In looking back at this past season, I saw a team that really matured as time went on. Hampered right out of the gate by key players not returning, Ferrum found themselves a younger, and more inexperienced team than anyone would have anticipated.
On the road at Emory and Henry, Ferrum found out quickly how important stopping the rush would be. The Wasps Caleb Jennings ran for 163 yards and one touchdown, en route to a 24-21 win over the Panthers. No single running back the rest of the season would gain that many yards against the Panthers.
The following week was an open date for Ferrum, which gave them time to get ready for Bridgewater. Always a tough game, the extra week to prepare must have helped as Ferrum went on to win in overtime, 37-34. A 28 yard Scott Puschell field goal gave Ferrum it's first win of the season.
In week four, Ferrum was on the road to Buena Vista to take on the Knights of Southern Virginia University. In very muddy conditions, Ferrum outlasted the Knights in a see-saw battle. Matt Dobson ran for a 4 yard score with 3:31 remaining to seal the win.
In the conference opener, Ferrum took on North Carolina Wesleyan in a game that had huge implications in the conference standings, even though this was the first conference game of the year. After the first quarter ended in a 7-7 tie, the Bishops reeled off 21 second quarter points, and took a 28-7 lead into halftime. Ferrum would mount a comeback, and outscored the Bishops 17-6 in the second half, but it was not enough as Ferrum fell 34-24.
Next for Ferrum were the Methodist Monarchs. Methodist came to Ferrum with a 1-3 record, and after one half it appeared that a second Methodist win would be impossible. After an intermission that saw Ferrum leading 28-7, Methodist kicked off only to see the Panthers mount another drive that would result in a touchdown, increasing their lead to 35-7.
The probability of a win for Methodist seemed very unlikely to everyone....except Methodist. With no more scoring in the third quarter, Methodist put on a passing clinic and launched a furious comeback. They came up just short, as Ferrum prevailed 49-35.
The following week, Greensboro came to W.B. Adams, and must have taken a page out of the Methodist notebook. After trailing 17-0, Greensboro passed for 4 touchdowns to defeat the Panthers 27-24. This was only the second time that Greensboro had ever defeated Ferrum.
Next Ferrum traveled to Winchester to take on the Shenandoah Hornets. This proved to be a tough game as Ferrum and Shenandoah went toe to toe. At the end of the first half, Ferrum trailed 13-9. Two Dennis Hardy interceptions helped keep the Hornets off of the board in the second half while Ferrum was able to add 10 fourth quarter points to secure the win.
Halloween saw the Captains of Christopher Newport come to Ferrum, and this seemed to me like the year Ferrum may end the drought against CNU. After a hard fought first half, both teams left the field in a 14-14 stalemate. While Ferrum controlled the time of possession in the first half, just the opposite was true in the second stanza. Between Tunde Ogun's powerful running, and the strong CNU defense, Ferrum was held scoreless in the second half, and CNU added two Ogun touchdowns to gain a 28-14 win over Ferrum.
Averett would provide the competition on Senior Day, and the two teams did not disappoint. This was a slug fest. After a scoreless first quarter, Ferrum scored on a Matt Dobson 14 yard run to put the Panthers ahead at halftime 7-0. In the third quarter, Averett held Ferrum scoreless, and added 14 points of their own to take a 14-7 lead into the final period. In the last quarter, Ferrum's defense again held the Cougars scorless, and the offense added 7 points to send the game into overtime.
It would take three overtimes to decide it, and Averett eventually came out on top 34-28. Matt Dobson had a great game as he ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
The season would end at Maryville. The Scots were just coming off of their first ever win over Christopher Newport and were sure to be fired up for their Senior Day.
Ferrum took control of this game as two Thomas Porter touchdowns in the second quarter gave the Panthers a 14-0 halftime lead. With neither team scoring in the third quarter, Ferrum's lead was cut to 14-7 early in the fourth on an 8 yard touchdown pass for Maryville. On the ensuing kickoff, Mike Vann returned the ball 61 yards, and on the next play, Makaya Jackson took the ball 31 yards for a touchdown to again give the Panthers a 14 point lead, 21-7. Maryville would score one more touchdown, making the final Ferrum 21 Maryville 14.
And so the Panthers ended the season 5-5 but if it were not for just a few plays here and there, Ferrum could have easily been 8-2. The Emory and Henry game, the Greensboro game, and the Averett game were all ones that could have been won. Looking back now, I see a team that grew and matured by leaps and bounds. They did not have the depth or experience that was expected at the beginning of the season, but they showed that they were still a talented team that would play hard to the whistle.
Ferrum will lose some strong players to graduation, but it is quite likely that the recruiting that has been done and that will be done will keep the Panthers competitive in 2010.
Minggu, 29 November 2009
Selasa, 24 November 2009
Reader Forum Part II Let's Break it Down
In looking over the suggestions submitted so far, there seem to be four main headings.
Coaching
Recruiting
Athlete Retention
Publicity
I will now include sub topics that relate to each one of the four main topics.
Coaching>Staffing levels
Recruiting>Facilities>Fundraising
Athlete Retention>Tuition>Playing Time
Publicity>Initiating a "Coaches call" to make them more accessible to the media
Next Question: What specifically can be done to address the following at schools in the USA South:
Fund Raising
Recruiting
For me some ideas that come to mind are:
Fundraising- Do not re invent the wheel- Solicit ideas from schools that have successful fund raising programs.
Generate a conference panel made up of two school representatives and hammer out a conference direction
Recruiting-Game Day Visits for prospective athletes.(High School athletes) are made aware of this program, and have to submit a "Game Day Visit" form. They get free admission to the game, are allowed to wear a team jersey during the game, and are granted sideline access during the game. There would have to be a limit of probably 8-10 players per game. Fewer in some sports.
Camps for specific sports. Bring in big names for a one or two day session. Famous Alumni may do this as a way to give back to the school. There are plenty of camps already out there that ideas can be drawn from.
These are just 3 ideas. There are all kinds of ways to impact recruiting and fund raising. I am now hoping to get specific ideas from you. There are no wrong answers. Brainstorm!
Coaching
Recruiting
Athlete Retention
Publicity
I will now include sub topics that relate to each one of the four main topics.
Coaching>Staffing levels
Recruiting>Facilities>Fundraising
Athlete Retention>Tuition>Playing Time
Publicity>Initiating a "Coaches call" to make them more accessible to the media
Next Question: What specifically can be done to address the following at schools in the USA South:
Fund Raising
Recruiting
For me some ideas that come to mind are:
Fundraising- Do not re invent the wheel- Solicit ideas from schools that have successful fund raising programs.
Generate a conference panel made up of two school representatives and hammer out a conference direction
Recruiting-Game Day Visits for prospective athletes.(High School athletes) are made aware of this program, and have to submit a "Game Day Visit" form. They get free admission to the game, are allowed to wear a team jersey during the game, and are granted sideline access during the game. There would have to be a limit of probably 8-10 players per game. Fewer in some sports.
Camps for specific sports. Bring in big names for a one or two day session. Famous Alumni may do this as a way to give back to the school. There are plenty of camps already out there that ideas can be drawn from.
These are just 3 ideas. There are all kinds of ways to impact recruiting and fund raising. I am now hoping to get specific ideas from you. There are no wrong answers. Brainstorm!
Sabtu, 21 November 2009
A Look at the USA South- An Open Forum for the Blog Readers
Well the playoff appearance for the USA South was once again short lived. To make it to the second round is something that the USA South conference representative rarely does.
