MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

Saint-Paul · February 24, 2014, 02:49:54 PM

My tournament picks:

First Round : AMC, ST Joe, JWU, LAS

Second Round : AMC, JWU

Championship : AMC 81 - 71

even though St Joe is playing at home in the second round, I still like the foot speed, defense, and rebounding of JWU, although it will be a close game.

AMC will not lose a championship game at home. They are too solid at the important positions, point guard, big man, and power forward, along with a nice compliment of quality role players who defend, rebound, and score opportunity baskets.

7express · February 24, 2014, 03:12:44 PM

Quote from: lildave678 on February 24, 2014, 11:34:28 AM
One thing I'd like your opinions on, is how many games do the Falcons have to win to be considered for Pool C?

Hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but probably all 3. Usually, the cut off in the NE is the 6/8 region, and anyone in front of them has to be in the NCAA otherwise they'll just block other teams. So, if they lose in the semifinals and probably finals, Babson/WPI loser will probably be in front of them, Eastern Conn will be in front of them if they lose in the LEC, possible Springfield & Bowdoin as well. That's a lot of teams to jump. It all depends on this week. If AMC can get in front of Springfield & Bowdoin (who lost to Trinity and has no more games left in the regular season) then they're in pretty good shape actually, if they're behind both (doubtful) they're in pretty bad shape, in between the 2 still gives them a shot. R

Quote from: lildave678 on February 24, 2014, 11:34:28 AM
We've seen St. Joes beat them (albeit on the road) and JWU hang tough. If one of them pull off the upset in the finals do you think they still get a shot?

See above. AMC is the only team with any chance of a shot. The other 7 teams including St. Joes and J&W, the ONLY way into the NCAA field is by winning the conference tourney.

lildave678 · February 24, 2014, 03:38:13 PM

Right 7...I apologize if I made it seem like I was asking about EVERYONE. Only AMC has a shot outside of the AQ. Question was meant to discuss what it would take to get in if they didn't win the conference tourney.

7express · February 24, 2014, 03:58:06 PM

Quote from: lildave678 on February 24, 2014, 03:38:13 PM
Right 7...I apologize if I made it seem like I was asking about EVERYONE. Only AMC has a shot outside of the AQ. Question was meant to discuss what it would take to get in if they didn't win the conference tourney.

I'll wait to see where they are this week in relation to Springfield, WPI & Bowdoin before I make any other observations, but I'd say Babson winning the NEWMAC and Eastern winning the LEC are a good place to start. I don't see either getting passed by AMC in the final unpublished rankings, so if they both lose, both of them would have to be picked before AMC does. Later this week, probably Saturday night or Sunday when most of the tournaments are finished, I'll make my annual bubble watch.

pjunito · February 24, 2014, 10:49:13 PM

At this point, I would think that Albertus would have to be top 5 to get an AQ... But, they need, East Conn to win their conference, and they need whoever is higher in this week rankings (babson/WPI) to win the NEWMAC, plus a close game in the finals....

Hopefully this is all a moot point, but good question little Dave. But, in reality if they don't win the conference they are number 1 or 2 seed in ECAC.

First things First, I think they need to play well tomorrow night.

I'll take Albertus, ST. Joe's, JWU and Riv (Lasell coach is a good coach, but they don't match up well versus Rivier). I think Riv wins a close one, by 2 or 3. The other games aren't close.

D3HoopJunkie · February 25, 2014, 10:59:00 AM

Ok men, we are currently at 6 PickEm participants. They include Myself, LilDave, GNAC, 7, Saint and PJ. This is about where I figured our number would be since all of us are the majority posters here on the GNAC thread. Was hoping maybe Former or Albertus2007 would take a crack but times not out yet, 7:00 PM tonight is the cutoff. Maybe they'll make it in.

Albertus2007 · February 25, 2014, 11:15:03 AM

I'm going with the following:

1st Rd-Albertus, St. Joe's, JWU, Lasell
2nd Rd-Albertus, St. Joe's
Champion-Albertus

D3HoopJunkie · February 25, 2014, 12:06:20 PM

Thanks Albertus2007.....You don't have to give it to me right now but the championship game combined score is going to be our tiebreaker so just a heads up!

pjunito · February 25, 2014, 04:29:07 PM

Albertus2007 is an over-achiever!

Albertus2007 · February 25, 2014, 05:00:51 PM

Good one PJ. Anyone going to the game tonight? I can't make it but will be there Thursday if Albertus wins.

pjunito · February 25, 2014, 10:22:10 PM

All home teams win on Tuesday

#5 Rivier 65 #4 Lasell 80

#6 Anna Maria 58 #3 Johnson & Wales (RI) 92

#8 Norwich 69 #1 Albertus Magnus 87

#7 Suffolk 72 #2 Saint Joseph's (Me.) 80

Thursday Semi-Final Action:

#4 Lasell at #1 Albertus

#3 Johnson & Wales at #2 St. Joseph's (Me)

7express · February 25, 2014, 11:11:58 PM

I'll take Albertus & Johnson & Wales for the Thursday selections.

lildave678 · February 26, 2014, 08:15:42 AM

Albertus and JWU for me as well!

lildave678 · February 26, 2014, 08:28:32 AM

Also, how was the crowd for anyone who was there/watched the game. I had a soccer game so I was unable to watch. Box scored said attendance was over 700 and I know the bleachers "hold" 600. I'm assuming they added the seats on the baseline? Hopefully the student section was a little more attentive lol

pjunito · February 26, 2014, 09:21:51 AM

I take JWU/Albertus..

I wasn't there, but watched online.. The crowd looked really into it. They were jumping on the side and making noise, wearing their white t-shirts and waiving them around. It looked like there was a lot of energy! I was impressed. Dave, they added bleachers behind the home basket, so instead of the folding chairs, there were bleachers.