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Post by udballer on Jan 29, 2023 16:46:32 GMT -5
This latest road trip was interesting in a few ways. Mostly in that Antoine’s shot at claiming the scoring record is now inextricably tied to the Titans winning the HL tournament. He was guarded heavily and scored under the average he needed to pass Maravich, and now that average per game just continues to go up. Antoine is now 350 points behind Maravich with 8 regular season games remaining plus 1 guaranteed HL tourney game, meaning AD would need to average 38.9 PPG here on out. Simply not going to happen. If the Titans win in the first round of the HL tourney, it unlocks a second game and brings his needed average to 35. Winning a quarterfinal game and unlocking another game brings it to 31.8. Antoine has some cupcakes on the schedule in IUPUI and Green Bay, but he also has some tough opponents. Teams play tough down the stretch, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that the Titans need to make it to the HL championship game or win the HL tournament in order for Antoine to break the record. As I predicted in another thread... I think AD has a good shot at breaking the record. If we were to get 2-3 games in the Horizon tourney... that would benefit him greatly as you point out. I think he's due for a couple more outbursts which will make it more achievable. Plus, if there were a post season tourney that guaranteed us multiple games... I think we'd have our checkbook open immediately. At this point, this season has devolved into the scoring chase. Not a bad thing as many folks feel there is a tangible benefit for the program in total based on nothing more than his individual achievements. I dont see it, but I hope it's true and I'm wrong.
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Post by calihanmole on Jan 29, 2023 16:53:23 GMT -5
Just to add, these two losses make a solid appearance at the HL tournament even more important. With a W-L record this bad, I’m not sure The Basketball Classic would take the Titans, even though it’s a pay to play tournament that seems to have trouble booking teams. If the Titans finish the season something like 11-21, would The Basketball Classic even take the Titans? Maybe, if they REALLY need a team. And maybe. . . if Antoine is something like 50 points short of the record and he might break it at their tournament. But, I wouldn’t count on an invitation if I were the Titans (or Antoine), and it would be a lightning rod for comments such as, “Losing Detroit Mercy team with 11 wins pays to play in weak post season tournament so player can beat all time scoring record.” I’m not saying you should care what the haters think or that it would diminish the achievement, but that just can’t be the ideal way to get the record.
I’ve also been thinking that it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest that Stone’s academic ineligibility maybe have cost Antoine the record. The Titans were simply a better team with Stone on the court. More ball movement, better open shots, and gave Antoine chances to create space. Sure, with that system Stone himself takes some of those shots, but I do think Antoine would score more points with Stone’s help. And, I think Stone’s presence would mean more wins, which would mean maybe an extra HL tournament game, and a legitimate and respectful invitation and appearance in The Basketball Classic. Just thinking out loud.
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Post by calihanmole on Jan 29, 2023 16:57:37 GMT -5
Post season tournament that guarantees multiple games? Which one is that? I thought there were all single elimination.
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Post by udballer on Jan 29, 2023 17:27:45 GMT -5
Post season tournament that guarantees multiple games? Which one is that? I thought there were all single elimination. Not sure if there has ever been one. Just saying that if there was... that's the one we'd pick.
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Post by upbasketballfan on Jan 29, 2023 17:48:10 GMT -5
Some crisp one touch passes would eliminate the double team they are running at him then he needs to go to the basket. When they run two at him he immediately dribbles every time. Pretty easy to beat but 3 games in a row exactly the same D and exactly the same results.
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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 24, 2023 8:17:35 GMT -5
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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 25, 2023 8:26:44 GMT -5
In the print edition, the article takes up about half the front page of the sports section and then 100% of page 5B. There are two color photos and two b/w. Under the Detroit News masthead on the front page 1A, there is a small photo of Antoine and reference to the feature article. A lot of ink. FWIW, today’s Detroit Free Press has a nice but more modest size article about AD included on page 7 of their sports section, penned by a USA Today reporter.
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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 25, 2023 18:09:14 GMT -5
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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 25, 2023 18:33:48 GMT -5
Today’s jersey retirement ceremony on YouTube:
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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 26, 2023 7:51:02 GMT -5
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Post by bigchuck on Feb 26, 2023 12:31:19 GMT -5
Was anyone else a little disappointed in the retirement ceremony? He deserves a great sendoff. I expected at least some comments from the administration and introductions of those sitting with him. Still not sure what the BOX was about, but probably way to old to understand the nuances of it. He's a great player and it has been an honor to watch him for five years.
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Post by udballer on Feb 26, 2023 12:48:33 GMT -5
The box will remain a mystery to me.
Seemed like a missed opportunity to me as someone also in the crowd. I thought planning the ceremony for immediately following an emotional game (which we lost) was bad planning in general. Needed to happen either prior to the game or as a part of a future game once he's graduated. The entire idea to retire his # while still playing was lost on me... as was the box.
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Post by rbj on Feb 26, 2023 13:28:38 GMT -5
The box will remain a mystery to me. Seemed like a missed opportunity to me as someone also in the crowd. I thought planning the ceremony for immediately following an emotional game (which we lost) was bad planning in general. Needed to happen either prior to the game or as a part of a future game once he's graduated. The entire idea to retire his # while still playing was lost on me... as was the box. I think they were trying to promote the box guys business. Maybe they retired his jersey after the game because Mike Davis wont be returning as coach next season.
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Post by fan on Feb 26, 2023 15:02:05 GMT -5
Mike Davis (JR?) has been the team's voice on the radio most of the season, we might have a new coach named Mike Davis next year.
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Post by jimrockford28 on Feb 26, 2023 17:08:10 GMT -5
Yes I was at the game and felt bad for Antoine that we lost and then were retiring his jersey. I didn’t catch who the guy was with the white coat and couldn’t really see the gift. I think Earl’s comments lifted his spirits. Antoine stayed afterwards to sign jerseys and was really nice to everyone huddled around him.
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