Wildcats' Roar is offering a new way to follow your 'Cats online. Mark Brumbaugh of the sports information staff will author a live blog during the men's basketball game vs. College of Charleston.
The idea for it is to be fun and informative so comments are encouraged! Click the "Reader Information" link in the applet below for more.
HELPFUL LINKS
Coverage: Live on SportSouth | Live Audio | Live Stats
Information: Davidson Preview | CofC Preview
Davidson Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Mobile Phone Users: View Here
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Live Blog: Davidson vs. The Citadel (Men's Hoops)
Wildcats' Roar is offering a new way to follow your 'Cats online. Mark Brumbaugh of the sports information staff will author a live blog during the men's basketball game vs. The Citadel.
The idea for it is to be fun and informative so comments are encouraged! Click the "Reader Information" link in the applet below for more.
HELPFUL LINKS
Coverage: Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats
Information: Davidson Preview | The Citadel Preview
Davidson Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
The idea for it is to be fun and informative so comments are encouraged! Click the "Reader Information" link in the applet below for more.
HELPFUL LINKS
Coverage: Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats
Information: Davidson Preview | The Citadel Preview
Davidson Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Friday, January 21, 2011
Davidson Wrestling In Boston
The Davidson wrestling team is in Boston for the BU Duals on Saturday. The team arrived Thursday night, ahead of the snow. The streets were cleared in time for the 'Cats to make their way to Boston University for a workout, though. Head coach Bob Patnesky shared his thoughts on the trip.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Cats and Dogs
By Lauren Biggers
Men's Basketball vs. Wofford
January 15, 2011
“I hate losing, Biggers.”
This is how whatever-his-title-is-now Billy Thom sums up the Wildcats’ 69-64 loss to the Wofford Terriers, and I think its fair to say that the large majority of the crowd at Belk Arena Saturday night felt the same. That was a tough one.
Things got off to a rocky start early with the malfunctioning microphone for the National Anthem. The crowd did a stellar job, (the opposing fan behind me had quite a nice voice), and after Mike Young promised not to spill his water on us, we were off and running.
The WL checked in from an Oakland vacation to plead for scoring updates while stranded at an Office Depot appearance with The Kid (free pens!!), but things weren’t going so great early for his Wildcats. Not yet attempting a three, the Terriers had hit 4-of-5 from behind the arch and some fella not named Noah Dahlman (or even Noah Dahlberg, Charlotte Observer preview) dropped in 20 in the first half. (p.s. I will need someone in the D-block to explain a. calling Cameron Rundles “Treasure” and b. continuing to taunt a guy who scores 20 in 20).
The ‘Cats held last year’s POY Dahlberg to just three points in the first half, but on the wings of Rundles, Wofford opened up an 11-point lead with 8:20 left in the half.
After moonlighting for the marketing staff by removing the Monkee’s banner from center court, BMcK missed a three, got it back on a Tommy Droney offensive board, and made the next, to cut Wofford’s lead to 25-16. After Rundles got his 15th point on a FT to more “Treasure” (because he was money?) chants, Tommy Droney hit a layup (that he probably shouldn’t have), and Davidson was down just four with 4:05 to play.
Jake Cohen stripped Noah Dalhberg, as the defense came up with the stop they needed, but on the other end, the ‘Cats didn’t quite get the shot they were hoping for. Tim Johnson clanked a pair of freebies, so it’s all a wash anyways. A couple possessions later, a block from Cohen and a defensive board for Nik (needs a nickname) Cochran lead to two fast-break points for JP Koolman, and Davidson trails just a pair, 27-29 with 51 seconds remaining.
Lest we forget about him, Rundles drains a three, gets a steal and hits a fall away jumper at the buzzer, putting up a five-point flurry in 29 seconds, to send Wofford into the locker room with a 34-27 halftime lead.
After some more scoreboard confusion (“this is getting old”), Mike Young starts to get really interesting. Frustrated by fouls on Dahlberg (“how many is that on him?”) and Kevin Giltner, he starts begging the refs to “Let them play!” JP Koolman musta got into the candy at halftime, because he starts with a Rundle-like flurry, scoring six of the Wildcats’ first eight points.
