MBB: Conference of New England

[24/7/365]

Jordan wouldn't have been as good, because he lacked the motivation to become the best.  Getting cut gave him his competitive edge.

I'm not sure much would be different if Buzz was first.  We just wouldn't have heard "This is one small step for man.  One giant leap for mankind."  We might have heard instead, "The moon really isn't made of cheese."

[akirk]

24/7/365

You didn't get the point.  It was not whether or not John would have been good or not.  The fact was that we benefited by getting more playing time earlier than he probably would have earned it.  Like I said I would take John over anyone on the GC team.  If you are going to call me out...Get it right.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not sure much would be different if Buzz was first.  We just wouldn't have heard "This is one small step for man.  One giant leap for mankind."  We might have heard instead, "The moon really isn't made of cheese."

"..or at least it doesn't taste like any cheese I've ever had."


Good ol' Buzz.

[gobombers15]

I think I can give a pretty objective assessment of Utica for you all. The Pioneers were 21-6 on the season with three of those losses coming at the hands of E8 champ St. John Fisher. Fisher and Utica were by far the two best teams in the conference but Fisher is so good and so well-coached that they always had a plan for Utica and executed it flawlessly.

Obviously, you have heard of Ray Bryant and Justin Cichon (pronounced "See-Shawn"...took forever for me to realize that). Both players were 1st team All-Empire 8 selections. Cichon is a very good outside shooter but likes to go  to the rack, as well. He's very good at getting to the line, too. Ray Bryant can do it all. He's a matchup problem for just about everybody except Fisher who has one of the best defenders in all of D3. Bryant can kill you in a lot of ways; inside, outside and from the line.

Those two players will almost always get theirs. The key to beating Utica, however, is not allowing their role players kill you, most notably Willie Lucas and Doug Herring. Lucas, a senior, was one of the best players in the conference as a sophomore but missed most of last season. Herring, a freshman point guard, is a speed demon who puts good defensive pressure on the opposing team's ballhandlers. If Lucas and Herring have good nights, chances are Utica will win pretty easily.

Generally speaking, Utica likes an up-tempo game. They play pretty good defense and get fast-break opportunities from that defense. Utica almost always holds its opponent to one long stretch without a basket. However, Utica is capable of playing a slower game though they'd prefer not to.

I agree with the assessment that the winner will likely come down to who can impose their style of play on the other team. As an E8 guy, I give the edge to Utica. I think their athleticism will prove too much for Gordon and the Pioneers wanna prove they belong in this field.

[anECfan]

For you Gordon kids who keep arguing about stupid injuries a couple months ago, can't you just meet at the sacred Bennett Center and talk about this injury problem?

I agree with Hoops on this one in regards to Jordan and the Astronauts.  Would Tom Brady have been this good if Bledsoe didn't get hit like he did?Would the Celtics have been even better if Len Bias had made it?  How many championships would the Celtics have won if Larry Bird wasn't so old?

See none of these are valid, and quite frankly not many people care about Marstaller except for the Gordon fans. He isn't at the level yet of CSC's St. Clair with 2,000 and 1000, is he? WHo knows maybe St. Clair was lucky with an injury on the team 4 years ago, are we talking about these possibilities?

[24/7/365]

anECfan...

Q #1) The Bennett Center closes too early.

Q #2) No way.

Q #3) No, but they wouldn't have been worse.

Q #4) Most likely the same amount.  Dominque and Michael would have been hitting their prime also.

gobombers15, you are making Bryant sound like some mythical God who can only be destroyed by the kryptonite of St. Johns Fischer.  GC was 5th in the nation when it came to points allowed.  I think they know a thing or two about stopping teams "go to" guys.  While I have no doubt that he will most likely thrive in the pressure of the NCAA tourney, I believe in GC enough to know they can shut down whoever, wherever, as long as they believe they can.

I am excited to see this guy though.  He has been built up as the real thing, and I am waiting to see if he pans out as so.

[gobombers15]

gobombers15, you are making Bryant sound like some mythical God who can only be destroyed by the kryptonite of St. Johns Fischer. GC was 5th in the nation when it came to points allowed. I think they know a thing or two about stopping teams "go to" guys. While I have no doubt that he will most likely thrive in the pressure of the NCAA tourney, I believe in GC enough to know they can shut down whoever, wherever, as long as they believe they can.

I am excited to see this guy though. He has been built up as the real thing, and I am waiting to see if he pans out as so.

How did I make him about to be a mythical god? Because I said he's a good all-around offensive player? That's not exactly iconizing someone, bud. In fact, most E8 posters would tell you I'm more of a Ray Bryant "basher" than anything. He scored 9 points Saturday night in Utica's E8 semifinal win over my alma mater, Ithaca. But in the two regular season games he averaged something obscene like 27.5 pts and 12 rebs against the Bombers. He's for real.

That said, Cichon is still their most valuable player even if Bryant is their "best" player.

[AJ]

Didn't think I would ever agree with an endicott kid but I got to agree with anECfan, we need to let this hassler/marstaller issue go.  Its NCAA time focus on the games about to be played. 

Any thoughts on who covers Bryant for Gordon?  I actually like Vogelzang over Herr.  Vogz is the better athlete and I think the best defender Gordon has.  Vogz doesnt really giving up much height to Herr (6'4 to 6' 5), maybe a little weight but Vogz makes that up with quickness.  Should be interesting to see what Schauer does.

Anyone want to break down the EC/Tufts matchup a little?  Haven't heard to much about that game on the board yet.

