MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

lildave678 · February 10, 2014, 10:46:30 PM

Exactly my thoughts PJ! And is Albertus even big enough to host capacity wise? I know they've added seating for the GNAC Finals previously though. Is size even apart of the criteria?

pjunito · February 10, 2014, 10:58:44 PM

I think Dave can give us a better insight on the criteria to host a NCAA weekend. I think Albertus would love to host... Despite the horrible fans, Albertus plays much better at home.

I do remember there is a distance criteria for playing in the first round, can't travel more than a certain number of miles... But, lots of basketball to be played before we think about that.

Big one tomorrow night...

GnacBballFan · February 10, 2014, 11:37:36 PM

I wouldn't call the albertus fans "horrible" lol. The place is packed. The student section is horrible I'll concur there

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · February 11, 2014, 12:11:48 AM

Quote from: D3HoopJunkie on February 10, 2014, 10:09:15 PM
Good Lord, stop the presses!! Dave has finally placed Albertus Magnus in this top 25 Ballot. I only poke fun Dave 😜 and I must concur with everything that you said in your blog post about the Falcons. I think your description why you left them out so long is valid and accurate from a non biased and knowledgable perspective and I really hope that the Falcons can prove to you that they deserve the ranking.

Now onto a question that popped into my head once I read your post. You mentioned that the Falcons might have a shot at hosting the first round of the NCAA's. (if there fortunate enough to make it that is) Again i'm just trying to learn a little bit more about D3 as a whole and was curious as to how one is able to host an NCAA tournament round. My thought process on it was that you had to put in a bid in advance to get the spot but I'm starting to think that I might be wrong considering how games are played at schools that are in the tournament. Which leads me to believe that the schools arent picked until after the brackets are set?? Whats the criteria and timetable?? Any info would be much appreciated from anyone!!

Thanks!

Well thank you for reading the blog and understanding my point of view... I appreciate that.

As for hosting... first and foremost, anyone who is interested in hosting has to complete their paperwork which includes information on their facility and idea of a budget to the NCAA by this Friday, February 14. That is just the red-tape, but I can tell you countless stories of schools who do not put in the paperwork for varying reasons - or worse, screw up the paperwork - and their team is sent on the road when they clearly were the rightful ones to host.

How a team is selected to host is not nearly as cut and dry. First, they have to be highly ranked in the regional rankings. Unless you have a paperwork problem or a team can't host for whatever reasons (i.e. Ithaca last year rebuilding their gym, Wesley this year because their gym isn't even close enough in size to host, other places that are hosting other events), a team ranked say fifth in the regional rankings isn't going to automatically get a bid over teams ahead of them especially in the two three.

That all being said, geography plays a HUGE role and not necessarily where the school is located. The NCAA has a mandate to create four-team pods where teams travel no more than 500 miles to that destination. The 500-mile rule is important because any trip more than that triggers an automatic flight. The NCAA does NOT want to pay for a lot, or any, flights especially in the first weekend. There are going to be flights that have to be made for teams located on the west coast, Texas and even other locales like Colorado should they advance in the tournament (or even in the first round). There are also flights that need to happen to get teams to Salem and the final four... but the NCAA wants to limit those flights as much as possible and with budget concerns at the Indy office, flights are going to be even more regulated than we normally see.

As a result, if a school can host a tournament that gets three other teams to a location without a flight even if that school doesn't seem to be ranked high enough especially of that four-some, they will end up hosting.

Here is an example: several years ago, St. Mary's (#1 in Mid-Atlantic Region), Middlebury (#1 in Northeast Region), Rochester (#3 in East Region) and Buffalo State (ranking unimportant) ended up winning the first two rounds and were in the same pod for the second weekend. On paper, Middlebury actually held the advantage of hosting over St. Mary's, but it was pretty close - could have gone either way. However, to get St. Mary's to Middlebury or vis versa would have cost the NCAA a flight. Instead, all teams could bus to Rochester and not go over the 500 mile rule. Thus Rochester hosted the second weekend of games despite the fact they were no were close to deserving it by rank and primary criteria. This happens often and even happens in the first weekend when it just makes sense.

