MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[pjunito]

Thanks Punto - I had been looking for the ECAC's.  Do you know the women's match-ups?

#8 Albertus @ #1 Castleton
#7 Endicott @ #2 Suffolk
#6 Salve Reginia @ #3 Wellesley
#5 Westfield @ #4 Roger Williams

Thanks 7,  How did Western's women do?

Good luck to WPI in the NCAAs, WPI...

[lildave678]

The board is biased towards Albertus because we're the only ones who post here 

[pjunito]

Eslaps, welcome to the thread and the boards...

It is good to get other opinions on this thread, I remember a few years ago there were many JWU and Emerson supporters and we had great discussions. Unfortunately, Albertus supporters are the only ones who are posting. I encourage you to continue to post.

I do disagree with a few things you said.

1. Mitch Oliver is a very good coach; he is a great recruiter, but a very good x's and o's guy. The competition in the GNAC is weak and Albertus seems like a run and gun type of a team, allowing their athleticism to take over. However, Mitch prides himself in defensive transition - turning steals and long rebounds into easy scoring opportunities. That is because, his team can play that style. 3 years ago, Albertus had a first round match-up with a very talented William Patterson team, a team that could score. Mitch had a game plan to slow them down, to play a princeton style offense, and give them an opportunity to win the game late. That's what they did. He prepares and I think he does it better than anyone in the GNAC.

2. Conference POY is voted by coaches who watch each team play, not a group of reporters. Stats are important but also watching these guys perform. Click is a good player, Watson is the best player in the conference. Watson plays strong defense, he doesn't get the steals or the rebounds because he is usually guarding the best scoring option. Case in point, Watson guarded Click the entire 2nd half, while Click was taken off of Watson because he was getting to the basket to easily. If you asked every coach who the best player in the conference is, they would say Watson.. no doubt in my mind. And to be honest, if you remove Click from Anna maria, they are probably a 4-5 seed as well. They are not a 2-25 team, however.

3. I agree, 20+ technicals is a lot. However, I don't think you can say that means the team has no sportsmanship... Most of the technicals were warranted; but rememeber these are kids. College Athletes are not professional people (for the most part), and you have some kids who mess up. And Coach Oliver picked up his share, he works the officials. He gets emotional, he wants to win. I think many other coaches are like this as well. Overall, I think he is a strong presence on the sidelines and wants to compete. But, after every game, win or lose, they shake their opponents hands, they are not a dirty team (no cheap fouls or ugly plays), they don't get into altercations...

Just my thoughts... I would also add, that we try to be a pretty honest group. Hey, I am homer, no doubt about that. But, you will see some of us think we might lost certain games.. Look at previous post, some of us were scared of Anna Maria and I know of a few people who think we have no shot vs Alvernia.

So, it is always rosey, sunny glasses.

[GnacBballFan]

Well said^ and yes I'm the guy who thinks alvernia is going to be a very tough out. But if we learned anything from Byron reeves in 2010 against William Patterson, come march, things aren't the same and anything can happen

[Charles]

Eslaps, welcome to the thread and the boards...

It is good to get other opinions on this thread, I remember a few years ago there were many JWU and Emerson supporters and we had great discussions. Unfortunately, Albertus supporters are the only ones who are posting. I encourage you to continue to post.

I do disagree with a few things you said.

1. Mitch Oliver is a very good coach; he is a great recruiter, but a very good x's and o's guy. The competition in the GNAC is weak and Albertus seems like a run and gun type of a team, allowing their athleticism to take over. However, Mitch prides himself in defensive transition - turning steals and long rebounds into easy scoring opportunities. That is because, his team can play that style. 3 years ago, Albertus had a first round match-up with a very talented William Patterson team, a team that could score. Mitch had a game plan to slow them down, to play a princeton style offense, and give them an opportunity to win the game late. That's what they did. He prepares and I think he does it better than anyone in the GNAC.

