MBB: Conference of New England

[Bill Gorman]

That's right.  I did my numbers incorrectly.

I gave up figuring it out and waited for the text as I was driving home...

Link to release:  http://www.thecommonwealthcoastconference.com/News/mbball/2010/2/20/mbbtourn10.asp?path=mbball

Gordon College has earned the top seed for The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) men's basketball championship, which begins with quarterfinal matchups on campus sites Tuesday.

The Fighting Scots (21-4 overall) captured the top seed in the conference tournament after compiling a league-best 12-1 record in TCCC play.

On Tuesday, Gordon will host #8 seed Endicott (12-12, 7-6), while #2 seed Wentworth (14-10, 10-3) will host #7 seed Western New England (12-13, 7-6), #3 seed Curry (13-12, 10-3) will host #6 seed University of New England (11-3, 7-6), and #4 seed Colby-Sawyer (14-11, 7-6) will host #5 seed Nichols (14-10, 7-6).

TCCC tiebreaking procedures were utilized to seed the two teams with identical 10-3 records -- Wentworth and Curry -- and the five teams with 7-6 conference records -- Colby-Sawyer, Nichols, University of New England (UNE),Western New England (WNEC) and Endicott.

In the lone conference matchup between the two 10-3 teams, Wentworth posted a victory, thus earning the #2 seed and giving Curry the #3 seed.

In conference games played among the five 7-6 teams, Colby-Sawyer compiled a 3-1 record, compared to a 2-2 mark for Nichols, UNE and Endicott, and a 1-3 record for WNEC. Colby-Sawyer earned the #4 seed, while the remaining four teams returned to step one.

Of the four remaining teams, Nichols and UNE both posted 2-1 records in games played among that quartet, compared to 1-2 for WNEC and Endicott. Nichols and UNE returned to step one, with Nichols earning the #5 seed as a result of a win over UNE in the teams' lone conference matchup. UNE, WNEC and Endicott returned to step one.

Of the three remaining teams, UNE posted a 2-0 record, while WNEC went 1-1 and Endicott was 0-2. This earned UNE the #6 seed.

Remaining teams WNEC and Endicott went back to step one, with WNEC claiming the #7 seed by virtue of a victory over Endicott in the teams' lone conference game. Endicott received the #8 seed.

All four quarterfinal games are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinal round which will be played on Thursday, February 25 at the sites of the higher seed. Games are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m., but may be altered in the event that one institution hosts both a men's and a women's contest.

Semifinal winners will square off for the conference championship on Saturday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the site of the higher seed.

2010 TCCC MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals • Tuesday, February 23
#8 Endicott (12-12, 7-6) at #1 Gordon (21-4, 12-1), 7:00 p.m.
#7 Western New England (12-13, 7-6) at #2 Wentworth (14-10, 10-3), 7:00 p.m.
#6 University of New England (11-3, 7-6) at #3 Curry (13-12, 10-3), 7:00 p.m.
#5 Nichols (14-10, 7-6) at #4 Colby-Sawyer (14-11, 7-6), 7:00 p.m.

Semifinals • Thursday, February 25
#1/8 winner vs. #4/5 winner, 7:00 p.m. (at higher seed)
#2/7 winner vs. #3/6 winner, 7:00 p.m. (at higher seed)
Times subject to change in the event of a men's/women's doubleheader

Championship Game • Saturday, February 27
Semifinal Winners, 7:00 p.m. (at higher seed)

[backboard]

Finally the dust has settled, blah blah blah . . .

#1 Gordon vs. #8 Endicott
Nothing better than the conference's top rivalry despite the fact that Endicott has fallen from the elite of TCCC.  Endicott has a win at Gordon already this season, but that was very early in the year.  In that game, EC jumped out to a large lead and was able to hold on down the stretch.  In the second meeting, Gordon dominated on the glass and held a significant advantage at the free throw line but still only won by 9 points.  
Gordon has plenty of experience (5 seniors) and Endicott was absent from the playoffs last year.  EC still has some guys will valuable experience such as Bobby Montrond and Graham Whitelaw; they both need to play their best to give EC a chance.  Endicott has plenty of size and will need to use that to their advantage on the boards.
Bottom line, in their two matchups this season EC had no answer for Aaron Trigg.  My guess is that he's going to be Player of the Year on the merit that he's the best player on the best team in the league.  (Interestingly enough, he never won Player of the Week honors this season but won it three times last season.  Todd Doyle, who was the better player, won the award once and walked away with the POY award.)
Gordon by 5.

