180 replies to this topic

[SportsGuy]

@franfraschilla: Towson's Pat Skerry, a National Coach of the Year candidate? Probably only to other coaches.

[DJ MC]

With their win Saturday, Towson became the first Division I team EVER to have a plus-18 win turnaround between seasons.

Crazy.

[BSLChrisStoner]

The new 'Tiger Arena' had their first event lats night...  (Globetrotters)...  some nice pictures of the new Arena from The Sun:

 

http://www.baltimore...0,2351573.story

[BSLChrisStoner]

Tiger Arena.com: http://www.tigeraren...DB_OEM_ID=21300

[BSLChrisStoner]

As DJ just posted in the other thread... Towson #6 in NBC Sports / CBT Mid-Major poll:

 

http://collegebasket...power-rankings/
 

Towson: Two seasons ago, Towson posted a 1-31 record. This season, they are the team to beat in the CAA. Pat Skerry is building Towson up through the transfer route, landing Jerrelle Benimon (Georgetown), one of the best big men in the country and Four McGlynn (Vermont), a sharpshooter who’s now eligible. With the APR issues now in the rear view mirror, Towson has their sights set on the NCAA Tournament.

 

Should be a fun year for Towson in their new Arena. TU has a chance to become a bit of a player, if the Arena can convince most of the 2nd tier local players to stay home.

[DJ MC]

I think I might actually have to go to games this year

[Mackus]

Four McGlynn!?!

 

Awesome name.

[Oriole85]

CBS Sports: Manhattan, Towson among five mid-majors on the rise for 2013-14

 

http://www.cbssports...rise-for-201314

 

Towson (18-13, 13-5 Colonial): The Tigers are the consensus favorite in the CAA and have one of the best players in college basketball in Jerelle Benimon. The 6-8 forward averaged 17.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game last year and probably has the best chance out of anyone in college basketball to average 20 and 10. Towson coach Pat Skerry also plans to use Benimon in a Royce White-type role as a point forward, which could potentially open spot-up opportunities on the wings for shooters such as Mike Burwell and Vermont transfer Four McGlynn. Tigers starting point guard Jerome Hairston played 29 minutes a game last year as a freshman and should be ready to take another step as a sophomore. The unsung thing about this team? The intangibles they get at small forward from Marcus Damas and Rafriel Guthrie. If a 50-50 ball is anywhere close to either of these guys, they pounce on it like a flock of seagulls going after a ham sandwich. Also keep eye an eye on 6-5 freshman Johnny Davis and 6-8 sophomore Timajh Parker-Rivera, who should be Towson's starting center. The door is open for the Tigers to make national statements early. Skerry's team hosts Temple on 11/14 and travels to Villanova on 11/17. After last year's turnaround season that saw them win 18 games, the Tigers should accept nothing less than a trip to the field of 68.

[Oriole85]

CBS Sports: College basketball preseason: 15 under-the-radar breakout players

 

http://www.cbssports...reakout-players

 

Timajh Parker-Rivera, F, Towson: The Tigers need a big man to replace Bilal Dixon at center and Parker-Rivera is the guy. Bigger and stronger than he was last year as a freshman, the 6-8 sophomore should start up front for Pat Skerry's team next to do everything forward Jerrelle Benimon.

[DJ MC]

Go Tigers!

Halftime thoughts...

Towson leads Navy by 16, 39-23.

This arena is very nice, especially for a program that won one game two years ago. But there are some flaws under the surface.

The sound is terrible. Granted, I'm sitting at the top, but I can understand maybe one of every three words the announcer says. It isn't crowd noise, either.

Which leads to issue number two: what self-respecting college basketball arena puts the student section in the upper deck? This ain't Kentucky; Towson can't be making money off those seats to justify pushing the students back.

Third, there are scoreboards all around this place. The main one in the center shows the TV feed of the game at all times. However, the others spend the rest of the time showing sponsers and upcoming games, instead of useful information like individual scoring and fouls. Plus, the production hasn't been top-notch.

That said, the game has been entertaining, which its the important part.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Go Tigers!

Halftime thoughts...

Towson leads Navy by 16, 39-23.

This arena is very nice, especially for a program that won one game two years ago. But there are some flaws under the surface.

The sound is terrible. Granted, I'm sitting at the top, but I can understand maybe one of every three words the announcer says. It isn't crowd noise, either.

Which leads to issue number two: what self-respecting college basketball arena puts the student section in the upper deck? This ain't Kentucky; Towson can't be making money off those seats to justify pushing the students back.

Third, there are scoreboards all around this place. The main one in the center shows the TV feed of the game at all times. However, the others spend the rest of the time showing sponsers and upcoming games, instead of useful information like individual scoring and fouls. Plus, the production hasn't been top-notch.

That said, the game has been entertaining, which its the important part.

 

Add some pics if you get the chance.

[DJ MC]

Towson beat Navy 72-45. Rafael Guthrie came off the bench to lead the Tigers with 16, and Four McGlynn went 5-7 from three to finish with 15.

 

Jerrelle Benimon grabbed 17 rebounds, but only scored six points on 1-8 shooting. He was the focus of the Mids' defense, as they collapsed on him every time he touched the ball. As the second half went on and he couldn't hit a shot, he visibly went from annoyed to frustrated to royally pissed off. By the way he was talking with the officials I think he thought Navy was getting away with some more aggressive play than he felt necessary.

 

Some photos...

 

[You Play to Win the Game]

Towson up 6 on Temple right now with 2:07 remaining in the game. The game is at Towson, and is on NBC Sports Network.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Looks good... nice visitor for Towson. Would like to see MD play there 1 out of 3 years, with Towson going to MD the other 2.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Looks good...

 

I like it. I like the unique floor too. This would be a nice win for Towson.

[Mike in STL]

Do you rush the court?

Torrey Smith is here

[BSLChrisStoner]

Tough possession.

[Oriole85]

Looks good... nice visitor for Towson. Would like to see MD play there 1 out of 3 years, with Towson going to MD the other 2.

I don't see MD agreeing to that kind of deal, but would make some sense.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Should have been able to fill the Arena with students alone tonight.

[Oriole85]

Do you rush the court?

Torrey Smith is here

It's a good win, but I don't think rush-worthy.