Coach Rick Byrd and the Belmont Bruins continues the tear through the A-Sun through almost half way through conference play at 8-0 and 16-3 overall. With an average margin of victory of just over 28 points per game in conference play, it doesn't seem like they have seen a challenge to this point. However, six of the next eight conference games for the Bruins will be away from the Curb Event Center in Nashville. With games at USC Upstate, ETSU, Lipscomb, North Florida, Jacksonville and Campbell, it will be a true test for Byrd and his team after this stretch. Belmont had an 07-08' record of 14-2 in A-Sun play, and that could be bested before the middle of February. Probably the scariest part about the success that Coach Byrd and his Bruins have had is that they only have 2 Seniors, and the majority of their production are currently only Sophomores and Juniors. Continue to keep an eye on Belmont this week, as they visit Johnson City in battle of the top two teams in the conference to this point.
Around the A-Sun:
- Coach Murray Bartow and the ETSU Bucs are the another team streaking in the A-Sun. With 8 straight victories and having not lost in almost a month (12/23/10) they are hosting Lipscomb and Belmont this upcoming week. 2009-2010 Pre-Season POY and 5th year returnee Mike Smith is playing like he was in his Junior season in 08-09' and is back to 1st Team All A-Sun form after two straight 20 point games and a 20 rebound game as well.
- Jacksonville University and North Florida both are on the cusp of being a challenger to ETSU, Lipscomb, and Belmont in the Top 5 in the A-Sun. With both teams making the annual trip to the state of Georgia and the road swing to Kennessaw State and Mercer this upcoming weekend we will see what will happen. If both teams come away with 2 more victories this upcoming weekend, I believe we will have a solid Top 5 heading into the final 10 games heading into the A-Sun tournament.
- Kennessaw State earned two wins this past weekend against both Stetson and FGCU. Including a buzzer beater by Spencer Dixon in Deland, FL against Coach Derek Waugh and Stetson on Monday in a matinee match-up.
- Both FGCU and USC-Upstate continued to struggle in conference play this past weekend as well. USC-Upstate competed hard on the trip to Jacksonville, Florida. With an overtime loss to Jacksonville University on Thursday night and a tought defeat at North Florida on Saturday, they are yet to get a conference win on the road. FGCU continues its struggles as well both at home and on the road and couldn't prevent a late 3 pointer by Justin Cecil and Mercer got by FGCU on Monday.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
it's all about BELMONT and then Everyone Else in the A-Sun
After yet another set of games in the Atlantic Sun this past weekend, I think we can all agree on one thing, Belmont has separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the A-Sun. With yet another sweep against two top 5 teams in my opinion, in the A-Sun in Jacksonville University and North Florida, Belmont is clearly now the favorite for the remainder of this conference slate. We mentioned in our last post about Coach Rick Byrd achieving the 500 win plateau, and now since then he is still winning and doing it with a balanced attack. Coach Byrd plays 12 guys between 22-18 minutes per game for the most part and that balanced attack with tons of depth is impressive to say the least. Belmont won both games this past weekend by a combined 63 points against two teams who are currently in the Top 5 of the A-Sun standings and two teams with RPI's under 130 in Jacksonville and North Florida.
ETSU had a good weekend of games as well, as they swept the series with FGCU and Stetson after a bit of a rough start. I look for ETSU to start to get things rolling like they usually do, however they do make the road trip to Jacksonville this upcoming week, which is becoming much like a Nashville road trip for teams.
This upcoming week is the first installment of the Battle of the Boulevard between Lipscomb and Belmont. This will be another good test for Belmont, and it will be a good to see how Lipscomb responds after two interesting performances at Allen Arena this past weekend.
My A-Sun Player of the Week: Mike Smith --ETSU
My A-Sun Newcomer of the Week: Corey Walden- Stetson
Below are the Updated A- Sun Standings
1. Belmont 6-0 (14-3)
2. Jacksonville 4-1 (10-4)
3. ETSU 5-1 (10-7)
4. Lipscomb 4-2 (9-6)
5. Campbell 3-3 (9-6)
6. Stetson 3-3 (5-11)
7. UNF 2-3 (5-11)
8. Mercer 1-4 (4-12)
9. Kennesaw 1-4 (3-12)
10. USC Upstate 1-4 (2-13)
11. FGCU 0-4 (3-10)
ETSU had a good weekend of games as well, as they swept the series with FGCU and Stetson after a bit of a rough start. I look for ETSU to start to get things rolling like they usually do, however they do make the road trip to Jacksonville this upcoming week, which is becoming much like a Nashville road trip for teams.
