LETS GO!

Pre-game, in-game, and post-game thread for the Norfolk State game. Tip off 8:40pm.

Norfolk State 16-7.
Appalachian State 17-11.

Updated to include tip-off.

I've always hated those bastards.

Neer86 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 14, 2021 8:10 pm

I've always hated those bastards.

Classic!

Solid rundown. If you ever want to find the best stuff, find the people who are betting on it.


https://dknation.draftkings.com/2021/3/ ... ch-madness


No. 16 Norfolk State/Appalachian State
The Norfolk State Spartans are returning to the NCAA Tournament after they defeated the Morgan State Bears 71-63 in the MEAC championship game. The Spartans head into the big dance on a four-game winning streak. Norfolk State finished the regular season with a record of 16-7 and the best team in the MEAC’s North Division. They are also averaging 75.4 points per game and holding their opponents to only 69.5 points per game. The Spartans rank within the top-100 in terms of rebounding with 37.1 rebounds a game.

The two players for the Spartans to keep an eye out for is senior guard Devante Carter and junior guard Joe Bryant Jr. Carter leads the team in all major statistical categories with 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. As for Bryant Jr., he is averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

Record: 15-4, 8-4 MEAC
KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency: 204
KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency: 219
ATS: 12-8-1
Over Total: 12-9
Odds to win NCAA Championship: N/A

The Mountaineers are heading back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000 after winning the Sun Belt tournament as the No. 4 seed. Finishing the regular season losing four of their final five games, coach Dustin Kearns’ team went on a hot streak and won four in a row, two of which came in overtime, to capture the Sun Belt’s automatic bid.

App State actually ranks on the lower side of all teams in terms of offensive and defensive efficiency metrics. The Mountaineers are 207th and 203rd in the nation in those, respectively and came into the Sun Belt Tournament sitting just barely above .500. Adrian Delph and Justin Forrest lead the team with 13 points per game each, and they’ll both need to do even more for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Record: 17-11, 7-8 Sun Belt
KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency: 228
KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency: 205
ATS: 14-9-1
Over Total: 11-13
Odds to win NCAA Championship: +20000






I'll take those odds.

It’s all about how your team is playing now not two months ago. Plenty of teams got in who didn’t tear it up all season. Brand new deal. Play loose and play defense

Well well we are still seeded higher than Dook...

I was hoping to avoid the first four, but man how cool is it just to be here. Would love to bring home our first NCAAT win in program history. They seem to be a bit faster paced than us, so we have to make sure we play at our pace. Work the shot clock, get good looks, hit the three at a decent clip and just prove that we want it more defensively and on the boards. Obviously I'm biased, but I truly think we're better than them. I think we have a chance to win this one by 10+. But again, I'm just so freakin proud. Literally anything else at this point is just gravy. But yes, I want to win.

Norfolk State pronounces it “Appa-lay-shun”. In fact they encourage it. Just an FYI.

ah59396 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:42 pm

Norfolk State pronounces it “Appa-lay-shun”. In fact they encourage it. Just an FYI.

A pox upon all their fans and first born. I know.....in 2021 it may be in poor taste but it's sarcasm! (that's for those who don't recognize the sarcasm font)

A brief addendum to the "DraftKings" summary...

Looking at Norfolk's roster, they sport some really, really big guys topping out at 6-10, 250. As a team, they're quite a bit bigger than the Apps. They won't present with a four-guard attack--unless they're 6-6 guards. Four or five of their players are playing for their fourth, fifth or sixth team counting high schools, prep schools and JuCos. One fellow logged some Sun Belt time at Arkansas State.

Looking at their individual stats, they seem to have an 8 or 9 man rotation...probably a couple more against lesser teams. Their 6-3 senior guard now playing for his third college, Devante Carter, is the only guy on their team to start all 23 of their games. This kid shoots 43% from the floor, but does not have the range for shooting from behind the arc. 6-1 junior guard Joe Bryant, Jr. shoots 40% from the field and 39% from behind the arc. R-senior and former Arkansas State post, 6-9 250 J.J. Matthews, shoots 53% in the paint.

Teams from this school have some prior year, story-book, post-season success to brag about. The Apps had better take this game seriously! The loser won't play again until next November.

Give'em Hell, Apps!

When we beat Norfolk St,We play some little school out west called Zaga Oh $h!t,can't we play dook with masks on?

In all honesty, it's a crappy draw, but it's March and we are basketball conference champions, playing in the big tournament. Think of how far this program has come in just two years. Let's give it hell and build on this for next season. Coach and the team have deserved our support and a packed HCC for 2021-22. Fight App!

It is March Madness!! Strange things happen. Ask Virginia. Bounced in first round one year.. Natty the next year. At this point, cannot underestimate anyone. Win first by one point if that is what it comes down to.. Then we get the Zags if we win. Someone has to give Zags first loss.... May as well be the basketball powerhouse.. Appalachian State University!!!

I'm torn about the draw....First it gives SunBelt no respect......BUT we draw a winnable game and when won we get the world pulling for us vs Gonzaga.... the pub is worth a ton....

asu66 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 15, 2021 1:29 am

A brief addendum to the "DraftKings" summary...

Looking at Norfolk's roster, they sport some really, really big guys topping out a 6-10, 250. As a team, they're quite a bit bigger than the Apps. They won't present with a four-guard attack--unless they're 6-6 guards. Four or five of their players are playing for their fourth, fifth or sixth team counting high schools, prep schools and JuCos. One fellow logged some Sun Belt time at Arkansas State.

Looking at their individual stats, they seem to have an 8 or 9 man rotation...probably a couple more against lesser teams. Their 6-3 senior guard now playing for his third college, Devante Carter, is the only guy on their team to start all 23 of their games. This kid shoots 43% from the floor, but does not have the range for shooting from behind the arc. 6-1 junior guard Joe Bryant, Jr. shoots 40% from the field and 39% from behind the arc. R-senior and former Arkansas State post, 6-9 250 J.J. Matthews, shoots 53% in the paint.

Teams from this school have some prior year, story-book, post-season success to brag about. The Apps had better take this game seriously! The loser won't play again until next November.

Give'em Hell, Apps!

Scanning the box scores from their conference tourney, it looks like the guys who play are more of the type of undersized lineup you expect at this level. They do have a couple 6'8", 6'9" guys who play, though.

Usually big dudes on a team like Norfolk State (6’10”ish) typically aren’t that great or they would probably be at a P5 school. Not always as there are extenuating circumstances or a kid just blossoms. I compare that situation to the G5 “huge” offensive linemen (typically just slow and fat). We have faced our share of taller lineups and have done ok (UT aside). We are going to have to hit 3’s and force turnovers to move on.

How is our health/injuries going in?

Depending on the betting service you like, App or Norfolk State are favored by 3. So basically a toss up.

Thursday
8:40
True TV

Make 3s. Play lights out D. Take the stairs.
Let's validate winning the SBC tournament with another win and then see what happens!

Without resorting to gaggle, google, goggle, geegle or another website. One question, is Norfolk State an HBCU? Yes or no.

NewApp wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:50 am

Without resorting to gaggle, google, goggle, geegle or another website. One question, is Norfolk State an HBCU? Yes or no.

Yes.