The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Congrats on getting win #1. Sometimes that is the hardest. Now lets go for 2 and who knows maybe 3 and what we like to call a win streak.

Just keep feeding Quinn the ball. That guy is a beast. Should easily be a 1st Team-All Conference player at the end of the year.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Remaining November Results

Norfolk State (1-2)	83
Longwood (0-3) (66)	69

UNC Greensboro (2-4) (68)	80
Norfolk State (2-2)	84

Norfolk State (3-2)	72
Prairie View (3-3) (69)	68

Coach West has managed to do the improbable, take over Norfolk State and lead them to a four game winning streak. The Longwood game was not competitive, but both UNC Greensboro and Prairie View were tight. In fact, in the Battle of the Spartans, Pauline, Williams, and O'Quinn led a charge all the way back from a 17 point halftime deficit. Coach West, with a strong helping hand from his assistants, are beginning to find the best places to get players the ball, and there are some deceptively good jump shooters on the squad (as the next two game updates will show...spoilers!)

Statistical Leaders through November
PPG: K. O'Quinn 21.7*
RPG: T. Zeyphyr 9.6
APG: R. McCauley 3.4
SPG: R. Hampton 1.0
BPG: K. O'Quinn 2.0
FG%: K. O'Quinn .540
* Leads MEAC

December Schedule (conf)
12/1: vs. NC A&T (65)
12/10: vs Farleigh Dickinson (68)
12/13: at Air Force (72)
12/18: vs Campbell (69)
12/22: at Evansville (71)
12/29: vs Jacksonville State (70)

The next post will include West's take on the suddenly hot Spartans, an update on the recruiting trail, and game summaries for two the first two games of December. Can they keep it up, or will it all come crashing down with one very early conference match up? Stay tuned!

[hockeyplaya2724]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Nice 4-2 start

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Looks like the pep talk from Coach Deuce worked. winning streak baby!!!!

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

R: The Spartans enter their first conference game hot on the heels of a four game winning streak. Can you all keep it up?
West: We've had breaks go our way, we've stomped our foot on opponents early, and we've stayed pretty consistent. Are we going to win out the rest of the season? I doubt it. But if we stay with what we've been doing we can succeed. I'd love to go out there and string together a few more four game winning streaks.

R: Staying with what you've been doing? What do you mean? Who has been the biggest contributor to your early season turnaround?
Obviously O'Quinn has been huge. Pauline has stepped up his game off the bench, and Zeyphr has been a beast on the boards. We've had a lot of contributions.

R: Could you tell us how you're going to go after A&T? They're very similar to teams you've faced early this year with a bunch of players who can shoot from anywhere on the floor. How do you plan to adjust.
It's what I said before, keep doing what we've been doing. Pass the ball. Make shots. Stop them on the other end. Until they can stop us, I don't see why we need to change.

R: That strategy didn't seem to work too well against Maine, who had a similar line up. They stopped you pretty well.
I don't know what else to say. We've been playing better since then. Players have been stepping up. Do I need to give you some kind of sound bite?

NC A & T (1-4) (65)			31		35		66
Norfolk State (4-2)			35		36		71
Key Performers
NSU	K. O'Quinn	24 points		11 rebs		2 blocks		1 block
NSU	A. Pauline	24 points		3 rebs		4-7 3PT
A&T	R. Lester	10 points		12 rebs		3 assists

Pendarvis Williams knew he had the shot. The Aggies had been playing off him all game to stop his drive, and have been packing it in to stop O'Quinn inside. Someone else was going to have to turn this game around after the Spartans had blown a 10 point first half lead. An entry pass to O'Quinn on the low block left him surrounded by three Aggies, so he kicked it back out to the wing. One pass to the top of the key, then to a wide open Williams along the base line. The true freshman, who had missed all of his shots, didn't buckle under the pressure. The Aggies were prepared for his drive, but instead he drained the long 2 that gave the Spartans its first lead of the entire game with four minutes left.

Williams would then drive on the next possession and hit two clutch free throws. From there, Coach West remembered what worked before and sent O'Quinn out of the box when the Aggies were packing the middle. Two long, unguarded jumpers by O'Quinn, and a clutch three by Pauline, pushed NSU into the lead for good.

