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Yeah Liberty is awful, I big thing to remember is this teams are not outside of conference so they have not been scouted like the teams they play in conference.
PLays they call actually work and the other bench yelling the play each time they signal for oneComment -
great call on La Tech!
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Thanks their press wore FSU out, nice 3.7 unit scoreComment -
MTU scores 4pts in the final 10mins of the 1h
Im not sure how thats even possible !!!Comment -
Anthony Grant is such a good coach man. 22-0 run right now, this team just doesn't let you cross the half-century mark.Comment -
Killed that underComment -
How good is Matty D playing right now! Even though we're on MTSU it's a joy to watch that kind of point guard playComment -
17 FT to Marys , 2 awarded to MTSU...Fckin zebrasComment -
The whistles are really going against us thoughComment -
Im on a big sweat here LV... Did a huge accumulator with 4 teams...three are up and need MTSU (+2.5) for a €2,500 payout off a 100e bet. Fcking refs trying to make sure Marys win this.Comment -
Still plenty of time, lets get itComment -
Postseason 2.1 + 3.6 unitsComment -
wont lose many games with that big of a difference in free throw shooting..
something seemed off about that gameComment -
Yeah the free their disparity was the difference but the better coached team won, they outplayed MTSU.
Alamo, sorry about the loser brotherComment -
No hassles my man. Thanks for the winners earlier. Think your going to finish the season on a high. Keep it going
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Keep on crushin', KID!Comment -
Adding Hawaii -125 2x
This is very strong play,
Air Force disappointed they aren't in the NIT. There best player didn't even travel w/ the team and he is their only Double Digit scorer. One of their big's have a head injury and is questionable. Hawaii has a huge rebounding edge and the Warriors are very excited just to still be playing, especially at home. Who knows what the Military guys did in Hawaii the last day or 2.
Air Force Season is over, even their coach said they were disappointed not to get into the NIT, because they felt it was due to the Michael Lyons' injury.Comment -
Wednesday Card Complete
Hawaii -1.5 2x
Hawaii -125 2x
LIU Brooklyn -1.5 1x (considered buying out of this play, but letting it ride)
Charlotte/Providence O 137 2xComment -
The Falcons enter the postseason with a couple of problems with key players, the most important being a sprained right knee suffered by leading scorer Michael Lyons (18.3 ppg) who suffered the injury versus UNLV in the most recent outing. The loss of Lyons means Air Force doesn't have a single, active double-digit scorer to lean on, the closest on that list being Mike Fitzgerald (9.7 ppg) and Todd Fletcher (9.6 ppg), the latter being the top 3-point threat for the squad with 45.5 percent accuracy and also pacing the group with 112 assists. The other issue is the status of Taylor Broekhuis (8.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) who is one of the top men on the glass but is dealing with a head injury that has him listed as questionable for this bout.
Air Force has consistently been a weak team when it comes to rebounding the basketball, but the same cannot be said for the Rainbow Warriors, particularly this season with an average of close to 39 boards per contest. Vander Joaquim (14.2 ppg) leads the way in that department with his 8.4 rpg and Christian Standhardinger comes in second with 7.9 ppg which, when teamed with his 15.7 ppg means he is a potential double-double every time he takes the floor. Hauns Brereton (10.1 ppg) can also hit the boards and has been known to knock down a few 3-pointers this season, but the more favorable option out on the perimeter for Hawaii is Brandon Jawato (6.1 ppg) who has knocked down 42.2 percent of his opportunities. Directing the offense on the floor is Jace Tavita (3.2 ppg) who has no problem sacrificing his own offensive potential in order to hand out close to six assists per contest.
What the Falcons have to worry about, above everything else of course, is being dominated on the glass which is almost a forgone conclusion given how strong Hawaii is in the paint. Without the services of Lyons, this might be 40 minutes that Air Force would rather forget.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Hawaii 78, Air Force 56
NIT selection committee chair C.M. Newton said the toughest decision among teams not invited to the NIT was Air Force. He said the injury to Michael Lyons, which occurred during the Mountain West Conference tournament, was a factor in leaving the Falcons out. That’s a shame. Air Force had a terrific season, upsetting league champ #12 New Mexico on the final regular season conference game as well as beating (at the time) #24 UNLV, #22 San Diego State and Boise State at home.
While the majority of normal fans around the country had the impression that selection to these tournaments was based on what a team had done it was once again proven that it was not. The fact that Air Force was chosen for the College Insider Tournament (CIT) and not the higher ranked College Basketball Invitational (CBI) raises other questions that cannot be answered here. The CIT is a different animal itself, a pay-to-pay event, at least for some teams. From all that I can gather and from a historical look at the relatively new CIT, any team asked/chossen to host a game plays approximately $35,000. In respect to scheduling, that is on the low side of game as most average out-of-conference teams get payed between $30-60,000 to come and play an away game at someones venue. Good teams (the Dukes, Kentuckys, Florida) might get anywhere up to $90,000 to play. Just perspective. It appears that the $35,000 paid by the host team will in part pay for transportation/lodging for the visiting team. Most of this is fact but some specualtion as the finances of the CIT are not easily found.
