MBB: Conference of New England

[dwebbs]

Gordon beat Salve 69-64. After falling behind by 6 early in the second half, Gordon really got on their horse and pulled out the comeback, sparked by a throw down by Jon Marstaller. Schnackenberg, who I predicted to have a break out year, also led the team in the come back. Kaufman, Vogz, and Mike Herr also got hot from the arc.

Overall, Gordon played well, as did Salve. Next Tuesday is going to be bigger and more important for Gordon when they go to EC.

[24/7/365]

Let's not pat ourselves on the back just yet there dwebbs.  Schnack played well, yes.  But I still think we are far from saying this is a "break out" year.  While I'm as big a fan of Schnack-Attack as the next guy, this is his first game in double digits.  If he can continue this type of play on a consistent basis, then, and only then will your prediction come to fruition.

The game however was one of the worst played games for GC thus far this year.  There was no flow and no "team" concept until 7 minutes left in the game.  Had Marstaller not thrown down on the fast break, GC might never have ignited a comeback, and could very easily be looking at a 0-1 conference record.  Herr had an off night, and everyone else was playing average at best.  John Beebe once again led the team in plays "unable to be recorded," while Marstaller did his normal damage down low.  Kauffman turned it on late, and the consistent play of Logan down the stretch was the key to GC emerging victorious.

With one conference win in their back pocket, GC can finally give EC all their attention. Beverly Mass should be flying off the hinges come Tuesday night, with all the makings of a heavy weight bout.

[dwebbs]

john beebe is playing amazing this year. in the time he is getting, he is making what seems like everything from beyond the arc. but to say he led the team in "plays unable to be recorded" is an insult to kaufman, who runs the offense. there is more to a game than scoring, and i think kaufman showed that with 41 minutes and 5 points at MIT.

I don't think either it was one of GC's wosts games. they stuggled at times, but like i said, there is more to a game than offense. and as far as schnack, i just think this is the first game of him doing what he is capable of. we'll see.

[All-around]

Man, sucks for curry. They lost to Christopher Newport because they had six men on the court. The coach must want to kill somebody. Especially because christopher newport is a very good quality opponent. Curry has to be legit this year, especially without their two best players. It is good to see them finally stepping up and playing to their talent level.

[CCC Fan]

Colby-Sawyer 88, Nichols 78

--St. Clair: 19 points, 13 rebs
--Bray: 13 pts

--Butler: 22 pts
--Lewis: 20

I agree Hoops, time to see some senior leadership out there for CSC.  Also, its time the Chargers learn to wake up after any bus ride longer than a half hour. CSC teams have been falling asleep on road games for quite a few seasons.  It must be a team tradition that is passed down year after year. 

[Rachel Ray]

RWU beat Anna Maria 71-59

[24/7/365]

Rachel I love your 30 Minute Meals! Plus I have all your cookbooks.  Good luck with your up coming marriage.

[d3bballinboston]

hmm on the d3hoops scoreboard it says Anna Maria beat RWU

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Roger Williams did indeed win that game, but d3hoops has it wrong only because RWU submitted the score incorrectly.  71-59.  Also know as the Geoff Barranger coming out party.  Remember the seven footer we spent all summer of 2004 talking about, he's a sophomore know, and apparently very dominant over bad teams: 20 and 14 on 10-14 shooting.  Parrish had 17 and 9, Cammobrecco had 14 and Cormier had 7 assists.  Griffin had 11 points from the bench.  I guess RWU finally woke up from the shock.  For AMC Loussaint had 18 and MacDonald, 14.  Everyone from last year's squad whose names we might recognize have apparently transfered, quit or have died.

Curry 65 Christopher Newport 68.  Even with the dumb mistake, I can't imagine Wynn is too mad at his boys.  They are really performing well without TJones and Lamb.  Bartelle had 18, Mohrin 15, Largesse 12 and Marcus Jones 11.  Curry played really well, too bad for the technical at the end.  It forced them to foul with 7 seconds to go.  Tough loss, but a great performance.  They will be dangerous.

CSC over Nichols 88-78.  Another weak performance by CSC.  Thorpe's got mono; he's out until after Christmas.  St clair had 19 and 13, Spanos added 12, Bray had 13.  Kenny struggled shooting again.  Szelinga had 12 off the bench.  For NC Lewis had 20, Butler had 22, Valle had 12, Mercer 10.  The emergence of the young guys is allowing Butler more freedom of movement after being doubled constantly last year.  Nichols should be much improved and will challenge Salve and RWU for the #2 spot down south, I think.

GC over Salve 69-64, and are lighter one monkey.  Marstaller had 17, Kauffman and Schnackenberg had 13 a piece.  No boxscore, oddly enough.