All of that being said, the first weekend does offer the most flexiability for the national committee, so we see quirky hosting chances less often (again, they usually come done to a red-tape thing gone ary). If Albertus Magnus is ranked high enough in the Northeast and has better criteria than the other teams in the first weekend pod... and they can get a nice mix of regions to Albertus Magnus without a flight... the Falcons could end up hosting. You can get Mid-Atlantic, Atlantic, East, Northeast, and even a couple of South Region teams to AMC by bus (Randolph-Macon traveled to WPI last year and then Amherst both by bus).

The key will be where is Albertus Magnus positioned in the rankings and what is their criteria compared to other teams when the brackets are put together. Another loss by AMC will make it hard to have that advantage since their SOS will be of no help. Also, schools like Purchase State, some of the NJACs, and others could get better criteria to bump off AMC. Also, AMC can easily be shipped into the regions I mentioned above if the committee feels they don't have better criteria than other teams.

Does that all make sense?

FormerGNACplayer · February 11, 2014, 04:28:37 AM

Coming down to the last 4 games. If AMC plays De, they will win easily. You have to respect Oliver and the job he has done since he's been at Albertus. I hope I'm wrong and they go all the way. I watched them live a couple of times. Talent is thru the roof. Coaching isn't a issue. Playoff time is 2 weeks away. Any rankings or seeding thoughts? Championship predictions?? If AMC wins out, can they move up in the national rankings?

lildave678 · February 11, 2014, 08:15:57 AM

I think they're kinda solidified in the national rankings unless something major happens. They may move up a couple spots if they hold serve and people around them falter but I don't think the voters are going to move them up with GNAC wins the rest of the way. The regional rankings however are the more important ones and I think they certainly have some room to move up there. After Amherst and Williams, it seems to be a logjam of teams (especially after WPIs 2 losses): Albertus, WPI, East Conn, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Babson, etc (in no order). If they win out the rest of the way I don't see how they could be lower than 5 and I'd imagine could get to 3 with impressive performances. That certainly would be the highest they've ever been regionally. Heck, when they went 28-2 they were still only 9th (24-1 at the time) in the last public rankings that year. We can dive into this deeper when the rankings are released tomorrow.

7express · February 11, 2014, 09:38:10 AM

Quote from: FormerGNACplayer on February 11, 2014, 04:28:37 AM
Coming down to the last 4 games. If AMC plays De, they will win easily. You have to respect Oliver and the job he has done since he's been at Albertus. I hope I'm wrong and they go all the way. I watched them live a couple of times. Talent is thru the roof. Coaching isn't a issue. Playoff time is 2 weeks away. Any rankings or seeding thoughts? Championship predictions?? If AMC wins out, can they move up in the national rankings?

I'd put AMC in a pile with WPI, Eastern Connecticut, Bowdoin, Middlebury & Babson for the 3rd to 8th spots in the East. Each team has a case for and against each spot. Right now I'd probably say: AMC 3rd, WPI 4th, Babson 5th, Mid 6th, Bowdoin 7th & Eastern 8th, however, there's a pretty big drop off between 1 & 2 (Amherst & Williams) and the rest of the region, so even if they start out 3rd this week, their only likely to fall down the rankings than move up.

As for the championship I'd say AMC by 10 over J&W. Better off leaving it in their own hands, then letting the suits at NCAA decide it. AMC, WPI & Eastern all have gaudy records, but none of those 3 teams has beaten anyone of note. I think all 3 of them will probably make it in the end whether it be via the auto bid or pool C selection, but if all 3 lose in their conference tournament, I'd definitely take the other 2 from the SUNYAC (Brockport/Geneseo/or Plattsburgh) before I take a team from the Northeast this year

D3HoopJunkie · February 11, 2014, 09:25:05 PM

All I have to say is THERE BACKKKK!!! The team looked rejuvenated and as good as I've seen them play all year. Only stat line im going to touch on is Big Vic with 18 points 18 rebounds and 7 blocks. Monster game fr him.