Koolman’s runner puts Davidson down just three, but this feels a lot like the Western game, where there’s some kinda invisible line keeping them from getting closer. NK’s jumper from Jake Cohen puts it back at three, 37-40, and suddenly he’s guarding the inbounds play right in front of the table. He does a pretty good job, but it just makes me miss MAX again.
Mike Young is spitting and shouting about the foul disparity (It doesn’t HAVE to be equal, fellas), and well, it does help that the ‘Cats are a perfect 10-for-10 at the line. Make it 11-for-11 as Clint Mann gets one to rock and rattle in. Fun while it lasted, he misses the next. Not too long, though, before Davidson’s back on the line, and Mike Young wants to know how JP Koolman is doing tonight. Yeah, he’s about to be 4-for-4, coach.
But before you can blink, Wofford’s again turned a six-point lead into a 10-point one as Noah Dahlberg musta glanced at his resume at halftime. Mike Young wants to run something called “Bobcats,” which is just funny. He also has a play called, “Cougar,” and I’m having a tough time deciding which is better.
Before long JP Koolman’s back at the line, staying perfect, and Davidson’s cut it to five, 51-56, with 2:01 to go. As you knew they would, the ‘Cats solved Rundles at the half and he doesn’t get his first two points of the second til 1:22 to play to put Wofford up eight.
BMcK comes curling off a screen at the top of the key and drains a three from NK, and it’s 56-61 with 1:12 left on the moody game clock. A pair of free throws from woefully misnamed Terry Martin, though, give Wofford a seven-point cushion, but with the Wofford bench shouting “It’s OK” at his defender, can-I-get-little respect NK hits a huge three and comes back down the floor 12 seconds later and does it again. Wofford’s lead is just two, 64-62, and it’s not OK anymore, is it, coach?
Cohen gets whistled for a foul, and Brad Loesing makes good on his two chances at the charity stripe, and it seems the invisible line has shifted to two. Without any timeouts, there’s some confusion on the court, and even I briefly forget that I can’t shout out instructions to the guys in white. Jamar Diggs does the ‘Cats a favor and misses both, and JP Koolman goes the distance with 6.4 seconds remaining.
Mike Young is shouting again, this time “they can’t huddle here,” as “Terry Martin” misses the first, makes the second from the line to give the ‘Cats a chance, trailing three with 6.4 to play.
And the winner of player-who-does-not-deserve-this-ending award goes to NK, who gets stuck in the double team and turns it over. Diggs makes up for missing earlier by making both at the line to seal the 69-64 deal.
“ I hate losing, too, Billy.”
Men's Basketball vs. Wofford
January 15, 2011
“I hate losing, Biggers.”
This is how whatever-his-title-is-now Billy Thom sums up the Wildcats’ 69-64 loss to the Wofford Terriers, and I think its fair to say that the large majority of the crowd at Belk Arena Saturday night felt the same. That was a tough one.
Things got off to a rocky start early with the malfunctioning microphone for the National Anthem. The crowd did a stellar job, (the opposing fan behind me had quite a nice voice), and after Mike Young promised not to spill his water on us, we were off and running.
The WL checked in from an Oakland vacation to plead for scoring updates while stranded at an Office Depot appearance with The Kid (free pens!!), but things weren’t going so great early for his Wildcats. Not yet attempting a three, the Terriers had hit 4-of-5 from behind the arch and some fella not named Noah Dahlman (or even Noah Dahlberg, Charlotte Observer preview) dropped in 20 in the first half. (p.s. I will need someone in the D-block to explain a. calling Cameron Rundles “Treasure” and b. continuing to taunt a guy who scores 20 in 20).
The ‘Cats held last year’s POY Dahlberg to just three points in the first half, but on the wings of Rundles, Wofford opened up an 11-point lead with 8:20 left in the half.
After moonlighting for the marketing staff by removing the Monkee’s banner from center court, BMcK missed a three, got it back on a Tommy Droney offensive board, and made the next, to cut Wofford’s lead to 25-16. After Rundles got his 15th point on a FT to more “Treasure” (because he was money?) chants, Tommy Droney hit a layup (that he probably shouldn’t have), and Davidson was down just four with 4:05 to play.