NEC over ENC 82-70.  Five guys in double figures for NEC.  Jaziri led the way with 21, Montrod went 19 and 6 with 5 steals and 4 assists, 12 from Onyechi, 11 from Quinn and Sylvia went 10 and 10.  This is a solid squad with a decent home court advantage... they could be the monkey wrench this season.  ENC got 13 from Christian Corey, 11 from Jasmin, 10 from Duda and 10 points from Marcellus, Dan Shaw had 13 points off the bench.  They might be a good match for AMC, especially if all those guys from AMC are indeed not playing this year.  The North just keeps looking stronger and stronger.  UNE got much better and they still may finish last.

WIT over UNE 83-79.  Prezzie Blue had a horrible game shooting 2-12, but Todd Doyle picked up the slack with 23.  16 from Bolton and 12 from Hall.  UNE was led by 22 from Farynaz, 14 from Stinkney and 11 from Marriott.  McManus only played 25 minutes, presumably with foul trouble, he scored 10.  Farynaz is back aswell.  This class of juniors was certainly down last year, but with RWU's Parrish picking things up as well, they may be out of the Sophomore slump.

EC over Mitchell in the consolation game of the Wesleyan Tournament 83-60.  Marinkovic 14 and 12, Ellis 13, George 14.  They seemed to phone this one in.  The bench played a lot of minutes and Mitchell isn't exactly an impossing foe.  I think they were pretty disappointed with the loss Friday night.

[AJ]

Any predictions for Gordon at Endicott tomorrow?

  - Marstaller has been playing amazing all year, and if Mike Herr can get back to his usual form after two slow games, I think GC will keep their undefeated season alive.  I like Gordon by 4 in a close one.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not sure if this EC team will be down because of the weekend or inspired because of the weekend.  Either way this has become the biggest game in the CCC in recent years and its bound to be packed.  I think the home surroundings are big for EC.  I have no idea and those are the games worth going to see.

[24/7/365]

Going into "The Nest" (weakest home court name ever) is never an easy task for GC and the GC faithful.  That fact along gives EC a 4-6 point advantage right off the bat, anyone who has been their for one of these games will attest to that opinion.  You also have to be concerned with GC's lethargic start their last two games.  If one finds them self down at EC early on, getting back into contention is almost impossible (see GC 04-05 season).  With the leadership of George, Ellis, and Darko, EC has as legitimate a shot as ever at upending GC, and ruining their unbeaten season.

That being said, GC still has to be favored in this game.  They've only lost one player from a team that played well against EC at EC last year in that of Scott Allenby.  With only that minor set back working against them, GC has a lot of positives on their side.  They are a better rebounding team now this year, something that devastated them at EC last year.  They have a better low post presence with Marstaller, Schnack, and Marino.  Their sophomores now have a year under their belt, and understand the enormity of the GC/EC rivalry.  All that, combined with the stellar play from their deep bench, their passion to win one on EC's court, and a lesser EC team this year, makes for a GC win.

I say GC by 7.  The game, however, will be much closer.  Free Throws widen the gap.

[akirk]

To tell you the truth, there really is no home court advantage when it comes to GC and EC.  The schools are literally 5 minutes away from each other.  Just like the Pats, I can never bet against GC.  I will take them by 6.  One other prediction, Markovic will not beat them.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

That's a big prediction, seeing as how EC's only saving grace last year was the improved play of Nemanja against the Scots.

[roy_williams]

besides the proverbial times when the teams meet and one school is out on break, the Post center provides the loudest atmosphere of the two venues. That is not a knock on the Gordon faithful, rather alot of Endicott students don't come to the Bennett, and if they do they aren't very loud. Not that they would compete with the PIT even if they tried, but for the most part the biggest crowds are when the game is at Endicott. EC does have a good home crowd, and Gordon, while it doesn't get as many students as it should, gets the heart of the student body over there and provides some good banter. It is too bad these teams meet so early every year, because the atmosphere can really be electric. I'm still waiting for the dream matchup of a GC-EC semifinal CCC game, as it was just missed the last two years. 

Either way, the home team does have an advantage. At both courts, only the home crowd can get on the floor, as the opposing bleachers at both the Bennett and the Post force you to sit about 5 rows up behind the bench, and no where near the court.

The Post center will be rocking from both sides Tuesday no doubt. I know the PIT is pretty amped about this game.  The two big guns for each team seem to be stuggling a bit (Herr and George), so I expect whoever plays better as a team will win. I think Gordon already has an identity (forged by great chemistry and tough wins when they played poorly--a mark of a great team), while EC is still trying to find theirs. Thus, I think GC will win by 3. Any time these teams meet it pretty much comes down to the last 1 or 2 possessions. 

Another matchup to watch is whether GC can finally defend Darko. I look for Marstaller to roll regardless as Darko is a terrible defender and probably won't even be on Jon, but I am interested to see if Gordon can finally keep him off the offensive glass and stop him from dropping 20 plus. If he goes off, EC will steal the win.

Its a HUGE game for the fans, but too early for either team to really make a statement, although Gordon has more to gain than EC. Basically you can look at it as Red Sox-Yankee game in May.