bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-24-18 05:01 PM - Post#270056
This is by no means a game we are favored in, but it is definitely winnable, and I for one will be disappointed if we do not win. Kenpom gives us a 38% chance. We are 3 point underdogs. Of course if the shots are not falling we can lose to anybody, as we have already proven this year.
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-25-18 12:43 AM - Post#270063
In response to bison63
Has nothing to do with Bucknell, but as an aside about this tourney and specifically the state of the PAC 12, Colorado, 8-1 and ranked 60 ish coming in is playing in the 7th place game tomorrow against clearly the tournaments weakest team, Charlotte. They were beaten by Indiana State in the opener and then fell to Hawaii. Obviously, the Rainbows had home advantage, but I think Colorado’s performance here is symptomatic of how weak the PAC 12 has become.
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-25-18 12:44 AM - Post#270064
In response to bison63
Merry Christmas to all.
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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12-25-18 01:14 AM - Post#270065
In response to bison63
Merry Christmas to all.
And to all a good night. 
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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12-25-18 09:56 AM - Post#270069
In response to Bison89
ASU looked pretty strong against Kansas. But beyond them, Arizona and Washington the rest of the conference is mediocre.
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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12-25-18 11:03 AM - Post#270073
In response to jkrun80
What a GREAT Christmas Day. Family, presents, food, drinks, maybe a nap, and as a bonus, Bucknell basketball! Does it get any better?
BTW, I think that this is a very winnable game. I am expecting a Rhode Island-like game with athletic players who can get up and down the court and make plays. If the Bison move the ball, make open shots, and do a better job of controlling the defensive boards, we might end up with a Very Merry Orange & Blue Christmas.
GO BISON!
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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BisonFan4
Junior
Posts: 211
Age: 45
Reg: 12-30-16
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12-25-18 11:13 AM - Post#270075
In response to Bison89
All I want for Christmas is a BISON W!!!!
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-25-18 01:27 PM - Post#270088
In response to BisonFan4
Merry Christmas all.
Bison game is on ESPNU later this afternoon - 6:30 PM EST.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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12-25-18 08:07 PM - Post#270096
In response to Bison137
Great game for Funk. Keep it up boys!
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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12-25-18 08:28 PM - Post#270097
In response to jkrun80
Impressive effort. When shots fall it makes everything easier.
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Bucknellbisonfan21
Masters Student
Posts: 548
Loc: Bloomsburg
Reg: 11-12-15
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12-25-18 09:02 PM - Post#270099
In response to HuskyColonial
Not sure why they are letting Meeks play when this game is out of hand, he is clearly limping.
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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12-25-18 09:05 PM - Post#270100
In response to HuskyColonial
Impressive effort. When shots fall it makes everything easier.
Husky, I was thinking the same thing.
I want 100 points. Yes, I'm being greedy.
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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12-25-18 09:16 PM - Post#270101
In response to Bison89
My wish came true. It is a Very Merry Orange & Blue Christmas!
Way To Go Bison!!!
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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12-25-18 09:22 PM - Post#270102
In response to Bison89
Awesome performance! Clearly we came to play. Great to see them shooting well. What a way to end the tournament. Merry Christmas Bison fans!
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BisonFan4
Junior
Posts: 211
Age: 45
Reg: 12-30-16
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12-25-18 09:28 PM - Post#270104
In response to jkrun80
Yes! I got what I wanted for Christmas, in an emphatic way! Merry Christmas fellow Bison fans!
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HoleinOne
Masters Student
Posts: 596
Loc: Bluffton, SC
Reg: 02-15-09
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12-25-18 09:43 PM - Post#270105
In response to BisonFan4
Wow! Seemed like both teams were playing at different speeds. Bucknell was running every play and not sure what UNLV was thinking about. Bison hurt on the boards but seemed many UNLV shots missed and had big bounce out to Bucknell guards. Never seen a Bison team playing so relaxed.
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md2377
Freshman
Posts: 17
Loc: Williamstown, MA
Reg: 02-01-16
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12-25-18 09:56 PM - Post#270106
In response to HoleinOne
What a way to conclude a wonderful day. Merry Christmas!
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crd012
Junior
Posts: 262
Age: 35
Reg: 12-02-12
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12-25-18 10:06 PM - Post#270107
In response to md2377
This reminded me of the northeastern game but positive for us. We came out and didn’t miss and clearly cared. You could tell by the energy on the bench and even the people in the crowd we game to get a second win. We knocked unlv down with massive uppercuts and they didn’t seem too keen on fighting back.
I’m not complaining about a 6-6 OOC record...but man if we could have beaten fairfield and canisius I’d feel really pumped going into the PL schedule. Good win...good tourney. Now time to buckle down and take care of the PL.
