MBB: Little East

[D3HoopJunkie]

I cannot believe that Western and Albertus Magnus aren't playing each other this year? That was turning into such a great instate rivalry and the games were fantastic to watch. Both teams had such high pace, run and gun offenses.  It's really a shame, I wonder why WestConn opted not to play them this year?

[amh63]

I cannot believe, and a little envious, that there are schedules out this time of the year.  The Nescac cannot coordinate an eight game football schedule at this time of the year[/img].

[7express]

I cannot believe that Western and Albertus Magnus aren't playing each other this year? That was turning into such a great instate rivalry and the games were fantastic to watch. Both teams had such high pace, run and gun offenses.  It's really a shame, I wonder why WestConn opted not to play them this year?

Maybe it gets added later on.  Let's hold off on the thoughts until the full one actually becomes available sometime in September.

[7express]

Western CT 2013-2014 Men's Schedule is up on their web site.

Considering it wasn't out last year until after Labor day, the fact that it's out in July is really surprising.

[7express]

Also, does anyone think it's weird that there's a conference game scheduled for a Thursday this year on the schedule (Jan 9 vs. Dartmouth), and only 1 conference game scheduled in December??
Usually LEC games only take place Tuesday nights and Saturday afternoon, while there's usually 2 conference matchups in December, the first 2 Saturday's of the month.

Also one thing I'll add: Thank God we get our 3 toughest trips out of the way in the getgo.  USM is in December, Plymouth is in January, the next road game after USM, and @ Keene is the following Tuesday, that dreaded Tuesday night game where they go up that afternoon and get back at like 12:30 in the morning.  After that, the next furthest is probably Dartmouth, but that's easy because it's a Saturday.  I don't think I'm gonna be going up to USM this year, and probably not Plymouth either, but at least USM (December 7) and Plymouth (January 11) are early enough in the winter where the probability for a major snow storm is relatively low.

[amh63]

7...nice to hear from you!   Hope the Summer and World are treating you well.
It should be an interesting year in the region...another dogfight in the CAC.  Any surprises in your conference...other than a play to change the conf. name to Big East
Got to have a good discussion with T. Carter's father and met the RIC star player in Salem, Va?
Maybe we can catch a game sometime?

[7express]

7...nice to hear from you!   Hope the Summer and World are treating you well.
It should be an interesting year in the region...another dogfight in the CAC.  Any surprises in your conference...other than a play to change the conf. name to Big East
Got to have a good discussion with T. Carter's father and met the RIC star player in Salem, Va?
Maybe we can catch a game sometime?

RIC will be there like always, same with Eastern.  Boston & USM will be good, but not quite good enough to break that top 2.  No idea how Dartmouth or Plymouth will be.  Plymouth was terrible, had a few graduating players but none of them were really that good.  Dartmouth was even worse, but had no seniors.  If I had to put money on it, Keene will be terrible.  The coach isn't good and add to that they pretty much lost half their team that's not a good equation, but they somehow get decent skill kids to go to school up there, so they probably won't be as bad as I'm making them out to be.  Not sure who Western recruited (better guys to ask that too, LECfan for one) because I don't usually follow up on it in the summer, but the team can't be worse then last year.

If I had to say now, I'd rank them RIC 1, Eastern 2, then you may as well pick names out of a hat for the final 6 spots.  if I had to guess I'd say Boston & USM are the best bets to round out the top 4, but if Western & Keene picked up good/decent recruits you could throw them in there.

[tomsullivan1963@hotmail]

USM has some new faces including an incoming Freshman, Zach Leal, who is a player to watch. He is a local product from York, a 6'3" slasher and good defender. Quick, athletic and can score. He played on a regional HS finalist team, and thought about prepping before opting for D3 USM. Also getting a 6'6" 280 lb. transfer named Fred Knight who went to D1 Maine out of HS and did not play last year. He was a key player on a very good Hampden HS team several years ago. I hear he has great hands and touch and could provide needed inside scoring and rebound support. Finally, believe they are getting Matt Mathias, a 42% 3 point shooter transferring from Bowdoin who will provide some balance. Cole Libby is back and all conference returnee Conor Sullivan and p.o.y. candidate is recovered from a meniscus repair (played last season with tear on pain control). If he is 100%, stays healthy through season, and someone steps up at point guard (Jeremy Chambers?), this team could be very good though time will tell. It should be fun to watch!   

[tomsullivan1963@hotmail]

...forgot to mention, high flier James Odneal and his 40% 3 point % is also confirmed to be returning

[amh63]

TomS...1963....are you positive about the Bowdoin transfer!  Another player maybe?
Matt Mathias is from Baltimore, MD; I met him and his parents in an Amherst game in Stevenson , MD. In his senior year of HS.  His parents are Amherst grads and they met Amherst's coach after the game.  He had already decided to go to Bowdoin at the time, I believe.  Being 6' 1" and playing a guard position, he is the same size and in the same year as Aaron Toomey who was selected Div3 Player of the Year. If he thought of playing for Amherst, the spots were filled at the time for his class...so to speak.  Last season he was the high scorer in the game against Amherst.  He was listed at the same height on the roster.  It is hard for me to think he would transfer going into his senior year ...just to get more playing time.

[tomsullivan1963@hotmail]

He was playing in summer league up here with USM kids and the word was that he was transferring. I was alarmed when I heard that he would consider leaving such a prestigious school. I just made some inquiries and am now told he he may have changed his mind. We will know soon and I will update.  The rest of my facts are solid. Leal was a catch - he is going to be good.

[LECFAN32]

Western usually wont finalize schedule until fall.

Not sure about potential recruits.. Problem is coming off a bad year there won't be the same amount of interest as usual from guys that slip through the cracks.

Keene will be very average IMO at bet. Like what Easters bringing back as well, same with ric.

[tomsullivan1963@hotmail]

Shout out to Ryan Martin, 19th selection in the Canadian NBL draft last night! Representing Maine and the LEC!

[lildave678]

Just from word of mouth (maybe I read it in the paper?) I know Eastern has 6'10 David Canny Jr from Torrington coming in. Wasn't anywhere near Jordan Williams (Torrington/UofMaryland great) dominant, but seemed to consistently put up 25-35 points a game (as he should). Torrington still finished middle of the road in the NVL, so it probably points to why even with the height, he didn't go outside DIII. He played AAU with Walter Wright, Tyshon Rogers and the like so he had the opportunity to get looks...

and speaking of the Canadian NBL 7express, Marcus James (I know you know the name, from Wilby) went 18th too haha

[fanfromct]

It is certain that Matt Mathias will be staying at Bowdoin for his senior year.