MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[D3HoopJunkie]

GNAC, Outstanding Work!!! Obviously you have a great contact seeing it's our head coach LOL. I initiate you as our official inside informant LOL. That's the kid I have been hearing about and he looks damn good. I can see why they call him Sticks!! A lengthy 6'6 combo guard/small forward. Coach Oliver's recruiting ability never ceases to amaze me. Before I forget, a big congratulation is in order to Coach Oliver as I was informed recently that he got married during this offseason. Congrats Coach O!

NESCAC1, As an Albertus supporter thank you for the kind words and early endorsement as AMC being a top 10 team to start the season and possibly the team to beat in NE this year. Toward your point regarding scheduling, I know for an absolute fact that Oliver has tried and tried year in and year out to schedule a stronger non-conference schedule but teams simply do not want to play them because while Albertus is clearly a national power now it still does not look good for any team to lose to a GNAC opponent. The conference really hurts the Falcons but there just isn't anything "right now" that they can do about it. I have been told that Oliver calls NESCAC, NEWMAC and LEC schools every year and he is constantly turned down. There isn't much you can do if they won't work with you and it's that simple. Perfect example is when WestConn and Albertus played each other in Olivers first few seasons. WestConn didn't mind playing the Falcons when they could beat up on them but now all the sudden Coach Campbell won't play them because the script flipped on them? I wonder why? But that's beside the point, the players play and the coaches' coach that's the beauty of this game. But again thanks NESCAC1. While I might have a problem with teams avoiding the Falcons I have no issue with saying that the NESCAC is clearly the best conference in NE and hands down one of the best conferences in the country. Year in and year out the NESCAC produces multiple NCAA tournament teams and national contenders then ultimately National Champions!

I really can't wait for the season to start. All this off season talk just gets me so fired up!

[lildave678]

Great stuff GNAC...found another article on Rameau:

http://articles.herald-mail.com/2013-03-09/sports/37586993_1_njcaa-nationals-kervin-rameau-njcaa-district-iii

Couldn't help but laugh when I saw this gem of an excerpt from it...

"The game remained knotted with three more ties in the second half before Rameau broke the seal on the game and started HCC's final march to victory.

First, Rameau — who's 6-foot-6 — made an emphatic windmill-style dunk over ASA's 6-8 center Victor Ljuljdjuraj that shocked the Avengers and took them out of their game while giving the Hawks a short-lived 48-44 lead with 16:50 remaining.

"That was one of the most expressive plays I've ever seen in this gym," Brown said. "It was probably the best finish ever in this gym. It was explosive and really bothered ASA."

Rameau followed up with a 3 from the right side of the key with 10:06 left to give HCC a 58-55 lead it never relinquished. It started an 8-2 run as the Hawks started pulling away."

Whaaaaaaaaatttttttttttttt?!

[D3HoopJunkie]

I was told recently that on top of the two JUCO studs Coach Oliver is bringing in he also has something like 7 or 8 true freshman? Has anyone else heard anything about it?? GNAC, perhaps you can do some digging??

Such a high number of recruits is certainly great news for the future of the program but I'm almost starting to think that there's almost to many on top of what we already have returning??? I know thats not the way to look at it but I think most understand where a problem may arise out of this in the future??

I know there is a "big" and I mean BIG freshman coming from NJ but cant get a name??

[lildave678]

Some random thoughts based off of what D3 asked/said...

Last year when I first saw the large number of JUCO transfers my original thought was hmm, these guys graduate quick (obviously). Because of that, you need underclassmen to fill roles and spots that the JUCO players are not brought in for, or to cover if there's a year or two where Mitch doesn't get the JUCO's he wants. Say he only had 1 JUCO come in this year and only a few freshman. Vic, Eian, Lemar, Julian, Walker, Wiggins are all set to graduate this year (if I recall correctly). That's a huge chunk of the roster gone. He needs these guys to cover the quick turnover or if some of the guys don't work out as planned. THEN we hope the freshman are in the Lemar Larsen mold, improving every year to the point where you can't keep them off the floor no matter who's on the roster.

In regard to your point about their being too many mouths to feed, I think of the old addage, "Too many chiefs, not enough Indians." I'd hope the team takes a good long look at that Williams game. Did Williams have more TALENT? Arguably no, but they played a flawless TEAM game where everyone knew their roles. I know they all watch basketball and you can say the same thing about the Spurs as well. Hopefully they can come together like that (a la Anthony Davis' Kentucky year) and realize the team goal is only attainable if individual statistics are put on the back burner.

