Air Force MBB vs. North Carolina Central - 3 Things to Watch

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

Air Force MBB vs. North Carolina Central - 3 Things to Watch
http://www.gazette.com/sports/air-90107-force-north.html

JAKE SCHALLER 2009-12-01 11:49:53

AIR FORCE vs. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL



3 THINGS TO WATCH

1. AIR FORCE’S FREE-THROW SHOOTING

It was a problem last season, when the Falcons made just 67.4 percent of their shots from the line – the worst mark in the Mountain West Conference – and it’s continued to be a problem this season. Air Force has made 82-of-129 free throws (63.6 percent) and has made less than 70 percent in each of its four games. In the second half Saturday against Charleston Southern, the Falcons missed 10-of-25 free throws.

2. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL’S PRESSURE

The Eagles like to push the tempo and press, and full-court pressure gave Air Force trouble early in Saturday’s victory over Charleston Southern – the Falcons committed five turnovers on their first 19 possessions but just five more the rest of the way. “They’ll try to turn us over and try to mix their defenses,” Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said of the Eagles. “They want to make it a full-court game.”

3. THE FALCONS’ REBOUNDING

Reynolds said it’s likely the Falcons will be without both starting center Sammy Schafer (who suffered a concussion last week in practice) and backup center Taylor Broekhuis (strained lower leg muscle) for the second straight game. Air Force will need its perimeter players to crash the boards to help make up for the missing post players. “They’ve got to get in there and rat out some rebounds for us,” Reynolds said.

Quote to Note: “They’re big, they’re long, they’re athletic and they run their stuff well,” – Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds on North Carolina Central.

Note to Quote: North Carolina Central has lost five of six games to start the season, including four in a row. All of the losses have come by 10 or more points.

[y04185]

which bird will fly the highest.  the falcons or the eagles. 

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

Let's hope that the NCCU Eagles will "SOAR" over Air Force !!!!

Let's Go Eagles - We Can Win This One !!!!
 

Take care!

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

GAME NOTES: NCCU AT AIR FORCE- DEC. 2, 2009  
http://nccueaglepride.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/120109aac.html

Eagles visit third state in search of first road win in 2009


Michael Glasker looks to hit more big shots against Air Force
 
Dec. 1, 2009

NCCU AT AIR FORCE NOTES  
http://nccueaglepride.cstv.com/photos/schools/nccu/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0910MBBNotes.pdf

[Professor]

The great migration continues

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

Eagles will try to fly high on the road tonight at Air Force
http://www.indyweekblogs.com/sports/category/nc-central/

Mike Potter · 2 Dec 2009, 12:13 AM ·



N.C. Central will look for its first men’s basketball victory against a big-name national school tonight, and although the Eagles will be underdogs they certainly won’t be prohibitive underdogs.

First-year coach LeVelle Moton (pictured) will lead his team against Air Force in a 9 p.m. game at Clune Arena.

The Falcons, picked to finish ninth in the Mountain West, are 3-1 while NCCU is 1-6. The Eagles’ last outing was a 10-point loss at Iowa.

Junior wing C.J. Wilkerson has been as good as advertised for the Eagles, as he is currently leading the team in scoring, rebounds and assists.

NCCU will play its second home game of the season on Saturday night, and will be a solid favorite when Carver Bible College visits McLendon-McDougald Gym.

Wednesday’s game

N.C. Central at Air Force

[Tonight, 9 p.m., Clune Arena, Colorado Springs]

First meeting

Records: NCCU 1-6, Air Force 3-1.

Audio: WRJD-AM 1410, http://nccueaglepride.com -  http://goairforcefalcons.com

Coaches’ records - NCCU: LeVelle Moton 1-6; AFA: Jeff Reynolds 111-70, 29-36 at AFA.

Leading scorers - NCCU: C.J. Wilkerson 14.4; AFA: Grant Parker 16.8.

Leading rebounders - NCCU: C.J. Wilkerson and Nick Chasten 5.0; AFA: Grant Parker 8.0.

Assist leaders - NCCU: C.J. Wilkerson 4.0; AFA: Evan Washington 3.8.

[Professor]

NCCU 49
Air Force 61

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

Air Force downs N.C. Central

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Grant Parker had 24 points and six rebounds as Air Force dealt North Carolina Central its fifth straight loss, winning 61-49 Wednesday night.

