BY BRIAN T. SMITH
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Johnson City, Tenn. – ETSU coach Murry Bartow’s pleas had turned into harsh, guttural screams.
Bartow wanted defense. Aggressive play. Intensity.
“It was an important game, and I just felt I needed to assert myself a little bit more. So I did,” Bartow said.
It took the Bucs eight solid minutes to answer Bartow’s challenge. But once ETSU did, it never looked back.
The Bucs played their most-complete game of the season as they defeated Marshall 79-73 in a non-conference game on Tuesday evening inside the Memorial Center before a crowd of 4,080.
A much-improved ETSU (4-3) defense was the key. The Bucs held Marshall (3-2) to 38.8 percent (26 of 67) shooting from the field, while Marshall committed 19 turnovers.
Most importantly for the Bucs, they held their own in the rebound war – the Herd’s 38-36 advantage was offset by the fact that 22 of Marshall’s rebounds came in the first half.
“We went from a 1-2-2 zone to a 2-3 zone just to make them shoot – we knew they weren’t really a good shooting team,” said ETSU sophomore forward Mike Smith, who came off the bench to score seven points, collect six rebounds and dish out three assists.
Meanwhile, ETSU junior forward Kevin Tiggs continued his early-season charge.
Tiggs scored a game-high 24 points (9-of-17 shooting), while grabbing six rebounds and one steal.
“There was a little guy on me, and I knew I could blow right by him,” Tiggs said. “What was he gonna do? Grab me?”
Courtney Pigram used a hot second half to pick up 14 points and two steals for the Bucs.
Matt Walls led Marshall with 21 points, hitting 6 of his 14 3-point attempts.
After a sluggish first eight minutes, during which ETSU’s offense looked completely out of rhythm and lacked focus, the Bucs’ bench suddenly brought ETSU to life.
Smith and fellow ETSU reserves Jocolby Davis (five points) and Dequan Twilley (season-high 15 points) quickly gave the Bucs the edge they lacked in the early going.
“It’s important to get good play off the bench,” Bartow said. “I thought Mike looked a little more relaxed. Dequan was great. Jocolby was really good in his time.”
As Davis pushed the tempo and cut through Marshall’s interior, Twilley found a warm spot just beneath the middle-right side of the key, knocking down three mid-range jump shots in a four-minute span.
Then Tiggs came alive.
Starting from the top of the circle, Tiggs dribbled twice, crossed over, blew past two Herd defenders, and took a long leap before slamming the ball through the net.
When Tiggs followed with a putback basket on the Bucs’ next possession, ETSU grabbed a 22-21 lead with 7:30 left in the first half.
“[Kevin’s] just an energy guy,” Bartow said. “Kevin’s a very unusual kid, and I say that in a very complimentary way.”
The Bucs took a 35-31 lead into halftime.
A slow second half ignited for ETSU when Tiggs sent consecutive 10-foot jumpers off the glass and into the net, stretching the Bucs’ lead to 49-44 with 11:35 left in the period.
Tiggs’ inspired play also woke up Pigram.
After sitting on two points for the first 31 minutes, Pigram scored seven in the next 1:30.
“He played the way we wanted him to play,” Bartow said. “He took really good shots … he was very efficient.”
ETSU hits the road for a five-game road trip beginning with a matchup against Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8.
| (276) 645-2569

