MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

WPI89 · February 16, 2016, 09:16:45 AM

I know coach Oliver reloaded with a great addition mid year - but how do you guys explain the over 60 point difference in the outcome of game 1 vs. game 2 (JWU vs. Magnus)?

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · February 16, 2016, 09:27:02 AM

Quote from: WPI89 on February 16, 2016, 09:16:45 AM
I know coach Oliver reloaded with a great addition mid year - but how do you guys explain the over 60 point difference in the outcome of game 1 vs. game 2 (JWU vs. Magnus)?

It was a totally different game. Oliver brought a whole different approach to it. Plus J&W didn't have as good a game - Greenway only came on late and it wasn't enough on his own. To me, this screams game plan, plus the AMC bench stepping up.

falcons2010 · February 16, 2016, 10:39:33 PM

This was all game plan... Albertus ran their offense very well; spread the ball around and limited JWU to one shot possesions; this allowed Albertus to run and get uncontested looks at the basket. Not sure Albertus can do that again; especially on the road.

lildave678 · February 17, 2016, 08:20:14 AM

AMC Squeaks by Mount Ida, JWU gets back on track against Norwich...and Emmanuel beat Lasell! Hope Saint has some insight on that game. I'd imagine a lot of it stems from the 23-8 turnover difference.

D3HoopJunkie · February 17, 2016, 08:46:04 AM

I agree with all statements made regarding the outcome of the Albertus JWU game the other day. It was without question better game planning by Oliver and I think also a little bit of overconfidence by JWU. I think JWU definitely took this young Albertus team for granted and it came back and bit them in this game. How this happens I have no idea other than coaching because I regard Coach Benton from JWU as a very solid coach and in my opinion he should have had his team a bit more prepared mentally considering the fact that Albertus has owned them and the GNAC over the past few seasons. Regardless of how good your team is New Haven is still the toughest place to play in the GNAC and Coach Oliver and company will never roll over against any opponent.

Back to this JWU team and the game. I think Albertus did a tremendous job in making only 1 of the 2 stars beat them. Greenaway without question is GNAC player of the year and his running mate Tom Garrick is a 1st teamer. They both average over 20 PPG and Albertus did a great hob in neutralizing Garrick. No doubt Greenaway is tougher to stop because of his ability to drive the basketball and finish at the rim or pull up and knock down a jumper but with Garrick he is more of a perimeter shooter who gets most of his baskets on open shots and a few breakaways on fast breaks during games. Albertus took Garrick right out the game because they did an excellent job at contesting his shots and making it difficult for him to have open looks. That to me was the key to the game and of course the stellar play of Ryan Pittman and the teams overall foul shooting helped as well!!

I really think it will be JWU vs Albertus at JWU for the GNAC Tourney crown. I respect Lasell and the year they had but I just dont see Oliver and this Falcons team losing to them 3 times on the year. That is hard enough to do against any team let alone Albertus

northeasthoopfan · February 17, 2016, 10:21:59 AM

Saint, I've never spoke with you on this site, but I always laugh at your breakdowns of EC games. Couldn't help but think of your thoughts after last night's win.

How 'bout those Saints!!

Saint-Paul · February 17, 2016, 12:00:31 PM

Well, I would really like to report that the Saints came up with some new and creative game plan like a box and one on Omanovic or a double team every time Marchand touch the ball, or even a slow down game with five passes in the front court, but i cant because nothing like that happened. It was the same old game plan for the Saints, rush the ball up the court and take the first available shot. The Saints were not on fire, barely reaching the 40% mark, 27 - 67, in field goals and under 65% from the free throw line, but Lasell just didn't play their usual game. Omanovic only made one 3 point shot and the whole Lasell team was 4 - 20 from behind the arc. Most of the Lasell turnovers were unforced. Not sure if Lasell was taking the Saints lightly but it certainly looked that way, especially on the defensive end of the court. Lasell was getting beat to loose balls and loose rebounds. Lasell usually does that to other teams this year in the games that I watched . If showing up and " wishing " that your opponents would miss shots and throw the ball away counts as a game plan then i guess the rest of the GNAC is in trouble.