It will be a matchup of different teams with different styles. In no way does my comments about AF not getting into the NIT reflect on my respect for our opponent, only in the disappointment of what might have been for our team and our seniors.
As we look at these two teams we must first compare the easy statistics from team to team (and of course all AF fans know that our figures for the season include those of MWC leading scorer Mike Lyons who, injured, is out for the season):
AF FG 48% FT 72% (78%MWC) 3PT 38% (8.5-22 pgm) RPG 30 APG 16 SPG 7 BPG 2 TPG 12
UH FG 45% FT 69% (77% BWC) 3PT 35% (6-17.5pgm) RPG 39 APG 14 SPG 5 BPG 3 TPG 14
Hawaii finished in the middle of the pack in the Big West this season. Their signature win was over regular conference winner Long Beach St (NIT #7 seed) in February in a convincing manner 94-73 and against their conference winner Pacific (NCAA #15 seed) in January, losing their second meeting. Common foes for both Air Force and Hawaii:
AF 65 - Arkansas Pine Bluff 49 UH 81 - A-PB 54
AF 71 OT @ UNLV 76 UH 63 @ #24 UNLV 77
AF 71 - UNLV 56
AF 56 @ UNLV 72 MWC Tourney
AF 61 @ UnivCal-Riverside UH 76 - UC-R 61
UH 72 @ UC-R 68
Similar to Air Force, Hawaii starts multiple seniors with them occupying the #2, #3 and # 7 scoring spots for the Warriors. As a team they can play deep into their bench with But they are led in scoring by Junior forward Christian Strandhardinger (6'8"/215#/16ppg/30mpg/8rpg/34% 3pt). They have six players averaging 24 or more mpg (to include Jr. Guard Spearman who has not played recently due to an ankle injury but has begun to practice, status unknown). In addition four other players average between 9-17mpg, so very similar to the Falcons that they can bring bodies off the bench. Their second leading scorer is senior bigman Vander Joaquim who the Falcons must contend with (6'10"/245#/14ppg/27mpg/8rpg/48% FT) with his backup being Rozitis (7'0"/240#/Jr/2ppg/8mpg). With the injury to Spearman, the scoring has fallen on Brereton (F/6'8"/210#/Fr/10ppg/25mpg/4rpg), Fotu (F/6'8"/240#/Fr/9.6ppg/25mpg/6rpg) and Jawato (G/6'3"/170#/Fr/6ppg/17mpg/42% 3pt on 43-102 from the arc).
This game presents many challenges to the Falcons. First, it will be the first game this season that the teams leading scorer Mike Lyons has not started or played (after playing in 115 out of 122 games in his career at Air Force). The team will still be led on the court by senior guard Todd Fletcher and anticipate that senior Kyle Green will get the start with him. However I expect to see Tre' Coggins in early in the game and he may transition Todd from playing the one to the two. Word seems that AF center Taylor Brokheis is ok and will get the start and he will be backed up by sophomore Olisinski (13pts on 5-7/3-53pt in last game). Forwards will see senior Mike Fitzgerald, DeLovell Earls, Kam Williams and maybe more of Cam Michaels on the court. The 11pm MDT tipoff for the Falcons will be a challenge both physically and mentally for the team, a group of players that when not in game day mode is used to getting up at 0630 hrs every morning (or earlier) at the Academy. The most interesting matchup will be between Hawaii facing the unique Air Force offense and defense and the Falcons playing versus the 'bigs' of the Warriors.
Hawaii will have it's biggest concerns in this matchup with defending the Air Force version of the Princeton offense. Their coaches will know it is based on the Princeton but the Falcons have added a major twist this year. Gone are the days of not looking for a shot until less than 10 seconds on the shot clock remains each and every possession. Instead they will see an Air Force team that will push the tempo any opportunity they get and look for a transition basket. Easy right? Not really because if it not there then back into the Princeton principles of passing, cutting, back door cuts and/or back for a three....and doing this while ready to take the best shot they can either early or late in the clock. On defense, Hawaii will face a matchup zone from AF using both man-to-man and zone principles.Keys for an Air Force win at Hawaii:1) First and foremost get 'over' being left out of the NIT, just forget it. At the same time play with the determination to show others how they are capable of playing. Do not let this be an emotional trap game combining selection woes and the late tipoff time....just go play basketball. Note: latest word on travel is the team is going out Tuesday the day before the game and due to full flights having to fly Denver to Dallas to Hawaii on two flights...ouch. I hope the fatigue of this travel does not affect the team. Read the Gazette on AF/CIT2) Pound the inside of the lane using the Princeton principles. Go inside-out time and time again until either the back door is there or the kick for an open three. RUN THE OFFENSE and do not find themselves standing around. Let the ball using the pass do the work and do not rely on the dribble. Do what they do day in and day out in practice and they will succeed.3) Must shoot 35% or greater from the arc for the offense to be successful.4) Force Hawaii outside of the lane on defense. Do not let their bigs dominate the inside, do not let the slashers get to the rim....force them to shoot outside.5) The Falcons must stay at least even with Hawaii on the boards and cannot let them have a decisive advantage on offensive rebounds and/or second chance points.6) Maybe the biggest key: As a team, show anyone watching that they are not just a scoring team with Mike Lyons on the court, but a team full of scorers. Find that player or players on this Wednesday night that will step up and fill the void left by Mike Lyons.7) Lastly, the bench must do it's part as it did in the last game albeit a loss. 40+ points off the bench is great in any game, but now we need to see the consistency in scoring off the bench.Big game for the Falcons. A win and they can keep playing while a loss and this team and these seniors are done. Good luck and Go Falcons.Comment -
unrealz,
Hawaii threads popping up all over the place now!
