2011 Tournament Team Profiles

[Ralph Turner]

Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.
Belton, TX
Previous tourney record -- 0-1. Lost to Maryville TN 73-62 in 2007.

Pool A -- ASC (winner of the ASC-West and the Conference Tourney).

2008 record 25-3. 

Key games -- Mississippi College 90-81.  Also defeated AMCC Pool A PSU-Behrend (23-4/ 21-3/ 15-3) in Belton 71-65.  Won the ASC tourney by defeating ETBU ASC-East #4 (9-17 overall/9-13 South Region /9-11) by 66-50, Hardin-Simmons ASC-West #3 (15-12/15-10/13-8) by 60-55, and Concordia-Austin ASC-East #2 (19-9/16-8/14-7) by 82-73.

UMHB won 11 of their first 12 games, then lost two games in Abilene to Hardin-Simmons and McMurry.

That weekend trip was significant for UMHB's having a hard game against HSU and HSU's All-ASC post and ASC-West player of the year Mardochee Jean (Mar" duh shay' zhahn, pronounced French), and the weekend that McMurry had a healthy post Travis Tennison.  UMHB had trouble with both of those classic big men.  UMHB lost Jason Wagner guard in game 20 and Matt Dickey in game 19 with a broken hand. 

I posted this on the Posters Poll board two weeks ago.  Having seen a courageous UMHB try to plug the holes, I think that it is still pertinent.

Now that McMurry Men are out of contention, I am rooting for the ASC.  Some of you have great expectations for UMHB.  If you have not seen my postings elsewhere about UMHB, they have sustained two injuries that reduce their options as they encounter tourney foes.

What made UMHB so strong early is that their top 10 players were a versatile assortment of strengths and talents.  They could answer various types of play.  UMHB season stats.

Ryan Burgart is 6'10" and a big traditional post.  He could counter the "big men" that you see in the midwest.  Michael Ivey is another 6'7" post, but the key to all of this was 6'7" Matt Dickey, a wing who could give inside support and had great athleticism when isolated on bigger players.  Dickey has a broken hand.

UMHB's front court is quick and very athletic.  The season stat sheet shows 11 different players have led in either game scoring or rebounding this season.  There were many interchangeable pieces in that front court.  I believe that the loss of Jason Wagner about 6 games ago was as devastating a single loss to UMHB as any one player.  Wagner was very athletic, with great quickness and  leaping ability.

Because of those two losses, UMHB is not as likely to advance in the tourney as one would expect from a #4 team.  If they do, then ASC basketball as a conference is even better than I think, and national parity is closer than we know.

I hope the ASC does well, but UMHB's chances have been hurt badly by those two injuries.

Other capsules...
Who not to foul...Tim Lytle 31-36 this season 86.1%

Leading scorer...Tilmon Gaddy, 15.3 ppg.

Leading rebounder and shotblocker...Ryan Burgart, 7.0 rpg and 53 blocks this season.

Good luck, CRU. 

[with age comes?]

Clarkson "the I can't believe an 11-16 team is in the tournament" Golden Knights 

Starters:

Elson Pickering 6'7" forward who averages about 13 pts and 7 rebounds. Quick for his size and can shoot the 3. Set school record for blocks. 2nd team all-league.

Brandon Linton    6'2" point guard who averages about 9 points and led Liberty League in assists. Honorable mention all-league.

Ryan Smith  6'6" center.  Tough rebounder who averages about 5 and 5 per game.

Brian Salanger 6' 1" 2 guard who can really get hot from 3 point land. Sometimes is asked to play point too.

Keith Murray 6'2" 3 guard who shoots the ball well from 3 point land and is fearless. Also rebounds extremely well for his size.  Averages about 10 pts and 5 rebounds.

Key Reserves:

Jonathan Hood 6'3" athletic 3 or 4.  Can jump through the roof.  Nicknamed Zeus (and this freshman deserves the nickname). Goes well to the hoop and rebounds extremely well.  Averages about 5 and 5 per game.

Brandon Rigg-Reaves 6'2" slasher who is a defensive stopper. Averages 3 points and 3 rebounds but makes his presence felt on the defensive end.

John Chiero 6' 6" 4 man.  Who works hard every minute that he plays.  Has an uncanny ability to find seems against a zone defense for easy looks at the basket.

