MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[D3HoopJunkie]

Hello all, I have been so busy the last few weeks I am a little behind on my updates.

Nice win tonight for the Falcons against what I felt was a very underappreciated team in Elms. They are very athletic, fast and play an up-tempo style. I have no doubts that within a few years Coach Southall will turn this program into a contender year in and year out. He comes from a great program in WPI and has certainly brought over a ton of knowledge to this team. While they didn't execute particular well IMO there athleticism made up for some of there mistakes and they do a really good job of crashing the boards. Hats off to them.

Let me get to what appears to be the big question here on the thread (rightfully so for Falcon fans) and that is Darius Watson. Darius I think will be fine. He twisted his ankle last game against Rivier and actually missed a good portion of he 2nd half because of it. He seemed to be walking fine tonight in warmups and If I had to guess he might be back for Saturdays game. I think we all have to keep in mind that Purchase rolls into town Monday and I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Oliver decides to hold him out Saturday to make sure that he is fully ready for Mondays big game. I know Monday isn't a conference game and no doubt that a win Saturday is more important but while I have the utmost respect for Coach Galletta and a much improved Lasell team, I still feel they can get by in this game without Watson. The only thing that worries me is being on the road and I hate to say it but the referees LOL.

Eian Davis basically took over tonight knowing that he had to carry the load with Watson out. He was just electric, a couple of weird out of control turnovers but MY GOD he is unbelievable when it comes to getting to the hoop. Just an absolute blur. Vic played well too. Missed a couple bunnies but had his way with an undersized opponent.

Jennings struggled again to hit the deep ball but he continues to shoot and for me that is key. Keep on pulling James because we all know you are capable of going 6 for 6 next game from deep. Kyle Wiggins, All I can say is WOWWWW. Kid was on fire from deep. He really has one of the purest shots I think I have honestly ever seen. His release is so perfect and really the only time he struggles to make shots is when he doesn't get his legs under him.

Poor Lemar got absolutely SCREWED again with foul trouble tonight. The refs seem to have something against this kid. So many ticky tack fouls for him but overall I think he has played excellent, just not enough minutes because of the fouls.

Someone we haven't mentioned much here must be talked about tonight. Marcus Walker! He played an excellent game not just tonight but Monday as well. For me he is about the best post player I have seen come off the bench for any team this year. He is a tenacious rebounder and can really finish around the hoop. No doubt he would start on any other team in the GNAC. I love that he comes off the bench for us, just a smart experienced player who gets the job done.

I'm not going to get into the defense because I just don't have the strength in my fingers to type that much more for the rest of the night but it really has to step it up!! Some weird turnovers tonight too as a result of just lazy passes but overall the game was never really in doubt.

On to the next one!!!

[lildave678]

Good news in regards to Darius. As long as there were no crutches or anything like that then I'd imagine he'll be ok. The little bit of the 2nd half I caught was just a blur. Up and down and up and down.

[D3HoopJunkie]

No Dave, there were no crutches which is always great news and as I mentioned, he really didn't have much of a limp while walking around during warm-ups. The entire game was a blur. Not much defense on either side and the pace was fast and furious which played right into Albertus hands as we all know.

[Saint-Paul]

Preview  :  Suffolk  /  Emmanuel

    On paper this looks like a pretty even game.  The Rams start 4 guards and one center,  they are not real long or athletic, they will shoot a lot of 3 balls which will lead to long rebounds and opponents run outs.  The Saints are not over matched in terms of size or foot speed, and for once they are not playing against senior leadership, the Rams have no seniors on the team.  If the Saints stick with their most recent line up of two senior guards ( never know about that ) they should have the advantage in terms of court experience.  Once again I would like to see the Saints play a tight zone, close down driving lanes, rebound the ball, and walk the ball up court and run some shot clock.  I really hope the Saints don't come out full court pressing again and give the Rams all kinds of open looks.  Looking forward to a fairly even game on Saturday.

