BayHawks have a capital H, but Bighorns have a little H. Some things I'll just never understand.
These two teams square off today at 1 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. local time) in Boise on day three of the D-League Showcase. It's the first and only time they'll play this year, meaning it's the first and only time the BayHawks will match up against the (unfortunately) recently retired from blogging "Boom Tho" Rod Benson this season. I won't be able to watch the game today as I'll be at work, but judging by the Twitstream of info I've been enjoyably following through the first two days of the Showcase, there will be good coverage of this game from other sources. So, be sure to check them all out as you go about your business.
Game 16 Preview: Erie BayHawks (4-11) vs. Reno Bighorns (5-9)
Erie coming in: After winning the final game of 2009, Erie started off 2010 with back-to-back losses on the road against Maine and Springfield, bringing their record to 4-11. Their disappointing record has brought about some changes. Mike Gansey was acquired from Idaho in a New Year's Eve trade that sent Donell Taylor to the Stampede. And earlier this week, the BayHawks cut Martin Zeno and signed former Creighton sharpshooter Booker Woodfox. Both Gansey and Woodfox are expected to be in uniform for their BayHawks debut today against Reno as Coach Treloar and the Erie staff try to get back on the winning track. This is Erie's first Showcase game this year. They play again tomorrow against the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
Reno coming in: The Bighorns have lost four straight games to drop to 5-9 on the year with their last win coming Dec. 26 against Tulsa. They lost their first game of the Showcase on Monday in double overtime against Dakota, 118-110. Russell Robinson led the way in defeat, scoring a game-high 34 points. You better believe they'll be geared up to make up for that tough loss in their second and final chance to impress the scouts in attendance at the Showcase today.
BayHawks keys to success:
- Work in the new guys, but don't overwork them
Gansey and Woodfox should get some minutes today, but the team shouldn't be expecting them to carry the scoring load on day one. If they can get some timely 3-point shooting, that would be a great boost that the team has been searching for all year long. - Defend the paint
Whether its Reno's post game or penetration from the point guard position, Erie needs to buckle down and play some lockdown D. Generic? Maybe, but it's still a key to success. - Showcase someone
Jackie Manuel, Alade Aminu, John Bryant, and Cedric Jackson are all viable options. The point is, the BayHawks need to find a go-to player, and what better time to do so than the D-League Showcase?
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