#2 Wentworth vs. #7 Western New England College
WNEC limps into the playoffs losing 4 straight and really only beat the bottom feeders in the league despite 1 victory.  That W came on the road against Wentworth.  I don't expect the same result this time.  The major issue for the Golden Bears is their defense.  They've given up more than 90 points on 9 occasions this season, including in their last two games (vs. Anna Maria and CSC).  Wentworth has been playing great lately.  Unlike the past 4 years, there are no superstars on this team.  They play very unselfishly and possess a balanced offensive attack.
WNEC is led by a very solid and under-rated PG in Rick Johnson.  In their regular season matchup, he poured in 18 points in 27 minutes.  WNEC has some big guards that may also pose a problem for Wentworth; Andre Shaw and Chris Devine are capable of having a big night.  On the other hand, Wentworth has a very large tandem of forwards: 6'11'', 6'6'' (off the bench), and 6'5''.  This gives them the advantage of playing a strong inside/out game and making things difficult for their opponents.  They had 5 guys average 8-11 points this season, so it's clear that they're very balanced.
Wentworth by 10.

# 3 Curry vs. #6 University of New England
This year's winner of "the team you wouldn't want to face in the first round" goes to UNE.  (Obviously no one wants to face Gordon in the first round, but this award goes on a different merit.)  Curry pulled off the victory on the road vs. UNE earlier in the season.  UNE was in command during that game but allowed Curry to score 30 points in the last 8 minutes.
Both teams are similar in that they depend on their strong guard play.  UNE has no size and couldn't care less.  Their guards are very strong and don't mind doing the dirty work.  They love to force their opponents to play at a tempo they're not used to with a quick press and love running on the offensive end.  The second half addition of Anthony Coleman has helped them deal with the loss of Victor Oruonyehu.
Surprisingly, Curry is not led by Mark Mastrullo this season.  He's still capable of scoring in bunches, but the guy who really runs this team is Jarrell Jackson (their leading scorer and assist man).  I don't know what happened to A.J. Stephens, but they would be a lot more dangerous if he were still there.  Rodney Bennett (6'8'') should be able to have his way on the boards.
Both teams are similar in that they depend on their guard's speed and strength.  I expect a close contest.
(On a side note, UNE just lost by 24 without Quentin Thompson and there's no reasoning for why he didn't play.)
Curry by 2-3.

# 4 Colby-Sawyer vs. # 5 Nichols
Both teams were the model of inconsistency this season, but CSC really defined it.  They were the only team stopping Gordon from going undefeated in conference play but also dropped games to Salve and RWU.  They're led by senior forward Jon Chaloux, freshman Jason Chevrefils, and senior Dave Rosso.  The 3 combined to score 60 of the 82 points in the CSC victory over Nichols earlier in the season 82 – 73.  They have arguably the best coach in the conference and I expect him to have his team ready to play come Tuesday.
Nichols has been disappointing this season in my mind.  Having seen 10 games last year, I came into this season expecting them to take the next step to a top team.  Chris Paquin, Ryan Wilcox, and Bryan Riley are main components and very experienced.  Pete Atkins came into this season with high expectations but was never able to get it together.  In the few contests I saw this season, it seemed like he was being held back.  They struggled this season but have won their last 4 going into the playoffs.
Nichols by 6.

[akirk]

It looks like every game should be a good one.  Are there any predictions out there?

Here are my picks:

Gordon
WNEC
Curry
Nichols

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Wentworth is the only one I feel good about; WNEC is done - they packed it in a few weeks ago.

I believe in Nichols, but they've been less than stellar on the road and CSC is a tough place to play in February.  I'd lean towards NC here, but you never know.

Gordon is obviously the favorite, but records generally go out the window with rivalry games like this.

UNE matches up perfectly with Curry in that Curry can be goaded into the sort of mistakes on which UNE thrives.  However, if I've learned one thing over the last few years in the CCC it's that Malcolm Wynn's guys show up for the playoffs.  His CC teams have consistently improved on their regular season play every year.  That's my pick, but I expect an exciting game.

[CCC Talk]

Endicott at Gordon is a rivalry game so you throw out the records and it is their third meeting. I like Gordon by 3

Nichols at Colby-Sawyer. Nichols needed a flurry to get into the playoffs- I think they are out of gas plus that is a very tough place to play. Colby Sawyer by 11

UNE at Curry pound the over in this game. I think Curry is the best possible first round opponent for UNE but I'm not sure Mastrullo lets them lose. I'm going with Curry by 6

WNEC at Wentworth is the most interesting game. I honestly think if Wentworth gets by this they can win the whole thing- but I think WNEC is the perfect team to come in and beat them. This should be a one possession game WNEC by 1

[scout]

In commemoration of the upcoming CCC tournament, here is the first of the team statistics that prove to be of some help when prognosticating what might happen. I chose to include those players on the team that have averaged double-digit minutes. Yes, this will exclude a few individuals, but it should provide a good snapshot of the productivity of the large part of the team.

