RebKell's Junkie Boards

[mzonefan]

ESPN3 from Cleveland

11:00
21-9 Miami vs 26-4 CMU

1:30
18-14 WMU vs 26-4 Buffalo

[Joe Foss]

I like Miami's chances to upset CMU. The Chips won easily in the teams' only matchup this year, but that was when the RedHawks were struggling to a 2-5 record to open conference play. Since then, they are 11-2. New head coach Megan Duffy has instilled enthusiasm and confidence in players who were just going through the motions the past few years, and has developed depth from her bench.

CMU went with a "iron 5" approach this season, with all five starters averaging well over 30 minutes per game, and no meaningful points production from the bench. I thought that might be coming back to haunt the Chips in the quarterfinals, when they looked slow and unready for Eastern Michigan's press. MAC POY Tinara Moore also dinged her knee in that game, and looked much slower than I remembered her.

CMU's guard Presley Hudson may be the key player in the game. When she is on, she can drop threes from everywhere. But she was off on Wednesday, became noticeably frustrated, never recovered her shooting form, and finally fouled out. The Chips will need a lot more from her to advance to the finals.

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Ohio Bobcats WBB Fan

[Queenie]

Go get 'em, Megan!

On the other hand, an upset by Miami would really fuck up the MAC. It'll be hard enough getting in two if the favorites make the final; Miami or WMU would probably turn the MAC into a one-bid.

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Ardent believer in the separation of church and stadium.

[Joe Foss]

Halftime CMU 27, Miami 25. The Chips didn't score in the last 7 minutes of the half, committed 10 turnovers in the half, and Hudson is on the bench with 2 fouls. Miami's Lauren Dickerson keeps shooting, and shooting, and missing.

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Ohio Bobcats WBB Fan

[cthskzfn]

The Miami-CMU game is one of the most enjoyable I've watched ALL YEAR.

45-42 Chipps after 3, on a 26' Presley Hudson 3.

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Silly, stupid white people might be waking up.

[cthskzfn]

CRITICAL non-call.

Up 1 CMU misses a shot w/ about 12 seconds lefts but gets the rebound, but the kid walked before passing the ball out to the perimeter. Miami was properly called for fouling the passer, who made both FTs w/ 9.5 left.

Miami called time, and advanced the ball, and then missed a 3, rebounded, missed another 3, rebounded, and missed another 3 at the buzzer. All 3 shots caught rim.

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Silly, stupid white people might be waking up.

[Queenie]

Can't say Miami didn't have chances. Good fight. I've got faith in Megan to keep this program on the rise.

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Ardent believer in the separation of church and stadium.

[Joe Foss]

Chips aren't playing their best ball of the season, but are in the finals with the 61-58 win.

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Ohio Bobcats WBB Fan

[mzonefan]

I'm so bummed I missed this. I couldn't get a break from work in time.

I have Michigan ties on both sides, so either way it's good.

[Joe Foss]

[mzonefan]

[Joe Foss]

Buffalo puts on a late burst fueled by turnovers and leads Western Michigan at end of 1, 20-9. Bulls point guard Stephanie Reid has been using this tournament to show why she should have been a first-team all-MAC pick instead of being relegated to second team status.

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Ohio Bobcats WBB Fan

[Joe Foss]

32-24 Buffalo at the half.

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Ohio Bobcats WBB Fan

[Joe Foss]

Buffalo blows it open with a big third quarter run and wins 85-53. So it will be #1 Central Michigan v. #2 Buffalo in the finals tomorrow at 11:00 AM.

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Ohio Bobcats WBB Fan