MBB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[BM10]

Rowan hasn't been Rowan since Mo Davis graduated about five years ago.

I agree.  He was a beast inside. They had good players over the years but could never get the key wins up in No. Jersey. 

[Truck]

Ramapo was able to hang on for the victory against NJCU.

The final was 88-87.


Big Rah had another great game - 26 pts and 14 reb.
Ahmad Mosby, as well, scored 14 points and had 8 assists in his starting role.
Lowber had 14.
Pryor came off the bench for 9
Tim Wesley also netted 9 pts.


Points in the paint-NJCU 28,RCNJ 32.
Points off turnovers-NJCU 45,RCNJ 16.
2nd chance points-NJCU 13,RCNJ 6.
Fast break points-NJCU 0,RCNJ 0.
Bench points-NJCU 20,RCNJ 26


Score by Periods                       1st  2nd   Total
New Jersey City University....   32   55  -   87
Ramapo College................       48   40  -   88



NJCU had 4 in double figures with Mark Washington leading the way with 24pts.


NJCU has 17 assists and 18 turnovers.
RCNJ had 20 assists and 34 turnover.



Ramapo got out to a great start. In two and a half minutes, they were up 13-0. The rest of the half was in the same fashion. Ramapo was dominating the game and looking like a Top 25 team. The game was played at their pace and they went into halftime up by 16.


The second half - within the 10 minute mark - was much closer. NJCU was able to get closer until they were within single digits. A couple of three point shots and they had closed the lead and eventually were out in front by one point.

Ramapo was out of timeouts and they took it down the floor and Mosby was able to get in the lane and made an impossible shot in traffic that went down with 7 sec to go in the game.

NJCU's shot in the closing seconds was off and several tip-ins would not fall. Ramapo had hung on and won in a game that was too close for comfort.

This team needs to keep its poise and finish games. They need to finish opponents off and not let them come back in the game. After leading by double digits throughout the game, they cannot lose the lead with 13 seconds left in the game.

I was very excited by the way Ramapo came out. They played their style of play and looked capable of beating anyone.

[Knightstalker]

I got to the Bill at halftime.  Ramapo came out in the second half, got up by twenty and looked like they were going to stay that far ahead.  NJCU adjusted and started to use the press against Ramapo.  The press seemed to get the Roadrunners out of their game and it seemed to frustrate them.  Having not seen the Ramapo WPU I could guess that WPU's press frustrated them in that game also.  The Roadrunners need to learn how to break the press and be patient against it otherwise opposing coaches are going to start pressing the roadrunners until they prove they can break it.

This is the first good game I have seen Wilson play, if he plays like this all the time he will be a force. 

NJCU needs to play better than they have been.  They should never have been down by twenty points.  I think the Knights match up against the Roadrunners better than any other NJAC team, they are very similar and have similar types of athletes.

It turned into a good game, poorly officiated on both ends but a good game.  It was almost like the refs would miss the obvious calls, the coaches would complain about it and the next time they would blow the whistle on something that wasn't a foul to make up for it.  Very poor job, but I think fair.  Both teams are physical aggressive teams and fouls could be called every possesion.

Again, good game, what I have come to expect from an NJCU Ramapo game.

[gordonmann]

'Stalker, Truck:

Thanks for the report.  Sounds like a great game.

[Truck]

Gian Paul Gonzalez dropped 51 on Lincoln last night.


His entire team scoed 88 in a losing effort. He was 19-for-26 from the field and 13-for-18 from the free-throw line. He also added 12 rebounds

[BM10]

Gian Paul Gonzalez dropped 51 on Lincoln last night.


His entire team scoed 88 in a losing effort. He was 19-for-26 from the field and 13-for-18 from the free-throw line. He also added 12 rebounds

Wow.. Things have really changed at Montclair. 2 things really jump out at me about that game.  First, the fact that someone on MSU's roster would score 51 pts, take 26 shots and LOSE!!  Second, an opponent of MSU to top 100 pts.  In my 4 years at Montclair, I do not remember a team scoring 90 pts. against us. IN fact, there were not many teams who appoached that number. Knowing Coach Fiore, he must be frustrated with the points teams are scoring against them. If MSU can buckle down and try to play some defense, they can be a dangerous team to play against with one of the better players in the country in Gian Paul Gonzalez.

