The Odds: Kennesaw State

[UD '01 grad]

Hens an 11.5-point underdog for tomorrow's road game.

https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaab-gam ... 63059#odds

[I-95 Hen]

Vegas has adjusted. I think the play is Delaware +11.5 but its tough. This game could get ugly.

[VIKING '87]

I'll have it under control since I'll be sitting in the stands somewhere behind the UD bench.

[hoopster]

Looks like we’ll have a walk on play at some point today. Taylor and H.Emory overmatched and unable to play defense without fouling.

[rooneyguy]

As expected, Hens lose to a physically superior team. But they played an excellent second half and just refused to give up in spite of the situation being rather hopeless.

[DaveB]

Saw Brey in stands which makes sense him being at Atlanta .

Houser was nail in the coffin but kudos to guys for the won’t quit mentality

[mpwerrell]

Perseverance, never give up. Give this group and the staff a lot of credit.
Just not enough quality players due to injury.

[hoopster]

Credit to our guys for playing the full 40 minutes. Crazy to have 2 walk-ons on the court at the time at the end.

Well, unless there is a miracle, the season will end next Saturday. We now have back to back 20 loss seasons.

[UDJoe]

[quote=mpwerrell post_id=464045 time=1772324827 user_id=414]
Perseverance, never give up. Give this group and the staff a lot of credit.
Just not enough quality players due to injury.
[/quote]

The available players and coaches all deserve a ton of credit, but the "due to injury" part doesn't tell the complete story. Two guys that could have helped their teammates and coaching staff decided they would not do so.

[VIKING '87]

As expected, Hens lose to a physically superior team. But they played an excellent second half and just refused to give up in spite of the situation being rather hopeless.

I was right behind our bench and the KSU team looked like far superior athletes. Couple of them looked like middle linebackers. Taylor remained positive and encouraging throughout the game. Houston and Macon's parents sat right next to me and Alex Kaz Mom was right behind. It was a great effort in the second half. Fom my perspective, the first half outcome was all about turnovers. Seemed like we had a dozen.

[hoopster]

Does Justin Fernandez still have 1 year of eligibility left?

[UDHoops]

Yes, outside of H Emory (and Kebe pending on JUCO/medical waiver status) everyone has 1+ more year

[mpwerrell]

Perseverance, never give up. Give this group and the staff a lot of credit.
Just not enough quality players due to injury.

The available players and coaches all deserve a ton of credit, but the "due to injury" part doesn't tell the complete story. Two guys that could have helped their teammates and coaching staff decided they would not do so.

Fair point. However, if it were only those two and Piper (lost for the season prior to the season beginning) we would have had 10. So “due to injury” plays a major factor.

[rooneyguy]

Yes, outside of H Emory (and Kebe pending on JUCO/medical waiver status) everyone has 1+ more year

Have to assume that Bliss, Fernandez, and perhaps Macon Emory will be poached by teams with more NIL money to throw around. I hope I am wrong, but that seems highly likely. Houser's injury may affect his availability well into the season. Ellison and Brown could decide to go elsewhere. UD should not offer Reilly another year after what he did in 25-26. Taylor, Kazanecki and Piper should stay around, but who knows? In short, MI is likely to have numerous roster spots open going into 26-27. Only one freshman recruit signed so far (Jafet Valencia , Small Forward | 6' 7" | 196 Lbs.)

All in all, it's a shame that UD is in such a bad spot in its ability to retain quality players. If all of the eligible players were to return (minus Reilly) and another big man could land in Newark, they might have something that could do very well next year in CUSA.

[hoopster]

Frankly I don’t know why Reilly hasn’t been dismissed from the program like Njoku. If I player does not want to make himself available when he has been cleared to play, how can he claim a roster spot? He should be dismissed for cause. He’s getting paid to play and refuses. We all know why but that doesn’t justify his spot on the team. There is basically zero chance he comes back to Delaware next year. If he does, MI should be fired on the spot for incompetence!