Click here for game recap
When you start a season, everyone is statistically equal. While we enter the season with predictions of who will win, these are not always accurate as we found out this past season in the USA South. The question comes up about the conference's competitiveness on a national scale. Every team has a goal of winning their conference, but there are programs outside the USA South that winning the conference is almost a foregone conclusion. These teams such as
Mt. Union (OH) and University of Wisconson-Whitewater are the preseason favorite to compete in the Stagg bowl for the national championship. There may be a conference title that they have to win first, but their season really begins in late November.
Since 1993, Mt. Union has won the national championship 10 times. They are a powerhouse of DIII football.
When I look at their roster, I see a team that is not all that different in size than Ferrum, or other USA South teams. So what will it take to make a team from the USA South competitive? What will it take to see the conference rep. go past the second round? What will it take for a USA South school to make it to the Stagg Bowl? Wouldn't be cool for Ferrum to play in the Stagg Bowl in Salem, VA (Only @ 30 miles from campus)
So I want to hear from you- Here is the discussion question.
What do you think needs to be done to make the USA South a stronger conference and a contender on the national level?
This is a forum for you the reader- I have never tried this on the blog, and am hoping to get a wide range of input. All comments are welcome as long as they are not profane or offensive. I will moderate all comments. I have final say as to whether the comment is put on the blog.. To make a comment, simply click the comment tab at the bottom of this article. You can leave comments without identifying yourself if you prefer. Thanks so much- Let the discussion begin!
Click here for game recap
When you start a season, everyone is statistically equal. While we enter the season with predictions of who will win, these are not always accurate as we found out this past season in the USA South. The question comes up about the conference's competitiveness on a national scale. Every team has a goal of winning their conference, but there are programs outside the USA South that winning the conference is almost a foregone conclusion. These teams such as
Mt. Union (OH) and University of Wisconson-Whitewater are the preseason favorite to compete in the Stagg bowl for the national championship. There may be a conference title that they have to win first, but their season really begins in late November.
Since 1993, Mt. Union has won the national championship 10 times. They are a powerhouse of DIII football.
When I look at their roster, I see a team that is not all that different in size than Ferrum, or other USA South teams. So what will it take to make a team from the USA South competitive? What will it take to see the conference rep. go past the second round? What will it take for a USA South school to make it to the Stagg Bowl? Wouldn't be cool for Ferrum to play in the Stagg Bowl in Salem, VA (Only @ 30 miles from campus)
So I want to hear from you- Here is the discussion question.
What do you think needs to be done to make the USA South a stronger conference and a contender on the national level?
This is a forum for you the reader- I have never tried this on the blog, and am hoping to get a wide range of input. All comments are welcome as long as they are not profane or offensive. I will moderate all comments. I have final say as to whether the comment is put on the blog.. To make a comment, simply click the comment tab at the bottom of this article. You can leave comments without identifying yourself if you prefer. Thanks so much- Let the discussion begin!
Rabu, 18 November 2009
USA South All Conference Awards Announced
The Ferrum Panthers showed very well on the USA South All Conference team. In all, 11 Panthers were listed among 1st team, 2nd team, honorable mention, and the Sportsmanship award. Maureik Goode was a double recipient as a 2nd team linebacker, and receiving the sportsmanship award for the second consecutive year.
For the entire conference listing, click the link below:
2009 USA South All Conference Team
For the entire conference listing, click the link below:
2009 USA South All Conference Team
Senin, 16 November 2009
T.J. Grzesikowski Ends Season As Conference Punting Leader
Photo by Tammi Armstrong
Coming off last year's excellent performance, punter T.J. Grzesikowski struggled to put up the same numbers that won him the National Statistical Championship for DIII punting. Going into the season, many thought he would be the odds on favorite to repeat this feat. Favorite he was, but this is not an easy task to accomplish in the first place, much less repeat it. Adding to the difficulty, Ferrum had the 8th ranked rushing offense in the country. This would indicate that if the offense can move the ball, you may not be punting as often, or as far. It was the "short field" that I think reduced T.J.'s numbers. If you are punting for position, then the distance is not in play. It became more of an accuracy effort.
T.J. punted 5 fewer times in 2009. That may not seem like a lot less, but when you have a leg like T.J., its a huge amount. As an example, this year T.J. was ranked as high as 3rd in the nation for punting. This was early in the season, but by week 10, he had dropped to 39th in the nation, and there was no hope of repeating as National Champion. In the last game of the season, Grzesikowski punted five times for 263 yards. He landed 3 punts inside the twenty, and had three over 50 yards. One of them was 66 yards (His career longest as far as I can tell) These five punts took him from 39th in the nation to finish 12th, and took him from 3rd in the conference to 1st. With 5 additional punts...who knows? Great job T.J.,...I'm looking forward to next year already!
Coming off last year's excellent performance, punter T.J. Grzesikowski struggled to put up the same numbers that won him the National Statistical Championship for DIII punting. Going into the season, many thought he would be the odds on favorite to repeat this feat. Favorite he was, but this is not an easy task to accomplish in the first place, much less repeat it. Adding to the difficulty, Ferrum had the 8th ranked rushing offense in the country. This would indicate that if the offense can move the ball, you may not be punting as often, or as far. It was the "short field" that I think reduced T.J.'s numbers. If you are punting for position, then the distance is not in play. It became more of an accuracy effort.
T.J. punted 5 fewer times in 2009. That may not seem like a lot less, but when you have a leg like T.J., its a huge amount. As an example, this year T.J. was ranked as high as 3rd in the nation for punting. This was early in the season, but by week 10, he had dropped to 39th in the nation, and there was no hope of repeating as National Champion. In the last game of the season, Grzesikowski punted five times for 263 yards. He landed 3 punts inside the twenty, and had three over 50 yards. One of them was 66 yards (His career longest as far as I can tell) These five punts took him from 39th in the nation to finish 12th, and took him from 3rd in the conference to 1st. With 5 additional punts...who knows? Great job T.J.,...I'm looking forward to next year already!
Big 12 Basketball Preview
If you look at the experts of most predictions, Kansas is the almost consensus choice to win the national championship. It's easy to see why. They return everyone from a Sweet 16 team a year ago, including Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, two Player of the Year candidates. They also return guys like Tyshawn Taylor and Markief Morris, two talented guys who were just getting their feet wet last season. To top it off, they are adding Xavier Henry, one of the best freshmen in the country, a guy that scored 27 points in his collegiate debut. They are the most talented and experienced team in the country.
However, they will have competition within their own conference, as Texas also looks like a Final Four contender. Damion James is one of the most versatile players in the country, and he is joined by Dexter Pittman and Justin Mason to form a solid senior trio. Gary Johnson provides depth and bulk up front, as he was a double digit scorer last season. In the backcourt, Avery Bradley is one of the best freshmen in the country, and should be a great defender from day one. Varez Ward and Florida transfer Jai Lucas should battle for minutes at the point. The Longhorns will be a great team under Rick Barnes.
Oklahoma lost Player of the Year Blake Griffin, but they appear to simply reload under Jeff Capel. Willie Warren was a high recruit last year, and should take control of the team in his second season. Tony Crocker joins him to form a solid backcourt. Upfront, Keith "Tiny" Gallon will be relied upon to contribute immediately, and he seems up for the challenge, as he scored 18 points and grabbed 15rebounds in his college debut.
