MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[GnacBballFan]

32 team fouls, gross. If you told me Williams would shoot 4-19 from 3 and we score 92 I woulda thought that was a 15 point win

[pjunito]

First let me say, Great year for the Falcons. No one expected them to be one of the last 16 teams standing. Great career for Darius Watson who leaves with over 2,000 points and number 3 on the Albertus scoring list. Congrats to Mitch for the job he has done with this program. In 7 years he took a team with 7 players (only 4 with high school experience) to a top 25 contender and a trip to the NCAAs 4 out of the last 5 years (his record is 4-4).

Now onto the game. First, Dave you did a great job of calling the game. And you made an excellent point, the refs called this game tight from the opening tip. Williams adjusted and Albertus didn't. There were a few questionable calls but there are some of those in every game. The refs said, we are not going to allow the defender to put two hands on the offensive player and won't allow the extra body contact in the paint. Therefore, Albertus got caught with their key players in foul trouble. I think the key was having Victor L sit for almost 9 minutes in the first half. When he left the court, Williams (led by Mayer) really took over and had uncontested lay-up after lay-up.

Albertus did cut the lead to 7 with about 8 to play. A quick Williams' time-out and a re-adjustment, instead of taking off balance jumpers, let's attack the rim. And it was over. They respond by driving to the basket, getting to the line, and converting lay-ups. Very impressive.

Darius had an off night for him. I think Williams had a good defensive plan, but Darius missed a lot of shots that he usually makes. Lersen was great at gettin to the rim but couldn't convert. I counted about 8 missed shots within 2 feet of the rim and 6 traveling violations. You can't have that and expect to win.

Again, congrats to Williams they went out and won the battle.

Great season Falcons!  I'll write about next season tomorrow.

[ECSUalum]

Congrats to Albertus Magnus on a fine season!!  Looking forward to see where Darius Watson ends up in pros

[pjunito]

On to 2015... lol...

Hey, I don't care what anyone thinks... Albertus had a great year and now it is about trying to be one of the top 5 teams in the region. I think they were top 5 in region this year. I would expect Albertus to pick up a few more games agaisnt NESCAC and NEWMAC teams. Would love to see a pre-season CT tournament. How great would it be to have Conn College, Wes, Coast Guard, East Conn, West Conn, Trinity, Albertus, and Mitchell in a tournament. I think it could work (since NESCAC teams only play each other once, so this way those teams could face each other a second time and you put West Conn and East Conn in opposite brackets so that the only way they meet is in a champsionship game). CT is a small state so you wouldn't need hotel cost. Maybe you can have one school be the host (like Wesleyan or East Conn). You could play this tournament in three dates, everyone plays at least two games. I would do this:

Game 1 Albertus/Trinity
Game 2 West Conn/Coast Guard
Game 3 East Conn/Wes
Game 4 Mitchell/ Conn Coll

Game 5 - Game 1/2 winners   Game 6 - Game 1/2 losers
Game 7 - Game 3/4 winners   Game 8 - Game 3/4 losers

Game 9 - Game 5/7 winners

How great would that be! lol.. I think scheduling a NJAC team, maybe Purchase again would really help.

This way Albertus plays, A NESCAC, Little East, or NEWMAC team and if they make it to championship at least two NESCAC or Little East teams. Then they can round their schedule off with a Purchase and two teams from Massachusetts, I think that is a better schedule. And who knows if Hoopsville calls.

Now onto the roster:

Vic L
Lersen
Jennings
Davis

These four players come back, they are good enough to lead the falcons to another GNAC title. But, what is it going to take for them to be a serious New England contender.

1. I think Albertus had talent and they are competitors but I think they need a calm presences on the court. Someone who can slow guys down (not physically, but mentally and emotionally). So, do they have someone on the roster who can be that guy? Or do they need to bring that person in. That is a tough thing to recruit.

2. They get Julian Saunders back, he hurt himself this year. He last played in 2012-13 and shot over 42% from threes and was the best on the ball defender Albertus had. If he comes back healthy he can be a big player.

3. The bench has to improve: Wiggins disappeared in the NCAAs, Walker had a lot of energy but didn't play well, Jackson is a freshmen but needs to learn the offense, and Wilson played very well defensively but doesn't look like he is very consistent offensively.
Here is what I would like to see:
a - Wiggins, just shoot all summer, take 5,000 shots. Get into such a rythm that you bury 8 out of 10 wide open looks. Then work very hard on pump fake, dribble and pull up from 15 feet.
b - Walker, good strong long body. He reminds me of Lersen. But needs to play with more control. I would work around the rim all summer. Lay-ups, body drills, where you get hit and try to finish from around 3 feet. Then work on his feet, he got in trouble a lot because big men were able to beat him to a spot. He can't let that happen, he is to athletic to let that happen.
c - Wilson, I think Wilson has the ability to be as good as Saunders. He is a good defender. But, he needs to gain more trust with the coaching staff on offense. He is a slasher and not the best perimeter shooter. But, if he can work on his 10-15 foot shot or a floater, then he can be a big player for next year.
d - Jackson, he will grow into a good pg. He just needs to run the offense and play the system.

