Towson takes the short trip up to Philly for this CAA battle against the Drexel Dragons. Both squads were picked 1 and 2 in the CAA Preseason rankings, leaving both with high expectations.
Towson enters this match up 10-6 (1-0) while playing the nations 292nd toughest schedule YTD. They are lead by Georgetown Transfer and Future Pro Jerrelle Benimon (18 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST), but put 3 others in Double Figures. They have won 3 straight including their first road win but it was against some of the worst teams in the nation. 348 New Hampshire (72-64), @ 300 Coppin St (81-79), & 270 UNC Wilmington (60-53). Notice they aren't very impressive victories. In all fairness their 5 losses on the road have came against stiff competition in 4 Villanova (78-44), 8 Kansas (88-58), 72 Stephen F Austin (79-69), 118 Oregon St (76-67), & 89 North Dakota St (90-82). There best win of the year is easily against 141 Temple in a miracle comeback 75-69.
Drexel on the other hand has been completely decimated w/ Injuries. They lost Star guard Damian Lee (13 PTS) early in the year, and most recently injured F Kas Abif (7 PTS, 7 REB), F Dartaye Ruffin (7 REB), & G Tavon Allen (13 PTS). (They are all doubtful for this game) Coach Bruiser Flint put them through the 37th toughest schedule in the nation, and when they were heatlhy they responded. 5 Point Loss @ 30 UCLA, 4 point loss against 1 Arizona, & wins over 75 Alabama & 80 Cleveland St.
The Dragons Most recently come off a 3 OT win against 198 Northeastern (93-88). This team is one of the better defensive teams in the country and they do not turn the ball over. They are a gritty inter city team who after watching their most recent press conference they seem loose and ready for the challenge. Which is what you expect from a Bruiser Flint Coached Squad. They still have their top 2 leading scorers in Chris Fouch (18 PTS) & Frantz Massenat (16 PTS).
The line has dropped from -5 to -2.5 due to the injuries and towson is getting the majority of the action due to those as well. I just feel that Drexel will come out with a chip on their shoulder and really get out to a fast start giving 100% effort knowing that's what they will need to win. They will use a 4 guard lineup at times which could cause some problems and will be trying to team rebound against one of the better rebounding teams in the nation.
The biggest angle for this play is that the Tigers come off 3 wins against awful defenses and now go on the road to face one of the toughest. Towson turns the ball over a ton, especially on the road, combine that will the strong effort out of the gate from the Dragons, they could come out flat.
SIDE NOTE: The Dragons are +60 in the 1h's of games and -57 in the 2h's.
The line has been dropping all day so I haven't locked this one in, hoping to get down to -1. I will post the ticket when I place the wager.
Good Luck
Towson enters this match up 10-6 (1-0) while playing the nations 292nd toughest schedule YTD. They are lead by Georgetown Transfer and Future Pro Jerrelle Benimon (18 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST), but put 3 others in Double Figures. They have won 3 straight including their first road win but it was against some of the worst teams in the nation. 348 New Hampshire (72-64), @ 300 Coppin St (81-79), & 270 UNC Wilmington (60-53). Notice they aren't very impressive victories. In all fairness their 5 losses on the road have came against stiff competition in 4 Villanova (78-44), 8 Kansas (88-58), 72 Stephen F Austin (79-69), 118 Oregon St (76-67), & 89 North Dakota St (90-82). There best win of the year is easily against 141 Temple in a miracle comeback 75-69.
Drexel on the other hand has been completely decimated w/ Injuries. They lost Star guard Damian Lee (13 PTS) early in the year, and most recently injured F Kas Abif (7 PTS, 7 REB), F Dartaye Ruffin (7 REB), & G Tavon Allen (13 PTS). (They are all doubtful for this game) Coach Bruiser Flint put them through the 37th toughest schedule in the nation, and when they were heatlhy they responded. 5 Point Loss @ 30 UCLA, 4 point loss against 1 Arizona, & wins over 75 Alabama & 80 Cleveland St.
The Dragons Most recently come off a 3 OT win against 198 Northeastern (93-88). This team is one of the better defensive teams in the country and they do not turn the ball over. They are a gritty inter city team who after watching their most recent press conference they seem loose and ready for the challenge. Which is what you expect from a Bruiser Flint Coached Squad. They still have their top 2 leading scorers in Chris Fouch (18 PTS) & Frantz Massenat (16 PTS).
The line has dropped from -5 to -2.5 due to the injuries and towson is getting the majority of the action due to those as well. I just feel that Drexel will come out with a chip on their shoulder and really get out to a fast start giving 100% effort knowing that's what they will need to win. They will use a 4 guard lineup at times which could cause some problems and will be trying to team rebound against one of the better rebounding teams in the nation.
The biggest angle for this play is that the Tigers come off 3 wins against awful defenses and now go on the road to face one of the toughest. Towson turns the ball over a ton, especially on the road, combine that will the strong effort out of the gate from the Dragons, they could come out flat.
SIDE NOTE: The Dragons are +60 in the 1h's of games and -57 in the 2h's.
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Good Luck