A&T remained hot for the rest of the game, but there was not enough time for their threes to match the Spartan's barrage of twos.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Early Signing Period Recruiting Update

According to sources, Norfolk State has targeted a number of local and regional players. With three scholarships on the table and key contributors at PG, SG, and PF in their senior year, all indications are that Norfolk State is looking to build it's back court of the future and also add some size.

Norfolk State Signings
SG	Elton Cowen (SG Rank #89)	6'1"	176 lbs	***
	A strong perimeter defender with a good shot.

In the ABL he averaged the following.

PPG: 11.6
RPG: 3.1
APG: 4.1
SPG: 2.4
FG%: .337
3PT%: .243

His percentages are cause for concern, but he'll have four years to develop his outside shot. As for the two other prospects, Rumor has it that the Spartans are expanding their search to international and junior college players, but so far sources have remained quiet as to who they might specifically be targeting.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

The Beat Goes On

Lineup Update!
R: Reporting from tip off at the NSU/Fairleigh Dickenson game and we've seen Coach West go with a new starting line up. It looks like the senior, Pauline, is getting the start and the 6'6 true Freshman Williams is being slid over from SG to SF. Coach West gave no indication of why he was making this change, and it will be interesting to see how it affects the team's chemistry going forward.

Fairleigh Dickinson (3-2) (68)			31		28		59
Norfolk State (5-2)			37		33		70
Key Performers
NSU	K. O’Quinn	25 points		9 rebs		2 assists		5-7 FT
NSU	T. Zephyr	6 points		22 rebs		2 steals		1 block
NSU	P. Williams	16 points		3 rebs		1 assist		7-8 FG
FD	M. Scott	11 points		5 assists		5 assists

Once again Norfolk State snatches victory from the jaws of defeat with a late game surge. The story of the early game was foul trouble, as both Norfolk State's Hampton (PG) and Fairleigh Dickenson's Svrolik (C) picked up two quick fouls and had to sit out of most of the first half.

However, a chill entered the Spartan's arena, and it must have caught O'Quinn's shooting touch. He missed his first two free throws and his first six field goal attempts, leading the Spartans to wonder whether their five game winning streak was about to be snapped. When O'Quinn picked up his second foul with 8 minutes left in the 2nd half, and with Pauline also missing his first four shots, someone else needed to step up.

That player was Pendarvis Williams, who went on a tear with his own personal 8-0 run to close the half. He scored from jumpers. He scored from the free throw line. But what was most impressive was his acrobatics running the base line and rolling in a sweet double clutch reverse layup under three Knights.

But the Spartan's momentum was caught in the second half, when Fairleigh Dickenson opened up a small lead and held it for awhile. However, guided by O'Quinn's 19 and Pauline's 13 second half points, the Spartans were able to mount a comeback necessary to defend home court.

In probably the best exchange of the half, O'Quinn knocked down a mid range shot, then hustled back to the other end to fiercly swat away a Knight's layup back out past the three point line. The crowd went wild. Hampton picked up the ball and found Pauline alone on the base line for a three point shot. Nothing but net, Spartans up by 1, and they would never relinquish the lead.

West: "I want to commend our team for sticking together and making a great push at the end. However, and I think everyone will agree with me, tonight's game ball has to go to Tim Zeyphr. He dominated the boards tonight, and set the tone early with his hard work and hustle plays."

Zephyr's dominating night (5 offensive rebounds, 22 total rebounds) increases his season average to 11.4. He currently leads the Spartans and the MEAC in rebounds per game.

[Knickerbocker91]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Wow Zephyr completely dominated the boards. Good win for Norfolk State, looking goof so far.

[CalBears]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

With Zephyr and O'Quinn, you have a really good frontline for a small school and that should be beast in the MEAC. I have to represent my old school Maryland Eastern-Shore, but I'll be rooting for you in every other game!

