Davidson v Fordham @ John Belk Arena

On a rainy Saturday afternoon we all drove up to Davidson at the request of our neighbors to see Davidson play Fordham in the basketball.  I had been too a few games with Aaron previously (when games were late and midweek and his kids couldn't go), but it had been 5 years since the last time I'd been.  Thanks Covid!  So it was now a completely different team taking the field.

The game didn't have a lot of excitement to it.  Things stayed tight in the first half, until 5 minutes to go, when turnovers and missed rebounds saw Davidson go into the break 7 points down, 33-26.  That margin stayed the same through most of the second half, when Davidson tried to stage a comeback with 8 1/2 minutes left.  While they got within 2 points of Fordham, they could never get in front and ultimately Fordham held onto their lead for 25 minutes to run out 2 point winners 73-71.  Crowd left disappointed, especially my neighbor, but the kids had a good time, and I'm sure the mm's were happy to be sitting away from us during the game.

Fordham Rams 73 (K. Moore 22, D. Quinsenberry 21, A. Charlton 9) defeated Davidson Wildcats 71 (F. Loyer 26, D. Watson 10, S. Mennenga 9)

Crowd: 4,091

Davidson v St. Louis @ John Belk Arena

Davidson Wildcats 54 (P. Aldridge 21, K. Grady 14, W. McGarrity 9), defeated  St. Louis 51 (D. Roby 11, J. Johnson 9, H. French 8)

Crowd: 3,140

Davidson v Virginia Military Institute @ John Belk Arena

On the day that winter arrived in Charlotte, Aaron and I went up to Davidson College for my first game of the season against VMI.  We made out stop at Char Grill for a quick bite before walking into the Belk Arena moments before tip-off.

Turned out tonight's winner would be the team that could hit the target at least a few times, as both sides were shocking in putting baskets away.

While not playing well, Davidson looked the more comfortable on their home turf.  Once they got their noses in front midway through the first period, it stayed in the Wildcats control.  Although it seemed pretty even up and down the court, it was Davidson that took advantage of points when needed.  In the end I don't think that VMI deserved to lose by such a large margin, it was only their accuracy that let them down.

On the drive up, Aaron had mentioned that rumor had Steph Curry coming to the game, with his Warriors due to play the Hornets the following night in Charlotte.  Though an ankle injury made that a bit doubtful.  As usual the Davidson crowd redded up the arena, but I don't recall seeing so many #30 shirts before.  Curry did try, unsuccessfully, to slip into his court-side seat unnoticed, however it felt like that was all people were watching for, because a wave of hub-bub hit the stadium (and kids ran from everywhere to near where he was seated).  I feel like it affected the players too, as it seemed like everyone was trying to put down a 3 pointer.  In the end both teams combined only hit 16/46 from outside.  Hardly Curry percentages.

Davidson Wildcats 74 (J. Gudmundsson 22, P. Aldridge 20, K. Grady 10) defeated  Virginia Military Institute Keydets 51 (A. Vereen 12, G. Gilkeson 10, B. Parham10)

Crowd: 5,295

Davidson vs Dayton @ John Belk Arena

Oh Davidson!  It's a shame you don't play 2 x 15 minute halves, because the the last 5 minutes of each half were absolutely tragic, especially to finish the game.

Aaron and I watched as the Wildcats kept on pace, and then pull a little away from Dayton, before fading before half time to be behind by 1 at halftime (45-46).

We did get to see The Amazing Sladek at halftime.  This 58 year old gentlemen started with a couple of forward flips, before placing 6 chairs on a table in an incredible balancing act, much to the cheer of the Davidson crowd.  Definitely impressive and nerve-racking.

Davidson came out on fire in the second half.  After such a weak ending to the first half I was expecting the worst.  That was to come later.  When Davidson raced to a 13 point lead with less than 8 minutes to go, I thought it was a shoo-in, but alas, at that moment in time, Davidson forgot how to shoot.  They only managed another 4 points, as Dayton came back to send the game into overtime.