A final thought of my own...what do you guys think the lineup looks like this season? I think we are GREATLY improved if a combo of either 2 newbies or Sanders/newbie come into the starting line up and have Jennings and Sanders/newbie come off the bench. That instantly makes the starting lineup MUCH bigger, and brings shooting off the bench. Only issue with that is if we go with 2 new guys (that aren't shooters, maybe they would be) that we wouldn't have ANY shooting in the starting lineup and Jennings, Sanders, and Wiggins all off the bench. Might have to start one of them (I think I'd prefer Julian if he's healthy and still on the squad) or even move Lemar and make him the 6th man? Just some thoughts.

[D3HoopJunkie]

LilDave,

As I look at the roster and what is returning on top of the new members of this recruiting class I cant help but grin at the immense amount of talent and depth that this 2014-15 Falcon squad can have. The more I look at it the more "Starting 5" combinations I come up with but here is my official "shot in the dark" pre season starting 5 prediction.....(This is with a healthy Julian Sanders btw because I've been told that he is doing very well and will be back to full strength, Great News!!!)

PG - Eian Davis, no surprise here. Easily the most important player to this years Falcon squad with new pieces coming in. A ship needs a captain and Davis will have the responsibility of running this show and getting everyone involved which he obviously is more than capable of doing. I would also predict that by seasons end he will be an All-American and lead the nation in assists.

SG - Easily the toughest spot for me to decide on, but with that I have to go with James Jennings. This kid as streaky as he was last year is easily the most fearless player I have ever seen and I mean EVER seen at any level. I just keep replaying the 3 he hit in the CCSU after struggling most of the game. Following I just sat their and said to myself right after he hit it that this kid has ice water running through his veins. Absolutely fearless. Julian Sanders and incoming JUCO transfer Shaquille Mitchell were right there but Julian coming off the ACL tear and Shaquille just beginning to learn the offense I think I have to give Jennings the nod here.

SF - JUCO transfer and incoming stud Kervin Rameau, haven't seen him play in person nor do I know much about him other than what I see on paper but as they say "Numbers Never Lie" and he has all the numbers to help me dub him a starter in this offense. He can shoot the ball, shoot it at a high percentage, rebound and handle the ball extremely well at 6'6. I do believe he and Eian played with each other at some point growing up and this combination could be deadly for opposing teams.

PF - Lemar Larsen, another easy selection for me. Nobody has improved more from the start of their career to the end like Lemar Larsen has under Coach Oliver's tutelage. A really special team player with an unbelievable ability to finish anything and everything around the rim. He has worked to hard to not be a starter and his leadership cant be ignored. If they needed him to score more I KNOW he would but with the amount of depth the Falcons have he is the guy who I like to say "cleans up the trash" and every team certainly needs that guy.

C - Big Vic - Another easy selection. I don't think you can find another big man in D3 who is more fundamentally sound and complete a player as Big Vic at the position. I consider him the Pau Gasol of D3 basketball. He can play the post, pass the ball very well and step out and hit the jumper or even a 3 when you need him too. His ability to run the floor has to be mentioned too as well as his uncanny ability to block shots. He is a great defender. He is everything you want in a big man.

Key Reserves - Julian Sanders, Shaquille Mitchell, Marc Wilson, Marcus Walker, Kyle Wiggins, Trevon Gibbs......Anyone notice how you could easily make a starting 5 out of the reserves I just mentioned that can without doubt compete in the GNAC?? That's just unreal!!! I also don't know anything about the incoming freshman, what I do know is they wont start but some I am sure could easily make this list as Key Reserves.

I have said this every year since I've been following Coach Oliver and the Falcons and it looks like I'm going to say it again this year, this team is more athletic and might be the best yet LOL.

[D3HoopJunkie]

I forgot to mention Tieron Jackson in my key reserves. He is without doubt a key reserve because he is the only true PG coming off the bench in case Eian were to get in foul trouble or just require a breather. I love Jacksons game, a pass first PG who can really really distribute the ball. I just hope he has learned the offense a little better this year with a full off season to work on it because he did look a little lost on the court at times last season. He needs to be stronger mentally to make the leap.

[nescac1]

D3HoopJunkie, I'm not surprised that AMC has trouble convincing the top NEWMAC, LEC and NESCAC teams to play them -- there just isn't much upside to scheduling a potential loss against an elite team from a lower-tier conference, is probably the way most coaches view it.  AMC may need to find some out-of-region tournaments to test itself in going forward.  I do think the way they are building the program, a trip to Salem is going to come sooner rather than later. 

Here are some more of AMC's recruits: http://www.d3bballrecruits.com/2014/07/albertus-magnus.html

[falcons2010]

Great post NESCAC... I like that site as well.

I am excited about the upcoming season... But, until these kids enroll, I can't get too excited. By the way, this is pjunito (I lost my aol account information, it was hacked into, and I didn't remember my d3 password, so I am here with a new name)...

OK, I will e-mail my thoughts later on.. just got called into a meeting.

