MBB: ASU @ Furple

[asu66]

Only three regular season games to go for ASU MBB, folks, all of 'em on the road. At 2 PM today, it's at Furman where the Apps (8-18, 4-9 SoCon) have amassed an overall 10 W-26 L record since the first game way back in 1971. (Who besides me remembers Furman's Triple Towers of Fesser Leonard, Roy Simpson and Russ Hunt? Ouch!) The Apps are only 39-44 all-time against Furman but have won four-straight in the series. They picked up a 79-69 win when the teams last met in Greenville during the 2011-12 campaign. Last season, the Apps knocked off Furman at home before eliminating the 'Dins from the SoCon Tourney with a 74-60 win in the tourney quarter-finals. Today, both teams are coming off losses on Thursday. The Mountaineers fell to Western Carolina 74-61 while the Paladins lost to Wofford by a 70-50 final.

Insofar as the overall importance of today's game, Furman trails ASU by two games in the loss column for the ninth seed in the the upcoming tourney. In that regard, ASU needs to get to the seventh seed to avoid placement in the same bracket with #1 seed Davidson. They also need to win two of their last three to avoid a 20 loss regular season.

In RPI, there's only a sneeze of a difference--Furman weighs in at RPI # 333; while ASU comes in at RPI # 336. Statistically, the game is a tossup; with Furman getting a ever-so-slight edge for home court advantage. Nonetheless, Furman gets the nod for a convincing 80-68 win over the Apps from College RPI.com. But what do they know? Nothing, I hope!

This observer thinks ASU is ready to fight for a better tourney seeding in an attempt to leave the SoCon on a high note. Others feel the team is ready to mail it all in in return for the name of its new head basketball coach. Believers that Jason Capel, now in the fourth year of a four-year deal, is on the way out number in the thousands here in the Old North State. It doesn't look good for him. The next nine calendar days (or less) should tell the story.

All the verbage aside, methinks I'll go for a 5 point ASU win. I'd hate to give the nod to such a weak Furple team; would rather eat crow if I'm wrong.

[Rekdiver]

I have mixed feelings about these last 3 games. I hope they win but I really want the season to end so we can get on with a coach search. We should have already formed a process and a committee. As I've said before CCs job lies with this hire and if he wants to move up the AD food chain he better get this one right or he will be heading to nowhere U as some lowly administrator

[asu66]

I have mixed feelings about these last 3 games. I hope they win but I really want the season to end so we can get on with a coach search. We should have already formed a process and a committee. As I've said before CCs job lies with this hire and if he wants to move up the AD food chain he better get this one right or he will be heading to nowhere U as some lowly administrator

I completely agree. I really don't see this team extending the season beyond 3.7 or 3.8 based on their up & down play. CC needs to hit the ground running after the last horn. He's just about got to hit a "Hail, Mary."

[hapapp]

Apps trail 41-35 with 11 to go after a 7-0 run by the Apps. Spagnolo on verge of another double double. Team is shooting 30% from the field.

[asu66]

Apps trail 41-35 with 11 to go after a 7-0 run by the Apps. Spagnolo on verge of another double double. Team is shooting 30% from the field.

Down 13 with 5:00 to play. Barring a Shawn Hall type miracle, we'll be one loss away from a 20 loss season.

[asu66]

68-53 Final. Furple over Black & Gold. Apps fall to 8 - 19 and assure themselves of being in the same tourney bracket with Davidson. Nice door prize!

Ugly, ugly stats page... http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=31260

[Kgfish]

CC needs to hit the ground running after the last horn. He's just about got to hit a "Hail, Mary."

If Cobb hasn't already been asking fellow AD's about prospects he isn't doing his job.