A lot of the Davidson crowd saw the writing on the wall and left then.  And the Wildcats proved them right, as they continued to wilt and eventually succumbed to Dayton 82-89.  These last 12 minutes of the game the Dayton crowd made their presence known.  Out-cheering and urging their team onto a well deserved comeback and victory.  In the end a disappointing performance and result for Davidson.  A different result if the halves were 15 instead of 20 minutes.  

This is my 6th game now, and while I still miss a lot of the calls, tonight it was evident to me how many bad and missed calls could be attributed to the referees.  By no means is this an excuse for Davidson, but considering how frustrating it was for the crowd, both home and away, I can't imagine the players disbelief.

Dayton Flyers 89 (K. Pollard 18, X. Williams 17, S. Smith 17) defeated Davidson Wildcats 82 (P. Aldridge 27, J. Gibbs 27, J. Gudmundsson 10)

Crowd: 4,889

NC State vs Miami @ PNC Arena

My brother-in-law is a big basketball fan, and when he came to stay with us for a couple of nights, all he wanted was to see a college game.  Unfortunately the UNC versus Duke game was sold out, but he was more than happy to see NC State play Miami up in Raleigh.

For the 2 days prior I had been ill with an indigestion and migraine problem, and it wasn't until 11am (an hour before we left) that I felt OK enough to drive the two and a half hours north.  Not a lot of traffic on the way up and we pulled a miraculous spot just outside the PNC Arena, and walked into the arena as the national anthem was being played.

NC State started strong, and from high up in the stadium, it looked like we were in for a treat.  The day was Armed Services Appreciation Day, so many local NC State Alumni were paraded on the court during the many time outs.  Nice touch, which had us getting out of our seats regularly for a standing ovation.  NC State powered to a 9 point lead at half time (45-36), and looked set to take the points in this one.

However someone put a rocket up the Hurricanes at half time.  They were a different, now determined team, that NC State had no answer to.  Miami totally killed it, while NC State looked like a shadow of their first half selves.  In the end the 5 point margin to the Hurricanes made it seem closer than what it was.  A lot of disappointed people leaving the PNC Arena tonight.

Was surprised by the number of empty seats in the lower level of the stadium.  While crowd was officially 17,567, I think that may be tickets sold, as well as season ticket holders who hadn't bothered to show.  We were on the top deck, right in line with the basket where the NC State students sat.  I liked being higher up, was a great view of all the action.

On the way home we stopped about halfway back to eat at Lexington Barbecue.  This 55 year old BBQ institution, was recommended by my father-in-law, who during his working years would go out of his way to eat here.  Food was great, and the atmosphere very southern.  Good stop before we had to make the last hour home.

Miami Hurricanes 84 (D. Reed 26, A. Lawrence Jr 19, E. Inzundu 16) defeated NC State Wolfpack 79 (D. Smith Jr 31, T. Henderson 21, O. Yurtseven 10)

Crowd: 17, 567

Davidson vs Fordham @ John Belk Arena

This may be the weirdest sporting event I have ever been to in the sense of the team I was supporting deserved the result they got tonight from the lack of drive shown.

We got into the arena just after tip off and saw Fordham race to an 11-1 lead, as Davidson missed shot after shot.  To their credit, Fordham had their defense set so well that the Wildcats had no way through, but also no variety in which to challenge Fordham.  Players seemed to be going through the motions until Davisdon, and the small home crowd, picked it up with 1:30 left in the first half.  This saw Davisdon drag the game back to a 3 point lead for Fordham.

After the break, Davidson seemed to get into a rhythm and took the lead, getting as much as 5 points in front.  Then in the last 5 minutes it all seemed to fall apart.  Baskets weren't falling for the Wildcats, while Fordham could do no wrong.  Having said that, Davidson just didn't seem to have the stamina, or want for that matter, to hold out for the last 5 minutes. Fordham ran out 6 point winners.

While I still have a hard time seeing what fouls are happening, especially off the ball, tonight's loss was easily put down to Davidson's lack of desire to create and drive against Fordham, who, to their credit, defended extremely well.  I lost my perfect record at Davidson games tonight (3-1), so am not sure it Aaron will be needing my neighborly services in the near future.

