The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

vs #24

Beware the Avalanche

It is possible this game was over before it began. Vanderbilt announced before tip-off that Emmet Frank would take the floor, but would be limited by injury. With the Dragons at full strength, the Commodores would need everything they could muster to take on Drexel in the Daskalakis Center.

For awhile, the game was close. The Commodores relied on a balanced attack from their back court to their post players, while the Dragons leaned on their second unit's excellent production to keep pace.

With Emmet Frank injured, the Commodores were vulnerable inside.

But it was clear by the end of the first half that the Dragons were seizing control of the game. While Vanderbilt was content to throw up ill advised jump shots, the Dragons attacked the basket relentlessly. The 22-0 free throw attempt difference made Vanderbilt furious, it was at least partially the result of Vanderbilt's inability to protect the paint.

With the inside under control, the Dragons spent the second half running wild on the Commodores defense both in the paint and outside. Shannon Legans bounced back from his disastrous Norfolk State game, and the Dragons cruised to victory 94-55.

Vanderbilt Commodores at Drexel Dragons
Dec 20, 2015	1ST	2ND	SCORE
Vanderbilt (5-3)	32	23	55
#24 Drexel (8-2)	44	50	94

Vanderbilt Commodores
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
T. Eldridgee	23	3-14	2-8	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	8
N. Low	24	3-17	2-7	0-0	0	5	3	0	0	8
M. Ortega	23	3-9	2-5	0-0	3	2	1	1	0	8
E. Frank	12	3-8	0-1	0-0	2	1	0	0	0	6
N. Radlovic	21	5-9	0-0	0-0	9	2	0	0	0	10
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D. Somerville	12	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	4	0	0	0	0
D. Hardy	14	3-8	0-3	0-0	6	1	0	0	0	6
S. Alujevic	12	2-3	0-1	0-0	2	1	3	0	2	4
B. Fernandez	6	1-4	0-0	0-0	0	1	0	0	2	2
B. MCDaniel	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
N. Elsey	1	1-1	1-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	3
K. Hackstadt	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		24-74	7-27	0-0	23	18	8	1	5	55

Drexel Dragons
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S. Legans	21	5-6	1-2	2-2	3	10	1	0	2	13
D. Braxton	19	2-6	1-4	0-0	0	3	2	1	2	5
W. Morandais	16	2-5	1-2	0-0	1	2	0	0	1	5
D. Sow	17	4-5	0-0	3-4	12	3	0	0	0	11
F. Ramsey	19	8-10	0-0	10-10	6	3	0	4	1	26
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
T. Cottrill	15	5-6	0-0	3-3	5	0	0	1	0	13
D. Richard	14	2-5	1-2	2-2	1	2	0	0	1	7
K. Dean	7	1-3	0-0	0-1	1	2	1	0	0	2
H. Padilla	7	2-2	0-0	0-0	1	3	0	0	2	4
J. Vassallo	4	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	2
G. McLaughlin	6	2-3	0-0	0-0	3	1	0	2	0	4
D. Wilson	4	1-2	0-0	0-0	3	2	0	1	0	2
TEAM TOTALS		35-54	4-10	20-22	37	31	4	9	9	94

Coach's Take: We executed our game plan. Vanderbilt is a much better team than the score indicates, but sometimes there are factors off the court that come into play. I thought this game could have been closer, but our guys came out to play and didn't let up. That's what I like to see.

[VandyRedskins21]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

[doncoryell]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

This is a nice run by the Dragons to get back into the top 25. It is also nice to see not one, but four, mid-majors in the rankings as the new year hits.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

I know what you mean. I was expecting a closer game as well. Although Vandy did lose one or two of its top 3 players to the NBA draft last season.

This is a nice run by the Dragons to get back into the top 25. It is also nice to see not one, but four, mid-majors in the rankings as the new year hits.

Yeah, we've been kind of teetering in and out of the rankings the past few weeks. Also, it is a pretty good year for mid-majors overall (although maybe that's not a huge surprise after two made the final four last season).

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

#19 vs

Never Down and Never Out

For awhile, the Dragons were up big. Not huge, not ever enough to get comfortable, but definitely up.

