Loading ...Observations from Night One of College Basketball
Blake Hofstad and Daniel Evans will be sharing thoughts and critiques of the first four college basketball games throughout the evening.
12:05 AM (Daniel Evans)-California built an 18 point second half lead but saw it quickly evaporate to six with a great Murray State run. The Racers showed they were shook by the big stage or the big time opponent they were facing. California didn’t play awful. Instead Murray State played extremely well and looks like a team that could be very good this season. Of the four overmatched opponents tonight (all facing highly touted teams) the Racers were the only ones to compete. 75-70 Cal
11:21 PM (Daniel Evans)- Just when it looked like Cal was in trouble early in the second half, the three pointer started raining in from everywhere. A six point Bears lead quickly jumps to 14. Murray State will need to catch a few breaks to get back into this one.
11:16 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Cal is looking pretty sharp now. They’ve taken an 8 point lead, but it hasn’t been easy. The Golden Bears haven’t even looked bad, it’s just that Murray State is playing like they belong.
10:20 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Murray State is hanging around early. Jorge Gutierrez just drilled a three pointer to even the score. It’s 14-14 after 7 minutes in Berkeley.
10:06 PM (Blake Hofstad)- What a sloppy game, as Syracuse wins 75-43. A big congratulations to Jim Boeheim, notching his 800th win. Bring on California.
9:32 PM (Daniel Evans)- Syracuse passes like a team that doesn’t know it’s on national television. Everyone is watching guys, so at least act like you’ve bounced a basketball before. I know I’ve only seen six teams play so far this year, with two to go tonight, but so far Syracuse is by far the most disappointing team. Their passing is utterly terrible.
9:23 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Andy Rautins looks a little shaken up, and heads to the locker room. It appears to be an ankle injury. Nice display of sportsmanship from Albany guard Tim Ambrose checking to see if Rautins was alright.
9:08 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Basketball traditionalists are crying at the Syracuse-Albany game. Turnovers are abundant, and ‘Cuse is playing playground basketball. Albany isn’t playing any sort of basketball, just giving the ball back to the Orange whenever they get it.
8:52 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Albany is shooting 25% from the field. They have 6 field goals and 19 turnovers. That’s just embarrassing.
8:45 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Fastbreak points have been the difference in this one. I’m disappointed in Albany.
8:36 PM (Daniel Evans)- Turnover, turnover, turnover. Is Syracuse playing Albany or Syracuse? The Orange can’t get out of their own way. Neither can Albany, but what else do you expect from a young team playing at ‘Cuse?
8:28 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Syracuse is rolling now. Scoop Jardine is making plays and Kris Joseph has put home a few acrobatic dunks. Jardine looks better than Brandon Triche, the starter. I’ve been very impressed with his play so far.
8:22 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Syracuse is on pace to turn the ball over 46 times. Against Albany. They’re up 8, but I’m not sure Jim Boeheim is thrilled about his team so far.
8:10 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Not a good start for the Albany Great Danes. Most agreed this would be the closest of the early games. Turnovers and lack of an interior post defense have the Cuse up 8-2.
7:47 PM (Daniel Evans)-Isiah Thomas has done a good job preparing Florida International for this game. It might not show on the scoreboard, but the Panthers have played North Carolina tough for the entire game. FIU is still pressing and even just took a charge. With Thomas on the sidelines, the Panthers are playing more aggressive. How else do you explain the nation’s #4 team committing 19 turnovers? UNC is rolling, but they’ve earned every point.
7:41 PM (Blake Hofstad)- Despite the beating Alcorn State is taking, there has been a bright spot. Jonathan Boyd has 20 points, including 6 three pointers, most of them contested shots. He has a nice stroke, and could be a frontrunner for the most prestigious award in college hoops: The SWAC Player of the Year award.
7:39 PM (Daniel Evans)- The way Alcorn State is playing tonight–pushing the ball, turning the ball over, and struggling on both ends of the floor–Ohio State might score 120 points before this is over.
7:34 PM (Blake Hofstad)- He did it! 12 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists for Evan Turner mean he’s just the second Buckeye ever to get a triple double. Yeah, the opponent is Alcorn State, but that’s quite an accomplishment. Congratulations, Mr. Turner.
7:31 PM (Blake Hofstad)- There were a lot of questions Larry Drew II this year, taking over for Ty Lawson in the UNC backcourt. So far, so good, as Drew has 6 assists and just 1 turnover.
7:06 PM (Blake Hofstad)- At the half, Ohio State is up big on Alcorn State. Leading the way is my Player of the Year, Evan Turner, who had a double double through 11 minutes of play.