There is a large talent dropoff after those three teams, but there are still some teams that get after it. Kansas State has some very solid scorers in Frank Martin's third season. Oklahoma St. finished very strong last year, and will look to build on that, led by James Anderson. Iowa St. will look to get to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in years, and they might have the firepower to do that with the return of Craig Brackins, one of the best players in the conference.
The Big 12 appears to be very top heavy heading into the season, but the top of the conference might be better than in any other conference in America. Kansas is the number 1 team in the country, and Texas is not far behind. If Oklahoma can be a top 10 team, the Big 12 could be the most talented conference in America.
However, they will have competition within their own conference, as Texas also looks like a Final Four contender. Damion James is one of the most versatile players in the country, and he is joined by Dexter Pittman and Justin Mason to form a solid senior trio. Gary Johnson provides depth and bulk up front, as he was a double digit scorer last season. In the backcourt, Avery Bradley is one of the best freshmen in the country, and should be a great defender from day one. Varez Ward and Florida transfer Jai Lucas should battle for minutes at the point. The Longhorns will be a great team under Rick Barnes.
Oklahoma lost Player of the Year Blake Griffin, but they appear to simply reload under Jeff Capel. Willie Warren was a high recruit last year, and should take control of the team in his second season. Tony Crocker joins him to form a solid backcourt. Upfront, Keith "Tiny" Gallon will be relied upon to contribute immediately, and he seems up for the challenge, as he scored 18 points and grabbed 15rebounds in his college debut.
There is a large talent dropoff after those three teams, but there are still some teams that get after it. Kansas State has some very solid scorers in Frank Martin's third season. Oklahoma St. finished very strong last year, and will look to build on that, led by James Anderson. Iowa St. will look to get to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in years, and they might have the firepower to do that with the return of Craig Brackins, one of the best players in the conference.
The Big 12 appears to be very top heavy heading into the season, but the top of the conference might be better than in any other conference in America. Kansas is the number 1 team in the country, and Texas is not far behind. If Oklahoma can be a top 10 team, the Big 12 could be the most talented conference in America.
NCAA Basketball Big Ten Preview
The Big Ten has been very much maligned in recent years, as fans tend to see the slow, defensive-minded teams and think that teams from the Big Ten cannot compete with national powers. In the past, they might have been right, but things should be different this season. Michigan St. and Purdue are legitimate Final Four contenders, and they have a host of other teams that will be in the running to make the NCAA Tournament.
The Spartans made a surprising run to the Championship game last season, and return almost everyone from that team. Leading them will be PG Kalin Lucas, who is the Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. He is a lightning quick PG that can make a lot of things happen when he pushes the ball. The key for the Spartans will be Raymar Morgan, a guy with star ability who has not played to his talent. If he does, the Spartans could get back to the title game.
Purdue will have a little something to say about the Big Ten title race, as they return almost all of their talent from a Sweet 16 team. Their leader is Robbie Hummel, who put up excellent all-around numbers despite battling injury problems. But they are a very balanced squad, with JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, and Keaton Grant all providing scoring pop. They've also got diminutive Lewis Jackson and defensive specialist Chris Kramer to provide sparks in the backcourt.
The middle of the pack is also very deep and talented, as they have at least 4 teams that should be ranked or close to it for much of the season. Michigan should be a Tourney team again in John Beilein's third year, as both Manny Harris and Deshawn Sims could be all Big Ten performers. Evan Turner is one of the most well-rounded players in America, and fills up a stat sheet better than almost everyone else in the country. He averaged 17 PPG/7 RPG/4 APG last season.
Minnesota will continue its resurgence under Tubby Smith, as they should have their most talented team under him. They don't have a lot of stars, but they are deeper than any team in the conference and can throw a lot of different looks at teams. Illinois was third in the Big Ten last season, and they bring in one of the best recruiting classes in the conference. Bruce Weber will have them back in the NCAA Tournament once again.
The Big Ten will be one of the deepest and best conferences in the country this season, something that has not been said very much recently. With two Final Four candidates and up to 9 out of 11 teams thinking they will have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament, look for the Big Ten to make some noise this season.
The Spartans made a surprising run to the Championship game last season, and return almost everyone from that team. Leading them will be PG Kalin Lucas, who is the Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. He is a lightning quick PG that can make a lot of things happen when he pushes the ball. The key for the Spartans will be Raymar Morgan, a guy with star ability who has not played to his talent. If he does, the Spartans could get back to the title game.
Purdue will have a little something to say about the Big Ten title race, as they return almost all of their talent from a Sweet 16 team. Their leader is Robbie Hummel, who put up excellent all-around numbers despite battling injury problems. But they are a very balanced squad, with JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, and Keaton Grant all providing scoring pop. They've also got diminutive Lewis Jackson and defensive specialist Chris Kramer to provide sparks in the backcourt.
The middle of the pack is also very deep and talented, as they have at least 4 teams that should be ranked or close to it for much of the season. Michigan should be a Tourney team again in John Beilein's third year, as both Manny Harris and Deshawn Sims could be all Big Ten performers. Evan Turner is one of the most well-rounded players in America, and fills up a stat sheet better than almost everyone else in the country. He averaged 17 PPG/7 RPG/4 APG last season.
Minnesota will continue its resurgence under Tubby Smith, as they should have their most talented team under him. They don't have a lot of stars, but they are deeper than any team in the conference and can throw a lot of different looks at teams. Illinois was third in the Big Ten last season, and they bring in one of the best recruiting classes in the conference. Bruce Weber will have them back in the NCAA Tournament once again.
The Big Ten will be one of the deepest and best conferences in the country this season, something that has not been said very much recently. With two Final Four candidates and up to 9 out of 11 teams thinking they will have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament, look for the Big Ten to make some noise this season.
Minggu, 15 November 2009
Pre Season Predictions - Not So Accurate
In my preseason post regarding the finishing order of the USA South, I can look back now and realize that as far as finishing order goes, I was pretty far off. You may remember that I predicted the following:
8th place-Greensboro (Record 1-9, 0-7)
7th place- Methodist (Record 2-8, 1-6)
6th place- Maryville (Record 2-8, 2-5)
5th place- Averett (Record 5-5, 3-4)
4th place- Shenandoah (5-5, 4-3)
Tied for 1st- Ferrum, CNU, and NCW (all with a 6-1 conference record) Overall I predicted CNU, and NCW to finish 7-3, and I thought Ferrum would finish 9-1.
After seeing the season schedule on the USA South website, I went through and predicted each game, well before the season started. The weekly predictions that I post, are directly reflective of those preseason picks. So where did I go wrong?
Starting with Ferrum, I had no way of knowing that there would be many players that coaches and fans expected to return, but in the end would not. Among those were Marcus Mayo QB, Zach Brown, DB, William Kenny, DB, T.J. Price, QB, Quinn Tibbs, WR and Clint Slappey K. So in essence, Ferrum fielded a younger, less experienced team than I anticipated.
Greensboro- The biggest surprise of the season. This team has gelled into a strong team, and I did not see it coming. I knew their coaching staff was new, but I really did not see them being competitive this season. I could not have been more wrong. They have done a complete 180, and I look for their coach to be the Coach of the Year in the USA South.
Shenandoah is a team that never got their program on the right track. I am really not sure why. Other than the NCW game where they lost by 18, their largest defeat was 6 points. This team I feel was close to competing, and while I picked them to finish 4th, in the end they were short of that mark.
Averett is a strong team, but I felt that roster vacancies may be too much to overcome. I looked for them to finish at 5-5, but did say that with some upsets they might just contend...Looking back, I would say they did that well.
