MBB: Little East

warrior · March 06, 2011, 06:16:26 AM

That was a tough one! Albertus ratcheted up the defense at the end of the first half, and kept it going in the second, but we were able to pull it out at the end. Obviously Nedwick (26 pts - 12th 20+ game of the season!) and Kohn (14/15 - 12th double double of the season!) had great games, but Roveto certainly deserves a lot of credit for holding Askew (22 ppg season avg) to 0 points (!) while he was guarding him!

It was a great win for the Eastern kids and coach Geitner as they now have a share of the all-time single season win record at ECSU. If we can pull off another win this afternoon, we will set a new record with 22 wins and grab our first ECAC title. Win or lose, we also set a record for most games in a season with 31.

With 41 wins and counting in two years, we are clearly on the right track and, with 6 of the top 8 coming back, next year could be even better.

So wish us luck everybody before turning your attention to RIC, who we all hope goes all the way!

nescac1 · March 06, 2011, 06:49:08 AM

Is Akinrola hurt for RIC? Without him, I can't image RIC can have any chance of hanging with Amherst's big men ...

And yes, I'm sure all the Eph faithful will be pulling for RIC.

warrior · March 06, 2011, 09:11:13 AM

In the article on the RIC game, Coach Walsh is quoted as saying, "To lose a first team All-League player the day of the game, and still come out on top ...." So something happened BEFORE the game. An injury in the pre-game shoot-around? Some sort of eligibility thing? Who knows? I too am very curious. Hopefully nothing serious happened.

amh63 · March 06, 2011, 10:23:33 AM

Really nescac 1! I will be pulling for Williams to beat their opponent since I am really looking forward to another Amherst Williams game even in Billsville.

nescac1 · March 06, 2011, 10:32:06 AM

Interesting re: Akinrola. RIC is already severely outsized vs. Amherst, but without him, the discrepancy would be enormous ... he is the only regular over 6'4! I do think their quickness will give the Jeffs some problems, but I still expect Amherst to win, even with Akinrola playing. Without him, blow-out city.

Argylebballer · March 06, 2011, 12:43:57 PM

First, I think the quickness of RIC is being underrated by all the Jeffs fans. RIC has beaten much bigger teams in the past, like Middlebury last year, with this exact same line-up. Also when RIC lost last year to Amherst, 3 starters were out.
Which brings me to Akinrola, he will be playing. I've heard from a number of people it wasn't that major of an injury and he should be 100% by next weekend.
With him I like the Anchormen in this game.

deiscanton · March 06, 2011, 01:38:31 PM

Halftime-- ECAC New England Championship title game from Geissler Gymnasium in Willimantic, CT--

Brandeis 32, Eastern Connecticut 22 at the half.

Final-- Brandeis 65, Eastern Connecticut 50-- Eastern Connecticut finishes their season as the runner-up in the 2010-2011 ECAC New England Tournament

amh63 · March 06, 2011, 01:39:57 PM

I do not believe the Jeff fans underestimate RIC. First nescac 1 is a Williams fan/poster....though at times he can be objective.
Amherst has played RIC a number of times over the years....even when RIC reached the elite 8 in '08. Last years win over RIC was a shoot out, keyed by Sr. guard Wheeler with 26 points and So. center Holmes with 23. Last year, Amherst was missing its starting point guard Conor Meehan due to an injury. Meehan has been an all conference player for several years and just had two double doubles this past weekend. Wheeler is gone, but he is replaced by an equal sized guard Barrise (6'5") who is a better rebounder than Wheeler, and is as good if not better outside shooter than Wheeler. Barrise has had a number of games this year that he has shot 6 for 6 from the outside.....last night against WPI he had one of those games, Holmes is back and he is one of the first players off the bench this year. P. Kaasila has been the starter at center this year....actually, Holmes and Kaasila share the spot depending on match ups. Anyway, Kaasila is 6'9" and 260 pounds where as Holmes is only 6' 7" and 235 lbs with an outside shot. Next, Amherst starts two 6'6" forwards that are long/strong and quick. Did I mention that Meehan is 6'4". All the players mentioned so far are playing better defense than last year..perimeter and team.
Oh yes, Amherst also brings in a FY point guard often. A. Toomey who is only about 6'2" and won Rookie of the year in the conference. Toomey along with Waller and Workman, the forwards, all shoot well from outside.....as do Meehan.
A long narrative, but it explains that Amherst has the talent/players to meet any opponent with confidence...especially RIC which will not be overlooked for sure. Any NCAA foe must be planned for.

