MBB: Little East

[7express]

Daquan Brooks  82 Eastern Connecticut 81

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Sure seems like he scored all 82 points.....actually he only had 48, but seems like he either scored or assisted on every West Conn basket from the 8:30 mark to the end of the game.  Btw, I'm sorry, but Eastern totally choked, there's no question about that.  Up 14 I think it was with 8:00 minutes left, up 8 with 2 minutes to go, and still up 6 with a minute left and somehow Western forced OT.  After being punched in the face, Eastern somehow stood up and with a nice basket by Kohn with 4.5 seconds left Gave Eastern the lead....too bad they got beat down the court for the layup at the buzzer, so if your counting at home: Eastern had a 14 point lead at one point, was still up by 8 with 120 seconds to play, up 6 with 60 seconds left, and went up 1 with 4.5 seconds left in OT...yet somehow managed to lose the game.  Eastern shoots 7-19 from the free throw line, and even if they shoot 10-19 (which still would've been an awful percentage mind you), they probably end up winning this game by 5+ in regulation.  Sure DaQuan had a great game as always, but if you hit your free throws, you don't have to worry about overtime, because your already on the bus home with a road W by the time the final buzzer sounded in overtime.  Eastern has no one to blame but themselves for why they lost....their called free throws for a reason, their supposed to be free points.

Going back through the archives this is the last game Western won in the series vs. Eastern.  Almost 6 years ago  .  The second game this year coming up in Danbury would have been 6 years and 1 week to the date of Western's last win.  6 years and 14 Eastern wins later.....maybe it changes this year  .  I think the women have also won a bunch in a row against the Western women to.....9 straight for the Eastern ladies (last loss 1/28/14) hey look 4 years ago today! and 10 of 12 since the start of the 2012/13 season.

[ECSUalum]

7, completely agree with all your above comments, I wont elaborate on what happened yesterday, but the Plymouth deflected, (3 blind mice did not see), pass that went backcourt that was called on ECSU with seconds left in the first half, then Plymouth inbounds and throws up a shot from half court for a three was exasperating!!  There were a bunch of technical fouls called yesterday which proved the ECSU players, who typically keep their cool, were annoyed at the refs ridiculous performance.

Should be another good game at the O'Neill Center in Feb, and if Eastern does not play well they could be blown out by a very good Colonial team!!  BTW free throw shooting is not Eastern strong point this year!

[warriorcat]

Intense game in Keene tonight as Middlebury came into Spaulding Gym and left with a well deserved 84-78 win over Keene St.  I missed the first half but Middlebury led throughout the initial period by as many 13 points. Keene closed the margin to 6 at that half as Ty Nichols finally began to find his form. Nichols picked up his game significantly in the second half scoring 23 of his game high 31 after the break.  The story of the second half was Middlebury building multiple eight to ten point leads and Keene battling back within two or four points.  Each team answered each other with mini runs but Middlebury maintained its lead until midway through the half when Nichols tied the game at 61-61. Middlebury went up by five but Nichols brought them even again with a three pointer at 7:13. Midd ran off six points and never trailed again but Keene got within 2 a few times. The  final time Keene closed it to two they missed a layup with 48 seconds that would have tied it once more. Middlebury made the final four points from the line.

This felt like the NCAA games Keene has been involved in each the past two seasons.  In the end Middlebury's size, 4 quality 6'7 and 6'8 big men, was too much for the Owls.  Much of the night Keene could only put freshman 6'6" James Anozie on the floor with four much smaller teammates.  As he has all season, Jack Daly was the difference maker. 19 points, 9 assists 8-8 from the line. 

Both teams will now finish with conference games.  Hopefully, they will both get through their final five games and have great runs in their respective tournaments.

[Mr.Know Most Of It]

2 team conference this year in my opinion. If Keene can knock Eastern Conn in the finals, do the Warriors make the national tournament?

[ECSUalum]

2 team conference this year in my opinion. If Keene can knock Eastern Conn in the finals, do the Warriors make the national tournament?

