After James Madison lost Friday to Northeastern 73-55, the Dean Keener era is officially over at JMU. Read more about the game here.
But while the Dukes await the announcement of a new coach, Virginia Commonwealth is now in postseason tournament limbo. The Rams lost Sunday to William & Mary 56-54 in the first semifinal matchup of the CAA Championship tournament, bringing their record to 24-7 overall, 15-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
VCU has quality non-conference wins against Houston and Maryland, but an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament might be elusive for the Rams after losing to a team with an RPI of 181 in the conference semis. At the post-game press conference, VCU coach Anthony Grant wouldn't speculate, saying it would be a waste of anyone's time to hear him form a judgment.
William & Mary will play the winner of Sunday's UNC-Wilmington-George Mason game Monday in the CAA championship. And while VCU's loss jeopardizes its NCAA tournament eligibility, the slip also makes it possible that the CAA will place two teams in the NCAA tournament for the third straight year.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Keener's Countdown
Coach Dean Keener's leadership of JMU is nearing a close, as he will step down following Madison's involvement in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament.
With three out of four opening round games in the books, JMU plays Northeastern in Friday's last matchup for the right to face George Mason in the quarterfinals. Madison and Northeastern both have 13-16 records, but the Huskies have nine conference wins to Madison's five.
It's anybody's guess how JMU will respond to the situation, but the Dukes won 68-65 at Northeastern in their first conference game of the season Dec. 1.
Ironically, the song "The Final Countdown" by the 80s band Europe started playing before player introductions began. Is that a coincidence or a tribute to JMU's lame duck coach?
With three out of four opening round games in the books, JMU plays Northeastern in Friday's last matchup for the right to face George Mason in the quarterfinals. Madison and Northeastern both have 13-16 records, but the Huskies have nine conference wins to Madison's five.
It's anybody's guess how JMU will respond to the situation, but the Dukes won 68-65 at Northeastern in their first conference game of the season Dec. 1.
Ironically, the song "The Final Countdown" by the 80s band Europe started playing before player introductions began. Is that a coincidence or a tribute to JMU's lame duck coach?
Winding Down, Towson Wins
Hofstra just forced a timeout with its full court press, after senior guard Antoine Agudio made two free throws to bring the Pride within five points. With just over five minutes remaining, Towson leads 55-50.
Agudio was called for a foul as the shot clock wound down for the Tigers, sending Thornton to the free throw line.
Durant just threw down a slam dunk as Towson broke Hofstra's press and extended the Tigers' lead to eight. That gives him 12 points. Towson's really trying to extend the game, moving the ball inside, outside, and all around the perimeter.
After a Hofstra shot got lodged between the rim and the backboard, the possession arrow gave the Tigers the ball. Things are really going their way.
With just under two minutes left, Durant has scored 16 points and Towson leads 68-55. Hofstra resorted to fouling already, fouling C.C. Williams in the backcourt and sending him to the free throw line.
First Team All-CAA guard Antoine Agudio may have taken his last shot with just over a minute left, as he spotted up five feet beyond the arc. But no, the senior got another one with 2.7 seconds remaining, and this one was a swish. Towson wins 81-66.
Agudio was called for a foul as the shot clock wound down for the Tigers, sending Thornton to the free throw line.
Durant just threw down a slam dunk as Towson broke Hofstra's press and extended the Tigers' lead to eight. That gives him 12 points. Towson's really trying to extend the game, moving the ball inside, outside, and all around the perimeter.
After a Hofstra shot got lodged between the rim and the backboard, the possession arrow gave the Tigers the ball. Things are really going their way.
With just under two minutes left, Durant has scored 16 points and Towson leads 68-55. Hofstra resorted to fouling already, fouling C.C. Williams in the backcourt and sending him to the free throw line.
First Team All-CAA guard Antoine Agudio may have taken his last shot with just over a minute left, as he spotted up five feet beyond the arc. But no, the senior got another one with 2.7 seconds remaining, and this one was a swish. Towson wins 81-66.
Tony the Tiger: Live Blog
My colleague Tim Chapman asked me the question, 'Is Kevin Durant in the house?," after we sat down for the second half of Hofstra's game against Towson. Kevin's older brother Tony is a junior forward for the Tigers, but he's just their sixth-leading scorer.
Kevin plays for the Seattle Supersonics, who are actually in Philadelphia for a 7:00 p.m. game against the 76ers. This game should end at about 2:00 p.m., but it's a four and a half hour drive to Philly from Richmond, where the Colonial Athletic Association tourmament is taking place. That would give Kevin half an hour to get ready for his game.
