Games of Interest, Friday 12/10

[shaunguth]

Bradley opponents coming into today.......

Non-Conference (Div I): 48-41

MVC: 40-31
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Christian Academy (2-1) @ Louisville Eastern High School (3-0), 5:00pm CST

Utah (6-2) @ Michigan (6-2), 5:30pm CST (Big Ten Network)

Western Carolina (4-6) @ Campbell (4-3), 6:00pm CST

Nicholls State (4-2) @ Wichita State (5-2), 7:05pm CST

Bettendorf (0-2) @ Davenport West High School (3-0), 7:30pm CST

[tornado]

Nicholls State @ Wichita State

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/scoreboard?d=2010-12-10&refresh=60&c=mvc

but here's something odd...

Illinois State just now put out this release, dated 12/10/10, saying...
"Illinois State's longest homestand of the season (seven games) comes to an end tonight,
as the Redbirds host UIC in another non-conference tilt.
..Tonight is the 21st meeting between the two schools."

http://www.goredbirds.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/121010aaa.html

but I believe this to be in error, as the game is actually scheduled for tomorrow night, 12/11/10.
Hope the ISU folks don't all decide to finally show up tonight for a game and for once -- put their butts in the seats!

[bugregshu]

Eastern High school destroyed the Christian Academy 77-32. Remy Abell had 8 points for Eastern

Also, Davenport West took down Bettendorf by a score of 55-42. I'll post stats when I find them

[bugregshu]

Nate Wells was only 1-6 from the field tonight and finished with just 2 points. Here's an article explaining Davenport West's surprising start this year. Nate Wells is in the picture shown.

http://qctimes.com/sports/high-school/basketball/boys/article_62169cac-04e4-11e0-a5ac-001cc4c002e0.html

This quote is a little disturbing though...

"Jake Ashby led Bettendorf with 17 points despite giving away 11 inches in the post to West's 7-foot-1 Nate Wells."

Granted, I didn't see the game, but I find it a little discouraging that a 7 footer gave up 17 points to someone almost a foot smaller, while finishing with only 2 points and zero free throw attempts themselves.

[MajorFaversham]

Nate Wells was only 1-6 from the field tonight and finished with just 2 points. Here's an article explaining Davenport West's surprising start this year. Nate Wells is in the picture shown.

http://qctimes.com/sports/high-school/basketball/boys/article_62169cac-04e4-11e0-a5ac-001cc4c002e0.html

This quote is a little disturbing though...

"Jake Ashby led Bettendorf with 17 points despite giving away 11 inches in the post to West's 7-foot-1 Nate Wells."

Granted, I didn't see the game, but I find it a little discouraging that a 7 footer gave up 17 points to someone almost a foot smaller, while finishing with only 2 points and zero free throw attempts themselves.

I was at the game. Wells could have had a better percentage from the floor that's true. Wells was also a magnet for defenders and as a result freed up other team members to shoot. The misleading statement above makes it sound as if all of Ashby's buckets were only the result of Wells's inability to defend him in the paint. This game wasn't a one on one just between Ashby and Wells.

Insofar as zero free throw attempts, if you don't get fed the ball it's hard to get fouled. If you don't get fouled, it's hard to get a free throw attempt.

Naturally I'm biased because I'm a West fan, but be not discouraged. Wells is a good kid who's main concern is being the best team player as possible. He exhibits leadership on the court and drives to help the team win. That is the goal right? Win games first, but do it through teamwork.

FWIW, I don't think Bradley fans will ever regret Wells's decision to sign with the Braves.

[Braves4Life]

Thank you for your first hand insight Major. Bradley fans appreciate you keeping us informed about Nate. I can't wait to see what this kid will develop into on The Hilltop.

[mrcoachdude]

Thank you for your first hand insight Major. Bradley fans appreciate you keeping us informed about Nate. I can't wait to see what this kid will develop into on The Hilltop.

Ditto...

