Wow, it has been a while since I've had time to sit down and write a reply, but I ALWAYS enjoy following the posts! 

My wife and I enjoyed the road trip last night, but, needless to say, not the result!   Still, I am happy for guys like Martin, Wright and Fazio who had their hearts torn out two years in a row!  I was especially relieved that Fazio was back, even though that meant a tough night for us.  I was very worried about his concussion and felt bad that his 1,000 point night was ruined by his injury (not to mention some rude fans of ours that I wish would cheer our team on rather than taunt our opponents). It was also fun to see 'oldtimers' like Nick Nedwick and Mason Choice and talk about the wars they fought with and against Jamie and his teammates.

As for the game - Robo was of course a beast, but after him, I thought Yarbs was our MVP.  I always thought that offensive rebounds turn games around and Yarbs had 3 or 4 that saved us when all looked lost. 

Hopefully we'll get a chance to end on a good note in the ECAC tournament!

As for today's game - Martin definitely deserves to go out on top, so, although I never thought I'd hear myself saying this, "Go Owls!" 

PS Jamie says hi to all!  He is having a great season in England's top league (still ranked #1 in player efficiency w/ 20 pts/11 rebs averages). In fact, in a few hours his team will be playing in the National Trophy Final, so there is still a chance for a Warrior championship this year! 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my LEC Blog Family! 
Although my attention is now often 'across the pond' in England, Jamie and I still 'bleed' blue and maroon and we'll be LEC guys forever! 
Hope to see you guys at Eastern's home games in 2013! 
PS Don't worry ECSUAlum - the boys will get back on the winning track in 2013!

Wow! I can't believe it!  We finally beat RIC at home!  That's the one thing Jamie and his senior teammates never accomplished in 4 years, so I know they all were pumped!

I must apologize to all my blog friends - they let me on the air a few minutes before halftime of the Nichols game and I planned on giving a shout-out to my LEC Blog buddies, but, in the excitement, I forgot!  I can't believe it!  I'm never nervous in front of an audience (I'm a former Ringling Brothers Clown!), so I'm really mad I forgot! Oh well, I promise next time to remember! 

As for Brian - he's out for two weeks (rules violation) and may or may not be able to travel to Florida.  Tough break for a great kid, who just made a mistake. Like Hamilton last year, he'll be back and the two weeks will be forgotten if we can win another title!!

As for Jamie - his team is doing great (13-3) - 2nd of 14 teams in England's top league.  He's still averaging a  double double (19 pts/ 10 rebs) and is ranked second individually in the latest England player rankings.  Needless to say, the LEC prepared him well for overseas! 

Mike made me look good in the scrimmage last night - leading the team with 17 points.  Starters Chris, Tyler, Joe, and Brian all did good things, while Brandon Yarborough (Yarbs)  and the big new kid, Daryl, did some nice things off the bench.  Eastern wound up beating Coast Guard by 31.  I'm telling you, they will be tough to beat this year if everyone stays healthy!

As for a back-up point guard - I'm not worried at all.  They have the freshman from Enfield, the other freshman who broke a bone in his ankle, but should be back in December, and Justin Nunez.  I think we will be fine at that spot.

PS I found out about the other freshman center.  He has some health issues they are checking out, before they can put him on the roster. I remember now seeing him play at the first practice.  I think he will be on the roster in a few weeks, but won't see much playing time this year. Could be a factor though in the future.

It won't be long now!  Let the games begin!  I enjoyed the predictions and preseason info - thanks all! 

As for your prediction for LEC First Team, 7express, I was surprised by the absence of what I think will be 3 of the top players in the league: Rashad Wright, Chris Robataille and Mike Garrow.  I might be going out on a limb here, but Chris and Mike could both be top 5 scorers and rebounders and Rashad was great last year and can only get better! 

ECSUAlum - I don't know about that missing freshman, but Daryl is the back-up center I was telling you about.  I don't think he's 6'7", and he needs time to develop, but he will be a good back-up this year and should have a nice career at Eastern.  Also, the point guard from Enfield is doing very well and could see some minutes right from the get-go!

Are you going to the scrimmage tonight?  7pm vs. Coast Guard.  Hope to see you there!