If that is their only loss until then, I would think they are a lock to get a pool C  They will have a respectable SOS and will have over 20 wins!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Warriors are in pretty good shape, if we stopped things now. Numbers will change, like SOS, between now and Feb. 25. Also, if they pick up a loss or two it will change the complexion a lot.

Keene State... one day I think they aren't in good shape; another I think they are in okay shape. A lot will matter on how each team closes the season, including games against each other. The other factor: there will be a ton of good teams at the Pool C table this year. It may come down to splitting hairs far earlier in the process than usual.

[warriorcat]

As long as their only losses are to one another, Keene and ECSU will be in the the conversation as possible pool C's.  Their SOS's ECSU (.540) and Keene (.579) will probably go down because of the relative weakness of the LEC this year.  Not a sure shot if either loses both games to the other.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Warriors have an advantage in terms of losses with less overall losses... they can take more of a hit than Keene can. However, I rather see the SOS numbers in the second week regional rankings to have a better feeling on that level or things... right now, they are still too fluid.

[AllStar]

Thank you for that information, Dave!  I've been wondering that myself.  I'm hoping Keene can find a way in and maybe the LEC can get two bids, but let's see how it plays out.

[AllStar]

[ECSUalum]

Carlos Gonzales is now 4th in steals/game in NCAA D-III!!  Nice job Carlos.  If you watch him he is soo smooth and quick when he makes a steal, which usually results in an uncontested layup.  I have to laugh each time he conducts his thievery 

[fantastic50]

Warriors are in pretty good shape, if we stopped things now. Numbers will change, like SOS, between now and Feb. 25. Also, if they pick up a loss or two it will change the complexion a lot.

Keene State... one day I think they aren't in good shape; another I think they are in okay shape. A lot will matter on how each team closes the season, including games against each other. The other factor: there will be a ton of good teams at the Pool C table this year. It may come down to splitting hairs far earlier in the process than usual.

The regional committees' views are key, but I think ECSU is in excellent position.  Even if they lose twice to Keene State, but win the rest, I think that 23-4 (.852) with an SOS that would still be in the .530s or .540s, and at least a couple of wins over regionally ranked teams gets them in without any issues.

Keene State looks like a bubble team, and if they lose twice more to ECSU, even a high SOS may not bail them out, especially in a crowded region where they could be fighting MIT, NESCAC teams, etc. just to get to the table.  A win on Wednesday night would help them a great deal.

I have posted some related info on the "Pool C" board.

[Mr.Know Most Of It]

I would love to see two LEC teams in this year! Hoping Keene can get it down come conference tourney time!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Warriors are in pretty good shape, if we stopped things now. Numbers will change, like SOS, between now and Feb. 25. Also, if they pick up a loss or two it will change the complexion a lot.

Keene State... one day I think they aren't in good shape; another I think they are in okay shape. A lot will matter on how each team closes the season, including games against each other. The other factor: there will be a ton of good teams at the Pool C table this year. It may come down to splitting hairs far earlier in the process than usual.

The regional committees' views are key, but I think ECSU is in excellent position.  Even if they lose twice to Keene State, but win the rest, I think that 23-4 (.852) with an SOS that would still be in the .530s or .540s, and at least a couple of wins over regionally ranked teams gets them in without any issues.

Keene State looks like a bubble team, and if they lose twice more to ECSU, even a high SOS may not bail them out, especially in a crowded region where they could be fighting MIT, NESCAC teams, etc. just to get to the table.  A win on Wednesday night would help them a great deal.

I have posted some related info on the "Pool C" board.

Just to be clear, the regional committee's view is just an advisory one. The national committee can completely disagree and rearrange the rankings how they see fit.

Sounds like splitting hairs, but it is important to keep in mind. While the regional committee does a lot of work, ultimately it is the national committee's job to rank the regions (they use the RAC's advise in doing so).

[ECSUalum]

Eastern Connecticut's first time in D3 Hoops top 10!! Congrats Warriors!!!  Beat Keene St tomorrow and solidify this spot!!