Christopher Newport- An unusual amount of injuries to this team has kept it from contending for the conference crown. This is a strong team, but have had to rely on their bench far more than they would have liked. They will be back.
So as the season has now ended, and with my overall predictions being not so hot, I will paste in a quote I made in the opening paragraph leading to those original predictions...
"I have said that there will be a great deal of parity in the league, and I expect this to be a year that almost anything can happen. With that in mind, I post my predictions knowing that on any given Saturday any team can beat any other team."
Well maybe I got that part right....Can't wait till next year!
Final Predictions-
Week 11: 3-1
Overall: 31-21
8th place-Greensboro (Record 1-9, 0-7)
7th place- Methodist (Record 2-8, 1-6)
6th place- Maryville (Record 2-8, 2-5)
5th place- Averett (Record 5-5, 3-4)
4th place- Shenandoah (5-5, 4-3)
Tied for 1st- Ferrum, CNU, and NCW (all with a 6-1 conference record) Overall I predicted CNU, and NCW to finish 7-3, and I thought Ferrum would finish 9-1.
After seeing the season schedule on the USA South website, I went through and predicted each game, well before the season started. The weekly predictions that I post, are directly reflective of those preseason picks. So where did I go wrong?
Starting with Ferrum, I had no way of knowing that there would be many players that coaches and fans expected to return, but in the end would not. Among those were Marcus Mayo QB, Zach Brown, DB, William Kenny, DB, T.J. Price, QB, Quinn Tibbs, WR and Clint Slappey K. So in essence, Ferrum fielded a younger, less experienced team than I anticipated.
Greensboro- The biggest surprise of the season. This team has gelled into a strong team, and I did not see it coming. I knew their coaching staff was new, but I really did not see them being competitive this season. I could not have been more wrong. They have done a complete 180, and I look for their coach to be the Coach of the Year in the USA South.
Shenandoah is a team that never got their program on the right track. I am really not sure why. Other than the NCW game where they lost by 18, their largest defeat was 6 points. This team I feel was close to competing, and while I picked them to finish 4th, in the end they were short of that mark.
Averett is a strong team, but I felt that roster vacancies may be too much to overcome. I looked for them to finish at 5-5, but did say that with some upsets they might just contend...Looking back, I would say they did that well.
Christopher Newport- An unusual amount of injuries to this team has kept it from contending for the conference crown. This is a strong team, but have had to rely on their bench far more than they would have liked. They will be back.
So as the season has now ended, and with my overall predictions being not so hot, I will paste in a quote I made in the opening paragraph leading to those original predictions...
"I have said that there will be a great deal of parity in the league, and I expect this to be a year that almost anything can happen. With that in mind, I post my predictions knowing that on any given Saturday any team can beat any other team."
Well maybe I got that part right....Can't wait till next year!
Final Predictions-
Week 11: 3-1
Overall: 31-21
Division III Tournament Brackets Announced
Thirty two teams will again make up the tournament bracket for the Division III football championship. The USA South is represented by the North Carolina Wesleyan Bishops. They will travel to Wesley Delaware to take on the 10-0 3rd ranked Wesley Wolverines. This will be a tough opponent for the Bishops. You will remember in Ferrum's last trip to the playoffs in 2005, they travelled to Wesley and came up on the short end of a 59-14 score.
The remainder to the tournament bracket can be seen at the link below:
2009 DIII Championship Bracket
The remainder to the tournament bracket can be seen at the link below:
2009 DIII Championship Bracket
Sabtu, 14 November 2009
Ferrum Closes With a Road Win 21-14
Ferrum travelled to Maryville TN and came away with a 21-14 victory over the Scots.In what was Thomas Porter's last college game, the Senior running back went out wiith a bang scoring two of Ferrum's three touchdowns. Porter opened the scoring with 10:21 left in the second quarter with a 25 yard run to paydirt. With Scott Puschell's kick, the Panthers held a 7-0 lead. Porter was not finished with the 1st half scoring as he found the end zone again at the 5:25 mark, and with another Puschell kick Ferrum took a 14-0 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, both teams highlighted their strong defenses to begin the half as neither team scored in the third quarter. At the 13:22 mark of the final period, Maryville began their comeback as the Scots scored on an 8 yard run, and with the extra point, the score was 14-7. The excitement for the Scots was short lived however as on the ensuing kickoff, Mike Vann returned the ball 60 yards to the Maryville 31. On the next play, Makya Jackson took the ball and scored from 31 yards out . with the extra point, Ferrum again lead by 14, 21-7.
Maryville's next possession lead to a 49 yard touchdown pass with 12: 36 left, and with the extra point, Ferrum's lead was again cut to 7 points, 21-14. Ferrum would answer on their next possession as QB Matt Dobson led the Panthers on a drive highlighted by a 59 yard pass play to Makya Jackson moving the ball to the Maryville 17. Three plays later, Dobson was intercepted, ending the drive. The Panther defense rose to the occasion to stop any further Maryville threats, and the Panthers closed out the season with a victory.
Ferrum keys to a victory:
Control Time of Possession. This was a job well done by Ferrum as they dominated time of possession in every quarter but the fourth. Overall they did lead in this statistic.
Ball Protection - Win the Turnover war.
Ferrum had 2 turnovers,(1 fumble, and 1 Int) and the fumble did lead to a Maryville score. Nonetheless, Ferrum improved greatly in this area from last week.
Be prepared to throw the ball.
This, as usual, was not the focus of the Ferrum offensive attack. While Dobson was 3-12 for 95 yards, Most of the Panther attack was on the ground.
Be prepared to defend the pass- Maryville will put it up-
Yes they did throw- 29 times, completing 12 for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns. This again was the weak point for Ferrum, but Ferrum did get to their QB to record 2 sacks.Bent but did not break.
Special teams will be important- Puschell was perfect on xp's, and Mike Vann's 61 yard kickoff return was crucial in the grand scheme of things. T.J. Grzeikowski, who has not had quite the same success as last year, finished the 2009 season on a high note- 5 punts averaging 52.6 yards. 3 of his punts were over 50 yards with his longest being 66 yards. This is seldom thought of as a critical part of the outcome, but it was a major factor in this win.
So this season is over, and Ferrum ends 5-5. North Carolina Wesleyan will be the USA South representative in the NCAA tournament. Maybe not as successful a season as some may have expected, but Ferrum, who ended up being a much younger team than was originally anticipated, grew and matured as the season went on. This team had its struggles, but in all they proved that they are a force in the USA South. Next year, Ferrum will have lots of new names and faces, but I personally believe that the coaching staff of the Panthers will have them prepared, and the Seniors next season will lead by example, just as the Seniors of this season have done.
In the second half, both teams highlighted their strong defenses to begin the half as neither team scored in the third quarter. At the 13:22 mark of the final period, Maryville began their comeback as the Scots scored on an 8 yard run, and with the extra point, the score was 14-7. The excitement for the Scots was short lived however as on the ensuing kickoff, Mike Vann returned the ball 60 yards to the Maryville 31. On the next play, Makya Jackson took the ball and scored from 31 yards out . with the extra point, Ferrum again lead by 14, 21-7.
Maryville's next possession lead to a 49 yard touchdown pass with 12: 36 left, and with the extra point, Ferrum's lead was again cut to 7 points, 21-14. Ferrum would answer on their next possession as QB Matt Dobson led the Panthers on a drive highlighted by a 59 yard pass play to Makya Jackson moving the ball to the Maryville 17. Three plays later, Dobson was intercepted, ending the drive. The Panther defense rose to the occasion to stop any further Maryville threats, and the Panthers closed out the season with a victory.