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Bison7882
Junior
Posts: 253
Reg: 11-24-13
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12-25-18 10:09 PM - Post#270108
In response to md2377
I know this isn't a great UNLV team but it's still special beating them! A great game by the Bison!
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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12-25-18 10:29 PM - Post#270109
In response to Bison7882
I know this isn't a great UNLV team but it's still special beating them! A great game by the Bison!
Kenpom.com had UNLV at around #135 and Bucknell at around #175. So, I think that it was a very good win.
BTW, UNLV fell to #146 and Bucknell up to #152.
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-26-18 01:29 AM - Post#270114
In response to Bison89
Great win! Really thought we had a good chance to win an exciting tight game, but I’ll settle for the blowout.Wecame to Hawaii ranked 182 in Pomeroy and leave ranked 151. Not a bad tournament. RI lost to Hawaii in the 5 th place game, so while Colorado won the 7th place game. Both those teams URI and Colorado took major hits in ranking.
Of course it is easy to be bullish about the Bison after a game like this, and there will be nights when the shots do not fall, when we could lose to anybody in the PL. That said, IMO, anybody who does not think we are the favorite to win the league just isn’t paying attention.
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BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
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12-26-18 04:19 AM - Post#270115
In response to bison63
UNLV coach: “Once it started pouring, it started flooding,†Menzies said. “I felt like I was grasping for straws trying to plug the dam. I had no answers — personnel answers, timeout answers, bark-at-the-ref answers. I had nothing. I threw everything at them but the kitchen sink and could not find a rhythm for our guys. Player-led teams find a way to do that. We’re not player-led yet, which concerns me at this point.â€
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/unlv/unlv-bas...
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-26-18 10:52 AM - Post#270124
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
Btw, TCU beat Indiana State by 14 points in the championship game.
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HoleinOne
Masters Student
Posts: 596
Loc: Bluffton, SC
Reg: 02-15-09
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 12-26-18 11:06 AM - Post#270126
In response to Bison137
For those who didn't see on TV, one of the announcers, LaPhonso Ellis, ex-NBA player and frosh Walter Ellis' father, gave a nice explanation regarding what lead Walter to committing to Bucknell. While I doubt game had many viewers, hoping some 6'10"+ first team all state player was listening since it came across as a Bison tribute video - "great school, great program, great kids, etc."
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-26-18 12:05 PM - Post#270130
In response to bison63
Of course it is easy to be bullish about the Bison after a game like this, and there will be nights when the shots do not fall, when we could lose to anybody in the PL. That said, IMO, anybody who does not think we are the favorite to win the league just isn’t paying attention.
Updated Pomeroy projections for the PL:
Lehigh 12-6
Bucknell 12-6
Colgate 12-6
Holy Cross 11-7
American 10-8
Boston 9-9
Army 7-11
Loyola 6-12
Lafayette 5-13
Navy 5-13
Wins don't equal losses due to rounding.
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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12-26-18 01:10 PM - Post#270135
In response to Bison137
For what it’s worth, I think Ellis has a high ceiling too.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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12-26-18 01:31 PM - Post#270138
In response to HuskyColonial
One thing that is evident about both our men's and women's teams is their conditioning. Our teams are almost always better conditioned than their opponents. It was clear yesterday as we consistently beat UNLV up and down the floor. That's important in a 3 game in 4 day tournament and a 30+ game season.
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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12-26-18 02:37 PM - Post#270146
In response to jkrun80
Turns out to be a great trip for Bucknell. Not only a beautiful trip to Hawaii, but relaxing, some had family along...and es, they played good basketball overall. Shows how important shooting is, from the TCU game to the INLV game. I think somewhere in the middle is what we should expect.
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-26-18 04:24 PM - Post#270149
In response to MrPhillie
I think you are right Phillie, but it won’t be a steady dose of in between. It will come as hot nights and cold nights and average out hopefully as very warm. The cold nights will not be fun. But last night sure was!
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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12-26-18 06:06 PM - Post#270152
In response to jkrun80
One thing that is evident about both our men's and women's teams is their conditioning. Our teams are almost always better conditioned than their opponents. It was clear yesterday as we consistently beat UNLV up and down the floor. That's important in a 3 game in 4 day tournament and a 30+ game season.
jkrun, you are correct about conditioning. Paul Newman has really impressed me this season with how fit he looks, how he gets up and down the floor, and how he plays D. A credit to his work effort in the off season.
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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12-26-18 09:53 PM - Post#270158
In response to Bison89
Newman has been a pleasant surprise. It's obvious he's worked very hard on his conditioning, but also on his overall game. He has become a menace on defense. Now he just needs to refine his offensive game. He's made a tremendous leap from last season.
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-26-18 11:12 PM - Post#270166
In response to jkrun80
Here’s the thing, we still have not seen the full potential of this team yet. Newman will get even better, Meeks has not had the chance yet to really shine, and it may be weird to say about your leading scorer, but Kimbal has not gotten hot yet.
