MBB: Conference of New England

[anECfan]

Burton is running the point for the most part, but Whitelaw does run it when Burton is either not in the game, or if Burton is running ahead of the pack.  Endicott has had a problem turning the ball over and that is why they have lost a majority of the games they have played.  It seems as though they shoot well, but turn the ball over way too much to win games.

I don't think EC's confidence will be that low if they finish 2-6 before break.  They know they have been playing some very tough regional opponents, and have let a few of the games slip away because of turnovers.  You also have to figure that Nemenja Marinkovic isn't playing like he has in the past, and with some more practice time, and a little break hopefully he comes around to being the dominant force he was in the past three seasons.

The one thing that will be disapointing for EC is the fact that they play at Gordon during EC's long winter break...but I think/assume that Gordon will be back in session when EC visits in late January? That will be a huge boost for Gordon, even though playing at home against EC is always a huge boost for them.

[bballbliss]

Yes, Gordon will be back in session for that game.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

WPI is a solid team, but not as good as they were last year.  It didn't look like they were putting out full effort in the second half of the EC game.


Burton is one player who needs to step up.  I noted in my preseason rundown of EC that he had a lot of potential to be the floor leader they need.  Turnovers were a huge problem for them at the beginning of last season as well.  I'm not so worried about them getting that under control.  The bigger concern for them is if their post players can defend agressive scoring big men from other teams.  That issue concerns me most about this EC squad.

[gullfan]

To anECfan:
   Help me here. I've been trying to rally the cause. Your post based on the quality of the competition Gordon has faced and EC makes my point. It's better in the long run to be 2-6 or 3-5 and have played up the whole time than to schedule cake walks like Mt. Ida! Sure there's room for making sure the wins are there for the postseason, but by then, I'm hoping the Gulls figure out the rotations, the new guys step up and all could be fine.
 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

It's all about the post-season anyway.  A rebuilding team like EC has to win the conference tournament to get to the NCAAs anyway, so a few early non-con losses don't matter one bit.  However, Gordon has a good returning team with a real shot at an at-large bid if they don't win the conference tournament.


It's way to early to compare teams anyway, but I don't think either plan has anything wrong with it.

[Maq Diesel]

EC fans,

EC has played a better schedule thus far, no doubt.  That being said I have two things two say, firstly you guys keep metioning Mt. Ida, they were an opponent scheduled for a reason.  When you host a Tip-off tournament you want to make sure you are playing in the finals, so we scheduled Mt. Ida so we had the best chance of being there, though Gordon was the class of that Tournament so I don't think it would have made a difference who we played.  Secondly, you can only play the games that are on your schedule and Gordon has yet to lose and they are only getting better each time out.  EC is 2-5 and seem to be spinning their wheels at best.  But Hoops fan is right for EC it only matter how they play during the CCC tournament and that is a few months away so we will have to wait to see how it all plays out.

anECfan,

I too and disapointed that EC fans wont be back for the first game between GC and EC.  I hich they would schedule those two games in February.  Those are always great games and the fans are a big part of that for both sides.  A few years ago Gordon played at EC before the EC students were back.  That sucked so at least we have the game at the POST center later this year.  I can't wait for that match-up it should be a great game.

[d3bballinboston]

wow wentworth beat the coast guard. CCC must be excited about this

[glory_days]

Just a few responses here:

ballinbliss said, "As Maq has said before, GC fans are excited about their program right now after an excellent season last year, coming off 3 less successful seasons."

I don't know how long ballinbliss has followed GC bball because if he had then he would know that in the '99-'00 season, GC went 3-21.  Now that is a "less successful" season.  It's an indicator of how far GC bball has come in the past years.

Also, Maq Diesel said, "I am not saying Coach Schauer is the next Jim Calhoun or Jim Boeheim but look at how those two D1 powerhouses schedule."

Let's hope we never have to compare Coach Shauer to Jim Calhoun as that will mean Coach Schauer is now rambling incoherently in thick, thick Massachusetts accent. 

Now on to the game.  GC needs to give Salem State a beat to get a little cred from the other posters. 

[gullfan]

I'd be interested in who everyone would pick as their coach that they would want to play for - not just in this conference but in New England. Lots of great coaches out there.
Biased opinion would be Plansky - out of retirement. Then I'd go with Charlie Brock. Met him a couple of times at games. Seems like a real nice guy. Nice pedigree. And how cool must it be coaching where the game was invented!!!!!!!

[GC_Apologist]

Being 2-6 against difficult competition may be, for EC, motivation going into conference play, but it does absolutley nothing, zero, zip, nada for you in terms of QOWI.  And you know who knows this, GC's coaching staff. They are covering all bases by setting an easier out of conference schedule. Because if they win the CCC tournament, great, they're automatically in. But if they lose, they can fall back on their stellar out of conference schedule to get them an at large bid. So sure, EC fans may be saying, that's unfair, or that their schedule will help them later on. But GC's schedule is helping them right now, and ultimately, could be helping them come February. Plus, last time I checked, 7-0 usually creates a larger sense of confidence than 2-6, but that's just me.

P.S. As I was writing this HoopsFan posted his, so keep that in mind.

[Newburyport]

Forget the EC/GC stuff for a while.  The dangerous CCC team is Roger.  Any team that beats Salem State should have everyone's attention in the CCC.  Roger can obviously play in the trenches.  Can any other CCC team?

On Todd Burgos - I saw that he had 10 TOs in a recent game.  Obviously he is trying to do too much.  He's better than that.

New England College - They are a scary team offensively.  I do have some questions about their team conditioning, however.  GC decided to run up and down the court with them and the result was NEC's shooting fading significantly in the second half. 

[AJ]

I agree with Newburyport on this one, the EC/GC matchup is always intense but I think the team that GC needs to be worrying about is RWU.

As for the whole schedule situation, Im pretty sure Schaur knows whats he doing.  A good record not only looks good for a post season bid but it helps for recruiting as well.  Telling a recruit you were 21-5 last year compared to something like 14-10 is a big help in convincing kids your run a solid program.

[bballbliss]

There will be a lot of talk in the next few days about the Gordon/Salem State game.  Before that begins, readers should know that Coach Mike Schauer was not at the game because his mother suffered a severe stroke on Thursday evening and is still recovering.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

[gullfan]

What a tease!!!!! Endicott almost pulls off the major upset. Turnovers were way down, Corbett was tough from the arc, Sully was the man again! A few "young" mistakes at the end cost them huge!
If this is the team that the Gulls play in the conference, we'll be fine!

[James]

There will be a lot of talk in the next few days about the Gordon/Salem State game.  Before that begins, readers should know that Coach Mike Schauer was not at the game because his mother suffered a severe stroke on Thursday evening and is still recovering.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Looks like GC lost a tight one here. One has to wonder if it would have gone the other way if their head coach was there. When games are this close coaching matters most. I am sure the GC players wanted to put this one in the win column for him. I echo bballbliss' sentiments to pray for the coach and his family!