[Cider Jim]

It's less than 2 1/2 hours until tip-off at 11:30. Who's watching and who are you pulling for? The game will be televised on the deuce, ESPN2. Since Winthrop still reminds me of GM, I'm pulling for KG and UNCA. Here's a quote from the Asheville fishwrap on the game.

Keys to the game will include how effective Asheville center Kenny George can be on short rest. George played 14 minutes and scored four points in Tuesday’s opening-round win over Charleston Southern, despite having flu-like symptoms. He played 24 minutes and scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Thursday’s semifinal win over Liberty.

“When Kenny is in there, you can make the mistake of paying too much attention to him,” Winthrop coach Randy Peele said after the Bulldogs spoiled the Eagles’ homecoming with a 63-50 win on March 1. “His presence did bother us. He’s such a big guy, and he changes some shots.”

(Wondering if RP will consult TBGBG about his coaching strategy for defending KG).

http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 002/SPORTS

[thesportscritic]

at this point i could care less who wins the ball game. both teams are playing well right now so it should be a great game to watch this morning

[Fumblerooskies]

hmmm? Who to root for? Now that's a tough one.

[olldflame]

I'm conflicted as well, but at the moment I think I'll be pulling for UNCA. I really believe than when at full strength they are the best team in the BSC, but Winthrop has the edge in championship level experience. Also I usually root for the team that knocks mine out, so I can say that we lost to the "eventual champion". I find it somehow validating.

In addition, I guess I feel like having Asheville in the dance will bring more exposure to the conference due to the "elephant in the living room" factor. I sometimes feel conflicted about all the hype KG gets, but let's face it; he didn't do anything to promote it. He just grew to be enormous, and is trying to have fun and turn what in many ways is a real hardship for him into a positive thing. Can't blame him for that, and IMHO he deserves most of the accolades he receives.

[jcmanson]

I don't want either team to win because for Winthrop their fans are extremely cocky and it would be nice for them to lose because of their annoying fans, and for Asheville, I just don't like them. Whoever wins I will pull for in the NCAA. For Asheville's sake they better hope they win this year because it wil be at least another 3-4 years before they have another shot at it.

[sweetnahmah1]

Yeah i agree with everyone. Don't know who to root for. I want Asheville to win just to break Winthrop's streak. But I don't know who has a better chance at upsetting someone in the NCAA Tourney. I'll probably be rooting for Asheville.

[Fumblerooskies]

GO....
...DOGS!

[sweetnahmah1]

wow KG just airballed a mini hook shot

[belcherboy]

This game is ugly so far. I'm really rooting for Ashville. Winthrop is up early.

[thesportscritic]

like i have emphasized about George is pushing him from the low block and winthrop is doing a good job of that so far. and he (Kenny George) has not been a factor yet

[sweetnahmah1]

yeah he hasn't had one dunk attempt, keeps shooting crappy hook shots.

[belcherboy]

This game is AWFUL!!! This is almost unwatchable so far. 11-8 with 8 minutes left. Hopefully it will get better (or at least take better shots).

[Fumblerooskies]

UNCA is out of sync.

Now 17-8 Winthrop.

[thesportscritic]

i agree the game is very boring right now.

[belcherboy]

They showed Winthrop's pre game locker room talk and one of their goals was to hold UNCA under 55 points. It looks like they may be able to hold them to under 30 points!!!

[Cider Jim]

Half-time score:

25 Winthrop
21 UNCA

7'7" KG with ONE rebound at the half.

[Fumblerooskies]

UNCA is darned lucky to be down 4. Nice late run for Asheville.

[SuperJon]

Half-time score:

25 Winthrop
21 UNCA

7'7" KG with ONE rebound at the half.

Long shots = long rebounds. Kenny George can only rebound right around the basket.

[thepostman]

so far WU is doing what we couldn't...making shots....i can't believe i find myself cheering for winthrop....

[sweetnahmah1]

Halftime score was 22-18 BTW.

30-21 right now. Michael Jenkins is on fire. 20 of Winthrop's 30 points.

[sweetnahmah1]

KG can't get anywhere near the rim; no easy shots and no rebounding.

[SuperJon]

Asheville students are completely unoriginal. They just did a "You can't do that" chant. They didn't do a single one of those on Thursday. It's not that hard of a chant to come up with, but it's obvious they stole it from us. In two games at Asheville this year, I never once heard them do that chant. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Good to see they're proving we're the best section in the Big South.

[Realist]

We should be up by 20 if not for the unreal foul discrepancy.

[HenryGale]

Winthrop fans need to start an NIT chant!

[thepostman]

what kills me the most about this is we had the same exact open looks that winthrop is getting against ashville....WU is just better...