A Fun Night in CUSA
Last newsletter we mentioned Western struggling. Since, they have won two, including a very impressive win in Birmingham, Alabama. So it goes. CBB is always strange and surprising and possible infuriating.
Scores
FAU 77 FIU 73 /OT
The Owls maintained their win streak but were tested by FIU and new scorer extraordinaire Denver Jones. The Owls host North Texas, on their own win streak and looking for revenge this Saturday.
Middle 71 Rice 68
The Blue Raiders had North Texas down 18 in Murfreesboro, but then got strangled by the slow Python that is UNT’s defense and lost in the final minute. They went to Houston, got down by 14 at half and made a comeback of their own. Eli Lawrence had 21 for Middle.
UTSA 57 UTEP 69
An easy win for the Miners, who boast the best defensive efficiency (kenpom) in the league. No real doubt agains one of the worst teams in the league.
WKU 80 UAB 78
CR is a fan of Dayvion McKnight, who always manages to break out a spin move to his left and get results. He hit a couple of huge threes – not his strong suit at all – and Jordan Rawls made a return, getting huge buckets for the Tops. UAB coach Andy Kennedy has criticized his team for making basketball mistakes like turnovers from playing too fast and that was a big reason why the Blazers dropped this one at home. A word of warning to Blazer doubters, though: Jordan Walker is still a force. He nearly single-handedly tied the game with a full-court sprint and 3 that nearly drew an and-one call.
La Tech 65 North Texas 67
The Mean Green led by 18 at the half, but allowed Tech to score 47 in the second – NT was only allowing about 52 per game so that is a STAT. A good portion of the scores were free throws, but it was good to see Isaiah Crawford get 25 and look like his 2021 self again. North Texas never trailed even though Tech made a rousing comeback. Tied at 65, Kai Huntsberry got a 2-point bucket with 2s left to win it. Cobe Williams tried a heave from midcourt that fell harmlessly away.