This upcoming week is the first installment of the Battle of the Boulevard between Lipscomb and Belmont. This will be another good test for Belmont, and it will be a good to see how Lipscomb responds after two interesting performances at Allen Arena this past weekend.
My A-Sun Player of the Week: Mike Smith --ETSU
My A-Sun Newcomer of the Week: Corey Walden- Stetson
Below are the Updated A- Sun Standings
1. Belmont 6-0 (14-3)
2. Jacksonville 4-1 (10-4)
3. ETSU 5-1 (10-7)
4. Lipscomb 4-2 (9-6)
5. Campbell 3-3 (9-6)
6. Stetson 3-3 (5-11)
7. UNF 2-3 (5-11)
8. Mercer 1-4 (4-12)
9. Kennesaw 1-4 (3-12)
10. USC Upstate 1-4 (2-13)
11. FGCU 0-4 (3-10)
Friday, January 7, 2011
Around the Atlantic Sun-Basketball Edition Part 2
After the first night of Friday Night A-Sun Basketball on CSS, it was a match up of bottom feeders as Kennesaw State faced Campbell at the Gore Arena. After struggling through most of the first half on the offensive end, the Camels came alive in the second half and finally pulled out a big, much need victory at the Creek for the Camels and Coach Robbie Laing. Campbell won 65-52. Both of these teams need to continue to pick up some wins and momentum if they want a chance at making a run into March for the conference championship.
Games to watch on SATURDAY:
UNF vs. Belmont
Jacksonville vs. Lipscomb (Battle for 1st Place)
Other Games:
FGCU vs. ETSU
Stetson vs. USC-Upstate
Games to watch on SATURDAY:
UNF vs. Belmont
Jacksonville vs. Lipscomb (Battle for 1st Place)
Other Games:
FGCU vs. ETSU
Stetson vs. USC-Upstate
Around the Atlantic Sun-Basketball Edition Part 1
Welcome to Around the A-Sun. A daily blog about Atlantic Sun Conference Basketball. While conference play is just getting under way, the Atlantic Sun has already made noise on the national stage in non-conference play in many ways. The A-Sun scored wins against Auburn twice, Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Florida, Wyoming and Georgia Tech. Jacksonville University led by Cliff Warren had two of those victories beating both Auburn and Florida in impressive fashion. Additionally ETSU scored a huge victory at Dayton, ending their long home win streak. In all the A-Sun was 38-65 in non-conference play in the months of November and December against D-1 opposition.
In terms of conference play each team played two conference games sometime in the month of December and for the most part the results were as expected. The most surprising upset in conference during the month of December was when Eddie Payne and his USC-Upstate Spartans went and beat ETSU by 1 point. Daily at the bottom of each blog you will see updated A-Sun standings and if you would like to know the most up to date information on who is in the lead you can do that at the bottom of this blog.
As January has begun and 10 of the 12 A-Sun teams have now played 4 conference games we are now beginning to get a feel for how the conference is shaping up. Campbell this year is the lone school without a travel partner, as they will be moving on to the Big South next year. Additionally you will find some news and notes at the bottom of each blog as well, which will provide you with information on certain teams, players, coaches and other important information as I see fit. Otherwise, enjoy the blog and please spread the word throughout College Basketball, Mid-Major Basketball and the Atlantic Sun Conference!
News and Notes (1/6/11)
- Belmont HC Rick Byrd became just the 5th active D-1 HC with 500 wins at Stetson on 1/5. He joins Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Jim Calhoun (UConn), and Dave Bike (Sacred Heart) as the only active coaches with 500 wins, Congrats!
- With one of the youngest line ups in the A-Sun 11th year Stetson HC has picked up two impressive conference wins already on his early slate with a Win @ North Florida, and a Home victory against pre-season favorite Lipscomb, to go along with his opening night victory at Wake Forest!
- Lipscomb features the trio of Adnan Hodzic, Josh Slater and Jordan Burgason once again this season. Both Hodzic and Slater were named to the Bleacher Report All Mid-Major Team
- While 4th year transitioning school FGCU is 0-4 early on in A-Sun play, Dave Balza and his Eagles have promising talent still around in Michigan transfer Reed Baker, along with Anthony Banks and newcomer Marlon Rivera.
- Campbell is a team who had a strong non conference season, however they have lost the last 3 games in A-Sun play after beating USC Upstate. Campbell does boast the conferences most experienced back court in Junard Hartley and Lorne Merthie.
