MBB Game 34 - CBI - Vermont - 3/18/15, 7 PM

[Jojogunne]

Just got my ticket. Bring on the Catamounts!

http://www.gohofstra.com/news/2015/3/16 ... 51739.aspx

[stuball888]

They are tough at home 12-4. On the road they struggle at 6-9. We struggle at home so this should be a good game. Need to bring A game and not let them hang around.Peddle to the metal.

[HUSID80]

We are 6 point favs according to ESPN pick center. Like to see us keep winning for a true battle of Long Island...A three game series against the "vaunted" Seawolves....if they advance.

[Wags]

We are 6 point favs according to ESPN pick center. Like to see us keep winning for a true battle of Long Island...A three game series against the "vaunted" Seawolves....if they advance.

Interesting to note on that potentiality... the finals have gone the full three games six times in the seven-year history of the CBI. The only time someone swept the finals in two games was when VCU beat Saint Louis two straight in 2010. VCU reached the Final Four the following year.

[kkan126]

This game feels really odd after how we were eliminated from the CAA Tourney. It felt very final.

But I'm glad Dion and Moussa get to play again and go out on a better note. Should be interesting to see how the team responds from the W&M loss.

[HUSID80]

I hope we play hard...read a story in the Vermont papers that they are PUMPED to continue their season...the seventh post season in a row for the Catamounts

[Wags]

This game feels really odd after how we were eliminated from the CAA Tourney. It felt very final.

But I'm glad Dion and Moussa get to play again and go out on a better note. Should be interesting to see how the team responds from the W&M loss.

It's possible we could see some sloppy, uninspired play, being the first game in 10 days and the third in the past 18 for each team, plus the human nature aspect of not being able to get up as much for a CBI tourney after each team put their all into their respective conference tourneys only to each have heartbreaking losses -- not just HU with that 2OT defeat in Baltimore, but Vermont comes off a very tough loss as well, losing in the AE semis, at home, by two, after they were down four with nine seconds left and then missed possible tying jumper at the final buzzer, after they were up 12 at halftime.

Then again, each team may be able to shake all of that off after 10 days and just be happy to go out and play loose and have fun. Will be interesting to see how each team plays. Also looking forward to seeing how the 30-second shot clock may or may not impact the game. There didn't seem to be much of a difference in the way teams were running things in the NIT with that clock last night (ironically, BYU & Ole Miss, with the regular :35 clock in their First Four game, could have played that game with a :24 clock and never have been called for a shot clock violation).

Even though it's the CBI, Hofstra hasn't won a postseason game in nine years (yes, that's arleady how long it's been since HU won those NIT games over Nebraska and at St. Joseph's, before losing that quarterfinal game at home to ODU, with a chance to go to the Garden). So when it's been that long, you'll take any postseason win you can get.

[ZMAN3]

Our last venture - Coach P's last game vs IUPUI was a complete disaster - he had 1+ feet out the door and the team never showed up (nor did the fans) Hoping for something better - but don't expect much of a turnout. 30 second clock should help us more than hurt - we like to "fire it up" as fast as possible. Haven't seen Vermont but have a feeling they might not be up tempo.

[ProudofPride]

Vermont is 13th best in the country in defense, and we're 13th in the country in offense, so it'll be completely contrasting styles. We need to make sure we set the tempo early and stick to it. In one article I read, their coach stated that Darren Payen was going to act as an assistant coach for this game and help provide the scouting report.

[Wags]

Our last venture - Coach P's last game vs IUPUI was a complete disaster - he had 1+ feet out the door and the team never showed up (nor did the fans) Hoping for something better - but don't expect much of a turnout. 30 second clock should help us more than hurt - we like to "fire it up" as fast as possible. Haven't seen Vermont but have a feeling they might not be up tempo.

Yup, he stood there with his arms folded, as if he couldn't care less, as IUPUI started with a 21-2 lead.

That game was actually five years ago yesterday. It was the last time HU hosted a postseason game.

Given all of that, it would be very ironic if HU won its first postseason game in 9 yrs tonight, on the same day Pecora got fired by Fordham.

[Polito]

LETS GET IT!!!

#ROLLPRIDE

[EvanJ]

http://portal.stretchinternet.com/hofst ... Type=video will have video.

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=87772&a=1 will have statistics. I'm surprised it doesn't have Hofstra's lineup yet.

[Wags]

Vermont up 30-23, 3:26 left in the half. Sparce crowd, as expected. Tanskley just 1-for-7 thus far. HU: 8-24, 4-16 from 3. Really? Two-thirds of HU's first 24 shots from 3, even though they're only hit four? Not the best game plan so far.

As I say that, Bernardi down low to Gustys for an easy layup. Much better. Down 5.

Stony Brook and Mercer tied at 27-all, 2:59 left in the first half at Mercer.

[Wags]

Vermont up 33-30 at halftime.

Hope Coach is discussing shot selection in the locker room now. The paint is available enough if HU wants it, but they don't.

2-pt field goals: Vermont 10-19, Hofstra 6-10
3-pt field goals: Vermont 3-11, Hofstra 5-19

[Wags]

Vermont up 33-30 at halftime.

Hope Coach is discussing shot selection in the locker room now. The paint is available enough if HU wants it, but they don't.

2-pt field goals: Vermont 10-19, Hofstra 6-10
3-pt field goals: Vermont 3-11, Hofstra 5-19

HU 3-4, all from two-point range, to start the second half.

[EvanJ]

Vermont leads 42-40 and will be shooting free throws. With 15:49 left Vermont is in the bonus and Hofstra is on pace to commit 33 fouls in the second half. Hofstra has never led or been tied.

[ProudofPride]

This is pathetic on all ends.
When the refs called Malik Nichols for a foul to give Hofstra the 7th team foul of the 2nd half, Moussa Kone just stood there shaking his head with a look of disbelief.

Playing some defense would be nice, but we'll probably just get called for a foul if we even try.

[dutchiedoright]

I usually don't holler about officiating, but....wow....this is ugly.

that call on dion was absurd.

[Wags]

Stony Brook just lost in the final seconds (again), 72-70.

So there goes that for an all-LI finals.

But HU still has a shot! A 15-6 run has cut it to 83-81 with :48.2 left.

[Polito]

I understand the officiating is bad, but just can't excuse this or sugarcoat, this is an embarrassment - these guys should be ashamed that they can't play with fire

Major second chance, a joke field that could feasibly be won, HOME game against an average team from the AE

I mean sheez guys, you've GOT to be able win at least ONE postseason game in that scenario - this is a complete waste, a complete joke of a performance - tanksley aweful for the 2nd very important game - green and nesmith racking up fouls, Kone nonexistent - I mean of you weren't going to show out you could've told the school to save the $

Really unacceptable - the home fans have been sh!t on all yr - that nonsense better change yr 3

Get some damn players that will play with passion instead of constantly coming out flat - to not play with fire at home in the postseason is a big knock on the players - that's just an insult to the school the fans and the game

Pls recruit better JM - I'm 100% serious - you need it if you ever expect to do anything of significance here.