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A&T
Jan 11, 2023 2:04:36 GMT -5
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elon_phan likes this
Post by phoenixfan23 on Jan 11, 2023 2:04:36 GMT -5
North Carolina A&T State University takes the short trip down er…40? 85? 70? (Guess it depends on which type of drive you prefer) to take on the Phoenix TONIGHT in the Schar Center at 7PM. A somewhat familiar foe but the first meeting of the two in the CAA. A little bit about A&T’s team this year:
NC A&T 6-11 (1-3 CAA)
NET: 280 KenPom: 266 Off Efficiency: 204 Def Efficiency: 303 Tempo: 146 (average)
Top Contributors: #3 Kam Woods 18.6 PPG, 3.2 APG, 1.7 SPG #4 Marcus Watson 12.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG #24 Demetric Horton 12.4 PPG, 1.6 SPG, 45% 3s #31 Duncan Powell 6.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG
Key Stats: - A&T gains 39% of their points from behind the arc, that’s 15th in the nation and tops in CAA. They shoot an equal amount of 3s and 2s. - Offensively they do not turn the ball over much. Best in the CAA at preventing steals. They are not a great offensive rebounding team. - Defensively they have an overall effective FG% around 53% which is ranked 296th in D1 but they do defend the 3 pretty well ranking 99th in the country. -Primarily they play man to man defense and motion offense with four players around the perimeter.
Win Chances: Vegas: Underdogs Elon +3.5 KenPom: 41% ESPN BPI: 32.7%
Keys to game: - Push A&T off the 3 PT line with emphasis on fighting through screens and rotating/bumping around the outside of the zone. Ideally force them to take more mid-range shots. - Offensively be patient. Good movement will result in some good scoring pops around the rim against this team. Run the offense through Sam who will have some primary scoring opps and rebounding chances. - REBOUND! Limit A&T second chance kick out 3s and also take advantage of opportunities on the offensive glass.
PF23’s prediction: Elon 71-Aggies 70
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A&T
Jan 11, 2023 9:36:25 GMT -5
bjiyf likes this
Post by elonhoops4life on Jan 11, 2023 9:36:25 GMT -5
I also feel like this is a game we could win. I figured Elon as a 1 or 2 point favorite. If the line is 3.5, I would take Elon in this one. I know that may sound crazy but I have a gut feeling. Could just be gas though.......LOL
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A&T
Jan 11, 2023 21:37:38 GMT -5
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Post by fearthephoenix on Jan 11, 2023 21:37:38 GMT -5
I also feel like this is a game we could win. I figured Elon as a 1 or 2 point favorite. If the line is 3.5, I would take Elon in this one. I know that may sound crazy but I have a gut feeling. Could just be gas though.......LOL I felt the same way and felt great after that first half and then A&T ‘s athleticism just took over. Sherry was getting bullied down low, Sean was just getting beat and dribbling so much, and the inability to finish at the rim was devastating. Fought hard, but this definitely felt like a missed opportunity.
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A&T
Jan 11, 2023 21:37:53 GMT -5
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Post by phoenixfan23 on Jan 11, 2023 21:37:53 GMT -5
Well I had Elon’s score right but not A&T. I thought the first 15 minutes of the game was some of the best we have played all year. It wasn’t just flukey shot hitting, we ran good offense and the defense was good too. It’s the best we’ve challenged shots on the perimeter all year and I think it gives us some hope that this team, no matter what you think of them, could win some CAA games. I thought we sort of let our guard down there towards the end of the half. We didn’t make a field goal in the last 3.5 minutes of the first and they scored on 5 of their last 6 possessions of the half. Of course the lucky 3 went in for them.
In the second half they ratcheted up the defense on us we didn’t really have much of an answer. We missed some decent shots and then started forcing some bad ones up. The 3 pointers flipped in the second half and it felt like they were having their way on offense.
Reviewing my keys to game: 1) I thought we did a great job in the first half contesting 3s and making A&T earn 2s. Towards the end of the first and into the second we simply didn’t contest as well. 2) Thought we moved the ball well and took/made good shoots in the first half. Second half we didn’t. A telling stat is that we took 11 FT in the first half and only 2 in the second. When weren’t moving the ball well weren’t challenging A&T and drawing fouls. 3) We absolutely did not rebound well. A&T statistically is simply not a great, or even good, rebounding team. Not only did they have a season high in OREB tonight they also had a high in total reb against D1 opponents. They have had double digit offensive rebounds against a D1 opponent once this season and that was when they were blown out by Iowa and most of the ORs came in garbage time. They had 16 against Elon. At least double their usual. Ugh.
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Post by elonhoops4life on Jan 12, 2023 8:33:25 GMT -5
I agree in that the first 16 minutes of the game we looked as good as we had all season. Making shots, getting to the basket, getting fouled and making free throws, taking care of the ball. It was fun and exciting but then........
I believe in over half our games this year we have given up a basket (mostly 3's) at the buzzer before the half. Guy through up a prayer but what can you do. My problem is we have poor game management at the end of halfs. Clearly once again as in many games we were in a 2 for 1 situation but did not manage the clock well putting the ball in the other teams possession to end the half. So frustrating to see this game after game.
Downfall came in last four minutes of the game when they simply gave it away. Around the 4 minute to go mark there was one possession that Halloran dribbled the ball the entire length of the shot clock. I mean the whole time - never passed it, looked to pass it and then at the buzzer of the shot clock throws up a god awful shot. Horrible possession when we were down three. Then the bone head pass that Bowen made and A&T takes it down for the monster dunk. Coach called an immediate time out and was screaming at Bowen. As Bowen came off the court he pointed to the bench and screamed SIT DOWN. We did not see Bowen again after that. The game was over after that play.
Side notes - Zac played great in first half but struggled to make a three in 2nd half. Would not bother me a bit to see Bowen not play another minute this season. The kid is awful. Butler had a few bright spots but just does not seem to be in basketball shape and has not found that magic he once showed. Sherry plays hard along with Mackinnon. These two continue to be the bright spots for Elon. Michaels continues to disappoint. Playing time was almost nothing in the second half. Pratt continues to get some good minutes and I don't feel he hurts us when in the game but not really contributing. Hopefully that changes next season as he continues to adjust to the college game. Watson had a good game but can he maintain that and continue that play through the next few games. Historically he is inconsistent and may only score 3 or 4 points next game. We shall see. Halloran bails us out a lot of times but does seem to be a bit of a ball hog. Decent stats so I have mixed feeling on this guy. These are just my opinions. Disappointing loss for sure. Now we get to play two of the hottest teams in all of college basketball back to back on the road. Can't see us pulling out a win so the losing streak against D1 schools continues.
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A&T
Jan 12, 2023 17:37:43 GMT -5
Post by epx on Jan 12, 2023 17:37:43 GMT -5
I don't call 75 FGM for 189 FGA decent. IMO you gotta have 40% bare minimum to be called decent. But that's just me. Max and Sam need more touches.
5 Players with most shot attempts: Halloran 189 Ervin 174 Mackinnon 138 Watson 113 Sherry 100
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