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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12-27-18 07:01 AM - Post#270174
In response to bison63
63, I agree about this team not peaking yet. IMO, contrary to popular opinion, Bucknell is the team to beat in PL play. If the other PL coaches watched the UNLV game, they are not sleeping well!
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-27-18 09:19 AM - Post#270175
In response to Bison89
Agree 89, but i’m not so sure “popular opinion†isn’t in our camp at this point. The Coach/SID picks were months ago, and like I said anyone not picking us at this point, just isn’t paying attention. Remember, even the PL poll had more people picking us first than any other school.
Finally, re: Lehigh, they have a nice ooc record, but they have only played 3 teams ranked more highly than themselves and lost all three. Their best win is over Princeton and that is their only win over a top 200 Pomeroy team (193). I am not sure I understand why Pomeroy ranks them as highly as they do. They definitely have talent, and they will contend, but IMO they have not done anything ooc to distinguish themselves, unlike the Bison, HC, Gate, and even AU and Boston. One would not be wrong however to argue that LU, has also not done anything ooc to hurt themselves, unlike all of the other teams I just mentioned. And I probably just answered my question about why they are ranked as highly as they are. Still, their pablum schedule does nothing to prep them for the league grind ahead.
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DoCtoR62
Masters Student
Posts: 463
Reg: 05-18-08
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12-27-18 12:42 PM - Post#270187
In response to bison63
Here’s the thing, we still have not seen the full potential of this team yet. Newman will get even better, Meeks has not had the chance yet to really shine, and it may be weird to say about your leading scorer, but Kimbal has not gotten hot yet.
I think the coaching staff did a masterful job of bringing this team along during the OOC. There are enough players contributing that we can afford an off-night by a key player, which wasn't the case in the early games.
Last year's team could (and did) win on nights when not playing to their best potential. I don't know that this year's group has that luxury. It has been fun watching them grow together and seeing different players show off their upside.
It will be an interesting PL to say the least.
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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12-27-18 02:26 PM - Post#270188
In response to bison63
Agree 89, but i’m not so sure “popular opinion†isn’t in our camp at this point.
63, I was talking about the preseason poll and every PL preview that I read over the summer that seemed to have the Bison finishing anywhere between 2nd and 4th with Lehigh in 1st.
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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12-27-18 06:05 PM - Post#270198
In response to Bison89
I’m curious as to why Walter Ellis has seen fewer and fewer minutes. To me, he looks like he has a natural fluidity to his game and he seems to have basketball intelligence and confidence, so I’m not sure why he’s seen less time on the court.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-27-18 06:13 PM - Post#270199
In response to MrPhillie
I’m curious as to why Walter Ellis has seen fewer and fewer minutes. To me, he looks like he has a natural fluidity to his game and he seems to have basketball intelligence and confidence, so I’m not sure why he’s seen less time on the court.
That was a question a few of us were wondering about. The only reason I can hypothesize is a defensive issue - which is a common problem for frosh. Plus the return of Nate Jones, who was unavailable early in the year due to his knee and then was likely getting back to full strength in the games before exams.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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12-27-18 07:34 PM - Post#270204
In response to Bison89
63, I agree about this team not peaking yet. IMO, contrary to popular opinion, Bucknell is the team to beat in PL play. If the other PL coaches watched the UNLV game, they are not sleeping well!
Most of the CBS pundits are picking Lehigh, though I'm sure this was formulated before this week. Also, I doubt they did much research on this year's OOC schedule and performance.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ne ws/...
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bisonmania
Masters Student
Posts: 920
Reg: 10-26-07
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12-27-18 08:21 PM - Post#270209
In response to jkrun80
I wonder how healthy Meeks is. I have been watching him move and he appears to not be at 100%. The Ellis thing I agree he is a freshman and has struggled at times but in fairness to him he has had very little time to get into the flow of the game when in and we don’t see practices. I think he has a huge upside however! Going forward I am very concerned that the team will shoot lights out and win by 30 and lose to a not so good team next game out. I hope I am wrong saying that but this many games into the season been a number of these types of games. I would just like to see consistency and if the 3 isn’t falling change it up !
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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UNLV game
12-27-18 11:06 PM - Post#270218
In response to bisonmania
I say this without concept: we are the patriot league that reloads and does not rebuild. It’s a compliment to the administration, coaches, and players.
And now the women’s program is ascending again. Bucknell is a special place with many special student athletes in all sports but it’s “a basketball school†first and foremost and I’m delighted.
Edited by HuskyColonial on 12-27-18 11:07 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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UNLV game
12-28-18 07:22 AM - Post#270231
In response to HuskyColonial
Sorry. I can’t seem to edit my previous post for grammar and spelling.
Edited by HuskyColonial on 12-28-18 07:23 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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