MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[lildave678]

Love the recap Hoops Fan, I was checking in on the game periodically. I did notice a lack of Davis in the second half (texted my buddy about it) and wondered why.

As far as I can remember, we've always had issues feeding the post and I don't know why. Even when we had Ray Askew and Jefferson Lora on the same team we wouldn't dump it down.  Ray was just athletic enough that he could get to the rim at will so he didn't need to catch it right on the block, and Jeff (much like Vic now) seemed to never DEMAND the ball.

Hopefully this is a wakeup call that they can't just walk on the court and win, but like you said (and everyone in the D3 world knows) they won't face much in terms of oppostion until that first round NCAA tournament game.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Love the recap Hoops Fan, I was checking in on the game periodically. I did notice a lack of Davis in the second half (texted my buddy about it) and wondered why.

As far as I can remember, we've always had issues feeding the post and I don't know why. Even when we had Ray Askew and Jefferson Lora on the same team we wouldn't dump it down.  Ray was just athletic enough that he could get to the rim at will so he didn't need to catch it right on the block, and Jeff (much like Vic now) seemed to never DEMAND the ball.

Hopefully this is a wakeup call that they can't just walk on the court and win, but like you said (and everyone in the D3 world knows) they won't face much in terms of oppostion until that first round NCAA tournament game.

Maybe not even then.  The whole first half I kept thinking it looked like a second or third round tournament game.  I was amazed at how well Stockton was playing, given how many new faces they brought in.  I don't think it's going to help the AMC players any that everybody knew who the best team was out there, even if they didn't put enough together to win.  They're not going to feel like they got beat, which is sometimes helpful for buckling down.

[Saint-Paul]

Don't usually comment on other peoples games but after returning
from the Saints tip off tournament I did watch the second half of the
AMC - Stockton game on live stream.  I was really surprised at how
quickly the AMC guards were shooting perimeter jump shots in transition.
Sometimes with as much as 31 seconds still on the shot clock.  They
were so anxious to shoot the ball they were putting up contested shots
before Victor L even crossed half court.  I only saw Victor get two
touches in the second half, a lob inbounds play and an offensive put back.

    I understand that when you have quick, athletic guards you do want
to push the ball down court quickly, but that is usually for the purpose
of getting to the rim in transition, scoring layups or getting fouled.
The AMC guards did none of those things, they pulled up at the arc and
shot the first available jumper.  If they had waited just a few more
seconds in transition and given Victor a quick touch on the low post it
would have collapsed the Stockton defense into the lane and opened the
guards for a quick kick out and uncontested jump shots or driving layups
on the weak side of the lane.

    Even if the guards had waited for Victor to reach the top of the
key in transition they could have reversed the ball through him and then
allowed him to attack the offensive glass when they launched one of
their perimeter shots.  It appeared on the screen that the AMC guards
were taking Victor out of the game more so than the Stockton defenders.

    AMC has very quick, athletic guards who can score and defend to go
along with a talented big man in the paint.  A nice combo that most D-3
schools don't have.  There are 23 more games to get the right chemistry
together to make a run in the NCAA tournament. Good Luck.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

It was even worse at the end of the first half.  AMC tried to get back in the game by shooting quick threes, rather than playing good defense and making smart passes (which would have worked, easily).  It was only at the very end when they played tight defense and drove the lane consistently that they got back into things.  Still a sloppy game, but I expect we'll really see how good the coaching is by the way these guys are playing at the end of the season.

[lildave678]

Love the recap Hoops Fan, I was checking in on the game periodically. I did notice a lack of Davis in the second half (texted my buddy about it) and wondered why.

As far as I can remember, we've always had issues feeding the post and I don't know why. Even when we had Ray Askew and Jefferson Lora on the same team we wouldn't dump it down.  Ray was just athletic enough that he could get to the rim at will so he didn't need to catch it right on the block, and Jeff (much like Vic now) seemed to never DEMAND the ball.

Hopefully this is a wakeup call that they can't just walk on the court and win, but like you said (and everyone in the D3 world knows) they won't face much in terms of oppostion until that first round NCAA tournament game.

Maybe not even then.  The whole first half I kept thinking it looked like a second or third round tournament game.  I was amazed at how well Stockton was playing, given how many new faces they brought in.  I don't think it's going to help the AMC players any that everybody knew who the best team was out there, even if they didn't put enough together to win.  They're not going to feel like they got beat, which is sometimes helpful for buckling down.

You're probably right, but I meant that in the sense that WHOEVER it is, they'll be better than anything the GNAC throws at them.

[Saint-Paul]

Well, another 20 point loss for the Saints last night ( Wesleyan 76 - 54 ) to a team that won only 11 games last year.  That is the second time that has happened already and the season is only 3 games old.  What is going to happen when they play a team that had 15 wins last year, are they going to lose by 30 ?  The Emmanuel coach used his third different starting line up last night.  That is three new line ups in the first three games.  Two starters from the tip off tournament were buried on the bench last night.  After four weeks of practice how is it possible that the coach doesn't know who is 5 best players are?  Everyone played so there were no injuries.  The Saints have 49 turnovers in their first three games, and have only made 11 of 46 three point shots.  It is hard to be a competitive team when you keep missing shots and throw the ball away.

