MBB: Conference of New England

[Maq Diesel]

Well it has been a long time after last week I was confussed and thought that this was a board FOR players and coaches, ha.  Well after some research and some thinking, here are my first round picks.  I am not going to give scores but I will give margins, anyway here they go.

GC over Nichols, by 12+.  Gordon is the better team even though Nichols gave them a good game a week ago, but that was a Gordon team that was comming off a three day break.  In addition to being a little rusty, Logan had just returned and the team was not fully accustomed to his presence in the line-up.  At Bennett I think Gordon will handle them fairly easy, there should be a big crowd and they have played much better at home than on the road.  The last and most important reason why I have to go with Gordon is they know that if they win this game it basically assures them a spot in the big dance, to come this far and not take care of business is not something I see happening.

EC over Curry, by 8.  I know that people are picking this game as the upset but I just don't see it.  The CC team I saw the other day was a collection of good players, but was a bad basketball team[/b].  I know EC lost to CC a week ago but that is an even bigger reason to pick them.  I have a hard time picking against EC when they are out for revenge, especially at the Post, which will be buzzed and roudy for sure.  This will not be George's last game mark my words.

CSC over SRU, by 3.  This Salve team is the second hottest team in the conference I know, but CSC has a nice little streak going, they have won 11 of 12.  And as for this Salve win streak, during the 9 game streak they played NEC, UNE, AMC and ENC twice, not exactly the class of the league.  In a close game I always take the team with the most experice and the is no doubt CSC, not to mention they have the Conference's best player in St. Clair.  Believe me i would much rather see Salve travel to GC on Thursday, CSC is very good, playoff tested and not to mention beating a team three times is always tough, but I just don't see Salve winning.

RWU over WIT, by 5.  WIT is a good team but they are a year away from winning a playoff game.  RWU will use their home court advantage and win, though not with out a scare.

GC over NC
EC over CC
CSC over SRU
RWU over WIT

RWU over EC
GC over CSC, in the real CCC championship game.

GC over RWU

[dwebbs]

I agree that EC should beat Curry tomorrow night. However, I don't think it's an automatic V for the Gulls. EC had just as much pressure on themselves when Curry came to the Post last week, since they were at the time, tied in conference record with the Scots. EC still got down by 19.

This is different because it's the playoffs, so it's a different kind of pressure than any regular season game. And lately, you have to like EC at home. I just think there is a chance Curry pulls off another one in Beverly.

And in that event, I would have to disagree and say that Endicott makes it to the CCC finals over Roger Williams.

[24/7/365]

So confused after that post dwebbs.  If EC wins tonight, they don't play RWU in the Ship, they play them on Thursday in the semi's, at RWU.

[gordon]

I think it will be a tough game in Ri, but CSC will pull it off by about 5 points.  Which leads me to the big semi-final game between Gordon and CSC, (hopefully both teams will be there).  CSC by 7 points.  Why?... Gordon is better, but to beat a team three times in a season.  Even when CSC wins Gordon should hopefully get an at large bid..which is an amazing task in itself. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm glad to see a GC guy with at least realistic expectations.  The first GC-CSC game was 18 points while CSC was playing some of their worst ball of the year; the second game was 7 points while GC was playing great basketball, so I see this one being a one or two possession game with both teams at their best.  Despite all the success if CSC shows up and plays their best, they will win this game.  Of course, they have to get by Salve and Nichols first to even get there.

The reason I hopped the CSC bandwagon is that the big guys are actually playing right now.  With both St. Clair and Thorpe being scoring and rebounding threats, it presents a tough inside match-up for anyone in New England.  CSC has been pounding the ball inside of late and if they keep that up, they should be able to run over Salve and beat up Gordon.  Also, I feel that this CSC team with experience and inside talent have the best chance to represent the conference well in the national tournament and getting more recognition for the CCC is most important to me.

[john]

yes csc guys are playing better but,can they take it to gc...i just dont know,alot depends on what team shows up to play. anything can happen in the playoffs so thats also a factor as to who gets there.most of the teams can step it up..tried to get a choice for poy and roy but just cant get a clear cut person in both of them..could this be co poy and co roy ?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Were you really thinking someone other than Andrew was going to win POY?

I can certainly see rookie being split as Doyle seems to be the favorite, but I think Montrod is probably the best freshman out there and Largesse makes a good case as well.

I just don't see who could be considered POY alongside St. Clair?  He has been the best player in the league for four years now and he single handedly held the season together while the rest of his teammates were trying to give it away.  To me there's no contest, but then again, what do I know?

[akirk]

Let's stick with tonight's games and not talk like GC and CSC have already won.  Anything can happen in a single elimination tournament.

[john]

hoops fan.........hope you are right..we will know soon.leaving for RI now to see the game and hope to be going to csc games all week..as akirk said anything can happen in a single game elimination tournament..........

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The only thing that worries me is that drive down to Salve from New London.  I hope they got some roomy buses so the legs don't stiffen up too much.

[24/7/365]

You'd have to look back pretty far to see the last time a CSC team had to travel for every game in the CCC tournament, so that new playoff feel might hinder them a little.  And I don't think SRU is going to roll over tonight, they have a shot at ridding the CCC playoffs of the most savvy group of veterans the league has to offer.

Yes CSC is good, and yes that GC 18 point victory was not a true indicator of the CSC talent, but the game GC/CSC played at New London was two good teams going at it.  GC was hot, but CSC had just run off 6 straight themself.  It was also CSC's alumni/homecoming week (whatever) so they had a large CSC contingencey which GC weathered to get the 63-56 win. 

I know CSC is the more seasoned team, and they have as much post season history as any team in the nation, but the changing of the guard is a natural evolution in basketball.  As GCOldtimer told us, AMC used to be straight nasty, not really the case anymore (0-16).  Granted I need to see GC beat CSC one more time for that change to happen, but I don't think that would be too large of a feat for the GC guys. 

As a fan, I would love GC to have to go through CSC and EC, just to make their Championship that much more legite, but a Championship in general would make all my wildest dreams come true. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

AMC used to be stright nasty because they had some sketchy academic practices that it took the accredidation committee several years to find their way to the backwoods and correct.

[24/7/365]

If you're not cheating, you're not trying!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If you're not cheating, you're not trying!

It's not cheating until you get caught, then its just a mistake.

[24/7/365]

Exactly!