Friday, January 7, 2011

Saturday special: HU, NSU, Richmond, Liberty, Radford in action

Saturday's games:

Richmond (9-5) at George Washington (5-9), 2 p.m.
We imagine the Spiders are anxious to get back on the floor after suffering the only loss to a state team (Virginia) last time out. The loss interrupted a string of five consecutive wins; the Colonials, meanwhile, have five consecutive losses. GWU has not beaten the Spiders since 2008. That trend isn't likely to reverse itself behind Brittani Shells (20.9 ppg) and Abby Oliver (13.1 ppg). We'd be remiss not to point out GWU is 5-1 at home and played Rutgers to within 10 in their last game. Still......Richmond 77, George Washington 55

Hampton (8-5, 1-0 MEAC) at Coppin State (2-9, 0-1), 2 p.m.
How about if we write see above on this one? Just like Richmond, Hampton had its win streak interrupted last time out by Wake Forest. The Pirates had won seven straight before falling 62-49. Coppin State, meanwhile, has dropped its last six, but the Lady Eagles own this series of late, having won 11 of 13. We don't expect it to be 12 of 14. Hampton 61, Coppin State 49

Gardner-Webb (9-5, 1-0 Big South) at Radford (4-10, 1-0), 3 p.m.
If there's something to be gained from momentum, the Highlanders have it, having won their Big South opener over UNC Ashville behind all kinds of season highs. Senior Kaylyn Crosier, who averages 5 ppg, dropped a career-best 20 in that one; Radford shot a season-best 53 percent and 12 Highlander turnovers was a season low. The Bulldogs were 8-0 on the road in conference play last season, though their one regular-season conference loss was to the Highlanders in double OT. We like their chances here for Gardner-Webb, which is getting a boost from former ODU forward Sierra Little. The junior, who had a double-double 13 points, 11 boards last time out, is averaging 10 points, 7 rebounds. Gardner-Webb 70, Radford 59

Bethune-Cookman (6-6, 0-1 MEAC) at Norfolk State (6-4, 0-1), 4 p.m.
The Wildcats have won three of their last four, but don't be too daunted. One victory was an 80-17 whipping of tiny Catholic Marygrove College, an NAIA school in Detroit. Bethune-Cookman didn't fare too well against Ohio State (86-38 loss) earlier this week, though we don't know of too many MEAC schools that would. Jasmine Elum, out for the first five games, had led the team in scoring five of the last six times. The series is tied at 11 between these two, but the Wildcats have won four straight. NSU can make a statement today because as good as their nonconference slate is, the Spartans need to start racking up some wins in their conference to gain some respect. We're not picking them, but we're rooting like crazy for them. Bethune-Cookman 66, Norfolk State 62

Liberty (6-7, 1-0 Big South) at Presbyterian (4-8, 1-0), 5 p.m.
The state of South Carolina is home sweet home for Liberty, which has dropped two of its 41 games there since the 1997-98 season. None has come to the Blue Hose, among our favorite nicknames in basketball, which boosts the top defense in the conference, holding opponents to 57.2 ppg. We suspect Liberty's size and trio of Jelena Antic, Avery Warley and Devon Brown will be too much for Presbyterian to handle. Liberty 63, Presbyterian 47

No comments:

Post a Comment