Gold Sheet
Wichita State 69 - VIRGINIA TECH 68—Like a year ago when bludgeoning
Quinnipiac in first-round NIT action, Seth Greenberg’s VPI wasn’t distracted
enough by another Selection Sunday snub to lose focus in this year’s NIT
opener against Bethune-Cookman. The MEAC Wildcats, however, were
outmanned in Blacksburg...that’s not the case with capable Wichita. And the
Hokies might not be at full strength for this Sunday encounter, either, if valued
frontline defensive presence 6-8 Victor Davila is forced to sit this one out due to
a shoulder injury.
Make no mistake, Wichita will not be too bothered by this assignment, with
its only non-league losses vs. teams that were still playing in the Big Dance as
of Saturday (UConn, San Diego State, and VCU), and full of confidence after
last Wednesday’s 76-49 romp over a serviceable Nebraska side that never
absorbed that sort of a beating throughout its Big XII slate. HC Gregg Marshall
was especially pleased after his troops responded to his personal challenge of
embracing the NIT after the disappointment of missing the Big Dance and of last
year’s flat effort in this event that resulted in a loss vs. underdog Nevada. The
deep (10 players average 14 minutes or better) and balanced Shockers can
stretch Seth’s defense with long-range bombers G David Kyles and swingman
Ben Smith (both better than 40% beyond the arc), and note that Wichita was a
very reliable pointspread performer on the road, covering 8 of 11 tries as a
visitor. Along with the erratic nature of VPI and Davila’s injury, the Shockers
look to be a very intriguing underdog recommendation.
FAIRFIELD 65 - Kent State 57—There are some peripheral storylines that
are adding a bit more intrigue to this matchup, such as rumors in the northeast
that Fairfield HC Ed Cooley (with Big East coaching roots on Al Skinner’s BC
staffs in the days before the Eagles moved to the ACC, and a Providence
native) on a very short list to succeed the recently-dismissed Keno Davis at
Providence. Stay tuned for further developments. But based upon last week’s
impressive road win at favored Colorado State, the Connecticut-based Jesuit
bunch (which won the MAAC reg,-season title) might have a few more
assignments to look forward to this season.
Kent State’s challenge will be to solve a sticky Stag defense that ranked
second nationally in points allowed (57.8 pg). At their best, the Golden Flashes
can break down opponents with attacking Gs Michael Porrini, Rodriquez
Sherman, and Carlton Guyton, but penetrating the Fairfield defensive barrier
will not be easy. And after keeping CSU’s agile frontliners Andy Ogide & Travis
Franklin in check at Fort Collins, Cooley’s defenders can be expected to do
much of the same against Kent PF Justin Greene (MAC MVP at 15.5 ppg).
Although the Stags could use top scorer G Derek Needham (2 of 16 beyond arc
the last 2 games) rediscovering his long-range stroke, their gnarly defense has
been camouflaging most attack end shortcomings all season.
Wichita State 69 - VIRGINIA TECH 68—Like a year ago when bludgeoning
Quinnipiac in first-round NIT action, Seth Greenberg’s VPI wasn’t distracted
enough by another Selection Sunday snub to lose focus in this year’s NIT
opener against Bethune-Cookman. The MEAC Wildcats, however, were
outmanned in Blacksburg...that’s not the case with capable Wichita. And the
Hokies might not be at full strength for this Sunday encounter, either, if valued
frontline defensive presence 6-8 Victor Davila is forced to sit this one out due to
a shoulder injury.
Make no mistake, Wichita will not be too bothered by this assignment, with
its only non-league losses vs. teams that were still playing in the Big Dance as
of Saturday (UConn, San Diego State, and VCU), and full of confidence after
last Wednesday’s 76-49 romp over a serviceable Nebraska side that never
absorbed that sort of a beating throughout its Big XII slate. HC Gregg Marshall
was especially pleased after his troops responded to his personal challenge of
embracing the NIT after the disappointment of missing the Big Dance and of last
year’s flat effort in this event that resulted in a loss vs. underdog Nevada. The
deep (10 players average 14 minutes or better) and balanced Shockers can
stretch Seth’s defense with long-range bombers G David Kyles and swingman
Ben Smith (both better than 40% beyond the arc), and note that Wichita was a
very reliable pointspread performer on the road, covering 8 of 11 tries as a
visitor. Along with the erratic nature of VPI and Davila’s injury, the Shockers
look to be a very intriguing underdog recommendation.
FAIRFIELD 65 - Kent State 57—There are some peripheral storylines that
are adding a bit more intrigue to this matchup, such as rumors in the northeast
that Fairfield HC Ed Cooley (with Big East coaching roots on Al Skinner’s BC
staffs in the days before the Eagles moved to the ACC, and a Providence
native) on a very short list to succeed the recently-dismissed Keno Davis at
Providence. Stay tuned for further developments. But based upon last week’s
impressive road win at favored Colorado State, the Connecticut-based Jesuit
bunch (which won the MAAC reg,-season title) might have a few more
assignments to look forward to this season.
Kent State’s challenge will be to solve a sticky Stag defense that ranked
second nationally in points allowed (57.8 pg). At their best, the Golden Flashes
can break down opponents with attacking Gs Michael Porrini, Rodriquez
Sherman, and Carlton Guyton, but penetrating the Fairfield defensive barrier
will not be easy. And after keeping CSU’s agile frontliners Andy Ogide & Travis
Franklin in check at Fort Collins, Cooley’s defenders can be expected to do
much of the same against Kent PF Justin Greene (MAC MVP at 15.5 ppg).
Although the Stags could use top scorer G Derek Needham (2 of 16 beyond arc
the last 2 games) rediscovering his long-range stroke, their gnarly defense has
been camouflaging most attack end shortcomings all season.
