MBB: Duke vs Western Michigan Pre-Game & In-Game Thread

[Newton_14]

Well, after playing only 1 game in the last 19 days, the guys get back to it on Friday when they take on Western Michigan. The Bronco's hail from the MAC, and bring a 5-7 record into Cameron Indoor. Interestingly enough, they started the season with 6 straight losses, but have bounced back to win 5 of 6 and their last 4 in a row. They are ranked 145th in Pomeroy.

A few factoids about Western Michigan (A few which are a bit surprising)
• This will be the first ever meeting between the Broncos and the Blue Devils
• The Broncos are 6-0 against teams currently in the Atlantic Coast Conference, including a 2-0 record under Steve Hawkins
• The Broncos are 1-0 against Clemson and 5-0 against Virginia Tech, with two of the wins against the Hokies coming under Hawkins
• The Broncos are 2-1 against teams from the state of North Carolina under Hawkins, but are 0-1 in road games in the state.
• Austin Richie scored a career-high 22 points in the win over Oakland in just his second career start
• Over his last five games, Mike Douglas has averaged 13.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists - all of which lead the Broncos in that time.
• The Broncos hold an average rebounding margin of +17.0 in their four wins this season
• Due to injuries, the Broncos have used five different starting line-ups in the past six games
• The Broncos are 61-of-66 (.897) from the free throw line over the last three games, all wins
• Nate Hutcheson is averaging 15.3 points per game over the past three games, including a career-high 24 points against Duquesne


As for our Blue Devils, hopefully they come out focused and do not display the rust we saw in the UNC-G game. It will be interesting to see if the guys learned a lesson coming out so flat last time or if the mistake is repeated. Also looking forward to what new wrinkles K has thrown into the offense and defense.

Time to hoop it up again. Discuss away!

[Bob Green]

I reviewed Western Michigan's roster and see they have a big guy who could challenge us inside. Matt Stainbrook (6'9" 290) plays 27.8 minutes per game averaging 12.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. In the Broncos last two games, Stainbrook tallied 16 points and six rebounds against Oakland, and nine points and 14 rebounds against Winthrop. Stainbrook scored 32 points in the season opener against South Dakota State and has scored in double figures in eight of 12 games. He has blocked two or more shots in four games with a high of three blocks against Southern Illinois.

I know nothing about this guy other than looking at his stats the past two minutes, but it could be interesting to see how Mason and Miles stack up against the big guy in the low post.

[Indoor66]

I reviewed Western Michigan's roster and see they have a big guy who could challenge us inside. Matt Stainbrook (6'9" 290) plays 27.8 minutes per game averaging 12.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. In the Broncos last two games, Stainbrook tallied 16 points and six rebounds against Oakland, and nine points and 14 rebounds against Winthrop. Stainbrook scored 32 points in the season opener against South Dakota State and has scored in double figures in eight of 12 games. He has blocked two or more shots in four games with a high of three blocks against Southern Illinois.

I know nothing about this guy other than looking at his stats the past two minutes, but it could be interesting to see how Mason and Miles stack up against the big guy in the low post.

Maybe even more interesting to see how he stacks up against Mason and Miles.

[Bob Green]

Here are a couple of links from the Western Michigan website:

http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticl...DB_OEM_ID=4600

http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticl...DB_OEM_ID=4600

Mike Patrick and Len Elmore are calling tonight's game on ESPN2.

[OldPhiKap]

Mike Patrick and Len Elmore are calling tonight's game on ESPN2.

A/K/A The "Ho-lee Cow {Grump}" Package.

[devildeac]

Here are a couple of links from the Western Michigan website:

http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticl...DB_OEM_ID=4600

http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticl...DB_OEM_ID=4600

Mike Patrick and Len Elmore are calling tonight's game on ESPN2.

Two more reasons the "mute" button will be used this evening so I can listen to the Duke broadcast folks.

[Reilly]

A/K/A The "Ho-lee Cow {Grump}" Package.

"Grump" is the perfect nickname: "Did you hear what Grump said last night?" ... "Grump was actually even-handed last night ..."

Grump. Onomatopoetically perfect.

[magjayran]

I'm very excited for this one since I'll be sitting with the Duke band.

I expect to see some rust from the guys tonight but I also expect a fairly easy victory. I'd really like see Seth have a good game as he seems to be playing a little under his potential in the last few.

[cbnaylor]

A/K/A The "Ho-lee Cow {Grump}" Package.

I only wonder how many names Mike Patrick will Butcher tonight!

[Bob Green]

I'm excited for tonight's game. These long lay-offs around the holidays are torture. Here is a game preview from the Kalamazoo Gazette:

http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.s...7_duke_in.html

and here is a very flattering story:

http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.s...mbraces_d.html

"There's no way I can look these guys in the eye and say this is just another game," said Broncos coach Steve Hawkins, whose 5-7 club takes on the No. 7-ranked Blue Devils (10-1) at 7 tonight in a game televised on ESPN2. "They're not going to buy that. They're looking over at potential NBA players. It's at Cameron Indoor Stadium. They're looking over at the guy that's the national coach (Mike Krzyzewski), our country's coach, coached LeBron and Kobe, not just Duke."

[moonpie23]

i will be there tonight...look for the really shiny spot in the crowd....that will be the reflection from my head...

[Saratoga2]

I'm very excited for this one since I'll be sitting with the Duke band.

I expect to see some rust from the guys tonight but I also expect a fairly easy victory. I'd really like see Seth have a good game as he seems to be playing a little under his potential in the last few.

Coach K tends to schedule weaker teams around the exam and holiday periods probably knowing the team will show a lot of rust. Clearly, we should be able to handle W

estern Michigan and give PT to many our our kids, including Quinn and Michael. I will be very interested to see how they do after having such a nice performance against UNC Greensboro. Glad to see the kids back playing and shortly will be into the ACC season.

[CameronBlue]

i will be there tonight...look for the really shiny spot in the crowd....that will be the reflection from my head...

Hence Moonpie? Otherwise no mention of "moonpie" here in the South is complete without "and an RC Cola".

[OldPhiKap]

Any chat?

[OldPhiKap]

nice drive Mase!

[Bob Green]

Any chat?

Section 21 at http://crazietalk.net

[Gthoma2a]

Quinn is hitting guys on the break very well! I think we have our point guard!

[slower]

In the course of their constant prattling that Duke has "no true PG", they seem totally unaware that Quinn Cook IS a true PG. Elmore says he has "true point guard instincts." Do these morons even WATCH basketball? Don't they have people to do research for them?

Yet another example of media monkeys who can only stick to their pre-ordained script.

[JMarley50]

Open court windmill from Miles! Nice!

[RoyalBlue08]

Two made up facts Patrick and Elmore are not going to let go:

1.) Duke has no point guard (In fact Duke has 2 true PGs and depending on how you count. 1-2 combo guards.)
2.) Duke is unathletic (In fact several key Duke players are better athletes then they are basketball players at this point in their careers.)