ATLANTIC CITY -- It's 32-25 St. Joe's after 20 minutes, and it would be a 10-point game if not for a three-pointer with five seconds to go in the half.
The Hawks shot 13-for-30 from the field (43.3%), including 2-for-9 from three-point range (22.2%) and 11-for-21 from two-point range (52.4%), and 4-for-4 from the foul line (100.0%). Seven offensive rebounds, 10 defensive rebounds, seven assists, four turnovers, two blocks, one steal and six fouls committed.
That adds up to 29 possessions and 1.123 points per possession.
Ahmad Nivins leads St. Joe's with an impressive 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
The Owls shot 7-for-25 from the field, including 5-for-10 from three-point range (50.0%) and 2-for-15 from two-point range (13.3%), and 6-for-8 from the free throw line (75.0%). Eight offensive rebounds, nine defensive rebounds, four assists, eight turnovers, three blocks,t wo steals and six fouls committed.
That adds up to 29 possessions and 0.877 points per possession.
Dionte Christmas leads Temple with 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.
But more importantly, Temple just looks nervous. The passing isn't as crisp as it's been the last few games and the players haven't been as aggressive with the ball. That two-point field goal percentage is very telling. So was Ryan Brooks' shot clock violation with 30 seconds in the half, when he just held the ball before realizing he was out of time.
Meanwhile, St. Joe's looks calm and collected, and like a team that knows exactly what it's doing here.
If that keeps up, it will decide the game way more than any number could.
Comments (2)
Why do you even talk to Lunardi? He is the most worthless, biased reporter in the country. Jonathan, you are better than this. Don't lose your credibility by becoming one of his minions by sucking up to his to "Bracketologist" title by ESPN.
This guy has belittled Nova's (2) wins over Syracuse- a team who beat St. Joe's (PA). AND neglects Nova's wins over UConn, West Virginia, and Pitt (plus Villanova's Win over George Mason and the Wildcats' win ON THE ROAD win against the A-10 Champions).
Again Jonathan, you're smart w/ a bright future ahead of you. Don't get caught up w/ Lunardi.
Posted by Mike | March 15, 2008 8:37 PM
Posted on March 15, 2008 20:37
Villanova was crushed by Georgetown in this series. Their one win of two meetings against Pitt this season was only by one point in a very close game. I don't know what Lunardi said, and I agree bracketology is stupid, but Villanova is dare I say, overrated.
Posted by LibraryChick | March 16, 2008 2:33 AM
Posted on March 16, 2008 02:33