Massive game tonight against JMU. Early tip off, 5pm

The site was down last night, so I couldn't post about last nights game. But it was ANOTHER impressive win for the Dragons. Drexel and especially Washington, were ice cold shooting in the first half. They just looked flat, but fortunately, the purple girls were a bit flat too.

The 11 point deficit didn't startle them. I could tell how badly they wanted this win, and they did what Drexel teams usually do, and manage to pull out big victories.

The game for all the marbles is on Sunday. If Drexel wins, that gives them 1st place AND the tiebreaker over the Hens. If Drexel loses, that puts them a game back, and split head to head. Drexel has a tough schedule ahead, but fortunately, Delaware has the same tough schedule. It will be fun.

another really exciting win. jmu had a good game plan with that zone since we've had some trouble shooting lately. our guard play should be good enough to make them regret a zone and it finally did in the 4th quarter.

play of the game...and one of the plays of the year...was hannah nihill ripping out an offensive rebound and getting the ball to washington for the game winning 3. two things we don't see with the men's team: a hustle play and a big shot by a star player. not to mention all the adjustments we made throughout to attack the zone and disrupt their offense. so many reasons why this is a fun team to watch.

i got ahead of myself looking ahead to delaware since it's such a big game. jmu is still putting in the effort despite not being eligible for the tournament. at least last night they did. they have a chance to disrupt things on the last weekend of the regular season when they play us and towson.

if you have any ability to get down to ud on sunday...i would recommend doing it. you never know when you'll have another chance to watch your 20-3 team go to battle with another great team with a similar record. this is why you watch sports.

Today's game at Delaware is being aired live on NBC Sports Philadelphia so that the Never FLOers can tune in.

Break out the brooms!

Dragons escape for their lives and leave Newark in first place and in control of a shot of #1 seed, winning 65-64. I thought there was some very questionable strategy by Drexel in the final seconds. With Drexel up by 3, and Delaware has the ball in the final 14 seconds, Drexel chooses to foul Dickey on purpose with 8.1 seconds left. Dickey then hits both FT's, Drexel calls timeout up by 1 and advance the ball. Then Delaware fouls Drexel twice with no time taken off of the clock, but then Nihill uncharacteristically misses both FT's. Then Delaware calls timeout and has a chance to win the game down by 1 with one of the best players in the country on the court. Fortunately for Drexel, Delaware run a questionable play in the final seconds, with Dickey passing off the ball, and an outside shot was missed at the buzzer. Fortunately it all worked out, but it could have been a disaster. I would have rather let Delaware try to shoot a 3 to tie and NOT foul on purpose. Worse that could happen would be OT.

(02-20-2022 02:59 PM)jcohen42 Wrote:  Break out the brooms!

Not quite yet. We may have a rematch at the DAC in March. Even as the potential #1 seed, Drexel has a lot of work left to do.

(02-20-2022 03:02 PM)J.B. Wrote:  

(02-20-2022 02:59 PM)jcohen42 Wrote:  Break out the brooms!

Not quite yet. We may have a rematch at the DAC in March. Even as the potential #1 seed, Drexel has a lot of work left to do.

True. At the very least we need to win one of the final two to secure the top seed. Be nice to go 15-1 though!

(02-20-2022 03:36 PM)Timer Wrote:  

(02-20-2022 03:02 PM)J.B. Wrote:  

(02-20-2022 02:59 PM)jcohen42 Wrote:  Break out the brooms!

Not quite yet. We may have a rematch at the DAC in March. Even as the potential #1 seed, Drexel has a lot of work left to do.

True. At the very least we need to win one of the final two to secure the top seed. Be nice to go 15-1 though!

You forgot that they have 4 games left, not two. They must win both at home next weekend and then have to play the very soon to be former girls and Towson on the road. Delaware has the same schedule though, but it will be no easy task for both teams.

