MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[Ferraro13]

I wouldn't throw anyone on your team under the bus. Both teams were missing free throws tonight and it could have gone either way. It was a well fought out game by both teams that was a thrill to see up close.

I sat right next to the AMC bench (because that is where I found a seat at the table) and enjoyed every minute of that game (while also paying attention to the rest of the country). I was impressed with how well AMC stayed composed throughout. They had some small moments where there was a complaint, a whine, a face... but nothing got out of hand, there was no berating of the officials, etc. I could clearly tell and hear that the team was focused on staying composed. That was a completely different approach, behavior plan, and thus team than I have seen over the years both in person and online. I was impressed and said as much to Coach Oliver after the game.

As for the final play... really no foul there. Sledge had the ball in mid-air, but as he landed Cox was able to get his hand on the ball and pop it loose and it fell right towards Hinnenkamp who calmly turned and laid it in. It was a terrific effort by Sledge to get the block in the first place after a beautiful baby-hook from Victor just ten feet from the basket on the other end. (By the way, good no-call by the refs on the timeout, because by the time Sledge landed and someone tried to call TO the ball was already coming loose.)

I will say that Davis getting into foul trouble and fouling out certainly hurt AMC a little bit. He sometimes got a little too wound up and had some silly fouls. The one in the first half where he got called for the intentional came back to bite him. It wasn't an intentional foul in terms of malice or anything... it was an intentional foul by the book as the steal created a face break which Davis broke up by grabbing the Dickinson player - but being he was the last man on defense, by rule that is an intentional. In that situation, just let the man go and give up the two points. Outside of that and some silly fouls, Davis played a very good game.

Victor played a terrific game, though took him a few minutes to adjust to Dickinson's first half and then second half defense. I do enjoy watching him play and it was too bad he was in foul trouble last year against Williams.

Sledge is terrific. Nice player who clearly can stay within himself most of the time. Had a moment late where he didn't like a call and the refs didn't seem to like what they perceived as him showing them up... but both the refs (for swallowing the whistle and not being too sensitive) and Sledge (for giving himself a moment to collect himself) handled it well.

It was an awesome game and AMC and their fans should hold their heads' high because AMC and Dickinson deserved to win that game.

Now... a tough moment after the game. Apparently Sledge in frustration punched the trophy case on his way to the locker room and that didn't go very well. At first it looked like there was a major problem with fans, but that turned out to be people reacting to something happening. I believe Sledge was seriously hurt and was taken to a local hospital was some serious wounds. I never saw the scene and didn't visit it afterward, but by most accounts it wasn't pretty. I wish him nothing but the best. I certainly can appreciate the frustration, but I am sure there is something better than a glass trophy case to express that frustration on.

Congrats on a great season, AMC. I am very comfortable with you guys at #10 on my ballot and I will admit now... I had the Falcons to the Elite Eight on my bracket.

I've been a jerk at times in here, but only trying to be defensive of the team I love. Yes, I root for these guys like I do for my fav pro teams. It's my college and I take a lot of pride in this program, from what Mitch has made it. So I'll apologize for being a jerk on here, I was.as a Yankees and bills fan, that loss is up there with the music city miracle and d backs yanks game 7 in01. I was and still am devastated. Those three guys are so much better then a second rd heartbreaking loss. Such a bj e play by sledge and then that. These guys really deserved better, and the fact they are seniors is a am double whammy. I'm not sure Albertus will every have another trio like Davis Vic sledge. But thennnn again I'm not putting anything past Oliver. Hell of a season

[lildave678]

Well, heartbreaking is the only word that comes to mind. I don't want to spend too much time on it but certain stats did us in and honestly, without my bias in favor the Falcons, we didn't deserve to win -

Between the two games we were 6 for 29 from 3 but more importantly, we were 30 FOR 58 FROM THE FREE THROW LINE. THAT'S 51.7%. We got away with in the first game, but in a true road game it's just not gonna get it done. We make a couple more free throws and we're moving on.

I don't want to pile on Julian especially since I was so in favor of him being inserted to the starting lineup. The shooting slump is one thing. As F13 said he was 1 for 17 from the field and 0 for 14 from 3. That's obviously not good but when you're in something like that you have to affect the game in other ways and that's where I'm disappointed. Between the two games he had 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 2 blocks and 2 turnovers. How does the 3rd tallest guy on the court for our team (at least to start) only have two rebounds in two games? Especially in such a run and gun system.