Drexel traveled to Notre Dame expecting a tough fight, but for awhile it was as if the pearly gates had open and all were allowed to pass through. The Irish attempted to shut down Drexel's inside game with their match-up 2-3 zone, but Drexel responded by hitting shot after shot after shot. Shannon Legans was cold, but he distributed the ball well and got everyone else involved even when the open threes were not falling for him.

But just when it looked like Drexel would break the game open, Notre Dame always managed to make plays and keep pace. Carl Peterson and L.J. Mathis stunned the Dragon's normally stout interior defense with a series of spectacular driving layups. It was not enough to take the lead, but it was enough to keep the crowd in the game and keep chase.

Drexel entered the second half with a well deserved lead bolstered by 5-9 shooting from beyond the arc. But the second half would belong to Notre Dame and one man in particular: DeRon Ibikunle.

The Senior Small Forward finished what his back court mates started in the first half. He attacked the basket with reckless abandon, and he shot over any defender that got in his face. Where Notre Dame could only keep within 7 or 8 points before, now they were chipping away at the lead. Meanwhile, the Irish got tough on Drexel's offense, using the match-up zone to prevent inside passes and staying tight on shooters to keep them from getting open looks. With the game winding down, all momentum was on Notre Dame's side. If things stayed the way they were, it was only a matter of time before they seized their first lead of the game.

Drexel had successfully blown a 10 point lead with five minutes left in the game. Someone needed to make a play before this one slipped through their fingers.

Freshman SG Dez Braxton fights off two Notre Dame big men for a clutch rebound and put back.

Woody Morandais found an open space and fired a quick shot from beyond the arc -- but like others in the half the shot bounced harmlessly off the rim. Notre Dame, in its 2-3 zone, had all of its big men near the basket ready to corrall the rebound. But the hero of the night was Dez Braxton, who bulled his way through the forest, grabbed the rebound, and put the ball back in the hoop with Notre Dame's Vin Camper in perfect position on defense.

The play was just was the Dragons needed to swing the pendulum their way. Thanks to Braxton's heroics, the Dragons held on to defeat Notre Dame 72-69.

Drexel Dragons at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Dec 29, 2015	1ST	2ND	SCORE
#19 Drexel (9-2)	39	33	72
Notre Dame (7-5)	33	36	69

Drexel Dragons
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S. Legans	16	1-6	0-3	1-3	0	8	1	0	2	3
D. Braxton	24	5-13	2-7	0-0	3	1	0	0	1	12
W. Morandais	21	4-7	3-5	0-0	2	1	0	0	0	11
D. Sow	19	4-4	0-0	2-2	8	2	0	1	0	10
F. Ramsey	22	7-9	0-0	4-5	8	4	0	1	1	18
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
T. Cottrill	12	2-2	0-0	0-0	4	0	0	1	0	4
D. Richard	9	1-2	1-2	0-0	0	2	0	0	0	3
K. Dean	14	3-6	1-1	0-0	2	5	0	0	1	7
D. Marsh	6	1-2	0-0	0-0	1	1	0	0	0	2
G. McLaughlin	6	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	2
H. Padilla	-- DID NOT PLAY --
J. Vassallo	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		29-52	7-18	7-10	29	24	2	3	5	72

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
C. Peterson	25	5-10	2-3	0-0	3	6	1	1	0	12
L. Mathis	24	4-10	1-4	3-4	2	5	1	0	0	12
D. Ibikunle	25	10-17	2-5	1-2	2	1	0	0	0	23
C. Bogans	24	2-5	0-0	0-0	9	2	0	0	0	4
V. Camper	23	5-13	0-2	1-1	5	1	2	0	0	11
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
L. Bishop	4	2-4	1-2	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	5
J. Bozeman	12	0-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	1	0
M. Falknor	12	1-3	0-0	0-0	5	1	1	0	1	2
T. McGuire	-- DID NOT PLAY --
L. Coleman	-- DID NOT PLAY --
D. Barnard	-- DID NOT PLAY --
M. Hickman	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		29-63	6-16	5-7	28	17	5	1	2	69

Coach's Take: We got out-hustled for most of the second half. That is unacceptable. But we pulled together to close out the game. Still, I do not like how the lead slipped away. I can accept Notre Dame fighting back in -- they are a talented team. But we made mistakes and lost focus on offense. That falls on me first. Still, a road win is good. But we have a lot of work to do in practice.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

vs Houston (5-4) W: 74-53

The Dragons close out their conference schedule with a blast-from-the-past kind of clash between MEAC Adversaries. Coach West won more games at Norfolk State against former Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman, and tonight the Dragons let history repeat itself in a big way. This game was never close, as Houston faced horrible match ups inside and were slow to get to the ball. Meanwhile, Woody Morandais was on fire from beyond the arc, going 5-8 for the game.