I was really hoping that I wouldnt have to say this, but I'm starting to agree with you guys about the home crowd. What has happened?? You could hear a pin drop at some points during the game when Lasell had the ball. I'm going to put this one on the student section. I think it's their responsibility to get up and get the crowd going. And believe me there were plenty of students there tonight. I also think part of the blame is because we've become so accustomed to winning at home but this must change.

On to the next one!! Norwich up at Norwich on Saturday.

GnacBballFan · February 11, 2014, 10:40:07 PM

That's right junkie, they are back! With no Jennings may I add. Bench played awesome. Good to see we got it back and the st joes game just looks a lot worse then it is. Eian Davis is my fav player on this team. But foul trouble lately has his mins diminishing to the freshman. I mean Davis led the nation in assists just two weeks ago and hasn't had too many as of late. We need him to go back to his ways where he was dish first score second. But I'm nit picking, he's still my fav player to watch. He'll get his, but he has to realize what he can do by setting his teammates up makes albertus go. Junkie the student section flat out sucks. And no excuses for them lol, that wouldn't if stopes the student section of 05-11 lol they were always loud no matter what.

pjunito · February 11, 2014, 11:03:16 PM

Dave,

WOW. thanks for the explanation. You make it so clear to understand the concepts of the NCAA torunament selection process. Thanks again for your respond. I think you made valid points. Albertus needs to keep winning and maybe they have a chance. They lose and if they win the tounament, they are traveling. Sounds good to me..

Hopefully they put paperwork in.... Albertus1 looks like you need to start a letter campagin to the AD...

pjunito · February 11, 2014, 11:13:40 PM

7, I agree with all your points.. I think the three NESCAC will place top 3 in first regional rankings, followed by Albertus, WPI, Babson/Springfield and Eastern.. Albertus can only fall, won't go up unless Williams losses a bad game before the semi-finals. Albertus just needs to win... Magic number is 2 to clinch home court. They've played well at home and hopefully the athmosphere for the playoffs is different than what it has been.

I'm nicknaming the team Dunk Haven!! What do you guys thing?

First it was Lob City - Clippers
Then it was Dunk City - Florida Gulf Coast last year
and....

Now...

DUNK HAVEN BABY!!!

Let's go fellas!

GNAC, team played very well tonight. Defense was much improved, bench played very well. The only thing that worries me is Wiggins is still off - 3-9 from long range.. He really needs to 4 for 7 to be able to stretch the defense consistently.

But, overall, they have been playing well on both ends - last two wins were by a combined 65 points.

D3HoopJunkie · February 11, 2014, 11:20:10 PM

Anyone know why Jennings didn't play tonight? Hopefully it's not an injury. He seemed to be moving around well in warm-ups but was in street clothes. Perhaps maybe it was just some type of violation of a team rule??

Either way let's hope he is back Saturday.

pjunito · February 11, 2014, 11:22:45 PM

He was banged up, would have played if it was a playoff game. He also sat out the first few games this year with a leg injury. Coach Oliver was probably playing it safe.

lildave678 · February 12, 2014, 09:10:50 AM

Has Davis really been getting into foul trouble lately? That seems a bit troubling to me. Every time I turned the game on Jackson was running the point. Because there aren't live stats I thought he wasn't even playing!

And is there any rule against a school putting in the paperwork to host at a facility that isn't on their campus? If Albertus really wanted it, but say they were too small, could they put in to host at Hillhouse for example? It's probably the premier basketball/indoor track facility in CT and it's right down the road. Albertus holds 600 (probably a little more with the extra seating they add) while Hillhouse's facility holds 3500.

FormerGNACplayer · February 12, 2014, 09:12:49 AM

If they play defense like that, I take back everything I said ! Hahaha wow. Victor was blocking shots everywhere and they were great on D! No one will beat them. Larsen looked good , they can go inside, they can go outside, they can go deep into the bench... Oliver is a great coach, can't say it enough. Just as things were looking to fall, he picked them up. Great job to him.. I think I saw the old player Reaves who hit the half court shot on Albertus bench. That's cool. Anyways. JWU is improving, I love them as a team. They won't, but if they were able to get into NCAA, they could surprise somebody, potentially. Falcons and JWU in the chip for me.. That will be a great one but when Albertus plays like that, NO ONE, is more dangerous and more talented.