MBB: Little East

[warriorcat]

Thanks 7.
I hope the teams aren't trying to figure all this out. They should focus on playing the games and trying to win each time out.

[AllStar]

Thanks 7.
I hope the teams aren't trying to figure all this out. They should focus on playing the games and trying to win each time out.

Exactly right.  I do know from a Keene perspective that I think they control their own destiny...but that doesn't mean much unless you win.

[7express]

Keene is definitely in a good position, as they are the only one of the 3 that can lose Wednesday and still wind up with the #1 seed according to my calculations, but I'm guessing they'd rather not have that happen, as it would be rather difficult to accomplish that.

[AllStar]

Keene is definitely in a good position, as they are the only one of the 3 that can lose Wednesday and still wind up with the #1 seed according to my calculations, but I'm guessing they'd rather not have that happen, as it would be rather difficult to accomplish that.

I would agree...I'm looking at it as basically a game for first, because Eastern and Dartmouth won't lose to their other tomato can opponents.  I'm not optimistic given Keene's pathetic games against RIC and USM...those are REALLY angering (and hindering them significantly!), but am hoping to be greatly surprised Wednesday.

[magicman]

7,
Good job explaining all the tiebreakers. I'll be rooting for my cousin's alma mater, Keene State. He was one of their top players about 30 or so years ago. It's the only gym in the LEC conference that I've been to. And back then they weren't in the Little East. I think they were DII. 

[AllStar]

7,
Good job explaining all the tiebreakers. I'll be rooting for my cousin's alma mater, Keene State. He was one of their top players about 30 or so years ago. It's the only gym in the LEC conference that I've been to. And back then they weren't in the Little East. I think they were DII.

Good choice.   

[AllStar]

Congrats to East Conn, but an utterly brutal performance from Keene, which is nothing new on the road.  This was easily predictable given brutal performances against dismal Southern Maine and Rhode Island College teams.  Throw in another one against UNE and you see a flawed team that is wildly inconsistent and has not gotten any better.

[magicman]

Congrats to East Conn, but an utterly brutal performance from Keene, which is nothing new on the road.  This was easily predictable given brutal performances against dismal Southern Maine and Rhode Island College teams.  Throw in another one against UNE and you see a flawed team that is wildly inconsistent and has not gotten any better.

I watched a large part of the game....you're right. Sorry.

[ECSUalum]

Congrats to East Conn, but an utterly brutal performance from Keene, which is nothing new on the road.  This was easily predictable given brutal performances against dismal Southern Maine and Rhode Island College teams.  Throw in another one against UNE and you see a flawed team that is wildly inconsistent and has not gotten any better.

I watched a large part of the game....you're right. Sorry.

I attended the game tonight and it was a monster performance by Hugh Lindo!!  He did everything, score, block shots, rebound play ridiculous D and all with muscle cramps toward the end of the 2nd half.  They need to get better cool air circulation in Geissler Gym it was stifling there tonight and it was packed with  people!!  If ECSU plays Defense like they did tonight  they have a chance to beat any team!!

[AllStar]

Congrats to East Conn, but an utterly brutal performance from Keene, which is nothing new on the road.  This was easily predictable given brutal performances against dismal Southern Maine and Rhode Island College teams.  Throw in another one against UNE and you see a flawed team that is wildly inconsistent and has not gotten any better.

I watched a large part of the game....you're right. Sorry.

Sorry!  Not much to watch!  I haven't sensed "it" with this team since December...they have not gotten better, and have probably gotten worse.  To put it bluntly, a good team does not lose to lowly RIC, Southern Maine and University of New England.  Those are three awful losses.  Also, Keene has simply been an awful road team.  Last year they lost a lot of close games and suffered numerous injuries, which was frustrating, but there was hope for improvement. This year, six of eight losses are by double-figures...and some of those are against lowly teams!  I hope recruiting is going well, because this season has been going downhill for weeks now.

