MBB: Little East

[warriorcat]

Keene's place in the NCAA tournament is now set.  While the distance to travel  is further than they had hoped for, the pod that they are in is not insurmountable.  Stockton is the top team in their region but the region was not very strong (No Pool C's and no one from this region region even  receiving votes for the top 25 last week).  If Keene can get by Stockton, either Salisbury or Middlebury will await them. 

Early scouting report on Stockton.  They press and scramble for 40 minutes - nearly 100 more steals than their opponents (263-167)  and 493 turnovers created versus their 368.  Turnovers have been one of Keene's Achilles Heels all season.  When the differential is good they usually win, when it is not good they usually lose.  It has been better recently which coincided with their stretch run and Lucas Hammel's return from a broken hand in game six.

In any case, Keene is playing with house money from this point on.

 

[WPI89]

When does the "interim" come off coach Cain's title?

[7express]

When does the "interim" come off coach Cain's title?

Hopefully sooner than later WPI!  Judging from the players in the post game celebration last night, the players absolutely love him.  Surprised it hasn't been removed yet to be honest.

[7express]

BTW Warriorcat (or AllStar) what happened to Dizel Wright??  Any chance he comes back if they make an extended run past this weekend or is he officially out for the year??

[AllStar]

BTW Warriorcat (or AllStar) what happened to Dizel Wright??  Any chance he comes back if they make an extended run past this weekend or is he officially out for the year??

Unfortunately, I believe he is out for the year regardless.  I think the same thing is true for Jeff Lunn.  This is why I think they deserve a lot of credit for winning the tournament, because they've had to overcome several things throughout this season.  Hammel was out for a time.  Ty Nichols missed the semifinals.  If you had told me three weeks ago they would win their last 5 regular season games, I would not have believed you.

When does the "interim" come off coach Cain's title?

You would think as soon as possible...but the administration is questionable at best.

[warriorcat]

One of the issues is there is also an interim AD.  He is also the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.   The intial search did not produce a clearcut candidate(s).  They have reopened the search.  Kemil Atkins, the gentleman holding three positions, was at the tournament this weekend, representing Keene State.  I think he clearly saw firsthand the job Ryan has done this year. 

[warriorcat]

Dizel is definitely out.  He tore his ACL in the UMASS Boston game.  Ozella did not play that day because he suffered a concussion in a non-athletic campus incident.  After the game, Hammel broke his hand when he punched a locker and missed the next two months.  Lunn's injury is to his back.  He is also a pitcher on the Keene baseball teamso they are being very cautious.  Ty Nichols missed Saturday's semi final because he had a tooth pulled last week. 

Coach Cain is not one to complain and wallow in misfortune.  He convinced the team that they had no choice but to play through whatever adversity they faced. 

By the way, it was very satisfying to see Nate Stichell named the outstanding player of the tournament.  He is a hard worker and the unquestioned leader of this group. 

[amh63]

It is interesting to me that the Nescac champs...Middlebury...is in the same "pod".  The other three Nescac teams are on the other side of the brackets.  Keene should advance and meet Middlebury...they are rolling and playing well now after a slow start.
Good luck to your conference champs.

[7express]

I'd take Stockton by about 10+.

[warriorcat]

What a slugfest in New Jersey as Keene State continued it's late season run with a heart stopping one point overtime win over host Stockton.  The two teams were even in most statistical categories except free throw shooting where Keene shot 80% and Stockton 70%.

With three seconds left and the score tied at 71, a Stockton player intentionally fouled Matt Ozzella as he dribbled across the Stockton free throw line.  At best, Ozzella  might have gotten up a half court heave.  From the Stockton player's reaction, he lost track of the score and he must have thought his team was behind.  Ozzella missed the first and made the second to win the game.

Keene will get a rematch with Middlebury tomorrow night.  Someone's great end-of-season run will continue to the Sweet Sixteen. 

[gordonmann]

I had a chance to speak with Ryan Cain about the Owls' victory and his transition from player to assistant coach to player.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/men/2016/keene-state-cain-interview

To answer someone's question further down on the board, Cain mentioned that the school just posted the job on Friday. Since Keene is part of the State of New Hampshire, I assume the school has to go through a formal bidding process. I feel pretty good about his chances.

[AllStar]

I had a chance to speak with Ryan Cain about the Owls' victory and his transition from player to assistant coach to player.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/men/2016/keene-state-cain-interview

To answer someone's question further down on the board, Cain mentioned that the school just posted the job on Friday. Since Keene is part of the State of New Hampshire, I assume the school has to go through a formal bidding process. I feel pretty good about his chances.

Good interview.

[7express]

So, looks like Keene beats Middlebury.  They'll play Christopher Newport (who was a 3 point winner over NYU) probably at Wooster or Oswego State in the sweet 16 next weekend.  Since I thought they'd lose by double digits in the opening round and was shocked they actually made it to the LEC finals much less won it with the injuries they've had this year anything they do from here on out is complete gravy.  Well done by the Owls though!

[warriorcat]

I have finally caught my breath after tonight's Keene-Middlebury game.  For 31 minutes tonight, that was the best Keene has played all season, IMHO.  Then they started to miss free throws, which they have not been doing in the last three weeks, and made a couple of poor decisions with the basketball.  However, this group of players and coaches have such a strong belief in themselves and each other that they played through Middlebury's final run at them.  On the offensive end, different players stepped up at various points in the game. Jaquel Edwards (14 points) came off the bench with some big shots, Nate Howard (14 points, 9 rebs, 4 blocks) went to the floor on at least four occasions to fight for loose balls,  Matt Ozzella (11 points) shook off early foul trouble that limited him to 4 minutes in the first half and scored some big baskets and free throws down the stretch, and Ty Nichols scored a quiet steady 14 points in 37 minutes of play.  On the defensive end, Howard's blocks and shot altering defense complemented the tough individual defense by a quartet of Owls (Stitchell, Hammel, Tipton, and Nichols) who took turns trying to slow down Middlebury's outstanding junior scorer Matt St. Amour.

Fourth ranked Christopher Newport lies ahead next Friday night.  I hope that the Keene players and coaches can savor tonight's win.  They can start thinking about their next game tomorrow. 

[warriorcat]

According to Oswego's website, Keene will play Christopher Newport at 5:30 pm Friday night in Oswego NY.  Tufts, Benedictine, and Augustana will serve as the other sectional hosts.