While your record is impressive, I'd like to see you play somebody good

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

While your record is impressive, I'd like to see you play somebody good

Ha, I know what you mean. I was expecting to struggle more in my non conference schedule. I mean, there have been some really close games I haven't posted yet, but nothing has quite brought me back down to earth like conference play.

And I'm enjoying the front line, even if Zeyphr can only rebound and play D. I'm really hopeful that I can recruit some size to replace him next year, because none of my other bigs are as good and specialized.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Finishing Out the Non-Conference Schedule

Norfolk State (6-2)	38
Air Force (2-7) (72)	65

The Spartans get thumped as O'Quinn falls into early foul trouble and no one can get a shot off, much less in the basket. Air Force limited its opponent to 15 first half points. To add injury to insult, both Pauline and Tamares were injured during the game and won't return until conference play at the earliest.

Campbell (69)	80
Norfolk State (6-3)	84

This game was close throughout, but Norfolk State won on the back of its free throw shooting. Otherwise, Campbell was tearing apart the Spartan's porous perimeter defense and raining three after three after three.

Norfolk State (7-3)	87
Evansville (71)	78

The Spartans jump out to a 15-0 lead, stun the home crowd, and don't look back.

Norfolk State (8-3)	69
Jacksonville State (70)	63

Hampton bails out Norfolk State with some clutch three point shots and defense. Defense? Yes, defense. On a whim, Coach West switched to a 3-2 and Hampton masterfully played the passing lanes. The Spartans chipped at the Gamecock's lead until Hampton took over in the late game.

Norfolk State finishes its non-conference schedule on a high note with three straight wins and a very surprising 9-3 record. Pauline has recovered from his broken toe just in time for conference play, and Tarames is slated to return from injury soon as well.

More from Coach West in the next post. Also soon to come: a look at the Spartan's early conference games against Coppin State, Morgan State, and Delaware State.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

R: Coach West, the Norfolk area is buzzing with the team's hot start that has defied expectations. Thoughts?
West: Our team has done what it has needed to do building up to conference play. We weren't perfect, we weren't flawless, and we still have plenty to work on. However, I'm proud of how our team has come together and the way in which we've been able to pull out some close games.

R: Some have said your team has benefited from an easy schedule that inflated your record. Do you think that's a fair assessment?
West: Really. Well, no, we haven't been taking on the power conferences. But my hope was to get our team ready for MEAC competition, not ACC or Big East play.

R: But isn't there some benefit to playing superior teams?
West: Sure, but I'm not a fan of being some other team's doormat either.

R: So you're saying your team's a doormat? Or would be a doormat?
West: No. No no no that's not what I meant at all, what I meant was...

R: Let's move on to something else. So far you have been playing with a fairly short bench, and even when your team was hit with some key injuries you haven't dug further into your bench. As the grind of the MEAC schedule wears on, who do you have tabbed to step up that maybe we haven't seen up until this point.
West: Well, the reason we've been using a short bench is from me and my assistants evaluating the roster and what everyone brings to the table. We're constantly evaluating, and looking to see whether players can step up. Even so, I'd say playing 8 or 9 deep is fairly reasonable and sustainable throughout the season.

R: Finally, what do you think your team's chances are to break through to the NCAA tournament?
West: Now, that's a quite a leap. If we keep playing like we've been playing, then I'd say anything is possible. But for now we need to focus on the season and take care of business. It's hard to make the NCAAs if we don't even make the MEAC tournament.

R: But everyone makes the MEAC tournament.
West: Oh. Well, you know what I mean. We'd love to get a bye.

R: Good luck against Coppin State tonight.
West: Thanks.

Coppin State (7-6) (1-0) (67)			40		22		62
Norfolk State (9-4) (1-1)			22		30		52
Key Performers
NSU	P. Williams	10 points		2 rebs		1 assist		2-8 FG
CSU	B. Doughtry	19 points		9 rebs		1 steal		2 blocks

Riding a strong winning streak and returning home for a big conference match up, the Spartans fall flat on their home floor. Coppin State attacked the basket from the start and got Norfolk State's star player, O'Quinn into early foul trouble. From there, the team settled for jump shots attacking the basket, and looked indecisive as they had 8 of their shots blocked in the first half by the far shorter Eagles squad.

