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Post by motorcitysam on Nov 22, 2022 14:26:02 GMT -5
Loving the recap, Sam. Keep it up. I'd say having another Doug Anderson on the team would quickly put 500 additional butts in the seats today. Unfortunately, they've never made another Doug (before or since). I believe Doug did something spectacular every single game of his Titan career. I know he did in every game that I saw. I enjoyed watching the all around All American excellence of Ray McCallum and it's been a pleasure witnessing the scoring prowess of Antoine Davis. But no one brought the house down like Doug.
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Post by motorcitysam on Nov 22, 2022 14:59:14 GMT -5
Coach Ray got jammed up by two athletic directors. One messed him up by screwing an assistant coach and the other forced him to add a guy to the staff who actively worked against Ray. Messy. Without Gaither and Thomas screwing around together, the "other athletic director" would not have occurred. The foundation to Ray's program was rotting from the inside for over 2 years before the adultery became public. The consequences to our school from their adultery have been long-term and severely negative. But sam, the truth is that Ray and his new staff failed to get us back to where we were before the scandal. Recruiting was suffering before that assistant was hired. This is why I place all the blame on the original rot between the first athletic director and Ray's assistant. Ray never had a chance. It was just a matter of when it would crash down - not if it would. Thomas doesn't get a pass for undermining Ray. Under the circumstances, I'm amazed Ray did so well. On the other hand, the rot could also explain why those teams with so much BB talent did not perform better. Through it all, Ray remained a class act. That said, right now, I prefer to look forward. Hopefully, this year we can pull ourselves finally out of the large hole they dug for us. Recruiting was not suffering. With that "new staff" of Coach Z and Steve Payne, the Titans were able to land talented local high school recruits like Paris Bass, Aaron Foster-Smith, Gerald Blackshear, Jaleel Hogan and Josh McFolley. Jarod Williams was a player who was recruited after the scandal. The Titans also landed talented transfer player Chris Jenkins. Ray's last class included Corey Allen. The hiring of JJ Sr. didn't hurt recruiting, but adding a guy to the staff whose main goal was taking his boss's job was hell on the team culture for that year. And from what I have heard, it was a drag on the following coaching regime. The same people who sabotaged Ray with JJ and fired him three years after back to back NCAA and NIT trips have patiently given Mike Davis five years. I'm fine with that; Mike Davis has the resume that gives him the benefit of the doubt. I just think that if the University had shown patience with Coach Ray, we wouldn't be getting run out of the gym by Florida Atlantic these days. I'm all for looking forward. I just wish there was more to like about our present situation.
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Post by motorcitysam on Nov 25, 2022 0:28:35 GMT -5
On this day, November 24, in 2012, the Titans fell to Miami in Coral Gables, Florida by a score of 77-62. The Titans fought through the first half and trailed by only four at the break, 35-31, before the 'Canes pulled away in the second. Nick had 22, while Jason and Ray chipped in with 15 each.
The Titans tough road trip would continue three days later in Bowling Green.
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Post by motorcitysam on Nov 27, 2022 21:15:19 GMT -5
On this date in 2012, the Titans fell to Bowling Green 65-60, in a game that we could have won if we just shot the ball a little better. We took care of the ball (only 9 turnovers) and won the rebounding battle 41-32, but couldn't sustain anything offensively. Ray led the way with 24 points, hitting 10-18 from the floor. He also had 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Nick had 17 points, with the bulk coming from a 9-11 free throw mark. The number that jumps off the stat page is Jason going 0-9 from the floor.
The Titans would now have a few days to work on the offense before the tough non-conference schedule continued with a trip to Pittsburgh.
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Post by Commissioner on Nov 27, 2022 21:44:22 GMT -5
We want a similar thread on the 25th anniversary of the 1998 NCAA squad!
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 1, 2022 6:42:37 GMT -5
On this date, December 1, in 2012, the Titans concluded their three game road trip with a loss to Pittsburgh 74-61. This was one of those games we saw during the season where the Titans played well early against a bigger, more talented opponent, but faded late as the better talent won out. Detroit actually led by 8 at the half. Pitt jumped ahead 8-0 to start the game, but the Titans went on a 25-4 run to take the lead. Ray had 17 points in the first half, and finished with a game high 24. The game was tied at 49 in the second half before Pitt took control.
