Mid-Major Madness: FanPosts

NEC Quarters: Blackbirds Daze Knights

2010-03-05T06:08:26Z

"The NEC is great basketball. Those that don't get to see it
don't know what they're missing"

Jim Ferry - Head Coach
Long Island University

Coach Ferry's comments should be taken to heart by all NYC hoops fans. Simply saying "NO" to the awful basketball played by the local NBA teams and saying "YES" to the inspired and exciting basketball played by local NEC teams is definitely an option. Especially in March.

Coach Ferry's Blackbirds defeated the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson 63-61 in the quarterfinal round of the Northeast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament on Thursday night. These teams last met in Brooklyn exactly fourteen days ago, in a game that never led anyone to believe tonight's matchup would have been this intense. Don't worry - that February game was still a better basketball viewing investment than the NBA most days.

First-year head coach Greg Vetrone had his FDU team firing on all cylinders from tonight's opening tip. Compared to the chess-like viewing expectation of "pro-game" opening minutes, the Knights raced to a 13-1 lead before the first media timeout. "We had too much energy," said Brooklyn native and LIU senior guard Jaytornah Wisseh afterwards. "After the first couple of minutes, it became a regular basketball game."

The Blackbirds slowly erased the early deficit as a Kenny Onyechi putback gave LIU their first lead of the game, 21-20. For the remaining eight minutes of the first half, neither team could manage more than a five-point lead, as Wisseh's jumper at the one-minute mark tied the game at 32. The Knights shot 44 percent from the floor in the first half, while the Blackbirds recovered from their 0-for-7 start to shoot 32 percent. Both teams combined for just 11 turnovers and amassed a total of 42 rebounds in a hard-fought effort on both side of the court and the basketball. Freshman swingman Jamal Olasewere pulled down eight defensive boards, on his way to double-digit rebounds at halftime.

FDU could not re-kindle their early game pace to start the second half, as neither team could claw ahead by more than three points for the first nine minutes. An NBA-three by Sean Baptiste gave FDU a five-point lead with just over ten minutes remaining, but jumpers by Olasewere and David Hicks closed the gap to one. With the Knights defense effectively shutting down Wisseh, the Blackbirds were forced to look elsewhere for offense and 6'1" guard Michael Culpo rose to the challenge.

His back-to-back three-pointers swung a five-point lead in the direction of LIU. "I felt comfortable, and shot real good in warm-ups," Culpo commented on his five field goals that all came from behind the arc.

After a pair of free throws put the Blackbirds up by seven, Terence Grier started a 10-4 run to close the gap to just a point at the four-minute mark. Wisseh converted one free throw, only to have Grier drive the paint and tie the game at 61 with just over two-minutes remaining. Seconds later, Culpo fed Onyechi in the paint to account for the final points of the game. The teams combined for seven missed shots for the final 90 seconds, as every loose ball and rebound were contested with the effort worthy of an elimination game.

Fourth-seeded LIU heads to Hamden, CT to face the top seeded Quinnipiac Bobcats in their semifinal matchup. "We gave them a good game up there," Wisseh commented on the Blackbirds last trip north - a game in which the Blackbirds out-rebounded the Bobcats, the only time it's occurred this season.

Based on tonight's effort - it's hard to imagine anything other option in the NEC Men's Basketball Tournament.

Week 10....Buckram is a Man!

2009-11-08T14:15:02Z

Yikes Donald Buckram...if you played at LSU you would be a heisman hopeful! Over 400 yards from scrimage and 4 TDs this week. WOW!

Kinda bummed about Idaho...but Fresno St is always a tough out.

Navy won, and deserves to be in the Top 25....so, in a few hours maybe I will be excited!

Boise is not even close to as good as TCU.... if they played it wouldn't even be close. Thats the end of that.

Kent State laid a goose egg vs Akron. LOL...the zips are horrible.

I am actually gonna root for my arch rival (for this year....due to my cival war with the Troy fan here LOL) I hope they kill Arkansas and Mallett...I don't like Mallett.

One more thing...if USC gets a BSC bowl bid, I am going to puke.

Why usc can't compete with the elite teams anymore

2009-11-05T23:41:06Z

It started when Vince Young ran for the winning td in the ncg vs usc. Vince Young was a dual threat qb. Usc qb was just a pocket passer. Next year we had Florida vs Ohio State. Tim Tebow and Chris Leak led the gators in a romp over the favored buckeye's. Together, Tebow and Leak were the dual threat in that game. Tim Tebow threw for 1 td and rushed for another. He also accounted for 13 td's in his first year of play. Next year we had Lsu beating Ohio State University. Matt flynn was mostly a passing qb but had some capabilities as a runner. Last year the Tim Tebow led gators defeated the Oklahoma Sooners. Tebow is the quintessential dual threat qb. When they play the ncg this year it most likely will be
Florida vs Texas. We will have two dual threat qb's in the game. Usc keeps getting these one dimensional qb's and they have lost to the Washington Huskies who have a dual threat qb (jake locker) and they lost to Oregon who had a dtqb(masoli) and got a beatdown. Matt Barkley and his backup Aaron Corp are not good enough to ever win a ncg or even a pac - ten title. Pete Carrol will either have to find better talent or the college football game has passed them by. I see at least three years of medicore play from usc. The usc system is old school and will not win any championships(national or pac-ten). If they don't go to a dtqb system usc will stop being a top ten team and just become irrelevant like ucla. Peace.