George Koduah 6'6" Athletic big who is learning the game. Rebounds well and can be a defensive force.

James Evans 6'2" 3 guard. Defends well and can shoot the 3. Good passer as assists for minutes are pretty high.

Kevin Linares 5'7" point guard. Very capable ball handler who gives very good minutes.  Has been limited due to injuries but provides real leadership to this young team.

Zach Gostling 6'6" freshman good mid range jumper who plays long.  Needs to "fill out" to be truly effective in college ball.  When he does he will be a force.

Nikolai Marquis 5'9" freshman point guard. Can shot the 3 but is learning the college system.  Very capable of running team in the future and gives good minutes now when called upon.

Shawn Lasalita 5'8"  freshman 2 guard who can flat out shoot the 3. Also 14-14 from charity stripe for the season. Will become a force as he improves his defensive foot speed.

Eric Ingerson 5'10" freshman 2 guard who is a very good shooter.  Is now learning the speed of the college game.  When his turn comes he will produce.


Key Wins:  Hamilton twice,  St Lawrence once, Vassar Once, Hobart (without Pickering to get playoff spot)

Key Losses: you name it they've lost it.  Numerous injuries caused 5 out of top 8 players to miss multiple games.  Have a full roster now.  Very well coached and disciplined. Extremely defensive minded. Held a good shooting Hamilton team to 2 for 20 from beyond the arc in league championship game (and one of those was a bank shot that wasn't called-though it did count). First NCAA tournament in school history.

[Gregory Sager]

Yes, how strange is it to have a team in the tournament from Potsdam, NY that doesn't call itself the Bears??

[ILive4This]

Brandeis University (Pool C Bid - UAA)
Record: 20-5, 10-4 UAA

Key Wins: #1 Amherst, @#4 Wash U, Rochester (I can not remember their rank at the time but I think #6)
Key Losses: Home and Home to Chicago (UAA Pool A winner), #4 Wash U, Then Unranked UMD (OT), @#1 Rochester

Three wins against teams that reached number 1 at some point in the season, all 5 loses to teams who would end the season in the top 25, all made the tournament. 5-5 record vs tournament teams, 3-5 above plus victories over Curry at home, and @ Elms (OT)

Hosting first round against Lasell, with Bowdoin and Curry also in the bracket.

Probable Starters:
Kwame Graves Fulgham - 5-10, 180 lbs. - 7 PPG, 3.6 RPG Needs 8 more steals to reach #1 in Brandeis History
Kevin Olsen - 6-4, 190 lbs. - 11 ppg, 2.5 rpg, over 85% from the line
Joe Coppens - 6-3, 180 lbs - 15.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 87% from the line, 44% from behind the arc
Terrell Hollins - 6-4, 225lbs - 13.6 ppg, 6 rpg, 53% from the field
Steve Hill - 6-6, 210 lbs - 7.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 57% from the field, 12 blocks

Reserves
Andre Roberson - G - 9.7 ppg
Christian Yemga - F - 10 blocks
Florian Rexhepi - G - 4.6 ppg, 50 steals, started during much of first semester

Overall Team shoots 70% from the line, score about 76 point per game, and lead their opponents in every category except blocked shots.

Outlook: Clearly I am a bit biased, but I think with a few road blocks on the way, the Judges should be at least in the sweet sixteen, with a decent shot at the elite eight and even the final four.

[Hoop Dreams]

University of Chicago Maroons
18-7 overall, 11-3 UAA

How Earned Bid: Pool A (UAA regular-season champion)

Last Tournament Appearance: 2007 (lost 76-54 to Hope in 1st round)
Best Tournament Finish: 2001 Elite Eight

Head Coach: Mike McGrath (DePauw '92) – 9th year at UC, 4th tournament appearance

Key Wins: Illinois Wesleyan, at Brandeis, at Rochester, Wash U
Key Losses: at Wheaton (IL), at Loras, at Carnegie Mellon

Key Stat: Chicago ranks 9th nationally in three-point field goals per game (10.0).

