Mid-Major Madness - Tracking the NIT Season Tip-Off"So what are they going to call it? NonPower5Madness.com?"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50397/midmajor-fav.png2012-11-19T20:06:01-08:00http://www.midmajormadness.com/rss/stream/34006412012-11-19T20:06:01-08:002012-11-19T20:06:01-08:00Mitchell Finally Gets the Ball, North Texas Wins
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<figcaption>Get me the ball! | Eric Francis</figcaption>
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<p>Before the main action resumes Wednesday, the teams eliminated from the main bracket all squared up to get the most out of their tournament commitment. Only a few mid-majors could capitalize on the extra chance for a win.</p> <p>Tony Benford might finally be figuring it all out. When you have a player as talented as Tony Mitchell, you get him the ball.</p>
<p>That wasn't the case when North Texas lost inexplicably to Division 2 Alabama-Hunstville. Mitchell had just four shot attempts in that game. Against Lamar, he barely could find his shooting touch again, going 6-for-16 from the floor.</p>
<p>But Monday night, Mitchell was 10-for-18 for 21 points and added nine rebounds and four blocks as the Mean Green took out IUPUI, 80-66, in Charlottesville, Va. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99977/roger-franklin" class="sbn-auto-link">Roger Franklin</a> added 13 points and 10 boards in the win for North Texas.</p>
<p>Chris Jones finally had something to post on a score sheet too, dishing out eight assists. That is a big improvement over the early season games, and hopefully a sign of things to come for North Texas.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145524/lyonell-gaines" class="sbn-auto-link">Lyonell Gaines</a> had 17 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for the Jaguars in the loss.</p>
<p><b>Fordham 70, Penn 68 - </b>Penn handed Drexel its first win of the season over the weekend. It did the same Monday night, dropping a game in the final minute to Fordham. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145353/jeffrey-short" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeffrey Short</a> but in a layup with a little less than a minute remaining to help steal the game away from the Quakers.</p>
<p>Then it was just a matter of hitting free throws for the Rams, who had previously struggled against Texas State, Pittsburgh and Robert Morris. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123545/branden-frazier" class="sbn-auto-link">Branden Frazier</a> had a difficult night shooting the ball on the floor, but was killer from the free throw line, going 9-for-10.</p>
<p>Penn was led by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124143/fran-dougherty" class="sbn-auto-link">Fran Dougherty</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124141/miles-cartwright" class="sbn-auto-link">Miles Cartwright</a>, each with 20 points. But outside of those two, there was little to speak of in terms of highlights for the Quakers. It is that lack of depth that looks like it could really come back to haunt Penn once the Ivy season gets underway.</p>
<p><b>Virginia 63, Lamar 44</b> - There is not much to say from the Cardinals side. Lamar turned the ball over on nearly 23 percent of its possessions and shot just 32.6 percent from the floor.</p>
<p>Stan Brown scored 11 points in the loss and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100592/nikko-acosta" class="sbn-auto-link">Nikko Acosta</a> added 10 off the bench for the Cardinals, but that wasn't going to get it done, no matter how much Virginia has struggled this year.</p>
<p><b>Robert Morris 71, Bowling Green 60</b> - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53369/velton-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Velton Jones</a> wasn't exactly the scoring threat that the COlonials are hoping he will eventually be for them, but he got it done on the free throw line. Jones went 9-for-10 from the stripe and finished with 16 points as four Robert Morris players scored in double figures.</p>
<p>A'uston Calhoun led Bowling Green with another strong shooting performance. It didn't have the flair of his 30-point night in the loss to Cleveland State, but the senior was 7-for-12 on his way to 17 points, and added five rebounds and two blocks in the loss. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26567/jordan-crawford" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Crawford</a> went 3-for-6 from 3-point range and added 16 points for the Falcons who fell to 1-3.</p>
https://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/19/3669328/nit-consolation-brackets-north-texas-mitchellBenjamin Miraski2012-11-14T09:03:07-08:002012-11-14T09:03:07-08:00Not So (Le)High: Hawks Downed By Panthers
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Pittsburgh will head to Madison Square Garden to continue on the the semifinals of their early season tournament after knocking off Lehigh on Tuesday.</p> <p>Well that did not go according to plan at all.</p>