[pjunito]

Junkie.. You hit right on the head again! I ditto what you said, especially in regards to Jennings. He can't lose his confidence, he will need to make big shots when teams start trying to take away Davis penetration.

Good to have you back Former!!

Charles, I agree with what you mentioned regarding the SOS. It won't be great. Hopefully, JWU keeps winning. If Albertus plays well vs JWU (twice) and Purchase, it might help the SOS a little little little bit. Who knows.. Best part about the GNAC, win and you're in.

Watson hurt himself on Monday. He came out of the game with an apparent injury (actually Albertus made their run without him, Davis, or Vic).. I think he probably rolled it and it swelled up on him Tuesday morning. I think he will play; I think Watson is the type that wants to play every game. And I think Oliver wants his best player out there every game as well. I know there is a big regional match-up on Monday, but if Watson can play he will.

[pjunito]

I think the bench is the best bench Oliver has had all year... I have a meeting, but will finish my thought when I get back.

[7express]

I've said this time and again.  Winning cures everything.  You win the conference tourney and your in the NCAA tournament even if you finish the regular season 4-21.  That's what makes basketball so great.  But definitely the game vs. Purchase, and the 2(1??) remaining games against Johnson & Wales will help.  I don't think the formula takes into account who the opposistion has beaten (it takes the SOS of it, however), but with every win in the LEC RIC gets, that win over them by J&W looks better and better.

[pjunito]

I couldn't agree more 7. It comes down to the conference tournament. There is a lot of hype around the Purchase game, two top 20 teams playing each other. You should come down, if you can make it. I think the Purchase game will give Mitch Oliver a better idea of how they stack up with the rest of the region. The JWU game will be tough conference games and I believe those make you better (win or lose) because you have to really battle.

JWU has been a different team since that new player has been coming off the bench. (Toute, sp?)

[7express]

I couldn't agree more 7. It comes down to the conference tournament. There is a lot of hype around the Purchase game, two top 20 teams playing each other. You should come down, if you can make it. I think the Purchase game will give Mitch Oliver a better idea of how they stack up with the rest of the region. The JWU game will be tough conference games and I believe those make you better (win or lose) because you have to really battle.

JWU has been a different team since that new player has been coming off the bench. (Toute, sp?)

I would love too, and normally I'd be able but I'm coaching a town rec basketball team, and we happen to have a game....that night......at 8 PM . The worst possible time, lol.

[FormerGNACplayer]

Kudos to JWU and Purchase but I don't think either are better than Central. Albertus played them tough and if it wasn't for Davis cramping up, they would've won after they took the lead. As long as they get up for big game as they did Central, I don't see anyone beating Albertus until the 3rd or 4th round. By the way, Albertus played WPI TOUGH in the scrimmage and that was without Jenningins

[GnacBballFan]

I heard they split with WPI, two separate halves. Any thruth to that?

[pjunito]

OK everyone, we have been down this road before. Where we think Albertus is making a run to the finals. The best Albertus team over the last 5 year is the 2011-12 team that went 28-2, losing once at home on a last second lay-up to Medgar Evers and then in the 2nd round to Middlebury. The gnac was not very strong that year, Albertus went 18-0 and the best out of conference win was home vs West Conn. So, let's compare that team with this.

   2011-12   2013-14
Center   Lora      Vic          Adv Vic. He is more explosive and active around the rim, both ways
Forward Askew      Larsen   Adv Askey. Most rebound and points in Albertus history
Forward Watson   Watson Adv Senior Watson – more mature, more determined, better player
Guard   Dugas      Jennings Adv Jennings – very close, but Dugas lost confidence after getting hurt , one thing we know about Jennings will never lose confidence, he is also more active defensively than Dugas
Guard Jackson      Davis Adv Davis – Jackson didn't have to do much, not turn ball over and play solid defense, Davis is a difference maker. He is so skilled at getting to basket and quick hands.