Nate Hainje (6'5" Sr.) is one of the best all-around players ever to wear the maroon-and-white.  Hainje finished among the conference leaders in scoring (4th), rebounding (4th) and assists (9th).  He has notched double-doubles in five of the Maroons' last six games (all wins).  He just does so many things that help the team win.  Hainje apparently is versatile in the classroom as well.  I learned on Senior Day that Nate is concentrating in religious studies and economics – a quintessential U of C double-major if I ever heard one. 

Matt Corning (6'4" Jr.) has had an outstanding season (17.8 ppg, .554 FG%) after being hurt much of last year.  Corning is a good shooter, but he also likes to take the ball to the hoop and draw contact.

Jake Pancratz (6'1" So.) makes plays from the point and is a terrific defender.  He will shoot the three at any time.  Pancratz played all 40 minutes in Chicago's last two wins over Brandeis and Wash U, which indicates how important he is to this team (this is especially impressive in D3 with no TV timeouts).

Adam Machones (6'5" Jr.) has come on strong late in the year and poured in a career-high 18 points in Saturday's conference-title game against Wash U.  Machones is a Duluth native who will be opening tournament play in his home state.

Tim Reynolds (6'7" Sr.) gives the Maroons a stronger post presence than they had last year, when he was hurt.  Reynolds also can step out and shoot the three -- he went 4-4 from beyond the arc in UC's win at Rochester.

Team Outlook: Six weeks ago, the D3Hoops Top 25 had Rochester at #1, Brandeis at #2 and Washington at #4.  Chicago did not receive a single vote.  Under those circumstances, for the Maroons to win the UAA title outright is a tremendous accomplishment.  Mike McGrath had to replace three starting guards from last year's tournament team and has done a tremendous coaching job.  The Maroons are playing with a confidence that is palpable.  Having taken down the giants of the UAA, will Chicago be able to maintain that confidence against WIAC powerhouse Wisconsin-Stevens Point?

[thebear]

Yes, how strange is it to have a team in the tournament from Potsdam, NY that doesn't call itself the Bears??

Quit rubbing it in.  Still haven't had the guts to tell Coach Welsh.

[with age comes?]

Come on guys let us Clarkson guys "bask in the limelight" that you've held for about 50 years!!!    Hey where are all the other posters?? I'd like some dirt on King's College please!!  We've shared???

[April]

Hmm.... I am really tempted to do this again this year..... Hmmmmm.....

It would be cooler if all the teams information was filled in from a template that made the summaries look uniform.

If someone is willing to partner with me by deciding on a template of what you want in it, and spam conferences for submissions, I would be willing to edit and assemble it and post it on my now extremely inactive website.

For an example of what was done last year, see:

http://wheatonhoops.googlepages.com/ncaatourney

[kcxc09]

King's 19-8 (11-3 conference)
Pool A qualifier after winning the MAC freedom conference for second straight year 

key wins deslaes x2, manhattenville x2,
key losses widener, baptist bible, york(pa), desales, manhattenvile

won lycoming tip-off to start year then stayed around .500 at 7-5 going into conference play, went 3-3 to begin conference play and hasn't lost since currently on a 9 game winning streak

10-3 at home this year (6 game winning streak at home) all 3 losses came during winter break to rival wilkes, york(pa) and lebanon valley

senior led team(8 seniors) 2 freshmen start, seniors have won 3 of 4 conference titles, went to elite 8 in 05 as freshmen, lost 1st round vs widener last year as juniors
senior John Soboleski- easily the most dominant player in the conference over the last half of the season wining player of the week the last four week, MVP of conference tournament averaging 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in two tournament games. for the season averages 15.3 points and 7.7 rebounds, but over the last six games has tallied an average of 20.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 blocks per-game
senior Jamie Cousart, a 6-4 point-guard, earned his third straight berth on the All-Freedom squad, including his second consecutive first-team choice. In 26 games this season, Cousart has averaged 15.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, while shooting 51.0 (134-263) percent from the field and 77.0 (114-148) percent from the foul line while standing second in the Freedom Conference with a 1.96 assist-to-turnover ratio.

those would be the 2 biggest threats along with senior center vince scalzo but every starter is a pretty solid player and kings has good talent off the bench especially with seniors Kofi Dwebeng, Jim Welsh, and Ryan Nenstiel
2 freshmen are pretty solid and get quality playing time, but i haven't seen enough of them to give full analysis

[Gregory Sager]

Yes, how strange is it to have a team in the tournament from Potsdam, NY that doesn't call itself the Bears??

