MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[pjunito]

First big test of the season for the falcons and they  played solid. When you have a lot of new players it takes 8-10 games to really get into a groove. May take a little longer since Julian is now out for the year and Jennings still isn't 100%. But, with that being said, I am very impressed with this team. I think this might be the most talented team that Oliver has coached at Albertus. The 2011 team was pretty darn good and they had an amazing competitor in Askew. But, this team has everything you want in a college basketball team. A pg who creates open looks for his teammates, a senior stud who can score at will, three guys who can stretch the defense with the outside jumper, and a big man who is athletic, can clean up mistakes with block shots and rebounds.

I don't know how good NJC actually was.. but they were getting votes for top 25 and Albertus just beat them by double digits at their place with an incomplete team and the oil just warming up. Things look very promising.. You hope guys don't take nights off... because this could be a fun season.

Here is my take from the first 4 games (conference games begin this week):

1. Davis is the key to the engine; he is smart and quick. He isn't a great shooter, but can create for his teammates.
2. Watson is a complete player.. he needs to trust his teammates and not force shots  and he will avg close to 30 again
3. Victor L, if he is committed to cleaning the glass, protecting his rim, and getting 8-12 pts a game, watch out!
4. Supporting players:
a. Jennings, can become more selective with his shot, if so, percentage will increase.. also good ball handler
b. Larsen, can concentrate on taking 4-5 shots a game and make 3-4 of them and cleaning the glass
c. Wiggins, Wilson, and Walker - will have plenty of opportunities to score.. Stay confident and take good shots.

Three things I thought Albertus was missing last year -

1. Rebounding.. I think we weak around the glass, seemed like we were outrebounded every game
2. strong guard play - Jackson played excellent at times last year, but we had no depth and Jennings looked like a freshmen at times.
3. We couldn't extend the defense by hitting the outside shot. - this forced Watson to do too much, we had Julian and jimmy eco, but there were times that they didn't shoot. Really hurt against good competition.

I think we improved in all those areas this year.

Thoughts?

[GnacBballFan]

Just watched the game against NJCU, here is the link for anyone who would like to watch it

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/41285990

Great road win for albertus, this win may go a long way in their regional ranking if NJCU continues to play well all yr. Sloppy game for the most part. Lots of dumb turnovers by albertus, but some that won't happen lot of the time, like the double dribble by Davis with no one around him. IF you look at Davis box score the 2-14 jumps out at you, but watching the film he got Darius and others some wide open looks bc the D has to collapse on his dribble penetration. He is just lightning quick, it is great. Albertus could have won this game by 30, they looked that much better then NJCU. Both teams shot awful at the charity stripe. Larsen went down in the second half, hope it was minor. He's the workhorse. The impressive part is this game was won with no Jennings, who is going to be an integral part of this team. I was most impressed with Albertus D this game. Great perimeter D followed by great interior D, hope thats a sign of things to come.

[D3HoopJunkie]

Great point's guys. I agree with everything said.

Albertus starts conference play tonight as they travel to Mount Ida. I won't be at the game but according to the schedule it will be video broadcasted which is nice for those of us who can't make it up to see the game.

Not much to preview on, I don't want to sound over confident or anything but Albertus wins this one with ease. Mount Ida simply doesn't have the horses and they have also lost 4 straight. I wish them luck, but they're going to need it........Okay, maybe I am a little over confident

As a side note Albertus received 8 votes today in this week's Top 25. As conference play continues I think they'll continue to receive votes and as long as they win should crack the Top 25 in a couple weeks. SUNY Purchase, who Albertus plays later on in the season, broke into the Top 25 this week and I can't wait to watch this game. Thankfully it will be at the NEST!!! There starting center is 7'2. Should be a great contest later in the year.

[7express]

Any reason why the Suffolk/AMC game on Saturday isn't listed as a conference game??  The game @ Suffolk in January is listed as a GNAC.  I assume just a misprint for whoever imputed the schedule??

[D3HoopJunkie]

7, I am sure it is only a misprint.

Nice win for the Falcons last night. They built up a big half time lead and dominated the game in all areas. I thought they got a little lazy and careless in the 2nd half but there was really no threat or push by Mount Ida so it was a little easier to watch. I hate when they get lazy and turn the ball over but I also realize that it is hard to really stay 100% focused when your blowing a team out.

