MBB: Little East

7express · February 21, 2011, 10:50:56 PM

Not a clue what the problems are, but they really are becoming evident with the shoot first attitude they played with on Saturday. The 25 foot 3's by Quan with 28 seconds left on the shot clock look good if they go in, look really bad if they don't, and on Saturday they weren't falling for Brooks yet he kept shooting away instead of looking for teamates. We'd only have at most 8 games left this year (the 2 LEC tournament games, then as many as 6 in the NCAA's if they put us in the opening game). Leave this fighting at the door, and just win the LEC. Really, I don't want to take my chances on a Pool C bid, just win the AQ.

WPI89 · February 22, 2011, 08:35:51 AM

From an outside standpoint - I think the WPI win will get WestConn into the tourney through pool C. Not sure how much they look at how your Colonials are playing now though? Sure would be a ton easier to win 2 tough games this weekend though! Good luck.

LECFAN32 · February 22, 2011, 06:34:39 PM

I think westconn should get a pull c invite as well as is usually the case with an lec team that is ranked in the nation and high in the region for a good part of the regular season.. however the way these guys are playing right now they would not get anywhere.. a couple wins in the lec tourney could right the ship very easily.

from wat I hear there a couple of different problems affecting on court performance.. some of the guards are dribbling the ball ALOT.. and when the ball isnt moved with consistancy and guys arent getting oppurtunities the likelyhood of guys working hard on the defensive end and on the boards goes down (especially bigs)..talented freshman who are used to being stars being in competition daily and getting inconsistent minutes causes ALOT of frustration..

like i previously stated what was a good problem earlier int he season appears to be affecting the team negatively now. this team is good enough to make noise in the ncaa's if they turn it around.

warrior · February 22, 2011, 10:52:06 PM

Wow! I thought I was going to have a heart attack! Especially when we were down by 14 in the second half! But we battled back and held on for a big win. I have to hand it to Plymouth. They played a great game and nearly pulled off a huge upset. With 4 seconds left and down by 1, I know everyone in the gym was thinking about our buzzer-beater losses to RIC and Weslyan and thought, "Here we go again!" Thank goodness we got the steal, as watching a last shot go up would have been too much for me!

It looks like the Keene game was just as exciting. Leave it to the LEC to come up with two great playoff games!

Western, here we come!!!

7express · February 22, 2011, 11:23:58 PM

I was probably the only one in the gym that knew Plymouth was going to miss (or in the case didn't get a shot off). The guy sitting next to me said something like, "how about we lose on another buzzer beater??" I just said Plymouth will end up missing. Horrible that they turned it over, but they never should've called that timeout to begin with anyways. I just got back and having a quick bite to eat, I'll post the recaps in a few minutes

7express · February 22, 2011, 11:37:33 PM

Keene state was a winner in overtime over Dartmouth 96-88. Sounds like another good game. Thats whats so great about conference tournaments, teams are fighting for their lives, and there's never a gimme. Most of them are close.
Eastern won 59-58 over Plymouth. Trailing by 1, Plymouth corralled a missed Hamilton Levy elbow jump shot with 7 seconds remaining in the game. They got the ball to halfcourt with 3 seconds remaining, still have time for 3 dribbles which is more then enough time to get off a decent look, and then the Plymouth coach calls timeout, why?? So, he doesn't "waste" his final timeout going into next year?? I NEVER like calling timeout in those situations, you should already have your money play to run in that situation, and calling the timeout gives the defense a chance to set which they wouldn't be able to do just running down the court after the miss. Without the Plymouth timeout they may not have made the game-winner anyways (probably not, we'll never know), but they also more then likely don't turn it over and a least get a shot off. Calling the timeout gave ECSU the chance to set up the D and they made the steal which is a terrible way to end the game.

That sets the semi's, we have Keene state @ RIC on Friday at 6:00 and Western vs. Eastern at 8:00. I'll post my predictions tomorrow or Thursday on the semifinal matchups.

Argylebballer · February 23, 2011, 09:17:35 AM

Interesting story in the RIC student newspaper, http://www.anchorweb.org/sports/the-split-that-changed-r-i-basketball-1.2477944

warrior · February 23, 2011, 02:43:56 PM

Great article! I have to agree. I have heard nothing but positive things from his players and former players, while his record, of course speaks for itself. I'm not one of those guys who thinks the best coach is always the winningest coach. (I've never been a Bob Knight fan, or a Jim Calhoun fan for that matter, as I feel the way they yell and scream at their players would and should be totally unacceptable anywhere else in society.) Coach Walsh, however seems not to have sacrificed treating his players with respect, for wins. I also have to agree, it's only a matter of time until he takes over a DI program.

7express · February 23, 2011, 03:24:25 PM

I second (third??) what argyle and warrior have said. RIC should enjoy the time Walsh has with the Anchormen, because its only a matter of time until a D1 program swoops in and picks him up. Whenever PC fires Keno Davis, they should at least give Walsh an interview.

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · February 23, 2011, 03:51:53 PM

Final Regional Rankings are out before Selection Sunday: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/category/ncaa-stuff/regional-rankings/

7express · February 23, 2011, 10:50:34 PM

Had RIC won 2 of these 3 games: @ Colby, @ Mass-Dartmouth, @ Southern Maine, they'd be a lock for the tournament, as it is, I think they need to beat Keene state on Friday to breathe easy. Keene state/Eastern need to win the LEC to get into the NCAA's, Western is in if the season ended today, and probably gets in even with a loss to Eastern on Friday. As I stated earlier I think RIC is in if they make the finals, but will be close. If RIC makes the LEC finals and loses they'll be one of the last few in or one of the last few out depending on which way the committee goes.

Argylebballer · February 24, 2011, 12:07:14 AM

I cannot agree more RIC needs to win the tourny in my mind to be able to breath at all

wcsu91 · February 24, 2011, 10:02:11 AM

I think for RIC to get in the NCAA's they will have to win the LEC. I believe they have 17 wins as of right now so even a win tomorrow gives them 18. I think that loss to Southern Maine and not having 20 wins kills their chance.

7express · February 24, 2011, 10:56:21 AM

If they don't get in they can look at 2 losses in Maine as to why they didn't get in. @ USM, @ Colby, 2 teams that finished under .500 and they lost them both. The loss @ Dartmouth is bad but at least its excusible, those first 2 aren't.

7express · February 24, 2011, 12:03:32 PM

Friday's semifinal predictions from RIC:
Keene state @ RIC 6:00
RIC needs to win to have a chance to get into the NCAA tournament, and they'll get it done as Keene state has struggled against RIC in recent years. This Owl team is more then capable of beating the Anchormen if their on for 40 minutes, but I don't think it will happen, Keene should be pretty good next year, however. Keene state beat Dartmouth for the first time in 3 or 4 years on Tuesday, maybe they'll get it done again on Friday against a team they struggle against?? RIC 75-62
Western vs. Easterm 8:00
This game should be fun, unfortunatly, its being played in Providence and not in Danbury, and since I'll be in Danbury won't be able to see it. I picked Eastern to beat them last time and I'll do it again, because if it worked once, why change it (sorry Eastern fans

). All joking aside when this Colonial team is playing as a team there is no one in the conference that can beat them (not even RIC @ RIC), unfortunatly, they are far from playing as a team and the struggle they had against Boston, a team they should have blown out proved that point. Hopefully coach Campbell and coach Quick give the guys a pep talk saying their 80 minutes from the NCAA's. Western should still make the tournament regardless, but I'll be a lot nervous on Monday morning. Eastern is playing as a team, Western isn't. Eastern 79-76.