Jake Cohen stripped Noah Dalhberg, as the defense came up with the stop they needed, but on the other end, the ‘Cats didn’t quite get the shot they were hoping for. Tim Johnson clanked a pair of freebies, so it’s all a wash anyways. A couple possessions later, a block from Cohen and a defensive board for Nik (needs a nickname) Cochran lead to two fast-break points for JP Koolman, and Davidson trails just a pair, 27-29 with 51 seconds remaining.
Lest we forget about him, Rundles drains a three, gets a steal and hits a fall away jumper at the buzzer, putting up a five-point flurry in 29 seconds, to send Wofford into the locker room with a 34-27 halftime lead.
After some more scoreboard confusion (“this is getting old”), Mike Young starts to get really interesting. Frustrated by fouls on Dahlberg (“how many is that on him?”) and Kevin Giltner, he starts begging the refs to “Let them play!” JP Koolman musta got into the candy at halftime, because he starts with a Rundle-like flurry, scoring six of the Wildcats’ first eight points.
Koolman’s runner puts Davidson down just three, but this feels a lot like the Western game, where there’s some kinda invisible line keeping them from getting closer. NK’s jumper from Jake Cohen puts it back at three, 37-40, and suddenly he’s guarding the inbounds play right in front of the table. He does a pretty good job, but it just makes me miss MAX again.
Mike Young is spitting and shouting about the foul disparity (It doesn’t HAVE to be equal, fellas), and well, it does help that the ‘Cats are a perfect 10-for-10 at the line. Make it 11-for-11 as Clint Mann gets one to rock and rattle in. Fun while it lasted, he misses the next. Not too long, though, before Davidson’s back on the line, and Mike Young wants to know how JP Koolman is doing tonight. Yeah, he’s about to be 4-for-4, coach.
But before you can blink, Wofford’s again turned a six-point lead into a 10-point one as Noah Dahlberg musta glanced at his resume at halftime. Mike Young wants to run something called “Bobcats,” which is just funny. He also has a play called, “Cougar,” and I’m having a tough time deciding which is better.
Before long JP Koolman’s back at the line, staying perfect, and Davidson’s cut it to five, 51-56, with 2:01 to go. As you knew they would, the ‘Cats solved Rundles at the half and he doesn’t get his first two points of the second til 1:22 to play to put Wofford up eight.
BMcK comes curling off a screen at the top of the key and drains a three from NK, and it’s 56-61 with 1:12 left on the moody game clock. A pair of free throws from woefully misnamed Terry Martin, though, give Wofford a seven-point cushion, but with the Wofford bench shouting “It’s OK” at his defender, can-I-get-little respect NK hits a huge three and comes back down the floor 12 seconds later and does it again. Wofford’s lead is just two, 64-62, and it’s not OK anymore, is it, coach?
Cohen gets whistled for a foul, and Brad Loesing makes good on his two chances at the charity stripe, and it seems the invisible line has shifted to two. Without any timeouts, there’s some confusion on the court, and even I briefly forget that I can’t shout out instructions to the guys in white. Jamar Diggs does the ‘Cats a favor and misses both, and JP Koolman goes the distance with 6.4 seconds remaining.
Mike Young is shouting again, this time “they can’t huddle here,” as “Terry Martin” misses the first, makes the second from the line to give the ‘Cats a chance, trailing three with 6.4 to play.
And the winner of player-who-does-not-deserve-this-ending award goes to NK, who gets stuck in the double team and turns it over. Diggs makes up for missing earlier by making both at the line to seal the 69-64 deal.
“ I hate losing, too, Billy.”
Friday, January 14, 2011
Live Blog: Davidson vs. Wofford (Men's Hoops)
Wildcats' Roar is offering a new way to follow your 'Cats online. Mark Brumbaugh of the sports information staff will author a live blog during the men's basketball game vs. Wofford.
The idea for it is to be fun and informative so comments are encouraged! Click the "Reader Information" link in the applet below for more.
