Friday, January 15, 2010

Saturday dribble: A-10, HU-NSU highlight slate

It's a huge day for women's basketball, and it starts in the morning as ESPN Gameday program, usually reserved for the men, settles in at Storrs for a marquee matchup between top-ranked UConn and No. 3 Notre Dame. The actual game doesn't air until 9 p.m., and there's plenty on tap around the state before that.

Saturday's games

Richmond (12-4, 1-0 Atlantic 10) at UMass (6-10, 0-1 Atlantic 10), 2 p.m.

The UMass nickname is Minutewomen. Isn't this kind of silly? Minutemen is a generic term and should apply to both. This is kind of like that announcer who keeps calling it a player-to-player defense. Way too politically correct. As for the game, the Spiders have won four in a row; the MinuteWOMEN have dropped four straight. It's always tough to win conference games on the road, but with a full week to prepare for this one, we like the Spiders chances. Richmond 77, UMass 59

Presbyterian (2-12, 1-1 Big South) at Liberty (10-4, 1-1 Big South), 4 p.m.

Fun fact - add an 's' to Presbyterian - Presbyterians - and you have an anagram for Britney Spears. And we love the team's nickname - the Blue Hose. Is that what they wear. As you might imagine, the story behind the name is quite interesting. Saturday's game, on the other hand, shouldn't be nearly as compelling. Consider this - remember the Winston-Salem team Liberty pummeled 71-26? The Blue Hose lost to those guys. Liberty 72, Presbyterian 43

UNC Asheville (5-11, 1-3 Big South) at Radford (3-11, 2-1 Big South), 3 p.m.

We've been waiting all season to say the following - this is a game Radford should win. Given their play of late, we're now comfortable calling the Highlanders Big South contenders. They'll be hosting a Bulldogs team that has dropped three straight conference games, including an 11-point loss at woeful Presbyterian. The Highlanders' resurgence have dovetailed with the emergence of senior Kymesha Alston, who is averaging 18.4 ppg and 7 rpg in her last five games. Radford 65, UNC Asheville 49

Hampton (5-9, 1-2 MEAC) at Norfolk St. (2-9, 0-3 MEAC), 4 p.m.

Don't know how compelling a game this will be, but don't miss the halftime show, featuring the comic stylings of the Harlem MagicMasters. This Battle of the Bay is actually a doubleheader with the men -- the women are obviously the opening act -- but they're asking folks to Pack the House. The women average 495, and we know the Lady Spartans fans will top that Saturday afternoon. We're going with Hampton in this one, though it gives us pause that the Lady Pirates are 0-4 on the road. Hampton 55, Norfolk State 52

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