MBB: Liberty League

[Thunder]

This was dominence right from the get go. Clarkson got what shot they wanted anytime they wanted it. Clarkson ran some nice, patient offence.

Knights Unveil Banners at Halftime of Exhibition Win Versus Algonquin
November 9, 2008

Clarkson hoisted two banners comemorating last year's run to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. - Photo by Josh Fogarty

Potsdam, NY - At halftime of the exhibition game against the Algonquin Thunder, Clarkson University President Tony Collins and Athletic Director Steve Yianoukos helped honor the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team's 2007-08 run to the NCAA Tournament with the unveiling of a pair of banners. If Sunday's exhibition is any indication, the Golden Knights appear ready to defend that title as the Green and Gold cruised to a 79-59 win over the Thunder at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Knights took little time jumping in front of the Thunder, reaching a double-digit lead early on thanks to their guard play. Senior Brian Salanger (Syracuse, NY), junior Brandon Linton (Queens, NY) and freshman Felix Llanos (Queens, NY) mixed outside jumpers and quick moves to the basket to send the Knights on a 15-0 run and a 20-plus point advantage midway through the half. Clarkson continued to roll on, and held a 44-19 lead at the break.

Llanos led the way with 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting. Junior Keith Murray (Queens, NY) added in seven points and a pair of blocks, while senior James Evans (Hamburg, NY) had a solid first half with five points, four rebounds, and four assists.

The second half saw both teams' defensive efforts break down as quick shots were lofted at both ends of the court, especially by the Thunder. Algonquin scored 40 second-half points, taking 17 more shots in the second half than in the first with the help of 13 offensive rebounds. The Thunder's roll didn't matter much in the end, however, as Clarkson continued to get to the rim with plenty of lay ups along with timely 3-pointers.

Llanos finished with a game-high 15 points in just 18 minutes, going 6-for-8 from the floor, while Linton closed with 12 points. Ryan Smith (Niagara Falls, NY) contributed 8 points and 7 rebounds, and Murray closed with 9 points.

For the Thunder, Luc Minani recorded 12 points and 7 rebounds and Davidson Sanelus added in six points and 10 rebounds.

[buck1053]

Union played an exhibition this weekend as well, though they didn't fare as well as Clarkson.

Here's the story from the Albany Times Union:

Siena sharp in all phases
Saints solid on offense, defense in exhibition

By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer
First published in print: Sunday, November 9, 2008
LOUDONVILLE — Siena's first on-campus men's basketball game in 10 years was a throwback all right — not to the bygone era when the Saints called Alumni Recreation Center home, but rather to the end of the 2007-08 season.
   
With its offense video game- like and its defense almost air-tight, Siena routed Union, 99-47, in a preseason exhibition held before 1,622 fans Saturday.

Ten days before they open the season at home against Boise State, the Saints looked every bit ready to defend their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship and chase another NCAA Tournament bid. Against an overmatched Division III opponent, the Saints offered a 40-minute highlight reel.

The game was billed as a nostalgic match between two schools that once played at the same level. Instead, it kindled memories of a season ago, when Siena boasted the MAAC's best offense and became a defensive dynamo down the stretch.

Take this first-half play: On a 3-on-1 break, point guard Ronald Moore dished a no-look pass to Kenny Hasbrouck, who then lobbed the ball above the rim for Edwin Ubiles, who finished the alley-oop. The play was all ad-lib, a perfect sign of Siena synchronizing.

"That's just three veterans playing together, sharing the ball and doing what we do well," Moore said. "It's good for the fans, and shows how unselfish we are. It's three years that we've all been starters. We've got great chemistry."

Siena subs and newcomers – the biggest beneficiaries of scrimmages — starred, too. Clarence Jackson led all scorers with 27 points and hit seven 3-pointers. He, too, finished an alley-oop off, one of several Siena dunks straight out of EA Sports.

"They throw me lobs all the time in practice," Jackson said. "When it's up there, I'm going to go get it."

The regulars, who padded the lead with a 28-2 first-half run, were able to enjoy the second-half show. With Siena ahead by 30-plus points, the upperclassmen sat together on the bench, towels on their heads, smiles on their faces. Even coach Fran McCaffery leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs — he enjoyed the view.

"I think you look at this game and you say well we know what Moore, Ubiles, Hasbrouck and (Alex) Franklin can do," McCaffery said. "Well let's find out what some of these other guys can do, because that's going to really help us find our team's identity."