Quit rubbing it in.  Still haven't had the guts to tell Coach Welsh.

I still half-expect Clarkson to show up on the court wearing skates and attempting to put the ball in the basket by using crooked wooden sticks.

[Jacketfan2011]

those would be the 2 biggest threats along with senior center vince scalzo but every starter is a pretty solid player and kings has good talent off the bench especially with seniors Kofi Dwebeng, Jim Welsh, and Ryan Nenstiel
2 freshmen are pretty solid and get quality playing time, but i haven't seen enough of them to give full analysis

Isn't Vince Scalzo the host of "Idiots Delight" on Sirius Disorder? 

[Cards7580]

"...I still half-expect Clarkson to show up on the court wearing skates and attempting to put the ball in the basket by using crooked wooden sticks...."

It works for Plattsburgh

[gordonmann]

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Ospreys

Record: 20-6, 12-3 in NJAC; NJAC regular season and conference champs
How they got here: Automatic qualifier (Pool A)

Wins versus NCAA teams: None
Loses to NCAA teams: @ Widener (69-67), vs. Whitworth (60-50), @ Moravian (67-65)

Likely starters

Jerome Hubbard (15.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg): Team's leading scorer...an outstanding outside shooter whose range extends well behind the three-point line...hit a critical three late against William Paterson in the NJAC title game to cut the Pioneers lead to one...in first game against WPUNJ, scored his only basket as the game winner and blocked potential game winning shot

Jon Greene (13.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg): Team's leading rebounder and best low post player...a broad shouldered forward who can bang underneath for rebounds and take his opponent off the drible...good on the offensive glass...hit the game tying and winning free throws in the NJAC title game...has to avoid throwing the ball away when passing...1,000 point scorer...one of just two players taller than 6-foot-3

Mario Lancioni (12.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 46.5 3pt%): Coach Matthews described him as the "heart and soul" of the team last year...a good ball handler and very good outside shooter...works well off screens and receiving passes from younger brother Santini...1,000 point scorer

Kai Massaquoi (5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg): Took over starting point guard role in mid-season...an efficient shooter with the team's best field goal percentage (.646)...will likely split playing time with Santini Lancioni, Joe Albano and Fran Kelly

Chad Davis (4.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg): Started all 26 games...solid defensively...at 6-foot-3 plays a forward position on a team without a lot of size


Key reserves

Santini Lancioni (6.4 ppg, 2.6 apg, .460 3pt%)
Kevin Brown (6.3 ppg, .870 free-throw %)
Omar Smith (6.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Fran Kelly (7.2 ppg, .452 3pt%)
Joe Albano (1.3 ppg, 1.5 apg)

Things are going well if: The Ospreys can push tempo, generating turnovers off their press that allow the Lancioni brothers to create in the open floor...the Ospreys hit their threes...Greene can neutralize whatever low post presence the opponent has...opposing team does not respect Hubbard's range and allows him to get hot early

[eclinchy]

I guess I'll chip in some NESCAC knowledge for you guys...

Amherst College Lord Jeffs

Defending champions; went 30-2 last year, best season in program history.  Only two losses were to Trinity and Williams (both NESCAC rivals).  Beat Wooster and Virginia Wesleyan in last year's Final Four to clinch program's first national championship.

23-3 this year; 9-0 in the NESCAC regular season.  Losses were at Brandeis, at Florida Memorial (Div. II NAIA), and home against Bowdoin in the NESCAC Tournament this past weekend (Bowdoin then lost to Trinity in the final).  Schedule was otherwise fairly soft, but a 9-0 regular season is impressive in a deep NESCAC that includes Trinity, Bowdoin and Middlebury.

Jeffs open with a first-round bye before taking on the winner of Moravian and John Jay.

Starting five
This is a team known for its ridiculous size.  The only starter under 6'6" is the defending NCAA Tournament MVP.

Andrew Olson: The aforementioned MVP.  Also a co-NABC Player of the Year and a two-time NESCAC POY as well (unanimously this year, the league announced today). Senior captain, point guard, 5'10".  Holds every Amherst assist record you can name (single game, season, tournament, career, etc) -- 716 total.  Also a 44 percent three-point shooter with a penchant for the clutch.  Averaging 11.6 points and 7 assists this season.

