Houston Baptist Preview

[Commissioner]

Houston Baptist

When: Sunday, November 19, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Curb Center, Belmont University, Nashville
TV: None
Radio: 910 AM

After Saturday's embarrassing loss to Seattle, the Titans have less than 24 hours to prepare for their next loss, to Houston Baptist, in what's called the "consolation" game, though I can't figure out how it is going to be consoling. Anyway, it will be Catholics vs Baptists for none of the marbles.

The Titans have never played Houston Baptist. HBU began playing D-I ball the same year that Dick Vitale arrived in Detroit. After several losing seasons, the Huskies had three straight 20-win seasons, and one NCAA appearance, under Gene Iba on the early 1980s. But after Iba left to make Baylor a power, HBU faded quickly, and dropped out of D-I after the 1989 season. The University eventually decided to try DI again, and resumed full status for the 2010-2011 season. Ron Cottrell has coached them for all 7 seasons, and last year got a winning record (17-14) for the first time since their return. The Huskies enter Sunday's game at 1-2, with a resume that looks like ours: a blowout win over non-DI Arlington Baptist, but a blowout loss to Providence and another to Belmont.

As you can see below, HBU has a couple of big centers, and 10 guys averaging at least 10 minutes per game. Their two leading scorers are freshmen. Can the Titans take out this Southland Conference team? After Saturday's embarrassment, I'm not so sure.

Probable Starters
PG - Braxton Bonds, 6-2 RS Jr. (6.7 ppg, 5.0 apg)
G - Will Gates, 6-1 RS Sr. (7.0 ppg)
G - Ian DuBose, 6-3 Fr. (12.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg))
F - David Caraher, 6-6 Fr. (18.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 41.2% 3PtFG)
C- Josh Ibarra, 6-11 Sr. (11.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg)

Key Reserves
G- Oliver Lynch-Daniels, 6-2 Fr. (4.3 ppg, 3.0 apg)
G - Jalon Gates, 6-1 Soph. (10.3 ppg, 35.0% 3PtFG)
F - Philip McKenzie, 6-4 Fr. (4.3 ppg)
F - Tim Myles, 6-6 RS Sr. (2.7 ppg)
C - Edward Hardt, 6-10 Jr. (5.3 ppg)

[MooseGuy1]

Okay, we have 24 hours to work up a game plan against the Huskies of Houston Baptist College, in a consolation game. Other than an empty arena, it's hard to predict what will happen.

Will Bacari Alexander be coaching? He's been on a leave of absence for personal reasons. What those reasons are, precisely, are a well-guarded secret. I'm guessing that only kirky knows and he's not telling. But I think we can eliminate some possibilities:

1. He's taken Rick Pitino's position at Louisville.

2. He's still nursing a hangover from that thrilling demolition of UM-Dearborn.

3. He talked to Dan Leach and is convinced that this game is in Houston.

4. Jermaine Jackson is actually running the team and Bacari is just a figurehead, like the British monarchy.

On second thought, #4 could be it. Look for JJ Jr. to be named our starting center.

I could find no line yet on this game. I'd say it's pretty close to a "pick 'em" but if pressed, I'd have the Huskies giving about 3.

Who am I kidding? I have no idea how to handicap this battle for consolation. I'm picking the Titans because that's what I do.

I just can't believe how fast this season is going into the tank. I'm still onboard and will continue to be. Because that's what I do.

Since following the team this is as low as I've felt about their prospects. I can't think of anything amusing to write or anything at all. Nothing about our predicament is funny. We have a boatload of money (relatively speaking) tied up in this coaching staff and we don't even play with any kind of fundamental game skills. Really grim.

Please just win this game, Titans. It's November. The days are dark and cold. And my blue light therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder does not seem to be working. That last part is no joke. Trust me on this. Just win this stupid game. I need a smile about something.

The Official Moose Prediction (from the mobile home office somewhere between Seattle and Detroit): Detroit-Mercy Titans 87 Houston Baptist-Mercy Huskies 86. GO TITANS!!!

[titandave]

I noticed that Tariiq Jones didn't play against Seattle; is he injured? I certainly hope that's not the case, at this point in time, Tariiq is a better option than Hogan or Blackshear.

[ptctitan]

The recap on the Titans' website said that Tariiq missed yesterday's game due to injury.

"Junior Tariiq Jones missed the game with an undisclosed injury."

[ptctitan]

mooseguy - you takin' the over on your line?

[ptctitan]

55-48 at halftime. 17 assists by Titans, 7 by JJJr. But Houston Baptist shooting 50% from field.

[MooseGuy1]

mooseguy - you takin' the over on your line?

I did not see an over/under on this game but, generally speaking, it seems that the odds makers underestimate how much we score and way underestimate how many we give up. Though I know absolutely nothing about points betting, I'd probably take the over on anything under 170.

[ptctitan]

Live Stats not working for me.

[MooseGuy1]

What is the deal with Bacari? Is he ill or having family issues? This is three straight games if he's not in Nashville today.

[titanmac]

17 assists first half. down to 2 in the second. cant see the game but its kinda scary

[MooseGuy1]

JJ Jr. sure plays a lot of minutes shooting 2-12.
He does have 8 assists, though, and that's a good thing.

[ptctitan]

JJJr shot us out of this game. Hogan is a foul a minute player. McFolley was useless with a stupid technical.

[sacredheartgreg]

Moose, its awful hard to tell a bird he can't fly, especially if he is your son.

[ptctitan]

Our point guards are 1-13 from 3 point range.

[ptctitan]

Well, well, well.

JJJr with 2 clutch 3-pointers at the end.

I take it all back for the next 5 minutes.

[titandave]

JJJr shot us out of this game. Hogan is a foul a minute player. McFolley was useless with a stupid technical.

Although I'm not keen on JJJr starting and playing 30+ minuets ..... his shooting down the stretch did get us into overtime.

[sacredheartgreg]

You got to play Prince in the OT, don't you?

[R.B.J1]

Very strange, ESPN has the score tied at 102-102, Cliff Russell says the score is 108-100 Titans. I'll go with Cliff Russells score!

[R.B.J1]

Titans win 116-109, did they play any defense in this game?

[ptctitan]

I take it all back until the next game.

Allen sets the arena record with 39 points. Chatman 21 points and 16 boards.