*****Morgan State 77 at Villanova 100 - Final*****

[Kace-1]

It's a new season and the Villanova Wildcats are electing to dine on a MEAC cupcake in the form of the Morgan State Bears. Let's see how the defending National Champions do on opening night.

 

[Kace-1]

The Wildcats start things off with a 3 to start the season.

 

[Kace-1]

The most interesting thing to happen for Villanova last season of course winning the National Championship and providing a boon for the Big East as a major conference power.

For Morgan State, their most interesting highlight of the season was forfeiting a game to Hampton after a fight broke out in the 2nd Half.

 

[Kace-1]

VU opting for the Dale Ellis Offense early on.

 

[Kace-1]

My current plan is to update the score as best I can during stoppages.

 

[Kace-1]

And when they're not threeing it they're dunking it in the face. 8-4 Wildcats.

Then another on the fast break. 10-4 VU.

 

[Kace-1]

Tim Brando is on the call for this game tonight.

 

[Kace-1]

The Bears with some pressure defense that works, but not enough to score points off it. 16:35 to go in the 1st and it's 10-7 at the Pavilion.

 

[Kace-1]

Official timeout as the officials review something on TV. Or they're watching something on YouTube. No one's at midseason form yet.

 

[Kace-1]

VU's offense is NBA Live on the easiest setting, dunks and 3's. The Wildcats lead 16-7 as we reach the Under 16 timeout with 15:44 to go in the 1st.

 

[Kace-1]

The Big East is promoting their tournament in March. Might as well beat the rush.

 

[Kace-1]

The Pavilion's been "refurbished" as Brando put it. I like the funky design of the roof and seating.

 

[Noahtogo24]

Towson staying in it vs Virginia

 

[Kace-1]

That time, the Bears pressure on D paid off with a bucket. 16-9 VU.

 

[Kace-1]

Towson staying in it vs Virginia

The Cavaliers may need to stop playing teams from Maryland. Good thing the Terps are in the Big Ten now.

 

[Kace-1]

MSU keeping the deficit at single digits.

 

[Kace-1]

The Bears are showing some aggression on offense, driving to the basket. 20-13 with 13:30 VU to go in the 1st.

 

[brooky03]

But why?

 

[Kace-1]

Brando references Coach Bozeman of MSU talking about UMBC's win over Virginia in the Big Dance as a confidence booster for anyone not in a "major" conference.

 

[Kace-1]

Paschall drives to the hoop and makes the layup while drawing the And-1.

 

[Kace-1]

26-15 as the 'Cats finally stretch out the lead to double digits.

 

[Kace-1]

MSU showing they, too can drive, hit the layup and draw the And-1. VU leads 26-17 with 11:58 to go in the 1st. Under 12 timeout.

 

[Kace-1]

I've been so used to doing football game threads at the Soundoff that I'm having to get used to the faster pace of basketball.

 

[Kace-1]

The Bears cut the lead down to 6. 26-20 VU.

 

[Kace-1]

Another drive, another made shot by the Bears. MSU is on a 7-0 run as timeout is called.

 

[Kace-1]

The Wildcats are going to have to shut down the aggressive drives by MSU or else they'll be in for a long night. I'm guessing Coach Wright has said as much during that timeout.

 

[Kace-1]

Early impressions and all that, I suggest VU not play like this when they get to the Big East portion of their schedule. They're taking their opponents for granted and it's showing.

 

[Kace-1]

VU stretches the lead back out to 10.

 

[Kace-1]

MSU not getting many 2nd chances on offense.

 

[Kace-1]

It looks like that timeout a little earlier was just what the Wildcats needed, responding with a 10-0 run. 36-24 VU with 8:24 to go.

 

[Noahtogo24]

Towson down 5 with 5 to go in the first half..

 

[Kace-1]

Under 8 timeout with 6:52 to go in the half. 36-29 VU as MSU refuses to go away.

 

[Kace-1]

6:00 to go in the half. 42-31 VU.

 

[Kace-1]

44-31 VU with 5:02 to go in the half. The Wildcats are making their 3's.

 

[Kace-1]

4:00 go to in the half and VU continues to work on stretching the lead out. 46-34.

 

[Kace-1]

We've reached the Under 4 timeout with 3:28 to go in the half. 48-34 Wildcats.

 

[Kace-1]

45 minutes in and it feels like it's only been 20 at most. I like how College Basketball just flies.

 

[Kace-1]

MSU now going with the Dale Ellis Offense to get back in this.

 

[Kace-1]

The Bears cut the lead to 9 again.

 

[Kace-1]

2:00 to go in the half and it's VU 48-41.