<p>I was under the foolish assumption that, having spent the previous evening dominating a Robert Morris squad that won 24 games the year before, Lehigh would really give Pitt a run for their money. Instead, I saw the matchup that the on-paper stats would have suggested. Lehigh had no answer all night for Pitt's size and depth on the interior, and eventually just wore down.</p>
<p>Lehigh hung with the Panthers throughout the first half, especially whenever Pitt altered their lineup to go small, but they just didn't have the right combination of size, experience and depth to keep up when both <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100024/talib-zanna" class="sbn-auto-link">Talib Zanna</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/174977/steven-adams" class="sbn-auto-link">Steven Adams</a> were on the floor.</p>
<p>This was even more evident when, with 5:24 left in the first half, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100927/cj-mccollum" class="sbn-auto-link">CJ McCollum</a> took a cheap foul (his second) and sat on the bench for roughly four minutes -- this was no doubt key to the 8-3 run Pitt rattled off to stake a 35-30 halftime lead. That was followed by a 14-4 Panther run to open the second half, and suddenly the game was more or less out of hand.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">"</span>I think we wore down a little to be honest," said Lehigh coach Brett Reed. "This was our third game in five days, the same as them, but their physicality really matters more after that. I give them the utmost credit being able to make plays."</p>
<p>Reed pointed to junior forward Zanna, who finished the night with 20 points and only missed one free throw and one field goal, as the key to Pitt's success.</p>
<p>"His mid-range game was really difficult for us to guard," Reed said. "If not for that, the interior would have been much easier to guard. It meant more rotations for us and left us exposed. He did a great job making shots with confidence."</p>
<p>Reed also talked about center <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100930/gabe-knutson" class="sbn-auto-link">Gabe Knutson</a>, who is still recovering from a knee injury but appears to be making steady progress.</p>
<p>"After our game yesterday Gabe's knee was a concern. He had given everything and we were happy that he was able to not be favoring it, and he felt good throughout the course of the day. (Tonight) he wasn't at 100% and wasn't able to explode as usual."</p>
<p>Knutson expressed little concern over the injury postgame, and was more focused on the benefits of playing a team like Pitt as preparation for league play.</p>
<p>"I was good enough to be out there, and I don't think it was holding me out," Knutson said. "We obviously want to win now, but if we can improve on this and win in league play, that's where it really counts."</p>
<p>A visibly upset McCollum talked about the strong defense he faced from the Panthers, as he finished the night with 17 points but was essentially a non-factor after scoring the Hawks' first two baskets with little effort.</p>
<p>"We've gotta do a better job finishing games," McCollum said. " We allowed too many rebounds, too many runs. We've got to make sure we're helping Gabe down low. Their depth killed us on the inside."</p>
<p>Despite the result, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon was impressed with their play and doesn't think their Patriot League status has changed. He even pointed to Knutson as their most important player rather than McCollum.</p>
<p>"I don't know if Gabe was 100 percent, but they're a different team when he is," Dixon said. "With him back, I see no reason they shouldn't win their league again."</p>
https://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/14/3643072/nit-season-tip-off-lehigh-pittsburghNicolas A. Lewis2012-11-13T21:52:58-08:002012-11-13T21:52:58-08:00NIT Final Four Set: Delaware Represents Us All
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<figcaption>Gregory Shamus</figcaption>
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<p>Three mid-majors and a Division II team had a chance to get to Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. Only one accomplished the feat. Given that we told you about that one, let's look at the other three contests.</p> <p>So things didn't go exactly as planned Tuesday night for the mid-majors trying to make a push to Madison Square Garden.</p>
<p>We already <a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/13/3643022/delaware-new-york-city-nit-semifinals-virginia">let you know about the Delaware win</a>. That was a major coup considering that when we asked the question of which mid-major could crack the Final Four, the Blue Hens were one of the least favorite to make the run. Heck, even I picked Lehigh, even though that was probably a lot of wishful thinking that the best story would get there rather than that there was enough talent to get there.</p>
<p>Wait, that isn't right. Lehigh had the talent to get there, and Pittsburgh was not the Pittsburgh we expected last year. Yes, we thought that Lehigh could do it. </p>