Week 9

2009-11-01T14:13:39Z

I am so sad...Navy and Central Michigan lost....

However, Congrats to TCU, Temple and Idaho!

I am not going to post more since I am so bummed.

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Week 8 Jargon

2009-10-25T13:43:26Z

Navy and Cental Michigan won...so...I am happy and both are very close to being ranked...I have a feeling CMU might be this afternoon, and Navy just outside the top 25 at 6-2 beating Wake Forest yesterday. I was there, and the rain was gross...really really hard rain and wind...It pretty much screwed the WF passing game, but didn't really effect Navy's triple option, as Vince Murry the Navy FB had 175 yards rushing.

Ok, on with the random notes....

TCU is the real deal. I think it is a shame if they aren't ranked above Boise this week. The Broncos did kill Hawaii, but...Lets have BYU and Hawaii play and see what happens?

Idaho, everyones darling, gave up over 200 yards on the ground to a QB and got demolished. Dang.

I am loving UTEP after beating UH and Tulsa...Its going to be funny when a 9-3 UTEP plays in the CUSA title game, and a 11-1 Houston who will probably be ranked about 10-15 doesn't HAHA

Ohio inexplicably loses to Kent State...They had the MAC East in their hands...now, who knows? Temple? Its going to be a wild finish to see who Central Michigan gets to crush.

I am very suprised that Utah St beat La Tech...well done Aggies!

WOW...Troy stomped North Texas...thats not the WOW...the wow is that is sets up a huge Sun Belt game next week vs the UL Monroe Warhawks who are also undefeated in conferance. Should be the biggest Sun Belt game of the year.

Utah holds on versus AF...Man, AF is better than I thought coming into the year.

Notes for Week 7

2009-10-18T13:33:42Z

Idaho!!!! 6-1 really the most unbelievable story so far....I am floored by that.

Central Michigan is getting very close to being ranked at 6-1....After looking at it, I wouldn't be surprised if a 10-2 or 11-1 Central Michigan plays a 10-2 Ohio team in the MAC championship....both teams ranked at the time. Impressive.

Boise is not as good as TCU. That is apparent. I hope TCU doesn't stud their toe on BYU and hand another BCS bowl to the Broncos.

ECU and Tulsa in the CUSA championship....you will see. Sorry UH fans.

Anyone else think that maybe Western Kentucky wasn't really ready for Div I???? Would have rather seen App St. in the Sunbelt...

I am pretty suprised that SMU took Navy to OT...I feel good about Navy's chances against Wake Forrest this week.

Hats off to the WAC

2009-10-04T13:30:49Z

What do these number mean to you?

L 31-34, L 34-51, L 20-28, L 20-35, L 21-31, and L 0-35

Those are the scores of the 6 games Nevada and Fresno have played against the "Big Six"

I give them credit for scheduling good teams, but they obviously aren't ready yet.

That being said, Congrats to Idaho huh? 4-1...thats more than they usually win in TWO season.

Missed week 3..on vacation..but...Notes from Week 4

2009-09-27T14:32:11Z

I am gonna start with the homer pick...

If there were any doubt...Central Michigan is the cream of the crop in the MAC. 10-2 looks possible...Boston College is vert beatable...top 25 at the end of the year...

Houston have to beat Southern Miss...but they are really looking good. 12-0 and a top 10 finish isnt out of the question.

Boise is going to get screwed some how....they will be top3 and undfeated come bowl time...And, don't forget...this was supposed to be the "building year" for next year. If they go 13-0, they will open the season in the top 5 next year..then all bets are off.

TCU if they run it could also be a top 3 team...problem is they have to win some tough games still...Boise doesn't.

I have a feeling MTSU might win the Sunbelt...Who would have guessed that?

Idaho is 3-1 WOW.

Oregon crushing Cal puts Utah back in the top 25 this week. Prob 20-22 i bet...we will see. Beating UL doesn't hurt either.

College Football Notes from Week 2

2009-09-13T12:45:55Z

BYU and Boise beat other non-bcs opponents like they were BCS powers. We are still on a collision course with the BCS rankings...I am standing by my thoughts that Boise and either the winner of the TCU/BYU game will be undefeated come January and the BCS will have decisions to make. Yes I am counting out Utah...the Utes won't beat them both.