4. Starters: There will be 3 seniors, led by Victor and Eian. These guys will be hungry next year in my opinion. Larsen has gotten better each year. I expect them to have a very good year led by three Seniors. Jennings will be a junior and had a solid year. Would love for him to be a little more consistent with his shot selection, but he plays bigger than what he is and isn't afraid to take a shot. Took a big one in the WPI game and one in the CCSU game.

5. Recruiting class. Mitch Oliver's MO has been to bring in a very impactful player almost each year. Let's look:
2008 - Askew
2009 - Lora
2010 - Watson
2011 -  ?
2012 - Jennings
2013 - Davis, Vic L
2014 - ?

I think Oliver has strong role players.. they need to improve, but strong role players. Can he get either a very good defensive big man or another Darius Watson. lol. I think having someone who can defend bigs and leave Vic as a secondary defender would allow him to stay in these big games.

OK, Falcon fans, what do you guys think?

[gordonmann]

Love that idea.  Nutmeg Invitational! I would take vacation days to cover that tournament.

[nescac1]

I think Albertus has a real shot at being the best team in New England next year when you consider who the other ranked New England teams lose:

Amherst -- the best player in program history, plus two other very talented starters.  Just enormous holes to fill with no obvious candidates waiting in the wings. 
Williams -- two of the top ten scorers in program history, one of whom is the best center in the country.  Tons of talent back but a gaping hole inside. 
Babson -- the starting backcourt, including the PG who played virtually every minute
Springfield -- three starters, who encompass their leaders in scoring, assists, rebounds, and blocks
Middlebury -- all-American point guard, plus starting PF and C
Bowdoin -- three solid starters, who were the team's best three outside shooters
Eastern Conn -- the top two scorers
Nichols -- the only two double-digit scorers

This year New England had an incredible group of seniors, but next year, the region will be as wide open as I can remember.  Of the ranked teams, only WPI (who loses only one major contributor and should have Coppola back from injury) and RIC look clearly improved on paper, and both of them lost in the NCAA first round.  Unlike this year, when Williams and Amherst were obviously two of the top teams nationally, I don't see any truly elite returning New England squads.  So, if AMC can add another big piece to help replace Waton's scoring and learn to play more of a team style of basketball, the sky is the limit for them. 

[pjunito]

nescac1 you make great points.. Congrats on your Williams team (I think you like Williams).

I think everyone will be back and Oliver has been able to recruit some good talent. I think they need to move the ball off the bounce a little better agaisnt these elite teams. Guys standing still makes for easier defense.

[Pat Coleman]

I think everyone will be back and Oliver has been able to recruit some good talent. I think they need to move the ball off the bounce a little better agaisnt these elite teams. Guys standing still makes for easier defense.

Everyone will be back other than Darius Watson, right?

[GnacBballFan]

I think everyone will be back and Oliver has been able to recruit some good talent. I think they need to move the ball off the bounce a little better agaisnt these elite teams. Guys standing still makes for easier defense.

Everyone will be back other than Darius Watson, right?

That's correct Pat.

PJ awesome job as usual. NESCAC I sure hope so lol I think Oliver gets a big time player in fur next yr be it juco or freshman. With this team I prefer a juco as it is built to win next yr. who knows maybe Davis or big Vic's old junior college teammates are looking. I know there was talk of big Vic's cousin who plays for Iona possibly transferring in. Just a rumor but something I heard from a good source

[pjunito]

Congrats to Darius Watson for being selected to the All-Star game. Have fun and enjoy the moment.

[jumpshot]

People from various affiliations (including the host of Hoopsville) who witnessed the outrageous behavior of the Albertus Magnus coach (and several of his players) in the game with Williams at Mary Washington take the view that that there is no place for it in athletic competition in DIII or at any other level, for that matter, including events sponsored by the NCAA. It is reasonable to expect to stay tuned for natural consequences .....

[GnacBballFan]

Lol yawn. This isn't pre school give me a break

[GnacBballFan]

Events sponsored by the ncaa LOL the most corrupt organization in America maybe. It's competitive sports, go cry somewhere else

[GnacBballFan]

Games over, Williams won fair and square. It's competitive sports things happen in the heat of the moment. You ever watch a pistons game in the late 80's? My goodness we are so soft and politically correct now a days. Last I checked no T's were given, so to you and your affiliations and hosts of shows good luck.  Good luck with what? I don't know bc I'm still slightly confused and amused at your post a week after the game has been played

[lildave678]

This Williams Amherst score almost makes Albertus look good!