MBB: Conference of New England

roy_williams · February 23, 2006, 02:23:10 PM

hoops, i don't know if that is rhetorical, but if he is an EC guy then i don't know why he said he will be at the GC game (instead of the EC game) and he basically wishes CSC through the CCC playoffs (which would include beating EC--or assumes EC loses to WIT--even worse) in his last statement. ?

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · February 23, 2006, 02:43:39 PM

Whatever, its responding to those posts that gets this board all screwed up anyway. You just need to ignore the trash talk, especially when its obviously not done in good humor.

We could stick to actually talking basketball... wouldn't that be novel?

dwebbs · February 23, 2006, 02:49:55 PM

I think the wildcard tonight is not Thorpe (althoguh that might be). I think it is the refs. If Marstaller stays our of foul trouble, then CSC is going to have trouble winning play in the paint.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · February 23, 2006, 02:52:27 PM

I'm not sure how even Marstaller can hope to compete if both CSC bigs are on their game. I think he will score and he may even score a lot, but the CSC guys will probably contribute just as much.

In my opinion, the game will come down to how well the CSC guards can control the GC backcourt. A lot of GC's game comes from the perimeter, whether its outside shooting, drive and dish or interior passing. If the CSC guys do a good job on perimeter defense, then I think CSC can win this game.

dwebbs · February 23, 2006, 03:14:02 PM

I really don't mean to be rude or offensive, but did you see either of the CSC/GC matchups this year? At CSC, the Scots went inside to Marstaller three times in a row down the court, and he picked up 6 straight points on those trips. St. Clair will get his 16-22 points, and I'm not even saying I think Marstaller is better than St. Clair, I just think that if he can stay in the game, that's one more area CSC has to focus on.

Secondly, looking at the box score of their last game, Herr was 0-7, and the Scots still won. His play has picked up tremendously down the stretch, and if he has another game like Tuesday night, it's just another advantage the Scots have.

I don't want to be that annoying Gordon fan that has 110% faith in his team, I just think after the two matchups this year, Gordon and their fans have a reason to be confident going into tonight.

nescac04 · February 23, 2006, 03:16:06 PM

I agree. If Bray and co. can focus on feeding their scorers and keep control of the tempo/game, then csc's got the edge...I think the big men are peaking and will play up for this game...also I believe the seniors will bring their a-game when faced with being eliminated in their final year...On another note, I don't think gordon is shaken up for over the nichols come back in fact in my opinion it has probably galvanized them. I expect a great game, giving csc the edge, maybe a five point margin...

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · February 23, 2006, 03:22:15 PM

NESCAC gets what I'm saying. Both Thorpe and St Clair have not had good games at the same time since November. They've been doing it over the last week. When Condon and St. Clair were playing together last year, that inside was unstoppable. Even Amherst's coach talked about how they were probably the best frontcourt in the region. Condon was probably a little better than Thorpe, but Thorpe has the advantage of a little better outside shot. I think the two of them together can be very, very tough and something we really haven't seen much of this year.

Again, I doubt they will stop Marstaller or even limit him too much, he's a great player, but the inside is not where the game will be decided.

nescac04 · February 23, 2006, 03:23:26 PM

Yeah it's true Herr had some doughnut time last game and he's gotten more consistent..that being said, if csc had done only slightly better than 2-10 from the arc and 50% from the FT line in the second half they probably would have won...csc can't throw it up so much...butterworth can shoot and spanos was 4-4 from the arc against endicott...shot selection, although a broken record rears it head yet again...

jps920 · February 23, 2006, 03:43:32 PM

My prediction is CSC by 6. It's pretty tough to beat a team three times in a season. CSC seems to be playing well "together" lately as a team. They are shooting well compared to early season and have stepped up there defensive intensity. On the other hand though, Gordon is riding an incredible season and from what I have seen of them, they just flat out play well together. It's going to be tough for either team, and I wish I could be there to see the battle in the post.

And another thing, I'll personally guarantee that ccc #1 player is not the saint. I mean c'mon, it's obvious someone is doing it to get a rise out of the few posters on this board, and doing a rather good job at it. Same with college expert, sound more like someone making fun of bartelle than it being him.

With that said, I can't wait to see whats posted on here tonight after the games are over. See ya then

akirk · February 23, 2006, 03:52:14 PM

The main difference between GC and CSC is that CSC will only win if St Clair gets a lot of touches. This has been documented in their loses this season. GC on the other hand can have 4 or 5 different guys step up and take over the game. It will be a great game tonight. My head says that CSC will not lose three games to GC in one season, but I think GC will prevail. The telling sign for me is the second meeting at New London. GC blew them out in the first meeting and then traveled to CSC and still took care of business. Now with GC being at home, I can't see them being the underdog.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · February 23, 2006, 04:02:21 PM

Quote from: akirk on February 23, 2006, 03:52:14 PM
Now with GC being at home, I can't see them being the underdog.

I would have agreed with you wholeheartedly until that first round game. After a performance like that, they are back to proving themselves anew in the playoffs.

I think CSC, but two or three at the most. It will come down to FTs, I think, at the end.

jps920 · February 23, 2006, 04:27:21 PM

For CSC to win Thorpe has got to play the way he has as of lately. In the two meetings this year Thorpe has scored a combined 11 points on 5 for 13 shooting will shooting 1 for 8 from behind the arc. CSC also committed 34 turnovers and have been outrebounded 64-63 although it wasn't much of a difference. I guess we are just going to have to wait and see what the night brings.

Maq Diesel · February 23, 2006, 04:32:14 PM

I kind of like that everyone not from GC is doubting them, you guys have been questioning this team all year and I think they have answered quite nicely, but I agree they still have something to prove. They won one playoff game against Nichols, CSC is a different story, but know that this GC squad has a lot of pride and want to be considered an elite team and this win will say alot about this team. I think tonights CSC @ GC winner will also win the conference. Should be fun, enough talk let wait and see what the people who actually descide the games show us on the court.

akirk · February 23, 2006, 04:32:19 PM

Well, here comes the question of whether it was good defense by GC or just a couple of bad games by CSC. It is hard to answer but if you look at GC's defense though out the season, I think it speaks for itself.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · February 23, 2006, 04:59:42 PM

Here's hoping for two overtime games. I'm out until tomorrow.