MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[D3HoopJunkie]

Awesome WPI89......thats great!! What connection do you have to Dickinson? Just intrigued by their program this year or years past?

Also, does the NCAA have any say over the video feed that the schools put on for broadcasting the games? If they are of poor quality do they step in and send a crew? Do they do this anyway to makes sure the games are done properly during the tournament. I know the NCAA likes to oversee and micromanage everything but I wasn't sure to the extent of it for the D3 tourney?

[WPI89]

Junkie - I had a nephew play hoops at Dickinson 5 years or so ago - so they are always on my radar - this year I would pop in just to watch Wixted.

[Pat Coleman]

Also, does the NCAA have any say over the video feed that the schools put on for broadcasting the games? If they are of poor quality do they step in and send a crew? Do they do this anyway to makes sure the games are done properly during the tournament. I know the NCAA likes to oversee and micromanage everything but I wasn't sure to the extent of it for the D3 tourney?

The NCAA has say over it but doesn't exercise it at the D-III level. There are some minimum standards schools need to have to put on broadcasts but the NCAA doesn't really enforce them.

We actually try to step in and help schools out where they have issues. We're more likely to do that the second weekend, where there are fewer sites.

Junkie - I had a nephew play hoops at Dickinson 5 years or so ago - so they are always on my radar - this year I would pop in just to watch Wixted.

Big time +1 for this! Love fans who do this -- it's great for Division III.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Junkie - I had a nephew play hoops at Dickinson 5 years or so ago - so they are always on my radar - this year I would pop in just to watch Wixted.

They're an overall impressive team.  They've had a tendency to play to their competition this year, thus the unexpected losses, but I do think they'll show up when it matters.  They were on form in the conference tournament last weekend.  It's a strong team, super well coached.  They've got a 6'7" guard, Ted Hinnekamp who's a huge matchup problem for most d3 teams and a streaky shooter - Angradi, also tall and can be lights out if he's on (or virtually invisible if he's not) - they've also got a 6'11" who's not a world beater, but a solid player (and tall) - that's before getting to Wixted, likely a first team All-American.

I really like this team (if you couldn't tell), but they've also had some really rough, scary moments.  Not unlike another team they might get in the second round.  Dickinson and Albertus are probably my two favorite teams to watch this year.  They better not screw up and lose before they get to play each other.  Whoever wins that game is my pick to get to Salem from that quadrant.

[D3HoopJunkie]

Good stuff guys!! Thanks everyone!

[Saint-Paul]

Some thoughts on the GNAC all conference.  Would have liked to see Eian Davis and Steve Simonds tie for the fifth spot on first team.  They both deserved to be on first team.  Nothing wrong with having six players on first team if they all earned it, which they did.  Glad to see Emmanuel's big man Davis and Lasell's Marchand along with the Amcats Bradanese all make second team, well deserved.  Thought JWU's Robert Lewis should have tied someone for second team, he probably deserved second team.  Also,  Anna Maria's Delorey should have been on third team, tied with someone, he had a good year for the AMcats and they did have 12 conference wins.  Too bad he wasn't recognized.  The other selections all look pretty good.

   Had to laugh to myself at the Saints SID announcement of Davis making second team all conference.  They made a big deal out his leading the team in scoring and rebounding and completing five double - doubles, but then also mention that he started only 20 of 26 games for the Saints this year.  That is due to that crazy rotating starting lineup that the coach uses giving everyone a chance to be in the starting lineup.  Must keep the other GNAC coaches on their toes to constantly update their scouting reports on the Saints.  Oh well, there is always next year.

[D3HoopJunkie]

Saint, couldn't agree more with your above post. Other than you leaving out the biggest snub of them all!!! How in the name of all things holy does Mitch Oliver not get COY??? Are these other Coaches who vote really that jealous and envious of him and the Falcons at this point? I just don't understand how a Coach can go undefeated in the conference regular season, run the table in the GNAC tourney and win the league and not be named COY.  Just complete lack of respect. Here is a novel idea......how about the other coaches in this conference step up and beat the Falcons? Someone do it.....Go out and beat them and then you don't have to vote for him. Pretty straight forward....No? I know it's not politically correct to have a coach win the award year after year but he hasn't been crowned GNAC COY in a couple seasons if I recall and for him to not get it this year is just absurd.

Conrad gets it from Anna Maria??? Are you kidding me??? What did he do? He beat JWU once on there home court. Big Deal! The Falcons and Coach Oliver did that three times. I'm not saying he isn't a good coach because I believe he is.....I think he is a great motivator and is very passionate but he did not deserve this award over Coach Oliver and everything Albertus Magnus accomplished this season.

I'm starting to understand why the GNAC in terms of men's basketball is considered the bottom feeders of D3.

Deep down these Coaches know their wrong but they let jealousy affect their vote.

The most amusing part to me is that I'm sure their all probably laughing to themselves thinking they stuck it to Oliver but I can assure you after having a few conversations with Mitch Oliver (none pertaining to this topic) he could care less about this award and what other coaches in the league think of him. He is too busy preparing for his 4th consecutive NCAA tournament!