The idea for it is to be fun and informative so comments are encouraged! Click the "Reader Information" link in the applet below for more.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Live Blog: Davidson vs. Chattanooga (Women's Hoops)
Wildcats' Roar is offering a new way to follow your 'Cats online. Mark Brumbaugh of the sports information staff will author a live blog during the women's basketball game Friday vs. Chattanooga.
Snow and Ice-Water
By Lauren Biggers
Men's Basketball vs. Furman
January 12, 2011
After last week’s loss to Appalachian — which I didn’t write about because I was too busy being nervous about inputting stats, with WBB SID @gwagonmcfarlin on the road, and because it wouldn’t have been that fun to write anyways — and a tough road loss at Western this weekend, the Wildcats needed a win to get this train back on the tracks.
Only 39 seconds into this one, with super soph Jake Cohen saddled with two quick (ticky-tacky?!) fouls it was obvious that might be a challenge. The early goings were interesting, and we were tied at 8-8 (with SEVEN total fouls) at the first media timeout and both teams batting 1.000. Each a perfect 3-for-3 from the field with the Paladins converting their only free throw attempt.
Furman busted up the stalemate (yes, people love when I use that phrase) with five unanswered points, and the Wildcats were playing from behind. Not. This. Again. But Bootz hit a layup, grabbed a couple rebounds, and JP Koolman drained his first three of the night to cut that lead to two, 15-13, with just under 12 left in the half.
The scoring though, played second fiddle to the officiating crew (which didn’t even include TV Teddy. Sad face.), prompting Furman’s Jeff Jackson to explain to his staff that, “John Adams (NCAA coordinator of basketball officiating) is here, so he is losing his mind.” (GAH, I love an entertaining opposing bench so).
I’m not sure that the NCAA can’t assess fines to SID offices that speak negatively about officiating, so let me just say that these guys called an... uh... interesting... game, which at one point prompted student worker Leah to shout “FOULLLLLL!!!” before realizing she was indeed at the “silent” and “impartial” scorer’s table and clapping her hand over her mouth (NBD, we’ve all done it) and the D-block (who was FANTASTIC in their second-semester debut) to engage the crowd in a “Let them play!” chant. (And my personal fav solo heckle of the night, ‘hey ref, great free throw contest!’)
The Paladins led by as many as nine in the first half, but the momentum started to shift when Bootz hit a layup with five-and-a-half to go to cut it to four. After a Furman miss, Captain Will SECURED the rebound, Bootz found JP Koolman for the layup AND-ONE free throw, and the ‘Cats were down just one, 30-31, and threatening.
When Captain Will (MVP of the first half and prompting official scorer Lee Jones to add “and playing a hell of a game” after his name during our points/fouls run-down at half) secured the offensive board and made the pair of freebies from the ensuing foul. Bootz scored the next two layups, the second which gave Davidson its first lead, before Nik Cochran hit a three that caused the biggest eruption of the night from the Wildcat bench.
After some technical difficulties with the scoreboard (my sistah re: that break — that’s the most I’ve ever seen people dance at a Davidson game), Furman got the game knotted up for the last time at 39 on a Noah States layup with 18:16 left, before Jake Cohen (“where’s he been?... oh, that’s right. THE BENCH. WITH FOUL TROUBLE.”) put the ‘Cats on top for good, 43-41.
With the Furman bench shouting “SHOOTER!” about BMcKillop, Nik Cochran drains the three to put Davidson ahead 64-54, their largest lead of the night with 8:33 to play. Hey Furman, Nik doesn’t care; he’s got ice water in his veins. 22 points. 13 made free throws! AND THE ONLY DAVIDSON BLOCK OF THE NIGHT! (Me to Gavin: “K (that means block. I don’t know why, it just does.), Nik??”)
The Wildcats are winning, the Paladins are fouling, and all is right in the world again. And finally, one of my favorite parts of the night, Bootz passing up the last shot and (so smartly. So sportsmanlike) dribbling out the clock and Jeff Jackson calling off the dogs. (Also sportsmanlike. And we thank you. This game has lasted a while.)
That and the D-block all but refusing to leave until Nik got his much-deserved curtain call.
If you fought through the ice and snow, the show at Belk Wednesday night was deserved, too.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Live Blog: Davidson vs. Furman (Men's Hoops)
DavidsonWildcats.com is offering a new way to follow your 'Cats online. Mark Brumbaugh of the sports information staff will author a live blog during the men's basketball game tonight vs. Furman.
