MBB: Little East

[gullfan]

Right! Otherwise we'd be talking playoffs already. I'm anxious to se how many Little East teams step up. Keene - RIC is one to look for. Have you heard anything about the newbies on Keene?

[broke_ya_ankles]

its that time of year again!!

this isnt an answer to keene, but i will say this VERY boldly

USM just launched themselves into the top of the Little East, if the guys can gel together quick enough USM has the sheer talent and coaching to break the top 25, and no im not overstating this.

They brought in 2 D1 transfers, 1 i know little to nothing about and 1 I know a great deal about and believe me hes very, very good.  Coach Henrickson certainly tapped into all his resources in assembling this years team.   The D1 transfer additions of Jamaal Caterina, a former Mr. Basketball in high school, as well as Nick Gooding (Sac. State) should give them added height as Caterina is a 6-6 wing player, and Gooding is a 6'9 center.  Henrickson also added a former MCI player originally from Los Angeles in Vince Tourville who if nothing else again gives them more height at 6'7.   They also added a couple young Bigs from middle of nowhere maine towns, Tom Robbins 6-4 Center, as well as Greg Whitaker, a 6'5 forward.  Troy Gabriel also is on the roster, im not sure where hes been the past few years but in high school the kid was a strait up shooter, rained in threes like it was all he knew how to do, I know he did a short stint strait outta high school at either Gordon or Salem State (cant remember but it was def 1 of the 2).  Also added on the roster are Chris Havens, who is a phenomenal athlete, who can jump out of the gym, his athleticism alone will allow him to excel greatly at this level, also added is Ellison Espinal, of Florida, to what I could find on him, he played on a very good high school team in florida, but wasnt their star, just simply a very solid role player which USM will need with the star studded squad they have now.  Martin Jordaon, another florida native is on the team (couldnt find anything on him yet), as is a 6'4 G- German kid who i have no clue on (but henrickson as great contacts so this kid could be very very good).  The only real familiar face from recent years will be Josh Daniels who was USM's leading scorer last year at almost 17ppg.  So when they have added what they did in Caterina (this kid is disgusting!!), Gooding (6'9 centers that are worth anything in D3 are hard to come by) havens, tourville and a couple more big freshmen, USM should be right in the thick of it after a few cellar dwelling years.  Im workin on finding out what i can on keene as well as the rest of these USM freshmen.     

** couple side notes, did a quick search, the Whitaker kid is apparently very good, 6'5 forward, was a top 15 players in maine last year.
** also just realized Walter Phillips isnt on the USM roster....very interesting, as I had figured Phillips was a big reason Caterina decided to go to USM as they were teammates in high school...

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

That's a lot of turnover, but the LEC could be very interesting this year if all of this holds true.

[eclinchy]

RIC looked GREAT last night at Tufts.  They thrashed Endicott, so the Tufts Tip-Off Tournament final is RIC against TU.  This could be a great game... 4pm today, live on http://www.jumbocast.com for anyone who can't make it to Tufts.  I'll offer some notes on the game later.

[gullfan]

Last night's game RIC and Endicott was more about EC giving the ball away and not making foul shots than getting thrashed by the Anchors. I like RIC and have said that they could be the LEC team to beat. But they didn't show it last night.
They did today against Tufts though. THAT is the team that will have to play in the LEC. If the team that played Endicott shows up, it could be a long year. Just wonder about that Iona game a little now. RIC is messin me up.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The whole LEC seems up for running this year.  I think we'll see lots of fun high scoring contests.

[gullfan]

Last night, the Keene State/Endicott game was a bit tough to watch, as an Endicott fan. I'll say it again, Keene is the team to beat in the LEC. Saw Rhode Island, Iona game regardless, and unless Keene is way off it's no contest. Too many weapons, the guards jump better than some other schools big men! Travon Little is the real deal. If he doesn't freelance or foul - he'll be a difference maker.
The whole team plays with an attitude. They are hungry and will try to physicalll intimidate you. Back down once and they are IN YOUR FACE! Be ready.

[All-around]

How good/bad is Umass Boston this year. I see they lost to Framingham st. which I dont believe to be a great team...anyone see that game?

[heythere]

Wow the little east is tough this year, keene is nasty, then u have the ric and umass dartmouth.  and then last year conf champs who have even more talent than last year in umass boston. beside the nesac, this is the toughest conference in ne this year. any thoughts on who is going to win it.

[zonescantstopme]

how does everyone feel about plymouth this year i see that they started fast but seem to have slowed

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Plymouth seems to be doing ok.  I think the conference is really competitive and that they'll eat each other alive, but it should be one heck of a season.

[MeOak21]

Can we get a little action going on this board??? Xmas break is over...

Its is still pretty early but I think we have enough information on our teams to make some pretty accurate statements for their chances this year.

Umass Boston- Poor start. We know they have talent and the ability to pull together and cause problems in the tourney. I'm not sure if they are satisfied with last years performance and are expecting it to be easy this year... but the target is on them now and the Conn. teams have proved it in early LEC play.

Keene- They have all the pieces to challenge for the title this year. Its just a matter of team chemistry and focus for these guys. They have proven that they can handle adversity in tight game siuations and have battled into triple overtime in their only loss of the season against a respectable Tufts team. The are playing at a level that is uncommon for such a young team. I'll give them an equal chance for winning the LEC tourney as RIC

RIC- A bunch of experience, a bunch of talent, and I'm anticipating that this team will grow much stronger as the season progresses. Having only dropped one game this year in a tight one vs. Keene they have been able to drop some other New England top teams such as Tufts and a capable Bridgewater team.

UMD- I can't give this team much of a chance. They are very capable on any given night to be one of the tougher top teams but they haven't proven in the last few years that they have the composure to win a string of games against top competition. They are a good team, not exceptional. Their record proves my point at 6-5 (1-1 LEC) - They have a consistency problem.

WCSU- Apparently they are better than I thought they would be having beaten Umass Boston early on.

ECSU- Ditto... narrow wins and big losses to good teams i.e. Trinity

Are the Conn. teams good or is Umass Boston just having that bad of a start.

Plymouth- Will win some LEC games this year but I don't anticipate them being a threat at tourney time. The depth isn't there and the size and talent isn't there to beat the top teams in the league.

USM- The only team that was strategically placed on my list... the bottom
What happened to all the great talent that was brought in?? Caterina? I don't see these guys doing anything special unless the supposed talent is just taking time off (or are injured) and will be coming back to save the rest of the season for them.

[gullfan]

I stand by the statement I made earlier - I think Keene is the class of the Little East this year. Colbert knows his stuff, they are athletic, they play with a chip ont their shoulder and they keep coming at you! That's a tough combo!

[MeOak21]

Does anyone else care about the little east conference?? Why is there so much more action on the other conferences in the Northeast??

Doesn't seem right...

Gullfan- Just because Keene beat up on Endicott doesn't mean they are the class of the LEC, I'm sorry. You are right that they are a hard working team and have a legitimate chance this year and personally I am a KSC fan and would love to see them win the conference. Other than calling them the class of the league, I completely agree with your description of how they play. Glad to see you recognize them.

[gullfan]

I watch the Owls a few times each year. Love thye way they hustle, play in your face and don't back down. Travon Little and the other transfers give them a different look from the passed two years. I don't see them having any significant losing streaks (barring injury - which no ever wishes on anyone) and that is the key to a conference title. Win the games you're supposed to, get a squeaker along the way, stay healthy and stay away from losing streaks!
They have strength and depth at most every position. I'd love to have that be the Endicott summary!!!!!! Go for it.