The Dragons look primed and ready for Conference season.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

New Year New Top 25 Update

Who knew we would make it all the way to 2016? Well, everybody -- and most all of them stayed in the Top 25.

NCAA Hoops Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Jan 1, 2016
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	RECORD
1	1	Louisville	11-0
2	2	Arizona	12-0
3	4	Kansas	10-1
4	7	Connecticut	12-0
5	6	Purdue	11-1
6	5	UCLA	12-0
7	9	Missouri	9-1
8	3	Oregon	11-1
9	11	Oklahoma State	11-2
10	12	NC State	8-2
11	14	Marquette	8-2
12	8	North Carolina	11-2
13	13	West Virginia	10-2
14	10	Washington State	9-2
15	15	Ole Miss	10-2
16	18	Maryland	11-1
17	19	Drexel	11-2
18	16	Florida	8-1
19	17	LSU	10-3
20	20	Villanova	11-1
21	22	Wisconsin	10-3
22	21	Duke	11-1
23	23	Utah State	8-2
24	NR	Clemson	8-3
25	25	Gonzaga	11-2

Except for Oregon and Clemson, the top and bottom of the poll is pretty stable. Not too many teams have moved, with many playing it safe just before conference time. But in the next few weeks, there will no longer be anywhere to hide.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Who Will Rise?

There is no question, this year the CAA is Drexel and everybody else. So it remains to be seen: who is going to step up to challenge Drexel? The conference season is long, and inevitably Drexel will stumble (or will they?). But the house money is on them to repeat during the regular season. How will the rest of the CAA shake down?

CAA Players to Watch

Best Overall Player
Femi Ramsey
87 OVR SR C Drexel
also listed as Best Defender and Best Pro Prospect

Best Freshman
Dez Braxton
79 OVR FR SG Drexel

Best Playmaker
Cornelius Neale
87 OVR SR PG VCU
also listed as Best Shooter

Colonia Athletic Association Conference Standings - Updated: Jan 1, 2016
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF
#17 Drexel	11-2	.846	1-0
Georgia State	7-5	.583	1-0
VCU	6-5	.545	1-0
Northeastern	6-6	.500	0-1
George Mason	5-6	.454	1-0
Old Dominion	5-6	.454	0-1
Towson	5-6	.454	0-1
Delaware	5-7	.416	1-0
Hofstra	4-8	.333	0-1
UNC Wilmington	3-7	.300	1-0
James Madison	3-7	.300	0-1
William & Mary	2-9	.181	0-1

Out of conference play has been decidedly mixed -- but it looks like this is a down year for the CAA as a whole. That's a little surprising, considering how well the conference has done recruiting the past few seasons. Still, expect those on to stay on top and those in the cellar to remain as well.

Projected CAA Standings

Drexel (88)
Towson (81)
Hofstra (82)
VCU (78)
George Mason (80)
Old Dominion (80)
James Madison (77)
Georgia State (75)
Delaware (77)
Northeastern (75)
William & Mary (76)
UNC Wilmington (73)

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

vs #19

No Ramsey? No Sow? No Problem!

The Dragons were already without Duncan Sow after he tweaked his knee in last week's game against Hofstra. Add in Femi Ramsey getting into early foul trouble against the VCU Rams, and Drexel found themselves in an incredibly vulnerable position. The Rams have been nipping at Coach West's heels for the past few years, and this was the perfect opportunity to break out from under the Dragons' shadow.