ETSU 79, MARSHALL 73
MARSHALL (4-2)
WALLS, Matt 6-15 3-3 21; BAINES, Tirrell 5-9 5-7 15; HUMPHREY, Markel 6-13
2-3 14; DORRIS, Mark 5-9 0-0 11; MARSHALL, Taurean 2-6 0-1 5; MERTHIE,
Darryl 2-10 0-0 5; WILKERSON, Tyler 0-2 2-4 2; OGLESBY, Jesse 0-1 0-0 0; BRO
GREBE, J.F. 0-0 0-0 0; JACKSON, Robbie 0-1 0-0 0; ALTIDOR CESPEDES, PM 0-1
0-0 0. Totals 26-67 12-18 73.
ETSU (4-3)
TIGGS, Kevin 9-17 6-10 24; TWILLEY, Dequan 4-6 6-8 15; PIGRAM, Courtney 6-10
1-1 14; REED, Andrew 3-8 1-2 7; SMITH, Mike 2-3 3-5 7; DAVIS, Jocolby 1-1
3-6 5; STRONG, Travis 1-3 0-0 3; SWADER, Kenyona 1-2 1-2 3; MISHLER, Blake
0-0 1-2 1; HUBBARD, Tommy 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 27-50 22-38 79.
Marshall 31 42-73
ETSU 35 44-79
3-point goals--Marshall 9-32 (WALLS, Matt 6-14; DORRIS, Mark 1-3; MERTHIE,
Darryl 1-6; MARSHALL, Taurean 1-4; ALTIDOR CESPEDES, PM 0-1; HUMPHREY,
Markel 0-4), ETSU 3-9 (PIGRAM, Courtney 1-2; TWILLEY, Dequan 1-1; STRONG,
Travis 1-3; SWADER, Kenyona 0-1; SMITH, Mike 0-1; TIGGS, Kevin 0-1). Fouled
out--Marshall-WALLS, Matt, ETSU-None. Rebounds--Marshall 38 (DORRIS, Mark
8), ETSU 36 (REED, Andrew 10). Assists--Marshall 11 (HUMPHREY, Markel 3),
ETSU 16 (SMITH, Mike 4). Total fouls--Mar

Posted by Brian T. Smith

Here are some leftover notes from the feature on ETSU junior forward Kevin Tiggs.

http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/sports.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2007-12-03-0045.html

- Tiggs was taught to “make the ball bounce off the white square” when he first learned to play basketball.

- Tiggs had never heard of ETSU or Johnson City before being recruited by Bartow and the Bucs.

- Tiggs also visited Georgia State, Ball State and Long Beach State before committing to ETSU.

- Tiggs said the hotel he stayed at while visiting ETSU was by far the nicest place he’s ever stayed in his life.

- According to Bartow, Tiggs—known for his constant smile—was happy and ready to go when the Bucs called a 5:30 a.m. practice a couple weeks ago.

- Tiggs said the biggest change he had to make in his game once he began playing organized basketball was “slowing down.”

“I’ve got the ball and I see three guys in front me and I just wanna kill ‘em,” Tiggs said. “But now, I can’t. I know I’ve gotta wait and slow down and run a play.”

- Tiggs constantly keeps in touch with his extended family in Flint, Mich., primarily his aunt.