<p>Dr. Geeves will fill you in more, but it didn't look like the Mountain Hawks were that motivated to crack New York City. That is disappointing. Not so much because Lehigh lost, but because <i>we</i> lost out on a really great opportunity to watch two great mid-majors in the semifinals.</p>
<p>Yes, I will swallow my pride. And I will congratulate the Blue Hens on their win. I don't know exactly how it has happened two nights in a row, considering how poor the overall play has been, but it got done. Pure and simple.</p>
<p>Of course, one of the other two teams could have won to give us more to root for. Cleveland State and Alabama-Huntsville were just overmatched. The D-II team has at least some of an excuse. It is one thing to beat North Texas. It is another to try and take on Kansas State. That is just not going to happen. The Wildcats had no issue, winning 87-26. </p>
<p>So why were we that high on North Texas? Seriously, 87-26. That is like... wow... just wow. And North Texas couldn't beat them. Tony Mitchell took four shots!. Honestly feel like this deserves more than a little bit of a meltdown. North Texas lost to the team that lost to Kansas State by 61!</p>
<p>South Alabama, you are officially the favorites in the Sun Belt now (especially after Middle Tennessee State had trouble with Savannah State tonight). North Texas had best learn how to play before that changes back (Even tonight, Mitchell was 6-for-16. What is going on?). </p>
<p>Ok, putting in the carbon rods here. Meltdown averted.</p>
<p>Cleveland State was not up to the task tonight either, losing by 30 to Michigan. Unlike against Bowling Green, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145216/anton-grady">Anton Grady</a> stayed out of foul trouble and was the only bright spot for the Vikings. The sophomore scored 15 points on 7 of 15 shooting. The rest of the team? They shot 24.4 percent.</p>
<p>Not sure that game needs much more explanation, other than it is was nice to see Grady get back on track this season.</p>
<p>So we are all set for the Final Four. The game we won't care about here will be Michigan and Pittsburgh, which I will guess will get the 7 p.m. eastern slot on Nov. 21.</p>
<p>The other game will feature Kansas State and Delaware, and a tip-off time of 9:30. Honestly there isn't a lot of hope here (and I am not allowed to root for the Blue Hens any longer, really, truly). Kansas State was underrated prior to the season, and given the early performances, the Wildcats have shown how strong they are. It actually makes you believe that the media has something against Bruce Weber.</p>
<p>So we will return to the NIT Season Tip-Off in a week, and I will sit here and not root for Delaware. Because that is what I do. And I will smile slightly if they win.</p>
<p>No. No, I won't.</p>
https://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/13/3643618/the-field-for-madison-square-garden-is-set-in-nit-season-tip-offBenjamin Miraski2012-11-13T18:44:03-08:002012-11-13T18:44:03-08:00I Rooted For Delaware Tuesday. Someone Help Me!
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<figcaption>Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Delaware took out Virginia on Tuesday night to advance to the NIT semifinals. The worst part is that I found myself rooting for the Blue Hens to pull off the upset. I should go hand in my DAC Pack lifetime member card now.</p> <p>I broke a Miraski house rule Tuesday night: I rooted for Delaware. </p>
<p>You may not understand, but it is so ingrained in me not to that this was somewhat of a shock to even myself. I went to Drexel. We don't do that.</p>
<p>When I was in school, facing Delaware for the North Atlantic Conference title, and later the America East conference title was a yearly event. Later Hofstra would take that place (before they became the silly Pride), but it was too late. Delaware was the enemy. Thou shall not root for the enemy.</p>
<p>Somewhere I still have the spray paint covered rubber chicken that we would wave during the rivalry game. </p>
<p>And yet I raised my hand to cheer for Delaware on Tuesday. Damn you Blue Hens.</p>
<p>It was probably only a matter of time before the Hens finally got a good game from one of their talented guards. It shouldn't have taken three games, but it did. It shouldn't have come against an ACC opponent, but it did.</p>
<p>It helps that Virginia was thin in the backcourt. It helps that the Cavaliers shot 4-for-21 from 3-point range.</p>
<p>But it was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145257/jarvis-threatt">Jarvis Threatt</a> that was the real reason for the win. Threatt shot well (6-for-12); he rounded (5); he even played defense, much to the shock of the game's ESPN3 announcing crew.</p>
<p>All of that turned into a 59-53 win for Delaware, the first time that the Blue Hens had beaten an ACC opponent in 50 years. For that they get to go to Madison Square Garden. </p>
<p>That isn't to say that the next step will be easy. Kansas State (the likely opponent, although Alabama-Hunstville has a knack for doing the improbable) doesn't have the same guard problems as Virginia. And <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123439/devon-saddler">Devon Saddler</a> is still shockingly lacking in terms of production.</p>
