We'll label it that way since the next meeting is the very next game. We could deem it "the night Ken Horton nearly went for a quadruple-double," but that's long.
The good news from Wednesday night is that Central overcome a horrid start to win. It's going to get overlooked, but Central found itself down 10 at home less than 10 minutes in, and never panicked. This team is all grown up.
The Blue Devils probably have to run the table to get the 1-seed in the NEC tournament, but definitely couldn't afford to throw away whatever wiggle room they have with a home loss to Bryant.
Crisis averted with a 14-0 run late in the half, then a 30-8 run to start the second.
One final point: I've poked around to make sure I wasn't missing anyone, so now I feel comfortable saying this. Barring a collapse in the next two weeks, the NEC POY award race is over. Julian Boyd is a fine player, but Ken Horton is just blowing everyone out of the water.
Right now you have to call LIU the best team in the league, but CCSU has the best player.
Since we're talking about players already, we might as well get right to it.
Let's go man-to-man.
Shemik Thompson: Bad shooting night, but he passed it well, grabbed a few boards and had three steals. UPDATE: I've been told since I posted this that I'm wrong and Shemik did dunk the ball. I'd have to see it again. If so, my apologies Shemik.
Devan Bailey: Frankie Dobbs, Bailey's defensive assignment, came in averaging double-figures. He scored zero points. Bailey also grabbed seven boards and continued to show vast improvement both in his jump shot form and his willingness to take it. Throw in a steal and a pair of helpers, and it was a good night.
Robby Ptacek: 15 points on a bad shooting night because he got to the line six times and sunk them all. Six boards (though only one in the second half) and four assists to go with two steals and zero turnovers.
Chris Baskerville: Had some big points during Central's run to put it away, and finished with 11. He was 5-for-5 at the line as well. But he has to be more active on the glass.
Ken Horton: 23 points on 9 of 17 shooting, 11 boards, six blocks, six steals, zero turnovers. He didn't have an assist. Hey, I had to pick on SOMETHING, right?
Vince Rosario: Missed his only shot. He's going to get hot at some point.
Mark Laporte: Missed his shot and chance to blow the roof off a packed Detrick Gym.
De'Angelo Speech: Defensive mastery, offensive inconsistency. At least he grabbed some boards.
Joe Efese: Fantastic showing. Howie Dickenman said after the game that he has tried most everything to get Efese going, and his latest trick was to give him the silent treatment. He then added that he didn't plan to speak to Efese for the foreseeable future based on how well tonight went. 12 points, six boards and 6 of 7 at the line.
Terrell Allen: A couple of boards in seven minutes. Just enough to give some guys a break.
Justin Alexander: Do not give up on this kid based on this season. He's too big and has too much raw talent. I'm not saying he'll be the next Ken Horton, but his career is far from over.
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