Posted by Brian T. Smith

BY BRIAN T. SMITH
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Johnson City, Tenn. – The best solution to an early-season lull? Shoot the lights out. And set a few career-highs while you’re at it.
That’s exactly what East Tennessee State University did on Saturday afternoon inside the Memorial Center.
Senior guard Buccaneers guard Travis Strong scored a game-high 21 points and tied a career-high with five made 3-pointers, junior guard Courtney Pigram added 14 points and 11 assists, and the Buccaneers easily shot down shot down Tennessee-Wesleyan 98-60 in front of a crowd of 3,298.
The Bucs’ performance was a stark contrast to their last outing – an 80-76 road loss to Chattanooga on Wednesday, when ETSU committed 30 fouls, gave up 31 points at the free throw line, and was outrebounded 56-33.
“We just kept it loose,” said Pigram, whose ultra-clean game from the point-guard position keyed a 32-8 Bucs run early in the first half. “It was fun to play loose again. It relaxed us. And I just did what I could to keep everything moving.”
Former Elizabethton High School star B.J. Miller scored eight points for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Bulldogs (2-6), while Willie Maclin scored a team-high 14 points and recorded five rebounds.
“It was great for me to get out here in front of a lot of my friends and family and play in this place,” Miller said. “The score doesn’t really matter for us in a game like this. It’s more about what we take from it for our season.”
Senior Bucs forward Kenyona Swader (season-high 17 points) tied the mark for the second-highest 3-point percentage in ETSU history, hitting 83.3 percent (5 of 6) of his attempts behind the arc.
Sophomore ETSU forward Blake Mishler also set a career-high with eight rebounds, while freshman forward Micah Williams established a career-high with eight points.
Yet for all of ETSU’s hot shooting and eventual big numbers, the Bucs came out of the gate looking sluggish and out of synch.
ETSU’s net result after its first three offensive possessions was one airball and two turnovers.
Then Strong lit a fire.
Setting up on the right wing, his feet planted just behind the arc, Strong knocked down four 3-pointers in six minutes, pushing the Bucs to an early 23-9 lead.
“I just picked my spot, hit a few, and it kind of got us going,” Strong said.
Strong’s hot hand set a precedent for the Bucs.
ETSU shot 76.9 percent (20 of 26) from the field in the first half and knocked down 80 percent (8 of 10) of its 3-point attempts.
ETSU then stretched its lead to 49-17 before taking a 53-27 advantage into halftime.
The second half was little more than a glorified scrimmage.
Strong, Pigram and Swader continued to make the net sway, and the Bucs’ lead never fell under 24 points.
Yet ETSU’s walk in the park also served to illustrate major issues the Bucs continue to struggle with.
ETSU was often slow to rotate on defense – leading to numerous wide-open shots by the Bulldogs – and the Bucs slogged through stretches filled with defensive breakdowns, poor passing and turnovers.
The sloppy play did not go unnoticed by ETSU coach Murry Bartow.
“Number one, you don’t like it,” Bartow said. “Whenever you’re sloppy you don’t like it. And I critiqued that after the game. But when you’re not in your normal rotation … you know going in it’s going to get a little sloppy.”
ETSU faces Marshall on Tuesday at home before heading on the road for a grueling five-game road trip that will go a long way in defining what type of team the Bucs really are this season.
“Overall, it’s a win,” Bartow said. “A win is a win is a win, and we needed a win.”
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Posted by Brian T. Smith

NORTHEAST TENN.
Division I-4A
Morristown West at Sullivan South
The Rebels are riding an eight-game winning streak, as Curt Phillips’ consistently hot hand and South’s running game have bailed the Rebels out of three straight early deficits. Meanwhile, West has pulled together an up-and-down season to outscore its last three opponents 115-30.
South’s in for a battle. But the Rebels should have enough offensive talent to move on – barring another first-quarter no-show.
Prediction: Sullivan South 24, Morristown West 20

SOUTHWEST VA.
Region C, Division 2
Grayson County at George Wythe
The playoffs return to Pendleton Field on Friday as George Wythe returns to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. GW hasn’t played since a dramatic 14-7 victory over Chilhowie two weeks ago and the Maroons have been banged up. The week off allowed them to heal some of those injuries. Grayson County (8-2) won the Mountain Empire District title and early reports say this is the best outfit the Blue Devils’ have put on the field in a while. However, GW still has the edge.
Prediction: George Wythe 20, Grayson County 14
Region C, Division 1

Bath County at Holston
Here’s one prediction that is bound to be true – get to Damascus early tonight. The place should be packed as the Cavaliers make their first playoff appearance since 1995 and host their first postseason game in 22 years. First-year head coach Jason Matlock has helped reenergize a once-downtrodden program and such standouts as Eric Mefford, Aaron Reynolds and John Pratt have put together productive seasons. The bus ride from Bath County to Damascus is the longest in Region C and Bath County must overcome that. However, the Chargers’ experience in the postseason should be the difference.
Prediction: Bath County 28, Holston 26