<p>He was just 3-for-12 shooting, even though he led the Hens with 15 points -- a tribute to his foul shooting. He also wasn't the impact player on the defensive side yet.</p>
<p>He can't play that way against a Kansas State team that will just eat him for breakfast and allow him to shoot all night at that rate. </p>
<p>Tonight was Threatt's night though, whose play down the stretch made the difference when it truly mattered most. </p>
<p>Give credit to Joe Harris, the lone bright spot for Virginia, who scored 20 points, and tried his best to get the Cavaliers in position to tie the game late. He just couldn't do everything, and the rest of the Virginia backcourt was irrelevant on the offensive end.</p>
<p>Congrats *spit* Delaware *spit*. You managed to make me root for you Tuesday night ... twice.</p>
https://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/13/3643022/delaware-new-york-city-nit-semifinals-virginiaBenjamin Miraski2012-11-13T18:00:30-08:002012-11-13T18:00:30-08:00Robert Morris Shuts Down Fordham, Earns First Win
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Colonials put things together and picked up their first win of the season in the consolation game of the NIT Season Tip-Off mini-tournament at the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA</p> <p>Stephan Hawkins is finally starting to figure things out, and had the key play in what turned into a runaway win for the Colonials tonight in the consolation game of the NIT season tip-off here in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Robert Morris led 47-44 during a media timeout with just over eleven minutes to play when guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100768/coron-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Coron Williams</a> went to the line. On Fordham's next possession, Hawkins ended the threat with a blocked shot; five minutes later, Hawkins tipped in a missed three-pointer by Karvel Johnson to complete a 12-0 run that put RMU up for good.</p>
<p>"I think every time he goes out there he's going to keep getting more and more comfortable," RMU coach Andy Toole said. "I think (that play) was huge for the team, and it's huge for him too."</p>
<p>The win was a nice change for the Colonials after being beaten handily by Rider and Lehigh in their first two games of the season, and Toole talked about how that start woke his team up, while changing little about their approach.</p>
<p>"It isn't like we completely changed our game plan overnight," Toole said. "But I think I got their attention. Maybe they got tired of what was going on out there and suddenly were more in tune to what we were trying to teach them."</p>
<p>Senior guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53369/velton-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Velton Jones</a> agreed with Toole's sentiment, and pointed out the team's change in mindset that had to occur to have that success.</p>
<p>"We thought we were working hard early on in the season," Jones said. "But then those two games showed we weren't working hard at all. We stepped it up and got the win, and it feels good, but this one is over and now it's on to the next."</p>
<p>That next Jones refers to is a trip to face Xavier on Saturday.</p>
https://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/13/3642676/nit-season-tip-off-robert-morris-fordhamNicolas A. Lewis2012-11-13T11:18:10-08:002012-11-13T11:18:10-08:00Your Tuesday Night Watch List: The NIT Plus 3
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<figcaption>Jarvis Threatt will be a very important piece of the puzzle for Delaware against Virginia | Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>After a marathon of games, it would be forgivable if you didn't want to watch college basketball tonight. But that would be like giving up at mile 25. Here are five games to keep you glued to hoops through the stroke of midnight.</p> <p>Trust us, we would all forgive you if you didn't watch any basketball tonight. Since the action hasn't stopped since about 4 p.m. Monday afternoon, the possibility of hoops overload is real.</p>
<p>But we can ask that you try to stick it out. After all, the marathon ends at midnight (even if we will be asking you to go off-script to find out games).</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/12/3636600/tracking-2012-nit-season-tip-off">NIT Season Tip-Off continues with second round action</a>, and most of our mid-major squads will be playing in the consolation bracket. That <a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/12/3639236/north-texas-division-ii-alabama-hunstville-nit/in/3400641">includes North Texas</a>, who should be seeing Kansas State across the way, but instead will face Lamar.</p>
<p>We will keep you <a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/12/3636600/tracking-2012-nit-season-tip-off">updated on all the action</a>, but there are two games on which you should focus your attention:</p>