Gordon College - Fighting Scots - 21-4 (12-1)




 

 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 

Player Name	Position	Avg. Min.	PPG	FG	FG Att.	FG %	3 Pt. FG	3 Pt. FG Att.	3 Pt. FG %	FT	FT Att.	FT %	Reb./Game	Assist/TO
Aaron Trigg	G	32.6	17.5	139	319	0.436	50	139	0.360	109	139	0.784	3.9	1.02
Brady Bajema	G	31.6	13.6	102	203	0.502	55	111	0.495	81	94	0.862	3.8	1.27
Austin Bentson	G	18.6	3.6	26	85	0.306	12	45	0.267	26	36	0.722	3.0	1.11
Greg Walker	F	25.4	12.0	135	258	0.523	0	0	-	31	53	0.585	5.2	0.54
Ben Gaskill	F	27.8	6.5	61	108	0.565	0	0	-	40	72	0.556	9.2	0.69
David Dempsey	F	18.7	6.4	62	132	0.470	0	6	0.000	37	59	0.627	4.4	0.89
Jeff Derr	F	16.9	5.6	45	97	0.464	8	21	0.381	43	60	0.717	4.4	0.95
Tim MacDonnell	G	15.5	2.3	14	46	0.304	10	26	0.385	20	27	0.741	1.8	0.71

The others will follow later on.

[number1chargerfan]

I like Endicott in the big upset, it's a rivalry game and that gym will be basically even so no real homecourt advantage that Gordon always enjoys.

WNEC is dead in the water so I'm picking Wentworth and their dangerous big guys

UNE over Curry in another close one both are guard heavy teams that will play each other tough

CSC over Nichols if I have anything to say about it that gym will be as rocking as possible

Not that my picks matter but this should be a great first round.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I like Endicott in the big upset, it's a rivalry game and that gym will be basically even so no real homecourt advantage that Gordon always enjoys.

Gordon is very good at making sure the visiting team doesn't get the upper hand in the crowd noise department.  I imagine we may see a lot of early arriving GC fans and a handy fire marshall watching the body count in the gym.  Then again, perhaps the new AD is not as crafty as the previous administration.

[high flyer 21]

It will be very interesting to see how Gordon does this week.  As many games as Mike Schauer won at Gordon, his playoff record was only 4-7 with no conference championships or conference championship appearances (4-10 if you count Gordon's ECAC tournament loss to Keene State in 2003 and their NCAA tournament loss to Utica in 2006).  We'll see what Tod Murphy is made of.

SIDE NOTE: Gordon has never won the CCC before since entering in the 1990's.  The only conference titles they have are the Interseminary League in 1930, the New England Seminary League in 1943, and the North Atlantic Christian Conference in 1960, 1961 and 1962 (not that anyone cares). 

[high flyer 21]

It will be very interesting to see how Gordon does this week.  As many games as Mike Schauer won at Gordon, his playoff record was only 4-7 with no conference championships or conference championship appearances (4-10 if you count Gordon's ECAC tournament loss to Keene State in 2003 and their NCAA tournament loss to Utica in 2006).  We'll see what Tod Murphy is made of.

SIDE NOTE: Gordon has never won the CCC before since entering in the 1990's.  The only conference titles they have are the Interseminary League in 1930, the New England Seminary League in 1943, and the North Atlantic Christian Conference in 1960, 1961 and 1962 (not that anyone cares). 

correction: (4-9 if you count Gordon's ECAC tournament loss...)

[backboard]

I like Endicott in the big upset, it's a rivalry game and that gym will be basically even so no real homecourt advantage that Gordon always enjoys.

Gordon is very good at making sure the visiting team doesn't get the upper hand in the crowd noise department.  I imagine we may see a lot of early arriving GC fans and a handy fire marshall watching the body count in the gym.  Then again, perhaps the new AD is not as crafty as the previous administration.

I've personally witnessed games where Gordon's crowd barely 'out-volumed' their opponents fans.  You're absolutely right though, expect the GC fans to get there early.  That would be a huge advantage if their opponent wasn't 5 miles down the road.  EC fans are the most rambunctious group in TCCC.  They won't be out done in this one.

