Quote from: magicman on December 03, 2009, 07:47:35 AM

Quote from: doubleaz87 on December 02, 2009, 04:02:06 PM
Mike Grimes (Albany native like myself) vs. Chris Ruiz on Saturday. Who wins that match-up?

Well, I wish the game was here in Plattsburgh so I could see it but at least because of the balanced schedule this year I will get to see the rematch on Jan. 20th. I think Oneonta might win this 1st matchup (but I hope they don't) because home court is huge in the SUNYAC. Both teams have gotten off to a good start and are loaded with vetern players. Plattsburgh, with the 2 juco players they gained this year, has had to adjust  the minutes that the returning starters receive. More options for the Cardinals this year means Ruiz isn't on the floor as much as last season and naturally opposing defenses are aimed at stopping him because of his All-Conference status and possible POY considerations. This opens up the other options the Cards have and it is why Ruiz is only the 3rd leading scorer on the team. It's early though and I expect by year's end he will be at the top. Cards still have to learn to share the ball and make the extra pass, but they're gettting better at doing that as evidenced by 5 players in double figs against SLU Tuesday night. The turnovers that plagued them in their loss to Elms College has been addressed and hopefully they will continue to improve in that area of play. I think the Grimes-Ruiz matchup will turn out to be fairly even but if I have to pick one I'll go with Ruiz. He wins the battle but Red Dragons score narrow victory. The wild card for the Cardinals is Steve Thomas. His performance could be a game changer.   

Very true... They are a better overall team with those two transfers... But as for the match-up I'm taking Grimes because he is very determined to go out on top and he will do anything to win the SUNYAC.

Mike Grimes (Albany native like myself) vs. Chris Ruiz on Saturday. Who wins that match-up?

Quote from: magicman on December 02, 2009, 04:29:15 AM

Quote from: doubleaz87 on December 01, 2009, 10:38:49 AM
Steve Thomas, Chris Ruiz and Plattsburgh really woke up Clarkson on Sunday night as they handed them their first loss. As former Clarkson Coach Stockwell was in attendance, the golden knights nearly got ran out of their own gym. Clarkson looked to be a strong team with plenty of experience looked like a chicken with it's head cutoff as they got killed by more then 20 points in the first half. Is Clarkson really that bad or is Plattsburgh really that good? Who knows, Plattsburgh ended up giving up that big lead as Clarkson got the game within 8 points late. 

I prefer to think that Plattsburgh is really that good. Seriously though this is a team that last year was in the majority of their games right up till the last few minutes and then inexperience got in the way. Poor shot selection on a crucial trip down the floor, turnover at the worst time, missed free throws during crunch time. You have to remember that 2 years ago Plattsburgh had the best regular season record in the country at 26-2  and was ranked in the Top 10. They lost all five starters off that team. Last year they only had 1 senior on their team and he only played for the 2nd semester. Most nights they started 4 sophs and a jr. They had to learn how to close out games. This year 2 new faces, Steve Thomas, a JC transfer, and Carl Munnerlyn also a JC transfer who was hurt last year and sat out the season have joined returning starters Chris Ruiz, Errol Daniyan, Danny Tangney, and point guard Ketema Brooks. Those 6 average between 20 and 34 minutes a game with 4 more guys adding 8 to 12 minutes a game. The Cardinals have the quickness and athleticism to stay with most anybody. They can come at you with full court pressure on defense and fast break, run and gun on offense. Both Brooks and Munnerlyn can run the point and Ruiz, Thomas, Tangney, and Munnerlyn can knock down the threes. Thomas is only 6"2" but plays like he's 6'6" or more. Ruiz averaged 18.2 ppg last year and was the SUNYAC's 2nd leading scorer. This year Thomas and Daniyan are both over 17ppg and Ruiz is 3rd on the team with 13.0 ppg. Munnerlyn also averages double figures with 12.2 ppg. Daniyan, the teams leading rebounder with 8 per game has turned his free throw shooting around in a huge way. Last year he was below 50% and the team was one of the worst in the country. This year Daniyan is the 2nd best free throw shooter on the team, with a 76.3 average. He's already won 2 games by hitting foul shots in the waning seconds.    Even Brooks, who is usually  pass first and doesn't look to shoot much can get hot and burn you as he did tonight against SLU hitting 4x5 fg with 2 of them 3's. I think the Cardinals have a good chance to reclaim that SUNYAC Championship they held for 3 years in a row before last year's learning experience. However as always the YAC will go right down to the wire and  Oneonta , Cortland, or some other team may beat out the Cards. But I like our chances and I like our chances for next year even more.

I can agree they probably are that good and your right they were very young last year. But do remember Chris Ruiz started in some games his freshman year and was looked to last season as the go-to guy. This year it seems like his role has changed a bit and that might be a cause for concern down the stretch if he becomes too laid back. He played a OK first half against Clarkson and then when the game mattered most he stalled out finishing the game 4-13 from the field with 3 turnovers in the second half. I say this but yet I still think he has the potential to be the best player in the conference this season.

Steve Thomas, Chris Ruiz and Plattsburgh really woke up Clarkson on Sunday night as they handed them their first loss. As former Clarkson Coach Stockwell was in attendance, the golden knights nearly got ran out of their own gym. Clarkson looked to be a strong team with plenty of experience looked like a chicken with it's head cutoff as they got killed by more then 20 points in the first half. Is Clarkson really that bad or is Plattsburgh really that good? Who knows, Plattsburgh ended up giving up that big lead as Clarkson got the game within 8 points late. 

As for the Tom Kelso thing... ummmm he is actually 6'9"... but yeah he isn't on the team anymore technically. It's a long story that isn't being provided to the masses. Potsdam has a long way to go. They can't defend teams with size inside (Which is every other team in the SUNYAC) and they can't defend the inside outside game as everyone saw in the Clarkson game. Dobbs needs at least two big men in next year's recruiting class in order to compete. The Bears play the want to be D-3 SUNY Canton tonight, we'll see what happens as they look for their first win.

Cooper is a hell of a talent, but again Chris Ruiz is looking like he might be the best player in the league. Last year he had games of 41 and 39 in the same week. Sadly I'm very worried about my Potsdam Bears as we only have one player on the roster over 6'5" in Tom Kelso (who might be the biggest hot head in the conference ) and word on the street is Kelso might not even play this year because of legal problems.

Both SLU & Clarkson should be top teams even tho Clarkson has a new coaching staff. Bard should be an easy win for any team in this conference. RIT might make news early so watch out.

I wonder who will take the AC this year? Plattsburgh looking good.