MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[Worse than Alex Tse]

Does no one appreciate the merits of a "team player" on the All-GNAC team? I am surprised....and a little disappointed at the lack of responses to my All-GNAC team nomination.

[pjunito]

Worse,

I am sorry I don't know who the birdman is. I can't comment too much on an all-decade team.

[All-around]

I have found it interesting to see how things have changed in the GNAC. Lasell and Emmanuel are at the bottom of the pack. There doesn't seem to be any dominant teams this year.

Also find it interesting to see Pre-Season all american Shannon only averaging 12 or 13ppg compared to his #'s last year (he had a couple 30 point games last year).

Will also be interesting to see how good Askew ends up being after 4 years.

[34whistle]

I don't think you can say that Lasell is at the "bottom of the pack" or even compare them to Emmanuel, who have been horrible this year.  Lasell might not be as strong and dominate has they were in previous years, but they are going to surprise a few teams come tournament time.

[pjunito]

There are no dominant teams yet. Remember there is still a lot of basketball left to play. I think the top two teams are Emerson and Albertus. Followed by this group: St. Joseph, Norwich, and Lasell. The middle teams are Mt. Ida and Johnson and Wales. However, Rivier, Emmanuel, and Suffolk can still make a playoff push. Suffolk is very improved. Rivier and Emmanuel have fallen quickly.  It should be fun to see which teams will make a run for the remaining three playoff spots. It will also be fun to see fights for seeding.

In fairness to Shannon, he has not been 100% healthy all year long. If he is, he is one of the best players in the league and region. Teams in the GNAC are also not allowing him to take over a game early. But, Shannon has been doing other things.

Askew is solid. He plays bigger than what he is. He can get to the basket whenever he wants. He will get consideration for player of the year if he continues playing the way he is.

[pjunito]

Does anyone know how GNAC players of the week are selected? Is it a vote or does someone look at the stats?

Two weeks ago Bryan Rouse from Emerson got the GNAC player of the week award, but I don't know if he had the best week. He is a nice player and had a good week. Here are his number: Points (46/23.00 per game), Rebounds (16/8.00 per game), Assists (2/1.00 per game), He also shot 56% from the field and his team went 2 - 0. Winning at home against JW and Norwich. Good week.

But, Ray Askew week was better. Here are his numbers Points (57/28.5 per game), Rebounds (17/ 8.5 per game) Assists (2/1.00 per game), He shot 61% from the field. His team won at St. Joe's (he had 30 and 17) and home against Suffolk. I don't think there is any question who had a better week.

Thoughts?

[bmull]

I'm surprised every week that Isaiah Duke from Emmanuel hasn't been recognized - he's had some great games, unfortunately during a bad season. Who does the picking?

[pjunito]

I don't know who does the picking. It is kind of weird to many. It seems like it goes to certain guys every week.

Well, playoffs are coming. Should be fun...

[All-around]

Looks like a 3 legged race between Albertus, Emerson and St. Joe's should be an interesting playoff

[pjunito]

First round action happened yesterday:

Albertus beats Rivier
Emerson beats Norwich
Lasell beats St. Joes (OT)
Johnson and Wales beats Mt. Ida

(5) JWU at (1) Albertus - Thursday night at 7
(6) Lasell at (2) Emerson - Thursday night at 7

Both of these games should be close. Good match-ups! JWU and Albertus are both very athletic and they score a lot of points when they meet. Emerson and Lasell both play very solid defense, Emerson has the two senior horses, but Lasell has confidence...

I still believe it will be an Albertus/Emerson final, but thats why they play the game.

[Emerson_fanatic]

Thursday will in fact be an interesting night, hoping for the two top seeds to come up on top for a 1 v 2 final. Emerson vs albertus is interesting unfortunatley for me i feel like emerson cant matchup with albertus, but anything is possible when shannon is on the court! Askew is great and his athleticism would be tough to stop, hoping he recieves player of the year i think he deserves it after the year he had.

[pjunito]

Emerson_fanatic.... You called it.

Albertus vs Emerson on Saturday at 1 in New Haven. These are the best two teams in the GNAC. It is appropriate that the finals include them. They split the season series. Emerson winning by 1 in New Haven. Albertus winning by 2 in Boston. Last year, Albertus beat Emerson by double-digits in the playoff. I know Shannon and Rousse remember that. Emerson's coach is the best in the GNAC. He will make adjustments. It will be a great game. Can Lora/Askew stay on the court for the falcons? If they can, they should win. If not, Emerson will.

[pjunito]

Albertus wins it first ever GNAC men's basketball championship beating Emerson on Saturday, 85-69. It was a great day for the falcons! Mitch Oliver was named coach of the year and Ray Askew player of the year the night before. The falcons used a 14-0 run late in the first half to spark the crowd. They led by 10 at the half and by at least 8 the rest of the way. Albertus will now play William Patterson (25-2) in the NCAA tournament. Albertus will be a huge underdog, but this berth might help them with late season recruting and improving a team that returns 11 players, including the five starters.

[goldenpipes]

That is incorrect - Albertus won the 1st ever GNAC in 1995-96 - also in New Haven, also vs. Emerson.

That's 10 Finals in 15 years of the GNAC for Emerson, quite an impressive feat considering they've only had a home gym for the last four seasons....but just another reason why coach smith is top shelf.

congrats to shannon and rouse on their excellent careers.

[pjunito]

Sorry, I was told that Albertus won the soccer championship in 95-96, the first ever championship given in the GNAC. But, they have never won a basketball GNAC. I will double check my sources.

Thanks goldenpipes.