Game 5: Louisiana Tech University (In Cancun, Mexico), Tuesday, November 21st, 6 PM, CBSSN

[Washingtonian]

This is game one of the two game Cancun Challenge.

LA Tech comes in with a 3-0 record, beating Univ of Texas - Tyler by a score of 112-71, SE Missouri State by a score of 96-95 (in OT), and Montana State by a score of 71-58. The schedule is here: http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/latc-m-baskbl-sched.html

LA Tech is coached by former Mason assistant coach Eric Konkol, and assisted by former Mason player Tony Skinn.

Stats are here: http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2017-2018/teamcume.html

Jalen Harris is averaging 22.0 PPG/6.7 RPG, DaQuan Bracey is averaging 15.7 PPG, and Jacobi Boykins is averaging 15.0 PPG/6.7 RPG.

Discuss.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

LA Tech Basketball message boards

http://www.latechbbb.com/

 

[Pikapppatri8]

This is a tough one - love Konkol and Skinn as part of Mason Nation - however, in the goal of victory - they must be crushed - their wives taken and their children's surnames changed to Paulsen.

No mercy. No quarter. Only blood.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

This is a tough one - love Konkol and Skinn as part of Mason Nation - however, in the goal of victory - they must be crushed - their wives taken and their children's surnames changed to Paulsen.

No mercy. No quarter. Only blood.

That didn't sound very tough at all Hahahahaha

 

[Pikapppatri8]

That didn't sound very tough at all Hahahahaha

Well yeah you got me. >>>>starts sharpening his halberd and sings viking songs of valhalla.

 

[GMUgemini]

Looks like LA Tech runs a pretty traditional lineup. It'll be interesting to see if they can impose their size advantage on us, or if we force them to play small ball like we did against Louisville.

If we can force them out of their comfort zone, I like our chances (they don't have the same kind of talent sitting on their bench that Louisville did).

This Cancun tournament has an interesting set up -- two completely different brackets with two completely different champions where one bracket is filled with the four stronger teams (Mason, LA Tech, Fresno St., and Evansville) and another bracket with the four weaker teams (Binghampton, Montana State, CSUN, and SE Missouri). Win or lose on Tuesday, we're going to get one of the better teams in the consolation game.

 

[GreenLantern]

I will gladly punch Tony Skinn in the nuts to secure this game.

Us 81
Them 78
OT

 

[phoenix-arizona]

One nut punch and 10-15 bench points.

 

[psyclone]

We're 4 pt underdogs according to kenpom and 2.5 pt underdogs by rpiforecast.

While the home wins have been exciting and wonderful to experience, 2 of those (Lafayette and CSUN) are listed as #300 or worse and Binghamton is at #240 (according to kenpom) and have won only 1 game combined against a Div. 1 team. Meanwhile our close game against Louisville loses some luster as a result of Nebraska-Omaha (#248) losing only by 9 in the Yum Center.

I do get a sense that our guys have genuine chemistry among themselves and an ability to weather momentum changes during the games. We can hope that Coach will continue to develop the talent and come up with strategies that maximize our chances. But considerable patience on our part will be needed.

 

[dr. gunnie]

I think these next two games will tell us a lot about our team. Neutral site against some good teams - probably much better than Lafayette, Binghamton, and CSUN... and I'm not sure how good Louisville is or how rusty they were.

It's nice have a road game under our belt - this will be LA Tech and Evansville first game away from home, Fresno St just lost at Arkansas last Friday.

I'll be happy with 1-1, but 2-0 would be really nice.

 

[masonjoe]

Wait this isn't a tournament, it's just two games in Mexico?

 

[MasonCrew]

 

[Patriot05]

I think these next two games will tell us a lot about our team. Neutral site against some good teams - probably much better than Lafayette, Binghamton, and CSUN... and I'm not sure how good Louisville is or how rusty they were.

It's nice have a road game under our belt - this will be LA Tech and Evansville first game away from home, Fresno St just lost at Arkansas last Friday.

I'll be happy with 1-1, but 2-0 would be really nice.

Hopefully AJ goes scoreless and has no blocks so you can go back to telling people how dumb they are to be excited about him!

 

[GMUgemini]

Wait this isn't a tournament, it's just two games in Mexico?

There is a bracket and a "championship game," but I don't see a whole lot of difference between playing Fresno State or Evansville.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Can anyone start a picture thread to start some trash talking in advance of game?

 

[Bricker]

We're building a wall of points and LA Tech is gonna pay for it.

 

[MasonCrew]

I'm gonna be watching the game at Buffalo Billiards in Dupont. Not my favorite place, but it's right next to my office and I won't have time to travel far before tipoff.

 

[dr. gunnie]

I really don't look forward to playing Konkol's team, only because I root for him and LA Tech. Back when I was doing The Mason Bench and would talk to our staff, he was always super nice, always replied back to any message... just a real good guy.

One time Eric invited me and my son back to the locker room after a game in Dayton which my son thought was really cool. I remember a bunch of guys were getting ice from Debbie and my son got an ice bag too. We went home that night and I still had the bag of then melted water in the back seat. We put it in the freezer and anytime he wanted an ice bag for an injury he always wanted the Mason ice bag.

Good times. Hopefully LA Tech will only lose two games this year - tomorrow and to us again in the national championship.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

I'm gonna be watching the game at Buffalo Billiards in Dupont. Not my favorite place, but it's right next to my office and I won't have time to travel far before tipoff.

CBS sports has an app that you can watch the game on your phone as an option.

 

[Falco]

CBS sports has an app that you can watch the game on your phone as an option.

Thanks for this ! I was just about to post if anyone knew of an online streaming option. I have the most basic cable package...