Except Drexel's bench players scored half of the home team's points in a 68-59 victory. The game was not as close as the score indicated, as the Dragons controlled the game from the opening tip. Add Ramsey out of the picture, and Coach West made plenty of adjustments and gave a preview for how the team would play next season with an elite big man under the basket. Tracy Cottrill and Gilbert McLaughlin continued to do steady board work, but it was perimeter play by reserves Dallas Marsh and Kentrell Dean that kept the lead out of reach.

It was not just a matter of Drexel being so talented and deep though. Cornelius Neale, the other player in the CAA with a First Round grade, did more to hold the Rams back in the first half instead of helping them capitalize. Although he would bring the ball up the court, oftentimes plays would start and end with him. He hoisted three after three after three instead of getting the rest of his teammates involved, and as a result the Rams could never get into rhythm.

By the time Ramsey was back on the floor in the second half, the game was practically a sealed deal. Although the Dragons never built an insurmountable lead, their team defense and slow-down pace was enough to cut out any chance at a Ram come back.

Virginia Commonwealth Rams at Drexel Dragons
Jan 9, 2016	1ST	2ND	SCORE
Virginia Commonwealth (8-6)	27	32	59
#19 Drexel (13-2)	38	30	68

Virginia Commonwealth Rams
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
C. Neale	21	6-17	3-12	1-2	1	5	0	0	1	16
R. Sinville	21	5-9	2-4	1-2	2	0	2	0	0	13
J. Klatsky	24	5-11	1-4	0-0	3	0	0	1	2	11
N. Bree	21	0-5	0-0	2-2	3	2	0	0	0	2
E. Gray	20	1-2	0-0	2-2	8	2	1	0	0	4
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
A. King	15	0-3	0-1	0-0	2	1	0	1	0	0
B. Norman	13	1-4	1-2	1-2	2	1	1	0	0	4
L. Polk	6	1-1	0-0	0-0	4	1	0	1	1	2
S. Tamayo	9	3-4	1-2	0-0	0	1	0	0	0	7
C. Dillard	-- DID NOT PLAY --
C. Johnston	-- DID NOT PLAY --
K. Boone	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		22-56	8-25	7-10	25	13	4	3	4	59

Drexel Dragons
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S. Legans	19	3-6	1-3	0-0	2	5	0	1	1	7
D. Braxton	16	1-5	0-3	0-1	4	4	0	0	1	2
W. Morandais	19	2-11	0-6	0-0	5	1	0	0	0	4
T. Cottrill	22	5-11	0-0	3-3	9	3	0	0	0	13
F. Ramsey	13	2-3	0-0	4-4	9	1	0	1	3	8
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D. Richard	9	1-2	0-0	0-0	5	0	0	0	0	2
K. Dean	14	3-8	1-2	2-2	2	5	1	0	1	9
D. Marsh	10	4-7	3-5	0-0	0	2	0	0	0	11
J. Vassallo	6	1-2	0-1	2-3	0	0	0	0	0	4
G. McLaughlin	16	3-4	0-0	0-0	7	1	0	0	0	6
H. Padilla	7	1-3	0-1	0-0	0	1	2	0	0	2
D. Sow	-- DID NOT PLAY -- KNEE --
TEAM TOTALS		26-62	5-21	11-13	43	23	3	2	6	68

Coach's Take: Our team knows we're not a one man team. Ramsey gets a lot of attention, and deservedly so, but up and down the bench we are filled with players who are ready to step up. They want to give themselves for the team. They know that while some nights they might not see the floor at all, but it only takes one play to throw them into the rotation. I liked what I saw from our second unit tonight.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

#19vs

On Second Thought, We Have a Problem

Duncan Sow was back, but Femi Ramsey hit early foul trouble again as the Dragons were kicked out of Fairfax, VA 77-69. Don't let the final score fool you, the George Mason Patriots dominated the Drexel Dragons for the entire game.

The culprit? Where to begin. Probably the worst was Drexel's perimeter defense. Christian Del Rosario was allowed to run wild on the Dragon defense, sinking 5 three pointers and constantly dominating Dean, Legans, and Braxton. Drexel's inexperienced back court has been exposed by a few teams this season, but George Mason seemed to be one of the first to specifically target Drexel's Freshman trio. It worked.