<p><b>1. Delaware at Virginia: </b>Delaware survived against Penn despite the second straight game of disappointing guard play. The kicker is that now is when they will need that guard play the most. Virginia has proven vulnerable in the backcourt because of injuries to its guards (The loss to George Mason hinting at it; Fairfield's hot shooting in the 1st half last night cementing it). They have little depth at the position right now, and if Delaware can finally get the games it expects from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145257/jarvis-threatt">Jarvis Threatt</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123439/devon-saddler">Devon Saddler</a>, the Blue Hens will be headed to New York City. The two have scored but have done it while shooting worse than 35 percent from the field. That percentage will need to be a lot higher tonight if Delaware is to get it done.<b> Key Matchup:</b> Saddler and Threatt against Virginia's Joe Harris and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/178417/evan-nolte">Evan Nolte</a>. The two Blue Hens guards have to outperform on the outside for this game to go their way.</p>
<p><b>2. Lehigh at Pittsburgh: </b>This all comes down to C.J. McCollum and how well he can attack the Pittsburgh defense. While <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123794/mackey-mcknight">Mackey McKnight</a> has now had flashes of brilliance in two games, he isn't going to provide a lot of relief for the Lehigh star. It would also help if <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100930/gabe-knutson">Gabe Knutson</a> isn't hobbling around on the floor as he comes back from injury. This won't be another mid-major on the other bench. This is a Pittsburgh team built to work inside with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/174977/steven-adams">Steven Adams</a> clogging the middle. As with the game against Baylor, a longer team has the real ability to frustrate the Mountain Hawks without a similar presence. Which means... <b>Key Matchup:</b> Can Knutson provide enough support inside for Lehigh against the bigger Pittsburgh lineup. We know that McCollum can hold his own, but he will need help in order to bring this one home, Getting that help in the paint will go a long way toward giving the Mountain Hawks a shot.</p>
<p>If that is not enough for you, you might want to check out these last few games:</p>
<p><b>3. George Mason at Bucknell:</b> The Patriots will still be missing <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145382/erik-copes">Erik Copes</a>, which should prove the difference here. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100880/mike-muscala">Mike Muscala</a> could dominate inside against the smaller George Mason lineup. With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123271/cameron-ayers">Cameron Ayers</a> also looking good in the opener against Purdue, the Bison will have a strong all-around lineup. <b>Key Matchup: </b>Will Johnny Williams and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175277/marko-gujanicic">Marko Gujanicic</a> be enough to stop Muscala? He should score 25 given the lack of depth inside for the Patriots.</p>
<p><b>4. Wichita State at Virginia Commonwealth:</b> Let's be clear: the opener for the Shockers didn't do much to show how strong the team really was. The level of competition provided by North Carolina Central was laughable. So tonight, Wichita State will instead get the team that left mid-major dominance behind. Theoretically these teams should be evenly matched, with <a href="http://%20http://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Wichita+St.">Ken Pomeroy giving the Shockers a 26 percent chance </a>to pull the upset on the road.<b> Key Matchup: </b>Will the Wichita State defense force enough turnovers from the Rams? The guards are actually the most vulnerable spot on VCU, and it will take <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100872/malcolm-armstead">Malcolm Armstead</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146494/ron-baker">Ron Baker</a> to force the issue. The inside game can help here, but this one will be won in the backcourt.</p>
<p><b>5. Tennessee State at South Dakota State:</b> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100837/robert-covington">Robert Covington</a> didn't do much to help his expected draft stock during the opener against BYU. The Tennessee State star was just 2-for-12 from the floor and had trouble against the strong inside presence of the Cougars. There should be no such trouble tonight, but if he is going to be the focal point, he will have to outwork <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101126/nate-wolters">Nate Wolters</a> from the Jackrabbits. Wolters almost stole a win from Alabama. Against a lesser defense, there is a good chance he will really light up the scoreboard (40?, <i><b>50?!?</b></i>). <b>Key Matchup: </b>Stopping Wolters in any way possible will be the key to victory for Tennessee State. Let's say keeping him under 20 would go a long way toward a win.</p>
https://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/13/3641232/watch-list-college-basketball-tuesday-nit-lehigh-woltersBenjamin Miraski2012-11-13T08:37:50-08:002012-11-13T08:37:50-08:00Velton Jones, RMU Have Much Work To Do