It was one of the best games of Ray McCallum's career, as he shot 7-13, 4-7, and 6-6, while also grabbing 7 boards and dishing out 3 assists. Unfortunately, he didn't get much help as the rest of the team struggled.
Juwan Howard, Jr. was scoreless in 9 minutes. We didn't know it, but he was about to go on a tear and show us what kind of player he could be.
Next up: A return home to face one of our unofficial rivals, Toledo.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 5, 2022 22:10:38 GMT -5
On December 5, 2022, Detroit got back in the win column with a hard fought 79-73 home win over the Toledo Rockets, in the 51st meeting between the schools and Detroit's 24th win. It was a back and forth battle, with multiple lead changes and similar figures in the stats columns.
Jason Callite broke out of a brutal shooting slump by hitting 9-17 from the floor for 24 points. He was joined in double figures by Doug and JH2, with Howard beginning to show an outside shooting touch, hitting 4-8 from three. Nick and Ray struggled to combine for 4-17 from the floor. Ray excelled in other areas with 10 assists, 8 boards, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. The man could impact the game in multiple ways.
The Titans improved to 3-4 and stayed unbeaten at home in front of an announced crowd of 1552.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 9, 2022 10:35:37 GMT -5
On December 8, 2012, the Titans got a chance to work on some things and pick up a relatively easy win with a 102-67 victory over Rochester. It was Detroit's 12th straitght win at home. Five Titans scored in double figures, led by Ray's 24 points, and the bench contributed 36 points. Doug hit a career high with 7 assists.
I remember this game being the one where I came to the realization that our three JUCO front court players weren't as ready to contribute as I had hoped. Solanke only played three minutes in this game and didn't score. NJ played 10 minutes and didn't score, but he did have 8 rebounds. Lippert had 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in his 11 minutes of action, but he also fouled out.
The Titans made it tought this game without injury and with everyone getting playing time in a big win, just what you want in a game against a non-D1 opponent. They would be healthy going into the next game against Alabama State two days later.
Attendance was announced as 1340.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 11, 2022 16:27:25 GMT -5
On December 10, 2012, the Titans beat Alabama State by a score of 81-68 to move over the .500 mark. Big Nick hit for 22 points and eight rebounds, while Juwan Hoard continued his strong play with 16 points. Ray didn't shoot well from the floor, but ended up with 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and two steals. Calliste scored 11 and chipped in with five assists.
The Alabama State Hornets, who came into the game 0-6, gave the Titans a fight in the first half, with Detroit leading only 39-36 at the break. Detrot keep the pressure up, and eventually took a 19 point lead with a couple of minutes to go.
Announced attendance was 1520.
The Titans had played a tough schedule to start the year, and sat at 5-4 after the win. We would not slip below the .500 mark again.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 15, 2022 23:44:40 GMT -5
On this date in 2012, December 15, the Titans took on Akron at Calihan Hall. The Titans fell behind early, trailing at one point 10-0. Nick Minnerath hit a three to put the Titans on the board and Detroit eventually closed to five before another Zip run put Akron up 25-15. Detroit settled down and closed to within three at the half. Detroit trailed by six with 6:37 to go in the game, but then Detroit went to work. On consecutive possessions, Detroit got an old fashioned three point play from Nick, then Jason hit all three free throws after being fouled on an attempt from the long line, and the Titans had the lead for good. Ray got a block and scored on a layup, NJ got a steal that led to a Juwan jumper, and the Titans were up five. Ray hit 5-6 free throws in the last 2:33 and Juwan closed the scoring with two from the charity stripe to give the Titans an 80-73 win.
Several Titans struggled in this game offensively, with Juwan Howard Jr. having the most efficient game with 15 points, 5 boards, and two steals. He only turned it over once in 30 minutes. The Titans won the rebounding and turnover battles.
Detroit moved to 6-4 with the victory, and went 4-0 on the homestand. Syracuse was waiting in Upstate New York.
