Just catching up on the posts after being away for a few days and noticed some of the issues with AU being the top seed.  Yes, Greensboro kicked our tails at their place, probably the worst we've played all year.  Yes, we had guys out when we played at SU but that's no excuse.  SU simply outplayed us that night.  All year long, everyone has known that AU was playing hurt, yet you never heard our guys complain.  They simply figured out what they needed to do over the last 7 games to give themselves a shot at postseason play.

I saw the rankings for all conference players and noticed that not many AU players were mentioned.  I think that stems a lot from the system you have to buy into if you play for Coach Allen.  The number of minutes you get as a player are not as great as other schools, so your stats aren't going to be as noticeable.  But the record over the last three years speaks for itself about the system Coach Allen runs.  Going from no wins three years ago to where the program is now says a lot.  I also think it shows that what can happen with players who weren't thought to have much talent at the beginning of the year put aside individual stats and focus on the team goal. 

Should be a great tournament.  Got to get my hotel reservations now!

There is an article on D3hoops about the 2007 regional rankings.  In the South region, AU comes in at #7.  Virginia Weslyan and Guilford are also in the group.  I would have thought Greensboro might have shown up

We had a good win against Methodist last night, 71-52.  One of the stats was pts off turnovers where AU got 27 to MU's 11.  Also, it looks like we're going away from relying a lot on the 3 ball and going inside more.  Of our 52 total shots, we only took 6 from 3 pt range and made 3 of those.  CNU game on Saturday is huge!  Despite what everyone is saying about CNU's intensity, etc., I guarantee you AU worries about this team!  Should be a good one!

AU managed to win a tough road game at Ferrum last night.  We were down by 12 at one point early in the second half.  Our big man, Brown, was able to score a lot of points in the last eight minutes of the game.  We only missed one player last night due to injury, but we're supposed to have everyone ready for Saturday.  I've copied the article from Averett's website below.

We're only one game out of first and G'boro comes to the Grant Center on Saturday.  It is a must win for us.  I hope the guys have gotten over the beating we took at G'boro a few weeks earlier.

http://www.averett.edu/athletics/display_story.php?id=790

Averett had a good win against NCW on Saturday - the 3 balls seem to fall a little better than in recent games!  It seems like our interior guys went to the boards better than they did over the last 4-5 games.  We have been outrebounded consistently, especially with the opposition getting easy put backs. Our bigs have to be more aggressive in going for the ball!

This is a huge week for us.  The Ferrum game will not be easy, especially since we have to go up there!  Then we have G'boro on Saturday at home.  Our trip up there was one of the ugliest games I've seen us play this season but we should have everyone back for the first time in over a month.

We're lucky to have G'boro, CNU and SU for home games but we have to go to Methodist and NCW on the road. 

Not sure how the conference tournament site selection works, but I may have to ask the Averett folks why we don't put our name in the hat.  There are a couple of hotels near the Grant Center and there are plenty of resturants, etc in close proximity to the gym. 

Here's the link for tonight's Averett vs. Methodist game - another one down to the wire:

http://www.averett.edu/athletics/display_story.php?id=779

Averett's had some injuries but also ran up against very good Guilford and Greensboro teams.  These games would have been tough even if we had everyone healthy.  But we will see how we do tonight - not time to throw in the towel because a win keeps us in the conference hunt.

Should be a good game tonight against Methodist.  It is no secret that our guys are still hurt and playing time will be limited.  Really need to win the home contests the rest of the way through.

Good to get back in the win column last night against a very scrappy Ferrum team.   The crowd was great!   Ferrum's bigs did a nice job - I was pretty impressed with them.

Saturday is a huge game against Greensboro.  G'boro is one of my favorite places to watch a game.  Should be loud and exciting.

Looking very doubtful for Eubanks.  Rumley could go.  McDaniel should play.

Both Rumley and Eubanks have leg injuries.  Interestingly enough, they both are bothered by groin pulls.  I think had the last three games been conference games, they would have played.  They are scheduled to play Wednesday night against Ferrum.

If you look at the stats, Jonathan plays about 22 minutes and Tyler 15 minutes.  With them out, you lose 16 points per night out of your pg spot, 8 assists, 2 steals and what is amazing is almost 10 rebounds.  They are also the #1 and #3 3 pt percentage leaders in the conference.

The guys who filled in for them did a good job, they are just inexperienced. 

Hopefully the tide will turn Wednesday night.

Rumley and Eubanks sat out and are also not playing today.  They are our point guards even though Eubanks has been playing the 2 in the absence of McDaniel.  I'm listening to the game right now against Hobart and we're down 17 with about 10 minutes to go in the second half.  Hope these guys are back for the Ferrum game on Wednesday.

Tough game last night against Richard Stockton.  No excuses but we have 2 guards who did not play and McDaniel played his first game after being out with a broken hand.  These things happen and you have to play through them.  Hopefully everyone will  be in good shape starting next week for conference play.  Here's the link to last night's game:

http://www.averett.edu/athletics/display_story.php?id=771

Just saw the new Top 25 poll.  Averett moves up to #12 and CNU comes in at #25.  Great for the conference to have 2 teams in the Top 25!