Well, it is hard to quantify as Army has never remotely been in a place like this in the 25 year history in the Patriot League. Every win seems to set a new record for Army -baskeball performance in their league history. Interestingly, coming into the year Army was picked 3rd in the leaugue.... they are tied for second. American, on the other hand was picked 9th, coming off their worse season in a decade and getting a new coach, little was expected of them. They stand at 7-0.
The Army ballers have frankly "turned the corner" under Coach Spiker. They find way to win when they play well below their capability. They are winning more close those than they lose by a comfortable margin - hell , we rarely were in close games in league play at all 10 years ago.
Within the Patriot League, everyone now considers Army a threat with the deepest team in the league and some legitimate skill players on board. Kyle Wilson is playing himself into a First Team All Patriot League member. Outside the conference , as an , lower mid-mid-major conference, not many eyes are focused on what is going on in a much different looking Patriot League dominated by Bucknell and Lehigh recently. This will change. Should Army find a way to earn a home win today and find themselves tied for first place expect to see a few more stories about this team. Should they win the conference or , don't open your eyes now but, win the post season tournement and go the the NCAA tournement for the first time in school history, expect national level stories and a sure fire chance to say good-bye to Coach Spiker.
The bar is high today. American is playing their best ball of the year after a 30 point win over previously undefeated in league play BU Terrier squad. They are among the top dozen teams in the country in 3 point % - out shooting Army at what has historially been Army's bread and butter. We will have a real chance to see what we are made of this afternoon. We will hav to play much better than we have over the past 3-4 games to earn a major win today. You can watch the game , 4 PM tipoff, free of charge on the Patriot League Network ...go to patriotleague.org for the link.
The Army ballers have frankly "turned the corner" under Coach Spiker. They find way to win when they play well below their capability. They are winning more close those than they lose by a comfortable margin - hell , we rarely were in close games in league play at all 10 years ago.
Within the Patriot League, everyone now considers Army a threat with the deepest team in the league and some legitimate skill players on board. Kyle Wilson is playing himself into a First Team All Patriot League member. Outside the conference , as an , lower mid-mid-major conference, not many eyes are focused on what is going on in a much different looking Patriot League dominated by Bucknell and Lehigh recently. This will change. Should Army find a way to earn a home win today and find themselves tied for first place expect to see a few more stories about this team. Should they win the conference or , don't open your eyes now but, win the post season tournement and go the the NCAA tournement for the first time in school history, expect national level stories and a sure fire chance to say good-bye to Coach Spiker.
The bar is high today. American is playing their best ball of the year after a 30 point win over previously undefeated in league play BU Terrier squad. They are among the top dozen teams in the country in 3 point % - out shooting Army at what has historially been Army's bread and butter. We will have a real chance to see what we are made of this afternoon. We will hav to play much better than we have over the past 3-4 games to earn a major win today. You can watch the game , 4 PM tipoff, free of charge on the Patriot League Network ...go to patriotleague.org for the link.
