MBB: Conference of New England

[24/7/365]

Im gonna try and weigh in on the Tufts/EC game.  Looking at Tufts and their squad, they average 83 points a game, which is just PHENOMENAL.  They are led by their big guy Martin down low.  He stands at 6'8 and nets 17ppg to go along with just under 7 boards.  Behind him is their Forward Weitzen with 15ppg to go along with 5.5rbds.  They also have two other players in double figures in that of O'Keefe and Shepherd.

The Jumbos rebound like whoa too.  Their game average on the glass is a staggering 42 per game.  It looks as though everyone gets in on it, making them an even more difficult team to contend with because everyone will be making a mad dash for the boards. 

They do have 7 players averaging 20+ minutes a game also.  This might be the only thing going against them.  If they find themselves in foul trouble early, they are going to have to turn to players like Grauer and Sullivan who are both averaging less than 10 minutes a game.  In terms of negative aspects, this one is far down on the chart, but it could be a factor.  Basically what I am saying is EC has an up hill battle the entire way.

On the other side of the ball, EC comes in averaging 63ppg as a team, for those who are not Math Majors, this is a 20 point differential, WOW!  They are led by their two 1,000pt scorers in George and Darko with 14 a piece.  Ellis rounds out the double digit scorers with 11.

EC is one of the best rebounding teams in the CCC at 35 a game, but that still pales in comparison to Tufts 42.  Look for EC subbing a lot in hopes of getting fresh legs in so that they are able to compete for every rebound opportunity.

I think ECs biggest challenge come Friday, minus the drive, which Tufts will be making as well, is the size that Tufts contains.  They have two big boys in that of Martin and Sullivan, 6'8 and 6'9 respectively.  This is definitely one of the main reasons they rebound so well.  I think that Tufts will also do a formidable job shutting down the "trash man" Darko, as well as ECs Sullivan, who really shies away from the spot light in big games.

Honestly, I think the only thing EC can do is keep the game respectable.  This Tufts team is just so good this year.  It wouldn't surprise anyone if they stepped over Amherst on their way to the Final Four.  Tough draw for EC this year, looks like they are starring an 0-3 NCAA record in the face.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I put this on the NESCAC board to, but to me it seems like EC lives and dies by two things: FG% defense and turnovers.  If they allow Tufts to shoot better than 40% or commit more than 12 turnovers, they have no shot.  I think Tufts is too good to really lose this game.  Not that it couldn't happen, but its not very likely.  Tufts will get more of a game than they expected, but they will be able to empty the bench with a couple minutes to go.

[gobombers15]

Can't weigh in too much about Utica college but if you look at the Utica web site you'll see they are weighted heavily with New York City area players so they may be a little more streetball style and some of the strategies that worked against Curry might work for Gordon.  As for Cortland State, it has traditionally been loaded heavily with Phys Ed majors siimilar to Springfield so you know your going to see a very athletic team.

Just because they have players from a metro area doesn't mean they play "streetball." We'll ignore the racial implications of that comment and I'll just say Utica has a pretty good coach who keeps the team playing in control. Do they like the up-tempo style? Yes. But, believe it or not, they are capable of running half-court sets with some success.

As to your comment about Cortland St being very athletic, that is also incorrect. This year, Cortland has pulled in the reins and have played a very ugly but successful half-court, grind-it-out type game. Usually, they want to run but Coach Spanbauer has adapted to the talent he has; which is to say he has very good outside shooters and a team that plays excellent team defense.

Roy, it would be a bad idea to call Ithaca's coach to find out how to stop Ray Bryant seeing as how averaged like 27 and 12 against us in the two regular season matchups. I think his 9 points in the semis were more a product of him deferring to other players who were all having very good nights (Cichon, Lucas, Herring) while letting the game come to him in hopes of saving his energy for the final against Fisher. He's a player and you'll see that on Friday night.

[akirk]

gobombers15

There was no racial comment in that post.  It was more of a demographic generalization.  By no means are they tied together.

[john]

..akirk........most reg posters on this section know what you ment, nor do you have to defend yourself..........

[akirk]

John,

I didn't post it.  I just wanted the guy to be a little more careful when you through out the whole race card.

[john]

akirk........your right...sorry..i just read his reply and jumped before i read them all.........but still my point still stands........

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Are you going to Keene for the game tonight, john?

[jps920]

Any predictions for tonights game between CSC and Keene? Earlier this year CSC lost 81-80 when Keene's David Sontag hit a 3 with 3 seconds remaining. I'm going to have to go with CSC if Thorpe can produce some good numbers. According to the CSC website he didn't play in the first meeting, so I think he'll be the factor.

I'm also looking for St. Clair to put up some sound numbers. Atleast 2 boards(for 1000).  He should go for 20+ and 10+. I don't think these seniors want there season to end just yet.

CSC by 7

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I've picked CSC to win the ECAC NE.  I think they will be able to deal with Keene just fine.  That early season game was way too close and this CSC team is playing far better.  I'm glad St. Clair will get his 1,000 boards.  I think CSC by 12 or so.

[john]

 would love to go but it is a five hour drive from here.as to who will win...thats a tuff one..keene beat csc by one in the start of the season..also we got better but if you look at csc-gs i wasnt sure but csc won..csc-ec..i thought we would win and we didnt....id like to think that if csc decides to really play they can beat keene but i just dont know what team is going to show up..ahhhhh, what the heck...csc by 11

[john]

   most people that post on this ccc board do not know it but, there is (from this state) one of the most dangerous three point shooters ever, that post up here. if we could find shorts big enough and a fork lift to get him up and down the court he could really help csc but, alas he is to old...sorry  jps920

[24/7/365]

hmmm... not sure what that means.  Any who...

Do you guys really think CSC really cares whether or not they win the ECAC tournament?  Some would say it's like the NIT, but it's the NIT for a select section of the USA.  I honestly think they want The Saint to get his 2 boards, so he can get to the 1,000 mark, and after that everything is just icing.

It's unfortunate that CSC wasn't able to make the NCAA's, they would have been a more formidable opponent for Tufts than EC is, plus it would have been a dramatic game for The Saint and his career numbers But none-the-less he and his teammates are in the Bush League.

Good luck to them tonight however.  It would be nice to see the CSC seniors go down as champions of something, even if it's the ECAC's.

[john]

24/7/365         made a phone call and was told the two boards are a given, they want to win and will play that way..

[jps920]

Geez, so you lose a little stamina, and gain a couple pounds and then all of a sudden your a tank? Well you heard it....straight out of Dickie V's trap.
Anyways I just hope CSC can guard the 3 pointer and not take "Out of position shots" tonight. It's too bad john won't be there...cause theres nothing like an old bald cheerleader hacking up some lung in the crowd! Peace ol' man!!