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Why don't you like Liu anymore?Comment -
I'm just worried they could get pushed around. James Madison switched their bog mans suspension from full game to first half. I don't like the line movement, was anticipating it moving in our direction. It's only a 1x play and they can score with anyone but I just don't like that it's the most popular play and line going 3 points the other wayComment -
That's the best thing about these forums banker
keep me updatedComment -
Offensive Efficiency - LIU=#50 in nation JMU=#250 in nation Difference=200 ADV LIU
Pythagorean Rating - LIU=#182 in nation JMU=#180 in nation Difference=2 TIE
Defensive Efficiency - LIU=#319 in nation JMU=#132 in nation Difference=187 ADV JMU
Pythagorean Total Strength of Schedule Rating - LIU=#310 in nation JMU=#254 in nation Difference=56 ADV JMU
Opponents Average Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Rating - LIU=#304 in nation JMU=#224 in nation Difference=80 ADV JMU
Opponents Average Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Rating - LIU=#316 in nation JMU=#289 in nation Difference=27 ADV JMU
Non-Conference Strength of Schedule- LIU=#283 in nation JMU=#292 in nation
Difference=54 ADV LIU
So close...Comment -
First team to Score 10 pts...LIU looks good there IMOComment -
I think travel plays huge roll in this game. Do you think AF got there yesterday?Comment -
Note: latest word on travel is the team is going out Tuesday the day before the game and due to full flights having to fly Denver to Dallas to Hawaii on two flights...ouch. I hope the fatigue of this travel does not affect the team
Here's another article showing their disappointment
Some questions remained the day after Air Force was snubbed by the NIT and landed in a secondary postseason tournament, some were answered and the disappointment had not begun to wear off for the players.
Seniors Mike Fitzgerald and Todd Fletcher spoke to media members with body language and somber tones generally reserved for crushing losses.
“It’s difficult just to cope with what happened,” Fletcher said. “We’ve been working trying to develop this program and then we didn’t really get recognized for what we’ve done this season.
“I know I’m still angry.”
The most notable remaining question was how much of a factor Michael Lyons’ season-ending knee injury played in the Falcons being bypassed.
Air Force lobbied throughout last week to make its case with the NIT selection committee, contacting it several times and providing a plethora of information. When the NIT inquired about Lyons’ condition through a Mountain West representative, the Falcons responded honestly.
“You’re hoping that you’re rewarded on your body of work that you did all year and not because of an injury at the end of the season,” Falcons coach Dave Pilipovich said. “I don’t think that’s fair.”
Air Force finished 8-8 and in sixth place in the Mountain West, which saw its top five teams each invited to the NCAA Tournament.
Pilipovich said the crushing moment during the NIT selection show was seeing that Detroit was included. That, he knew, took a spot that might have gone to Air Force.
Both the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) and the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) extended invitations, but Air Force opted for the CIT because it seemed more open to allowing the Falcons to play on the road, which is actually the least expensive option even with the team playing Wednesday at Hawaii. Everyone in Air Force’s 22-member traveling party will fly, eat and stay for free. Hosting, on the other hand, involves costs.
“People have been asking how we can do this under the sequestration,” an athletic department official said. “It’s all paid for.”
It would be the academy’s preference travel throughout the tournament. The CIT does not play with a set bracket, so future matchups and locations will be determined as the field of 32 is narrowed.
The late notice for the first-round trip, and the prohibitive cost of chartering a flight to Hawaii, left Air Force scrambling to make arrangements. There were not enough seats on a direct flight from Denver, so the team will have a layover in Dallas during Tuesday’s trip.
The long flight also meant that Lyons, who had surgery on Thursday, will not make the trip to avoid risks of blood clots or other complications.
“That’s probably the hardest thing I did this afternoon was tell him that,” Pilipovich said. “He wants to be with his team. This is his team and he wants to be there. But God forbid something would happen when we’re over the Pacific Ocean, that doesn’t need to happen.”
Pilipovich did, however, find a bright spot in the entire situation.
"We talked about when we took over the program that we want to be in conversations every year at this time to look at opportunities to play in the NCAA Tournament or the NIT or possibly CIT or CBI, and we were like that yesterday," he said. "That was neat to be here and watch TVs and check the Internet to see where you’re going and hopefully playing. Other years we were at home talking to other friends who were in."
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