Blackwood "Doubtful" for Thursday -- CCSU Athletics Forum

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[> Re: Blackwood "Doubtful" for Thursday -- LarryL9797, 10:40:49 02/15/06 Wed

CCSU hurting from the line
By MATT STRAUB, Assistant Sports Editor
02/15/2006

NEW BRITAIN -- The only good thing about Central Connecticut�s current three-game losing streak is that many of the issues that have caused the slide are things the Blue Devils can control.

Central is capable of playing solid defense and executing on offense. The Blue Devils can certainly be an aggressive offensive team. Most importantly, CCSU can most assuredly make free throws.

Those are the biggest elements that have been missing during this three-game losing streak that has seen Central fall from first place in the NEC into a race for one of the last of the four home playoff berths in the upcoming Northeast Conference tournament. They are also the kinds of things that can be fixed going into the fourth and final game of CCSU�s road swing.

What needs to be corrected most immediately for CCSU to get back on track is its recent struggle at the foul line. CCSU was just 22-of-39 (56.4 percent) from the charity stripe during its two-game set in Pennsylvania, and that came on the heels for a 4-for-12 performance from the foul line in the trip opener at Monmouth. All totaled, that makes CCSU just 26-of-51 for 51 percent during its losing streak.

"I don�t have any answers for you," CCSU coach Howie Dickenman said. "Obie (Nwadike) has been going a little south lately (12-of-24 at the line in the last three games), but nobody feels worse about that than Obie. We haven�t been getting our key guys to the free throw line either, some of our best shooters aren�t getting to the line."

During the three-game skid, Lenny Jefferson, who is an 89 percent free throw shooter on the season, has been to the line exactly zero times. Tristan Blackwood, a 90 percent shooter, didn�t take one in either game in Pennsylvania after making 3-of-4 at Monmouth.

"Maybe he needs to get a couple of rebounds and get fouled and get to the line," Dickenman said of Jefferson. "I�m confident if we get to the foul line we can shoot our way out of this slump that we are in."

If CCSU can cure its yips at the foul line by being aggressive and earning extra chances, then making them, it will have cured two of its biggest ills. With that settled, the Blue Devils will have a clear mind with which to focus on the task at hand.

To beat Wagner on Thursday night (7 p.m. ESPN Radio 1410) the Blue Devils will need to come out with the type of early intensity that became a trademark of their six-game winning streak. Instead of jumping on teams early, CCSU has found itself in holes of late, most notably trailing 22-6 at Robert Morris before battling back into the game but eventually falling short.

"It�s important (to start fast) but it�s more important not to be down 22-6," Dickenman said. "We haven�t been getting out to big leads like we had been in those games."

The most disappointing start for the Blue Devils was at St. Francis (Pa.), who entered Sunday�s game with a 3-20 record before beating the Blue Devils at the buzzer. Central couldn�t put the Red Flash away early and paid for it late.

"We let them hang around and that�s why they got the win," senior guard Justin Chiera said.

According to Chiera, CCSU must now assume the mentality of the teams that trail them in the standings.

"I think it�s more difficult to play a team that hasn�t had a lot of success," Chiera said. "Those are tough teams to play because they play with nothing to lose... It�s a little more difficult to play teams you�re supposed to beat. I don�t know if we didn�t respect them or we just didn�t come out with enough energy (at St. Francis). We let them hang around and that�s why they got the win."

The Blue Devils need wins to regain control of their playoff destiny. To get one on Thursday will require getting back in control of themselves.

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[> Re: Blackwood "Doubtful" for Thursday -- Mike, 21:58:07 02/16/06 Thu

Well, I guess he healed quick. Played 35 minutes, scored 17 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and had 3 assists...not bad on one leg! Solid game tonight, defense was good for 30 of the 40 minutes, and offense was only flat for 3 possessions in the middle of the second half. Sharp win on the road. Big game saturday at home against in state rival Sacred Heart....should be a good one!

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[> [> Where in the World will Moose Be on Sat? -- LarryL9797, 09:46:42 02/17/06 Fri

I wonder if moose is going to make it up to hard Hitting NB?

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[> [> [> Re: Where in the World will Moose Be on Sat? -- Moose, 12:32:10 02/17/06 Fri

What a stupid question. Of course I will be in NB. I want to watch the Ladies game. That one may be more enjoyable than the men's game. The Pioneers really need this win. I want to see them make the tourney on their own merits. I don't want them to back in, like they did the last time they made it.

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[> [> [> [> Re: Where in the World will Moose Be on Sat? -- Moose, 12:33:32 02/17/06 Fri

I am surprised you remembered me.

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[> [> [> Re: Where in the World will Moose Be on Sat? -- LarryL9797, 13:21:18 02/17/06 Fri

SHU Ladies will squash CCSU....

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[> [> [> [> Re: Where in the World will Moose Be on Sat? -- Moose, 15:36:31 02/17/06 Fri

I would like to see the SHU women get back to the form they were in the early part of the season. I think the Men's game will be exciting. I hope SHU wins, of course I want to see them play in the tourney.

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[> [> [> [> [> WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK OF THE GAME? -- Moose, 08:01:18 02/20/06 Mon

I thought it was the usual for SHU. No outside scoring & no bench scoring. Trim had to work for every shot. CCSU didn't give him anything easy.

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[> [> back on track -- J.J., 10:24:08 02/17/06 Fri

Sounded like CCSU is back on track. Chiera is back and hopefully for good. Great game by Obie and Tristan. Good team defense, they only need to work on FT! Sounds like Jermino is having a chance to prove himself. He will be needed w/ Ingo to cover Trim and the Pioneers on Saturday.

However, the lost opportunities on their Western PA trip means the Blue Devils need to go 4-0 to ensure a top 3 finish. Any slip up could drop them to the 4 spot or they might even lose a home game in the playoffs. I hate needing help from other teams (like LIU did last night).

The SFPA loss is just killing me!

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