Live Blog: Benedictine vs. Aurora

Well it's NAC tournament time and I figured what better way than to live blog the rivalry matchup between Aurora and Benedictine.

Be sure to follow along throughout the game for my comments and the like. Join in if you'd like to as well.

Before game: This is the third meeting between the two conference rivals this year, with Aurora taking both contests by double digits.

However, this is a completely different Benedictine team from the last time they played, which was over two weeks ago. They seem to have found their stride late, winning their last four games to sneak into the NAC tournament as the seven seed.

They have been getting solid play out of their two big posts in Tim McGinty and Luke Johnson. Michael Woolf has also stepped up his game as well to take more control of the BenU offense.

Aurora, meanwhile, has been rolling through conference, falling only twice, once to Marian in January and then to Lakeland in Lakeland the first game of Februrary.

They have multiple weapons, led by Marious Lobdell. Mike Bumber is also one of those guys and as a transfer from BenU and a senior, I'm sure he's not going to want to lose to the team he played for.

Game is being played at Thornton Gymnasium. Oh how I miss playing in that gym. Rivalry always seemed more real on the road for me because the Aurora fans usually packed it and there was nothing better than interacting with them after a big shot.

Two keys that I outlined in my uber-blog: Pace and bench play. Benedictine has to take care of the ball to slow down Aurora's transition and they must be able to shutdown their penetration. If Aurora can do both those things, its going to be a blowout.

Aurora also has a more potent bench then Benedictine does, so it's important for the Eagles bench to match at least their energy and shut them down a bit, otherwise Aurora is going to run away.

Eight minutes until the starting lineups are announced. I'm getting way too excited. Probably just the competitive juices.

Three minutes to starting lineups and I nearly lost the rest of my Chipotle burrito bowl. Good thing though, I saved it.

My pick for this game is Aurora. My heart wants BenU to pull it off but Aurora is too deep for the Eagles and win in a lot of different ways. But the game will be close.

20:00 First half: And away we go.

16:42 First half: Pace is to Aurora's liking, have already been able to get up and down the court a couple of times at the speed they want to.

14:00 First half: Tough for Benedictine's two big guys when one of them has to guard a smaller, quicker guy...might have to adjust if you are the Eagles.

13:30 First half: Former Eagle Bumber with a dunk. Not good giving that guy confidence if you are Benedictine.

11:20 First half: Aurora is really leaking a guard out on every Benedictine shot. Like the guy is just releasing. Spartans have burned Eagles a few times with that guy.

10:00 First half: Aurora is really playing tough defense. They are making Benedictine shoot over them and not allowing them any easy looks on penetration at the rim.

8:30 First half: Aurora now hitting their midrangers thanks to the built-up confidence from going to the rim. They are up 11.

7:15 First half: Our first timeout, to Benedictine because they can't get the ball in. Aurora is really taking it to them on both ends of the court. Need a run to the end of the half if you are the Eagles.

6:34 First half: Spartans just hit a 3-pointer. Bunks has seen enough and calls a timeout. Danger time if you are BenU. Have to cut it to 8 before half. That has to happen or their is no shot.

5:00 First half: Everything on the offensive end coming too easy for the Spartans. BenU not playing much defense at all.

2:30 First half: BenU trying to come back, but they are ice cold right now from anywhere except at the rim when they get there, which isn't very much. Not a good recipe.

Halftime: Eagles put on a little spurt at the end, but I'm not sure it's going to be enough. Aurora is up 44-31 heading to the break.

Couple of observations. Benedictine, when they get to the paint are a lot better in this game. The offense picked up at the end of the second half and the were able to get some kick outs and hit some shots.

Problem was they couldn't stop anybody. Aurora is murdering them and BenU's penetration defense is awful. No help and everyone is out of position on the closeout, allowing the Spartans to take it right to the rack.

Aurora is also hitting their shots, too. Especially Bumber, who has 11 points to lead the Spartans. He is on a mission.

Some eye-popping stats. Benedictine is shooting just 30 percent from the field and less than 20 from beyond the arc. Aurora didn't turn the ball over in the half.

Also of note (and if anyone knows why it would be appreciated), Marious Lobdell not in the lineup for the Spartans. Not sure why that is because he was in the last game against Dominican.

For the Eagles, you have to be a little happy with where you are at. You played a terrible half and are only down 13. Could've been a lot worse.

If your Aurora you just have to keep doing what you are doing. You are getting everything at will on the offensive end and defensively your are causing enough havoc.

Also of note, both students sections today are shells of what they used to be for games like this. I'm a little disappointed and can't understand why.

Almost time to start the second half. Keep following along.

20:00 Second half: It's Spartans ball to start the second stanza.

17:30 Second half: Benedictine just fouled a 3-point jump shooter. Can't be doing that when you are trying to comeback.

16:30 Second half: McGinty is playing big for BenU, trying to keep them close. Thing is, whenever you think the Eagles are making a run, they give up an easy shot to the Spartans. Poor defense continues.

14:40 Second half: BenU makes a three-pointer to cut it to 12, but then gives up two layups in scramble situations. Just no consistency, which isn't going to get you back into the game if you are the Eagles.

13:03 Second half: BenU cuts it to 11. Aurora with at timeout with Eagles going to the line to make it a single digit game. BenU has been playing better defense in the stretch.

11:30 Second half: It's a 10-point Spartan. Aurora has stopped the bleeding a bit and has been trading baskets. Critical time here if BenU can extend the run a little further.

10:00 Second half: Aurora has extended the lead out to 13 points. Kind of getting away from BenU right now.

8:40 Second half: Shot selection has become new problem for BenU. Kind of just jacking it. Aurora is up 16 right now. Danger time for Eagles.

7:40 Second half: Huge three from Bumber by Aurora makes it a 19 point lead for Spartans.

6:20 Second half: Aurora calls timeout, they are up 71-56. BenU trying to make one last push here but I think the damage has been done.

3:30 Second half: A short 5-0 run by Aurora extend their lead out to 79-63. That is too much to overcome for the Eagles.

0:00 Second half: Aurora win this one and moves on to the semifinal round.

In the end that first half killed Benedictine. They weren't able to recover. Too many poor defensive stretches from the Eagles that really hurt them.

But they will bounce back next year. They are a young team and lose only two seniors this year. Thinks are looking up for Benedictine.

As for Aurora, they imposed their will on yet another team and established themselves as a favorite to win the NAC tournament title. If they can keep the pace of play up, I'm sure that they will find themselves with a dang good shot to do it.

Thanks for tuning in and be sure to check out my other blog posts and stay on the look out for new material.