MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[D3HoopJunkie]

Greek,

Keep in mind that A'Jen English wont be available until the second semester this year!

[Falcons 25]

Albertus men`s & women`s rosters are up!! NO CHAPMAN (He was there)
Notable additions to the men`s roster: Haniff Bilal- played briefly for Winston-Salem State
was a great player @ Reynolds High School in North Carolina- career interrupted by a knee injury & personal
problems. His Brother, Yaya Bilal, is also on the team- a guard & not quite as good.
Tyreek Perkins is a STEAL- freshman out of Putnam Science & Career High in New Haven. Finally,
Amir Maddred is a transfer from Slippery Rock- D2 school- where he enjoyed some success.
He played @ Marshalltown C.C. in Iowa for 2 years & was quite good.  We shall see!
Season starts this Saturday @ Swarthmore.

[Greek Tragedy]

Greek,

Keep in mind that A'Jen English wont be available until the second semester this year!

Yeah, I know. Our league scores the top 10 of 14, so he'll just be in the bottom four for the 5 scoring weeks that cover the 1st semester. If he's what you guys say he is, missing 5 weeks is worth it. It's a keeper league, so I get him for his junior and senior years too.

[lildave678]

Just noticed some potential discrepancies among the heights listed and the team picture lol unless they're wearing different jerseys in the picture....

Back left, Brian Hardy is 20 and Amir Maddred is 21. Maddred is listed at 6'8 and Hardy 6'6. Hardy is clearly taller. Middle of the back row, Perryman is 34, JQ is 23, Aaron Fox is 22. Perryman is listed at 6'9, JQ is listed at 6'6, Aaron Fox is listed at 6'9. Fox isn't as tall as Perryman, and he's actually shorter than JQ in the picture!

Just did a double take and it's certainly possible the picture is old or they're wearing different jersey's. There's a number 2 in the picture but not one listed on the roster. So who knows haha

[Greek Tragedy]

Slippery Rock has Amir Maddred at 6'7". So he's a senior for AMC?

http://www.rockathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=11643

[Falcons 25]

LittleDave: Green-Younger is #2. Too, Amir is only 6`, 7", but can play. Brian Hardy - not so much!
AMC`s first opponent, Swarthmore, is playing on 11/15 & can be seen on video.

[falcons2010]

Hey guys, basketball is back!!!!! Nothing better than d3 hoops. I have been reading all the posts and I'll wait to evaluate the team after I get to see them a few times. Dave and Pat have always talked about building a tough out of conference schedule. Looks like Oliver was able to do that this year. I know that Jones came in last year with a lot of hype but didn't stay healthy. I am interested in seeing what he does this year. I was impressed with green-younger and grant. Hopefully a year under their belt will serve them well. Walters is walters; still think he will be first team gnac. Pittman needs to be more consistent: if these other guards are as good as advertised than he will do very well running the second unit.

Tough schedule: wins will be nice but I am not sure if they will win.. I want to see them be competitive. They weren't very competitive against Rochester or Babson or NJCU last year.

[D3HoopJunkie]

Just noticed some potential discrepancies among the heights listed and the team picture lol unless they're wearing different jerseys in the picture....

Back left, Brian Hardy is 20 and Amir Maddred is 21. Maddred is listed at 6'8 and Hardy 6'6. Hardy is clearly taller. Middle of the back row, Perryman is 34, JQ is 23, Aaron Fox is 22. Perryman is listed at 6'9, JQ is listed at 6'6, Aaron Fox is listed at 6'9. Fox isn't as tall as Perryman, and he's actually shorter than JQ in the picture!

Just did a double take and it's certainly possible the picture is old or they're wearing different jersey's. There's a number 2 in the picture but not one listed on the roster. So who knows haha

Lildave678 - I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't look at that myself LOL

However if you look at Maddreds stance, his 2 feet appear to be spread out quite a bit making him appear shorted than he actually is. As for Fox, I can assure you that he is closer to Perryman and no doubt taller then JQ because I saw them both in person at games last year. I really think they purposely did this to appear smaller in the photo.

These are the sort of things that make me question my sanity!!! That we are actually breaking this down they way we are

That being said, I LOVE IT!!! HAHAHA

[Greek Tragedy]

Yeah, I find myself amused reading the posts analyzing a team photo!

[D3HoopJunkie]

Yeah, I find myself amused reading the posts analyzing a team photo!

Greek, We need something to  keep ourselves amused until Saturday night at 6PM!!! Now that  schedules are released and rosters are out the off season mysteries and question marks are all solved. All thats left is game 1 tipoff!

[D3HoopJunkie]

OK boys and girls, here is my take on the upcoming season for the Albertus Magnus Falcons.

Lets start with the starting five......

Ryan Pittman - Pretty easy and clear choice here as Ryan has improved every season he's been on campus. He's a hard nosed kid who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He might not be the most talented guard like what we have become accustomed to seeing but he is every bit as smart and savvy and a HIGHLY underrated shooter in my opinion . Not to mention he knows this offense as well as anyone on the team. I look for him to continue to improve this year and with the plethora of guards on the roster and a potential big time player in A'jen English arriving in January, I can only see this competition helping Ryan as the season carries on. Ryan is our PG and leader.