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Post by Commissioner on Dec 16, 2022 12:06:27 GMT -5
On this date in 2012, December 15, the Titans took on Akron at Calihan Hall. The Titans fell behind early, trailing at one point 10-0. Nick Minnerath hit a three to put the Titans on the board and Detroit eventually closed to five before another Zip run put Akron up 25-15. Detroit settled down and closed to within three at the half. Detroit trailed by six with 6:37 to go in the game, but then Detroit went to work. On consecutive possessions, Detroit got an old fashioned three point play from Nick, then Jason hit all three free throws after being fouled on an attempt from the long line, and the Titans had the lead for good. Ray got a block and scored on a layup, NJ got a steal that led to a Juwan jumper, and the Titans were up five. Ray hit 5-6 free throws in the last 2:33 and Juwan closed the scoring with two from the charity stripe to give the Titans an 80-73 win. Several Titans struggled in this game offensively, with Juwan Howard Jr. having the most efficient game with 15 points, 5 boards, and two steals. He only turned it over once in 30 minutes. The Titans won the rebounding and turnover battles. Detroit moved to 6-4 with the victory, and went 4-0 on the homestand. Syracuse was waiting in Upstate New York. That was a good Akron team. They finished 26-7 and got a #12 seed in the NCAA tournament. After losing to the Titans they won their next 19 games.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 16, 2022 12:51:54 GMT -5
On this date in 2012, December 15, the Titans took on Akron at Calihan Hall. The Titans fell behind early, trailing at one point 10-0. Nick Minnerath hit a three to put the Titans on the board and Detroit eventually closed to five before another Zip run put Akron up 25-15. Detroit settled down and closed to within three at the half. Detroit trailed by six with 6:37 to go in the game, but then Detroit went to work. On consecutive possessions, Detroit got an old fashioned three point play from Nick, then Jason hit all three free throws after being fouled on an attempt from the long line, and the Titans had the lead for good. Ray got a block and scored on a layup, NJ got a steal that led to a Juwan jumper, and the Titans were up five. Ray hit 5-6 free throws in the last 2:33 and Juwan closed the scoring with two from the charity stripe to give the Titans an 80-73 win. Several Titans struggled in this game offensively, with Juwan Howard Jr. having the most efficient game with 15 points, 5 boards, and two steals. He only turned it over once in 30 minutes. The Titans won the rebounding and turnover battles. Detroit moved to 6-4 with the victory, and went 4-0 on the homestand. Syracuse was waiting in Upstate New York. That was a good Akron team. They finished 26-7 and got a #12 seed in the NCAA tournament. After losing to the Titans they won their next 19 games. Didn't know it at the time, but that was one of the best wins of the year for Detroit.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 20, 2022 14:03:42 GMT -5
On December 17, 2012, the Titans traveled to Syracuse to take on the #3 Orange. Detroit fell behind big early, trailing by a score of 40-21 at the half. The second half saw a furious Titan comeback that fell short, resulting in a 72-68 loss. The Titans trailed by 22 before going on a 25-6 run to cut the lead to 67-64. It was win number 900 for Jim Boeheim.
The Titan starters all played well, including Jason, who shot poorly but managed 7 assists. Nick, JH2, and Doug all scored in double figures, with Doug totaling 18 points to lead the way.
The disappointing thing I remember about this game is then Detroit mayor Dave Bing traveling to Syracuse and attending the game, not to support the Titans, but to support and celebrate Boeheim. I didn't mind Bing's support of his 'Cuse teammate, but during the entire time he was Mayor I don't remember him making the short drive to Calihan to support the City's only D1 team.
The Titans fell to 6-5 with the loss while Syracuse improved to 10-0. This was one of those games where our short bench was a factor.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 20, 2022 14:11:46 GMT -5
On December 19, 2022, two days after the close loss to third ranked Syracuse, the Titans traveled to Mississippi to take on a 2-8 Alcorn State team. Perhaps it was the hangover from a tough game with the Orange, but it took the Titans awhile to hit their stride. Alcorn State led early, 9-2. Detroit led by only six at the break before opening the second half with a 14-0 run to take full control. The final score was Detroit 74, Alcorn State 58.
Detroit put all five starters in double figures, with Ray scoring a game high 19. It was the Titans first road win of the year after five losses away from Calihan.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jan 2, 2023 0:42:21 GMT -5
(Late Entry) On December 30, 2012, the Titans hosted a good Canisius team. The Golden Griffins came into the game with a 9-3 record. The Titans got off to a fast start and led by 10 in the first half before a Canisius run gave the Griffs a 3 point lead at the break. Detroit controlled the second half to come away with an 83-78 victory. It was Detroit's 15th consecutive home win. The starters scored all of the Detroit points, with Ray leading the way with 22. He also had 7 assists, 5 rebounds, two steals, and a block. The Titans improved to 8-5. Highlights of the game (including a couple of Doug jams) in the link below. detroittitans.com/news/2012/12/30/GEN_1230123519.aspx
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