I missed the game! I need info!

[Raiderfan]

Ok, I know we won 73-52 but I wasn't able to make the game. I need details please.

I'm thrilled that we hammered a team we were suppose to hammer.

Nice job boyz

[bballraider]

Actually the score was 73-57.

Here's the story:

www.wsuraiders.com/cgi-bin/athletics/news.cgi?action=features&id=1990

[Raiderfan]

Thanks big time bballraider.

Sounded like a great game all around. We shoot 53% from the field and, I can't believe this, we shoot 75% from the line. Maybe this will get the boys some confidence that will carry thru the rest of league play. We outrebound CSU 35-21 and only have 10 turnovers.

Funny how FT & TO cost us the game at G-B & Miami and when these numbers are were they should be we are a very good team.

I don't know about you but I was surprised when I read that Jordan started. I think he deserved the start I just didn't think it would happen. Like I mentioned before, I like the bigger team with Jordan on the floor.

Great to see Zach get on track offensively. Maybe this will ignite him. How big would it be if Zach brings this type of game for the rest of the season?

Since Drew didn't start I was glad he scored double digits tonight. I hope he response to the challenge and becomes instant offense off the bench. Think about it, we now have Drew & Jaron coming off the bench, that is a strong bench PB has now.

Thanks again bballraider

[bballraider]

I think the reason Zach played so well offensively is because he wasn't double teamed by CSU, so he was able to make some moves to the basket, instead of having to pass off to the open man.

The low turnovers were pretty impressive too. Only 3 in the first half, and seven in the second half. Especially since CSU was applying pressure full court for the majority of the game.

[Big D]

The Bad:
The game wasn't as good as the score would indicate. CSU sucks. They suck almost as bad as YSU. I was a little disapointed in how our offense played tonight. We seemed to have some difficulty moving the basketball at times. We spent alot of time dribbling around the 3 pt line and forcing up some shots that we shouldn't have. We also gave CSU several open shots. Our D was pretty inconsistent.

The Good:
We won. Any win is a good win. We played everyone and everyone contributed. I think part of our problem running the offense at times and our defensive breakdowns were due to different lineups. We mixed and matched players pretty freely tonight. Overall, everyone played pretty well. We had good effort from everyone and we had pretty even scoring attack. I think I was just expecting us to blow CSU off the court and we didn't do that.

Lets kick Detroits butt.

[bballraider]

Big D,

CSU sucks on the offensive end, but I thought they played pretty well on the defensive end. I think that is why we had trouble moving the ball offensively, they were well prepared for us and the offensive sets we run. And the final scoring margin (16pts which I predicted in my CSU preview) was really not indicative of the game as we lead by 18-21 pts the majority of the second half. And I think when CSU gets Tatham healthy that they might actually steal a few games at home.

And lastly I agree, let's kicked Detroit's Butt

[Raiderfan]

Does anyone know if Jordan starting is a one shot deal or not? Was Drew disaplined or something? Like I said, I like Jordan starting I just thought it might be for Everrett.

It will be nice having Drew and Jaron coming off the bench.

bballraider, I hope you are right about Zach being more productive on offense with Jordan in the game. I think you are on to something. Jordan is definitely and inside threat therefore Zach's man can't leave him because Zach can pass to Jordan. It also leaves the back door rebound open for Jordan if his man leaves him to double Zach. This change in the starting lineup might be the key that puts us at the top of the HL. Lets hope anyway.

[Raiderfan]

E. Spencer, G 26 2-4 0-1 1 3 1 4
Z. Williams, F 33 9-14 1-3 5 1 2 19
J. Pleiman, F 18 2-5 2-4 6 1 2 6
D. Wood, G 35 7-10 2-2 6 3 1 16
Z. Boyd, F 28 3-9 0-0 5 0 1 8
D. Burleson, F 23 3-7 6-6 3 0 0 12
L. Shine, G 9 2-2 2-2 2 0 3 6
J. Taylor, C 21 0-0 2-2 2 4 1 2
P. Munroe, F 6 0-0 0-0 3 0 2 0
K. Brown 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0
Totals 200 28-52 15-20 33 12 13 73
.538 .750 Team Reb: 2

Nice balanced scoring. I love that we only had 2 players play more then 30 minutes. Good to see Parysh & Lorenzo get some more minutes. This will only help their development.

Interesting, Jordan starts but only plays 18 minutes, not good or bad, just interesting.

[Rollie]

Cleveland State is ranked ahead of Duquesne.

[Grunge84]

Time to end my recent self-imposed sabbatical from the board. The last six weeks have not been conducive to giving too much relative importance to the musings of a message board (no offense), but the fire is starting to return to the belly. Some random thoughts:

Jordan Pleiman is really impressive for a freshman big man. Everything he does seems effortless, except for free throw shooting perhaps. His ability to play with his back to the basket, his rebounding and his ability to catch and shoot quickly really stand out. Unlike many of our post players of the past, he doesn't feel compelled to put the ball on the floor first. His continued production could really help Zach's ability to contribute if Biancardi plays them together more, as teams will be less likely to double team Zach.

Lo Shine is starting to contribute in small (for now) but significant ways. I'll just summarize by saying he's a scrapper (amongst other things) and really look for his production to continue to improve.

I'm pretty sure that Everett's head was above the rim for his dunk last night and the left-handed finger roll (non-dominant hand btw) while avoiding a charge were both unbelievable plays last night.

I've heard and read some complaing about Zach's rebounding at times. Keep in mind folks, that the reason our guards are rebounding the ball so well, is because our post players are doing such a good job of sealing off their men. Thus making loose balls available to the guards.

The Detroit game should be really fun to watch and a good mid-season barometer of where this team really is in terms of maturity.

That's all for now....it's good to be back!

GO RAIDERS!!!