MBB: Conference of New England

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

So now we start the talk about All-Conference.  The season is officially over and I believe ballots are all in at this point.

For me, first team worthy players are:

St. Clair (CSC)
Lamb (CC)
Marstaller (GC)
George (EC)
Kaufman (GC)
Lewis (NC)
Bray (CSC)
Marinkovic (EC)
Stickney (UNE)
Coute (SRU)

Honestly, I take the top five in the first team and the second five in the second team and I'm happy with that.  St Clair is the shoe-in.  Lamb just made enough games to be considered (one less and he's inelligible).  Kaufman should get in as the #1 guard.  I think Bray and George are pretty even, but George has done more scoring and is a visible team leader, so he gets the nod.

The third team gets interensting.

I put Grendal on it because of the boards.  Barranger deserves to be here as well.  Then I have to go with Jaziri.  Butler and McManus will get consideration as seniors with talent; I think one of them will get on.  The final spot will probably be the rookie guard either Doyle or Montrod.  I could see Jasmin from ENC or Prezzie-Blue fitting into that team as well.  The leftovers from this group will make up the HM team.

[24/7/365]

Having home court advantage through out the playoffs, doesn't come with out a few draw backs.  As GC has been absent of home court playoff games in recent years, they have forgotten now that everyone, including students is forced to pay for entry.  While I understand this money does not go to the school, rather it goes to the CCC, it is still sucks.  At a school like GC, where school spirit is hard to come by in some arenas, forcing students to pay, makes it that much more difficult to draw a crowd. I do know that the avid fans will come Tuesday, both for GC and NC, this policy chases the "on the fence" fans away, back to the dormitory's.  Oh well... Go Gordon! 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If you don't have enough non-on-the-fence fans to fill the place, you built too big of a gym.

If you can't sell out a home playoff game at what $2 a pop?  There's still some trouble in your basketball program.

I know one year at one playoff game, the school president stood outside with singles, paying for any student who hadn't brought money to get into the game.  I'm sure there's some rich alumnus (maybe the one whose name is on the gym) who could pony it up.

[roy_williams]

hoops- you left Herr off any team? i'm assuming you jsut forgot. i would put him second team. third at worst. but he was a pretty consistent force for GC this year.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Yeah, but he was down from last year and plays a competitive position.  He can go in the mix on the third team, but he didn't stand-out this year and as the obvious 3rd player from the GC squad it might be tough to crack those top three teams.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

You do have to take into account that I totally miss calculated last year; the teams weren't even close to what I predicted.  This year, I've tried to limit my own ideas and go with what I think the coaches will recognize.  Again, I have no idea what will happen, but it seems more in line with what to expect.

[24/7/365]

Hoops, I am a little disappointed  right now.  Why am I the only one that has made predicition?  You are the "oldtimer" of this league.  Why have you not weighed in?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Shoot, ok.  I'm going to go with the upset WIT over Roger Williams.  Their head-to-head was at RWU and only a five point game, in which Doyle didn't even show up.  The WIT big men have been playing better of late and gave Gordon a good game.  RWU has been severely on the decline coming into this and they may even be looking past the Leopards.

I'm also going to go with the upset in the second game.  Curry over Endicott.  I know this is suprising, but their head-to-head went to overtime and both team have gone in the opposite direction since then.  Marinkovic can't do anything to stop Lamb and the GC guards have been coughing the ball up like its phelgm in flu season over the last couple games, which is easy pickings for the fast hands of the CC guards.  EC peaked too early and they are paying for it now.  I know this is a suprise, but I think it makes sense.  You might disagree with me, but my logic is sound.

Gordon over Nichols.  No problem here.  Lewis may go off and its Butler's last game, so they will be ready to play, but NC hasn't played defense all year; I don't expect them to start now.

Finally, I think CSC over Salve.  Sure the head-to-head was only 4 points in New London, but that was a month ago.  St. Clair and Thorpe are finally playing the way they did in November and the guards have decided to show up.  The inside game will be too much for Grendal, who has trouble with guys as tall as CSC's, not to mention as talented.  I don't think St. Clair will let them lose this one, especially with a shot at 2,000 points.

I don't want to predict what will happen in the second round until I know for sure who is there, but I've had this nagging feeling for about ten days that CSC is going to put it together and win the AQ.  I think a CSC over CC final isn't out of the question.  I'm not counting Gordon out, but I just can't escape this feeling.  It's gut call right now.  We'll see what happens on Tuesday.

[Pat Coleman]

CCC on the front page.

[dwebbs]

Gordon on the front page.

[24/7/365]

What's better?  CCC playoffs or Christmas?

Yes, Mr. Grey.

Um... I think... CCC playoffs?

That's correct!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Nice to get a mention, although in the past, the CCC has choked every time they get a team some national exposure.

[24/7/365]

Way to pull out the Debbie Downer card there Hoops.  Hopefully GC want follow EC and CSC in their losing ways after being nationally recognized.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The truth doth hurt too much at times.

[roy_williams]

is this heaven? no, its d3hoops.com


tears in my eyes i guess when Mike Herr (will be 2nd teamer) and the Scots grace the front page. unbelievable. i know they were on it this summer, but this is special. pat can you frame this for me?