- Kennesaw State is a team who has struggled in all facets of the basketball season thus far under HC Tony Ingle. After beating Georgia Tech early in the non-conference season there haven't been many positives after that. With a 3-11 record and winless on the road, many expected returnees Markeith Cummings, Spencer Dixon, Matt Heramb and LaDaris Green to have a greater impact. Kennesaw State travels to Campbell for a Friday Night Game of the Week on CSS.
- With 6 of the next 8 games for the Mercer Bears on the road, now is the time for HC Bob Hoffman and his team to see what they are made of. Only 4-11 thus far and another team without a road on the slate yet, it is time for Mercer to wake up. After losing both James Florence and Daniel Emerson to graduation, they have had to count on Jeff Smith, Brian Mills and Brandon Moore to be their contributors. Those guys weren't exactly the go to guys last year and they have had to get used to going from role players to guys who Coach Hoffman depends on, on a nightly basis. Should be interesting to keep tabs on the Mercer Bears, considering they are hosting the A-Sun Champions for the next 3 years.
- USC-Upstate has probably had the toughest time making the transition to Division 1 over the last couple years. With their 7 footer Nick Schneiders no longer a Spartan, they have had to rely on other contributors to provide a spark. While the Spartans are only 2-12 and are another A-Sun team without a road victory, they do hold an impressive win against Lipscomb in conference play, and are 2-1 at the newly renovated G.B. Hodge Center in Spartanburg, SC. The Spartans have 4 of the next 6 games at the Hodge Center, and should be able to get some things accomplished in their last year in transition.
- The Bucs of ETSU are a team who are used to many things in the A-Sun, mainly championships, however getting upset by the USC-Upstate Spartans isn't one of them. While ETSU does hold one loss in conference play already, they have an undefeated record on their home floor thus far. Big contributor Tommy Hubbard is likely out for the season and Curtis Wilkinson has been used off and on for Coach Murray Bartow. They are using a 7 to 8 man rotation, as Mike Smith is back this year after using a medical redshirt last year.
- The University of North Florida Ospreys who enter their second year under HC Matthew Driscoll are looking to improve in many ways. While the Ospreys only boast a 5-9 record, they played 4 Top 25 teams in non-conference play, including Kansas State, Purdue, Texas and Missouri and they became the first team in the history of the A-Sun to win 3 game pre-season tournaments in consecutive years. Last year they won the Southern Miss Christmas Classic and this year during Thanksgiving they won a tournament in Cancun, which featured Morgan State, Prairie View A&M, Missouri and Wyoming.
- The JU Dolphins have probably been the most surprising team thus far in the A-Sun considering who graduated and the production they should have lost. However, HC Cliff Warren has done a great job re-tooling for yet another run at an A-Sun Championship and postseason play. With LSU transfer Delwan Graham, and Seniors Ayron Hardy and Travis Cohn leading the way the Dolphins of JU have posted impressive victories against Auburn and Florida and are the only team besides Belmont who remains undefeated in conference play. With a trip to Nashville on the horizon, this should be a good test for a young Dolphin squad who is looking to surprise many in the A-Sun.
A-Sun Standings
1. Belmont 4-0 (12-3)
2. Jacksonville 3-0 (9-3)
3. Lipscomb 3-1 (8-5)
4. ETSU 3-1 (8-7)
5. North Florida 2-1 (5-9)
6. Stetson 2-2 (4-10)
7. Campbell 1-3 (7-6)
8. Mercer 1-3 (4-11)
9. Kennesaw State 1-3 (3-11)
10. USC Upstate 1-3 (2-12)
11. FGCU 0-4 (3-10)
In terms of conference play each team played two conference games sometime in the month of December and for the most part the results were as expected. The most surprising upset in conference during the month of December was when Eddie Payne and his USC-Upstate Spartans went and beat ETSU by 1 point. Daily at the bottom of each blog you will see updated A-Sun standings and if you would like to know the most up to date information on who is in the lead you can do that at the bottom of this blog.
As January has begun and 10 of the 12 A-Sun teams have now played 4 conference games we are now beginning to get a feel for how the conference is shaping up. Campbell this year is the lone school without a travel partner, as they will be moving on to the Big South next year. Additionally you will find some news and notes at the bottom of each blog as well, which will provide you with information on certain teams, players, coaches and other important information as I see fit. Otherwise, enjoy the blog and please spread the word throughout College Basketball, Mid-Major Basketball and the Atlantic Sun Conference!
News and Notes (1/6/11)
- Belmont HC Rick Byrd became just the 5th active D-1 HC with 500 wins at Stetson on 1/5. He joins Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Jim Calhoun (UConn), and Dave Bike (Sacred Heart) as the only active coaches with 500 wins, Congrats!
