ETSU men's basketball team looks to build on win over Campbell

The ETSU men's basketball team bounced back from their loss to Belmont by taking a fifteen point win over the Camels of Campbell University on Wednesday night. The Bucs used predominantly man to man defense to hold Jonathan Rodriguez, the league's fourth leading scorer, to only twelve points on the night and limited him to four of fourteen shooting from the field. Most of the few easy layups that Rodriguez was able to get were a result of the Bucs switching to a zone defense and Rodriguez being able to find open space alone under the basket. The Bucs did need a three point shot by Jocolby Davis from well beyond the arc with the shot clock running down to stem the tide of a Campbell run that had cut an eighteen point Buc lead early in the second half to four points with just under three minutes to play in the game. On Campbell's ensuing possession, the Bucs' Isiah Brown grabbed a steal and Justin Tubbs hit a three pointer off of the turnover to put ETSU back up by ten. That sequence of events changed the momentum of the game as the Bucs added to their lead from there to reach the final margin.

With the win Wednesday night ETSU pulled itself into a three way tie for the conference lead with Jacksonville and Campbell at the midpoint of the conference season. The three conference leaders maintain only a half game advantage over Lipscomb and a game and a half advantage over Rick Byrd's Belmont Bruins team. Murry Bartow and his team must now turn their attention back to the Nashville duo of Lipscomb and Belmont as those teams make their way to Johnson City for games with the Bucs on Saturday and Monday respectively. These games give the Bucs an opportunity to further distance themselves from those perennial Atlantic Sun contenders while trying to keep pace with their conference co-leaders. The Belmont game will certainly be one that Buc fans point to as a measuring stick for this team and its aspirations for a conference championship but Lipscomb is first up on the schedule and Adnan Hodzic and company will certainly present a tough challenge again.

ETSU was able to escape with a win at Lipscomb just this past Thursday on a three point shot in the final seconds by Jarvis Jones. In that game the Bucs were able to hold conference leading scorer Adnan Hodzic to only thirteen points on four of eleven shooting from the field. The Bisons however were able to shoot 48% from three point range over ETSU's defense while shooting less than 40% from the field as a whole and kept themselves in the game with their ability to hit the three point shots. Little has of course changed with Lipscomb's team since the first meeting a week ago. The Bisons have split two games in the interim with a loss to Campbell and a win over Belmont. In each of those games Josh Slater has scored well over his season average with twenty-six points in each game including a twelve of thirteen performance from the free throw line against Belmont. Lipscomb however as a team shot no more than 40% from three point range in either of those games. Were it not for the last second heroics of Jarvis Jones for the Bucs and clutch free throw shooting in the final half minute by Junard Hartley and Jonanthan Rodriguez of Campbell, Lipscomb could very easily be 9-2 in conference play and alone atop the standings.

The keys for the Bucs in winning this upcoming contest with Lipscomb will be to again limit the contributions offensively from Hodzic and Slater, while also reducing the opportunities that Lipscomb has to take open three point shots. Offensively ETSU needs to continue their approach from the Campbell game and use a combination of dribble penetration and inside play to balance their own three point attack. Coach Bartow limited his substitutions in the win over Campbell as several players played well over their average minutes. Davis for one played the entire forty minutes of action after having averaged only just over sixteen minutes per game coming into the contest. This smaller more well defined rotation is likely to continue unless the conditioning of the team dictates otherwise. A convincing win by the Bucs over Lipscomb would provide some much needed momentum and set up an always important game with Belmont on Monday evening.