I can't say enough about the play of Lemar Larsen. This kid has been great from the beginning of the season and if he continues to give this kind of effort night in and night out I really think this could be a special special year for Albertus. He has finally reached his potential, I think we all saw what he can do over the last couple of season but this year his confidence seems like it's through the roof and he really is a great player. He's developed a nice jumper and fade away and continues to impress with the way he can finish around the rim by turning his body and hanging in the air and is also a big time rebounder. This team has so many weapons but so far for me he has been the MVP. For any UConn fans out there he reminds me of Gavin Edwards from a few years back. Underperformed his first couple seasons, confidence down, Coach Calhoun always rode him and then finally his Junior year he really figured it out. Very similar with Lemar and even Oliver. Coach Oliver always pushed Lemar because he knew what kind of player he could become. I think all the hard work and effort by both of them has finally paid off.

[GnacBballFan]

Yes nice win junkie, think we all expected it as you said. Jennings still not playing many mins, but I gotta believe that's injury related, correct???

Edwards is a great comparison. Larsen has always reminded me of Kevin Freeman. Just a bruiser/work horse. Not the flashiest types, just gets it done and cleans up the boards. And you can bet he won't back down against the 7'2 center from purchase. Let's hope everyone is back for the second semester bc this could be a very special yr.

And I just wanna make a quick point, when I was at albertus in 04 the bball team had 7 guys, yes 7 and had even less wins. What Mitch has done with this program is absolutely remarkable, remarkable. I cannot emphasize this enough. I was always at those games bc my boy tommy Russell would light it up in a 30 point defeat, but to think we went from those teams to this is amazing. And the win that started it all was at home against a good trinity team askew fresh yr at the nest. It's been all uphill since and I have gotten spoiled, but what a complete turnaround Mitch has accomplished

[GnacBballFan]

Stupid iPhone, Timmy* Russell

[D3HoopJunkie]

GNACFan, You are absolutely right. What Coach Oliver has done in such little time is truly amazing. I really think that if we took a look around and did some research, the turnaround that this team has made under his leadership and guidance might in fact be almost historic. For the size of this school and with no disrespect the location, its really amazing that he is able to land the quality players that he has. What is even more impressive is that he is able to get them to stay and buy into his system. They listen to him and trust him. I think everyone understands that with him at the helm they can beat any opponent they come across.

Now onto tonight's game. As expected we got the victory over Emmanuel 91 to 71. I'm not going to get into individual stats to much. Just to point out a few, Eian Davis has a much better game 22 points to lead all scorers with 13 ASSISTS, WOWWWW. Darius Watson had 21 points and Victor L had a very impressive game with 20 points and 8 boards. Vic looked unguardable out there, just far to big and his footwork on the low post is really impressive. He is a great finisher around the rim to.

Grinder of the night is Marcus Walker who came off the bench to get 6 points and grab an outstanding 12 rebounds in 26 minutes of work.

To glaring issues for me in tonight's game was #1 the turnovers. Albertus committed 22 with quite a few of them coming on lazy passes or just being carless with the ball. The other which for me is an even bigger issue was the offensive rebounds that Emmanuel was able to get. Emmanuel had 19 offensive rebounds. This can not happen against a quality opponent. No disrespect to Emmanuel but they really didn't capitalize of those second and third chances. Against stiffer competition is the season progresses this might be an issue for the Falcons. I hope it gets corrected because this can really alter the outcome of a close game.

Good win, on to the next one. Home opener this Saturday at the Nest (Finally!!!) 3:00 game against GNAC opponent Suffolk.

[GnacBballFan]

Junkie, what Mitch has done is a Disney movie. Struggling program, bads news bears type team, completely turned around by new coach. And B Reaves buzzer beater at William Patterson would be the ending lol

Nice win tonight, caught the broadcast. You took the words right from me junkie, these turnovers are way too high and the offensive boards needs to be corrected too. Now you take the good with the bad, and I think Davis game just being so fast translates in to turnovers. But 22 is too high to expect to have a special season we all are envisioning.


Vic looks like a man amongst boys. Watson was Watson last night. Davis great as well. And man Wiggins can flat out shoot, he'll step back from 27 and hit it. Beating Emmanuel is always a little sweeter for me, since there was a game in Oliver's first yr or second yr at amc against Emmanuel, and Emmanuel had a comfy 25 point lead or so, and to me and a bunch of others it seemed as if Emmanuel was running the score up at the end of the game. I won't get into details but let's just say Emmanuel hasn't beaten albertus since. First home game sat, unfortunately I'll be in Brooklyn. Only one of the semester, kinda sucks but will make albertus better.


