MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

D3HoopJunkie · January 07, 2015, 09:02:42 AM

Don't ask me why guys but I decided to drive up to Rivier last night for the game. I was too anxious to wait till Saturday's home game and I'm certainly not going to be making the trip on Thursday up to Vermont.

With that said this was the most complete game I have seen the Falcons play all season. They played with energy a ton of smiles on the court and looked very refreshed. Sledge had a MONSTER of a game. I counted 6 dunks and they were all incredible. He was knocking down 3's and running and gunning in transition. Eian had a superb game dishing out a bunch of really nice assists and playing for the most part in control. Big Vic was stuck in some foul trouble and never really got going but still had a number of blocks and finished the game strong. I couldn't help but to start thinking about Sledge's game more on the ride home. He is the type of player that can single handedly put the team on his back and take over a game when in need and I think this young man will be a crucial factor in this postseason for the Falcons. Not just because I'm a Connecticut guy but he draws comparisons to me of last year's UConn team with Shabazz Napier. He can do the same things in terms of taking a big shot or knowing exactly when to push the tempo and go for the juggler or set up your offense and mentally break down a team. He is truly an outstanding player who is so in control of his game and lives for the big moment.

PJ, as for Wiggins it appears he won't be with the team for the rest of the season. He was on the bench last night but because they took him off the roster I'm assuming his grades just weren't there possibly? It's unfortunate, I really loved his game and for a senior to have to miss out on your final semester stinks. I don't want to speculate but Kyle seemed like a really nice kid and I am certain it's eating him up inside. As for his absence, does it hurt? It certainly does but in a way he was 1 dimensional. He was strictly a 3 point specialist which I'm not downplaying because it's huge but we still have senior Julian Sanders who is just as good a shooter in my opinion as Wiggins and can do way more off the dribble as well. Wiggins brought a ton of energy to the court when he was in but defensively again in my opinion he was a liability. He will be missed but we have plenty of experienced talent to help fill the void not to mention a number of pretty good looking outside freshman shooters in Chaunce Dunbar and Lex Perez. Ohhh lets not forget about our starting SG as well in James Jennings......kids pretty good LOL and plays the best defense out of the group of shooter I just mentioned.

This team is starting to click more and more and everyone in NE should take note. Their team defense was outstanding last night as well and I think as we all know if this team buckles down on D they are as good as any team in the country.

lildave678 · January 07, 2015, 10:55:05 AM

I don't like giving up 42 in a half to the Riv BUT they had the lead to almost 30, in the second half, in cold NH...hopefully they just wanted to get home lol. I'll take your word for it that the defense was outstanding.

While they had video feed it was of poor quality so I didn't watch as much as I wanted. Vic did get in some foul trouble? I saw he had 4 fouls in the box score and saw his poor numbers (for his standards) and assumed that was why. Nice to get some clarification.

D3 who filled the immediate minutes void from Wiggins not playing? Looks like Marc, Jahqwan, and Shaq all got turns. Who was first? Who looked the best? Hopefully one of them can jump in front out of that group.

Saint-Paul · January 07, 2015, 11:30:43 AM

Saints surprise Suffolk with a 84 - 75 win. It was a surprise because it was not the Saints big post players who dominated the game it was the Saints guards. The Saints big man were actually outplayed by the Suffolk posts but the starting guards combined for 39 points which is very unusual for this years team. Making 9 three's is not the usual game plan, it must have really caught Suffolk by surprise. Once again the Saints used a new starting line up, their ninth in ten games. Maybe this is the one ? Emmanuel sent Suffolk to the free throw line 33 times and Suffolk missed 12 of those attempts to lose by 9 points. The basketball term for that is called beating yourself. Should be an interesting second semester.

D3HoopJunkie · January 07, 2015, 11:40:34 AM

LilDave, the 42 points might seem a bit alarming on paper but Oliver was rotating a number of players off the bench in and out last night. If he wanted to this game could have been even uglier. They sorta took their foot off the gas a bit with 11 minutes to go. When the guys we want in the game were in they really buckled down and applied the best pressure and close outs I have seen them make all season.

As for replacing Wiggins all the players you mentioned got minutes but to me it was pretty clear that Oliver will go to Julian Sanders which to me makes most sense. He was first off the bench and I am going to assume this will continue. Marc Wilson will benefit from some more time and Jahqwan Walters is no doubt a future stud but he is still a bit raw and his decision making is poor. He looks a bit lost at times out there which again is understandable for a true freshman. As for Shaq Mitchell to me in the short time that I have seen him play he looks just OK to me. He definitely is not a shooter and relies heavily on cutting to the hoop or pulling up in traffic. That was more evident to me last night than ever. He too looked a bit lost which again is understandable because he is a newcomer and we all know Oliver runs more sets than probably any Coach in NE and he demands you know your place on the court.