Bucs back in action on Wednesday

The East Tennessee State University men's basketball team will be back in action again on Wednesday at 7 PM in the Mini Dome. The Atlantic Sun Conference leading Camels of Campbell University will come to town as the Bucs try to pull themselves into a tie with the Camels for the conference lead. Both teams spent the weekend in Nashville playing conference foes Lipscomb and Belmont. ETSU and Campbell were both able to knock off Lipscomb but the Bruins of Belmont began to turn their season around as they gained victories over the Camels on Thursday night and the Bucs on Saturday afternoon. The Bucs trailed by as much as thirty-two points during the course of the Belmont game but were able to close the margin to eleven by the end. In the Bucs' contest with Lipscomb, ETSU needed a last second three point shot by Jarvis Jones to win that game by two. Jonathan Rodriguez and Campbell had to battle Lipscomb right to the wire just like the Bucs and were able to secure the four point win with two free throws from Junard Hartley in the closing seconds. The Camels, unlike ETSU, were able to play close with Belmont for the majority of the game and closed the gap to one point with under two minutes to play but gave up four turnovers and missed one shot on their next five possessions to allow Belmont to escape with the win. During Campell's game with Belmont, Jonathan Rodriguez became the Camels all time leading scorer with 1948 points over the course of his collegiate career. He added another twenty-six points to that total in the win over Lipscomb. The Camels come into Wednesday night's game having won four of their last five games while the Bucs have been able to win only two of their last five.

In addition to Jonathan Rodriguez who is averaging 19.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, the Camels are led by Junard Hartley, the conference leader in assists, with 5.9 per game. Hartley also leads the league in steals and assist to turnover margin. Rodriguez will likely play an important role in this game but the key for the Bucs' may be in controlling Hartley to prevent him from being able to get his teammates involved on offense as well as protecting the ball from him so that he is unable to key the Camels' offense by creating turnovers. The Bucs are averaging just under fifteen turnovers per game while the Camels come into the game leading the conference and ranked sixth in the country in steals with 10.6 per game as a team. For the Bucs protecting the ball and limiting mistakes and turnovers on offense in this game should be a point emphasis.

For the Bucs, after splitting the pair of games in Nashville, this game looms even larger on the schedule. A loss to Campbell would drop the Bucs into a tie for third with Lipscomb and Belmont with rematches against those teams scheduled for the coming Saturday and Monday. If ETSU does not bounce back from the loss to Belmont, they could easily find themselves deep within the middle of the pack in the Atlantic Sun standings by the time Monday's game with Belmont in Johnson City is over. A sweep of these three games would enable the Bucs to put some distance between themselves and much of the rest of the conference pack.

ETSU men's basketball team set to face Lipscomb on the road

The ETSU men's basketball team is preparing to go on the road with games at Lipscomb and Belmont upcoming on Thursday and Saturday. The trip to Nashville is always an important part of the Atlantic Sun schedule for the Bucs but this year it may even be more so than it has been in the last few years. ETSU finds itself at 5-2 in conference play after Saturday's defeat of Florida Gulf Coast in the Mini Dome and two disappointing losses to Stetson and Mercer. If the Bucs do not build on the victory over FGCU, they could find themselves mired deep in the middle of the conference standings with league leader Campbell set to take on the Bucs in Johnson City the following Wednesday. However wins over the Bisons and Bruins could set up a showdown for a share of the league lead on the 27th with the Camels if they too can hold serve during their own trip to Nashville.

Thursday night's game with Lipscomb looks to be a challenging game for the Bucs in Nashville as Lipscomb is 6-2 in league play after a win at North Florida over the weekend giving them five wins in their last six games. The Bisons feature the Atlantic Sun's leading scorer in Adnan Hodzic, a 6-9 center that is averaging 21.5 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. Hodzic has a stretch of forty-four consecutive games in which he has scored in double figures, the longest such streak in the nation and an Atlantic Sun record. Hodzic had mixed results against the Bucs last year scoring thirty points in their first meeting while only scoring twelve in the second outing against the Bucs last February. ETSU's defense inside will certainly be tested by Hodzic and the Bisons. To assist Isiah Brown underneath and limit foul trouble, look for Lukas Poderis and J. C. Ward to get additional minutes of playing time as they attempt to limit Hodzic's contributions to his team. In addition to Hodzic, the Bisons feature three other players averaging double figures in scoring, including Josh Slater, a 6-3 guard averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists per game.

The Bucs hope to continue to build on their win over Florida Gulf Coast. Tommy Hubbard led the Bucs with twenty-one points in that contest while Justin Tubbs added fifteen in the win. The Bisons should expect to see a lot of Tommy Hubbard as Coach Murry Bartow has said that he will continue to play Hubbard forty minutes per game unless foul trouble dictates otherwise. Buc fans hope that Hubbard, who has been susceptible to injuries during his career, can hold up to the demands of playing every minute of every game over an extended period of time. The Bucs also need to see others step up and contribute on a regular basis. Justin Tubbs and Micah Williams are both averaging double figures in scoring but have been inconsistent in their contributions through the season. Both of these players need to become consistent scoring threats the Bucs can look to in close games or rally around when things are not going their way. This game with the Bisons could very well be a turning point in the season. The Bucs have the chance to defeat a conference leader on the road and build momentum going forward or fall short and find themselves struggling with Belmont looming just over the horizon.

