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Date Posted: 11:11:31 11/15/04 Mon
Author: LarryL9797
Subject: Scrimmage with Holy Cross

Here is a CTNOw.com article about the scrimmage on Sunday.




Blue Devils Have The Range
November 15, 2004
By TOM YANTZ, Courant Staff Writer

NEW BRITAIN -- Holy Cross finished with 11 more rebounds than Central Connecticut, but the Crusaders were no match for the Blue Devils beyond the three-point line.

Central was 7-for-16 on threes in a scrimmage Sunday at Detrick Gym. Javier Mojica, Central's leading scorer with 14 points, and Tristan Blackwood (six) were 2 of 3 on three-pointers as Central won, 66-56.













While Central's perimeter offense was sharp, its three-point defense was even better. Until Pat Doherty heaved in a three at the final buzzer, the Crusaders were 0-for-13.

"Three-point defense has been a point of emphasis for us," Central coach Howie Dickenman said. "Get a hand up and extend that arm out. I was pleased with our perimeter defense."

The best example came with 42.8 seconds remaining when forward Jason Hickenbottom blocked Kevin Hamilton's three-point attempt from the left wing. Hickenbottom didn't relax even though the Blue Devils had the victory secured.

"I liked what Jason gave us, good, tough defense all over," Dickenman said.

Hickenbottom had to play inside and outside. He and fellow freshman Tristan Blackwood were part of a small starting lineup. Hickenbottom and forward Obie Nwadike were the tallest at 6 feet 4. The 6-foot Blackwood and 6-1 Justin Chiera were in the backcourt and 6-2 DeMario Anderson was the small forward. Rich Pittman, a 6-6 center, didn't start because he had missed a few practices because of illness.

But Pittman was part of a creditable eight-man rotation Sunday. Each played 17 or more minutes. Pittman scored 13 points and led all rebounders with eight in 26 minutes.

Holy Cross, which was 13-15 last season, outrebounded Central, 34-23.

"We have to rebound the ball better because we are small," Dickenman said.

Dickenman wasn't pleased with his team's 21 turnovers and seven assists.

"We have to value the basketball more," he said.

Holy Cross' matchup 2-3 zone disrupted Central's offense at times. The Blue Devils also had trouble against full-court pressure. Guard Torey Thomas, who had four steals, was the Crusaders' top scorer with 14 points.

Still, Dickenman said there were more positives than negatives from the scrimmage. Some of the positives included Mojica's 3-for-5 shooting overall and 6-for-6 effort from the free-throw line, Anderson scoring 13 points, and Central going 21-for-29 on free throws and causing 28 turnovers.

Sixteen of Holy Cross' turnovers came in the first half, which Central led 29-24 at the break. Aggressive man-to-man contributed to the Crusaders' difficulty in holding on to the ball.

"We did some good things out there, but we've got more work to do to cut down on turnovers and rebound better," Dickenman said.

The Blue Devils open the season at home against Colgate Friday at 8 p.m. in the opening round of the Mohegan Sun Classic.

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Replies:

[> Re: Scrimmage with Holy Cross -- J.J., 15:30:34 11/15/04 Mon

Good article, sounds like lots of positives with some work still to be done. Becasue of the FT woes last year I almost forgot that defending the 3 was a priority, but now its easy to rememeber that kid from Monmouth draining shots in the championship game. Anyway, sounds like Howie is generally pleased, so for now I guess I am too. Hopefully Middleton and Beaudet can come around in practice sometime soon so they can get a "big" team out on the floor too.

So was HC more like an exhibition game and not a controlled scrimmage? I thought preseasons events vs. other DI teams meant the media wouldn't be invited and stats would not be kept. Was this the same set-up used at Stony Brook?


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[> [> Re: Scrimmage with Holy Cross -- larryL9797, 16:38:43 11/15/04 Mon

There was no media, announcers and no tickets were sold. Centrals strongest suit was the outside game by far. I saw very little by way of interior offense/defence from anyone besides Rich Pittman. I am not sure if we could get a box score but i would like to see the FT %. It looks like the whole team worked on that on the offseason and seems to have gotten better.


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[> [> [> Re: Scrimmage with Holy Cross -- J.J., 17:34:09 11/15/04 Mon

FYI - There are some rumbling on the Holy Cross board re: the media reports from the scrimmage. They obviously don't like to hear about a loss (even in a scrimmage) to CCSU. I still don't get some fans attitude - I mean the Patriot League is not really a step up from the NEC. HC isn't what they used to be and many fans still regret turning down the Big East's offer. Anyway, you'd think that HC/PL fans would be more interested in staying out of the PIG in the NCAAs this year.

<a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=33741&threadid=234963">http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=33741&threadid=234963</a>

However, I will admit that it does seems very odd that The Courant would report stats from a "scrimmage" and WTIC AM would include it in their morning sports report. I assume CCSU did not issue a press release because they are forbidden to per NCAA rules, which makes sense. I don't mind the positive press and on the bright side CCSU gets about as much press in CT as can be expected with the Huskies down the street, but it does raise some questions. Most scrimmage reports I've read from other schools have come from fans like Larry who attended sessions and posted on boards like this. I haven't seen media reports from DI scrimmages yet. Oh well.


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