[Grassman]

Western Carolina loses to Campbell? Isn't that a soup co?
GOODNESS how bad are we
We lose @ home to teams that lose to S. Sakota and Campbell. YIKES

[MajorFaversham]

From your Davenport "Operative"...

In an effort to keep Bradley fans up to date on Bradley recruit, Nate Wells, I'll be posting any news of interest.

-- Major




Iowa High School Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders
12/9/2010
Written By: QUIKstats; Tony Atzeni, Iowa Sports Connection


DES MOINES, Iowa ??“ Throughout the Iowa high school boys basketball season the Iowa Sports Connection will update the statistical leaders in all four classes. It will be updated on Monday each week and the stats posted will be those reported by the coaches to QUIKstats.com.

Listed below are the initial statistics as of Thursday, December 9th, 2010.

REBOUNDING LEADERS
(Rank/Athlete/Class/School/Rebounds Per Game)

Class 4A
1-Adam Woodbury, Jr., Sioux City East - 14.5
2-Andrew Barnes, Sr., Pleasant Valley - 13.0
3-Peter Jok, So., Des Moines Roosevelt - 11.0
3-Drake Decker, Jr., Muscatine - 11.0
5-Jake Manning, Sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy - 10.5
6-Josh Weeber, So., Dubuque Senior - 10.0
7-Ben Boesen., Sr., Dowling Catholic - 9.3
7-Nate Wells, Sr., Davenport West - 9.3
9-Dillon Godfrey, Jr., Sioux City East - 9.0
9-Dominick Smith, Sr., Waterloo West - 9.0
9-Spencer Osborn, Sr., Newton - 9.0
9-Kyle Williams, Sr., Davenport North - 9.0


(Wells was not in the top "SCORING LEADERS" list, so I excluded it from this post. - Major)

"Note: The boy's statistical leaders are based on only one weeks of action. The remainder of the categories will be updated next week

ASSIST LEADERS

Class 4A
Class 3A
Class 2A
Class 1A

STEALS LEADERS
Class 4A
Class 3A
Class 2A
Class 1A

FREE THROW PERCENTAGE LEADERS
Class 4A
Class 3A
Class 2A

http://www.iowasportsconnection.com/article.cfm?article=19200

(I find it interesting that "BLOCKS LEADERS" was not considered important enough to be a part of this weekly update.)

[MajorFaversham]

A little perspective...

Once again to assuage the Bradley fan jitters about Nate Wells's individual performance, I'm providing some perspective about Davenport West's concept of the importance of playing as a team versus as a bunch of individuals.

Taken from an article written just prior to West's 55-42 win over Bettendorf
http://qctimes.com/sports/high-school/basketball/boys/article_6de06bae-0420-11e0-a507-001cc4c002e0.html

"Davenport West's ball distribution

The Falcons have shared the offensive wealth through three games, and six players are averaging at least six points. Joe Scott leads the way at 17.7 points a game. Darren Stringfellow is averaging six assists, finding teammates in the lane and on the perimeter. Also worthy of note is the fact that Nate Wells has brought his free-throw percentage from 40 last year to 68 on his 22 attempts this season.

(Bearing in mind that Wells was the top West scorer in game 1 and the second top West scorer in games 2 and 3. Also at the time this article was written, Wells's scoring average was 13.0 points per game.)

Bettendorf's offensive decisions

The Bulldogs have more turnovers (37) than made baskets (33) through two games, accounting for their 0-2 record. Last year, the team lived on 3-pointers, but even those boys were hoisting one from long range 33 percent of the time. So far this year, 3-pointers have accounted for 46 percent of their shot attempts. Getting the ball inside against Davenport West's Wells tonight will be tough, but the Bulldogs have to get to the foul line."

As I've stated before, Falcons' Coach Bigler stresses thinking and performing as a team and the results are his vindication.

[tornado]

thanks, I like being assuaged

[MajorFaversham]

You're welcome

thanks, I like being assuaged

Now that I've officially been mocked, I feel like I'm part of the group.