To make matters worse, the Dragons went extremely cold from anywhere outside the paint. George Mason parked everybody inside and dared the Dragons to shoot over them. They could not. The only three hit by the Dragons for the entire game was a meaningless shot by Legans at the buzzer.

Femi Ramsey won't lift the Dragons to victory with an effort like that.

Finally, there was just the flat play of the entire Dragons team. Coach West was furious during time outs and outraged in the locker room at half time. Although the Dragons attempted to respond in the second half with Ramsey on the floor, their effort was too little and too late. Drexel could never get closer than within 8, and as a result the Patriots coasted to victory.

Drexel Dragons at George Mason Patriots
Jan 12, 2016	1ST	2ND	SCORE
#19 Drexel (14-2)	27	42	69
George Mason (7-7)	44	33	77

Drexel Dragons
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S. Legans	18	3-7	1-3	3-4	1	3	1	0	2	10
D. Braxton	15	1-6	0-4	0-0	4	3	0	0	0	2
W. Morandais	16	1-6	0-2	0-0	1	2	0	0	0	2
D. Sow	20	7-14	0-0	2-3	10	1	0	1	0	16
F. Ramsey	15	6-12	0-0	6-6	6	3	1	2	0	18
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
T. Cottrill	14	3-6	0-0	2-3	2	0	0	1	1	8
D. Richard	16	1-3	0-0	1-2	4	0	3	0	1	3
K. Dean	12	1-2	0-1	0-0	1	3	1	0	1	2
D. Marsh	11	0-1	0-0	0-0	1	4	1	0	1	0
G. McLaughlin	12	4-5	0-0	0-0	1	1	0	2	0	8
H. Padilla	2	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
J. Vassallo	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		27-63	1-11	14-18	32	20	7	6	7	69

George Mason Patriots
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
N. Halcomb	22	3-7	2-3	0-0	1	10	0	0	3	8
R. Radford	23	5-12	0-0	3-5	2	3	0	1	1	13
C. Del Rosario	22	8-13	5-6	0-0	2	2	1	2	0	21
R. Stewart	21	3-5	1-1	0-0	6	2	0	2	1	7
D. Moran	20	1-3	0-0	0-0	6	1	3	1	0	2
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
R. Mcfarlin	11	2-5	0-2	1-2	2	1	0	1	1	5
I. Pressley	10	3-5	0-0	4-6	0	2	0	0	0	10
R. Slater	11	1-3	0-1	0-0	2	1	2	-0	0	2
K. Winkfield	13	4-7	1-1	0-0	6	0	0	2	0	9
T. Bennett	-- DID NOT PLAY --
J. Fitzwater	-- DID NOT PLAY --
S. Goral	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		30-60	9-14	8-14	27	21	7	7	7	77

Coach's Take: That was unacceptable.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

#23vs

Mixed Signals

When the Dragons faced Old Dominion in January, they were blown off their home floor and left to pick up the pieces. Six games later, and it was time to return the favor.

Consider the favor unreturned.

"We got kicked in the teeth," a scowling Coach West remarked court-side after the game. "In the first half, it was by the Monarchs. In the second half we kicked our own teeth in."

Once again, the fire that sparked Drexel's undefeated run through last season was a distant memory. The Dragons walked onto the court like they were the better team and were quickly shown what happens when they get another team's best shot. Again. This is the same Monarchs team that blew them out earlier this year, it should not be a surprise.

Woody Morandais was so error prone that he was yanked from the lineup twice and saw limited minutes in the second half. Kentrell Dean hit two significant three pointers to give the Dragons hope for a second half comeback, but he infuriated the Drexel faithful by also committing four second half turnovers. Dean was not alone, the Dragons were especially generous with the ball throughout the game.

Coach West was constantly on his players to try and pick up the intensity. As has often been the case this year, a number of the younger players seemed content to watch Ramsey or Sow or Cottrill attempt to do work down low. West kept shuffling the deck to try and get a spark from someone, anyone, because Ramsey was being effectively contained by the Monarchs and could not do it all by himself.

