Thursday, January 29, 2009

Lance Kearsed?


Its old news with a new twist. It was annouced last week that Lance Kearse would no longer be a part of the men's basketball team. VCU has been mum about subject but most "experts" would have you believe that his departure has something to do with his diagnosis of myopathy.


Wikpedia defines myopathy as a neuromuscular disease in which the muscle fibers don't function for any one of many reasons, resulting in muscular weakness.

Kearse has been limited by illness to just 11 appearances averaging 4.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 12.3 minutes this season.

However, in an interview with the Richmond Times Dispatched Kearse hinted that his health issues "had a little bit to do with it, but no a lot."

A source close to subject as indicated that the departure as less to do with his health condition then with his academics. If this is true, I know someone that would help you get your grades up in a hurry. I am sure she would offer her services for free. She is a huge fan.

Whether its illness or academics VCU has lost an important scorer off the bench. This also raises significant questions about our depth going into the tournament and perhaps further.
I need more TJ Gwynn!!!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Game 21 - Northeastern 68, VCU 63

ESPN billed it as the game of the year in the CAA. A battle for breathing room atop the conference table with critical tournament seedings looming in the background. What looked to be a match up between two high powered CAA programs turned out to be a sluggfest dominated by streaky shooting and a lot of questionable officiating.

The tone would be set early. Not by stifling defenses or by the play of Eric Maynor. It would be the officiating crew that would leave its mark all over this one. It started early. Larry Sanders was whistled for charging 17 seconds into the contest. Three more fouls would be assessed to VCU's bigs in the opening 30 seconds of the game. With that, Larry and Kirill were effectively religated to the bench and would be non-factors for the remainder game.

If it wasn't the officiating that did us in it then it was NU's ridiculously hot shooting. They were 5 of 6 from the three point mark in the early stretches of the game. and quickly opened up a 15 point lead. The huskies passing was crisp and unselfish. They found the open man every time. Even if the man wasn't open they were knocking down shots like Billy Hoyle against the King and Duck Johnson.

The Rams would close the deficit to 4 at the half behind the guard play of Brandon Rozzell and Eric Maynor.

However it wouldn't matter in the end, the Huskies came out of the locker room and picked up where they had left off. They continued their hot shooting extended the lead to 16 early in the second half and were able to hold off several VCU surges.

The Huskies take over first place in the league, as well as, claim the only meeting between the two teams this year, giving them the critical head to head tiebreaker. If the Rams end the regular season tied for first place Northeastern will reserve the number 1 seed in the tournament. Possibly putting the Rams and George Mason in the same end of the tournament bracket.

Now the good!
Eric Maynor scored 30 points and was seeming unstoppable during stretches of the second half. Brandon Rozzell was having flashbacks to his Highland Springs days dropping a career high 16. I need more of this!!

Now the bad.
Matt Janning added 11 for the Huskies. NOTE: Janning only scored 1 point in the second half.

And the ugly...
The VCU Bigs were nowhere to be found. Larry had 8 and 11. VCU's remaining post players brought in a combined 4 points and 2 rebounds. All three, Sanders, Kirill and Santil, would foul out. Thats more fouls then points.

Next up its Hofstra!