Virginia survives scare from UNC-Wilmington

The University of Virginia's men's basketball team survived a scare on Monday night from the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks. The Cavaliers needed a fifteen foot jumper by Sylven Landesberg with only 2.2 seconds remaining to escape with a 69-67 victory. With the win the Hoos extend their winning streak to eight games and can now turn their attention to Saturday's upcoming contest against Wake Forest on the road in Winston-Salem, NC. The four day break between games is likely welcomed by the Virginia team which has played three games in the span of just six days. The need for the rest was evidenced by the Cavaliers' less than stellar performance shooting from the field at just over 42% on the whole against UNC-W. Virginia also made only three of ten from three point range in the game. Their shooting woes however did not follow them to the free throw line tonight as they made an impressive twenty of twenty-four attempts for the game. That performance from the line was one of the big differences in the game as the Seahawks were only able to reach the line five times during the course of the entire game.

The winning streak that Virginia is currently enjoying has many fans of the Hoos cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the remainder of the season and even the possibility of a bid to the NCAA tournament in March. The Hoos are 3-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time since the '94-'95 season and have the opportunity on Saturday to go 4-0 in the ACC for the first time since the '92-'93 season. The '92-'93 and '94-'95 teams were both Sweet Sixteen teams with the '94-'95 team making it to the Elite Eight before being knocked out by eventual national runner-up, Arkansas. References to those teams are not made in an effort to raise expectations for the current squad but to shed some perspective onto the success that has already been achieved by Tony Bennett and his team.

In order for the Hoos to continue to win games and raise the possibility of an invitation to the NCAA tournament, they must continue to do the little things, like making free throws, that win basketball games. Tonight's game shows just how easy it will be going forward for any one of Virginia's remaining opponents to knock them off if they do not continue to work hard at all aspects of the game. There are of course games remaining on the schedule that will not go the Cavaliers' way. One would have to be delusional to think otherwise but if the Hoos continue to work hard, give great effort as they have of late, and continue to do the little things, Virginia will take home some victories in close games that they otherwise might not. Those wins might ultimately make the difference in the Cavaliers earning a trip back to the NCAA tournament.

Give Derek Dooley a chance at Tennessee before writing him off

Some University of Tennessee football faithful are expressing their displeasure with the hiring of Derek Dooley as the new head football coach. The apparent departure of Kippy Brown for a job with the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL has helped add fuel to this fire. These detractors assume that Dooley's losing record in three years as a head coach at Louisiana Tech can only translate to less than spectacular results as a head coach in the SEC. While these arguments hold some credence, Dooley did lead Louisiana Tech to an Independence Bowl victory in 2008, his second year in charge, after inheriting a program that had not received a bowl invitation since 2001. Dooley's experience as athletics director at Louisiana Tech should also benefit him as he takes the reins of a team, the size and scope of that of Tennesee's football program.

In the last fourteen months, the Tennessee football program has made a great deal of headlines. Many supporters have not been fond of several of the headlines that the program was making. Secondary NCAA violations were becoming commonplace and reprimands by the SEC were more common than not. With Derek Dooley as the head coach these types of headlines will likely disappear from the papers. Some of Tennessee's supporters should ask themselves if they prefer a program built on sound bites and NCAA violations or one that is built on a disciplined approach with respect for the program as well as those within and outside of the university.

Now reports have Derek Dooley headed to Tennessee

Tennessee fans stay tuned because in the span of less than twenty four hours the search for a new head football coach has taken yet another turn. Last night reports had David Cutcliffe all but having had accepted the job to fill the vacancy created when Lane Kiffin left the position to become the new head football coach of the USC Trojans. This morning, as was discussed earlier, Cutcliffe withdrew his name from consideration for that position. This afternoon reports have surfaced that Derek Dooley, the current head football coach and athletics director at Louisiana Tech, is certain to be the next head coach in Knoxville. These reports seem to carry more credibility than those last night concerning Cutcliffe as there have been mentions of meetings with Louisiana Tech players having been cancelled but time will tell if these reports prove to be accurate.