It was a game for Murphy's Law. Femi Ramsey missed open layups. Players drifted off their men when Coach West implored them to stay tight -- especially on hot-shooting Elmer manning. Old Dominion had 15 more shot attempts in the first half and 22 more total -- largely due to turnovers but also because they were working harder on the offensive glass. The Dragons were lazy with their picks and worse with their passing.

Shannon Legans attempted to will the Dragons to victory by scoring 10 of his 12 points in the closing minutes second half. Unfortunately for the Dragons, three turnovers in the final two minutes killed any possibility of a comeback victory. Their effort was not nearly enough as Old Dominion cruised to a not-as-close-as-it-looked 83-76 victory.

The Dragons better hope they don't face the Monarchs a third time this season. Or if they do, they better have things figured out.

Drexel Dragons at Old Dominion Monarchs
Feb 9, 2016	1ST	2ND	SCORE
#23 Drexel (20-4)	33	43	76
Old Dominion (14-8)	51	32	83

Drexel Dragons
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S. Legans	21	4-7	3-6	1-2	1	11	2	0	2	12
D. Braxton	17	4-7	1-2	0-2	0	1	0	0	3	9
W. Morandais	11	1-3	0-1	0-0	2	0	0	0	3	2
D. Sow	23	5-9	0-0	1-2	7	3	0	6	1	11
F. Ramsey	21	5-11	0-0	3-3	9	2	1	2	0	13
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
T. Cottrill	15	3-6	0-0	0-2	5	0	1	0	0	6
D. Richard	11	2-4	0-2	1-2	1	0	0	1	1	5
K. Dean	14	2-2	2-2	0-0	2	2	0	0	5	6
D. Marsh	5	2-4	0-0	1-1	0	0	2	0	0	5
G. McLaughlin	8	1-2	0-0	5-5	1	0	0	1	1	7
H. Padilla	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
J. Vassallo	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		29-55	6-13	12-19	28	19	6	10	16	76

Old Dominion Monarchs
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J. Munir	21	3-9	1-2	0-0	3	6	2	0	3	6
E. Manning	22	8-14	4-7	0-0	2	3	4	0	1	20
I. Gastel	24	7-14	2-3	1-2	3	3	0	0	1	17
M. Akpan	26	5-10	0-0	0-0	9	0	2	3	0	10
L. Tyler	22	4-12	0-1	0-0	4	1	3	0	0	8
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J. Payton	11	3-8	1-2	2-2	3	1	1	0	0	9
A. Domercant	6	0-4	0-3	0-0	0	3	2	0	0	0
C. Butt	13	2-4	1-2	2-2	0	7	0	1	2	7
M. Amous	4	2-2	1-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	5
S. Rogers	-- DID NOT PLAY --
B. Chan	-- DID NOT PLAY --
F. Monserez	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		34-77	10-21	5-6	24	25	14	4	7	83

Coach West received a warning after the game from the Colonial Athletic Association for failure to appear at a post game press conference. The Coach blasted his team's effort for over 30 minutes before storming out of the locker room and passing by reporters without saying a word.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

vs

Huskies Show Their Bark, Then Bite

If there is one thing Coach West has never longed for during his coaching career, it is consistency. Even in his earliest years at Norfolk State, he would always be able to push the right buttons and get the most out of his players.

This season, the Dragons have been consistently inconsistent -- and have shown a bad habit playing down to their competition. Enter the lowly Northeastern Huskies. Despite getting a few good recruits to work with, the Huskies have spent yet another season fighting for position in the CAA basement. But you would now know it from watching them tonight. The Huskies were flying across the court, constantly in Femi Ramsey and Duncan Sow's face, challenging every shot.

Is Femi Ramsey officially in a funk?

The Dragons started the game by building up a 12 point lead, but Northeastern was undeterred. Coach West attempted to work the transition game and attempted to attack down low, but Northeastern adjusted and began picking off pass after pass after pass.

Once again Kentrell Dean was a turnover machine -- and struggled on defense. Femi Ramsey not only lost his scoring touch down low, but was continually a step behind on defense. Drexel's 1-3-1 and man to man were ineffective.

It was only when the Dragons switched to 3-2 that they began to get some traction. But they were still down three in the closing seconds.