[falcons2010]

I am only looking at returning players in this post:

Albertus Falcons 2014-15

Starters:
Davis - PG
Jennings - SG
Saunders - SF
Larsen - PF
Vic L - C

The offense will shift from Watson to Vic and Larsen (creating open looks for Saunders and Jennings)

Bench
Jackson
Wiggins
Walker
Wilson
Gibbs

These guys should all become more aggressive this year, take a bigger role in creating mix matches on the offensive side of the ball.

This team would be good enough to finish top 3 in GNAC next year and make deep run in GNAC playoffs.

[D3HoopJunkie]

NESCAC1

I couldn't agree with you more! I completely understand that it's very difficult for coaches at these programs to find a good reason to play Albertus Magnus. As you mentioned, there really isn't that much of an incentive to go and play there and to possibly lose. As good as Albertus is, it also is not a good game for those schools in terms of their strength of schedule because the GNAC is weak overall. I absolutely understand all points but its really just me being selfish I guess. To your idea of going and playing in tournaments I think that is a great idea however I don't know how familiar you are with Albertus in regards to the financial support the basketball program receives from the University but what I can tell you is that its virtually none. Its really quite sad because since Coach Oliver arrived at the school the team has done nothing but improve and win every year and yet the financial support just isnt there. Before Oliver got onboard nobody ever would have thought that this program could turn into what it has become. And no disrespect to the other sports but without basketball you would never hear about Albertus Magnus to this day still. Its sad and needs to change but it wont. I hope it does though because I know for a fact that Coach Oliver isnt going to be around forever and the program will turn right back to what it was 10 years ago....CRAP...and it really kills me to say that!

[D3HoopJunkie]

Falcon2010 or should I say pjunito lol!! Welcome back.

While I like your lineup with just returners I think I can almost for certain say that new recruit Kervin Rameau will be the starting small forward! But im sure you understand that too. I realize you just went with what is officially returning.

I also like how you said the Falcons could finish in the top 3 and while thats the smart thing to say im done downplaying the Falcons chances. There taking this conference all the way again this year and no one is stopping them. The heck with it im gonna play them up this whole year cause after last season they should be played up!! Plus with what's St. Joe's lost as well as Johnson and Wales I dont see any clear cut team who could hands down compete an win TWICE (lets keep that GNAC scheduling in mind) against the Falcons.

Mark it down!  FalconPride!

[Saint-Paul]

At last, some really good news. There was a major shake up in the Saints coaching staff over the summer. The head coach was retained ( not sure why ), but the top two assistants were not. Since there was no athletic department announcement it is hard to tell if the staff changes occurred voluntarily or if the AD finally decided to hold someone responsible for all the players quitting the team before their senior year. Either way, it doesn't matter.
   All that matters is that now the program can start to move forward. At least this was a good start.  When the players return in September they will be very pleased to find out that a major obstacle to moving this program forward has now been removed.  The main factor responsible for driving so many talented players off the team before their senior year is gone. The harsh, negative atmosphere surrounding this program for the last five years has been lifted. The player retention problems that has plagued this program over the last five years should now be a thing of the past.     
     Keeping talented players on the team for all four years, developing their skill sets, is a major step forward for this program.   Now if the AD would just hold someone responsible for the outdated game plan and the negative assist / turnover ratio this program would really be in position to move forward.  A 50% improvement in the coaching staff is better than no improvement at all and should result in a slightly more competitive team next year. Let's hope that the changes in the coaching staff occurred before some of the talented freshman from last years team transferred out of the school.

[officer cadet]

Norwich add to several players for upcoming season.
Players who from Mass,Virginia,NH also Vermont.

I believe NU class of 2014 recruiting class are most deep talent since I follow Norwich.

[pjunito]

Woooooo boys... So my computer at home had me signed up. Pjunito is back..

What is going on? Classes have begun, College football is on, therefore I know basketball players returning and new are just itching for October 15 to get here!

Give me some reports.

[magicman]

If Albertus Magnus  still needs a game they should contact the coach at Plattsburgh State. The Cardinals now need to add 2 games to their schedule since they are no longer taking part in an early season tournament that involved a club team. Just like Albertus Magnus, Plattsburgh made the Sweet 16 last year and they return a solid group of veteran players.  Would be a good game for both teams. I spoke to Coach Curle from Plattsburgh State last night and he said he called the coach at AM on Monday or Tuesday when he discovered the Cardinals would be playing in a tournament against a club team which he was unaware of. He thought they were a D3 team and just discovered they only have club status. He opted out of that tournament because of that fact.
If any of the AM posters are close to the AM coach you should see if you can help make this game a reality. I thought that either PJ, or D3HoopJunkie or lildave....one of you guys... was close to the AM coach and might be able to put a bug in his ear.