Fordham Rams 60 (Hawkins 17, Anderson 15, Chartouny 11) defeated Davidson Wildcats 54 (Aldridge 18, Gibbs 11, Magarity 9).

Crowd: 3,004.

Davidson vs Duquesne @ John Belk Arena

Another grinding win for Davidson.  I'm not sure if I am getting better at watching and understanding basketball, or the Duquesne were just so obvious in their foul play.  At 38-36 at half time, I thought Davidson may not be up for the battle, but fears were eased as they pulled away by 17 with 5 minutes to apply.  Official crowd was 3,321, but these may be Panthers counting numbers (every game sold out, only half the stadium full), as I don't think there were half the crowds in the stands compared to the last 2 games.

Basketball may not be in my realm of sporting knowledge.  Regardless, I am now 3-0 for the Davidson Wildcats.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Davidson Wildcats 77 (Aldridge 22, Gibbs 21, Watkins 14) defeated Duquesne Dukes 66 (Gill 18, Colter 17, James 11).

Crowd: 3,321.

Davidson vs East Washington @ John Belk Arena

Another night of college basketball, another night of sports bewilderment for me.

To me this game was very much like the one from two weeks ago.  I couldn't really keep pace with fouls being / not being called.  The irony is how long it takes to play the game.  So many time outs, so much minute by minute coaching required, so many deliberate fouls - where a played advantage would be more beneficial.  Maybe I'm not built for the sports America loves.

It was a pretty comfortable win for the Wildcats in the end. 10 points , but only because Davidson took their foot off the accelerator at the end of the game.  A may not know what is going on completely, but I am claiming 2-0 for Wildcats games I've attended.

What I did find surprising tonight was the amount of Australians in the East Washington team.  3 in the starting line up and 2 more on the bench.  I didn't even know 5 people in Australia played basketball, let alone would be good enough to be recruited by a US college.  And how does that happen?  How does anyone from EWU find out about players from Geraldton, WA?  And when did Victoria become a powerhouse in basketball? (4 in the team from there)?  Why aren't those big guys playing Aussie Rules?  While not the team I was supporting, always good to see fellow Aussies doing well.

Davidson Wildcats 96 (Gibbs 37 points, Barham 22, Sullivan 22) defeated East Washington Eagles 86 (McBroom 33, Jois 22, Bliznyuk 14).

Crowd: 3,714.

Davidson vs Mercer @ John Belk Arena

My neighbor, Aaron, is both alumni and a season ticket holder with Davidson.  It's normally a family affair, but school nights are hard for the kids to get to, so I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to see my first ever college basketball game.  So 30 minutes up the 77 and we are on the Davidson campus and entering the John Belk Arena.

Let me preface this review with the fact that I know the extreme basics of basketball (at a stretch) so this was definitely a learning experience for me (and probably a pain for Aaron, with all the questions).  We are seated 4 rows from the court behind the Mercer bench.  How much do I not know?  I had to ask where Mercer was.

The game itself was fast, too fast for me to keep up.  And without the help of replays I had no idea why fouls were being called and why the crowd was upset when they weren't being called.  What I do know is it was close, all game.  Davidson  took a 5 point lead into the half the break, and while there were a few scares, managed to hold Mercer off to take a 77-71 win. Shooting was far from accurate from both sides,  but this was definitely a good result for the Wildcats.

While I don't know much about the game, I feel I have learnt some things - if I can retain this knowledge is another story.  It was fun supporting the home team in a very one-sided crowd (maybe 40 Mercer supporters in the 3/4 full arena.  Was also great to see my mild manner neighbor get fired up for his team.  In comparison to Australia, where college sports are non-existent, American's definitely keep their connection to their schools, and it reflects in the difference in passion between college and professional sports in the US.  Hope I get the opportunity to see more.

Davidson Wildcats 77 (Aldridge 23 points, Barham 19, Michelson 15) defeated Mercer Bears 71 (Jelks 18, Lewis 10, Rivers 8)

Crowd: 3,861.