MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I think what Dave (and many others) are trying to say, and he can correct me if I'm wrong, is that he's not saying the Falcons can ONLY be the 11th or 12th best team in the country in the physical sense. Especially with this years madness I think he'd say that we have as good a shot as any to win the thing. He's simply saying, based on who we play that in his mind there's no reason to move them up. Why should wins against Norwich, the Riv, and Suffolk move us up? Again, I THINK no one is denying the talent - but from someone who doesn't see them every game like we do, wins against the GNAC do nothing for us. Anyone in the top 50 should beat the GNAC teams any given day. I think to some of us it's coming off as harsh because he's been critical of us in the past, both rankings wise and with his thoughts on Coach Oliver. Whereas, I tend to side with him more than others at least in terms of the top 25.

Yep... that's pretty much what I am saying. I am saying they are not going to move up the poll while continuing to win against teams like Norwich, Riveria, Suffolk, etc. Other teams jumping around them are playing better quality opponents in conference. Albertus Magnus is not the first team I have put a ceiling on in my time as a voter they just happen to the team I have mentioned so far. There are other teams I am not comfortable moving much higher this year and you will see that in their movement - or lack there of.

I am not being narrow minded about AMC... I am open minded to the fact that I am very aware of who they are playing right now and thus not going to artificially move them up the poll just because they are winning games they should be winning in an overall weak conference.

[Saint-Paul]

Had to laugh at the last post about the Albertus ranking.  He was listing all the bad teams that Albertus has to play in the GNAC and he left out Emmanuel.  How did that happen?  I am offended !!  Emmanuel has already lost to Rivier, Norwich, and  Lasell and the season isn't over yet.  Emmanuel is clearly one of the teams keeping Albertus from getting a higher ranking and should get their well deserved credit. 

[GnacBballFan]

hahahahaha Saint, great stuff

[lildave678]

An article from the Courant about the Falcons! Wonder if the writer knows us hosting is impossible, unless Mitch is planning/has planned to move it somewhere else in New Haven.

http://www.courant.com/sports/college/hc-albertus-magnus-men-basketball-0205-20150205-story.html

[7express]

An article from the Courant about the Falcons! Wonder if the writer knows us hosting is impossible, unless Mitch is planning/has planned to move it somewhere else in New Haven.

http://www.courant.com/sports/college/hc-albertus-magnus-men-basketball-0205-20150205-story.html

Yale maybe??  Up Dixwell Avenue at the TD Sports Complex at Quinnipiac??

[lildave678]

I happened to go back to the Hoopsville Marathon today and caught the segment with Mitch - he said they put in a bid because with the portable bleachers they do reach minimum capacity. As he said, will they get chosen remains to be seen.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Well... he said that those they have talked to said go ahead and put in the bid and that the bleachers add to their number. Now he also disagreed that 600 is what it normally seats; wasn't sure where that number comes from. If it is 600 and they add bleachers... do they really add 400 more seats? That is going to be the question.

What I could see happening - and Pat and I debated last year it happening - is AMC gets a first-round bye and hosts the second round game. I am just not sure how the NCAA will tackle small arenas with the first weekend. The committee chair has even stated on the show that as an administrator he wants to make sure a place can actually host an entire weekend and have very little problems then just give anyone the chance to host (in other words, they want to think it through and make smart decisions - not throw a school a hosting opportunity they aren't able to accomplish).

Certainly should AMC be in a position to host, it would be a shame if their facility is what holds them back. However, I have seen it happen in the past - there is precedent.

[lildave678]

The facility would be rocking but parking would be a disaster if it was a full pod, you're right. Other Falcon fans will agree lol

[Saint-Paul]

Final Score JWU  79  -  Emmanuel  61
    Well this game followed the same old script. Every time the Saints play against an above 0.500 team they try to run with them and end up getting blown out early in the game.  This game was no exception, being competitive for only the first 7 minutes of the game.  It was a 20 point lead for JWU the rest of the way.  Saints took quick shots early in the shot clock, and rarely ran any offensive sets all the way through.  JWU showed a smart game plan by double teaming the Saints big man as soon as he caught the ball on the low post.  This forced the other four players to make basketball decisions and ended up in a lot of missed shots and turnovers.  Saints shot 32% from the field, 17% from the arc,  and committed 19 turnovers.  Greenaway was again very smooth, scoring 26 points and hardly breaking a sweat.  He appeared to just glide past the Saints defenders like they were standing still.  He out rebounded a lot of the big man on the floor.  All around nice game for Greenaway.  Saints used another new starting line up, number 15 in 19 games this year.  The players must get very frustrated getting jerked in and out of the lineup like that each week.  Loss 105 for the Saints and still counting.

[D3HoopJunkie]

Looking ahead to Saturday a little here but what do my fellow Falcon fans think about Coach Oliver not necessarily starting but bringing junior Marc Wilson off the bench frequently to guard Quarry Greenaway who by all accounts has been on an absolute tear as of late. There is something about Marc that I really like, especially on the defensive end. I know he struggles from time to time to stay mentally into the game and I'll be the first to admit that he almost looks lost on the offensive end from game to game but as an all around defender I don't think there are many players in the league who can match Greenaway's size and athleticism at all areas of the court like maybe Marc can. Has anyone ever took note of his wing span? He has freakishly long arms for a player who is 6'2 and he is more than athletic enough to go step for step with Greenaway off the dribble. I don't know I just like the matchup there and I like the kid. I don't believe I have seen Coach Oliver in his time at Albertus ride a player as much as he does Marc Wilson but I also think its a case where he does this because Marc doesn't believe and know how good he actually is.

I would let Eian and Sledge go all day and pressure there guards. I know Greenaway is a "guard" but he isn't a guy they use to start their offense at the top of the key. The plays run to him off the ball meaning he gets his touches but mostly on passes where he kick starts their offense by either taking a perimeter shot or dribble drive and kick. Eian and Sledge can be absolute pests to do deal with for the entire game if we can get to their ball handling guards who work the ball to Greenaway.

What a nice Valentines Day this will be for these two teams!! They certainly wont be handing each other flowers and chocolates as they go through the handshake line around 5PM Saturday night!! This is going to be a battle!! It always is at JWU!!

[D3HoopJunkie]

And for the record I hate to look past games like tomorrow night against Mount Ida......but yaaaaaaaaaa

I think I'm going to be watching JWU at Anna Maria more than Albertus at Mount Ida tomorrow night

[lildave678]

I have no problem with the move. I'm not all that familiar with Wilson as I tend to not watch full games - I check in 4 or 5 times throughout the broadcast usually so the chances of me seeing him aren't very good. If you think that would help I'm sure Mitch is bouncing it around. But if he thinks we need are best offensive game then chances are he doesn't see the court much because as you say, he's not as good at that end. Greenway only had 14 in that first game. Lewis had 25 and Garrick had 19 so it's not like he went Lamonte Thomas/DaQuan Brooks on us but yes, he is clearly their best player so it's something to consider.

I think when push comes to shove, Mitch will challenge one of the regular rotation guys to put the clamps down instead of going with someone like Wilson.

[D3HoopJunkie]

LilDave,

Couldn't agree more with your last statement. I was just throwing it out there to generate some discussion.

[Ferraro13]

Not a bad idea junkie. From what I remember, Sledge was on greenway the majority of the game from what I remember, and gave him fits

[falcons2010]

Greenway was also in foul trouble and fouled out. I was very surprised how easily JWU Got the ball in the paint the first time they met. Greenway had an off game but JWU played excellent on offense as a team in my opinion.