The idea for it is to be fun and informative so comments are encouraged! Click the "Reader Information" link in the applet below for more.
The idea for it is to be fun and informative so comments are encouraged! Click the "Reader Information" link in the applet below for more.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
The World's Most Famous Arena?
By Lauren Biggers
St. John's/St. Francis
December 20 & 21, 2010
Just staying around the hotel. Sleeping. I watched three movies yesterday. I think some of the guys went out and walked around a little. You?
I went to Jimmy Fallon yesterday.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the difference between a working trip and a non-working one.
Last year after six months of planning, I missed this trip due to snowstorm. So you better believe, it wasn’t going to happen again. THIS travel party arrived on Friday.
We spent the first few days catching up with old friends, meeting new ones and exploring the city that really doesn’t ever sleep. If you have seen New York at Christmas (and I hadn’t), you know how much there is to see. And if you haven’t, well then, put it on your bucket list.
It’s worth it. And why it is a little too easy to forget that we were actually in town to play some basketball games. So you’ll excuse my sister when she accused the Wildcats of ballroom dancing in the upper room of the Hotel Affinia. “UM, that’s a walk through,” corrects AT Ray Beltz and former ‘Cat Chris Clunie. Oh snap.
But that’s what was so great about this trip. The location was perfect. So many friends and family around. The City has never looked better. The Arena is historic. And the games, not just a side dish, but for yours truly, this trip was about so much more.
Captain Morgan Clark, former assistant director of marketing and current D.C. resident, flew in Friday, complete with five-day, color-coded itinerary, produced on Excel and aptly titled NYC Davidsonapalooza. We spent the first two days traipsing around the city sans other Davidsonites, until meeting SID Marc Gignac and party for shepherd’s pie Sunday, after walking back from Brooklyn by way of the Manhattan bridge (and through the Lincoln Tunnel... obligatory Elf reference).
On Monday, our travel party expanded again when former field hockey assistant coach and current England resident Becky Van Zee arrived, and yet again when after another day playing in the City (and ultimate tourist on the 30 Rock tour, where I got all the SNL trivia correct), we met Andrew LOVEdale (!!!!!) and Director of Alumni Relations Peter Wagner (! ... kidding!) at the pre-game gathering. This trip! Just! Keeps! Getting! Better!
Eventually, I made my way over to the Garden, self-billed and widely debated as the World’s Most Famous Arena. Since it was (and probably, is) obvious that my expectations for this trip were off the charts, I was warned by former SID assistant and current St. John’s GA Will Bryan (MIA because of illness. Sad face.) not to expect too much from the Garden. Don’t tell him I said so, but he was right.
The only really nice thing about the Garden is the video boards, which to be honest, aren’t even as nice as the ones at the Bobcats’ Arena. (How do you like us now, Raymond?) The seats are purple and teal, though I never got around to asking why, and the stats monitors are impossible to read. (We’re shooting 17%?! No, that’s 37. Oh, well, that’s better.) But it is charming.
I didn’t make any notes on the first half of St. John’s-Davidson because I didn’t have a pen. In fact, I didn’t have anything except my blackberry. Which I used to snap some pictures instead. Sorry, boss. I couldn’t shake the tourist act. Despite making a friend on press row (Here, you can have this program. You’ll look busy.), I relocated by Gignac and the Davidson bench for the second half. (All the better for overhearing refs. And to get on TV. Kidding?)
The second half played out much like the first: Close. BMcK made three huge treys in a row, the second of which tied the game for the fifth time, and the third of which prompted the woman beside me to ask, “Does McKillop ever miss a three?”
Neither team could shake the other, but the Johnnies built their largest lead, 51-46 with 8:18 to go on a pair of Justin Brownlee free throws. JP Koolman hit a three of his own and converted the four-point play to cut it to one with just over six to play. Jake Cohen took a nasty fall, got up bleeding and made a dramatic exit (“that was really gross in HD”), and BMcK’s fifth three-ball of the game knotted the score for the eighth time, 55-all.