    Different subject ;  watched the first half of the Lasell / RIC game last night and was surprised at how well Lasell has adjusted to not having their dominate center in the game.  Lasell spread the floor, used their foot speed and decent outside shooting to give RIC a good game for the first 20 minutes.  It looked like they have a few guys stepping up and trying to fill the void in the center position.

[falcons2010]

Hey Hoops. I am sorry it took so long to get back to your post. All I can say is, completely agree with everything you said. I am not a big fan of the crying that goes on during college basketball games, but unfortunately, it happens a lot. Point is, good team basketball wins 90% of the time. I am hoping this team finds that chemistry of sharing the ball and doing the little things right; Rebounding, playing good help defense, hitting free throws..

Hopefully it can happen.

[falcons2010]

Hey Saint,

Man, do I love reading your post. I sincerely hope that Emmanuel makes changes and becomes a competitive program again. All I know is that I would love to sit next to you at a game this year. You have common sense insight. Every time I read your post I think of the 30 for 30 on the Pony Express (SMU football). The year after they got their team back, they had a bunch of walk on play. One of the guy being interview with a straight face says " we weren't big but we weren't fast either". Great line. That is what I think of when reading your post. Like, somehow wearing a Saint uniform instantly prevents anyone from playing the game of basketball at a competitive level.

Three starting line-ups in 3 games says a lot about the coaching staff. I can understand mis-evaluations when it comes to who to play and when to play them. But, how can anyone build chemistry when there is no consistency? Maybe the coach meant that the rebuilding ends after first semester. Mid year guys who will catch everyone by surprise.

[warriorcat]

New poster to the GNAC board.  I have a special interest in Lasell.  I will be interested to see how they compete in what appears to be a conference with a wide range of competitive programs.

After watching parts of Lasell's first two games against teams that were NCAA participants last year and see the Lasers as a work in progress. 

[falcons2010]

Welcome Warriorcat! Gnac boards are usually quiet until conference play begins. Lasell lost their big man that was a big blow. But, they usually are in the top 4 in the GNAC each year. It will be interesting to see if they are still the team that loves taking the 3 point shot like in years past.

[D3HoopJunkie]

Welcome aboard Warriorcat! It will be great to get another perspective on here as the this board (with the exception of St. Paul) has been dominated over the last few years by Albertus fans!

Lasell has a great reputation and over the years has been very competitive both in conference and out of conference. Coach Galletta is a very well respected Coach in the Northeast and his teams are always well prepared.

Looking forward to your posts!

[warriorcat]

I saw my first Lasell game live today at Nichols.  Hot shooting display by Nichols in the first half (62% FG including 10-20 3FG) catapulted the Bison to a 58-37 lead at the break.  Lasell battled back and came as close as seven with eight minutes to play.  Unfortunately they were too far back and they fell 86-76.  I am hoping to seem them at home on Tuesday when they host Brandeis. 

[Saint-Paul]

Last week I was complaining because the Saints lost twice to two teams that only won 11 games last year.  Well this week they did one better.  Emmanuel lost at home to a team that they actually beat last year.  The Saints only won 6 games last year and Westfield was one of those wins. Unfortunately they could not repeat that effort again this year.  The Saints lost to Westfield 81 - 69 on a complete second half defensive collapse.  After holding a 9 point half time lead, the Saints came out of the locker room and gave up 60 points in the second half.  That is not a typo,  SIXTY points , in 20 minutes of basketball.  Most college teams don't give up sixty points in an entire game, but Emmanuel continues to find new ways to surprise it fans, especially when playing at home in front of students and alumni.  What kind of well coached college team gives up 60 points in a half ?

    The Emmanuel coach used a new starting line up again on Saturday.  That makes four for four in the starting line up department.  No wonder they don't show any cohesive team play on the court.  Once again the two key factors in the game were poor shooting, 20% from behind the arc, and not taking care of the ball ( 23 turnovers ).   One player already quit the team during the tip off tournament, I will have to scan the roster on Monday to see if any more players have had enough already.


    Tried to watch the replay of the St Joe games but they are charging $10.95 to log on ( outrageous ) so I checked out the box scores for free.  St Joe has lost it's first two games but both games were close and St Joe is still shooting the lights out.  The Monks have made 28 three point shots in 2 games and are shooting 45% from behind the arc.  They are also still moving the ball again this year, recording 32 assists in their first two games.  I was hoping I could watch the video for free because that is how I enjoy seeing the game played.  I keep hoping that my Saints will start playing that way but the chances of that happening look very dim.  The Saints have only made 13 three point shots so far through 4 games and have accumulated 72 turnovers already.  Not exactly the stats of a team that moves the ball looking for open shots.

[lildave678]

I can honestly say I now root for Emmanuel solely so Saint-Paul has something positive to talk about haha. I imagine this is somewhat what it must have been like to be an Albertus fan before the Mitch Oliver era.

Tomorrow's game with Purchase has lost the luster it had last year. Granted, it's an away game against a team with revenge on its mind (beat them twice last year) but it seems they're decimated by injuries - including losing the big man Neri for the season. They're 0-5 to start this young season. I hope the Falcons aren't so aware of this and still come ready to play.

[GnacAlum55]

I was at EC for their tournament and saw Purchase lose to Newbery.  Unfortunately, if Albertus comes to play, this will not be close.  Purchase is a shell of the team that they were last year (I understand injuries have played a big part).