponent like that.

Agree, but I guess after what we saw last year, with playing well early and blowing leads and collapsing, it's a better thing that they're a second-half team this year? * shrug * That said, 40 minutes would be nice. But how many teams nationally, let alone mids like Hofstra do that very consistently? I'd say, things to clean up but on the whole, an encouraging nine games to this point (they feel better than their 5-4 record).

[Wags]

German 3/4 fg, 2/2 from 3, played 40 minutes. Once again, very efficient, but either forgotten about or not involved enough to get him more shots.

[Jojogunne]

Columbia was better than any of the teams we faced in Philly.

[triplec2195]

Unfortunately, I think Merrimack is more his speed.

Thanks when he can dominate smaller not athletic players.

Sunday having a terrific 2nd half. Outplaying Victory thoroughly tonight

A better second half but not terrific based on his size alone and yes out played Victory but still a lousy foul shooter and can't hold onto the ball. Just not a great option but did play better in the second half and helped with blocked shots.

[dutchPride86]

Thanks when he can dominate smaller not athletic players.

Sunday having a terrific 2nd half. Outplaying Victory thoroughly tonight

A better second half but not terrific based on his size alone and yes out played Victory but still a lousy foul shooter and can't hold onto the ball. Just not a great option but did play better in the second half and helped with blocked shots.

Grading Sunday on the worlds largest curve. Lol

Bigger point would be Victory seems to be regressing

[Captain]

Did anybody else notice that at least 3 times the clock was running before Hofstra picked up the rolling inbounds ball?
Very sloppy or even shady work by the time keeper. Especially in this game where time was such a factor at the end.

[EvanJ]

Did anybody else notice that at least 3 times the clock was running before Hofstra picked up the rolling inbounds ball?
Very sloppy or even shady work by the time keeper. Especially in this game where time was such a factor at the end.

Once they stopped the game and put time back on the clock.

I wonder when the previous time we played four games in six or fewer days was.

[Wags]

Columbia was better than any of the teams we faced in Philly.

Seems so. And they were actually picked last in the Ivy League preseason poll (Penn just before them, 7th).

Incidentally, tonight Towson beat Cornell (picked 3rd in the Ivy) at home, 93-80, and Monmouth beat Princeton (picked 4th in the Ivy), 63-58.

[Wags]

Did anybody else notice that at least 3 times the clock was running before Hofstra picked up the rolling inbounds ball?
Very sloppy or even shady work by the time keeper. Especially in this game where time was such a factor at the end.

Once they stopped the game and put time back on the clock.

I wonder when the previous time we played four games in six or fewer days was.

Three years ago, they did the same as this year's four-game stretch in six days - but with considerably further travel - when they played three games in three days in Quebec, and then had only two days off before playing at George Mason.

But then they had six days off before going to Purdue. This time, they only get half that amount of time to catch their breath before going to Pittsburgh.

[Wags]

Thanks when he can dominate smaller not athletic players.

Sunday having a terrific 2nd half. Outplaying Victory thoroughly tonight

A better second half but not terrific based on his size alone and yes out played Victory but still a lousy foul shooter

Sunday and Decady going a combined 5/9 at the line really cost them in a game like this.

By the way, since NBA players no longer get charged with a FGA if they miss a long heave at the buzzer to end a quarter to solve the issue of NBA players previously refusing to take that shot (to protect their FG percentages), they should likewise do the same at all levels with intentionally missed FTs. Plotnikov was 1/2 at the line tonight, which looks bad, but it should really be counted as 1/1. Of course, sometimes, a player tries to intentionally miss a FT and it goes in. In that case, the FTA has to count just like it would in the NBA on a buzzer-beating heave that goes in.

[dutchPride86]

Curious how everyone feels about Wills? No denying its been real rough for him on the offensive end, but do have to wonder if theres anything to him being on the court for their massive 2nd half runs each of the last 2 games?

[Wags]

Curious how everyone feels about Wills? No denying its been real rough for him on the offensive end, but do have to wonder if theres anything to him being on the court for their massive 2nd half runs each of the last 2 games?

Put it this way... Speedy wouldn't have given him 25 minutes despite him scoring only 5 pts and shooting 2/6 against Penn if those minutes weren't warranted for other reasons. And tonight, he only got 11 minutes, and although a +/- number can be a flawed stat, he was nevertheless a team-leading +6 tonight. Interestingly, the three bench players (Wills, Decady, and Sunday) were all on the plus side tonight while none of the five starters were (all were minus except for Edmead, who was even/0).

[triplec2195]

Curious how everyone feels about Wills? No denying its been real rough for him on the offensive end, but do have to wonder if theres anything to him being on the court for their massive 2nd half runs each of the last 2 games?

Put it this way... Speedy wouldn't have given him 25 minutes despite him scoring only 5 pts and shooting 2/6 against Penn if those minutes weren't warranted for other reasons. And tonight, he only got 11 minutes, and although a +/- number can be a flawed stat, he was nevertheless a team-leading +6 tonight. Interestingly, the three bench players (Wills, Decady, and Sunday) were all on the plus side tonight while none of the five starters were (all were minus except for Edmead, who was even/0).