Shannon Legans brought up the ball, but the Dragons as a whole looked sluggish. Like recent games, the Dragons picks were largely ineffective and no one could get separation off the ball. The clock ticked and no one was open. So Legans did exactly what Coach West insisted he do: he took charge.

The shot arced high as the buzzer sounded. A hush fell over the crowd as Legans forced overtime.

Fortunately for the Dragons, Ramsey would get on track in the extra period. He scored Drexel's first six points and seemingly wrested the game under control. But Northeastern was not finished. They clawed their way to within 2 by attacking the basket just as ruthlessly as the Dragons.

It would take two trips to the line, one by Shannon Legans, and one by Woody Morandais, to close out the Huskies.

Coach's Take: We managed a victory because we were the more aggressive team. That is a positive to take away, but I'm starting to get tired of our yo-yo performances. Some nights our game is all clicking. Other nights there is nothing we can do. It's about to be March, and it only takes one bad night to get knocked out. Also, I liked what I have seen out of Legans the past few games. We have great players on the front line, but we need to keep defenses honest.

Editor's Note 2x: This game's box score was lost due to CH2k8 freezing mid game during the next game against Georgia State. I had to sim this result, which incidentally also resulted in a 1 point win (not OT), but also saw the Georgia State game freeze three times in the exact same spot of the game. I have never had that happen. Also, as some of you are aware, there were some strange happenings going with my save file this season. It was after this game I realized the sliders had switched from Xlegendkilla's to something entirely different. I do not know when the change occurred -- sometime during conference season. Switched back to the intended sliders afterwards and created a new save file.

Hopefully the new save file makes life a little more sustainable.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

2016 Final Standings

CAA 2016 Final Standings Conference Standings - Updated: Mar 4, 2016
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	GB
#22 Drexel	25-5	.833	15-3	-
Old Dominion	18-10	.643	13-5	2
Hofstra	16-13	.552	12-6	3
George Mason	15-13	.536	11-7	4
VCU	15-14	.517	11-7	4
Towson	14-14	.500	9-9	6
Georgia State	14-16	.467	8-10	7
James Madison	10-17	.370	7-11	8
William & Mary	10-19	.345	7-11	8
Delaware	11-18	.379	7-11	8
Northeastern	11-18	.379	5-13	10
UNC Wilmington	7-21	.250	5-13	10

Overall the down year continues for the CAA. With the Conference Tournament approaching, there are a few teams at the top and a big cluster in the lower-middle. Towson has had a disappointing season, while Drexel could not repeat their undefeated run. The Dragons are the team to beat, but Hofstra and Old Dominion cannot be counted out.

[VandyRedskins21]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Obviously the NCAA doesn't want a mid-major to win 2 years in a row and have sent MIB agents to tamper with your 360. Sucks for them but your still first in conference play

Good luck in the Conference tournament!

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Obviously the NCAA doesn't want a mid-major to win 2 years in a row and have sent MIB agents to tamper with your 360. Sucks for them but your still first in conference play

Good luck in the Conference tournament!

Thanks. And don't worry, it gets better. And by better I mean more bizarre.

2016 Tournament

First Round
#8 Delaware 62 #9 James Madison 76
#5 VCU 63 #12 UNC Wilmington 86
#6 Towson 94 #11 Northeastern 63
#7 Georgia State 61 #10 William & Mary 64

The opening round had a few pleasant surprises. Both the Seahawks of UNC Wilmington and the Dukes of James Madison sprung what many would call surprising victories over far superior competition. VCU's Cornelius Neale will not be happy with the end of his college career, but the NBA will be calling soon. Meanwhile, Towson romped over Northeastern and William & Mary survived a furious late game comeback by the Panthers.

Quarterfinals
#1 Drexel 71 #9 James Madison 64
#12 UNC Wilmington 80 #4 George Mason 68
#6 Towson 76 #3 Hofstra 66
#10 William and Mary 82 #2 Old Dominion 76

The Drexel Dragons needed to bring the starters back on the floor as the Dukes got hot after Coach West had cleared the bench. Still, the Dragons are the only higher seed that advanced, with George Mason, Hofstra, and Old Dominion falling in convincing fashion. Consider the tournament turned upside down. If it was not before, the CAA Championship is now officially Drexel's to lose.