MBB: Little East

[warrior]

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!)

[Bucket]

I heard that the winner tonight has a good chance of hosting the next round! 

I think the only way the winner of this game hosts next week is if both Middlebury and Cabrini lose tonight. I don't see the Oswego-Eastern winner hosting over Midd or Cabrini if either advance, since all teams remaining are within the 500-mile NCAA radius. (Which became the case when Hobart knocked off Ohio Wes last night.)

[7express]

47-36 F&m at half.  Howard and Milligan sat most of half with 2 fouls and they still have Dd lead not good.  Their center is killing us.

[Eye in the Sky]

SALLLLZILLLOOO, what a HUUUGE SHOT for Eastern. I'm a Keene fan but have been rooting for LEC teams all night. Unfortunate breaks for RIC and WCSU, but all the credit in the world to East Conn. What a tough group of kids, after looking like they had won the game twice, to be down with seconds remaining and still pull off the victory. ALL GUTS.

[ECSUalum]

Too exhausted to type, here is the ECSU/Oswego St recap:

http://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2011-12/contrib/20120303k8b7he

[7express]

Nice win by Eastern to save the conference.  With Western losing and the RIC men and women losing Eastern is our last hope.  Take the conference banner to the elite 8.

[magicman]

I heard that the winner tonight has a good chance of hosting the next round! 

I think the only way the winner of this game hosts next week is if both Middlebury and Cabrini lose tonight. I don't see the Oswego-Eastern winner hosting over Midd or Cabrini if either advance, since all teams remaining are within the 500-mile NCAA radius. (Which became the case when Hobart knocked off Ohio Wes last night.)

I'll be surprised if the NCAA doesn't award the sectional to Middlebury. Midd lost out last year when St. Mary's was in their bracket and the committee chose Rochester because it was over 500 miles from St. Mary's to Middlebury. As Bucket mentioned that problem doesn't exist this year. The Panthers have a great facility, should benefit from losing out last year when they had the best record of the 4 teams in that sectional, and most importantly the school is in session next weekend. Cabrini, the 2nd choice to host, is on spring break through March 11th. I don't think the NCAA committee can snub Middlebury for a second consecutive year. I believe all roads lead to Middlebury for the upcoming sectional. 

[warrior]

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!

[warrior]

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!   

[onetinsoldier]

hey everyone, i came here to praise western conn on a great run in the tourney.  They played a fine game vs F&M (who might be the best team in the country, and is certainly the best defensively) and cooked up a recipe (mix of Brooks and strong 3point shooting, get the f&m defenders into foul trouble) that worked for 35 minutes.  If not for a dominating performance by one of the F&M bigs WC is playing this weekend. Hopefully the visiting fans enjoyed the trip to central PA.

On the EC hosting, we'll find out in a few hours so its a moot point, but i'd be surprised if Cabrini didnt host. I thought they were the defacto top seed in that region, and as for geography, the only number that matters is 500.  if its all under 500 then the committee doesnt care about central location. 

[ECSUalum]

I had mentioned this early in the season.  Eastern's 4 seniors and some upcoming underclassmen seem to be very cool, (seasoned), in pressure situations this year.  TO's, poor shot selection, silly fouls, missed FTs etc etc are a sign of an un seasoned team.  However this ECSU team's most important characteristic is being mentally tough, stay cool even when you are behind, and, confident that you and your team mates can get right back in and go for the victory.  I think the loss to WestConn at the O'Neill Center, was a good lesson and helped with this toughness.

As 7express stated above, LETS GO AND TAKE THE LEC BANNER TO VIRGINA!!!!!

PS thanks to all the LEC fans and specifically to 7express and WCSU fans for their support, and congratulations to Western, RIC, and Keene St on a fantastic year. (I see Keene St in this position next year )

7, et al, please let us know where Daquan ends up playing his professional career!!!

[WPI89]

Congrats EastConn!

[Bucket]

On the EC hosting, we'll find out in a few hours so its a moot point, but i'd be surprised if Cabrini didnt host. I thought they were the defacto top seed in that region, and as for geography, the only number that matters is 500.  if its all under 500 then the committee doesnt care about central location.

Cabrini being on spring break could be a very big factor. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is this—another bracket factors in as well: the Amherst/MIT/F&M/Staten Island bracket. Amherst can't host. The Lord Jeff women have dibs on LaFrak. If the NCAA gives the sectional to MIT, then I bet Cabrini will host. If Staten Island or F&M is the choice, Midd will host. The NCAA likes geographical balance and will want at least one sectional in the North East.

[ECSUalum]

Congrats EastConn!

Thanks WPI, I am sure WPI and Keene will be battling it out in the NCAA next season with their fine programs!!!

How does the baseball team look this year, I know a couple years ago, (2009), they had a monster steam, specifically Conor Fahey was outstanding, talk about a gutsy young man !!!

[trixiep]

On the EC hosting, we'll find out in a few hours so its a moot point, but i'd be surprised if Cabrini didnt host. I thought they were the defacto top seed in that region, and as for geography, the only number that matters is 500.  if its all under 500 then the committee doesnt care about central location.

Cabrini being on spring break could be a very big factor. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is this—another bracket factors in as well: the Amherst/MIT/F&M/Staten Island bracket. Amherst can't host. The Lord Jeff women have dibs on LaFrak. If the NCAA gives the sectional to MIT, then I bet Cabrini will host. If Staten Island or F&M is the choice, Midd will host. The NCAA likes geographical balance and will want at least one sectional in the North East.

Midd hosts: 
http://www.middlebury.edu/athletics/sports/mensbasketball/archive/2011-2012/news/node/356092