It's pretty obvious watching him last night he played in your face D and he doesn't turn the ball over. He has played in all 9 games getting 10 minutes a game and averaging 2 points. He has not taken a FT (AMAZING) and has only turned the ball over 6X. He shoots 2's at 27% and 3's at 21%. I'm sure he's a better shooter then those stats show but he also has only 5 assists. He's a very good option to spell Preston where in most situations he's going to be a positive.

[Hof_Judge99]

I was sitting right behind the Hofstra bench and Speedy got reallllly mad at Biggie Patterson. Not exactly sure what he did but a lot of cursing at him and Patterson got in his face to where DePaoli had to get involved. Probably much ado about nothing but that's probably why we so little of him last night. Overall the 3 before the half and that 3 that rolled in for Columbia with about 5 mins left sunk us. Also a problem that we really only have 2 true scorers but hopefully someone else steps up.

[HUSID74]

I was sitting right behind the Hofstra bench and Speedy got reallllly mad at Biggie Patterson. Not exactly sure what he did but a lot of cursing at him and Patterson got in his face to where DePaoli had to get involved. Probably much ado about nothing but that's probably why we so little of him last night. Overall the 3 before the half and that 3 that rolled in for Columbia with about 5 mins left sunk us. Also a problem that we really only have 2 true scorers but hopefully someone else steps up.

Was wondering why Biggie did not get much run, although DeCady played pretty well. Disappointing result but there is fight in this team. Actually thought we could pull it out but down 16 in the second half is a steep hill to climb.
In Speedy's presser he mentioned that we don't start well in games where we bus in and play. He cited last night, the Iona game and last year against Stony Brook.
Perhaps we should try staying over, even on short trips!

[dutchPride86]

I was sitting right behind the Hofstra bench and Speedy got reallllly mad at Biggie Patterson. Not exactly sure what he did but a lot of cursing at him and Patterson got in his face to where DePaoli had to get involved. Probably much ado about nothing but that's probably why we so little of him last night.

Have to be careful with Biggie dont want to lose this kid mentally. I noticed on TV when DeCady had a big dunk in the 2nd half the entire bench leaped out of their seats... except for Biggie.

Sitting next to some Iona die-hards at that game they made it sound like Biggie was a major problem behind the scenes with the coaches there. Kid has some real talent, and I like the edge he brings, but have to keep the emotions in check and respect/listen to the coaches.

DeCady played well last night, but offense becomes less dangerous without Biggie's perimeter shooting threat

[triplec2195]

I was sitting right behind the Hofstra bench and Speedy got reallllly mad at Biggie Patterson. Not exactly sure what he did but a lot of cursing at him and Patterson got in his face to where DePaoli had to get involved. Probably much ado about nothing but that's probably why we so little of him last night. Overall the 3 before the half and that 3 that rolled in for Columbia with about 5 mins left sunk us. Also a problem that we really only have 2 true scorers but hopefully someone else steps up.

Both Biggie and Plotnikoff giving us AROUND 10 points a game a piece and as a team we're scoring 77 points and giving up 70. We're going to win a lot of games if this trend continues and definite concern about both DeCady and Sunday's erratic FT shooting. Could have made the difference in this game along with a multitude of other things! I hope Biggie doesn't turn into a head case for us it seems he's a very feisty person!

[daHUPride]

I was sitting right behind the Hofstra bench and Speedy got reallllly mad at Biggie Patterson. Not exactly sure what he did but a lot of cursing at him and Patterson got in his face to where DePaoli had to get involved. Probably much ado about nothing but that's probably why we so little of him last night. Overall the 3 before the half and that 3 that rolled in for Columbia with about 5 mins left sunk us. Also a problem that we really only have 2 true scorers but hopefully someone else steps up.

Both Biggie and Plotnikoff giving us AROUND 10 points a game a piece and as a team we're scoring 77 points and giving up 70. We're going to win a lot of games if this trend continues and definite concern about both DeCady and Sunday's erratic FT shooting. Could have made the difference in this game along with a multitude of other things! I hope Biggie doesn't turn into a head case for us it seems he's a very feisty person!

Watched it on TV - I came away thinking we have amore athletic team then in the past -
Onuetu - is a big fast (potential) beast
DeCady - had a couple of nice moves around the hoop
Patterson - has some skill
Cruz - our best player
Edmead - has been a freshman surprise

these are the 5 i want on the floor defending a late lead

[cactus]

Columbia was better than any of the teams we faced in Philly.

For sure. They move the ball well, get and hit open shots, and crash the boards. They looked light years better than Penn.

[cactus]

I was sitting right behind the Hofstra bench and Speedy got reallllly mad at Biggie Patterson. Not exactly sure what he did but a lot of cursing at him and Patterson got in his face to where DePaoli had to get involved. Probably much ado about nothing but that's probably why we so little of him last night. Overall the 3 before the half and that 3 that rolled in for Columbia with about 5 mins left sunk us. Also a problem that we really only have 2 true scorers but hopefully someone else steps up.

Thanks for the inside info. Second game in a row that Patterson got a quick hook then sat for some long stretches. Although being behind the bench for the first one, there wasn't any kind of blowup like that.