MBB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[irapthor]

Will be interesting to see what NJAC teams receive top 25 votes tonight. With NJCU and Ramapo both losing this week it will be interesting to see how the voters view those loses. Both loses for those teams were on the road. NJCU losing to the #1 seed as of now in the conference - The College of NJ. TCNJ almost swept NJCU this week losing by 1 on the road. Ramapo fell to Montclair on the road in a very tough gym to win in. The only home loss Montclair has this year is against TCNJ. 

Well, since I'm one of the 25 voters (and have been for 15 years), I'll say what I did this week.

For the first time this year, I voted for TCNJ. With John Carroll, Rochester and Baldwin Wallace losing, they're no longer in my poll. Even with the one loss, TCNJ impressed me enough despite their low SOS that I gave them a vote this week.

I dropped NJCU a little bit after splitting with TCNJ. Despite the fact that we have by far the highest SOS in the region, I'm not comfortable with our defense right now. Coach Brown has been saying it all year; the defense needs to improve. We are winning games simply because we have the most offensive weapons but if we have an off night shooting, we are vulnerable.

And for the first time in 2 years, I didn't vote for Ramapo. If the 5th loss was close, maybe I would have considered it. But I dropped them off my ballot for the first time in recent memory. Felt weird.

[irapthor]

I invite NJAC basketball fans to read this feature on NJCU men's basketball standout Sam Toney. The probable NJAC Player of the Year and a potential All-American candidate, what he's overcome truly are the makings of a Cinderella story:

https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/2018/01/30/homeless-hoops-stardom-inspiring-story-sam-toney/1069236001/

[NJBALLERZ]

When do the regional rankings come out?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Wednesday afternoon.

[NJBALLERZ]

Wednesday afternoon.

Any predictions for the Atlantic Region DMAC?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Wednesday afternoon.

Any predictions for the Atlantic Region DMAC?

No. I don't try. Too many other things to do. NJAC may have three teams, CSAC with two.. bet Cabrini is #1.

[daddyhoops]

which 3 dave?... Ramapo, NJCU & TCNJ?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Yes. Those three.

[NJBALLERZ]

When and where do the regional rankings get released? Also... big games tonight in league play. Particularly - NJCU @ Montclair.

[irapthor]

NJAC fans, I invite you to watch this video we have produced on the life of Sam Toney:


JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University men's basketball star Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) has emerged as a candidate for both New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Year and All-America honors. But regardless of what Toney ever achieves on the court, the 26-year-old sophomore has already won at life. Toney has overcome unimaginable odds—a youth spent in more than 50 homes in the foster care system and a period of homelessness.

Now, Toney aims to become one of the best players in NCAA Division III, lead the Gothic Knights to championship heights and one day play professionally while becoming one of just three percent of foster care youth to graduate college.

His odyssey is a Cinderella story of perseverance and an inspirational example of how NJCU transforms lives. This is Sam's Story.

View #SamsStory here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlvbeuPAxQg

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

When and where do the regional rankings get released? Also... big games tonight in league play. Particularly - NJCU @ Montclair.

We will have them on D3hoops.com ... as soon as Turner or the liaison gets around to sending/posting them. Women's are up... we continue to wait for the men's.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Men's first regional rankings this season: http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2018/02/men-regional-rankings-first

[NJBALLERZ]

Men's first regional rankings this season: http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2018/02/men-regional-rankings-first

Thanks Dave.. a bit surprised to see NJCU at 1 and have 4 NJAC schools in there. Gonna be interesting to see how that plays out. I understand the Atlantic Region isn't very deep like other regions. NJCU / Ramapo this weekend will be a big one as well as Montclair @ TCNJ. Good games for the league this weekend.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Remember not all the data is being included, so there will be big changes - outside of games this week - that will shift those rankings. I am a little surprised NJCU is #1, but their SOS is boosting them there and they may remain there when vRRO is factored in.

[irapthor]

Tomorrow's NJCU/Ramapo game will have a very special guest as the play-by-play announcer...No, not Dave McHugh (although you're special buddy)..

The great Gordon Mann will join us in Jersey City and will be on the call alongside my assistant, Phil Naegely.

Should be a fun game.