Ferrum keys to a victory:
Control Time of Possession. This was a job well done by Ferrum as they dominated time of possession in every quarter but the fourth. Overall they did lead in this statistic.
Ball Protection - Win the Turnover war.
Ferrum had 2 turnovers,(1 fumble, and 1 Int) and the fumble did lead to a Maryville score. Nonetheless, Ferrum improved greatly in this area from last week.
Be prepared to throw the ball.
This, as usual, was not the focus of the Ferrum offensive attack. While Dobson was 3-12 for 95 yards, Most of the Panther attack was on the ground.
Be prepared to defend the pass- Maryville will put it up-
Yes they did throw- 29 times, completing 12 for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns. This again was the weak point for Ferrum, but Ferrum did get to their QB to record 2 sacks.Bent but did not break.
Special teams will be important- Puschell was perfect on xp's, and Mike Vann's 61 yard kickoff return was crucial in the grand scheme of things. T.J. Grzeikowski, who has not had quite the same success as last year, finished the 2009 season on a high note- 5 punts averaging 52.6 yards. 3 of his punts were over 50 yards with his longest being 66 yards. This is seldom thought of as a critical part of the outcome, but it was a major factor in this win.
So this season is over, and Ferrum ends 5-5. North Carolina Wesleyan will be the USA South representative in the NCAA tournament. Maybe not as successful a season as some may have expected, but Ferrum, who ended up being a much younger team than was originally anticipated, grew and matured as the season went on. This team had its struggles, but in all they proved that they are a force in the USA South. Next year, Ferrum will have lots of new names and faces, but I personally believe that the coaching staff of the Panthers will have them prepared, and the Seniors next season will lead by example, just as the Seniors of this season have done.
GAMEDAY Spotlight-Matt Lucus
Position: Fullback
Height: 5-9
Weight: 210
Class: Senior
Hometown: Leesburg, VA
High School: Heritage
USA South All-Conference 1st team, 2007
USA South All-Conference 1st team, 2008
Rabu, 11 November 2009
Week Eleven Predictions
NC Wesleyan @ Averett
Christopher Newport @ Methodist
Ferrum @ Maryville
Greensboro @ Shenandoah
Last Week: 1-3
Overall : 28-20
Christopher Newport @ Methodist
Ferrum @ Maryville
Greensboro @ Shenandoah
Last Week: 1-3
Overall : 28-20
Headed to MaryvillePanthers End Season on the Road
It seems like the season just began at Emory and Henry. Saturday, Ferrum travels to Maryville TN to close the 2009 season against the Maryville Scots. Coming off of a triple overtime loss to Averett, Ferrum looks to end this season on a high note and secure a .500 record. In order to do that, they must get past a tough Maryville team that is coming off of their programs first ever win against Christopher Newport. This will not be an easy game for the Panthers. Statistically, both teams match up similarly. The Conference's number 1 rated rushing offense, against the conference's number 1 rated rushing defense. Ferrum averages 295.0 yards per game on the ground, and Maryville gives up only 133.8 yards per game. The Maryville offense averages 333.1 yards per game (Rushing and Passing) ranking them 4th offensively in the conference, While the Ferrum defense is giving up 358.8 yards per game, ranking them 7th in the conference. Since this series began in 2005, Ferrum and Maryville are tied with 2 wins each. Ferrum won last year 24-10.
Against common opponents, their records too are almost identical...Both teams beat Methodist and Shenandoah, but both teams lost to North Carolina Wesleyan, Averett, and Greensboro, The one glaring difference is that Maryville beat CNU on the road, and Ferrum lost to CNU at home.
While this game does not have playoff implications, look for this to be the best, most exciting game of the weekend!
So what are the keys to a Ferrum victory?
Ball control
Control time of possession
Ball Protection
6 fumbles last week is not something that can happen again- Do not give this team anything but a handshake at the coin toss.
Be prepared to throw the ball
MC has a suspect pass defense, and this can be taken advantage of.
Defend the pass
Maryville will put it up. Let's see some interceptions
Special Teams will be key here.
The game may be decided by a field goal or by field position. All opportunities must count.
Stay loose, and have fun
How about some razzle dazzle? Hook and Ladder, Halfback pass to the QB. Have fun. This is the last time for the Seniors- Make it a win- Make it memorable.
Go Panthers!
My Prediction:
Ferrum 30
Maryville 27
Against common opponents, their records too are almost identical...Both teams beat Methodist and Shenandoah, but both teams lost to North Carolina Wesleyan, Averett, and Greensboro, The one glaring difference is that Maryville beat CNU on the road, and Ferrum lost to CNU at home.
While this game does not have playoff implications, look for this to be the best, most exciting game of the weekend!
So what are the keys to a Ferrum victory?
Ball control
Control time of possession
Ball Protection
6 fumbles last week is not something that can happen again- Do not give this team anything but a handshake at the coin toss.
Be prepared to throw the ball
MC has a suspect pass defense, and this can be taken advantage of.
Defend the pass
Maryville will put it up. Let's see some interceptions
Special Teams will be key here.
The game may be decided by a field goal or by field position. All opportunities must count.
Stay loose, and have fun
How about some razzle dazzle? Hook and Ladder, Halfback pass to the QB. Have fun. This is the last time for the Seniors- Make it a win- Make it memorable.
Go Panthers!
My Prediction:
Ferrum 30
Maryville 27
Selasa, 10 November 2009
Senin, 09 November 2009
NCAA Basketball Big East Preview
In 2008-09, the Big East was the best and deepest conference in America, sending 7 teams into the NCAA Tournament, including three teams that garned a #1 seed. However, they lost a lot of talent to the NBA and to graduation in the offseason, leaving room for a lot of potential change within the conference.
Villanova and West Virginia look like they will be the main challengers for the conference title. Villanova might have the best guard play in the conference (led by senior Scottie Reynolds, hero in the NCAA Tournament), as Jay Wright's teams are always strong in this area. The Wildcats also have some very talented big men coming into the program, and the speed of their development could dictate how much success Villanova will have this season.
The Mountaineers have the best duo in the Conference, with forwards Devin Ebanks and Da'Sean Butler. Both are potential All-Big East performers, and Ebanks could be the best player in the Big East. If they can get consistent guard play from Joe Mazzulla and Darryl Bryant, Bob Huggins team could have a chance to go all the way to the Final Four.
There is uncertainty after that. Connecticut and Louisville will likely be down a bit after #1 seeds last season, but they should still challenge for spots near the top of the conference. If Stanley Robinson can play up to his potential for UConn, they should be considered the favorite to finish third in the Big East, especially with sophomore Kemba Walker and veteran guard Jerome Dyson in the backcourt. The Cardinals will have to deal with a lot of off the court things after Rick Pitino's tumultuous offseason, but they have the talent to be very good once again.
Luke Harangody is the best player in the Big East and could be the favorite for National Player of the Year. He put up huge numbers last season, and returned for his senior year of college poised to break all types of Notre Dame records. He likes the Irish' chances of getting back to the NCAA Tournament, but they will be on the bubble all season. Seton Hall could be a big surprise, as they welcome in a trio of talented transfers into the mix. Bobby Gonzalez could get the Pirates back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
The Big East is not as strong at the top and doesn't have as many great teams as it did a season ago, but it should still be very strong and deep. In particular, the middle of the conference, with teams like Seton Hall, St. John's, and Rutgers, should all be improved this season, meaning that there will be no easy night in the Big East. Well, except maybe DePaul.