Argylebballer · March 06, 2011, 02:10:32 PM

Yes I agree this Jeffs team is for real. Four players in double figures is always a tough team to beat.

I am glad you brought of Toomey, I think him coming off the bench is going to be real big. As well as Barrise who is the type of player RIC always struggles with. Big, strong, and an amazing shooter. Looks like a lower D1, type player on the bench, real scary.

I think this group of four is as wide open as any and I could really see any team coming out with it.

Argylebballer · March 08, 2011, 02:23:38 PM

If people want to hear more about all the Northeast games tune in to Sports Flash on WXIN in Providence Thursday from 4-6pm. The Head Coaches from WPI, UMASS Dartmouth! Williams, RIC, Amherst, Middlebury, and Pat Coleman will all be on. With a few other guest as well. You can listen online at www.ricradio.org. And call in at 401-456-8787 if you want to talk basketball.

7express · March 11, 2011, 01:50:04 PM

Really think RIC can give Amherst a game. RIC is able to run with them, will it be enough to win?? I'm not sure. Hopefully they do, but I'm taking Amherst to win 77-73.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · March 11, 2011, 03:37:52 PM

The coach didn't sound too optimistic on Hoopsville last night, "they're smallest guy is the same size as our biggest guy," and "I'm not sure how we'll be able to deal with their height," are rough quotes.

He said maybe if they can wear them down with a quick tempo. I hope it's a good game - I picked the Ephs to the final four, so I'd like them to have a tired opponent tomorrow.

ECSUalum · March 11, 2011, 09:20:56 PM

Congrats to RIC and Coach Walsh for another fine season. Almost got Amherst this time!!!

Recap from D3hoops:

Williamstown, Mass.—Senior guard Antone Gray (Providence, RI) equaled the game-high with 22 points as Rhode Island College saw its season come to an end in a 78-74 loss to Amherst in the Sectional Semifinals of the 2011 NCAA Div. III Men's Basketball Tournament played at Williams College.

The Anchormen (21-8) see a 10-game win streak end as RIC's bid for the Elite 8 comes up short for the second straight season. The Anchormen were one of only five programs in the nation to participate in the NCAA Tournament the past five seasons.

The Anchormen, who trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half, went on a 17-5 run to take a 65-64 lead with 3:21 remaining, only to see Amherst (25-3) senior guard Conor Meehan (Meriden, CT) drain a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to help lead the Lord Jeffs to the win.

Gray added three rebounds, three assists and two steals, while junior forward Mason Choice (Newport, RI) contributed 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Junior center Mike Akinrola (Woonsocket, RI) chipped in with 18 points and four boards.

"Our two main keys coming in were that we had to guard them and we had to get the ball back," RIC Head Coach Bob Walsh said afterwards. "They're top10 in field goal percentage, and we're up there in defense. I thought we won the first battle and lost the second. They're a great rebounding team and played with a toughness and edge when the ball came off the glass that I haven't seen them play with before. I think that's the biggest reason we lost the game."

nescac1 · March 11, 2011, 09:58:06 PM

7express, that was a hell of a prediction! RIC played tougher than I expected despite the huge rebounding discrepancy ... if they had managed to hit just a few more threes, it would have been a true toss-up.

walzy31 · March 12, 2011, 12:28:16 AM

Mason Choice and Antone Gray are very talented players. Based on Choice's performance tonight, I would put him up there as All-NESCAC in the MacDougall/Russell/Brown group if he were in our conference. Lightening quick crossover and a great finisher.

It took everything Amherst had to overcome RIC's energy and a couple heads up passes in transition they had that led to easy baskets.

Tomorrow will be a big one...