U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam (Division I Men)Nov 19, 2016 by Brett Regan
Quick Turnaround & Rebound At Paradise Jam
Quick Turnaround & Rebound At Paradise Jam
FloHoops breaks down the Day 2 matchups for the 2016 Paradise Jam, including Loyola-Chicago vs. Oral Roberts and Montana vs. Washington State.
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands -- If the turnaround seems quick, that's because it is. For the first time all season, four teams will be playing in back-to-back days to get ready for the rest of their season, conference tournaments, and possibly beyond, during the second round of the 2016 Paradise Jam.
The goal? Put Friday in the past and don't let one loss turn into two. That's easier said than done, but the University of the Virgin Islands will be the stage to see which teams prevail in the consolation side of the bracket. (Click the team name to watch interviews from Friday).
How much does Oral Roberts have in the tank? That's going to be something to watch here because the Golden Eagles fought down to the wire with Ole Miss before falling in overtime. It was an emotional loss, no doubt, so if ORU can move on, this squad, particularly with its frontcourt of Emmanuel Nzekwesi and Albert Owens, can do some damage. For Loyola, Aundre Jackson was impressive with 22 points, but Milton Doyle was quiet and Clayton Custer is finding his rhythm. The Ramblers will need all three to have good games and for the supporting cast to knock down the open looks they missed against Saint Joseph's.
Although winless, Montana showed some signs of toughness Friday against North Carolina State and even had the lead heading into halftime. The Grizzlies have pieces to make some good things happen, too, just as long as they can take care of the ball. Walter Wright, who scored 22, can be one of those players to lead another charge Saturday. Meanwhile, Washington State simply had no chance against Creighton. It simply was what it was, but a breakout performance from big man Conor Clifford might be exactly what this team needed to help forward Josh Hawkinson now and for the remainder of the season.
The goal? Put Friday in the past and don't let one loss turn into two. That's easier said than done, but the University of the Virgin Islands will be the stage to see which teams prevail in the consolation side of the bracket. (Click the team name to watch interviews from Friday).
WATCH LIVE
LOYOLA-CHICAGO RAMBLERS vs. ORAL ROBERTS GOLDEN EAGLES (4:30 PM AST, 3:30 PM EST)
How much does Oral Roberts have in the tank? That's going to be something to watch here because the Golden Eagles fought down to the wire with Ole Miss before falling in overtime. It was an emotional loss, no doubt, so if ORU can move on, this squad, particularly with its frontcourt of Emmanuel Nzekwesi and Albert Owens, can do some damage. For Loyola, Aundre Jackson was impressive with 22 points, but Milton Doyle was quiet and Clayton Custer is finding his rhythm. The Ramblers will need all three to have good games and for the supporting cast to knock down the open looks they missed against Saint Joseph's.
MONTANA GRIZZLIES vs. WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (7 PM AST, 6 PM EST)
Although winless, Montana showed some signs of toughness Friday against North Carolina State and even had the lead heading into halftime. The Grizzlies have pieces to make some good things happen, too, just as long as they can take care of the ball. Walter Wright, who scored 22, can be one of those players to lead another charge Saturday. Meanwhile, Washington State simply had no chance against Creighton. It simply was what it was, but a breakout performance from big man Conor Clifford might be exactly what this team needed to help forward Josh Hawkinson now and for the remainder of the season.