Thinking about the final seconds of the game, I had nightmares running through my head of the 2nd of the 3 Della Donne games at the DAC. In that game, as my blurry memory recalls, Drexel was up by 1 in the final seconds, just like today, when Drexel was fouled and Nacickaite missed on the front end of a 1 and 1 (still playing halves back then), and EDD hit a game winning jump shot in the final seconds. I really thought that Dickey was going to do the same to Drexel today that EDD did to Drexel back in 2012.

(02-20-2022 04:33 PM)J.B. Wrote:  

(02-20-2022 03:36 PM)Timer Wrote:  

(02-20-2022 03:02 PM)J.B. Wrote:  

(02-20-2022 02:59 PM)jcohen42 Wrote:  Break out the brooms!

Not quite yet. We may have a rematch at the DAC in March. Even as the potential #1 seed, Drexel has a lot of work left to do.

True. At the very least we need to win one of the final two to secure the top seed. Be nice to go 15-1 though!

You forgot that they have 4 games left, not two. They must win both at home next weekend and then have to play the very soon to be former girls and Towson on the road. Delaware has the same schedule though, but it will be no easy task for both teams.

Ah, yes! Thought there were only 2 left! I can't count to 18.....

(02-20-2022 04:38 PM)J.B. Wrote:  Thinking about the final seconds of the game, I had nightmares running through my head of the 2nd of the 3 Della Donne games at the DAC. In that game, as my blurry memory recalls, Drexel was up by 1 in the final seconds, just like today, when Drexel was fouled and Nacickaite missed on the front end of a 1 and 1 (still playing halves back then), and EDD hit a game winning jump shot in the final seconds. I really thought that Dickey was going to do the same to Drexel today that EDD did to Drexel back in 2012.

Your memory is correct. EDD threw up a long jumper at the horn for the win (because, of course she did).

(02-20-2022 03:00 PM)J.B. Wrote:  Dragons escape for their lives and leave Newark in first place and in control of a shot of #1 seed, winning 65-64. I thought there was some very questionable strategy by Drexel in the final seconds. With Drexel up by 3, and Delaware has the ball in the final 14 seconds, Drexel chooses to foul Dickey on purpose with 8.1 seconds left. Dickey then hits both FT's, Drexel calls timeout up by 1 and advance the ball. Then Delaware fouls Drexel twice with no time taken off of the clock, but then Nihill uncharacteristically misses both FT's. Then Delaware calls timeout and has a chance to win the game down by 1 with one of the best players in the country on the court. Fortunately for Drexel, Delaware run a questionable play in the final seconds, with Dickey passing off the ball, and an outside shot was missed at the buzzer. Fortunately it all worked out, but it could have been a disaster. I would have rather let Delaware try to shoot a 3 to tie and NOT foul on purpose. Worse that could happen would be OT.

i could be wrong...but i don't think hendrixson fouled dickey intentionally. we seemed upset by the call because it was a bit ticky tack. fouling there would't have made any sense and we're too smart for that.

i almost can't believe hannah missed both free throws. 1 of 2 maybe. it's still hard for me to believe it like i was seeing things that didn't happen this afternoon. we have a trait of not being able to slam the door shut. i have all the confidence in the world in this team and think "how are we going to win?" rather than "how are we going to lose?" even when blowing a double digit lead. you would hate to throw the season away with 1 or 2 mistakes in march though.

what we saw in the first quarter was this team hitting on all cylinders. nihill, washington, and brugler all played excellent. that's our ticket to blowing teams out...and getting anything out of role players like hendrixson and connolly who i still think can give us more offensively. delaware takes a little while to get going too. it look until the second half of both games to really start hitting the offensive glass hard.

dickey couldn't get a shot off because we defended her well. we took away her midrange game. people kept flashing out including our bigs. if i'm delaware...i still want her taking the shot because of who she is. hopefully she'll be looking to pass for at least 1 more game against us if you're catching my drift.

sorry...one more thing.

you really have to stop and appreciate how special this team is. nothing that happens from here on out can take away from that. they win exciting games. there is an ability to find ways to win that i've never seen from another drexel team. my wife was never a big basketball fan but is all in on this team. it makes it even easier to get the family out to whatever game i feel like driving to.