Bland County at Rural Retreat
Rural Retreat head coach Quinton Hensley knows a thing or two about the Region C, Division 1 playoffs. The Indians have won regional championships in his first three seasons at the helm and the Indians are 6-0 in regional games since he’s been in charge. Bland, under the direction of former Tazewell coach Harris Hart, has been a pleasant surprise. However, Rural Retreat should still roll.
Prediction: Rural Retreat 34, Bland 15

Region IV, Division 3
Patrick County at Richlands
The Cougars had to win three games in a week and a half just to qualify for the playoffs, but their run stops here against the defending state champs. The Blue Tornadoes’ offense began to hit its stride in the second half Oct. 26 at Carroll County and has scored 81 points in their last three halves. Add in a long bus ride for Patrick County, plus Richlands’ stout defense and special teams, and you have a routine first round win for the Blues.
Prediction: Richlands 30, Patrick County 12.

Marion at Graham
If you like your football played between the tackles, this is your game. Watch fullbacks Tommy Lyon (Marion) and Tyler Barreras (Graham) if you want to see guys bounce off defenders and churn out tough yardage. The teams’ regular season meeting resulted in a 13-8 G-Men win on a late Scarlet Hurricanes turnover inside the Graham 5-yard line. It will be close again, but the G-Men have a little more speed and that’s the difference.
Prediction: Graham 20, Marion 14. 

Saturday
Region D, Division 2
Honaker at Powell Valley
This is a rematch of a first-round game from last year in which Powell Valley’s offense overwhelmed Honaker en route to a win. Look for the same scenario to unfold today at Bullitt Park. Honaker running back Logan Ball should get his yards, but Powell Valley has too many weapons on offense.
Prediction: Powell Valley 41, Honaker 22.

Region D, Division 2
Lebanon at Gate City
This is a rematch from Sept. 14. In that game at Tommy Bryant Stadium, Lebanon collected 255 yards rushing en route to a 33-13 win. As usual, senior tailback Skyler Musick starred with 126 yards and two scores. Gate City was intercepted three times by Lebanon. Since then, the Blue Devils have lost only one other game (Powell Valley) with a back-to-basics running approach. Gate City has won 85 percent (30-5) of its postseason games at Legion Field since 1966. The sound of Musick will ring strong today, however.
Prediction: Lebanon 28, Gate City 21.

Region D, Division 1
St. Paul at J.I. Burton
Even though J.I. Burton is a heavy favorite, this is a rather intriguing matchup. Burton went 9-1 in winning its second consecutive Lonesome Pine District title and the Raiders will attempt to win the regional title for the fifth consecutive year. However, injuries have been an issue for the Raiders. Meanwhile, St. Paul features one of the area’s most explosive players in Josh Brooks. Can Burton’s stout defense contain Brooks? Will the injuries continue to slow Burton? Those questions will be answered Saturday in Norton.
Prediction: J.I. Burton 33, St. Paul 16

Appalachia at Clintwood
Eight days after facing each other to close out the regular-season, these two teams meet again in the regional quarterfinals. Clintwood cruised to a 37-point victory last Friday at Appalachia as quarterback Heath Counts burned the Bulldogs’ secondary for four touchdown passes and Chris Robinson led the Greenwave’s ground attack. Look for history to repeat itself today at Ralph Cummins Stadium.
Prediction: Clintwood 45, Appalachia 8