[7express]

Congrats to East Conn, but an utterly brutal performance from Keene, which is nothing new on the road.  This was easily predictable given brutal performances against dismal Southern Maine and Rhode Island College teams.  Throw in another one against UNE and you see a flawed team that is wildly inconsistent and has not gotten any better.

Not more embarrassing than Western losing to RIC for a second time this season.  Officially means they will open on the road....and are in danger of finishing in last place.  Anyone remember the last time the last place team had a record at .500 or better??  I'd assume never, but its bad to assume things, but that is indeed the scenario we have in front of us: IF Western loses to Plymouth on Saturday AND USM wins their final 2 games (@ Plymouth, home vs. Dartmouth), the Colonials will finish in dead last (4-10 in the conference) but with an overall record of 12-12.  Embarrassing indeed!

[AllStar]

Congrats to East Conn, but an utterly brutal performance from Keene, which is nothing new on the road.  This was easily predictable given brutal performances against dismal Southern Maine and Rhode Island College teams.  Throw in another one against UNE and you see a flawed team that is wildly inconsistent and has not gotten any better.

Not more embarrassing than Western losing to RIC for a second time this season.  Officially means they will open on the road....and are in danger of finishing in last place.  Anyone remember the last time the last place team had a record at .500 or better??  I'd assume never, but its bad to assume things, but that is indeed the scenario we have in front of us: IF Western loses to Plymouth on Saturday AND USM wins their final 2 games (@ Plymouth, home vs. Dartmouth), the Colonials will finish in dead last (4-10 in the conference) but with an overall record of 12-12.  Embarrassing indeed!

Keene will be trying to avoid a second loss to RIC on Saturday.  The really sad thing is had they been able to beat them or a lousy Southern Maine team (or both), they'd be in the driver seat for first.  As it is, Keene is only going to get a first round home game and, if they even advance past that, will have to go out on the road, where they've stunk all year.  That being said, there is no shame in losing at Eastern...though I wouldn't have minded a more competitive effort.  The shame is losing those other games when you needed to win.  Yikes.  What's amazing is two or three weeks ago, I could have envisioned a scenario where the LEC got an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.  Now?  Forget it.  Dartmouth beats Eastern by 26 and then turns around and loses at home against UMass-Boston?

[amh63]

Just sticking my nose here and reading about the up and down play of the top half of the conference. Several comments. 
First comment....it appears that the postponed game between RIC and Amherst will not be played.  Nescac teams start Tourny play this weekend.
Second comment...can any perceptive poster here explain the up and down ride of teams in the conference.  Is it the players or the coaches??  Aware of several new coaches..at WConn for one.  Or is it in the water or the change in offensive style and neglect on the defensive side.  The Nescac is seeing up and down play in games too.  I feel it is pointing to the players.  Lindo of ECSU being the consistent standout..on both sides of the game.

[wcsu91]

Conference seems awful this year from top to bottom. Very inconsistent play. Whatever team gets the auto bid to the tourney probably loses it's first round game. And what is going on at Western? They have no D. 5 straight loses. Wondering if it Is the interim coach? 7 have you heard who will be hired to coach Western next season?

[ECSUalum]

I don't know amh63, sometimes I think the players get either physically and/or mentally tired at the end of the season. Of course you can't have this from players if you want to get into post season play or go deep in post season!  Last couple of years end of season injuries to key players plagued ECSU, but this year I see the post position is a problem from an offensive and defensive standpoint, besides players that lack consistency.  The defense lapses, (giving up 85+ points), toward the end of the season is of most concern.  Eastern has historically been an excellent team on defense, and giving up 90 points in a game is really unacceptable if you want to win championships.  Again wrt the defense, I don't know if its physical of mental toughness that's in play here!  NCAA tournament level teams rarely give up losses to weak teams so, I don't know if its the killer instinct that you need to play hard vs all teams and just get the W.