Off The Boards
By Jack Scheuer
March 25, 2015 Edition
No doubt Villanova’s loss to N.C. State was very disappointing. However, there seems to be an inordinate amount of criticism leveled at a team that won the most games in the history of a school with an impressive basketball history, and climbed to number 2 in the nation. This was a group that impressed everybody, not only with the way it played the game, but also with its great chemistry. That it picked the wrong night to come up with it’s worst performance of the season is unfortunate, and yes, disappointing, but those things happen in sports, and the better team doesn’t always win. Just ask the people at Virginia, Iowa State or Baylor.
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Okay basketball fans, raise your hand if you thought Temple would be the last Philadelphia team to still playing this season. Fran Dunphy deserves much credit for the way his team has rebounded from its 9-24 mark last year, and also for keeping his team focused after the disappointment on being by-passed by the NCAA’s selection committee. The Owls go for their third win in the NIT tonight against Louisiana Tech, and probably have as much chance as anyone to make a run at the title. The other team in the tournament with something to prove is Murray State.The Racers (28-5) won 25 straight games before losing on a buzzer shot in their conference tournament, but stilled failed to pass the famous “eye test.” One might suggest that the entire selection committee should see an optometrist.
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Trivia Time: Who holds the NBA record for the highest free throw shooting percentage? (at least 600 attempts). Answer at the end of the column.
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This and That: Some basketball referees are good, some not so good. In my opinion, Ed Corbett, Bryan Kersey and Pat Driscoll are 3 of the best…. St. Joe’s Deandre’ Bembry led the nation in minutes played this season (38.61)…. Yuta Watanabe, George Washington’s 6-8 freshman is the fourth Japanese player to play in Division One. He looks like he’ll be a player….Jaylen Bond has been invaluable for Temple except at the foul line where he is 20 – 57 (35%). He should get tips from teammate Josh Brown who has hit on 59 of 67 (88%)…. I would choose Wichita’s 6 foot junior Fred VanVleet as the best point guard in the country.
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Answer to Trivia Time: Recently retired Steve Nash is the leader at 90.43%, just edging Mark Price’s 90.39%.
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