By the time you read this, our Apps (1-3) will be well on their way to Durham to take on MEAC member NC Central (3-1) in a 7 PM tip-off tonite. While the two teams have three opponents in common, they do not appear to match up very well. They are pretty much complete opposites. NCCU is a senior-dominated team; while ASU is still a young squad. NCCU does three things extremely well--playing defense, shooting well from the floor and shooting free throws. ASU not so much in any of those areas. As mentioned above, the two teams have faced three common opponents--Cincinnati, Campbell and NC State. The Eagles notched two wins (Campbell and NC State); the Apps none. One final bit of trivia--Central is loaded with fine guards--most of them ranging from 6-3 to 6-7 in height. Look for them to heavily exploit the height difference in the game.

In its most recent outing, Central beat MooU in OT -- primarily on the charity stripe. They scored 82 points in the game with exactly half of them coming from the FT line. They shot an incredible 41 of 45 from the line--just a tad over 91%. Not too shabby. They also held a substantial edge over the 'Pack in rebounding.

Based strictly on Jeff Sagarin's power ratings and factoring in the home court advantage, NCCU (#71) is a 20+ point favorite over the Apps (#318). No, that #318 ranking isn't a misprint! Ouch!

We could well be, but I'm not making that prediction. Just looking at the situation from afar. I'll settle for a 1 point upset.

I'll be there with a small group. Excited for my first HBCU bball experience.

Hoping for something like this:

12-2 Central at the first media timeout. When are we going to get off to a decent start in a game?

Goapps15 wrote:12-2 Central at the first media timeout. When are we going to get off to a decent start in a game?

15-4 now, shooting 9%.

We won't crack 10 wins this year.

Seattleapp wrote:We won't crack 10 wins this year.

Maybe not 10 D1 wins but 10 wins total including the D2 games we will get.

32-18 Central at the half.

Already five missed layups in the first four minutes of the 2nd half. Fundamentals, Mr. Watson!

asu66 wrote:Already five missed layups in the first four minutes of the 2nd half. Fundamentals, Mr. Watson!

I agree BUT thats old school !! and it WINS games !!!!

PhillyApp1 wrote:

asu66 wrote:Already five missed layups in the first four minutes of the 2nd half. Fundamentals, Mr. Watson!

I agree BUT thats old school !! and it WINS games !!!!

Well, we're still in it! Need a basket to cut it back under a 10 pt. deficit. 11:30 to play!

asu66 wrote:

PhillyApp1 wrote:

asu66 wrote:Already five missed layups in the first four minutes of the 2nd half. Fundamentals, Mr. Watson!

I agree BUT thats old school !! and it WINS games !!!!

Well, we're still in it! Need a basket to cut it back under a 10 pt. deficit. 11:30 to play!

Central is tired, and App is shooting amazing 50% from the free throw line.

App down by 5 !!

APP by 2

3:56 in second half

OH MY !

Defense, Apps! 2:06 to play; down by 2.

60-60 1:13 to go.

Ingram 1-2

61-60 central

eaves for 3

63-61 APP

63-61 31secs App up

Hold on! It's a nail biter!

18 seconds