Side note, not sure if the emannuel play by play guy is going to see this thread but I just wanna say he did a hell of a job. Sometimes in these play by plays on these streams the play by play guys awkward, and rightfully so with limited experience I'm sure. But this kid/guy last night I thought was absolutely great, so kudos to him

[D3HoopJunkie]

GNACFan, Nice shout out to the Emmanuel announcer from last nights game. I thought he was exceptionally good as well.

I love beating Emmanuel. I remember that game you mentioned and like you said since then we haven't lost to them.

I meant to ask you this yesterday in my post GNACFan, How good was Timmy Russel?? I never got to see him play and I've heard nothing but good things about his game. It was just unfortunate that he was on such awful teams. Would he be a starter on say this team? Just curious cause I really don't know anything about him other than he was a scorer?

[GnacBballFan]

Yes that Emmanuel game I remember like it was yday lol. Coach Jackson from Emmanuel was wearing a pink shirt and I had to tell my student section that was in charge of heckling to lay off of him. 10 mins later Jackson stopped the game to have the ref toss me, bc I didn't take to him running the score up lol. Guess I have gotten the last laugh thanks to Mitch lol


Timmy was great! He had no talent around him what so ever, but he could flat out shoot it. Just a pure scorer. Led the nation in scoring for all three divisions his sr yr. he absolutely would start on this team at SG. Thing is Timmy would have to buy into Mitch's system or he would find himself on the bench real quick lol he scored at will, hand in his face he'd still hit the jumper, double team, no problem he'd find a way to score. Now having seen him and Watson both play, and this is me taking my friendship with Timmy out of the equation, Watson is better overall player. Watson drives and gets to the rim much much better. But Timmy def would give Watson a run for his money in a shooting contest. Me and Timmy were at the William Patterson game a few yrs ago, a bunch of us drove down, and I remember him saying he wishes he was able to play for Mitch. If he were on this team and he bought in, and again he def was a gunner but it's all he knew bc we had guys from the baseball team on our bball team for conditioning his sr yr lol, it would be absolutely lethal. We would avg 100 a game lol

[GnacBballFan]

And to add to that, I may be underselling Timmy bc it's been 8 yrs since I've seen him play, but let me just say he put up 64 on Mitchell at the nest on all jumpers and double teams lol no grinnell system

[D3HoopJunkie]

Wow he sounds like an unbelievable talent. I really wish I got to see him play now. I wish more past players would come out and watch some of the games. I am sure that most of them would say they would love to play for Coach Oliver. The offensive sets they run and even the inbounds plays are all designed and practiced to perfection. Each one is designed to get an open shot and I can only imagine how intense there practices at the Nest are.  I'm am sure that they are nothing like a typical D3 practice. Coach Oliver demands the best out of his players and that why they are successful. I am glad he is here but I have to imagine that eventually he is going to get an offer at a higher division. Whether it be D2 or D1, between the turn around here at Albertus and his past D1 coaching experience at Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart he is clearly more than qualified to land a higher profile job. (I sure hope he stays though LOL, Selfishly of course, These games are just too convenient and to fun to watch)

[pjunito]

WOW... GNAC and Junkie, you guys are getting me hyped!!! Too bad next game is in 3 weeks. lol...

I couldn't agree more on all your points - from how impressive Mitch Oliver has been to the turn over issues. I want to see these team in a dog fight, 5 minutes left soon. I think that this team has not hit full potential. I think Jennings is not 100% and Mitch is not rushing him back. I think he can afford to make sure he is healthy and get him slowly back into the rotation. He may not get back into the starting rotation, but we should see him getting 18-22 mins by late January.

I can't wait to see them live...  Purchase top 25 now, can't wait to see this center.. He might not be 7'2.. sometimes they lie on rosters... lol.. but, good non conference contest.

one more thing on Mitch, he is only full time coach on staff. he basically does most of the recruitment as well... So impressive.

As for Timmy, he can flat out shoot. If he was on this team, Davis would hit him soo many times. Defenses would not know what to do.. You either double Watson or Timmy.. WOW.. Davis would have 15+ assist every game.. Timmy and Watson could shoot lights out.. just a nightmare for defenses.. I do agree with GNAC, Watson better all around player but Timmy best shooter in Albertus history.

Let's go Falcons!!

PS. 7, just a typo.. It's a conference game on Saturday.

[amh63]

Just to let the posters on this board know......Emerson beat Amherst this afternoon 90-79 at Emerson.  Heard that Emerson was ranked last in the pre-season in the GNAC.  Watch out members....Emerson has beat two teams in the NESCAC that were ranked in the upper tier in the pre-season.  FYI, Amherst was ranked no. 1 in the country and the defending Nat. title holder in Div3.....and was on a 29 game winning streak.