The JMU Nation knows that the next three games are extremely important to win, just as it is important for the teams JMU is playing to win to help build their resume for the post season. I thought that after this past weekend's highs and lows that this would be a great segue into my 3 game review. I hope you enjoy it, it comes from Rocky Balboa, when he is talking to his son about winning and losing.
Love this quote from Rocky - "Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that"So when you are feeling down and out, not feeling like getting back up, remember the quote above.
Here is my review of the next 3 games. Tough match ups, but all winnable.
Richmond - We all hate them, they are like that nasty spider you step on when it comes close, they are okay from afar, but when they come into your domain, you just want to squash them and show them who is the real boss. That doesn't mean they don't have a good team, We all wish that Richmond would somehow fall in a hole, never to be heard from again. Obviously, that isn't going to happen. On December 2nd, the Spiders will visit the Convo in hopes of poisoning our post season hopes, but hopefully the Dukes are ready to squash their dreams leaving the Janitor to clean up the mess.
In the last 4 meetings, JMU and Richmond have been tied, each having two wins. Richmond however has won the last two meetings. Making this contest extremely important. The one thing I gathered while watching Richmond in Cancun is that they love to run the ball at you, they love to press, so expect a fast paced game from them. They seem to like the screens as well, so discipline is key. On paper, Richmond is shown to have a better better defense by allowing only 62 points a game. However, their offense is what is getting them in trouble-averaging just 58 points a game. With Genevieve Okoro's (6'0" F) season ending ACL injury, the Spiders will have to rely mainly on Liz Brown (6'4" F/C) who has been averaging about 8 points a game and 5 rebounds. If JMU wants to win this game, they need to box her and Becca Wann (5'10" G, avg 7 rbs a game) out and get the contested rebounds. Richmond also has two main scorers in Rachael Bilney (5'10") who has scored 15 points or more in several games and is a 3-point threat. The other main scorer is Kristina King (5'10") who is probably the bigger scorer than any of the Richmond players, she is probably more like Tarik Hislop, she can shoot the 3, but will make most of her shots inside the circle. Of note: Richmond beat Minnesota by 12 points, but lost to Green Bay by 31 points (without G. Okoro). While JMU beat Green Bay by 3 points, but lost to Minnesota by 18 points. Also, Okoro had a big game against Minnesota and recorded 17 rebounds and 12 points, while Ross was only able to retrieve 6 rebounds and 4 points. As stated earlier, rebounds and controlling the ball are key if JMU wants to win. Contest is December 2, at 2 PM. Richmond's RPI stands at #139 or #95 depending which you support.
Liberty - They may come out of the Big South Conference, but they usually field good teams. Each year it seems like they receive votes in the top 25 and while that is not the case this year, they are ranked in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 poll at 23. JMU has owned Liberty the last 6 meetings, recording wins in all 6. However, each contest has been closely contested, usually winning no more than 10 points, with the last two meetings being decided by less than 5 points. You can be sure that Liberty is going to come at JMU with everything they have, it is a victory that many in Liberty nation would love to relish. Defensively, Liberty has only allowed 62 points per game, including about 40 rebounds per game. On offense they average about 67 points per game. This team defends the perimeter very well, so Kirby Burkholder may not get many shots from 3-point range. Devon Brown (5'10") is by far their best player and has averaged about 17 points a game with a game high at 20 points. She can also grab the rebounds, getting about 6 rebounds a game. Their best F/C has to be Jasmine Gardner a 6'2" who records about 7 rebounds a game and about 6 points a game. Other players include Tolu Omotola (according to Liberty's notes, Devon Brown and Tolu have been a huge duo this season), Brittany Cambell, and Emily Frazier, among a couple of others. This team is a very good offensive rebounding team, so the key will probably be like the Richmond game, box out Brown and Gardner and keep them from getting second chance points and defensive rebounds. December 4, 7 PM at the Convocation Center. Liberty's RPI stands at #139 or #172. Liberty struggles on the road and have yet to win a game on the road.
Duquesne - The false Dukes. They are the posers, thinking they are Dukes, but we know who the real Dukes are and that is JMU. However, this will be the tougher test of the three schools. They come into this contest playing schools like UNC tough, losing by only 5 points. They beat Liberty by 17 points and Delaware (without Elena) by 4 points. They hold a 4-1 record and are also receiving votes in the latest polls. Defensively, they only allow 48 points a game, they force about 39 turnovers a game, but offensively they struggle, scoring about 59 points a game. Kirby is going to have a tough time shooting the 3-pointer in this game and will have to find other ways to contribute to her team. The good news is that JMU leads the last three meetings 2-1, but it will be tough getting this win at Duquesne. Their best scorer is 6'2" F Wumi Agunbiade. In the last three games she has scored at least 17 points and has record at least 12 rebounds per game, except one. Another good player is Jocelyn Floyd (5'8" G) who knows how to steal the ball. In the last two games, she has recorded at least 8 steals and scored 19 points, and 6 points respectively. Their best rebounder is probably Orsi Szecsi (6'3" G/F) who averages about 7 rebounds a game. Two other players you will probably see a lot of are April Robinson (5'8" G) and Belma Nurkic (5'8" G). The biggest thing with this team is protecting the ball and making your shots count. Ross and Giggets are going to have to be tough under the basket and push their weight around like the fierce warrior who refuses to give an inch. Hislop and Burkholder have to make their shots, because it is obvious that they like to play a high pressure defense. If we do not defend the paint in this game, we could be looking at a loss, so being tough, not forcing shots, and not getting frustrated are a must if JMU is going to win this game. Game is on December 16 at 2 PM at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Duquesne's RPI stands at #50, or #55 and will be by far our toughest opponent in this 3 game stretch.
Last thoughts - Hopefully we can win all three games. The good news is that we play Richmond and Liberty at home. The bad news is we play our toughest opponent in this series at their place. I feel like we are coming together as a team and hopefully our inside game continues to improve. If not, we will be in trouble. The other good news is that we will have plenty of rest before Richmond and Duquense, so hopefully that works to our advantage.
Notes: Toia Giggets has been cleared to play and will be back. Angela Mickens who suffered a 2nd concussion has yet to be cleared. Will update this post as new information comes in, especially with Liberty and Duquesne.
Today's DNR had an excellent article on Tarik Hislop today. If you have an account with the Daily News Record, I suggest you read it. http://www.dnronline.com/article/a_major_get
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