Edmund

I would agree with Ego...it would shock me for ECS to even have a winning record this year. They have some good players at some skill positions in Braswell, Selph, and Simmons, but their offensive and defensive lines are highly suspect and small. I am an ECS supporter, but their sports programs are steadily declining -- the school needs to make some drastic changes in the athletic department personnel and facilities if they have a desire to compete.

Harding expectations?----I expect Harding posters (excluding Egohaslanded)will predict another preseason state championship award right up until they are eliminated. Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda Academy again.

Briarcrest played very well. The coaching change they made will pay huge dividends for them this year and down the road. I believe they started one junior and the rest sophomores. Should be a good game today between the Saints and Byrne. ECS was never in the game, they were dominated on offense and defense by a much younger and smaller team that was better prepared and better coached. I thought Lausanne looked pretty good as well. Their guard play has improved to more than just Carlos Taylor, and I would expect it to be a close game with Harding.

I hope to be at the tournament today. ECS plays Briarcrest at 3, and all the rest of the games should be good today. I missed the Father Ryan game, and I haven't seen any of the Middle or East Tennessee D2 schools yet either. I thought Harding looked very good in their second game against ECS. I did not think either team looked very good the first game. I would rate the top three teams (in no particular order) as ECS, Harding, and Lausanne. ECS beat Lausanne the first game of the year (as they did last year), but the key was when Carlos Taylor fouled out midway through the fourth quarter. For either Harding or ECS to beat Lausanne they either have to get Gasol in foul trouble, or play a very uptempo game to tire Gasol out. If they play a halfcourt game, Gasol's size is just too much of an advantage. MUS is always dangerous on their court, and Baum is very good at this level. The most unpredictable will be today. I wish each team well, and look forward to the results, and I certainly hope the West sends someone to State this year.

I would expect that most people knew exactly what the Harding poster meant. I respect anyone's opinion as to who has the best team or who the best player...after all it is an opinion. That being said, Harding posters (with the exception of Ego) do seem go overboard in their enthusiasm, especially when they lose. It might be more fitting for their initials to be WSCA (Woulda, Shoulds, Coulda Academy) instead of MHA.

I was also at the game and thought Harding played very well on offense and defense. They shot the ball extremely well, and on defense they forced ECS to shoot outside...not their strength. I think they were maybe 1 for 16 from three point range. Meeks got into early foul trouble, and never was a major factor in the game. It was emotional and intense, as it usually is when these two play. I hope they meet again in the tournament.

Should be a great game tonight. ECS is playing very well lately with 20 point victories at MUS and at CBHS last week. Harding is better than they have played lately and needs the win for better seeding in the postseason. I would give ECS the edge in height and a slightly deeper bench. Harding has the edge in coaching and a better passing game. The real key to the game, I believe, is if Cottam establishes an inside presence. He was a non factor in the first meeting, and has to play large for ECS to win from here on out.

D2 posts have been somewhat slower these days...of course Harding posters haven't been quite so active, so that puts a big dent in the activity.

I would not be quite so harsh on their athletic ability, or their being a doormat. They knocked out a senior laden CBHS team last year from the post season. If they make you play their game, they can compete. I am not a St. Benedict supporter by any means, but I would not take them lightly.

I did not see the game, but Harding has a very good coach - in my opinion. St. Benedict plays a very deliberate offense, and if they shoot the ball well, they can compete with anyone. The key to beating them is getting a lead, so they can't execute their offense. Harding really misses Jan Williams, who was their point guard last year. I was suprised by the score, but Division II West is somewhat confusing this year. ECS is playing well, and having their best season in awhile. Briarcrest is very young, but I think they are improving. MUS, CBHS, and Harding are not playing very well right now. The post season should be interesting, especially when you throw Lausanne and Bishop Byrne into the mix.

I would not read too much into comments made by a sophomore. I was at the game, and I think the two teams will see each other more than once more before the end of the season. In my opinion, I did not think either team shot particularly well, but the difference was in the coaching. I was impressed with the Harding coach's move to zone defense in the fourth quarter. He was able to keep Tre in the game, even though he had four fouls, and he forced ECS to shoot outside - which is not their strength. Late in the fourth quarter, ECS made six trips down the court, and Meeks never touched the ball....not your best plan if you want to beat Harding at their gym. It was a great game to watch though, and I look forward to the next game at ECS.

I would be careful drawing conclusions from anyone's schedule results one or two games into the season. I expect Harding and ECS will match up well against Briarcrest.

I apologize if you thought I was nitpicking...but all you have to do is read the latest post by a Harding fan (mofototo50) to see my point. I think he said Harding lost two years ago to Father Ryan, when they "should have won". I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Harding basketball team, and especially your coach, so I do not mean any offense...just give the opposing teams credit when they beat you. Greatness is not defined by "would have, should have" but by performance at tournament time.

I would agree that it was an upset. Harding had a better record, and they have a better coach, but it was not a fluke. ECS outplayed Harding the entire game, and deserved the win. As far as previous scores go, you still have to perform in the tournament, otherwise, why would you have a postseason. I also agree that it was disappointing that all of the West teams were eliminated last year, but as I recall, they were all eliminated the prior year (including Harding). I guess that was a fluke as well.

So it was a fluke that Harding was eliminate by ECS? I saw that game, and Harding was outplayed and outhustled the entire game.