Villanova and West Virginia look like they will be the main challengers for the conference title. Villanova might have the best guard play in the conference (led by senior Scottie Reynolds, hero in the NCAA Tournament), as Jay Wright's teams are always strong in this area. The Wildcats also have some very talented big men coming into the program, and the speed of their development could dictate how much success Villanova will have this season.
The Mountaineers have the best duo in the Conference, with forwards Devin Ebanks and Da'Sean Butler. Both are potential All-Big East performers, and Ebanks could be the best player in the Big East. If they can get consistent guard play from Joe Mazzulla and Darryl Bryant, Bob Huggins team could have a chance to go all the way to the Final Four.
There is uncertainty after that. Connecticut and Louisville will likely be down a bit after #1 seeds last season, but they should still challenge for spots near the top of the conference. If Stanley Robinson can play up to his potential for UConn, they should be considered the favorite to finish third in the Big East, especially with sophomore Kemba Walker and veteran guard Jerome Dyson in the backcourt. The Cardinals will have to deal with a lot of off the court things after Rick Pitino's tumultuous offseason, but they have the talent to be very good once again.
Luke Harangody is the best player in the Big East and could be the favorite for National Player of the Year. He put up huge numbers last season, and returned for his senior year of college poised to break all types of Notre Dame records. He likes the Irish' chances of getting back to the NCAA Tournament, but they will be on the bubble all season. Seton Hall could be a big surprise, as they welcome in a trio of talented transfers into the mix. Bobby Gonzalez could get the Pirates back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
The Big East is not as strong at the top and doesn't have as many great teams as it did a season ago, but it should still be very strong and deep. In particular, the middle of the conference, with teams like Seton Hall, St. John's, and Rutgers, should all be improved this season, meaning that there will be no easy night in the Big East. Well, except maybe DePaul.
NCAA Basketball ACC Preview
A season ago, North Carolina had their One Shining Moment, beating Michigan St. for the National Title and declaring that the ACC had the best team in the nation. However, they lost much of their core roster (including Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Ty Lawson), making the ACC race wide open.
Even with the losses, the Tar Heels will still be in contention for the title. They return a lot of young talent, and they brought in a strong recruiting class. They should be very strong up front, led by Ed Davis (who showed tons of talent as a freshman off the bench and should be a star as a sophomore), Deon Thompson, Tyler Zeller, and freshman John Henson. If the backcourt can play well, the Tar Heels could certainly contender for another national championship.
Duke looks to be their main contender, and the rivalry between the two schools should remain strong. Duke is also deep up front, and will be led by Kyle Singler, one of the most versatile players in the country. He has a chance to be a first-team All-American. They will be very thin in the backcourt after the transfer of Elliot Williams to Memphis, as Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and freshman Andre Dawkins will be relied on to play very heavy minutes. Still, they have the talent to win an ACC title.
Georgia Tech is coming off of a disappointing season, but they bring in one of the best freshman classes in the country. The headliner is post man Derrick Favors, who rivals only John Wall of Kentucky for best freshman in the country. He teams with returnee Gani Lawal in the post (15.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG) to form one of the best front lines in the entire country. If the freshman can mature and blend in with some talented returners, look for Georgia Tech to get back to the Tourney.
Things are less clear after that. Maryland and Clemson look like Tourney teams again, and Greivis Vazquez for the Terps could be the ACC Player of the Year. Beyond that, Florida State, Boston College, and perhaps Wake Forest should challenge for Tourney spots in what could be a deep conference.
The ACC is also a very strong conference, and things appear no different this season. With Duke, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech leading the way, the ACC will again boast some of the most talented teams in the country. While there are no favorites to reach the Final Four like last year, things are still looking up in the ACC.
Even with the losses, the Tar Heels will still be in contention for the title. They return a lot of young talent, and they brought in a strong recruiting class. They should be very strong up front, led by Ed Davis (who showed tons of talent as a freshman off the bench and should be a star as a sophomore), Deon Thompson, Tyler Zeller, and freshman John Henson. If the backcourt can play well, the Tar Heels could certainly contender for another national championship.
Duke looks to be their main contender, and the rivalry between the two schools should remain strong. Duke is also deep up front, and will be led by Kyle Singler, one of the most versatile players in the country. He has a chance to be a first-team All-American. They will be very thin in the backcourt after the transfer of Elliot Williams to Memphis, as Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and freshman Andre Dawkins will be relied on to play very heavy minutes. Still, they have the talent to win an ACC title.
Georgia Tech is coming off of a disappointing season, but they bring in one of the best freshman classes in the country. The headliner is post man Derrick Favors, who rivals only John Wall of Kentucky for best freshman in the country. He teams with returnee Gani Lawal in the post (15.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG) to form one of the best front lines in the entire country. If the freshman can mature and blend in with some talented returners, look for Georgia Tech to get back to the Tourney.
Things are less clear after that. Maryland and Clemson look like Tourney teams again, and Greivis Vazquez for the Terps could be the ACC Player of the Year. Beyond that, Florida State, Boston College, and perhaps Wake Forest should challenge for Tourney spots in what could be a deep conference.
The ACC is also a very strong conference, and things appear no different this season. With Duke, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech leading the way, the ACC will again boast some of the most talented teams in the country. While there are no favorites to reach the Final Four like last year, things are still looking up in the ACC.
Sabtu, 07 November 2009
Ferrum Drops Heartbreaker to Averett 34-28....... 3 Overtimes
For the Seniors playing their last game at W.B. Adams Stadium, this is not the way they wanted to go out. Excitement was plentiful, as Ferrum and Averett traded blows evenly through the both halves. With Ferrum leading 7-0 at halftime,courtesy of a Matt Dobson 14 yard run, the dreaded 3rd quarter loomed for Ferrum. The Panthers have only scored 18 points in the third quarter this season. (NCW 11, Methodist 7). This third quarter would prove to be equally as frustrating as Ferrum did not score, but Averett scored 14 points to go ahead. In the fourth quarter, Matt Dobson scored his second rushing touchdown to tie the game at 14. Regulation ended this way, and for the second time this season, Ferrum went into OT. (the other was vs. Bridgewater)
Ferrum was dominating on the ground, and had the opportunities necessary to win the game.
Keys to a Ferrum Victory:
Continue the run game- They will have a difficult time stopping the option attack.
Very strong in this area...Dobson had an excellent game with 171 yards rushing.
Be prepared to defend the pass..This may not be their strength, but they will throw.
This they did- 15-35-0 161 yards. No Int's Average of 10.7 yards per pass completion, with 1 passing touchdown.
Cover punts close and quick...Don't not allow any breakaways.
1 punt returned 73 yards for a touchdown.
No turnovers- Do not give this team any chances to change momentum.
6 fumbles losing possession 4 times.
A team that runs as much as Ferrum does will have fumbles, but these ultimately were the undoing in this game. It could have easily gone the other way. Senior Matt Dobson had an inspiring performance, and in my opinion did an excellent job. Opportunity was lost in the third OT, and Ferrum fell 34-28. This one was winnable, and with a couple of less fumbles, and maybe a stop on a punt return for a TD, Ferrum would be headed to Maryville with a win under its belt.
One more bus trip, and its over for this season. Let's finish strong. Go out there, play sound fundamental football, and beat the Scots!