West: "I guess our team bought into the hype a little too much. I don't know, we got into some early foul trouble and it took us out of our game entirely. We're going to have to have better focus going forward."

Norfolk State has a quick turnaround as Morgan State comes to town on Sunday.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

What Happened to Morgan State?

Back in post 5 I highlighted just how strong of a squad Morgan State has. At least, how strong their squad is compared to the rest of the MEAC. They nearly swept the preseason awards, and have strong inside play, strong shooters, and strong play makers. Yet they're missing something despite having a realistically winnable schedule: wins. Before their trip to Norfolk, VA, the Bears have struggled to a 3-9 record and have thus far dropped two conference games. Somehow, in some way, the Bears have not lived up to their potential.

Dewayne Jackson has lived up to expectations, as he currently is the closest competition Kyle O'Quinn has to the MEAC scoring title, much less conference player of the year. Jackson currently averages 18.9 points per game and 2.5 three pointers. However, the honestly shocking stat line belongs to conference preseason player of the year Kevin Thomas. Although he missed two games due to injury, his averages of 6.3 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 0.6 blocks per game is troubling. His contributions might not show up on the stat line, but if they are there they aren't showing up in the win-loss column either.

R: You seemed to have caught Morgan State at a good time, as so far they have really struggled during the season. Do you think you have what it takes to get a win over them tonight?
West: Last I checked, we struggled mightily in our last game. I don't care about their record, or ours. They're a tough team and a tough match up, and we won't be taking them lightly.

Morgan State (3-10) (0-3) (77)			37		33		70
Norfolk State (10-4) (2-1)			40		41		81
Key Performers
NSU	K. O'Quinn	25 points		10 rebs		4 assists		12-19 FG
NSU	R. McCauley	10 points		4 rebs		1 assist		5-6 FT
MS	J. Black	19 points		5 assists		3 steals		3-7 3PT
MS	D. Jackson	15 points		4 assists		2-5 3PT

Morgan State provided some tough punches, but in the end it was Norfolk State that delivered the final knockout blow. In a game featuring runs of 12-0, 15-3, and 13-0, it seemed like when one team was on the other was off. It was a see-saw match until the end.

In what is beginning to become a common theme for the Spartans, O'Quinn started the game with two fouls in the first four minutes. The Bears took advantage and flipped a small deficit into a double digit lead that would grow as large as 13 points in the first half.

With the team looking dejected towards the end of the half, Coach West called a time out and went against his assistants suggestion: he matched up against Morgan State's gigantic front line by going small and telling his team to push to the basket. Between constantly breaking down the court, and confusing Morgan State by switching between 3-2, 2-3, and man to man, the Spartans not only went on a run of their own, but ended the half with a small lead.

The second half illustrated where Morgan State might be going wrong. Thompson is indeed a beast of a defender, but their coach kept him on Zephyr (no offensive game) the whole game instead of switching him to O'Quinn (leading MEAC scorer) when playing man to man. As a result, the Spartans built a large lead in the second half by feeding the ball to the post and watching O'Quinn a) abuse Morgan State's center by committee or b) watching him kick out from a double team in the post to a jump shooter. And, for the most part, the shots fell. Morgan State had one more good push, bringing Norfolk State's lead down from 14 to 3 with a few minutes left, but Pauline and McCauley sealed the game on the free throw line.

West: "I'm proud of my team for getting down in the first half and not staying down. We got some good energy from McCauley and Good off the bench, and we took control of the game. I can understand the Bear's late game push -- they're too good of a team to keep the clamps down the whole game. But we pulled out at the end. This is a good building win going forward."

[VandyRedskins21]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Same thing happened in my legacy with the whole Morgan State thing. UCSB was the highest rated team in the conference (76) and they were the last team to make the conference tournament (8 of 9 make it).

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

FYI: I have more updates coming but I'm in a weird transition period. On Monday my laptop decided it was a good day to die. I'll have to wait until next week when I get it back from being repaired.

At least it was a known defect of nvidia chips in macbook pros? So it's free!