So to recap it was evident to me that Sanders will be the guy here (He too needs to play better defense tho)

A name to remember is Chaunce Dunbar.....I just have a gut feeling about this freshman. I bit of an unorthodox shot but he can without doubt knock down the 3.....I think we are going to be hearing his name more and more. And yes I will reference this post in the future and gloat if my gut instinct is correct LOL. Also again please please please remember our starting SG James Jennings can light it up with the best of them and he got hot last night for a stretch and is a very good defender in his own right.

lildave678 · January 07, 2015, 12:16:34 PM

Oh yeah I absolutely didn't forget about Julian. Just seemed like when both were available, Mitch worked it so they both got their time. Obviously Sanders sees an uptick in minutes but was talking about the next body.

D3HoopJunkie · January 07, 2015, 12:27:33 PM

Gotcha LilDave, right now after Julian my pick would have to be a combination of the guys mention. I dont see a real clear cut player of that group.

Pat Coleman · January 07, 2015, 12:32:19 PM

Quote from: lildave678 on January 07, 2015, 12:16:34 PM
Oh yeah I absolutely didn't forget about Julian. Just seemed like when both were available, Mitch worked it so they both got their time. Obviously Sanders sees an uptick in minutes but was talking about the next body.

Welcome to karmaville! At 200 posts you now can add or subtract from posters' karma (once per poster per day). D3HoopJunkie will be there soon.

D3HoopJunkie · January 07, 2015, 12:35:18 PM

I always wondered how that worked Pat. Gotta earn your stripes first I guess before your allowed that privledge

.......I guess I am one step closer with this post!!

lildave678 · January 07, 2015, 02:15:36 PM

WOOOOO! Yeah I always wondered how to +/- someone. Always saw "+1 for so and so!" and couldn't figure out how to do it. Now I know!

Edit: Aw yeah I'm a starter now too

7express · January 07, 2015, 02:52:18 PM

Since school's not in session are the Falcons staying up north and going straight up to Norwich from Rivier?? Seems pointless to travel from New Haven to Nashua, NH for 1 game, get back to New Haven at like 1 AM Wednesday morning, only to travel again up to central Vermont at noon on Thursday and get back to New Haven by 2 AM Friday morning.

D3HoopJunkie · January 07, 2015, 06:59:05 PM

7Express, The Falcons had to come all the way home. I've said it a few times on here in the past.....the Falcons support from the athletic department and school is absolutely atrocious. Im certain they wouldnt even consider allowing them to stay overnight. The stories I have heard over the years just irritates the heck out of me. I know those of us really connected to the Falcons understand what I'm talking about here.

One example. I remember when they first started the Oliver era they were taking passenger vans to games. As in games to Norwich and St Joes of Maine. Ill leave it at that

Pat Coleman · January 08, 2015, 12:06:32 AM

Are classes not in session? If classes were in session there's no way they would stay overnight.

7express · January 08, 2015, 01:17:18 AM

No. Albertus is still on break, that's why I asked the question whether they would stay up there.

lildave678 · January 08, 2015, 07:42:34 AM

As a former member of the soccer team, D3 is absolutely right when it comes to overnights and Albertus. It was never an option, even for the long trips to St. Joes and Norwich. And like basketball our schedule was set where we'd go to both in one year. Really doesn't make sense that they won't do it. You'd figure with the success of the basketball program they could at least do it for them.

EDIT: I noticed the basketball team isn't going to both Norwich and St. Joes but Rivier is close enough. I AM 100% positive the soccer team went to both in the same years.

D3HoopJunkie · January 08, 2015, 08:20:13 AM

LilDave,

As a former athlete and student maybe you can verify this for me. I've brought it up in the past......why doesn't Albertus charge an entry fee for their home games. Most schools do this and I am sure the majority (maybe not all) of the profit goes to the team's personal budget which in return can help them pay for these types of overnight trips. I heard it was brought up but the school itself would not allow it because they were worried people wouldn't come?? Are you kidding me???!!!

A simply solution.......call it a donation and make it 1 dollar if you want to. I am sure most of the Falcon faithful would be more than willing to donate a single dollar if they knew it would help the program out. Think about it, one game would produce at minimum I would say 400 dollars. This team averages around 700 attendees a game. I just don't understand the logic. Take a leap and if it doesn't work then don't do it but you have to at least try.