Mason Jones - Well, what can expect out of Mason Jones? This young man came in with huge expectations a season ago and unfortunately was never able to get healthy enough to really show off his talent and contribute. Yes he had a really bad few games, but let's remember he only played in five total games and clearly was not as "healthy" as he thought he was considering he missed the majority of the rest of the season following the January break. Everything I have heard so far points to him being healthy for the first time in two years. You don't simply average over 20 points per game and become a JUCO All American for nothing. This kid is clearly a superior D3 athlete and I look for him to get back on track this season and become an explosive player on this team.

Amir Maddred - He will be our starting power forward. Since this is his first year with the Falcons I don't want to assume too much. I simply have to go on what I have heard and that is that Amir is a very polished back to the basket low post player. With that, I think he will thrive in Olivers system. We have the type of athletes on the team that will free up a lot of opportunities for him on the low block with their abilities to drive to the hoop and pull up in the lane. I think expectations for him of 10 and 10 a night are not out of reach.

Liam Perryman - Without question the most improved player from a season ago to return to this team. From start to finish this young man's transformation as a center was really fun to watch. Was it ugly at times, sure. But from where he started to where he finished I really don't remember seeing a player improve so much in such a short period of time. At 6'9 he is an absolute load and force on the interior. I want him to improve his footwork and simply be an anchor on defense and a beast on the offensive glass. All in all we really don't need a ton of offensive production out of him. What we do need is a defensive star who can guard any big man and block shots so our guards and athletes can get out in transition and score the basketball.

JQ Walters - Had to save the best for last. He is the the heart and soul and returning conference player of the year and All-American. There's not much I can say about JQ that hasn't already been said. He's simply a special kid who is a phenomenal basketball player. He will continue to dominate like he always has and in his senior season he's going to play this year harder than ever. As a CT local product like a lot of the players on this team, I really believe that JQ wants to make and go on a deep run in the NCAA tournament for the school, his team and coach as well as the state of CT. And if he stays determined and focused, I really don't think anyone can stop him. The skill set he possesses at 6'6 and the motor he has is unmatched at this level. As JQ flies, so does the Falcons!

Key Reserves - I'm not going to get into specifics on each role player but they are....

Damian Grant, hopefully his overall strength and finishing ability improved in the off-season. Tremendous athlete, the pogo stick.

Jahmerikah Green-Younger - Outstanding shooter who will no doubt come off the bench and be a reliable shooter for us in any situation. Instant offense, the microwave!

Hanif Bilal - Brand new face to the team, don't know enough about him to pass judgment but the scouting report is that he's a shooter with good size and good ability. I don't have enough on him to give him a clever nickname yet!

Tyreek Perkins - Really good ball handler who can also stroke it when he gets hot. A true freshman who did a year of prep school at powerhouse Putnam Science Academy. He will no doubt get some run, just not sure how much at this time. Stealing the nickname he was given back during his days at Career in New Haven, Tyreek the Freak!

A'Jen English - Arriving in January and perhaps the most talked about recruit we've ever had. We have to wait and see but when you hear things like he was recruited by Marquette, Dayton and many other D1 programs, how can you not be excited??

Schedule - As mentioned, hands down the strongest schedule ever assembled by Coach Oliver. I look forward to seeing the SOS numbers and where Albertus sits on the list with a schedule like this. Let's say god forbid they do slip up in the GNAC tourney but they pull off a few wins against really good quality teams in their non conference schedule, would they be considered for a Pool C bid? Certainly possible, and I know it may be far too early to discuss this but is it really?? When our season opener is against the number 25 ranked team in the preseason poll?? I think not? 😀

Saturday will be a great true first test for this team. A road game close to 4 hours away against a formidable opponent and Conference POY and All American in Cam Wiley. 

First games are always difficult but that is no excuse. The Falcons need to come out strong with a lot of energy. Hopefully they are getting a great week of practice in. They need to trust themselves and their Coach. If they do that and play as a team, then they will win not only this game but a lot of games this upcoming season.

LETS GO FALCONS!

[Falcons 25]

Awesome pre-season review, Junkie! I agree with all of it, EXCEPT Amir isn`t starting just yet.
Look for J. Green-Younger to start & "FREAK" Perkins to be first off the bench in the first semester.
(No more 36 minutes per game for Ryan!)
Saturday can`t come soon enough! (Remember Swarthmore is on the computer tomorrow night-
so STRETCH yourselves.)

[D3HoopJunkie]

Respectfully disagree with you Falcons25......I think Oliver is going to go big and start Amir Saturday night. I see Green Younger coming off the bench and actually see him more suited for that role with this team.

We will see!!

[D3HoopJunkie]

I didn't get a chance to tune into the Swarthmore game last night but just checked the box score and they won big. I don't want to read to much into it because just glancing at the stats it looks like Hood struggled mightily with TO's and poor shooting? Perhaps this was influenced by the Swarthmore defense?? Again I did not watch directly so I can only speculate.

I have no doubts that we will present a tougher matchup for them come Saturday!

[Falcons 25]

I watched the Swarthmore game last night. They are an intelligent, poised team that can shoot from anywhere if left open.
Not very athletic, but they stay within themselves & play great defense. (no second shots!)
O`Dell is their key big & Cam Wiley runs the point & is excellent.
WAY TO VICTORY FOR A.M.C.-
1. OUTREBOUND THEM DEFENSIVE BOARDS.
2. FASTBREAK THEM to DEATH!
3. PRESS THEM- various (Full court & half)
GET THEM OUT OF THEIR HALF COURT GAME!
GO FALCONS!!!