MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not exactly sure how they fit in.  The only thing I can think of is that Regis might be going co-ed and no one told me, so then we'd be in a 14 team conference.  They could have been added solely to make the women's teams even, I don't know.  I think they'll do ok.  I doubt they will be challenging for any playoff spots.  Although, that is assuming they are in the North (to even Regis being in the South, even though that makes little sense geographically.

Really it seems like their addition is making way for a CCC split of some kind; I just can't get any info out of people.

[creekhoops]

I think they will be able to play with most teams, but the CCC has better, overall competition than the GNAC today.  However, don't count out a CCC/GNAC swap.  You don't need Regis to even things out.  I know you don't want to hear this, but a CCC team has expressed interest in coming to the GNAC.  Think bootom tier team...think used to be pretty good back in the Nicky Pappas days (89-93)...think not so good right now.  But an AMCAT team joining the GNAC could be great for the GNAC.  Other teams interested have be Lasell, St. Joes, and Green Mountain.  I think Anna Maria would be a nice fit, unless you are SVC or Norwich, having to travel to Paxton - another long trip.  However, the Paxton house of Pizza right on 122 is a nice place to stop after a game, you must agree!  The Dunkin Donuts closes early, so hit it up early on a Saturday road trip or you'll miss it on the way out of town.  A WNEC for Anna Maria swap makes both conferences more competitive.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think we'd be more than happy to get rid of Anna Maria.  However, I do think there will be some sort of shake-up of conferences in the next few years.  I'm not sure how its all going to pan out yet, but teams like Gordon and Colby-Sawyer are ready to be in a more advantageous league for postseason play.

[creekhoops]

The Ocean State would love to have Salve, Roger Williams, Johnson & Wales and RIC in the same conference.  However, RIC is happy in the Little East, Salve and RWU would never join the GNAC, and JWU isn't a CCC type school.  However, travel would certainly be easier!  Regardless, how could Colby Sawyer and Gordon get into a more competitive conference?  Would they join the NEWMAC or spawn off a newer conference?  A shakeup is bound to happen, I agree.  But what scenario makes the most sense to you - say, 5 years from now?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I've heard rumblings that some of the more "academic" schools (or ones trying to be more academic) in the CCC may split off.  This would help keep things consistent with their missions as well as open more options for other sports.  Those schools would be most of the CCC-North, with the exception of UNE, which has always been kind of the black sheep anyway.

However, the more credible scenario I have heard is that Gordon is trying to get into the NEWMAC for next fall.

[d3bballinboston]

Teams that applied to GNAC are Anna maria, Lesley U, Mt. Ida, Lasell, St. joes of Maine, mitchell, newbury , green mountain and presque isle.

GNAC is looknig for schools that have baseball, men's tennis and men's volleyball .   I have herd they are also looking to decrese travel. So i'd think that give ida, newbury lasell adn lesley all an advantage. with newbury the only one having varsity baseball (fall of 07), men's volleyball and men's tennis.  They are also only taking full fledged ncaa members so that would elminate mitchell, presque isle and green mountain.  If it is true that they want to keep travel down that would probally elminate anna maria, but who really knows

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Anna Maria is only like twenty minutes off I-90; they wouldn't be any further for teams from Springfield than Suffolk or Emerson.

Honestly, the smartest thing to do, would be for the NAC and the GNAC to figure out how to split teams.  Maybe have a NE conference (Presque Isle, Farmington, Maine Maritime, Husson, St Joes, Thomas, Daniel Webster, Rivier and maybe grab UNE when the CCC breaks apart); a Southeast conference (Becker, Emerson, Emmanuel, Johnson & Wales, Lasell, Lesley, Mt Ida, Newbury and Suffolk; and a Western conference (S Vermont, Norwich, Mitchell, Green Mountain, Elms, Johnson State, Castleton State, Albertus Magnus). 

That way you could get three AQ bids out of the current two.  Presque Isle is the wildcard, as they are a rediculous trek from everyone.  The NE conference would be pool B for a couple years until Thomas made it to full membership or they could get UNE to join.  That one just makes a little more sense.

It would be smarter for these schools to go more regional.  All of them would still be competitive.  If and when the CCC breaks up to get into better arrangments, there could be some pick-ups there as well.

These are just thoughts.

[d3bballinboston]

well the thing is with WNEC leaving there are no teams left form springfield and AMC is 45 min fromboston, which is were gnac teams of suffolk, emerson, pine manor, emmanuel are all located.  so the gnac might be a little resistent to add another western mass team after just losing one.  but i do like that idea of realigning into those 3 leageus. the problem is the league that doesnt get the AQ right away. thomas is a full fledged ncaa member btw.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Sorry, I got them confused with Mitchell.  I know the wait for the AQ (two years, I believe) stinks, but you've got St Joe's coming from independent and the other teams being decently strong, could do ok for themselves in Pool B for a few years.

[underdog]

i think the gnac will be a tough league next year. i think albertus magnus is really gonna surprise people. they had a tough season this year but showed that they can play with anyone in the league. there young with four freshmen and their big man should really dominate the league next year.

[d3bballinboston]

GNAC has passed Newbury, Mt. Ida, Lasell, St. Joes of Maine and Anna Maria to the next stage of schools who have applied.  TEams that didnt make it to the next round was Lesley, Mitchell, Green Mountain and Preque Isle.

Could be interesting who the GNAC will take, thats for sure. I'd say the front runner if you don't take into account travel is st. joe's of maine.  Whats everyone's thought on this.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Lasell is a solid program right in the heart of GNAC territory.  They have to be the favorite.

[d3bballinboston]

lasell is only good in MBB. All their other sports are really awful.  Maybe their WVB team could be about 6-7th in the GNAC.
But Ida, Newbury and Lasell all are in the middle of GNAC territory. All three of them are contendors.  Newbury may have a slight edge due to their varsity baseball programing starting next year.  GNAC is looking to add more baseball teams and also men's tennis teams.

Believe it our not St. Joe's is probally the favorite.  They have some of the best facilities in New England.  All competitive programs for all their sports for the most part.

it will be interesting to see what happens at the site visits this month.

[THE BIG MAN]

its doesnt matter who they bring to the gnac cause they are going to get killed by them svc boys

[d3bballinboston]

if the GNAC keeps SVC.  They barely field enough players in other sports.  sure they have solid numbers for Basketball by they are an embarassement to the GNAC in all other sports.