"The best part of tonight was I know I don’t have to score 20 points every night for us to win," said Parker, who scored more than 20 for the third time this season. "You saw that tonight with the performance of my teammates."

Evan Washington scored a career-high 19 for Air Force (4-1), and Taylor Stewart added a season-high 13.

"I really liked what Taylor did for us," Air Force coach Jerry Reynolds said. "He gave Grant and Evan some support."

The Falcons shot 58.5 percent.

"They just jumped on us," North Carolina Central coach LeVelle Moton said. "We were not prepared to play. We came out with a lack of intensity. They beat us to every loose ball and in every facet of the game."

C.J. Wilkerson scored 15 points for North Carolina Central (1-7). The Eagles, an independent team that will join the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on July 1, never led.

North Carolina Central was outscored 40-22 in the paint.

"Their big guys are really good, and they are really strong down low, but I could drive around them," Parker said. "I knew that if I put the ball to the floor I could get to the basket."

The Eagles were more competitive in the second half, matching Air Force point for point and cutting their 37-17 halftime deficit to 18 twice in the first six minutes. The Falcons cooled off slightly from their 64 percent shooting of the first half, but North Carolina Central couldn’t take advantage for much of the second half.

The Eagles went six possessions without a point, and Washington made them pay with a basket and free throw with 10:57 left to make it 47-25. The Eagles got within 57-47 on a 3-pointer by Michael Glasker with 1:34 remaining.

"That was my fault," Reynolds said. "We were in total control, and then I had too many substitutions."

While Washington was hitting his first four shots for 10 points, North Carolina Central struggled out of the gate, making only 2 of 7 to fall behind 23-6. Washington didn’t score again in the half, but Stewart and Parker picked up the slack with 13 and 12 points, respectively, as Air Force took a 20-point lead into the break.

"By the time we got punched in the mouth enough tonight, it took time to recover," Moton said. "And the altitude got us."

The Falcons were without center Sammy Schafer for the second straight game with a concussion. Reynolds said he would be unavailable for Saturday’s game against Missouri State.

[y04185]

good win for the air force. 

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

"By the time we got punched in the mouth enough tonight, it took time to recover," Moton said. "And the altitude got us."

From what was heard via the NCCU Sports Network broadcast of the game, it seemed that NCCU was just in some type of "FUNK" that never got started for some reason, in the first half.  Maybe the Altitude did have something to do with it, regarding keeping up, at first.

The first half was was perhaps one of the worse "defensive" periods the Eagles have had all year. Plus, our offense was just AWOL the whole game, especially in the first half.

It looks like that game was one of those "Learning Minutes" of Development where you just burn the game footage and start over with the basics of preparation for the next game and the rest of the season.

As usual, our Guys fought hard in the 2nd half.  Coach Moton and Staff did make some better defensive adjustments, which is always a plus. But, it appeared that the Eagles had no patience on Offense, last night, for some reason.

Yes, "altitude" could have been more of a factor than we all realize, when  trying to run an up tempo game, without proper time to adjust enough to the altitude of the area.

Anyway Eagles, We Love and Support You.] We will get it done and we will get there !!!  This year's team is much better than the teams of the last three years, at this level, but they still have a way to go, and Coach Moton and Staff are making progress in getting them there.

Take Care!

[Boomer]

Askia, I agree.
This years team has kept all games within the 10pt range of course despite the UNC game. They are well coached and disciplined, it Just seems that they do not have the firepower just yet.

Whenever you cannot put the ball in the hole, you will struggle. Moton can draw it up but he can't shoot it for them. We are better and we look forward to a bright future from these young men. I am sure Moton has some firpower for next year.

[Maroon and Gray]

"..... I am sure Moton has some firpower for next year.

I sure hope so.  We haven't had anybody who you would call a scorer since Briscoe came and went.  I can't even remember anybody before him, since Jackson was coach.

[Boomer]

M&G, He has the kid Landon Clement who is a prolific shooter/scorer. Great Player. The problem with this team is that he buitl it around Briscoe and received the transfer news afterwards. 

[FSUHALL]

Boomer, if that reasoning helps you sleep at night.  I don't think this team was built around Briscoe.  When was coach hired and when did Briscoe say he ws leaving officially.  Many folks who say they are leaving don't just think about it one day and do it, there's always talk about leaving.  I think NCCU will be fine with the coach you have but just not this year.  You have nothing to offer a player right now, no conference tournament and no NCAA's!

[Boomer]

FSU, FYI  Briscoe left in May!