Smarter Than The Average Bear

The title of this post is, of course, referring to the average AU student. Between that and the above image (and yes that's the real Brown logo), I've already taken two shots at the nation's intellectual elite. Fortunately for us, they're not the basketball elite. Bam, that's three, I should slow down. More trash talk than a Holy Cross valedictorian can spell (and the reason why I refer to the mentally handicapped) after the jump!

Speaking of slowing down, I am sure Eagles fans everywhere breathed a deep sigh of relief that the BIG EAST-Big 10-SEC portion of our schedule is finally behind us. Now only two lowly Ivy League teams stand between us and our league schedule, and I think we're ready. Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, let's take a look at what the Brown Bears (5-8) have to throw at us:

• Brown leads the all-time series, dating back to 1970, 4-1. In fact, our first ever win over the Bears came last season
• Brown is 3-3 on their home court, however two of those wins are against non-Division 1 competition
• Senior Forward Matt Mullery is a BEAST. He leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists, and is coming off of a career-high 31 points against Sacred Heart in the Bears' last outing
• Brown is not doing well against the Patriot League so far this season. The Bears lost at home to Holy Cross in overtime after blowing a 10-point second half lead on December 2nd
  
• According to the transitive property, losing to Brown today will be equal to losing to Holy Cross, and that is something this blogger just cannot stand the thought of
• Brown leads us in most statistical categories. However, so did DePaul, which is something I plan to fall back on every time we have a poor game for the rest of the season
  

In line with keeping this short and sweet so you have ample time to rev up the live video feed here, let's take a quick glance at our Eagles (2-11):

• Unlike the Bears, we have not lost to Holy Cross this season (the fact we have not yet played them is irrelevant in my mind)
• Our projected starters again include three forwards and two guards. It didn't happen last time, so I'm predicting our starting lineup for this game to be Vlad "The Impaler" Moldoveanu, Stephen "Can't Stump the Lump" Lumpkins, Riley Grafft, Blake Jolivette, and Nick Hendra (whereas the official releases cite Simon McCormack over Jolivette)
  
• This is game 3 of a six-game road stretch, which is tough on any team
• Brown's tallest players come in at 6-8. Height isn't everything, but knowing we have at least two guys who can look down at them is always a nice thought
  
• Not to sound like a broken record, but for the love of whatever deity you choose, pray Vlad stays out of early foul trouble
• We had a great second half against Florida. We came roaring out of the gate and never looked back (and if we had had a similar first half we might have had a real chance). If we can play like that for 40 minutes, Brown is toast
  
• Final Verdict: We can win this, but it won't be easy. We need all the individual flashes of inspiration we've been seeing all season to happen together. If it does, I smell a third win for the season. Of course, that might just be the odor of an unwashed Bear
  

Yup, that's all I have for now. For oh so much more Eagles Basketball goodness, check back at 1 PM for the ever-popular liveblog! I will leave you with this tidbit: today's game also marks Rhode Island Special Olympics Day at Brown. Oddly appropriate, or would this be a better day for the Brown-Holy Cross game? Let us know in the comments!

Finally a very happy new year to all of our readers, what better way to ring in 2010 than with another W on our record (and as they say, third time's the charm)!

GO EAGLES,
Josh

P.S. - $%&! Holy Cross