While it's unlikely that he's even here, he would need a private jet to make the about 250 mile trip in time for game preparations.
But after holding a 31-13 lead at halftime, Tony and the Tigers are only up 41-33 with just over 12 minutes left. Towson calls a 30 second timeout, after its lead is cut to less than 10 for the first time since the opening period.
Kevin plays for the Seattle Supersonics, who are actually in Philadelphia for a 7:00 p.m. game against the 76ers. This game should end at about 2:00 p.m., but it's a four and a half hour drive to Philly from Richmond, where the Colonial Athletic Association tourmament is taking place. That would give Kevin half an hour to get ready for his game.
While it's unlikely that he's even here, he would need a private jet to make the about 250 mile trip in time for game preparations.
But after holding a 31-13 lead at halftime, Tony and the Tigers are only up 41-33 with just over 12 minutes left. Towson calls a 30 second timeout, after its lead is cut to less than 10 for the first time since the opening period.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Dukes Eke it Out
James Madison improved to 19-7 overall, 12-3 in the conference with a 64-55 win over Delaware (7-20, 6-9). The Blue Hens didn't score in the last four minutes, as JMU broke away with four players reaching double figures.
Only eight players saw action for the Dukes, and the status of senior forward Jennifer Brown is unknown.
At the post-game press conference, Delaware coach Tina Martin calls it a "disappointing loss" and says that Tamera Young took over the game offensively with her rebounding. Young finished with 14 rebounds.
Martin refers to Brown and says she's unsure of that situation, and that the trio of her, Young, and Lawrence has carried JMU this year. Eight freshmen and sophomores are playing consistently for Delaware, according to Martin. Interestingly enough, JMU has only played eight in the last two games.
Only eight players saw action for the Dukes, and the status of senior forward Jennifer Brown is unknown.
At the post-game press conference, Delaware coach Tina Martin calls it a "disappointing loss" and says that Tamera Young took over the game offensively with her rebounding. Young finished with 14 rebounds.
Martin refers to Brown and says she's unsure of that situation, and that the trio of her, Young, and Lawrence has carried JMU this year. Eight freshmen and sophomores are playing consistently for Delaware, according to Martin. Interestingly enough, JMU has only played eight in the last two games.
Keeping it Close
Madison is holding on to a 43-41 lead with 10:01 left, as Brooks calls a timeout. Delaware senior guard Kyle DeHaven has made six of 14 shots, and leads all scorers. Evans has 12, all from 3-pointers.
Young is shooting just 3-of-14, but has 10 points and 10 rebounds. Don't ever doubt her ability to get a double-double, even when she's off.
I just talked with Coach Brooks' wife, and she says she can't tell me why Brown is missing, other than for "personal reasons." We'll see how much Brooks divulges at the press conference, but Brown also missed Thursday's game at Hofstra. In the last game she played, Brown shot 0-of-5 against Drexel on Feb. 17.
Young is shooting just 3-of-14, but has 10 points and 10 rebounds. Don't ever doubt her ability to get a double-double, even when she's off.
I just talked with Coach Brooks' wife, and she says she can't tell me why Brown is missing, other than for "personal reasons." We'll see how much Brooks divulges at the press conference, but Brown also missed Thursday's game at Hofstra. In the last game she played, Brown shot 0-of-5 against Drexel on Feb. 17.
Where's Brown?
The JMU women's basketball team leads Delaware 27-24 at halftime, in the Dukes' second to last home game.
Delaware is playing suffocating zone defense, and no player has reached double figures in the game. JMU freshman point guard Dawn Evans leads all scorers with 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Actually, she hasn't taken any other shots, but that's no surprise: Coming into the game, almost two thirds of her shots (157-of-247) were from 3-point range.
JMU senior forward Jennifer Brown's absence is glaring, and helps explain why the Dukes (18-7 overall, 11-3 in the conference) hold only a slim lead over Delaware (7-19, 6-8). I'm not sure why she's out, but Brown isn't even on the bench. Hope it's nothing serious.
Delaware is playing suffocating zone defense, and no player has reached double figures in the game. JMU freshman point guard Dawn Evans leads all scorers with 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Actually, she hasn't taken any other shots, but that's no surprise: Coming into the game, almost two thirds of her shots (157-of-247) were from 3-point range.
JMU senior forward Jennifer Brown's absence is glaring, and helps explain why the Dukes (18-7 overall, 11-3 in the conference) hold only a slim lead over Delaware (7-19, 6-8). I'm not sure why she's out, but Brown isn't even on the bench. Hope it's nothing serious.
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