Saints did this same thing last year also. Once their record was poor enough to assure a losing season they started to play loose and easy without any pressure . Making shots and beating a few teams that already had playoff spots sealed. Last year in the final game of the season the Saints were leading Albertus by three points with 6 seconds to play because Albertus already had the number one seed. Once that game went into overtime the pressure was back on and the Saints crumbled like a cookie left too long in the oven.

D3HoopJunkie · February 17, 2016, 12:10:58 PM

Had to give you the +K on that one Saint.....That last line was just too funny!!

7express · February 17, 2016, 12:44:51 PM

I absolutely love Saint Paul's posts, they are the greatest!

Saint-Paul · February 19, 2016, 06:53:20 PM

When Emmanuel played Albertus back in December the Saints took a 5 point lead into half time and promptly gave up 55 points in the second half. That was something i had never seen before, 55 points in the second half. Even when the Saints lost to JWU by 60 points they didn't give up that many points in one half. I wonder if the Saints coach knows that there are only 20 minutes in a half of basketball? To allow your opponent enough possessions to score 55 points your team must be launching shots every 7 or 8 seconds. To sit there and watch that happen without saying anything is a coaching strategy I just don't understand. I guess controlling game tempo and shot selection are considered old school and not of any value. Well, losing 17 or 18 games every year is not of much value either. Will enjoy watching the game on Saturday anyway.

falcons2010 · February 20, 2016, 12:07:45 PM

Saint is always on it!! Enjoy the final games of the regular season. Senior Day boys!!!

7express · February 20, 2016, 12:13:24 PM

Quote from: falcons2010 on February 20, 2016, 12:07:45 PM
Saint is always on it!! Enjoy the final games of the regular season. Senior Day boys!!!

And conference tournaments/state tournaments starting in high school. Fun time of year!

Saint-Paul · February 20, 2016, 05:34:50 PM

The video live stream was unwatchable today so the only way to follow today's game was by box score. I guess scoring over 50 points in a half is going to become fashionable nowadays but I still don't feel that is the right way to play the game. I little defense never hurts. Saints big man had a decent game but he only played 24 minutes and was not in foul trouble. Why so much time on the bench? Missing 15 free throws in a three point game, certainly no killer instinct there. There is no defender at the free throw line. That is why it is called a " free " throw.

Saints finish the season 9 - 16, exactly the same as last year. With five returning starters and a veteran line up i would have expected at least one more win than last year. Look at what Lasell was able to do with returning, experienced players. Since the GNAC offers a minimum of 10 gimmies a year, 9 wins is not exactly setting the conference on fire.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · February 20, 2016, 05:37:25 PM

Quote from: Saint-Paul on February 20, 2016, 05:34:50 PM
The video live stream was unwatchable today so the only way to follow today's game was by box score. I guess scoring over 50 points in a half is going to become fashionable nowadays but I still don't feel that is the right way to play the game. I little defense never hurts. Saints big man had a decent game but he only played 24 minutes and was not in foul trouble. Why so much time on the bench? Missing 15 free throws in a three point game, certainly no killer instinct there. There is no defender at the free throw line. That is why it is called a " free " throw.

Saints finish the season 9 - 15, exactly the same as last year. With five returning starters and a veteran line up i would have expected at least one more win than last year. Look at what Lasell was able to do with returning, experienced players. Since the GNAC offers a minimum of 10 gimmies a year, 9 wins is not exactly setting the conference on fire.

We were all pulling for you.

Saint-Paul · February 22, 2016, 10:56:54 AM

The GNAC play offs should be interesting. The only sure thing in the first round is the JWU / St Joe game. JWU should be favored by about 40 points. The other three games are not that clear cut. Lasell did not finish the season strong, losing 3 of their last 4 games. Suffolk just beat them last week. Anna Marie has more wins, but does not match up well with Emmanuel. The Amcats can out play the Saints at four of the five positions but cannot match up at the 5 spot. The Saints upset them last year in the first round and I could easily see that happening again this year. Albertus should be favored against Mt Ida, but the Mustangs have some athletic players and could make a play off game interesting. I think the second and third rounds will be just as interesting this year and worth watching. Good luck to all the players and fans.