A jumper from Paris Horne and two freebies by Justin Burrell was all the scoring St. John’s would get over the next five minutes, but Bootz’ layup at 5:15 was all the ‘Cats would get at all. The WL, stranded in Chicago and forced to watch the Bears on MNF, needed an update. With 16.8 seconds left. Brendan comes off a screen, gets the ball from JP at the top of the key, gets a good look... in-and-out. He misses. Johnnies win, 60-57.
A missed opportunity makes for a subdued post game, but the Wildcats had about eight hours to mourn it before focusing their attention on St. Francis. And that ballroom dancing. Me? Well, there was shopping at FAO Schwartz (look, a Real! Life! Toy! Soldier!) and Jimmy Fallon... See you in a few boys, I’m on vacation.
Trying to stick to THE ITINERARY and having the early game meant nearly running 20 blocks back to the hotel for a quick change before a business dinner with Captain Morgan, the Big Cat and lawyer-in-waiting Molly M. to discuss Access 2 Success (Andrew’s charity to bring his philosophy of faith, sports and education to Nigeria and beyond... stay tuned) before heading back to the Garden one last time. Only it’s cold out, and my feet hurt (LOTS), and the media entrance is ALL the way around the other side. Think I’ll just go in this way. Is that OK, sir? Yes? Thanks. That was (way too) easy. When I finally get around the arena, up to the media room, down to the media entrance, I am trapped in an episode of Southern girl meets abrasive New Yorkers, and I love it. And I am really starting to regret these shoes.
On the inside, it is warm, and things are off and running. St. Francis gets a quick steal, but Jake Cohen is back to swat it away (with authority) before scoring the game’s first bucket. Soon enough, though, SF has taken a 12-8 lead on an Akeem Johnson basket five minutes in. Behind an 11-0 run, including three-balls from Jake Cohen, JP Koolman and BMcK, Davidson re-snags a 19-12 lead with nine minutes left and will not trail the rest of the half, leading by as many as eight.
After a “quick” trip to the media room (So. Many. Steps.), the Wildcats open a nine-point lead out of the break. Two gimmies from Jake Cohen make it 10, one of three times the ‘Cats would lead by that many in the second half. And while, to me, the game never really felt out of hand, SF would tie the lead at 46-all and take a one-point lead on a pair of free throws by Dre Calloway with 12 minutes to go. But just like that, an 11-0 Wildcat run for another 10-point lead (told you so), and this one is all but over. Though you wouldn’t know it from watching the Davidson coaching staff.
Two free throws by Jake Cohen give Davidson its third 10-point lead, 67-57 with three to play, and the senior captain is sidelined after getting tangled up with a SF player. To Nik Cochran, finish it off.
But it is JP Koolman who is fouled one last time, standing at the line with only four SF players on the court, and Coach McKillop feeling good enough to haggle the refs a little (throw the flag!) as Davidson finishes off the 76-69 win.
Gignac’s gotta take players to TV and then Coach the to post-game presser, so I’m tasked with taking guys to radio.
Nik and Will you’re with me.
Biggers, what are you doing on the court?
UM, we usually go to the locker room first.
Are you sure?
No. Are you?
No.
Awesome.
They go to the locker room. Which is where they are supposed to be. (Sorry, boss. What do I know? I’m on vacation.)
An eternity later (Will, stop fixing your hair... It’s radio), we are all wrapped up at the Garden, and I am (really, really) close to taking a cab across the street to the hotel. I pick up Peter Wagner, alone at his own little post-game celebration, to go to the hotel, where we find a much larger and dare I say, jovial (it IS Christmas) group this time.
If I know anything, I know Davidson will wish for that St. John’s game back when they watch it back. But batting .500 is pretty good. And we’re in New York at Christmas.
I’ll toast to that.
They go to the locker room. Which is where they are supposed to be. (Sorry, boss. What do I know? I’m on vacation.)
An eternity later (Will, stop fixing your hair... It’s radio), we are all wrapped up at the Garden, and I am (really, really) close to taking a cab across the street to the hotel. I pick up Peter Wagner, alone at his own little post-game celebration, to go to the hotel, where we find a much larger and dare I say, jovial (it IS Christmas) group this time.