- With one of the youngest line ups in the A-Sun 11th year Stetson HC has picked up two impressive conference wins already on his early slate with a Win @ North Florida, and a Home victory against pre-season favorite Lipscomb, to go along with his opening night victory at Wake Forest!
- Lipscomb features the trio of Adnan Hodzic, Josh Slater and Jordan Burgason once again this season. Both Hodzic and Slater were named to the Bleacher Report All Mid-Major Team
- While 4th year transitioning school FGCU is 0-4 early on in A-Sun play, Dave Balza and his Eagles have promising talent still around in Michigan transfer Reed Baker, along with Anthony Banks and newcomer Marlon Rivera.
- Campbell is a team who had a strong non conference season, however they have lost the last 3 games in A-Sun play after beating USC Upstate. Campbell does boast the conferences most experienced back court in Junard Hartley and Lorne Merthie.
- Kennesaw State is a team who has struggled in all facets of the basketball season thus far under HC Tony Ingle. After beating Georgia Tech early in the non-conference season there haven't been many positives after that. With a 3-11 record and winless on the road, many expected returnees Markeith Cummings, Spencer Dixon, Matt Heramb and LaDaris Green to have a greater impact. Kennesaw State travels to Campbell for a Friday Night Game of the Week on CSS.
- With 6 of the next 8 games for the Mercer Bears on the road, now is the time for HC Bob Hoffman and his team to see what they are made of. Only 4-11 thus far and another team without a road on the slate yet, it is time for Mercer to wake up. After losing both James Florence and Daniel Emerson to graduation, they have had to count on Jeff Smith, Brian Mills and Brandon Moore to be their contributors. Those guys weren't exactly the go to guys last year and they have had to get used to going from role players to guys who Coach Hoffman depends on, on a nightly basis. Should be interesting to keep tabs on the Mercer Bears, considering they are hosting the A-Sun Champions for the next 3 years.
- USC-Upstate has probably had the toughest time making the transition to Division 1 over the last couple years. With their 7 footer Nick Schneiders no longer a Spartan, they have had to rely on other contributors to provide a spark. While the Spartans are only 2-12 and are another A-Sun team without a road victory, they do hold an impressive win against Lipscomb in conference play, and are 2-1 at the newly renovated G.B. Hodge Center in Spartanburg, SC. The Spartans have 4 of the next 6 games at the Hodge Center, and should be able to get some things accomplished in their last year in transition.
- The Bucs of ETSU are a team who are used to many things in the A-Sun, mainly championships, however getting upset by the USC-Upstate Spartans isn't one of them. While ETSU does hold one loss in conference play already, they have an undefeated record on their home floor thus far. Big contributor Tommy Hubbard is likely out for the season and Curtis Wilkinson has been used off and on for Coach Murray Bartow. They are using a 7 to 8 man rotation, as Mike Smith is back this year after using a medical redshirt last year.
- The University of North Florida Ospreys who enter their second year under HC Matthew Driscoll are looking to improve in many ways. While the Ospreys only boast a 5-9 record, they played 4 Top 25 teams in non-conference play, including Kansas State, Purdue, Texas and Missouri and they became the first team in the history of the A-Sun to win 3 game pre-season tournaments in consecutive years. Last year they won the Southern Miss Christmas Classic and this year during Thanksgiving they won a tournament in Cancun, which featured Morgan State, Prairie View A&M, Missouri and Wyoming.
- The JU Dolphins have probably been the most surprising team thus far in the A-Sun considering who graduated and the production they should have lost. However, HC Cliff Warren has done a great job re-tooling for yet another run at an A-Sun Championship and postseason play. With LSU transfer Delwan Graham, and Seniors Ayron Hardy and Travis Cohn leading the way the Dolphins of JU have posted impressive victories against Auburn and Florida and are the only team besides Belmont who remains undefeated in conference play. With a trip to Nashville on the horizon, this should be a good test for a young Dolphin squad who is looking to surprise many in the A-Sun.
A-Sun Standings
1. Belmont 4-0 (12-3)
2. Jacksonville 3-0 (9-3)
3. Lipscomb 3-1 (8-5)
4. ETSU 3-1 (8-7)
5. North Florida 2-1 (5-9)
6. Stetson 2-2 (4-10)
7. Campbell 1-3 (7-6)
8. Mercer 1-3 (4-11)
9. Kennesaw State 1-3 (3-11)
10. USC Upstate 1-3 (2-12)
11. FGCU 0-4 (3-10)
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