A-10 Saturday 1-19

[Snipe]

Mighty Dukes @ Fordham 2:00
Charlotte @ UMass 4:00
LaSalle @ Richmond 4:00
St. Joes @ Penn 7:30
Xavier @ GW 8:00

I am rooting for the Mighty Dukes. I can't help myself.

I am also rooting for UMass, Richmond, SJU and of course the Xavier Musketeers.

Should be a few good games today.

[waggy]

The Dukes/Fordham gave is on FSN Pitt, and maybe some other Fox affiliates.

[waggy]

Dukes all over Fordham at start, up 11-2 less than 4 minutes in.

[waggy]

Fordham cuts the lead to 6 at the half after trailing by as much as 14 by cutting down on turnovers and playing better in the half court offense. They also played a little better defensively as the half went on, but they will have to improve that some more to win.

[waggy]

Stopped watching but Fordham has taken a 5 point lead at about the 12 minute mark. Getting the ball inside. Duquense really needs this game.

[waggy]

Fordham up 8 with 7 minutes left.

[waggy]

Watching Duq/Ford on Comcast NE. Next game on same channel is Richmond hosting La Salle. That ought to be a barnburner. Also, Charlotte @ UMass getting ready to start on MASN.

Dukes - Fordham still undecided.

[waggy]

Despite big leads for both teams at various points, in which both appeared to be in trouble, quite a game down the stretch. Not really sure how the Dukes were able to make a game of it, but I'm thinking too many missed freethrows by Fordham. But they get the win anyway, by 1. A Dukes guard missed the second of two free throws to tie the game with about 2 seconds left, and that was it.

[waggy]

BTW, the halftime feature was produced by CSTV and had snippets of A10 coaches telling who others have told them they look like. Martelli says most people tell him he looks like Brad Pitt, etc. :)

Every one of the CSTV produced halftimes I've seen have been well done.

[waggy]

Early returns in the Charlotte/UMass game seem to indicate UMass is going to have problems with Charlotte if they don't start playing much better defense. Charlotte up 11-6, 5 minutes in.

[waggy]

UMass does improve the defense with some blocks and rebounding, and turns up the offense too. They lead by 3 at the half. Goldwire has made some big shots, but UMass is making it difficult on him with big defenders, and he's trying to guard Forbes on defense, with mostly less than favorable results. Not sure what Gerrity is going sometimes, but he has made some positive plays.

La Salle with a lead at half over Richmond.

[waggy]

The Charlotte-UMass game has been a good one. Both teams playing well. Tied at 61 with about 10 minutes left.

The La Salle-Richmond game has also been tight, with La Salle leading by 2 with just 5 minutes left.

[waggy]

La Salle gets revenge on Richmond for earlier loss. I'm glad X plays both at home this year.

UMass offense down the stretch just better than Charlotte with many more options. Goldwire hit some big shots, but Charlotte asking him to do too much. Nice win for UMass.

[waggy]

St. Joes vs. Penn underway. Game is on Penn's home floor. Web link compliments of Dunga on the A10 board... mms://68.87.109.4/cn8winmedia

[Snipe]

This is a tough league to call. At least for me. My A-10 picks this week are getting hammered. Boy we need to win tonight.

[waggy]

Mine too.

The Duquesne loss really hurt them. That's what happens when a team like Fordham goes out and shits the bed ooc.

[waggy]

St. Joe's - Penn game is actually at the Palestra. St. Joe's leading by 30+ late in second half. Good for the A10 win %.

[Snipe]

SJU still has Nova left at the Palestra. They need that game and it will benefit the conference too. We have a good resume against the Big East. Dayton with Pitt, us with UC, URI & UMass at Cuse. SJU at Nova would complete the A-10 - Big East Challenge.

[American X]

Creighton clobbering Indiana State tonight. Win puts them at 14-3.

[cinskyline]

Despite big leads for both teams at various points, in which both appeared to be in trouble, quite a game down the stretch. Not really sure how the Dukes were able to make a game of it, but I'm thinking too many missed freethrows by Fordham. But they get the win anyway, by 1. A Dukes guard missed the second of two free throws to tie the game with about 2 seconds left, and that was it.

Ouch. That is a very costly loss for the Dukes.