MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

Saint-Paul · January 10, 2014, 10:26:15 AM

Final Score : Mt IDA 55 - EMMANUEL 48

What can I say about this game. It looked like TWO JV teams playing each other. The game summary can be captured in three items; poor shooting, fouls, and turnovers. The Saints finish the game with only 13 field goals on 25% shooting. The Mustangs were not much better finishing with 15 field goals on 35% shooting. Both team combined for 31 turnovers and 54 free throws. Not a pleasant basketball viewing experience. The Saints never seem to recruit any players who could be classified as a " pure " shooter. They always recruit the driver / slasher type player but then they always end up settling for a lot of outside jump shots. Don't understand that strategy. If you are going to bring in junior college transfers to fill up all the empty uniforms at least bring in the ones who can shoot the ball.

Preview : Norwich / Emmanuel

Both teams have exactly the same record, 2 - 9, but Norwich has played much better in their 9 losses. They do not get blown out, they hang tough, and play close games even with some very good teams. Norwich has two high scoring guards in McDonald and Gladden, and have a very athletic forward in Tullar. The Saints struggle with teams that have guards who can make 3 point shots. They don't close out very well, and their constant full court pressing gives up open 3 point looks in transition. One of these two teams will get their first GNAC win on Saturday and if the Saints want to be that team they will have to turn up their defense on the Cadets guards and chase them off the arc.

pjunito · January 10, 2014, 05:26:57 PM

Results from Thursday's games:

Emmanuel 48    Mount Ida 55    Final

Saint Joseph's (Me.) 51    Norwich 50    Final

Suffolk 61    Johnson & Wales (RI) 86    Final

Albertus Magnus 93    Rivier 82    Final

Anna Maria 65    Lasell 96    Final

No real surprises here; Norwich almost pulled an upset against St. Joes. Norwich is a solid team, but they don't have a lot of depth. They need to keep their starting 5 on the court to have a chance and they were able to do that against St. Joes. I know Lasell is much improved but I am shocked at the score. Anna Maria does not look like the same team that went to back to back championship games..

Here is Saturday's schedule:

Rivier at Johnson & Wales (RI) 1:00 PM

Saint Joseph's (Me.) at Anna Maria 3:00 PM

Norwich at Emmanuel 3:00 PM

Albertus Magnus at Suffolk 3:00 PM

Mount Ida at Lasell 3:00 PM

gordonmann · January 10, 2014, 05:35:11 PM

In your opinion, who is the second best team in this conference behind Albertus Magnus? If I'm looking for the biggest test in conference, which game(s) is it?

GnacBballFan · January 10, 2014, 07:34:13 PM

Gordon,

I cannot say that I have seen all the teams play, but I do check on how they are doing. And to me, it's Johnson and Wales followed by Lasell, in my opinion

D3HoopJunkie · January 11, 2014, 12:56:49 PM

GNAC,

I agree with you on Johnson and Whales. I beleive they are clearly a top 3 team. I am however suprised you didnt include St. Joes over Lasell for yout assesment to Gordon. Im guessing its because maybe you havent seen them play yet?? I beleive that St Joes and JWU are right there with one and other in terms of the race for 2nd place. I beleive that St. Joes Head Coach Rob Sanicolla is hands down one of the best coaches in the league and really prepares his teams well for big games.

For me Gordon I would have JWU (because of there athleticism) St Joes and then Lassel.

GnacBballFan · January 11, 2014, 01:45:39 PM

Junkie,

I have no argument there. I haven't seen them play, but I saw they beat Norwich by 1, which to me seems they should win by at least 7 points or higher to be a top 3 team. I saw Norwich and they are a young undersized team, so I would think st joes would have beaten them by more. But could have been an off night, so I'm in no disagreeance. That coach is a great coach I agree. Lasell coach has also done a great job himself. Time will tell!

D3HoopJunkie · January 11, 2014, 02:20:55 PM

Absolutley GNAC, Couldnt agree more. Just proposed the question to you to stir up a little healthy conversation. I think we should do a little more debating here with each other even if it is all about Albertus LOL, and are newest poster Saint Paul who brings an excellent perspective on the Emmanuel Saints.

Falcons at Suffolk in a couple hours. I wont be there but Albertus handed them a pretty rough loss earlier in the season at the Nest. As long as they stay out of foul trouble and play there game they should roll.

lildave678 · January 11, 2014, 03:39:53 PM

I've watched about 10 minutes of this first half and it's clear to see...Eian Davis is a huge fan of the Rondo behind the back fake haha

lildave678 · January 11, 2014, 03:46:35 PM

AMC up 45-33 at the half. Some lackluster transition D by Albertus led to some easy buckets for Suffolk. As I admitted in a previous post, I haven't watched too much but it seems like Vic could get whatever he wants (especially against this team) but they don't really run anything through him. All his offensive production seems to be 2nd chance or dump offs under the hoop. Just an aberration this half or is it like that all the time?

D3HoopJunkie · January 11, 2014, 03:52:57 PM

I totally forgot that Suffolk provided a live stream of the game. I just caught the last minute of the 1st half and will definitely be watching the 2nd. At the half Albertus leads 45 to 33. Normally theGNAC.com website and even Albertus will post the links on their schedules to all the games but there was none to be found. I decided to check the Suffolk website and sure enough there was a link.

D3HoopJunkie · January 11, 2014, 04:03:16 PM

Forgot to thank LilDave, I read your post and that's what made me look at Suffolks website so thank you!!!

lildave678 · January 11, 2014, 04:25:08 PM

you got it! I only found it because I looked for a link on the AMC website...saw there wasn't even a box score so I scooted over to the Suffolk site and happened to find the link...and Davis tried the Rondo AGAIN haha

D3HoopJunkie · January 11, 2014, 04:51:39 PM

Nice win for Albertus. 95 to 73 I believe it was. They had the scoreboard shut off before the hand shake line was through. Eian Davis had a couple unbelievable moves and the team played well. Defense does have to improve but I believe it will when they play a much more difficult opponent.

Also forgot to mention earlier that last night on New Channel 8 SportsEdge there was yet another nice piece on the Falcons and it included player interviewers as well as some nice commentary from Coach Oliver. Im sure it is online now. All Falcons fans should take a look!!! Finally some RESPECT from the local news networks. Now we just have to get the papers involved.

D3HoopJunkie · January 11, 2014, 04:53:48 PM

http://sportzedge.com/2014/01/11/albertus-magnus-basketball-becoming-d-3-power/

Found the Link......Check it out boys and girls

pjunito · January 11, 2014, 08:38:05 PM

Quote from: gordonmann on January 10, 2014, 05:35:11 PM
In your opinion, who is the second best team in this conference behind Albertus Magnus? If I'm looking for the biggest test in conference, which game(s) is it?

Gordon,

JWU has been playing great since the end of the first semester. They lost a game in Maine versus St. Joe's a tough place to win a game as the visiting team. They are well coached and play great team defense. However, JWU has had some good wins since that game and have been blowing people out within the conference. I would list JWU two, St. Joe's three, and Lasell 4. I think Lasell is inexperience, but they remind me of Anna Maria the last two years. They have skill players who don't play discipline, however, can match up against anyone including Albertus.

St. Joe is the Northeast D3 version of Wisconsin. lol.

Would love to get more posters from JWU, ST. Joes on the boards.