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale USPRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Mountain Hawks took some time to warm up, but gradually put away a Robert Morris team that appeared most definitely over-matched.</p> <p>I'm sure that, coming into this game, most in attendance were of the mindset that Lehigh was playing a warm-up game for their inevitable matchup against Pitt the following night.</p>
<p>As it turned out, those people were probably right. The Mountain Hawks were a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145584/stefan-cvrkalj">Stefan Cvrkalj</a> missed free-throw away from having six different players reach double-digit points, and they spent most of the second half nursing a 20 point lead en route to an 89-60 win.</p>
<p>Robert Morris head coach Andy Toole said that , despite the end result, this game was a good one for his team to have.</p>
<p>"This is a bizarre thing to say; we lost by 29 points but I think I got my team back," Toole said. "I've talked about fighting success - as much as you talk about how this isn't last season, and it's not 'this is big bad Robert Morris and people are just going to cower - this was good for us."</p>
<p>He was also very disappointed with his team's defensive effort, and he pointed specifically to Cvrkalj's first-half performance from behind the arc.</p>
<p>"When you turn it over 21 times, its hard to win. When it's simple scouting report and you don't close out on a guy who we know is a catch-and-shoot guy, its hard to win."</p>
<p>He pointed to the team's loss against Rider in saying that he preferred the team effort of this game versus the "every man for himself" style he saw there, but noted some changes still needed to be made, pointing specifically to a sequence involving his point guard, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53369/velton-jones">Velton Jones</a>.</p>
<p>"Some of it is decision making, some guys trying to penetrate a little too far and do things that aren't there," said Toole. "But some of them are just brain-dead not being strong with the ball. It's shooting yourself in the foot. We're down ten, Velton tries to split the defense and falls down, they go down and make a three. You're about to cut it to eight and instead they're up thirteen, it deflates you a little bit."</p>
<p>When asked about McCollum, he pointed out that he makes everything look effortless, including pull-up jumpers with two hands in his face - and that his work ethic is what gets him there.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">"H</span>ere's how you get that poise and that confidence - by spending hours and hours and hours in the gym," Toole said. "The reason he knows he can rock you two dribbles, and go to his left, and raise up and shoot a jumper is because he's done it a million times and can do it in his sleep. We can teach it, come on down to the gym and we'll teach you; but you have to be willing to put in the extra time and effort to become that fluid and that natural with it."</p>
https://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/13/3638512/nit-season-tip-off-robert-morris-lehighNicolas A. Lewis2012-11-13T07:40:07-08:002012-11-13T07:40:07-08:00Toole: McCollum "Barely Broke A Sweat"
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj USPRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Lehigh's point guard and likely NBA lottery pick made a great demonstration of why he has that status last night against a lesser light in Robert Morris.</p> <p>I suppose when you are as talented as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100927/cj-mccollum" class="sbn-auto-link">CJ McCollum</a> is, things <i>should</i> come fairly easily and effortlessly to you. That doesn't make it any less astounding when he does it in person.</p>
<p>There were very few flashy, highlight reel plays, but when all was said and done, McCollum finished the game with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a couple of steals. This included, but was not limited to, a steal of a lazy pass at the top of the key which he took the distance for an easy layup.</p>
<p>This also included the highlight of the night (for me): with about four minutes left and Lehigh cruising, CJ took a pass as he charged toward the restricted area, then immediately made a no-look bounce pass between his legs and directly behind him to a cutting <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100928/holden-greiner" class="sbn-auto-link">Holden Greiner</a> for another easy layup.</p>
<p>After that, you can add in the fact that he very calmly and quietly shut down RMU's Velton Jones. Sure, Jones' final line <i>looks</i> like something substantial: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists. However, Lehigh spent most of the second half cruising at "20-30 point lead" altitude, and that's when Jones got most of his numbers.</p>
<p>It will be interesting to see what McCollum does, both tonight (against Pitt) and going forward against much stiffer competition, but this was a great start.</p>
https://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/11/13/3640172/cj-mccollum-shines-against-robert-morrisNicolas A. Lewis