The Saints played without three big men — Ryan Rossiter (legs), Cory Magee (mild concussion) and Josh Duell (Achilles' tendon). It hardly seemed to matter, as the Saints scored 46 points in the paint to Union's 12, blocked seven shots and forced 33 turnovers.

Still, Union never backed down from its bigger, faster opponent. The Dutchmen fell behind by 27 points midway through the first half but cut the deficit to 16 at one point, prompting McCaffery to call timeout and bark at his team as it left the floor.

Junior forward Drew Desmarais led Union with 12 points, and Burnt Hills product Steve Madej, a senior, added 10. The Dutchmen, who begin the season Nov. 22 against Framingham State, trailed for the game's final 36 minutes.

This was Siena's final rehearsal before the regular season, which begins with as much anticipation and expectation as any in the history of the program.

"We have some work to do with the schedule we have coming up," McCaffery said. "But we're making progress."

And here's the recap from the Daily Gazette:

Jackson sparkles in Siena scrimmage against Union
Sunday, November 9, 2008

Text Size: A | A | A
LOUDONVILLE — Clarence Jackson made seven of 10 three-pointers and scored 27 points in just 18 minutes Saturday night to lead Siena past Union, 99-47, in a preseason basketball scrimmage before 1,620 fans at Alumni Rec reation Center.
Edwin Ubiles and freshman Kyle Downey each scored 19 points and Siena's defense forced 33 turnovers with 24 steals.
Siena broke the game open early with a 15-0 run to take a 26-10 lead. Ubiles had back-to-back breakaway dunks to highlight the spurt.
The Saints were playing without Josh Duell and Ryan Rossiter who sat out with injuries. Preseason MAAC Player of the Year Kenny Hasbrouck scored nine points on 4-for-11 shooting, while juniors Ronald Moore and Alex Franklin combined for seven points. Moore had seven steals, six assists and just one turnover and Franklin tied with Jackson and reserve Steven Priestley for the team-lead with six rebounds.
Downey and classmate Owen Wignot also contributed. Wignot, who started, ended with 11 points and three rebounds in 29 minutes. Downey made eight of 14 shots, grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists in 25 minutes.
Union was led by Drew Desmarais who scored 12 points and had four rebounds. Steve Madej scored 10 points.


Any other exhibition/scrimmage reports floating around? Just curious how teams are doing in the preseason.

[with age came?]

Clarkson played usual gritty determined defense in victory over Morrisville and it was a good thing because offensively team really struggled. Led by 48-33 with about 8 minutes left and had to survive a desperation 3 at buzzer to escape with a 54-52 win.  Ugly win but a ugly road win is almost always a positive.

[magicman]

Big night for the Liberty League.

Clarkson edges Plattsburgh State at Plattsburgh 59-58

St. Lawrence downs Middlebury in Canton 84-71

Hamilton beats Emmanuel College on the road 81-65

Skidmore defeats Southern Vermont on the road 76-71

Union travels to Lehman and comes away with a 71-68 win

Hobart only LL team to lose tonight as the fall to a tough Geneseo team 61-53 at home

[buck1053]

Big night for the Liberty League.

Clarkson edges Plattsburgh State at Plattsburgh 59-58

St. Lawrence downs Middlebury in Canton 84-71

Hamilton beats Emmanuel College on the road 81-65

Skidmore defeats Southern Vermont on the road 76-71

Union travels to Lehman and comes away with a 71-68 win

Hobart only LL team to lose tonight as the fall to a tough Geneseo team 61-53 at home

Will this be the year the LL starts to beat up on teams from other leagues consistently, as opposed to just beating up on each other?

[with age came?]

Saw Clarkson vs Canton.  Game never really in doubt as Clarkson jumps out to a huge lead right from the start.  Canton is still in transition from 2 year program to d3 4 year program and needs a few years to build.  Clarkson shot the ball well but still has not clicked as well as they have in past defensively.  Rematch with Potsdam will be much better indicator if the team has shown improvement.  Win against Plattsburgh was very entertaining but not particularly pretty.  But ugly wins are this team's trademark.  Some new faces at Clarkson may surprise some Liberty League opponents.

[with age came?]

Clarkson played best half of basketball (for the 1st half) vs Potsdam I have seen them play.  Jumped out to a 21 point lead and led by 14 at the half.  Potsdam looked a little rusty from 10 day layoff but did rally late in the game to within 6 points but Clarkson made free throws down the stretch to perserve the win.  Siskavich for Potsdam appeared to sprain ankle in the first half and was limited to 13 minutes which definitely was a factor.  Bears did not shoot as well as they did in first meeting and Clarkson shot much better. Very interested in upcoming game between SLU & Ithaca - 2 of regions elite teams. 