Ferrum was dominating on the ground, and had the opportunities necessary to win the game.
Keys to a Ferrum Victory:
Continue the run game- They will have a difficult time stopping the option attack.
Very strong in this area...Dobson had an excellent game with 171 yards rushing.
Be prepared to defend the pass..This may not be their strength, but they will throw.
This they did- 15-35-0 161 yards. No Int's Average of 10.7 yards per pass completion, with 1 passing touchdown.
Cover punts close and quick...Don't not allow any breakaways.
1 punt returned 73 yards for a touchdown.
No turnovers- Do not give this team any chances to change momentum.
6 fumbles losing possession 4 times.
A team that runs as much as Ferrum does will have fumbles, but these ultimately were the undoing in this game. It could have easily gone the other way. Senior Matt Dobson had an inspiring performance, and in my opinion did an excellent job. Opportunity was lost in the third OT, and Ferrum fell 34-28. This one was winnable, and with a couple of less fumbles, and maybe a stop on a punt return for a TD, Ferrum would be headed to Maryville with a win under its belt.
One more bus trip, and its over for this season. Let's finish strong. Go out there, play sound fundamental football, and beat the Scots!
GAMEDAY Spotlight- Willie Taylor
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6-3
Weight: 274
Class: Junior
Hometown: Onancock, Va.
High School: Nandua
HONORS
USA South All-Conference 1st team, 2008
Rabu, 04 November 2009
Best Three-Point Shooters in NBA History
The three point shot is one of the biggest weapons in all of basketball, an equalizer that can allow less talented teams to stick with more talented teams. It has become more and more in style in all levels of basketball, as teams have begun to see it as more beneficial than two point shots. When thinking about it... if you make 1 out of 3 three-point shots, that is comparable to making 50% of your two-point shots, so if you can hit a reasonable amount of them, it makes sense to shoot threes.
So who are some of the best ever from downtown? Near the top of the list would have to be Reggie Miller, who is the all-time leader in three point shots made. He is also one of the most clutch shooters ever, as he made big shot after big shot for the Indiana Pacers over the years. Perhaps most famous is his 6 points in 7 seconds against the New York Knicks in the NBA playoffs. He had a very consistent form, and made a lot of shots over a lot of years. He was likely the best three point shooter in NBA history. At 6'7'' he also had the height to get shots off against any defender.
Ray Allen is still active, and he is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He has perhaps the quickest release in NBA history, and seemingly needs only a blink of an eye to get a shot off. Whether he is creating his own shot, coming off a ball screen, or coming off another screen, if the defender is not right on him, he can and will get the shot off. He has enjoyed a long and successful career, playing for the Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics. He finally got his ring with the Celtics, further cementing his place as one of the best shooting guards in the game and one of the best shooters in history.
Steve Kerr is not one of the most prolific shooters ever, but he is one of the most accurate. Playing mostly for the Chicago Bulls, he made about 45% for his career. He was helped by playing with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pipper, which got him a lot of open looks throughout his career. His biggest moment came when he made the game winning shot to clinch an NBA Finals series. He parlayed his successful playing career into an NBA analyst spot, and is now GM of the Phoenix Suns.
The three-point shot has grown in popularity over the years, and has now become an essential part of any basketball team's strategy. Chances are, this trend will continue to develop as time passes.
So who are some of the best ever from downtown? Near the top of the list would have to be Reggie Miller, who is the all-time leader in three point shots made. He is also one of the most clutch shooters ever, as he made big shot after big shot for the Indiana Pacers over the years. Perhaps most famous is his 6 points in 7 seconds against the New York Knicks in the NBA playoffs. He had a very consistent form, and made a lot of shots over a lot of years. He was likely the best three point shooter in NBA history. At 6'7'' he also had the height to get shots off against any defender.
Ray Allen is still active, and he is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He has perhaps the quickest release in NBA history, and seemingly needs only a blink of an eye to get a shot off. Whether he is creating his own shot, coming off a ball screen, or coming off another screen, if the defender is not right on him, he can and will get the shot off. He has enjoyed a long and successful career, playing for the Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics. He finally got his ring with the Celtics, further cementing his place as one of the best shooting guards in the game and one of the best shooters in history.
Steve Kerr is not one of the most prolific shooters ever, but he is one of the most accurate. Playing mostly for the Chicago Bulls, he made about 45% for his career. He was helped by playing with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pipper, which got him a lot of open looks throughout his career. His biggest moment came when he made the game winning shot to clinch an NBA Finals series. He parlayed his successful playing career into an NBA analyst spot, and is now GM of the Phoenix Suns.
The three-point shot has grown in popularity over the years, and has now become an essential part of any basketball team's strategy. Chances are, this trend will continue to develop as time passes.
NBA Preseason MVP Candidates
LeBron James captured his first NBA MVP title in the 2008-2009 title, cementing his status as the best basketball player in the world right now. He has to be high up on a list of candidates heading into the 2009-10 season as well. His Cavaliers are expected to be one of the top contenders for the title this season, and being on a successful team is key to winning the award. James is the most athletically gifted player ever in the NBA. He can finish better than anyone else, as well as being an excellent rebounder, passer, and defender. With each passing season, it seems like another weakness in his game has been shored up, so it will be interesting to see how he can improve on last season.
Kobe Bryant is another annual contender for the award, as he will be playing on the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, a team that is the favroties to repeat. Bryant has lost some of the explosiveness of his younger days, but he makes up for it with craftiness and smarts. He has a great jumper, and is very creative about getting it off in many different situations. He has started to share the ball more and more, highlighting his skills as a passer. The numbers, star power, and wins will be there, which is why you can't count otu Kobe Bryant for the MVP award.
Dwyane Wade was magnificent last season, leading an otherwise bad Miami Heat team to the NBA playoffs. He puts his body on the line every night, and no guy is better at getting to the hole and drawing contact. He is a great teammate, getting others involved (over 7 assists per game last season) and playing staunch defense. If his body can withstand the pounding that he takes, he will be high up on the list of MVP candidates.
Dwight Howard continues to grow every year, and his Magic team will again be one of the strongest contenders in the East. Howard is the best rebounder and shot blocker in the NBA, and his offensive game seems to get a little bit better every season. Howard is an athletic freak down low, with size, speed, and strength that you normally don't ever see for men his size. With a lot of help from teammates, Howard should put up huge numbers once again, and will likely lead the league in rebounds.
These are just four of the contenders for MVP. Though it is possible that someone like Chris Paul or Kevin Durant will sneak into the race and garner some votes, it seems likely to me that as we embark on the 2009-10 season, the MVP will be one of these four guys.
Kobe Bryant is another annual contender for the award, as he will be playing on the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, a team that is the favroties to repeat. Bryant has lost some of the explosiveness of his younger days, but he makes up for it with craftiness and smarts. He has a great jumper, and is very creative about getting it off in many different situations. He has started to share the ball more and more, highlighting his skills as a passer. The numbers, star power, and wins will be there, which is why you can't count otu Kobe Bryant for the MVP award.
Dwyane Wade was magnificent last season, leading an otherwise bad Miami Heat team to the NBA playoffs. He puts his body on the line every night, and no guy is better at getting to the hole and drawing contact. He is a great teammate, getting others involved (over 7 assists per game last season) and playing staunch defense. If his body can withstand the pounding that he takes, he will be high up on the list of MVP candidates.
