Marquette continues Seton Hall’s struggles

NEWARK, N.J. – The string continues. Seton Hall fell to 2-12 in Big East play. Marquette broke open the game with a resounding second half en route to a 67-46 victory over the Pirates Tuesday at the Prudential Center. The main points of emphasis:

1. The First four. Tied at 27 at halftime, Marquette utilized the opening four minutes to force turnovers on three of the Hall’s seven possessions. On the offensive end the Golden Eagles found the range, and at the 16 minute mark owned a 40-33 lead. It was a lead they would not surrender, only build on.

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St. John’s holds off UCONN 71-65

NEW YORK – One of those “typical” nights in the Big East. Significant runs, intensity and a game going down to the wire. St. John’s defeated UCONN 71-65 before 8,441 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. The 71-65 decision improved the Red Storm to 7-4 (15-8 overall) in conference while the Huskies, a solid 15-6 overall, dropped to 5-4 in conference play.

The pace:

UCONN 68 possessions
St. John’s 69

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Fordham 66, Rhode Island 63: A second look

BRONX, N.Y. – A game decided by a possession invariably tells you one made the plays in the stretch while the other team did not. In Saturday’s 66-63 Fordham victory over Rhode Island, you can say that was the case. A much closer look, specifically under the glass, tells us where the game was decided: the offensive boards. In raw numbers Fordham held an 18-6 advantage. In the offensive rebounding percentage Fordham held a 44-19% edge. That basically told the tale.

The possessions:

Rhode Island 68
Fordham 68

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Seton Hall 55, South Florida 47: Stats and keys

NEWARK, N.J. – On an extremely brutal mercury plunging night, Seton Hall left visiting South Florida in the cold posting a 55-47 victory at the Prudential Center on Wednesday. The pace was to South Florida’s liking, but that slower tempo did not  deter the Pirates.

A look at the key numbers:

Possessions:

South Florida 55
Seton Hall 53

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St. Peter’s takes some positives despite close loss to Loyola-Chicago

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – When you break down film undoubtedly the technical errors will surface. In the wake of Loyola-Chicago’s 54-49 victory over St. Peter’s at Yanitelli Center, a number jumps off the stat sheet, 6 of 19. That is the result for the Peacocks on the foul line. The main points:

1. Numbers wise the pace was slow to moderate as Loyola had 66 possessions to St. Peter’s 62. The efficiencies show the type of afternoon it was:

Loyola-Chicago 82
St. Peter’s 79

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NJIT edges Army with a wild finish

NEWARK, N.J. – The university is nationally, if not internationally, known and respected for its academics and research. Mention NJIT and you are conversing about one of academia’s “heavy hitters”. Regardless, even the brightest minds or intelligence would not be able to explain what happened in the Highlanders’ win over Army.

NJIT scored 16 first half points, followed by 53 following intermission to post a 69-67 victory over Army. It was a game coach Jim Engles’ club trailed most of by double figures. It was a turnaround even Engles admits, “I just have no explanation for.”

One thing NJIT did in the final half was extend pressure and push the ball on offense. Army, interestingly enough, is an uptempo team, averaging 72  possessions entering the game. Wouldn’t the faster pace be better suited to the visitors?

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Duke-Temple: Points of emphasis

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – College basketball was back in the Izod Center, but the feature matchup turned out one-sided. Duke defeated Temple 90-67.

1. If you are a Duke hater, this probably won’t be your year. No one-and-done looms for these Blue Devils. They are 9-0 with wins over Kentucky, Minnesota, VCU, Louisville, Ohio State and now Temple. In this game the Blue Devils did a fine job dismantling a good Temple team and have a nice inside/outside mix. They also have strong ball-sure defense as usual.

2.  There are multiple weapons. Mike Krzyzewski has a post presence in Mason Plumlee, an inside/out big in Ryan Kelly, and the steady lead guard in Quinn Cook. We can’t forget Seth Curry and Rasheed Sulamon, who can step outside and hit shots. Duke runs their well-patented motion offense but is comfortable putting the pedal to the floor in transition.

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St. Peter’s 64, Iona 62: The numbers and difference a week made

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Iona and St. Peter‘s battled it out in a down to the wire game at Yanitelli Center. The Peacocks upset Iona 64-62 on Wednesday  in the type of contest that will be the norm in the MAAC this season. Blaise French hit a shot in the lane with the shot clock running out and under five seconds remaining.

The possessions:

Iona 70
St. Peter’s 71

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The Jimmy V: Analysis and teams headed in opposite directions

NEW YORK – It was a doubleheader with a little of both. The Jimmy V Classic featured one lopsided game followed by a close, down to the wire affair.

Scores:

Georgetown 64, Texas 41
NC State 69, UCONN 65

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Rick Majerus: The loss of an icon

LYNDHURST, N.J. – The first move was taking the year off from coaching. Then, retirement was the next step. All the while you hoped for the best and that these moves would improve the situation. Ultimately, they didn’t. As we enter the joys of the holiday season we were saddened to hear of the passing of coach Rick Majerus. More than simply a coach, Majerus was a mentor, friend, source of inspiration and/or comfort… just so much to so many.

The story goes how Majerus tried out for the Marquette team. Coach Al McGuire told him to forget it, there was no talent there to speak of.  Majerus cried, then later embarked on a career in coaching. In the realm of basketball lifers, Majerus was the leader, if there was one. The sound of the ball making contact with hardwood or asphalt was like a symphony to him.

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