Take notice of Dukes, Cougars
Posted: Saturday, November 24, 2007 3:06 PM
Filed Under:
Mid-majors
Even during a hoops-happy week like this, I’ll soon be spending the evening watching a college football game. Maybe you heard or read a little bit about Kansas-Missouri this week? Loser will be depressed until March.
On that note, I offer a pair of hoops links, both of which should inspire some hope for teams looking to make their mark.
The Duquesne basketball team was coming off a 10-19 season that started when five players were shot at an off-campus party and started this season with one of its players suing the school.
Needless to say, this season had to be better. It’s off to a nice start.
The Dukes are off to a 5-0 starter after beating Niagara on Saturday, their best start since 1985-86. They averaged more than 100 points a game through their first four before only scoring 76 Saturday. Their defense isn’t too shabby, either. They’re second in eFG% and third in block percentage.
“Wow” line from one player? Shawn James has 19 blocks in his last two games. He led the nation two seasons ago with 6.53 a game as a sophomore at Northeastern. He would be the reason for that improved defense.
Duquesne has almost a week to prep for Cal St. Northridge, and then it gets back-to-back exposure games, home against Pitt on Dec. 5 and at West Virginia Dec. 8. Don’t expect the perfect start to continue, but the Dukes could be a surprise team in the A-10.
Consider the Dukes a nice story that probably doesn’t go anywhere in March. That doesn’t apply to BYU.
The Cougars upended No. 6 Louisville on Friday, which does three things:
Established BYU as a mid-major to be reckoned with, much like Air Force and Butler did last season with impressive early wins. Don’t be fooled by the fact that the last time BYU defeated such a highly ranked opponent was 1965. Trent Plaisted is a dynamite post player who is a nightmare for opponents to guard.
(Seriously. Regardless of what happens Saturday vs. UNC, the Cougars still have Michigan State and Wake Forest on the schedule. Don’t be shocked if they win both games.)
It showed Louisville needs its entire talented roster to make a run to the Final Four. Without Juan Palacios and David Padgett, the “depleted” Cards don’t have enough inside muscle, even with Derrick Caracter’s huge game.
And it lets me watch the Kansas-Missouri game tonight without worrying about the marquee Louisville-North Carolina game. I’ll catch the BYU-UNC highlights tomorrow. (What? A guy has to have priorities.)
Quick add on: Check out this box score from Washignton State's win. Not only did the Cougars hold Mississippi Valley State to 26 points (among the lowest totals since the three-point line was added), but Carl Lucas scored 18 of the Delta Devils' points.)
