MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[GnacAlum55]

Conference standings at the break.  Any thoughts?  I would assume Emmanuel and Norwich will creep up there, but the top 4 look pretty strong so far this year. 

Western New Eng.             2 0
Suffolk                                2 0 
Emerson                            1 0 
Johnson & Wales               1 0 
Daniel Webster                  1 1 
Norwich                              1 1
Rivier                                  0 2 
Emmanuel                          0 2
Albertus Magnus                0 2

[All-around]

What do you mean by the "Top 4". These conference standings cant say much about the actual teams, you must look at the overall records for now and the level of competition they have faced. I would have to assume that WNEC is very good with their tough schedule they have faced. Emerson seems to be in second, then it is kind of up in the air.

My predcition

1. Wnec
2. Emerson
3. Norwich
4. Emmanuel
5. JWU
6. Rivier
7. Suffolk
8. Daniel Webster
9. Albertus

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If Daniel Webster is better than anybody, the whole world will crumble.  DWC stinks this year.  I may actually fly in for the DWC-Albertus game just to see the worst D3 basketball game of all time.

[GnacAlum55]

Ok, here are my predictions....

Emerson
WNEC
Norwich
Emmanuel
Suffolk
JWU
Rivier
DWC
ALB

I think Emerson will win it.  Really good frosh.  Other than that, the only major difference is Suffolk.  They beat Riv @ Riv this weekend, so I give them the advantage (+ they already beat Emmanuel).  Other than that, it' s the same top 4 as last year.  JWU was 5 last yr - 6 this year (swap with SU).  Riv should be way better than DWC and ALB who will fight for the 8th spot.  Should be an interesting 2nd semester.  Maybe Emmanuel will rip off a bunch in a row! Also, watch out for Norwich........

[goldenpipes]

I think it's still a bit early for conference predictions. Sometimes it takes teams a while to gel especially when they have lost key players. I don't think record is always an indicator of how well a team is or isn't playing. I think it's important to see the teams in action before making such a call.  Also, don't forget that teams might add or lose players at the break which could have an impact either way.

The top 4 are still Norwich, Emerson, Emmanuel and WNEC - for now. The Saints haven't won a game but they have played a tough non-conference schedule and they are most likely adjusting to the loss of Thomas. Bayne's return has buoyed WNEC and Rouse/Shannon have been key additions for Emerson. Once teams rev up again after break we'll get into the conference schedule and get an idea of how teams will compete in conference play and who matches up best (or worst) with whom.

Emerson @ MIT tonight to close the semester. If the Lions win, that'll be 3 in a row going into break.

[heythere]

dont know how everyone keeps saying emmanuel is good, they havent won a game and there 0-2 in the gnac. seems like they have major probelms without thomas. it also seems like norwich hasnt adjusted well with losing there pg last year. and the riv always has talent and never does anything with it. so here is my predections
1. wnec- bayne looks pretty good and big wins vs mit, westfield st
2. emerson- frosh scoring 56 pts and they always play hard
3. Norwhich- there down but not out conf champs
4. suffolk- beat emmanuel and riv
5. emmanuel-
6. Riv- they have alot of talent
7. j&w-
8. dwc- they will beat alb twice
9. alb-

[All-around]

Caught part of the Emerson-MIT game yesterday. It was a sloppy game in my opinion, at least on emersons part. MIT seemed to have them well scouted, and emerson seemed not to respond. MIT took advantage of the size difference by posting the guards and lobbing it over, which emerson did nothing to counter (probably needed more ball pressure). The guards for emerson did not seemed disciplined on defense either, constantly getting beat, going for steals and losing their man. However, I give Emerson credit, all this bad play and they could have easily won the game. From what the record show, Emerson has lost to Babson, NYU, Wheaton and MIT. Those are all solid teams, in a good conference. If emerson wants to be in the upper echlon they must beat some of those teams.

With all this being said, I still believe Emerson will be there come February.

[emmanuelfan]

Where is SVC in the mix...oh yeah they were thrown out of the conference LOL. Too bad ...they would of given some teams a run.

[crazyecbballfan823]

I think that everyone is jumping too quickly to the assumption that Emmanuel is not going to be good this year. They have struggled a little bit this semester with the loss of a key player but by no means does that put them down and out. There is a lot of talent on that team and they have a great coaching staff. Norwich had more than 2 GNAC losses last season and they still pulled through and won the entire conference, who says Emmanuel can't do the same? I think that next semester is going to be a completely different story for the Saints.

[JamIt]

Hey There hit it on the head with Riv.  They historically have incredible talent but "don't know what to do with it.  That clearly is a coaching issue.   The Riv Assistant Coach should take over the Head Coach position and the Head Coach should.....well the head coach should just count how many winning seasons he's had and realize it's time to turn the team over to someone who knows something about coaching.  Just a thought!!

[Worse than Alex Tse]

When will Hank Smith run for president? Who would vote for him?

[crazyecbballfan823]

Emmanuel's losing streak is officially over! They beat DII Northwood University Florida tonight 56-54! I think that this is the official turn around for the Saints... any one else?

[All-around]

Can anyone explain how Emmanuel beats a pretty good NAIA team with two seven footers and then looses to a 3-8 team?

[crazyecbballfan823]

two of there big men got into foul trouble which always hurt the Saints

[phoenix2099]

Can anyone explain how Emmanuel beats a pretty good NAIA team with two seven footers and then looses to a 3-8 team?

"And then looses to a 3-8 team?"

If you are referring to the 8-4 Olivet Nazareth team they lost too, it may have something to do with th scholarships they can give to their players, as they are an NAIA D1 school.

Honest mistake, I am sure. Coaches all over the country were impressed still with Emmanuel's play in Florida. Whenever a team holds a team with a future Hall of Fame coach, with a team that averages almost 100 points a game to less than 60, it has to turn heads.

Watch out for Emmanuel this coming semester- the board is quick to forget the 17 game win streak the Saints had last year.