If I know anything, I know Davidson will wish for that St. John’s game back when they watch it back. But batting .500 is pretty good. And we’re in New York at Christmas.
I’ll toast to that.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Rivalry Renewed
By Lauren Biggers
Men's Basketball vs. Charlotte
Dec. 11, 2010
Because with this one, you gotta mention the history.
The last time Charlotte-Davidson got together was memorable. I REMEMBER trekking over to Halton Arena with my entire family of newly-minted Wildcat fans and sitting in the nosebleeds (as you can imagine, I don’t enjoy that much) only to have Leemire Goldwire (hall of fame name) repeatedly drop daggers through my soul. The one before that was memorable, too, you know, because “HE’s... a ... freshman.” I haven’t personally been involved in any beyond that, but I’ve been told this holds true. That you are supposed to want that trophy, no matter how ugly it may be.
So when Charlotte came back to Belk Arena last night it was a big deal. I mean, Coach McKillop wore a three-piece pinstriped suit (!). Sure, the BlackOut game always creates a little bit of buzz, but the conversation and anticipation surrounding this one was a throwback to the TV lights era.
And at face value, it didn’t disappoint either. From the time the UNCCharlotte, er, Charlotte (right @bmckillop1?) cheerleaders came running out of the tunnel (no freaking way... they! brought! cheerleaders!) to the last of 10 late-game fouls (what? You can’t score 17 points in 2.5 seconds?), this one was entertaining.
Charlotte hit the court with a fury, and nearly a 1:1 coach to player ratio. Head coach Alan Major started following me on twitter this week, because I’m sure he thought I might spill a secret or two. Instead, as he took his seat next to me on the end of the scorers table, I imagined him shaking his head, ‘child, you watch too much bad reality TV.” He did not, of course, but a girl can dream.
When Jake stood in for the jump ball with “Jump Around” blaring, I wished aloud I had gotten him a fake tattoo or two. But once again, the black unis proved karmic (though konfusing... hey, I told you. Too much Kardashians...) enough. He scored the game’s first five points, and the Arener was rocking. A jumper from An’Juan Wilderness (I submit to you, a great last name) put Charlotte within one, 7-6, and soon enough, behind foul trouble and shooting woes, Davidson fell behind, 18-14.
Coach McKillop took a timeout after Jamar Briscoe’s three with 8:44 remaining, and the head official dropped off a stray ladybug at the table. I could argue that either was a turning point, but the game shifted for good after a MONSTAR fast-break dunk from Charlotte’s Javarris Barnett. It put the Niners up one, 28-27 with just 1:31 to play in the half, and could have been a real back-breaker. But BMcK was up the court in a split second, burying a three-ball and tossing off a look to the crowd that simultaneously killed the Charlotte momentum and created a near riot in the D-block.
The Wildcats took a one-point half-time lead and turned it into 10 as Nik Cochran went coast-to-coast with 13:40 left to play. From there, it was all Wildcats, with Big Ben Allison getting in a thunderously avenging dunk of his own, the Davidson Village Inn Santa Bike bringing some holiday spirit and the D-block doing a fantastic rendition of “Jingle Bells.” A rim-rattling dunk from De’Mon (Bootz) Brooks pushed the lead to a game-high 19, and the Niners ran out of gas right in front of 5,000 impressively vocal fans.
It’s easy to say it’s a good night when you win. But when its your job to escort a literally limping 19-year-old kid down the hallway to the media room, where he must sit and answer questions about why his team couldn’t do more/enough/anything to win, you do it without too much judgment. “I think it’s pretty obvious, we don’t have a lot of depth,” he apologizes.
Instead, you give the Niners and Major some props (come on... he tweets!). They never quit, fouling til the last tenth-of-a-second with the cheerleaders working hard to get a reaction out of the crowd (surely by now, they have realized they were in front of the Davidson staff/parents/coaches section? no?).
By contrast, the Davidson players come bouncing into the media room. Really, JAKE?! You couldn’t get one more rebound? He smiles, glances at the box score, sighs, “MAAAN.”
But no one wearing black is disappointed this night. Now, where do we hide that trophy?
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