[buck1053]

Very interested in upcoming game between SLU & Ithaca - 2 of regions elite teams. 

I'm not sure it will be that close. Ithaca knocked off UofR by 9 in Rochester's tourney. And I know Hobart isn't the best measuring stick (1-4, though they lost by just 2 to St. John Fisher and 8 to Geneseo) but the Bombers absolutely killed them (118-81) at IC. Ithaca is averaging 90.2 points per game, while giving up 70.3 ppg. St. Lawrence does have a couple of nice wins under their belt (Middlebury and Plattsburgh's usually tough) -- and are averaging 86.8 ppg, while giving up 75.8 -- but it seems like Ithaca may be the class of the region this year.

I'm sure I'll probably wind up eating crow, it usually happens when I make predictions like this, but I've just gotten a feeling about the Bombers when I've seen their games this year.

[thebear]

Clarkson played best half of basketball (for the 1st half) vs Potsdam I have seen them play.  Jumped out to a 21 point lead and led by 14 at the half.  Potsdam looked a little rusty from 10 day layoff but did rally late in the game to within 6 points but Clarkson made free throws down the stretch to perserve the win.  Siskavich for Potsdam appeared to sprain ankle in the first half and was limited to 13 minutes which definitely was a factor.  Bears did not shoot as well as they did in first meeting and Clarkson shot much better. Very interested in upcoming game between SLU & Ithaca - 2 of regions elite teams. 

Age, forgot to mention that my beloved Bears shot horribly, around 30% for the game.  Wish I could say it was Clarkson's D, but Bears had an inordinate number of inside shots and open looks that didn't go down.  Clarkson started out on fire, but shot only 22% in the second half.

Siskavich loss was a major factor, he hit two threes in his limited action, and his size was needed to counter Clarkson's bigs.  Potsdam first year Tom Kelso had a strong game, and will be a factor by February.

My reading of the tea leaves says Ithaca is the team to beat in the region. 

Game is at SLU, which means a long bus ride and (prolly) bad weather.  SLU only went 7 deep at Plattsburgh, but they do have 4 days rest before the game. 

Sharlow is a tough physical PG, who's older & stronger than your usual d3 PG, he will be a good matchup with Burton.  Wopperer can bomb you from deep, and Vonnak is exactly the type of big physical post that can get a body on Bostic.  Should be fun to watch.

[met_fan]

Anyone have any idea if Sullivan from Hamilton is hurt, or something else?  Didn't play against Utica and is not in the box score at halftime against Washington tonight.  He is a major part of their team this year.

[with age came?]

Saw Clarkson vs Elmira game over the weekend.  Typical ugly Clarkson win,  Holds Eagles to 17 1st half points goes up by 17 in the second half holds on to win by 2.   Refs let alot go (2 near brawls in my opinion).  Elmira will not be rolling over for anyone.

[thebear]

Also noticed that Clarkson big Pickering was on the bench at the end of the game with a ice pack on his left shoulder.  Hopefully isn't too serious, as Clarkson is a much different team without him.  Knights don't play again until New Year's Eve, so hopefully he has time to heal.

Refs at the game were a North Country crew, but Age is right, need to keep heads cool or bad things happen.

Game was at our place due to Clarkson facility overload, December graduation in the gym, Hockey arena is rented out all winter on weekend for youth hockey games.

Clarkson 6-1, SLU 3-1, Potsdam 5-1, been a long time since all three NC teams this solid at the same time.

[shooters]

met fan, Sullivan has an ankle injury or something he isn't expected back until after the break, but agreed he is huge part of Hamilton team, best recruit of Anderson so far so hopefully he gets well.

[gobombers15]

Shooters, I sent you message. Let me know via personal message or you can send an email to the address in my profile. Thanks.

[with age came?]

Good win for SLU & a tough loss for Potsdam.  Time to give SLU some love in the polls.  Victories over Middlebury & Potsdam both of whom got votes (or vote in Potsdam's case) in the top 25 poll.  Only loss is to ranked Urisius.  Word is, but not definite, that Pickering (Clarkson big) should be OK when play resumes. Glad to see that Siskavich is back playing.  I like him alot, has range, soft touch, can go inside or outside and gets his boards. A key cog for the Bears.