2. Conference POY is voted by coaches who watch each team play, not a group of reporters. Stats are important but also watching these guys perform. Click is a good player, Watson is the best player in the conference. Watson plays strong defense, he doesn't get the steals or the rebounds because he is usually guarding the best scoring option. Case in point, Watson guarded Click the entire 2nd half, while Click was taken off of Watson because he was getting to the basket to easily. If you asked every coach who the best player in the conference is, they would say Watson.. no doubt in my mind. And to be honest, if you remove Click from Anna maria, they are probably a 4-5 seed as well. They are not a 2-25 team, however.

3. I agree, 20+ technicals is a lot. However, I don't think you can say that means the team has no sportsmanship... Most of the technicals were warranted; but rememeber these are kids. College Athletes are not professional people (for the most part), and you have some kids who mess up. And Coach Oliver picked up his share, he works the officials. He gets emotional, he wants to win. I think many other coaches are like this as well. Overall, I think he is a strong presence on the sidelines and wants to compete. But, after every game, win or lose, they shake their opponents hands, they are not a dirty team (no cheap fouls or ugly plays), they don't get into altercations...

Just my thoughts... I would also add, that we try to be a pretty honest group. Hey, I am homer, no doubt about that. But, you will see some of us think we might lost certain games.. Look at previous post, some of us were scared of Anna Maria and I know of a few people who think we have no shot vs Alvernia.

So, it is always rosey, sunny glasses.

Some teams have 0 technicals for the entire season. Not sure any technical is warranted.

[7express]

Thanks Punto - I had been looking for the ECAC's.  Do you know the women's match-ups?

#8 Albertus @ #1 Castleton
#7 Endicott @ #2 Suffolk
#6 Salve Reginia @ #3 Wellesley
#5 Westfield @ #4 Roger Williams

Thanks 7,  How did Western's women do?

Good luck to WPI in the NCAAs, WPI...

19-8 overall, 11-5 in the LEC when you include tournament games.  We lost to UMass-Dartmouth in the LEC semifinals in overtime.  Lost 2 road games to sub .500 teams; so if we win those 2 and win the semifinal game, were probably in the tournament.  Obviously didn't put in a bid to the ECAC's because a 19-8 team would've been all but a lock to make it.

[pjunito]

Thanks Punto - I had been looking for the ECAC's.  Do you know the women's match-ups?

#8 Albertus @ #1 Castleton
#7 Endicott @ #2 Suffolk
#6 Salve Reginia @ #3 Wellesley
#5 Westfield @ #4 Roger Williams

Thanks 7,  How did Western's women do?

Good luck to WPI in the NCAAs, WPI...

19-8 overall, 11-5 in the LEC when you include tournament games.  We lost to UMass-Dartmouth in the LEC semifinals in overtime.  Lost 2 road games to sub .500 teams; so if we win those 2 and win the semifinal game, were probably in the tournament.  Obviously didn't put in a bid to the ECAC's because a 19-8 team would've been all but a lock to make it.

That sucks man!

[pjunito]

Charles, I meant that the officials were right in giving the technicals.

But, there are some coaches who have tried to used getting a technical as motivation to their players..

[pjunito]

3. Albertus Defense vs  Alvernia Offense: Most people who look at the stats probably think Albertus is an offensive minded team. Actaully, they are a defensive minded team; many of their quality scoring chances come from solid defense. Forcing long shots which turn into long rebounds and quick scoring chances or steals from their guard play. Alvernia has a few guys who have shot the ball poorly the last few games; however, have two guys who have shot the ball over 50% for the year (Parker and Clark).This team has a balance scoring attack – Bennett 14.3 ppg, Parker 13.8 ppg, Bridgers 13.7 ppg, Clark 11.3 ppg). They share the ball nicely and they get a lot of points in the paint. Odd for a smaller team. This tells me that they can penetrate very well.  They don't shoot the ball very well from 3 point land (35% as a team, but they take a lot of 3 point shots – 469).  I think the goal will be to have those guys take shots. Watson will be match-up on Parker for most of the night.. he completely took Anna Maria's Click out of the game on Saturday in the second half. Parker, however, is the best post player Albertus will face this year. Jennings and Economopuls will share the responsibility of slowing down Clark. I think you will see an aggressive defense to begin the game and force poor decisions. The big thing is keeping Waston on the floor, if he gets in foul trouble it will be bad news for Albertus. I think Alvernia will look to use their speed and quickness, trying to penetrate and kick out for open looks. If Alvernia is getting to the hoop easily or hitting their shots, than it might be  a  long night for the Falcons. However, Alvernia's offense has had stretches were they have not played well offensively. It should be fun to watch what each coach does.