Brian Baskauskas: 6'6" junior swingman, ridiculous three-point shot (53 percent this season).  Very athletic on both ends of the floor... good defender.  Not incredibly physical, but long enough to grab a fair number of rebounds. 12.2 ppg, 42 of 80 threes.  Pretty lackluster numbers otherwise, but still a great player.

Brandon Jones: 6'7" senior forward.  VERY athletic, great defender... can guard anyone on the floor.  Decent range -- shoots 56 percent and can make the occasional three.  Moved into the starting lineup in January and had a solid second half.  Monstrous on the offensive glass, leads the team in offensive boards with 55.  Averages 11.9 points and 5.2 boards.

Fletcher Walters: a well deserved All-NESCAC first-teamer. 6'8" senior power forward, great interior defender, great scorer in the post.  Range isn't amazing (he led the team in missed threes), but he's a beast down low.  Leading scorer and rebounder with 13.8 ppg and 7.2 rpg.  Also led the team in steals (36).

Kevin Hopkins: senior center.  Big but not that muscular -- just incredibly long. 6'10", 215.  Known for his shot-blocking and rebounding, but also a solid scorer.  Was a preseason All-American, and was a bit underwhelming this year with that in mind, but still good.  Shooting 63 percent this season, good for 10.2 ppg; also 4.0 rpg and 1.7 bpg.

Key bench guys:
Hixon will probably only give 2-3 guys significant minutes in the tournament.

Matt Goldsmith: senior power forward, 6'6" 220.  Good reliable backup for the starting bigs.
Steve Wheeler: 6'5" sophomore swingman.  Big brother Dan Wheeler was first team All-New England as a senior at Amherst last year and had a big tournament last March.  Little bro is very athletic and a great pure shooter.
Conor Meehan: freshman guard, backs up Olson whenever he's tired, which isn't often.

Overall this Lord Jeffs team is downright scary.  Perhaps even better than last year's national champs.  They should be a favorite to come out of their region to the Final Four, although Brandeis, Plattsburgh, RIC and Bowdoin would have something to say about that.  We'll see.

[eclinchy]

Trinity College Bantams

NESCAC champions for the first time ever.  21-6, 6-3 in the NESCAC regular seasons.  Key losses include Ursinus, Bowdoin and Amherst; key wins include Curry, WPI, Middlebury twice and Bowdoin once.

Bantams take on Coast Guard, an in-state rival, at home tomorrow night.  Winner plays at UMass Dartmouth Saturday.

Starting five

Pat Hasiuk: 5'10" senior point guard, first team All-NESCAC and the consensus MVP of the conference tournament.  Good ball handler.  Puts up tons of threes -- only shooting 36 percent on the season, but he's had the hot hand recently.

Paul Rowe: 6'4" junior, plays the 2 but doesn't shoot much from outside.  Decent mid-range scorer, not a very good ball-handler (61 turnovers), but a superb defender.  Averages 10.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg.

Aaron Westbrooks: 6'4" junior forward.  Similar player to Rowe.  Not very good offensively, although he is a great passer.  More importantly, he's a superb defender.  Voted Defensive POY in the NESCAC today.  His stats aren't flashy, but he's a solid player.

Robert Taylor III (RT3): 6'5" senior tri-captain, power forward.  Not very good range, but on the interior, he's a great scorer and rebounder.  Averages 13.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg, making for a great one-two post threat alongside...

Russ Martin: 6'7" senior tri-captain, preseason All-American center, second team All-NESCAC selection.  Great big man on both ends of the floor.  Good defender, leads the team in steals with 35. 14.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg.

Key bench guys

Ian Fels and Brian Ford: A solid pair of freshman backup guards
Steve Dunn: 6'8" senior center... does a great job spelling Martin off the bench.  Excellent shot-blocker.
Luke MacDougall: 6'6" freshman forward... good bench scorer.  Shoots 56 percent and averages 4.4 ppg off the pine.

This Trinity team isn't an incredible scoring machine, but they get the job done.  They can win games with the little things -- stingy defense, good passing and relentlessly crashing those boards.  Should be a threat to UMD in the second round if they win tomorrow.