Monday, January 30, 2012

A Huge Weekend in the Big Sky (Part 2)

Yesterday we started out look at the fantastic weekend that was in the Big Sky, and today it is time to take a look at what else happened.

NORTHERN ARIZONA
- It was a bad weekend for NAU. On the court, they got blown out by Sacramento State, who notched their first conference win. The final was 77-43. There is not a lot to be said, and I'm not sure there are any positives to be gleaned after a game like that.

- Off the court, the AZ Daily Sun dropped more details on Mike Adras' resignation, and how he potentially violated multiple NCAA and school regulations before he left in December. I will have more on this in the coming day, but suffice to say there will likely be some repercussions to NAU.

NORTHERN COLORADO
- They just played one game, and it was a disappointment. They did some good things well, but couldn't hang on for the win, losing 99-94 in double OT to Idaho State. They lost because of two issues that have plagued them all year. One, they couldn't get stops down the stretch. ISU shot 57% from the field and 52% from beyond the arc. Two, they turned it over a whopping 26 times. That can't happen.

- Two guys really had huge days for them, however. First was Tevin Svihohec, who dropped 30 points on 11/16 shooting. He is now averaging 14.3 PPG, 8th in the conference, and doing it in an efficient way. A month ago it looked like Tate Unruh and Paul Garnica were turning into the go-to guys for UNC. Now, Svihovec is the guy. Big man Emmanual Addo also had a huge day, with 28 points on 8/14 FG. He also pulled down 8 rebounds. He is inconsistent, but has he showed in this one, when he is playing well there aren't a lot of big men in the conference that can score like him.

PORTLAND STATE
- They came into their homestand with big hopes, playing at home against two teams above them in the rankings. They end the weekend dropping two big games and move into the middle of the jumble in the Big Sky. They started with their loss to Montana State, where they went cold in the second half and let the Bobcats come back. They shot just 33% in the second half.

- On Sunday they were in the opposite direction - trying to claw back from a big deficit. PSU trailed Montana by 14 in the second half, and by 9 with 3:01 left, but couldn't quite come all the way back, falling 64-62. Chehales Tapscott and Renado Parker were solid down low, but Charles Odum got outplayed by Will Cherry. Odum turned it over seven times, which is not a rare occurrence for the guy being guarded by Cherry. The loss drops PSU to 4-5 in the Big Sky and tied for fifth.

SACRAMENTO STATE
- Hornet fans have to be thinking one thing -- finally! After some close, heartbreaking losses, they left nothing to doubt with a 24 point beating of Northern Arizona. From the opening tip it was a thorough win, as they dominated every phase of the game. Konner Veteto led them with 24 points and 7 rebounds, and Jackson Carbajal had 18. Dylan Garrity, currently the leader among all freshmen in assists, chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. It was a great day for the Hornets, and one that they desperately needed.

WEBER STATE
- Things began ok, as they beat Sacramento State 75-60, their 10th straight win.They didn't come out and dominate, but they did what they needed to do to win. One highlight - Damian Lillard scored 21 points, and moved into third place on WSU's all-time scoring list.

- On Saturday night, the Wildcats learned what everyone else in the Big Sky is finding out, that Idaho State is no longer a pushover. The Bengals stunned WSU at the buzzer for a 64-62 ISU victory. They are still getting guys 100%, but this is a loss that will sting (no pun intended) for awhile. Damian Lillard uncharaceristically struggled from the field, and WSU shot just 12/19 from the line (they entered the game first in the nation in that category). The loss may give them a lesser Bracket Buster matchup, as well as stop all of the national attention that comes from an undefeated conference run.

- All of a sudden, Weber State and Montana are knotted at 8-1 in the Big Sky, as this should be a great two-team race.

Any other thoughts from the weekend?

Follow me on Twitter @bigskybball

5 comments:

  1. I love your blog! Keep up the good work and keep up the great coverage.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's a tight two horse race for sure with Weber State's loss. Montana had the most convincing 2 point win ever over PSU (was total domination until the end).

    Think they will both make the Big Sky proud in the Bracketbuster games.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hornets won by a 34 point margin, not 24 as mentioned..not that it really matters..but I'm a math guy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good point... the worst part is that I am a math guy too (accountant by trade) and consider mental math my forte!! Just had a little brain fart!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jon in your defense, Konner Veteto's 24 points were the headline on the press release.

    ReplyDelete