TigerFan54

I like Blakney's moves close to the basket. How many times did we fail to finish close to the rim this past year? If he's consistent on that front, I'd be happy to have him.

How many years left on Nads' contract?

I guess I'm also a Towson sap, because I watched a good chunk of the game. Harvard shot the three extremely well, but our defense was non-existent during the time I was tuned in. This was a chance to wash the bad taste of the CAA final out of our mouths, but we only added to it. Very disappointing way to end the season.

I foresee a worse drubbing. But you never know -- maybe U-Va. takes us too lightly and we miraculously cut down on turnovers and generally bone-headed play. It's just hard to believe that players at this level lack basic competency.

Great interview. I have high hopes for Coach Pete. He seems like such an authentic guy and plenty smart too. Couldn't ask for a better ambassador for the school and program.

Not to knock the guy, but one of many key moments came with about a minute to play, tie game, and CB is fouled by the Serbian center -- flagrant -- so we have two FTs and possession. A chance to go up by four. We come away with one... As I say, one of many missed opportunities, but with so little time left, that one sticks in my craw.

Bolon will try to get into Cam's head in hopes of (a) getting him off his game and (b) getting CH to commit some flagrants (or maybe do something even more stupid and get thrown out). Let's hope he keeps his cool.

Is Nads recruiting weak players or just unable to develop recruits?

I hope Steve E. has taken notice of Holden's dirty play of late and insisted Skerry address it. This sh*t is unacceptable if it happens once, but he' been a repeat offender.

Yeah, Nads just seems too low-key to be much of a recruiter. Don't know enough about the assistants to say if they're part of the problem, but something's been amiss for a while.

Another very impressive season. We have a couple of matchups coming with U-Md., which is ranked slightly ahead of us, then the EAGL championships. Let's hope the mojo doesn't let up.

I thought he deserved a T against CoC when he got tangled up with Bolen beneath the basket and then "accidentally" fell on him. This is going to get even uglier in the CAAT if the coaching staff doesn't take this bull by the horns.

These weaknesses seem to reflect one or perhaps two things: 1) we're just not able to recruit better players and/or we just can't develop the ones we do sign. Either way, it falls on coaching.

One other thought: In post-game interview after post-game interview, PS keeps saying that "we're not there YET," as if he's waiting for some magic key to be turned, but this team has showed us all season long who they are. Think back to the Albany game, where we were clearly just a weak imitation of last year's team at its best. That disappointing performance has repeated itself over and over, even in wins (UNCG). I had plenty of complaints about Nolan, Gray and Rizzutto, but their replacements this year -- Sylla, Russell/May, Hicks -- are a steep drop-off (occasional flashes notwithstanding). The upshot is that our so-called big three have felt the need to carry a bigger load. Other than Nic, and Cam or CT occasionally, the burden has produced lesser play. So, I'm not just being glum when I say my expectations are shot. Having said that, I shudder to think what next season will bring. I guess hope doesn't spring eternal.

Another loss, another game where we lose more FOs than we win. Also, 0-6 on man-up opportunities. Weisshaar played, apparently briefly. I see only a turnover on his stat line. Downs started in place of Long in goal; only gave up 10, but we only scored 7. So much for the enthusiasm we felt after the strong win over MSM.

Plenty of blame to go around for last night's loss and so many other losses, but if I were to single one thing out (it's related to the poor free-throw shooting) it's Cam weakness as a back-to-the-basket offensive threat -- and his REPEATED failed efforts to finish. His 2-11 shooting wasn't an aberration. (His rare better-shooting nights -- say, against W&M at home -- are the aberration.) He just won't admit to himself that this isn't his strength and so he should be finding others rather than hunt his own shot. Along with the FG misses, his trips to the FT line -- when he gets them -- amount to empty possessions. On top of all that, his mounting frustration leads to stupid fouls and almost to a brawl last night. I though he deserved a T after getting tangled up with Bolen under the basket, and then falling on him. IT'S THE COACHES JOB TO REIN HIM IN, to insist on an offensive game plan where Cam doesn't try to be what he's not.

Cam shot 3 of 12 from the field, which isn't anything new (though his "missed" dunk was an illegal goaltend that wasn't called). He needs to face up to his limited shooting skills and dish off more instead of taking back-to-the-basket shots down low (or those WTF threes). He's so much better when he's feeding others rather than playing selfishly. If it's all about the team, then do what's best for the team.

We're not great on clears, another trend that carries over from past years.

Maybe we were feeling too good about ourselves after last week's dismantling of Mount St, Mary's. This should bring expectations down to earth.

All of a sudden, we wake up. Got to keep it going.

Very disappointed by the play I've seen in the second half. Poor offensive possessions (when we can get them).

The FO stats weren't that encouraging on Saturday -- we barely won more than 50 percent. We're going to need considerable improvement in that area this year, especially against the stronger teams. A great offense can't score without the ball.

I'm worried about carry-over from Saturday affecting us tonight. The first time we played W&M, they came out hot, hitting three after three. We recovered, and then pulled away, but that was at home. If we start out slow again, and Nic gets into a funk, and Cam tries to do too much, and Charles is MIA for extended periods, well, that's recipe for back-to-back losses. I HOPE I'M WRONG -- but this team is inconsistent.

Among yesterday's many disappointments were two consecutive unforced turnovers committed by Sylla in the first half -- back-to-back-possessions where he couldn't complete a simple pass to a teammate. I don't know what to attribute that to. Low basketball IQ isn't quite right, just ... ineptitude. There's no guarantee we would have scored either time, but in a game that's tied at the end of regulation, crap like that matters.

I was at Barley's Backyard yesterday for the Coach's Show. Got to meet Pete, and he's as impressive (to me) one-on-one and in-person as he came across in various videos. Time will tell if his coaching credentials measure up at this level, but I'm encouraged.