The mid-majors did well this week vs the big boys. Had a huge weekend really.

MAC: Central Michigan and Toledo had big wins while Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and BGSU had near misses. I said it last week, I like the Bowling Green team....I am a Central Fan and am upset we gotta play them on the road....

WAC: Hawaii beat Washington St. Congrats to the Warriors, but the cougars are horrible. Still, its a BCS team, and we love that don't we!

CUSA: Houston did it. You saw it...very impressive, especially in Stillwater.

MWC: We all knew TCU would beat VA, but still a win against the big boys is a win. I really though AF would beat Minnesota. I am pumped about Navy-AF this year...I will be at the game, should be a good.

Sunbelt: Honestly, I loved Houston's chances, even though it was a surprise they won...and Central is my team, so I rooted for them...but Louisiana Lafayette beating Kansas St in Kansas was really a shocker. Well done Cajuns!

Also, of note: Sadly, Ball St. lost to New Hampshire....I think I had noted that Ball St wasn't to be trusted this year...they weren't as good as their record said last year, and this year no Nate Davis....

Fresno St. played very well against Wisconsin but couldn't pull it out. It is worth mentioning though. Good Game Bulldogs.

Saturday Predictions

2009-09-12T15:54:49Z

here are my Mid Major guesses....I will do 3 every saturday, that I remember to HAHA

1) I think Army will beat Duke to go 2-0....I know thats not saying much.

2) James Madison is a 10 point underdog to Maryland. I would take JMU and the points.

3) Air Force over Minnesota

Ok, Ill be back tonight to comment on my smarts or stupidity! I encourage others to do so as well HAHA

College Football Notes from Week 1

2009-09-06T12:21:54Z

Boise and BYU control their own BCS destiny. If BYU runs the table, and this fall correctly, they might have a legit shot at the BCS Championship game.

Navy's Defense is better then we all though. They will likley go 8-4 with a Junior quarterback, a Sophomore fullback and 2 Junior Wing Backs...next year could be a 10 win season

William an Mary...is good. But Virginia is BAAAAAD. So is Duke

Air Force will have something to say in the MWC title race.

Nevada was either over rated, or ND is the real deal. Maybe a little of both.

Central Michigan's defense is better than I though, but their "high powered" offense didn't do a thing!

Bowling Green proved Troy to be what they are. A Sunbelt team.

Speaking of the Sunbelt...who saw that coming from North Texas?

UAB's Joe Webb for Mid Major Player of the Week

2009-09-06T07:00:47Z

Though I help run SBN's Alabama blog, I'm also a UAB fan (I have degrees from both schools.) UAB QB Joe Webb turned in a monster performance for UAB against RIce. He was 12 of 15 (80%) for 221 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 189 yards on 20 carries (8.5 ypc) and another two touchdowns. So, 410 total yards of production (out of 513 for the team) and four touchdowns. UAB won the game 44-24.

Levi Brown - Most Accurate Passer in CFB

2009-07-07T21:16:40Z

I honestly believe that Levi Brown is the most accurate passer in college football right now. I know that his body of evidence with which to support this claim is minimal, but I do not think that it is a completely outlandish statement. He played only 9 games for the Troy Trojans, starting only 7 of them after filling in for an injured Jamie Hampton.

But in this short span Brown, now a senior, was able to finish with a pass/td ratio of 15-3, a significant improvement from his two predecessors in Hampton and 06/07's Troy QB Omar Hougabook. This fact nearly makes up for a seemingly average completion percentage, which sat at 61.7% come seasons end. But its important to realize when looking at the completion stat that a number of Brown's accurate passes were simply dropped by an underachieving WR corps that really only featured Jerrell Jernigan at the time. Now though, the WR will be reenforced with the addition of Josh Jarboe from Oklahoma and the seeming rise to prominence of WR Chip Reeves.

Furthermore Brown suffered a handicap in the amount of pressure that was put on him to win the games almost entirely on his own. In a game against LSU in Baton Rouge, Brown and the Troy defense guided the Trojans to a 31-3 lead over the SEC team late in the third quarter. It was there where the team forgot how to milk the clock away with the running abilities of RB DuJuan Harris and instead called on Brown to take it to the air 72 times, of which he completely only a miserable 47% of his passes. This year Harris is back and with Neil Brown entering his second year as an offensive coordinator, look for these mistakes not to be made and for Brown to shine brighter in an offense that is built around him as opposed to a more mobile, mistake prone QB like Tanner Jones, Omar Hougabook or Jamie Hampton.

All of this and Brown finished the season with a QB rating of 127.31, and, during the bowl game, the analyst in the booth echoed my sentiments stating Brown was, "the most accurate passer Ive seen in college football."

If you dont buy into my hype, then we will wait til this season starts and he drops bombs all over Florida and Arkansas :D

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