Bench   Smith      Wiggins
   Jimmy Eco   Wilson
   Larsen      Walker
   Sweeney   Gibbs
   Sanders      Jackson

The bench for the 2011-12 falcon team played great defense. Jimmy Eco, Smith, and Sanders were great on the ball defenders. They usually came in and played with Askew who did all the scoring. They knew their role and did it great. They also rebounded very well. Larsen was tenacious around the basket, but got into a lot of foul trouble. Sweeney was limited with his knee problems and sometimes was a rebounding and defensive liability. However, he was able to hit a big jumper to keep other teams honest.
This year bench is a bunch of scorers. Lol. There isn't a lot of great defenders on this team, but they can find the rim. Wiggins is a legit outside threat, keeps team honest. Walker and Gibbs are big bodies, Walker much more polish as a JUCO transfer and Gibbs a freshmen. Jackson is a pass first back-up pg. He can handle the load, but still a freshmen. And Wilson is a slasher, very athletic, not afraid to take ball to rim. Can be reckless as times, but can also be a spark.

Advantage, this year bench. I know, I know, Defense wins championships... But, the bench here is so versatile. They are also very long and athletic, they can cause teams to take difficult shots and can press as well.

Thoughts?

[7express]

I really wish Western had played a home-and-home with Albertus in 2011-12.  I think the season before that, Western won by 3 or 4 in Danbury in a very high scoring contest where Askew put up like 50 points.  Western was never in the game after the opening tip that year, I would've liked to see it again @ Western or even on a neutral court.

[D3HoopJunkie]

I'm gonna go in order here,

First off, pleasure having you here FormerGNAC, I am a new poster as well and you obviously bring a ton of knowledge and know the teams just as well if not more than all of us seeing as you played beside them.  I also hope your prediction of a possible Elite 8 or Final 4 appearance for the Falcons is correct LOL, that would just be an awesome feat.

GNAC I heard WPI and Albertus played a similar format to what you mentioned but if the game was played as a whole Albertus would have been victorious. They did split but it was somewhat lopsided because a number of bench players played in the "second game" or "second half" which ever way you want to look at it) and that was won by WPI but with projected starters on the court Albertus had the upper hand and won convincingly. Again that's just what I heard, don't know the 100% truth behind it so please don't hold it against me if other details emerge.

PJ, Great breakdown as usual and I can honestly say that I agree with literally every word you said. This team is far superior in almost all aspect and we keep talking about defense but for me I can really see this team bearing down when needing to and playing a defenses game that is much more respectable. I think we just may see that Monday night.

Just one quick thought and it sort of just hit me as I was posting and I'm not sure if anyone else thought about this but last nights games was a picture perfect glimpse into next years starting 5 and a number of role players who will be coming back hopefully. Without Watson, that was it and I must say I was very impressed. Not to mention the recruits that Oliver might be able to pull in for next years squad. The way he is able to land JUCO talent now you almost feel like he can just reload every single season without missing a beat. The guy is just a recruiting nut and he really understands how to draw in talent. Not to mention a possible deep run in the tournament this year, that can only help with recruiting. We cant forget about Julian Sanders as well who from what I have heard will be coming back next year after a disappointing ACL tear in earlier in the season.

Just a thought but as we saw last night I would imagine Davis, Jennings, Wilson, Larsen and Vic will be the starting 5. Again this all depends on how well Julian is able to recover because he can easily start or if Oliver would like to go a little bigger and start Larsen, Vic and Walker up front which I tend to lean to now after seeing the way walker has been playing the last few games. Kids legit!

Any thoughts??

[D3HoopJunkie]

Tell me about it 7, we all really enjoyed that in state rivalry just beginning to form between Western and Albertus. Western being the well established almost premier D3 team in the state while Albertus was sort of the up and comer who is trying to duplicate the success of the cross state rival. Just had a really nice ring to it.

Very similar to what I believe all of us here in the state of CT at the D1 level will start to see from Fairfield and Quinnipiac since Quinnipiac made the move to the MAAC.