That's it I'm done with my tangent. Nobody likes you when you're on top

As always Dunk Haven!

[Saint-Paul]

Wouldn't that be really upsetting to the GNAC coaches if Oliver wins the national COY but not in his own conference? At 27 - 1 he must be under consideration for national COY.  At least that is something the Saints fans don't have to worry about at any time in the near future!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Wouldn't that be really upsetting to the GNAC coaches if Oliver wins the national COY but not in his own conference? At 27 - 1 he must be under consideration for national COY.  At least that is something the Saints fans don't have to worry about at any time in the near future!

He's not winning COY unless they win the title.

[D3HoopJunkie]

HoopsFan, He was already named a finalist for National COY in years past and if you look at his body of work and what he has done at Albertus Magnus from Day 1 building this program into a nationally relevant team, I think an argument can be easily made for Oliver even without a National Championship. Certainly a deep run would help. If they got to the Elite 8 or Final Four I think you would be hard pressed to not seriously seriously consider him as the National COY.  Look at Albertus's record before Oliver stepped in and look at it now. This is one of the biggest turnarounds of a college program at the D3 level in the last 10 years. EASILY! Look at the school, the location, the size of enrollment, all these factors. It's really unbelievable when you look at it.  This guy is one of the hardest working Coaches in the country. Not to mention a top tier recruiter and an outstanding X's and O's guy as well. He deserves it!!!

[Ferraro13]

It is the biggest turn around in all of d3 basketball in the last ten years. I don't even need do look that one up

[falcons2010]

Saint, you have been spot on with your analysis all year long. If I could 1K you, I would.. I agree with your assessment of the post season awards. Congrats to the student-athletes who were recognized!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

HoopsFan, He was already named a finalist for National COY in years past and if you look at his body of work and what he has done at Albertus Magnus from Day 1 building this program into a nationally relevant team, I think an argument can be easily made for Oliver even without a National Championship. Certainly a deep run would help. If they got to the Elite 8 or Final Four I think you would be hard pressed to not seriously seriously consider him as the National COY.  Look at Albertus's record before Oliver stepped in and look at it now. This is one of the biggest turnarounds of a college program at the D3 level in the last 10 years. EASILY! Look at the school, the location, the size of enrollment, all these factors. It's really unbelievable when you look at it.  This guy is one of the hardest working Coaches in the country. Not to mention a top tier recruiter and an outstanding X's and O's guy as well. He deserves it!!!

Oh, I think his coaching performance in past years is far more deserving than this year.  He's started with an embarrassment of riches and it's been a little tumultuous throughout.  Maybe they'd reward him for keeping things together, but I imagine Grzek from St. Norbert, where they lost six seniors and managed to put together another one loss season, might get more consideration.

[falcons2010]

Less than 24 hours away from Round 1. Who else is excited?

As everyone knows, I am a huge Albertus fan. So, I don't try make predictions. I root for Albertus to win. And that won't change. So, instead I wanted to present my keys to the game. (No Al Michaels is not calling the game and I am not Dan Dierdoff).

Keys for Springfield
1. Score off of Albertus turnovers - They will turn the ball over
2. Win the bench battle (I believe that the benches will be short for both teams, but Springfield needs to be productive off the bench)
3. Get Vic in foul trouble early - Can't allow him to have offense run through him
4. Force Albertus into a jump shooting team
5. Need to get at least 20 second chance points

Keys for Albertus
1. Get to the rim - allowing for open looks
2. Play under control (this is the tournament, officials might call this game tight. Can't risk player control fouls or arguing with officials)
3. Hit free throws -
4. Try to turn the game into a track meet - need to push tempo; forcing Springfield to rush possessions
5. Keep Vic and Larsen on the court - need to play at least 32 minutes each

Very interesting stats:
Over the last 7 games, Springfield has averaged 32 points at the half and give up 27. Albertus has averaged 43 points and give up 34. Springfield has allowed 30 points at the half only 3 times (1-2; both losses were to Babson). If Albertus has 40 points at the half, then they are controlling tempo and I don't think Springfield wants that. If Albertus is held under 32, then Springfield is controlling tempo and Albertus does not want that.

One other thing, Babson has two really good players, Flannery and Wickey that gave Springfield lots of trouble the last two times. Flannery scored 30 and 19, Wickey scored 17 and 19. Wickey is a big man, plays close to the basket and Flannery is like Ray Askew, a forward who has guard skills. Sledge and Vic may present difficulties to springfield.

Springfield has experience and strong guard play. They can hit shots and play very strong team defense. They will be disciplined, they do not turn the ball over, therefore preventing fast break opportunities. They also don't mind playing an ugly game. Strong guards with a smart veteran coach will present a lot of issues. Whoever can control the tempo will have the edge.

[GnacBballFan]

albertus up 12 at half. def the more superior team. 1-6 from three, i just think no jennings will be the achilles heel eventually. with him, they are a final four team. but keep proving me wrong!