Dooley is a name that many Vol fans are likely unfamiliar with but he is certainly no stranger to the SEC. His father was a long time head football coach for the University of Georgia and he served on Nick Saban's staff at LSU . Dooley also worked under Saban with the Miami Dolphins before accepting his current position as the head football coach at Louisiana Tech. Dooley's head coaching record will not bowl one over but he does have one bowl win to his credit during his tenure in Ruston. Perhaps the most intriguing part of his resume' is the fact that he also serves as athletics director at Louisiana Tech. He is one of if not the only FBS head football coach who also serves his institution in that capacity. That work experience could very well prove valuable if he indeed does take over a college football program the size and scope of that of the University of Tennessee. Dooley, a University of Virginia graduate, played receiver under George Welsh, a well respected head coach in his own right, and helped lead the Hoos to an ACC championship in 1989. If Mike Hamilton, athletics director at Tennessee, does indeed meet his goal of having a new head football coach by Saturday then we should all know the accuracy of these reports very soon.

David Cutcliffe to stay at Duke

Things change quickly in the world of college football. Just last night David Cutcliffe was rumored to be close to a deal with the University of Tennessee to become the new head football coach in Knoxville but this morning that speculation has been put to rest with published reports that Cutcliffe has taken his name out of consideration for the vacancy at Tennessee. This was likely a smart move for Cutcliffe in the long run. His current position at Duke will never come with astronomical expectations and if he is able to keep that program competitive on a regular basis in the Atlantic Coast Conference, he will likely be able to remain the head coach there until he either decides to retire or move on to another university. One also has to admire Cutcliffe for his loyalty to his staff, players and Duke itself. Many in the world of college football today would jump at the chance to take over the reins of a Southeastern Conference program steeped in tradition like the one at Tennessee without regard for those around them that would be affected by the move. Cutcliffe took a step back and was able to see the big picture and how this decision would affect not only his life but the lives of those around him. That alone says a great deal about the man and the values that he holds close. Cutcliffe's decision to stay at Duke can also only help the Atlantic Coast Conference to continue to strengthen itself from the bottom up. The search in Knoxville however goes on.

Will David Cutcliffe be the next head football coach at Tennessee?

Some reports have David Cutcliffe in negotiations with the University of Tennessee to accept the head football coach position there that came open when Lane Kiffin left earlier this week to become the new head football coach of the USC Trojans. Cutcliffe seems like an ideal candidate for this position. He is a part of the Tennessee football family and has experience with winning at UT. His overall record during his previous and current head coaching stints are not overwhelming but were achieved at institutions where mediocrity in football is laudable if not exceptional. In two years he has turned the Duke program into something respectable and is poised to achieve success in football not seen at Duke since the days that Steve Spurrier roamed the sidelines in Durham. A look back at Phil Fulmer's record at Tennessee also shows that the lion's share of his success came with David Cutcliffe calling the offense. Sacrificing Randy Sanders to bring Cutcliffe back as offensive coordinator enabled Fulmer to remain at Tennessee longer than he otherwise may have. One year after Cutcliffe's departure to Duke, Fulmer lost his job at Tennessee. That is certainly not a coincidence.

Cutcliffe's ties to the Tennessee family raise him above other candidates as many associated with the Volunteers are upset with the antics that have occurred in Knoxville since Lane Kiffin was hired fourteen months ago. Hiring Cutcliffe will help to unite the divided factions that have surfaced since Fulmer was replaced. Tennessee needs a great football coach but the Vols also need someone at this time that knows Tennessee football and that can bring the Tennessee family back together.

If Cutcliffe does indeed accept the position at Tennessee, the next question to answer will be that of his replacement at Duke. Bud Foster, current defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech, should certainly surface as a candidate for this job. He has expressed interest in obtaining a head coaching position and this would certainly be a great opportunity for him to take over the reins of a program that is on the rise and in an area that he should be familiar with recruiting. This may be the opportunity that will prove to be too enticing for him to remain in Blacksburg.