[Rhodes Scholar]

Yesterday afternoon I watched Kean pick up a home-court win over Stockton, 73-69. The visitors got out to an early lead with good inside play by Miguel Rodriguez and Jon Greene. About midway through the half Kean came back and took the lead, going into the locker room with a 34-30 advantage. The Cougars held the lead until late in the second half, when Stockton went up by four points. The game was tied with a minute to go, but a layup by Bryan Miller gave Kean a 69-67 lead. With 33 seconds remaining, Stockton's Sid Jackson tied the game at 69 with two free throws. With 20 seconds left, Miller hit a short jumper to give Kean a 71-69 lead. Two free throws by BJ Hamby closed out the scoring with four seconds left, giving Kean the 73-69 win.

The victory was the fifth straight for Kean. Hamby and Armet Coles are their best players, but Hamburger is getting good production from his supporting cast. Miller and Lamar Wright both played well, demonstrating nice shooting touches and the ability to drive to the basket.

Stockton got good inside play from their three big men, Rodriguez, Greene and Jackson. Junior guard Kevin Holmes demonstrated a very impressive long-range shooting touch. Their leading scorer, Tobias Smith, had an off-game, as did point guard Mario Lancioni.

[Rhodes Scholar]

There's great parity this year in the NJAC. Here are the in-conference records:

NJCU 7-3
WPU 7-3
Ramapo 6-4
R-Newark 6-4
Stockton 6-4
TCNJ 5-5
MSU 5-5
Kean 5-5
Rowan 3-7
R-Camden 0-10

[mean]

Truck,
   "  Most other people would bitch about it and not even give the effort to play. Now, Rah's back again after everything that happened with him and I hope he will  dominate down low while Beanie dominates the guard position. "

You are correct with this comment , but before you said that, did it ever come to your mind about who was "bitching"? Thats why I think Mosby clearly is RCNJ's player of the week, but since Gonzalez is clearly carrying a team on his back, NJAC player of the week might miss both Mosby and Wilson.
Everyone knows how I feel about my Roadrunners. I am one of those tough guys, and they know they can only get tough love from me. I have no favorites. Wilson knows I want results, and this is my challenge to him for the rest of the year. He really owe it to the team and especially to the coaching staff! This challenge is for every player suiting up this year as a Roadrunner. And I sincerely hope this gets into their locker room. They were predicted to finish on top this year after a historical season last year. All I am want RCNJ to do is continue to do what has made them so successful; work hard, follow the details of preparation, and step up when the challenge presents itself. I was watching sports center last night, and the head coach of Tennessee was filmed during preparation before they face Florida. It seemed as if he just put his guys through one of their toughest practices. He's in his sweat pants and smeakers at midcourt shouting at the top of his lungs how he's not interested in his guys leaning over with there tongues out as if to let him know they are tired, but he would rather see them vomit after giving their all. He basically was stating how he wants them to show that toughness that comes from within. He want his team to have that swagger of confidence and show toughness at the end of games and pull through. I remember when RCNJ clearly showed that. RCNJ still have it and needs to show it as long as there is time on the clock!
Playoffs are getting closer and there is looking back now. Let's go Roadrunners!

[njlincolnlion]

msu_10:

I was at the Lincoln/MSU game at Manhattanville in Purchase, NY.  Gian Paul was the only force for the Red Hawks.  A balance team (with a deep bench) will almost always beat a team with one star and no supporting cast.  The problem I saw for MSU was their lack of depth.  Lincoln pressured the Red Hawks the entirel game and it took it's toll on MSU.

I was at MSU two years ago when MSU "hammered" Lincoln, and beat the Lions by abut 35 points at Panzer.  The Lions  so far this season has "paid back" Franklin & Marshall, and now the Red Hawks, in avenging previous defeats.  Earlier this season Lions came back from a 19 point deficit to Richard Stockton with 6 minutes reaming and beat the Ospreys in the Elizabethtown tournament.  Richard Stockton has a second game this season next month when they play the Lions on our home court.

[Rhodes Scholar]

I took in the William Paterson @ Baruch game last night. Baruch lead from the opening tip and won in pretty impressive fashion, 77-70. Although they were beaten off the boards by WPU, Baruch's superior shooting coupled with their composure down the stretch gave them the victory. The Bearcats led 34-26 at the half and had a maximum lead of 17 points, 63-46, with 6:27 remaining. WPU never quit, however, and managed to cut the led to single digits with a couple of minutes to go, and as low as five, 75-70, with 17 seconds remaining.