But again, to me it comes down to the free throws and getting defensive rebounds. I didn't get to watch much of the Dickinson game but Springfield was able to hang in the 2nd half because it seemed like every possession there was a second chance. One and done's are imperative in a lose and your out format.

This team is obviously going to look much different come next season. I think we won't be as good but who knows what Mitch has up his sleeve. Vic, Eian, and Sledge came out of nowhere so hopefully there's more of that to come. One thing I would like to focus on is the fact that the school now has A "Director of Sports Performance & Athletic Training." Article here - http://albertusfalcons.com/information/generalreleases/IvoWesseling I know when I was a student-athlete all we ever received was a printed out packet from our coach with some generic off-season workout. I always wondered why we never had some sort of Strength and Conditioning coach to help with the athletic teams. Now that we have a gym space dedicated to just athletes I think this will be awesome for all sports. As far as the basketball team is concerned the only real transformation I can remember seeing is Darius cutting up once he became the go-to-guy. While Ray was the best to do it, imagine him with a real strength and conditioning program. Imagine Chi getting coached up off the court. Hopefully Ivo can come in and put some functional weight on guys like Lex, Chaunce, Jaqhawn, and turn Dashawn into a beast. I'm excited to see what the team looks like physically next season.

[Pat Coleman]

I was really impressed with Sledge this season. A lot of times I've seen D-I kids come into Division III with the apparent mindset that they can dominate because D-III is a lower level of basketball and they don't put in the time and effort to still be at their best. Clearly not the case here.

[lildave678]

Looks like Dave has Mitch coming on tonight for Hoopsville so get your questions in! I asked one on Twitter about mitchs thoughts on the hiring of Ivo. I'd like to ask some recruiting questions but I imagine that's not allowed haha

EDIT: scratch that, it was an interview after the game Saturday.

[lildave678]

Great interview with Mitch and also those from Dickinson as well. Wixted is very well spoken and the interview was a treat even from a Falcons Fan perspective. Interesting to here Mitch talk about retooling/reloading. While it's what we've come to expect from him, hearing him say that gives me a sense of optimism that he does have some things in the works! 

[D3HoopJunkie]

LilDave, it's very exciting to hear Coach Oliver speak like that in regards to retooling. He is one hell of a recruiter and Coach. I heard some rumblings from what I think were family members of players and Coach Oliver's that he is already reloading with JUCO talent. The guy is just too good and to connected to not score these JUCO kids year after year. Selfishly I hope he stays at Albertus. He is obviously recruiting so that's a good sign but really that doesn't mean anything because you just can't sit around either. 
The truth is that Coach Oliver isn't going to be here forever and every successful season that goes by (again selfishly) makes me more nervous and more nervous for the future of what he has built at this small school in New Haven that had absolutely nothing before he arrived.

He is destined for bigger and better things in the Coaching world but I just hope we get to continue to enjoy the success for at least one more season!! At least that's how I am going to take it. 1 Year at a time from here on out!

I am going to post my final thoughts on the season later on today including my thoughts on the final game and what the future just might hold for our beloved Falcons!

[TIAJeff]

General question for posters here, although it kind of applies specifically to Albertus, given their recruiting: What do you think of transfers (JUCO specifically)?  I ask as an Amherst fan - their coach landed 2 D1 transfers.

On the one hand, they come in with a year of experience - in the case of Amherst's recruits, that year was spent practicing/even playing a little against D1 talent; on the other hand, it takes away time from developing with the team for which one ultimately ends up playing.

With JUCO transfers specfically, they've had TWO years at a different program.  Do you think this gives an advantage/disadvantage in any sense?  Does it prevent a coach from being fully able to mold/model a program?  Or is the targeting of transfers itself a certain model?

[lildave678]

I'd say it's certainly a model. Probably not the FULL model but a big piece of whatever Coach Oliver's FULL model is. With us specifically it's only recent that we've seen the influx of JUCO talent. It started with Vic and Eian and Marcus Walker two years ago. This yeah he brought in Sledge (D1, not JUCO) who was awesome but otherwise it was Dayron Caldwell, Shaq Mitchell, and Dashawn Carter (late in the year) and none made a significant impact.  Freshman Jaqhawn Walters, Lex Perez, and Chaunce Dunbar all played much more.

I think Mitch specifically likes a balance. He's found something that has brought him success. He knows there are JUCO kids that fall through the cracks who are probably given the ultimatum - keep playing basketball at a lower level than they expected, or don't play at all. However it may be, he connects with these kids. Everything I've heard from former players is that they love Mitch and that he's much more than just a coach to them.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The biggest problem d3 schools have with JUCO players is fitting them into the campus culture.  A lot of these schools are very small (less than 1000 undergrads) - that can make it difficult for any student to transfer in, let alone one for whom a lot of free time is taken up with basketball.

