Long Island had the honor of turning the college basketball lights on at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. They may have wanted to turn them off before the game had ended.
As John Templon ran down over at Big Apple Buckets, it wasn't a great showing for the team picked to contend for the title in the Northeast Conference. The Blackbirds fell to Morehead State, 77-74.
Jamal Olasewere had 26 points, but was just 6-for-16 from the floor. He did most of his damage standing still at the free throw line. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but you would have like him to get at least a few "and 1s" along the way.
Player of the year Julian Boyd went 8-for-13, but left the game with cramps. He didn't return because of previous issues with his heart, and coach Jack Perri not wanting to take chances.
This wasn't the start that you would want from the Blackbirds, especially given all the issues the team had last year during the opening slate. With everything that went on prior to the season starting, maybe it was just a lack of practice that stalled them out.
We should find out against Lafayette on Monday.