Dwight Howard continues to grow every year, and his Magic team will again be one of the strongest contenders in the East. Howard is the best rebounder and shot blocker in the NBA, and his offensive game seems to get a little bit better every season. Howard is an athletic freak down low, with size, speed, and strength that you normally don't ever see for men his size. With a lot of help from teammates, Howard should put up huge numbers once again, and will likely lead the league in rebounds.
These are just four of the contenders for MVP. Though it is possible that someone like Chris Paul or Kevin Durant will sneak into the race and garner some votes, it seems likely to me that as we embark on the 2009-10 season, the MVP will be one of these four guys.
NBA Preseason Rookie of the Year Candidates
Right after the NBA Draft in June, almost everyone penciled in Blake Griffin for the Rookie of the Year. It's easy to see why. As the first pick in the draft, he was going to get ample opportunity to see the court. He has more physical skills and potential than anyone else in the rookie class, and he looked polish enough to contribute a lot of quality minutes right away. However, his body did not cooperate, as injuries forced him to miss at least the first 4-6 weeks of the season.
This opened the door for other candidates to stake their claim to be Rookie of the Year. One such guy is Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks. After struggling in his year in Europe, not a lot was expected from him right away. However, with a rebuilding Bucks team, he stepped right into the starting lineup and showed off his immense talent. He almost had a triple-double in his first game, and then followed that up with a 24 point game. He is leading or close to leading the Bucks in many categories, and certainly looks like the real deal so far.
DeJuan Blair was seen as a steal for the San Antonio Spurs in round 2, and he has not disappointed. He is a rebound machine, and he procured a double-double in his first game in the NBA. As he continues to learn on the offensive end from Tim Duncan, he should turn into a better and better player, and could have a chance to compete for this award if he gets enough minutes.
Stephen Curry seems ideally suited for Don Nelson's "It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission" type offense, as he likes to get up the court and take lots of shots. He has played well early going, distributing the ball well in addition to using his beautiful shooting talents. As long as he continues to get consistent minutes (no certainty for a Don Nelson team), he will put up numbers that will put him in the Rookie of the Year discussion.
Johnny Flynn is starting at PG for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he has an NBA ready body. He is a great finisher and defender, and should be able to spread the ball around well for the young Timberwolves, as he grows into a leadership role. Tyreke Evans will get plenty of burn for a bad Sacramento Kings team, and we should expect to see him lighting up the scoreboard this season.
If Blake Griffin can recover quickly from his injury problems and contribute like everyone thought he would, he will still have a shot to win the Rookie of the Year award. However, if he falters, there will certainly be a lot of other guys vying to win a little bit of hardware in their rookie season.
This opened the door for other candidates to stake their claim to be Rookie of the Year. One such guy is Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks. After struggling in his year in Europe, not a lot was expected from him right away. However, with a rebuilding Bucks team, he stepped right into the starting lineup and showed off his immense talent. He almost had a triple-double in his first game, and then followed that up with a 24 point game. He is leading or close to leading the Bucks in many categories, and certainly looks like the real deal so far.
DeJuan Blair was seen as a steal for the San Antonio Spurs in round 2, and he has not disappointed. He is a rebound machine, and he procured a double-double in his first game in the NBA. As he continues to learn on the offensive end from Tim Duncan, he should turn into a better and better player, and could have a chance to compete for this award if he gets enough minutes.
Stephen Curry seems ideally suited for Don Nelson's "It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission" type offense, as he likes to get up the court and take lots of shots. He has played well early going, distributing the ball well in addition to using his beautiful shooting talents. As long as he continues to get consistent minutes (no certainty for a Don Nelson team), he will put up numbers that will put him in the Rookie of the Year discussion.
Johnny Flynn is starting at PG for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he has an NBA ready body. He is a great finisher and defender, and should be able to spread the ball around well for the young Timberwolves, as he grows into a leadership role. Tyreke Evans will get plenty of burn for a bad Sacramento Kings team, and we should expect to see him lighting up the scoreboard this season.
If Blake Griffin can recover quickly from his injury problems and contribute like everyone thought he would, he will still have a shot to win the Rookie of the Year award. However, if he falters, there will certainly be a lot of other guys vying to win a little bit of hardware in their rookie season.
Week Ten Predictions
Shenandoah @ NC Wesleyan
Maryville @ Christopher Newport
Averett @ Ferrum
Methodist @ Greensboro
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 27-17
Maryville @ Christopher Newport
Averett @ Ferrum
Methodist @ Greensboro
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 27-17
Senin, 02 November 2009
Ferrum to host Averett on Senior Day
With the seasons last home game fast approaching, Ferrum has to shake off the CNU loss, and prepare for another impressive team in Averett. The Cougars come to town still in the conference race with Christopher Newport and North Carolina Wesleyan. Averett has a 6-2 overall record and are 4-1 in the conference. Comparing both teams against common opponents is interesting:
Vs Bridgewater - AU loses by 10/Ferrum wins by 3 in OT
Vs Greensboro - AU wins by 11/Ferrum loses by 3
Vs CNU- AU loses by 31/Ferrum loses by 14
Vs Methodist- AU wins by 31/ Ferrum wins by 14
Vs Shenandoah- AU wins by 1/Ferrum wins by 6
Averett seems to be getting better as the season goes on. Overall their defense is strong, Statistically, they don't make mistakes as far as turnovers are concerned, and have a strong running back in Watson. They seem to have a middle of the pack rated rush defense, and this will be something Ferrum will try to exploit. They defend the pass well, but this is not something Ferrum will do a lot of. One interesting fact about the Cougars is that both their passing offense and rushing offense are ranked fifth in the conference, but their total offense is ranked seventh...further complicating this is that their scoring offense is ranked third in the conference. This is unusual, but to me indicates that they are fortunate with field position. The Cougars are ranked first in punt returns.
Keys to a Ferrum Victory-
Continue the run game- They will have a difficult time stopping the option attack.
Be prepared to defend the pass..This may not be their strength, but they will throw.
Cover punts close and quick...Don't not allow any breakaways.
No turnovers- Do not give this team any chances to change momentum.
On paper, one would think this will be a difficult close game- I don't think so. Ferrum wins big-
My Prediction
Ferrum 42
Averett 14
Vs Bridgewater - AU loses by 10/Ferrum wins by 3 in OT
Vs Greensboro - AU wins by 11/Ferrum loses by 3
Vs CNU- AU loses by 31/Ferrum loses by 14
Vs Methodist- AU wins by 31/ Ferrum wins by 14
Vs Shenandoah- AU wins by 1/Ferrum wins by 6
Averett seems to be getting better as the season goes on. Overall their defense is strong, Statistically, they don't make mistakes as far as turnovers are concerned, and have a strong running back in Watson. They seem to have a middle of the pack rated rush defense, and this will be something Ferrum will try to exploit. They defend the pass well, but this is not something Ferrum will do a lot of. One interesting fact about the Cougars is that both their passing offense and rushing offense are ranked fifth in the conference, but their total offense is ranked seventh...further complicating this is that their scoring offense is ranked third in the conference. This is unusual, but to me indicates that they are fortunate with field position. The Cougars are ranked first in punt returns.
Keys to a Ferrum Victory-
Continue the run game- They will have a difficult time stopping the option attack.
Be prepared to defend the pass..This may not be their strength, but they will throw.
Cover punts close and quick...Don't not allow any breakaways.
No turnovers- Do not give this team any chances to change momentum.
On paper, one would think this will be a difficult close game- I don't think so. Ferrum wins big-
My Prediction
Ferrum 42
Averett 14
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