MBB: NEWMAC

[hugenerd]

One other thing thats not mentioned about Cain, he is a excellent defensive player

Actually, that has been mentioned several times on this board already, but he doesnt put up very good defensive numbers (rebounds, blocks, and steals).  I wasnt at the game but was he guarding Sowers today?

[cheeks14]

no he was guarding Grant Johnson most of the game.  He is a very smart defender and knows how to get around picks.  He plays good deny defense and even though he doesn't have a lot of defensive statistics but he is still one of the leagues better defenders.

Sowers played unbelievable today and Blum came off the bench and showed that he could score around the basket.  I didn't realize how many big bodies coast guard had (Blum, Burgess, Prebeck and one other kid saw a few mins) and that proved to be the difference.  WPI only has a 7 man rotation and they got hurt today when they got in foul trouble. 

It has baffled me how Coast Guard struggled so much in the conference play because I always thought they were the 2nd or 3rd best team is this conference.  Maybe they are just finally clicking at the right time.  Today was an exciting game to watch and shows exactly what is amazing about college basketball.  I'm bummed that my team wasn't able to win the game but it is impressive that the #7 seed in the tourney was able to battle through and win the tournament. 

On a positive note, this is the only way the NEWMAC was going to get 2 teams into the tournament.  I wish good luck both teams (unless CGA is playing WPI again) and I hope they represent hte NEWMAC well. 

[PlayOnPlaya]

Isnt it funny how everone "Knew" how good you were once you have the cup.  CG played a hell of a game today and have won the last 3 games playing as a team. Different people have stepped up every game to make it happen. Also all of the Cadets that came to see both games at WPI really got the team pumped up and playing with emotion. At one point a cop had to come over and tell the Cadets to sit down... which didnt last for very long. Oh ya.. and Burgess' dunk...  enought said.

[cheeks14]

with that said....Coast Guard will be very good again next year with all the players they have coming back especially if Craig Johnson comes back.  WPI is also only losing Ryan Cain as the lone senior so the battles between these two teams should be very interesting next year again. 

[hugenerd]

MIT will be returning Hamidou Soumare from study abroad, as well as (hopefully) the 4 other players who were either injured or took off this year.  They should be tough as well. 

Babson also only loses a couple seniors and should be strong again.

It will fun to see if they newmac can have 3 or 4 teams competing for that top spot next year, rather than one team running away with the regular season.  This would not only be good for enjoyment of conference games, but also for the national scene.  If you look at the UAA from last year and this year, they only sent the league champion last year and will likely send 4 this year.  If your entire conference is performing at a high level, you get higher QOWIs and national respect for everyone in the conference.

[hugenerd]

WPI is also only losing Ryan Cain as the lone senior so the battles between these two teams should be very interesting next year again. 

I just think its kind of funny how whenever we talk about player of the year, you say how crucial Cain is to WPI's success and he is the heart, soul, and leader of the team, but then when you talk about next year you say they are only losing Cain.

[cheeks14]

Ryan Cain will be a huge loss to the WPI program and I fully realize that.  However, they are still very good at every other position and I'm sure that Coach Bartley will have someone ready to step in.  They won't be able to replace all that Ryan Cain does on the court but I think that the guys at the other positions are very good and they will find other ways to hurt you.  I think that they will be much more of an inside team next year and not rely on as much outside shooting. 

I also agree that it would be good for the league to be overall much better.  This year no one really gives WPI credit because they "haven't played anyone".  Next year it will be good for the entire conference if they are all good and I think that you are right about MIT and Babson.  Next year seems wide open and it should make for some very entertaining basketball games.

[atn alum]

<<coast guard was 2-10 in the regular season and won 3 games to win the tournament.    has that ever happened before where a conference tournament champion won more games in the tournament than in the regular season?>>

we're gonna research this (with the help of SIDs around the globe), as well as last-place teams to win league titles.

A really amazing accomplishment by Coast Guard. As someone who has broadcast their games since 2002, I can tell you that it is a truly great story that the Bears won. I may try to share some of that later this week.

And I hope the folks who attended appreciated the job that WPI did hosting.

Hope anyone that tuned in enjoyed as well.

[cheeks14]

Just wanted to revisit my picks from Valentines Day.

POY - Cain -  WPI
FOY - Bracht - MIT
COY - Brennan - Babson

1ST Team
Cain-WPI
Bartlotta-MIT
Prebeck-Coast Guard
Etten-Babson
Coleman-WPI

2ND TEAM
Sowers - CGA
Zukowski - Wheaton
Pizzo - Springfield
Bracht - MIT
Bourque - WPI

__________________________________________


Overall I think I did pretty good for myself.  Cain did end up winning POY very deservingly (despite what Clarkie and hugenerd might think).  The coaches did a very good job of realizing who the best players were in the conference and I was impressed that there was a representative from every team. 



Here are the actual selections
POY - Cain -  WPI
FOY - Bracht - MIT
COY - Brennan - Babson

1ST Team
Cain-WPI
Bartlotta-MIT
Prebeck-Coast Guard
Etten-Babson
Coleman-WPI

2ND TEAM
Sowers - CGA
Zukowski - Wheaton
Gibbs - Springfield
Bracht - MIT
Alexander - Clark


I feel happy with my predictions by getting all three of the major awards, the whole first team, and 3 out of 5 on the second team correct.  Congratulations to all these players and there are only 2 seniors on this list so I look forward to watching all of these players battle for the next few years!!!

[diehardfan]

Hey guys, we're collecting previews for each team in the tourney on one of the multiregional boards. If I get them by Friday I may even be able to stick them in one document for people to peruse. A fun little tourney resource of sorts. Would someone here be willing to do one for WPI and Coast Guard? Thanks!

http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=5147.0

[atn alum]

We tried something similar last year, and I'm glad someone is doing this again. I added Coast Guard to that board. Hopefully someone from WPI will do the WPI one.

[diehardfan]

Thanks! We're obviously not going to get some of the schools due to the fact that, well, some of the teams that haven't given previews lost tonight! But, we have a shot at getting quite a few with more than 1/3 of the schools already on the list! 

[atn alum]

Today's NCAA game (8 ET) between Coast Guard and RIC can be seen/heard in the following places

Video link: http://ibn.ihigh.com/play/index.cfm?id=64556

Audio link: http://sportsjuice.com

If you wish to e-mail the audio broadcast during the game, cgbears2006@aol.com

[mattapn02126]

I believe Wheaton is getting a solid backcourt from the Greater Boston area in next years class. PG Ryan Sasso from Peabody who attends Bishop Fenwick, and 2 Man Anthony Coppola from Watertown. Theyre both solid, fundamentally sound players. If youre a Wheaton fan and live near Boston, these guys are playing each other Tuesday the 6th at Revere High School at 7:30.

[cheeks14]

Congratulations to Ryan Cain for winning the Josten's Trophy this year.  He has worked very hard on the court and off the court and I am very happy for him to be recognized for all his hard work.  WPI will truly miss him in many ways and it has been a pleasure watching him play.