MBB at Marshall, Saturday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Cam Henderson Center, 3rd Avenue, Huntington, W.V., ew, blegh

[falcoapp]

If we beat ODU in a few days, are we outright champs because of the JMU tiebreakers?

We would be the Sun Belt Tourney No. 1 seed and at least a share of Sun Belt regular season champs.

If we finish tied with JMU, we would both be regular season champs.

I don't want to share anything with JMU. Just win out then.

[biggie]

SoMiss beats ULL

Ark St in 4th by themselves now.
ULL and SoMiss tied for 5th.

[Stonewall]

We play well enough to win and while we are solid through out the lineup, it seems a different guy steps up game to game to put us over the top. Nice rivalry sweep win on the road.

[Bigdaddyg1]

I took the time to look at the standings of every conference and it's kind of amazing how many teams have either a losing record or close to one on the road. Even teams that are generally pretty good struggle on the road even with great home records. Simply speaking it's tough to win road games. Marshall played tough today despite horrible 3 point shooting. They simply hustled for those 50/50 balls and that's the only reason we didn't win by 20.

[DontPlayWithYosef]

W

[appgrad95&97]

Is everything okay with Abson? His playing time seems to be down over the last four games. 18:15 per game seems low.

[appstate24]

Is everything okay with Abson? His playing time seems to be down over the last four games. 18:15 per game seems low.

I’m curious about this too. He hasn’t been his dominant self lately. Assuming teams are adjusting to him. Hoping he’s okay, and he gets back in a groove and finishes STRONG.

GO APPS!!

[scatman77]

Is everything okay with Abson? His playing time seems to be down over the last four games. 18:15 per game seems low.

I’m curious about this too. He hasn’t been his dominant self lately. Assuming teams are adjusting to him. Hoping he’s okay, and he gets back in a groove and finishes STRONG.

GO APPS!!

From my observations just watching games it appears he is being double-teamed not only on offense but there has been a more concerted effort to keep him off he boards defensively with something similar to the "spy" on a QB in football. "Your job it to keep him away from the shots and the glass."

[Stonewall]

Abson is clearly a focus for the game planning of our opponents. He’s earned it.

[app97]

Abson is clearly a focus for the game planning of our opponents. He’s earned it.

He’s also missed some easy layups around the basket lately that he would normally convert.

[Stonewall]

He is not alone there.

[Saint3333]

Spillers has been quieter on the offensive side recently. Part of this is teams being intentional getting back on defense. I’d like to see us work more inside out in our half court sets as both Spillers and Abson are good post passers.

Teams are definitely playing to defend our post tougher and make the guards beat them. Luckily we have Gregory, Harcum, and Tate that can make them pay.

[Stonewall]

And Marsh.

[AppFan11]

Also teams that have good interior presence…. makes it tougher… Marshall had that…. couple of 6’10 guys and they made it hard for Spillers at 6’7 at the rim….. the good thing is that we have multiple ways to win and that’s important.

[AppStFan1]

Abson is clearly a focus for the game planning of our opponents. He’s earned it.

Indeed. He should definitely be the DEF POY in the Sun Belt. There are some other good ones but he has been so good that teams are taking him out of the blocked shots and rebounds game but we have still been winning. It really is pick your poison with this team because Abson is not the only good defender we have.

[Bootsy]

Abson is clearly a focus for the game planning of our opponents. He’s earned it.

Indeed. He should definitely be the DEF POY in the Sun Belt. There are some other good ones but he has been so good that teams are taking him out of the blocked shots and rebounds game but we have still been winning. It really is pick your poison with this team because Abson is not the only good defender we have.

"Pick your poison" is an apt description; It's been fun watching different players step up when others are struggling and/or opponents key on certain players in an attempt to disrupt our game plan.

You can tell Kerns trusts nearly all of his players to make plays and take shots as opportunities arise, versus everything revolving around 1-2 marquis players who are responsible for most of the scoring. I say "nearly" because the lack of production from Mantis is still a concern. I'm still hoping he'll find his stroke and get hot...sooner rather than later.

[spacemonkey]

I would like to see an offensive set of Harcum, Mantis, Huntley at the three point arch with Spillers and Abson down low with an inside out plan to shoot three with Abson and Spillers crashing the board..

[Saint3333]

I would like to see an offensive set of Harcum, Mantis, Huntley at the three point arch with Spillers and Abson down low with an inside out plan to shoot three with Abson and Spillers crashing the board..

Opposing coaches would press that lineup everytime.

[BambooRdApp]

Mantis has not been consistent all year. Not sure if stats, I have to believe he is not shooting consistently from field when you consider what we give up on defensive end. Tate has to be shooting over 40% and his 3 point shooting seems to have improved over past 5 or 6 games. IMHO, Abson is not the best passer from the post especially if help D comes over. He needs to put more velocity on the passes.
The lineup above could not play a typical SBC guard oriented line up. Just my opinion

[Bigdaddyg1]

Mantis appears to be in his own head right now. He is not really shooting in the flow of the offense but looks more like he's going to shoot as soon as he gets a slight opening.
That is probably an overstatement but he looks like he's rushing to get his limited shots up. It's been said that he's not a guy who can take his man off the dribble but I can't believe he's that limited offensively especially at around 6'7". Teams are just keeping a man in his face as he basically stands behind the arc. He did have some key boards the other day so he's still contributing on that end of the floor.