I'm going to the game on Friday, but unfortunately Gordon starts break Thursday so I'm not sure how many students will be around to make the trip.

Just looking ahead, if Gordon does beat Utica Friday what do you think their chances wil be verse WPI (assuming they win)?  I think Gordon has a strong chance of pulling out 2 W's this weekend if they play on top of their game.  Either way it should be fun to watch some NCAA hoops.

[24/7/365]

RIP Marstaller/Hassler...

WPI, in my opinion is one of the most over hyped teams in the nation.  EC almost beat them this year, falling only by 1 point.  WPI also only beat MIT by 3 or 4.  Now I know people hate what I am about to do, but GC beat both of these teams as well.  Now this rational may not be the best way to gage a head-to-head match-up, but I do believe, if GC gets past Utica and WPI gets passed Bridgewater, that GC has a very good shot at moving to the 16.  The one thing that works in WPIs favor is they are at home, and homecourt in an NCAA torunament can never be a bad thing.  Plus they are tournament tested, and as we have seen from GC already this year, the seasoned veteran teams tend to be difficult for the Scots to beat in tourney play.

[gobombers15]

RIP Marstaller/Hassler...

WPI, in my opinion is one of the most over hyped teams in the nation. EC almost beat them this year, falling only by 1 point. WPI also only beat MIT by 3 or 4. Now I know people hate what I am about to do, but GC beat both of these teams as well. Now this rational may not be the best way to gage a head-to-head match-up, but I do believe, if GC gets past Utica and WPI gets passed Bridgewater, that GC has a very good shot at moving to the 16. The one thing that works in WPIs favor is they are at home, and homecourt in an NCAA torunament can never be a bad thing. Plus they are tournament tested, and as we have seen from GC already this year, the seasoned veteran teams tend to be difficult for the Scots to beat in tourney play.

Don't put the cart before the horse. Gordon is going to have to play its best if they want to beat Utica. Anything less, likely won't be enough.

[24/7/365]

I know, I know.  I just wanna prepare those on this board JUST incase GC moves on.  But as long as I am the only one looking past Utica, and not the GC staff or players, I'll be okay with that.

[Maq Diesel]

24 and I talked about it tonight but in a effort not to look past Utica we think that the winner of the GC and Utica game will be dancing well into next week?  Will the sectional be held at Amherst or St. John Fisher or does it depend on what teams move on.  Also I am assuming that the Tufts and EC winner will play Cortland St., just how good are they, I know they have some great traditions in other sports such as hockey and lax but know nothing about thier basketball team.

[roy_williams]

alex yates is the real reason marstaller played. obvi! HA!

seriously, thoughts on Utica-GC: I'm gonna hold to the belief that Brad Freedman is the greatest thing ever to come out of Utica. Second, however is Ray Bryant. I think he will get 'his' in the game, and there is not much GC can do but contain. i also know he won't be able to win the game himself, so i'm not worried if he goes off.  again, i have never seen him play so it is just my opinion based on his mug shot and stats, but we will see. I think AJ is right on with Vogz getting the coverage. He would be our best hope to disrupt his game. either way someone should be on the horn to Ithaca ASAP and find out why he scored 9. Justin Seesaw does not scare me. He looks like a glorified Ellis. My only concern would be if he decides to penetrate and looks to pass. that might throw a kink in the game plan, but i think GC has done a good job this season neutralizing scoring guards of his ilk, sans D'Auria from MIT.

not sure about Willie Lucas, but i'm sure there is some empire 8 bias in his evaluation. i'm sure he is good. the quickness of Herring should be matched up nicely with the quickness of Kaufman.

my concern for GC is turnovers. Gordon has not been a team to turn it over that much season, however the last few games they have been way out of sync. but we will chalk that up to jitters. i truly believe GC will be loosey, goosey for this one.  my concern however, is their ability to get it past halfcourt. i don't think GC has been pressed too much this season. and if Herring is all he is cracked up to be, this could be a problem.  Logan can do fine, but not sure if his lateral quickness is all there yet. if they get pressed i worry. and if they do get it past half court, how much time will be left on the shot clock. that is my major concern; my question going into the game for GC. if they win the turnover battle they should win the game. if you limit Utica's pts off TO, i think GC will win.

i also think GC needs to limit second chance points. they don't necessarily have to win the rebound battle, but i think Utica will be crashing the glass, especially with their guards so GC will have to box out. and again if SeeSaw is penetrating all day and GC's d is moving around, they are going to have to fight to get back in position and get the rebounds.

get an early lead, too. doesn't have to be big, just be close. the last two games GC has started very poorly, so it will be good to stay somewhat even early to get that confidence back and take the pressure/anxiety out of it being an NCAA game and get back to just playing basketball.


Roy's Keys to the Game:

• Win the TO battle
• Limit Second change pts/possessions
• Mike Herr Score 15+

let's get some ECers on the Tufts matchup.

[qbsfinest]

yea lets hear what you guys have on the Tufts-Endicott matchup. How does Endicott matchup with the bigger Tufts team. Close game-blow out?? lets hear it.

[Defensed]

Can't weigh in too much about Utica college but if you look at the Utica web site you'll see they are weighted heavily with New York City area players so they may be a little more streetball style and some of the strategies that worked against Curry might work for Gordon.  As for Cortland State, it has traditionally been loaded heavily with Phys Ed majors siimilar to Springfield so you know your going to see a very athletic team.