Posted by From the Archives

Want to know the best way to guarantee a big-time performance from Tennessee’s football team? Try completely panning this team’s ability before a big game.
While this isn’t always a fool-proof method (see Florida, this year), just ask last year’s California team or this year’s Georgia squad for evidence. Better yet, how about Arkansas?
Outside of head coach Phillip Fulmer and his staff, and his players, no one—and I mean no one—thought the Volunteers could put the clamps on Arkansas’ running game last week.
Yet there was Darren McFadden, finding no room to run until the Razorbacks were down 27-3. There was Felix Jones, running ineffectively before leaving the game with a thigh bruise. There was the UT defense, playing like the ghosts of Al Wilson and Leonard Little had shown up in their prime.
And now Fulmer, who seemed at times this year to be a 50-50 bet to be moving out of his office in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center at season’s end, is in position to not only survive a potential coup d’etat by influential boosters, but to possibly reach a BCS bowl.
If the Vols beat Vanderbilt Saturday (which they should) and Kentucky the following week (a 50-50 shot at this point), they’ll play LSU Dec. 1 in Atlanta for the SEC title.
While the Tigers are more talented and will beat UT if both teams play at the same level, they are also prone to lots of mistakes. They lead the SEC in penalties and haven’t really blown out an SEC team since September.
Point is, a UT win over LSU in an SEC championship game isn’t likely. But it seems a hell of a lot more plausible now than it did about two weeks ago.
And if that does happen and the Vols reach a BCS game, there’s no way you can justify canning Fulmer. Like him or not, the guy would deserve to keep his job.
Remember when ESPN’s Chris Berman kept referring to former Detroit Lions coach Wayne Fontes as Rasputin for his almost-mystical ability to go on a winning streak just when the critics would start asking for his job?
One can make the case Fulmer has become the SEC’s version of Rasputin. And not a minute too soon for UT’s title hopes this year.
The Weekly Picks
Florida Atlantic at Florida
If Gators coach Urban Meyer wants to do it this way, quarterback Tim Tebow can pad his Heisman Trophy candidacy shamelessly against the Sun Belt Conference’s Owls. My guess is Tebow is on the bench before the third quarter’s end. There’s nothing at stake here except the Gators’ health—especially if they get some help in other games. Florida 52, Florida Atlantic 14.
Kentucky at Georgia
It’s not too often the Lincoln Financial game matches two top 25 teams, but that’s the case here. The Bulldogs haven’t lost since their no-show appearance in Knoxville last month, while the Wildcats overcame a slew of mistakes to win at Vanderbilt last week and keep their East Division title hopes alive. It would make sense if Georgia lost, since this season has been so unpredictable, but it still remembers how it came from ahead to lose at Kentucky last year. Georgia 34, Kentucky 24.
Mississippi St. at Arkansas
How about Sylvester Croom for SEC Coach of the Year? All he’s done this year is guide a decent, but not overly-talented team to wins over Auburn, Kentucky and Alabama—games which no one thought the Bulldogs would have won back in August. This game belongs on that list as well, and you can’t count MSU out. But I just don’t think it matches up well enough against the Razorbacks’ blitz-happy scheme. Nor do I think Darren McFadden will get neutered again. Arkansas 27, Mississippi St. 20.
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
At first glance, the betting line (Tennessee by 11 1/2) seems low in light of the Vols’ 6-0 home record this year. Then again, the guys in Las Vegas wouldn’t be there if they didn’t get this stuff right. And the Commodores do enough things pretty well to make this a game. But even if UT isn’t at its sharpest this week, it isn’t going to allow Vandy to walk into Neyland Stadium and leave for a second straight trip with a win. Tennessee 30, Vanderbilt 21.
LSU at Ole Miss
The Rebels have had two weeks to prepare for this game. And senior DE Greg Hardy has been reinstated after a two-game suspension by coach Ed Orgeron, giving Mississippi a pass-rush threat to scare anyone. But with so much at stake nationally for the Tigers, it’s hard to construct a scenario under which the Rebels can make this a game past the third quarter’s middle. LSU can’t make enough mistakes to make this one close, can they? LSU 41, Mississippi 17.
Louisiana-Monroe at Alabama
For the Crimson Tide, this is just a glorified scrimmage before next week’s Iron Bowl at Auburn. The last two weeks have been a reality check for Alabama, which almost stole a BCS bowl bid in Nick Saban’s first year. Two years from now, when Saban recruits enough four and five-star athletes to fix the program’s depth on both sides of the ball, this will become the SEC’s top program. Alabama 45, Louisiana-Monroe 20. 

Posted by The Continuous News Desk
College Sports