Ideally you'd avoid creating a system where the athletes are separate from the rest of the students, but it's easy to let happen when you're not intentional about integrating them.

[Ferraro13]

I'd say it's certainly a model. Probably not the FULL model but a big piece of whatever Coach Oliver's FULL model is. With us specifically it's only recent that we've seen the influx of JUCO talent. It started with Vic and Eian and Marcus Walker two years ago. This yeah he brought in Sledge (D1, not JUCO) who was awesome but otherwise it was Dayron Caldwell, Shaq Mitchell, and Dashawn Carter (late in the year) and none made a significant impact.  Freshman Jaqhawn Walters, Lex Perez, and Chaunce Dunbar all played much more.

I think Mitch specifically likes a balance. He's found something that has brought him success. He knows there are JUCO kids that fall through the cracks who are probably given the ultimatum - keep playing basketball at a lower level than they expected, or don't play at all. However it may be, he connects with these kids. Everything I've heard from former players is that they love Mitch and that he's much more than just a coach to them.

I'll put it this way. Davis put up a pic praising Oliver and saying he's his walking role model. He obviously connects with these kids

[Saint-Paul]

I saw the posts that you guys placed on the Centennial board.  What a very gracious and classy thing to do.  Your passion for your team is exceeded only by your good sportsmanship and your love for the game.  Congratulations on a great season.

[falcons2010]

Saint, we appreciate the kind words. I think I can speak for all of the Albertus supporters, we all look forward to your knowledgeable and witty post. I sincerely hope to see Emmanuel and the other GNAC teams continue to improve each year. It would be nice to have the GNAC be considered as strong a conference as the NEWMAC. I believe it can be done, there are some pretty good talent in New England. It just takes institutional support and a little bit of luck.

We were fortunate to watch a really good basketball team for two years. We hope it continues.

We are also thankful to have Pat and Dave support D3 hoops with this venue. We won't always agree with Pat or Dave, but we respect them, because all they want is to see young men develop into good citizens while playing a good brand of basketball. Win or lose - we just want to see good basketball.

Go Falcons. Dunk Haven. And Nothing is better than D3!

[Ferraro13]

I was really impressed with Sledge this season. A lot of times I've seen D-I kids come into Division III with the apparent mindset that they can dominate because D-III is a lower level of basketball and they don't put in the time and effort to still be at their best. Clearly not the case here.

He did score 20 points on Aaron Craft on the ncaa's. As legit as they come

[Ferraro13]

Saint, we appreciate the kind words. I think I can speak for all of the Albertus supporters, we all look forward to your knowledgeable and witty post. I sincerely hope to see Emmanuel and the other GNAC teams continue to improve each year. It would be nice to have the GNAC be considered as strong a conference as the NEWMAC. I believe it can be done, there are some pretty good talent in New England. It just takes institutional support and a little bit of luck.

We were fortunate to watch a really good basketball team for two years. We hope it continues.

We are also thankful to have Pat and Dave support D3 hoops with this venue. We won't always agree with Pat or Dave, but we respect them, because all they want is to see young men develop into good citizens while playing a good brand of basketball. Win or lose - we just want to see good basketball.

Go Falcons. Dunk Haven. And Nothing is better than D3!

Agree Falcons2010. Sucks, are best team ever, and were ousted in second rd. so goes March madness
I wound

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Saint, we appreciate the kind words. I think I can speak for all of the Albertus supporters, we all look forward to your knowledgeable and witty post. I sincerely hope to see Emmanuel and the other GNAC teams continue to improve each year. It would be nice to have the GNAC be considered as strong a conference as the NEWMAC. I believe it can be done, there are some pretty good talent in New England. It just takes institutional support and a little bit of luck.

We were fortunate to watch a really good basketball team for two years. We hope it continues.

We are also thankful to have Pat and Dave support D3 hoops with this venue. We won't always agree with Pat or Dave, but we respect them, because all they want is to see young men develop into good citizens while playing a good brand of basketball. Win or lose - we just want to see good basketball.

Go Falcons. Dunk Haven. And Nothing is better than D3!

Agree Falcons2010. Sucks, are best team ever, and were ousted in second rd. so goes March madness
I wound

I predicted the winner of that game to the Final Four, so we'll see how Dickinson does this weekend.  They're certainly good enough to win it all under the right circumstances.