Once again the Bearcats showed excellent ball movement and good shot selection. Robi Davidson had an outstanding game, hitting five three's and finishing with 20 points. Cheick Fadika, Baruch's center/power forward, was too quick and athletic for the Pioneers' big men, and also scored 20 points, mostly on short jumpers. Louie Karas, who looks like a good bet to win the CUNYAC player of the year award, added 16.

This was my first look at WPU this year, and I was expecting a better team. The Pioneers lack a go-to guy and appear not to have a single all-conference player. They have no low-post scorers and lack an intimidating defensive presence around the basket. This team reminds me of the WPU teams of the last three years or so. Given his talent level, I think Rebimbas is doing a good job. I think they're overachieving. They are very physical and hustle from start to finish, but the talent level is lacking.

A brief WPU scouting report: Samir Sanu can shoot the three and can create. Mario Rivero can shoot outside and take it inside. Luis Martinez is fairly versatile offensively and can rebound. Joey Spiegel is quick and can penetrate.

[Rhodes Scholar]

NJAC Standings

WPU 8-3
Ramapo 7-4
R-Newark 7-4
NJCU 7-4
TCNJ 6-5
Stockton 6-5
MSU 5-6
Kean 5-6
Rowan 4-7
R-Camden 0-11

[Truck]

Ramapo goes to OT to beat Kean....


UPCOMING NJAC SCHEDULE

January 28
Kean at TCNJ, 1:00 PM
Rutgers-Newark at Montclair State, 4:00 PM
Rowan at NJCU, 8:00 PM
Rutgers-Camden at Ramapo, 3:00 PM
Richard Stockton at William Paterson, 1:00 PM

[mean]

Parity in the NJAC just shows how tough the conference really is. Anyone can be beaten on any given night at home or on the road. Hopefully someone knocks off one of the top teams so the RoadRunners can get back on top. We seem to be getting the swagger of champions back. That's the Ramapo I'm used to seeing. Toughness is highly recomended when it comes to playing at Ramapo! It is definatley time to show that toughness. Win and everyone will know about it! William Paterson is playing their greatest basketball since Horace Jenkins played there. NJCU is playing tough as usual. Rutger Newark has finally switched gears and are becoming one of the elite in the NJAC.  Without Polk, Stockton becomes the average team that lacks that player that can beat you more than one way. Too bad Gian Paul Gonzalez doesn't have a Ben Martinez. The other teams in the NJAC just lost too much after last season to really be a threat to the top teams of this year. But upsets aren't a surprise when playoffs come around.

[phil]

mean
While I agree that there is great parity in the NJAC this year, I can't agree that this is an especially tough conference – particularly on a national scale this season. I honestly can't remember the last time the NJAC didn't have a single team in the top 25 at this point in the schedule. Usually the NJAC has a couple teams that rise to the top and find themselves ranked – while the rest of the conference battles it out. This season the NJAC is made up of a bunch of hard working teams to make up for the lack of a superstar – or a team with a superstar which lacks a supporting cast.

If WPU is playing great basketball they can't go on the raod and lose back-to-back games to Baruch and TCNJ.

Usually at this point in the year we're talking about the possibility of having two NCAA tournament teams while deserving a third. This year, not only do we know the NJAC will only get one team – depending on the NCAA draw, I would not be at all surprised if the NJAC champ made an early exit from the tourney.

You also mentioned that "The other teams in the NJAC just lost too much after last season to really be a threat to the top teams of this year." I honestly thought that this might be the worst year for TCNJ basketball in years. After beating the tar out of Amherst and gaining a top ten ranking last season they went belly-up in the NJAC and lost the majority of their lineup to graduation. At this point I'm amazed that they're two games out of first after blowing out Stockton on the road. They've already won at Ramapo, beat Paterson by 10 and lost a close game at NJCU. I wouldn't quite say they're "not a threat" since they finish with Rowan, Camden and Montclair on the road – and Ramapo, Newark, NJCU and Kean at home.

If nothing else, this season has been interesting. I can't remember an NJAC basketball season quite like it.