Ok, scrap that....

Ok, some lineup changes again.... we're back to the Iron 5. Joe and Tamir are both back in for the opening tip, though I think we'll see lots of Marcus and a good amount of Aaron Hall today.
Good job Blue Devil Nation, by the way. It's snowing, but the crowd (though a little late in arriving) is filling in nicely.
Let's do this.

Some thoughts

First off, wow, don't even know where to begin about Thursday night. Great win. I'll even resist the urge to jokingly poke at the friends I've argued with here by making a reference to the new building, where CCSU is now 2-0.

If you can defend, you can win, it's that simple.

Also went to check out CCSU's club hockey team tonight... as a guy from a Hockey East school I have to say I was impressed. I'll have a feature on the team and its trip to Florida early next week.

The road ahead

First off, some blogger mail:
X-Man, yes, I see solid improvement in this team. It will be a tough adjustment next year with the loss of Tristan, but I think there remains a good chance that the new breed turns into a deep and versatile squad. Fans should expect some growing pains next year in the first year without 35 on the floor.

J.J.: I think I know the answer to your Bracket Buster question, but let me ask a few people, just in case I'm not right. I'll try and get back to you on here within a couple days.

As for Thursday night:
This could be fun. Looking forward to seeing the Bobcats in person later this year (our sister paper in New Haven is covering this one for us as I'll be stuck behind the desk), but I have a feeling this one could be good.
Both teams will get after it on each end. This one will be hard-fought and tough for 40 minutes, and it should be fast-paced. I feel Central will have something in store for DA, whether it's Tristan or maybe Horton on the defensive end. The key will be timing. Central must first avoid an early storm on the road, then it must counter the QU runs that have come at end of games.
Also, avoiding turnovers against a team that can make things a little chaotic will be key (as it will be again on Saturday).
They're basic keys I know, but sometimes this is a simple game.

Hoping to see the Blue Devil fans get out there as I've been reading they might. The Hockey Rink in Hamden should be close to full for a good rivalry game like this, time for the fans top step up.

They're back

While I'll caution the loyal Blue Devil fans not to go too far in the other direction and start predicting a dynasty, I think it's safe to say that Saturday night's win should get rid of some of the "sky is falling" mentality that has been prevelant in recent days.

Ken Horton is growing up before our eyes, and he's going to get stronger. Shemik Thompson still struggles at times, but he has the mettle you need from a point guard. He'll figure it out.

But the player I'm most impressed with of late is Marcus Palmer. 11 rebounds on Saturday (CCSU outrebounded the most physical team in the league 49-29) and a a newfound willingness to get in the paint and go up with the ball. Gone are the days of Palmer fading away from 10-15 feet. You all know my belief that height is overrated, but you do need grit. And Central, with Tamir and now Marcus (to go along with two terrific rebounding guards in Shemik and Joe), has that.

This win shouldn't make people think the NEC is now Central's to win (let's just say Wagner didn't exactly match the Blue Devils' intensity in the second half), but it is a very good sign. Central broke Wagner's will, and showed, as Howie Dickenman's teams usually end up doing by March, that you have to outplay them because you won't be tougher and you won't out work them.

By the way, I say Marcus is the most impressive of late because I can't think of a bigger word to define Tristan. Coach was making reference last night to the fact that Tristan won't be affected by his latest record, and Tristan tried his best to deflect all credit to his teammates. It was something to see. He's a special player and a great kid to get to cover. CCSU fans should be proud to have him representing their team.

As for the win, Central needs to back it up now. The Blue Devils cancelled out a bad loss with a great win, they remain right about where they should be in the standings. A road win Thursday and a big win at home Saturday would set the tone for the stretch run in a league no one can figure out at this point.

I still wouldn't put the Blue Devils much higher than sixth, but they have a chance to prove me wrong with two big wins in the days ahead. Let's say that after last night, I'm very close to getting back on the bandwagon for this year while still driving the bandwagon for the future.