(02-20-2022 09:33 PM)hiroshimacarp Wrote:  

(02-20-2022 03:00 PM)J.B. Wrote:  Dragons escape for their lives and leave Newark in first place and in control of a shot of #1 seed, winning 65-64. I thought there was some very questionable strategy by Drexel in the final seconds. With Drexel up by 3, and Delaware has the ball in the final 14 seconds, Drexel chooses to foul Dickey on purpose with 8.1 seconds left. Dickey then hits both FT's, Drexel calls timeout up by 1 and advance the ball. Then Delaware fouls Drexel twice with no time taken off of the clock, but then Nihill uncharacteristically misses both FT's. Then Delaware calls timeout and has a chance to win the game down by 1 with one of the best players in the country on the court. Fortunately for Drexel, Delaware run a questionable play in the final seconds, with Dickey passing off the ball, and an outside shot was missed at the buzzer. Fortunately it all worked out, but it could have been a disaster. I would have rather let Delaware try to shoot a 3 to tie and NOT foul on purpose. Worse that could happen would be OT.

i could be wrong...but i don't think hendrixson fouled dickey intentionally. we seemed upset by the call because it was a bit ticky tack. fouling there would't have made any sense and we're too smart for that.

i almost can't believe hannah missed both free throws. 1 of 2 maybe. it's still hard for me to believe it like i was seeing things that didn't happen this afternoon. we have a trait of not being able to slam the door shut. i have all the confidence in the world in this team and think "how are we going to win?" rather than "how are we going to lose?" even when blowing a double digit lead. you would hate to throw the season away with 1 or 2 mistakes in march though.

what we saw in the first quarter was this team hitting on all cylinders. nihill, washington, and brugler all played excellent. that's our ticket to blowing teams out...and getting anything out of role players like hendrixson and connolly who i still think can give us more offensively. delaware takes a little while to get going too. it look until the second half of both games to really start hitting the offensive glass hard.

dickey couldn't get a shot off because we defended her well. we took away her midrange game. people kept flashing out including our bigs. if i'm delaware...i still want her taking the shot because of who she is. hopefully she'll be looking to pass for at least 1 more game against us if you're catching my drift.

OK. I stand corrected. I re-watched that play. Maura pulled her hands back right away. The commentator said "I don't think that was the strategy judging by the reaction of the Drexel coaching staff, however, I don't think it's the worst thing in the world because you're forcing Dickey to make a decision, does she make them both and try to foul, or does she make the first, miss the second and try to get the rebound".

I mean we collapsed. Hard. Delaware is good and we knew they would make a run. Missing 2 was shocking from Hannah. Yet we still escaped, somehow. With a regular season sweep of Delaware. So we will own all tie-breakers, should we need them. A question I have is how can Delaware foul twice without time running off and not be called for an intentional foul? Doesnt seem right. If you are fouling and the ball is not in play its intentional. I get not calling it that way the first time, but you can't allow teams or players to do it multiple times. Otherwise you allow free-for-alls late in the game. But it shouldnt be an option. I think we all took a sigh of relief when anyone other than Dickey took the final shot.