Yes, he got one big man, similar to Chris is size, who will be the back-up center.  It's hard to tell how he'll do, but we DEFINITELY needed the body, as we already played all last year without a back-up.  Right now the trainers are getting a workout dealing with numerous ankle, groin, knee type stuff.  Hopefully everyone will be 100% in a few weeks!

How true!  RIC has been a model of consistency for as long as I've been following them (5 years) despite, as you say, losing some great players each year.  I always said, we owe them a lot for setting the bar so high these past few years. Needless to say, Coach Walsh is the man behind that great run.  I'm glad he's still around.  I would love for Eastern to follow in their footsteps and follow up last year's success with another great year! 

Hi all! Good news from England - After 7 games, Jamie just found himself atop the season's first player rankings, thanks to his 21 ppg and 10 rpgs.  He plays in the first Division and his team is leading the league with a 6-1 record.  Clearly, the Little East prepared him well for international competition.

As for this year's Warriors, despite the loss of Nick, Jamie, Ham and Chae, I think we will still be tough to beat.  I am convinced that Brian Salzillo and Mike Garrow will match Jamie and Nick's point total, while Brandon Yarbourough does a lot of the good things that Ham used to do.  The challenge for Brian and Mike will be to fill Nick and Jamie's shoes defensively, while the challenge for Mike and Brandon will be to make up for the rebounds that Jamie used to grab, but I think they are up to the task.

We also have a talented new guard, but he is in a cast right now!  (Should be back in a month.)

As always - every game will be a 'dogfight' and the league title probably won't be decided again until the last week, but I have to say that Keene will be VERY tough to beat!

Can't wait to watch some games!

Tough loss, but a GREAT season - first ever LEC regular season title, first ever league and tournament title in the same year, most wins (24), highest national ranking (18th), most league wins (11), most 20 wins seasons in a row (3), .... just so much to be thankful for!

Now it's up to juniors Garrow, Robataille, Ives, and Hundley to lead the next group to another great year!  Needless to say, Keene and the rest of the LEC will be TOUGH as always, but, like I always say, I wouldn't count us out!

Thanks all for adding to the fun of this great season!
Warrior

7express - thanks for the vote of confidence.  Let's hope you're right!  (You usually are!)   

Eastern and LEC fans - check it out- D3 hoops wrote a great piece on Eastern! 
Wish us luck tomorrow!

http://d3hoops.com/playoffs/men/2012/eastern-connecticut-not-ready-to-go-home

Don't mind at all!  The more the merrier!  See you all in Middlebury!  
PS Magicman, You were right!  I guess I don't know as much about how they decide on hosts as I thought!    It appears as if seeding does take precedent over geography!

PS. Regarding where we will be next weekend, I have to disagree with Magicman.  At this point in the tournament, records and ranking mean nothing; it's all about geography.  (And I wholeheartedly agree!  Medaille and Oswego only had 5 losses combined, but were no better than us. Similarly, Middlebury has the high ranking, but still lost to a team we beat twice!)  With one team in Vermont and two in Pennsylvania - Willimantic is the logical choice!  Sooooo I hope to see everyone there next weekend where, hopefully, we can earn the right to carry the LEC banner to Virginia!   

Thank You Brian Salzillo!  Of course it was a FANTASTIC team win, but Brian's buzzerbeater will be remembered for a LONG time! No one of course was happier than Jamie, who, despite hitting 2 big shots in the second overtime to keep us in the game, would have only remembered the free throws he missed down the stretch. Unfortunately, Oswego's point guard, who missed his last free throw with 12 seconds left, will be doing just that despite his great tournament and year.  The highs and lows of tournament basketball are just mind boggling!   Congrats to both teams on the incredible weekend, and special congrats to the Eastern players and coaches  for the great achievement and an incredible season that still isn't over!

Greetings from Oswego!  What a night last night! Our game turned out well, but I was definitely rooting for Endicott in game two, so that we wouldn't have to play Oswego at home.  Halfway through the second half, it looked like I would get my wish (Endicott up 13!), but, as we all know, it didn't work out as I hoped.  Oh well, at least the gym will be packed, as it should at this time of year.  I heard that the winner tonight has a good chance of hosting the next round!  Wish us luck - we'll need it! (#21, their all-american center and #34 their power forward are the real deal! - not to mention their 52% three point shooting point guard!)