[scout]

Curry College - Colonels - 13-12 (10-3)




 

 
 
   
   
   
 
 

Player Name	Position	Avg. Min.	PPG	FG	FG Att.	FG %	3 Pt. FG	3 Pt. FG Att.	3 Pt. FG %	FT	FT Att.	FT %	Reb./Game	Assist/TO
Jarrell Jackson	G	32.9	18.7	95	208	0.457	14	46	0.304	58	77	0.753	3.9	1.29
Mark Mastrullo	G	36.5	16.4	135	351	0.385	64	206	0.311	76	96	0.792	2.7	0.759
Philippe Jourdain	F	34.3	12.0	108	234	0.462	13	43	0.302	58	111	0.523	5.5	0.744
Rodney Bennett	F	27.2	9.7	74	140	0.529	5	14	0.357	31	48	0.646	6.4	0.50
Chris Bonadies	F	21.7	6.2	64	124	0.516	0	1	0.000	27	37	0.730	5.4	0.4
Michael Worrick	G	26.3	6.0	60	125	0.480	20	67	0.299	10	20	0.500	3.1	1.5
Michael Connery	G	11.6	1.9	17	57	0.298	8	44	0.182	6	14	0.429	1.0	0.47

[scout]

Wentworth Institute of Technology - Leopards - 14-10 (10-3)




 

 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 

Player Name	Position	Avg. Min.	PPG	FG	FG Att.	FG %	3 Pt. FG	3 Pt. FG Att.	3 Pt. FG %	FT	FT Att.	FT %	Reb./Game	Assist/TO
Sam Herrick	F	24.1	11.6	100	201	0.498	1	2	0.500	77	106	0.726	9.2	0.60
Shane West	F	29.2	9.9	93	155	0.600	0	0	-	51	91	0.560	6.8	1.23
Matt Abbot	F	20.3	9.7	89	152	0.586	0	6	0.000	54	73	0.740	7.1	0.507
Brendan Monteiro	G	22.7	9.4	84	218	0.385	13	50	0.260	44	60	0.733	2.1	0.443
Adam Dombrowski	G	25.0	9.3	78	198	0.394	43	115	0.374	16	24	0.667	3.3	0.667
Eric Prue	G	12.9	3.7	29	73	0.397	19	54	0.352	12	15	0.800	1.4	1.03
Keenan Burke-Pitts	G	13.5	3.0	18	52	0.346	9	34	0.265	28	31	0.903	1.5	0.735
Corey Therriault	G	20.2	6.0	46	101	0.455	23	59	0.390	17	25	0.680	2.9	1.41

[scout]

Colby-Sawyer - Chargers - 14-11 (7-6)




 

 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 

Player Name	Position	Avg. Min.	PPG	FG	FG Att.	FG %	3 Pt. FG	3 Pt. FG Att.	3 Pt. FG %	FT	FT Att.	FT %	Reb./Game	Assist/TO
Jon Chaloux	G	28.8	17.9	150	346	0.434	44	118	0.373	103	124	0.831	6.8	0.811
Jason Chevrefils	F	30.0	14.0	127	263	0.483	0	0	-	95	159	0.597	5.8	0.521
David Rosso	G	29.3	11.8	98	235	0.417	47	120	0.392	39	53	0.736	3.3	1.05
Will Bardaglio	G	33.0	11.2	90	229	0.393	75	184	0.408	24	31	0.774	2.8	0.938
Corey Willis	G	30.8	6.7	48	168	0.286	15	71	0.211	56	80	0.700	2.6	1.71
James Tobin	F	19.0	5.0	50	97	0.515	8	25	0.320	18	33	0.545	4.4	1.07
Chrispatrick Cox	F	14.7	5.0	52	81	0.642	0	0	-	21	36	0.583	3.5	0.619
Zach McBey	G	11.2	4.3	39	102	0.382	17	47	0.362	12	16	0.750	2.3	0.481

[scout]

Nichols College - Bison - 14-10 (7-6)




 

 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 

Player Name	Position	Avg. Min.	PPG	FG	FG Att.	FG %	3 Pt. FG	3 Pt. FG Att.	3 Pt. FG %	FT	FT Att.	FT %	Reb./Game	Assist/TO
Pete Atkins	F	23.4	13.0	89	201	0.443	34	87	0.391	73	94	0.777	5.2	0.216
Ryan Wilcox	F	24.7	12.9	102	186	0.548	14	38	0.368	66	94	0.702	4.8	0.647
Bryan Riley	G	30.9	12.8	94	206	0.456	6	22	0.273	114	153	0.745	3.8	1.0
Chris Paquin	G	33.9	12.8	95	230	0.413	59	158	0.373	58	77	0.753	5.8	1.05
Kyle Mascilak	F	21.0	8.1	72	151	0.477	12	31	0.387	39	53	0.736	4.1	0.352
Justin Kuntz	G	18.4	4.5	40	118	0.339	14	44	0.318	14	28	0.500	2.0	0.625
Michael Salis	G	19.0	3.5	26	62	0.419	3	7	0.429	29	40	0.725	3.1	0.1.167
Justin Aldrich	G	13.9	2.5	19	60	0.317	6	23	0.261	17	28	0.607	1.8	0.816