Earlier this week, I got an email from a buddy of mine. He had taken my generous gift of two complimentary tickets to tonight's exhibition game (since I'll be in a business meeting in New York City) and was curious about something.
"Have you been able to find a roster for these guys? I've Googled in years past and they're harder to find than a Wookie on Endor."
First things first. Wookies don't come from Endor, and if there was one there, it would stick out like Sasquatch in a cubicle sending IMs to the Loch Ness Monster and Starman. Second things second, it is indeed hard to find information on the EA Sports team.
Part of the problem is that their title sponsor is a video game company, so no matter how you search, you wind up with info on NBA Live and March Madness games. I told him that no, I hadn't heard who was on the team this year -- but if the past was any indication, the Jays would be in for a battle. They're just 5-3 against EA Sports all-time, and typically their experience (average age: 26) gives them an experience edge that is a tough test in the first game.
Finally on Wednesday, a poster on the Bluejay Cafe found the EA Sports roster. At first glance, it looked...interesting to say the least.
10 Mitchell Baldwin 6-1 180 Charlotte
22 Nick Porter 6-3 215 Creighton
23 Roberto Bergersen 6-5 210 Boise State
32 Jason Forte 6-4 215 Southern Mississippi
40 Dalron Johnson 6-9 240 UNLV
42 Earnest Scott 6-7 220 Valdosta State
44 Elvin Mims 6-5 215 Southern Mississippi
50 Lance Allred 6-10 250 Weber State
55 Cory Violette 6-8 255 Gonzaga
That's a helluva lot of size, which given the unproven nature of the Jays' frontcourt, could be a huuuuge advantage for EA.
The return of Jason Forte makes me nervous. He lit up the Jays last year, scoring 20 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Nick Porter had no answer in trying to guard him. And this year Nick will be playing alongside Forte! I'm officially concerned about this game...and that was before EA Sports knocked off Utah State 86-81 on Wednesday night.
To talk myself down, I re-read what I wrote last year after the 80-76 overtime victory against EA Sports:
"This looked very much like a first exhibition game ought to look. Sloppy turnovers, lazy defense, jump shots not falling. Meshing of new players with experiened players, trying to find lineups that work well together, and starting to figure out what you have...looking long-term, this is EXACTLY the kind of game a coach hopes for in an exhibition opener.
No, I'm serious. A close, competitive game that allows the regulars to get solid minutes, while at the same time being a sloppy game with lots of areas for improvement evident. And particularly an overtime game with two opportunities for game winning plays, one on offense and one on defense. You get the veterans' legs under them, and you get to see how the new guys respond to end-of-game pressure."
I suspect the same will hold true tonight. This will be a great test and allow the returning players to get some minutes, the new guys to get acclimated to the Qwest Center, and the coaches to get enough ammo to keep the guys practicing hard before the season opener.
Player to Watch: Nick Porter
Nick returns to Omaha after two seasons with the Jays in which he developed into an indispensable two-guard and fueled their late-season surge last year. Word on the street is he called Coach Altman earlier this week and promised he'd hang 30 on the Jays. Altman jokingly responded that they would just quote "make Nick dribble to his left" -- something he proved unable and/or unwilling to do as a Jay, to the frustration of Coach.
Pizza or No Pizza, That Is The Question
No Pizza tonight. I predict one of the new guys will get fouled with under five seconds remaining and the Jays stuck at 74 points and the game in hand. The crowd that remains will tense up, and he will wilt under the pressure. Its happened before.
The Series
CU holds a 5-3 edge overall against EA Sports and the former Global Sports, which merged together. Creighton won the last meeting 80-76 in overtime. EA's last win in the series came in 2003, when they won 66-65.
Prediction
I still think Creighton figures out a way to win this one. It wouldn't be shocking to see EA win; they're the only team to beat Altman in an exhibition setting, and they've done it three times. But I don't think its a good omen to be a Gloomy Gus and predict a loss this early. Nobody likes a Gloomy Gus.
Creighton 74, EA Sports 68
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