[7express]

19-8 overall, 11-5 in the LEC when you include tournament games.  We lost to UMass-Dartmouth in the LEC semifinals in overtime.  Lost 2 road games to sub .500 teams; so if we win those 2 and win the semifinal game, were probably in the tournament.  Obviously didn't put in a bid to the ECAC's because a 19-8 team would've been all but a lock to make it.

That sucks man!
[/quote]

Yah, we had the ball at the end of regulation and missed 2 straight layups at the buzzer then got outscored 10-0 in overtime.  I would have rather lost by 50.  At least then you were never in the game.

[pjunito]

Yea, those kind of losses stay with you a long time... I still remember dropping a fly ball in the 9th that cost us a win.. You just wanna throw yourself out of a window and then replay the game a 1,00 times in your head.

How do you think West Conn bounces back next year?  Men and Women.

[GnacBballFan]

Charles also had a hard time comprehending others on the NESCAC thread, when it was clear as day the point someone was making. Same thing here, not hard to understand what warranted means

[7express]

Yea, those kind of losses stay with you a long time... I still remember dropping a fly ball in the 9th that cost us a win.. You just wanna throw yourself out of a window and then replay the game a 1,00 times in your head.

How do you think West Conn bounces back next year?  Men and Women.

The men really can't do any worse last year.  Have some talent there in Starks & Groski, those 2 got a lot better as the season progressed so there's hope.  Hopefully coach Campbell can go out and recruit some talented kids.  Need a PG though, turnovers killed us last year.  I'd say they'll finish about the 3rd-6th range.  Eastern will be good, RIC as always will be good.  Keene you never know.  Lose a bunch of guys (Rashard Wright, Ryan Martin), have a couple good ones coming back (Eric Fazio, Tom Doyle).  They lack motivation so thats why their a question mark.  Boston & Dartmouth have a lot of young talent.  USM finished 4th they have a bunch of guys returning.  Gonna be wide open.
Women I think can still finish in the upper half.  USM (the conf & tourney winner) loses 3 starters, but they return a talented D-1 transfer who only a sophmore lead the conf in field goal percentage and all second team selection.  They had absolutely no bench, so I think they drop from the pack.  Dartmouth loses the conference player of the year but that's gonna be a very good team, probably my preseason pick.  Western loses 3 starters, and the leading scorer tore her acl in February, so they might start off not so good, but they'll be up there.  Boston, RIC & Eastern all have young and talented teams.  Eastern's roster was pretty much all freshmen & sophmores this year and they still finished tied for 3rd.  RIC was one of the conferences better defensive teams they have 4/5 starters returning, Boston has the last 2 rookie's of the year on their team.  Keene loses their best player, Plymouth will still be terrible, but hopefully they can improve on their 2-40 LEC conference record the last 3 years (and no that is not a typo.  1-13 in 10/11 and 11/12, 0-14 in 12/13), and 1-24 overall record last season.  I'd say Western about 2-4.

[pjunito]

Did you have that on a word document?  That's awesome stuff 7.. Thanks..

[7express]

Pjunito, usually a couple days at the conclusion of the LEC season (hopefully it;s npot for another 3 or 4 weeks) I post an off-season preview where I'll rank the teams where I think they'll finish the next season based on graduations, so look out for that when RIC & USM conclude their seasons whenever that may be.