Not sure I feel comfortable against Delaware for the title, but with Brugler this match up is much more even than least years upset victory. I will also be glad to get the top seed and let them face Towson the day prior. With us having a legit big, I truly am considering making the trip for the semis and finals as this team deserves all the support they can get. We all know Delaware will travel well for the finals

Updated NET rankings through yesterday

75- Towson
84- Drexel
99- Delaware
164- JMU
179- Elon
181- Charleston
191- Northeastern
283- W&M
301- Hofstra
321- UNCW

Soon to be members:
105- Stony Brook
227- NC A&T
249- Monmouth
297- Hampton

(02-21-2022 09:52 AM)dan10 Wrote:  I mean we collapsed. Hard. Delaware is good and we knew they would make a run. Missing 2 was shocking from Hannah. Yet we still escaped, somehow. With a regular season sweep of Delaware. So we will own all tie-breakers, should we need them. A question I have is how can Delaware foul twice without time running off and not be called for an intentional foul? Doesnt seem right. If you are fouling and the ball is not in play its intentional. I get not calling it that way the first time, but you can't allow teams or players to do it multiple times. Otherwise you allow free-for-alls late in the game. But it shouldnt be an option. I think we all took a sigh of relief when anyone other than Dickey took the final shot.

Not sure I feel comfortable against Delaware for the title, but with Brugler this match up is much more even than least years upset victory. I will also be glad to get the top seed and let them face Towson the day prior. With us having a legit big, I truly am considering making the trip for the semis and finals as this team deserves all the support they can get. We all know Delaware will travel well for the finals

yeah...i don't know how it can be anything other than intentional if the ball hasn't even been thrown in yet.

the other issue i had was the flagrant foul they called on delaware (battle i believe) after they made a basket. they let the play continue after she threw an elbow and reviewed after the fact. they reset the game clock to when the foul happened...but left the points on the board. i'm good with letting the play finish if you're not sure about the call...sort of like not blowing the play dead in football if you're not sure whether there was a fumble or incompletion...but the points should come off the board. it didn't matter at the time since we were up double digits. it sure has hell mattered when it was a one possession game last.

correct me if that's not how it went down.

(02-21-2022 04:33 PM)hiroshimacarp Wrote:  

(02-21-2022 09:52 AM)dan10 Wrote:  I mean we collapsed. Hard. Delaware is good and we knew they would make a run. Missing 2 was shocking from Hannah. Yet we still escaped, somehow. With a regular season sweep of Delaware. So we will own all tie-breakers, should we need them. A question I have is how can Delaware foul twice without time running off and not be called for an intentional foul? Doesnt seem right. If you are fouling and the ball is not in play its intentional. I get not calling it that way the first time, but you can't allow teams or players to do it multiple times. Otherwise you allow free-for-alls late in the game. But it shouldnt be an option. I think we all took a sigh of relief when anyone other than Dickey took the final shot.

Not sure I feel comfortable against Delaware for the title, but with Brugler this match up is much more even than least years upset victory. I will also be glad to get the top seed and let them face Towson the day prior. With us having a legit big, I truly am considering making the trip for the semis and finals as this team deserves all the support they can get. We all know Delaware will travel well for the finals

yeah...i don't know how it can be anything other than intentional if the ball hasn't even been thrown in yet.

the other issue i had was the flagrant foul they called on delaware (battle i believe) after they made a basket. they let the play continue after she threw an elbow and reviewed after the fact. they reset the game clock to when the foul happened...but left the points on the board. i'm good with letting the play finish if you're not sure about the call...sort of like not blowing the play dead in football if you're not sure whether there was a fumble or incompletion...but the points should come off the board. it didn't matter at the time since we were up double digits. it sure has hell mattered when it was a one possession game last.

correct me if that's not how it went down.

I'm not surprised the points stayed since no call was made at the time and the stoppage and review took placed after play continued. It's sort of along the lines of play resuming at the point of interruption when a tech is called. TBH, I didn't notice if time was put back on the game clock. THAT would be unusual in my opinion. Resetting the shot clock to 30 for DU would make sense if it had started after the field goal.

Two consecutive dead ball fouls on the inbound could have resulted in a tech, if they were so inclined, I believe. One isn't all that unusual in this situation. I'm inclined to think they believed the fouls were committed as part of a defensive move and not overtly looking intentional (even if we know they were).

I'm still trying to figure out how Washington was called for an illegal screen when she had ball possession. That one had the UD broadcast team saying what a bad call is was.