MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[Saint-Paul]

The 2 - 16 Saints are really looking forward to Tuesday's match up with the 1 - 18 Rivier Raiders. Somebody has to win this game and since the Saints have 50% more wins than the Raiders, they should be in good position to put this game in the win column.  I have a feeling that the Saints will roll out their trade mark full court trap press for this game.  No more 2 -3 zone for the Saint defenders, they are ready to pounce on the Rivier ball handlers. 
     Interesting sub plot to the upcoming Rivier game.  Two years ago Rivier had a disappointing season finishing 4 - 21 for the year. The starting small forward that helped Rivier to those four wins that season is now the starting small forward for the Saints this year.  If you were going to recruit one of your opponents players, wouldn't you take someone from a team with at least a 0.500 record ?

[Greek Tragedy]

I'm not a mathematician and I've never played one on TV, but if the Saints have 50% more wins than the 1-18 Raiders, they'd have 1.5 wins.

[falcons2010]

TGHIJGSTO!!!

[Saint-Paul]

The Battle for the GNAC Basement has been decided.  Rivier Raiders jump out to an 18 point second half lead and hold on for an 86 - 80 win over the Saints.  Apparently, the Rivier players had this game circled on the scheduled also.  Rivier came out smoking, hitting 9 threes in the first half and jumping on the Saints for a 47 -34 halftime lead.  Saints did indeed start the game with their trade mark full court trap press.  I think the Raiders were ready for this press. Rivier guards handled the press easily, and as soon as they crossed half court reversed the ball to the wide open wing where a player would knock down a stand still three pointer.  It was like shooting in pre game warm ups. Rivier played like a 0.500 team in the first half.
     However, in the second half the Saints were able to impose their chaos on the Raiders.  Picking up the tempo, the Saints started their wild, up and down the court game, launching quick threes and then double and sometimes triple teaming the inbounds pass, leaving the rest of the court open.   Apparently, the Rivier players don't understand the concept of " time and score " any better than the Saints players do.  The Raiders started matching the Saints poor shot selection, possession for possession.  Soon the 18 point lead was down to 2 points with 3 minutes to play.  The Saints came out of a time out and the point guard collided with another Saint player trying to set a screen, ( I am not making this up, it is on the game film ), the ball popped up in the air around half court and a Rivier player scooped it up and ran down for an uncontested lay up.  A few foul shots later and the Saints had their 17 loss of the season.  Oh well, there is always Norwich still on the schedule.

[D3HoopJunkie]

Been busy lately so I've been away from the boards for a while but getting caught up now on the season!

The Falcons are in full control of their own destiny in the GNAC at the moment. Undefeated in conference play and clearly the class of the league. Looking at the standing for the rest of the conference and honestly 2 through 8 is a complete toss up. Anyone of those teams could beat each other on any given night but Albertus stands alone. With home-court advantage likely for the GNAC tourney, the Falcons will be extremely tough to topple. That being said they cant get to comfortable with where they sit, they have to stay focused and keep their eyes on the main goal which is winning the GNAC tourney and making the dance!

JQ Walters is yet again FAR AND AWAY the best player in the conference and is heading for a repeat as GNAC POY and a likely All-American nod as well.

Some unfortunate news. It appears A'jen English career as a Falcon was short lived. I was told at the game Saturday that he had some really difficult family issues that occurred in the last couple of weeks that resulted in the passings of a few of his family members. My thoughts go out to English's family. It appears he is done for the rest of this season and it's just to early to tell if he will be back next year. I hope he does come back! He looked like a heck of a player in the limited minutes that we saw him in. He was able to create his own shot and take you off the dribble and was a great passer as well.

I really don't think most people understand the hardships and backgrounds that a lot of the players we have at Albertus have come from. Coach Oliver has always done a great job of taking a number of kids in who have gone through tough times that most of us probably wouldn't even understand. He is known for giving kids a shot or second chance that most coaches wouldn't give and his players both past and present love him for it. I have had the pleasure of speaking to a number of them over the years just in passing and they love Coach Oliver because he provides them with skills and structure not just on the court but off it as well. He has a great relationship with his players after their playin careers are over. Most fans and people see Oliver as a fiery, intense coach which he certainly is but he is a great leader off it as well and his players really respect him for it. He has brought a winning culture to Albertus since the second he stepped on campus and we as fans are grateful for his efforts.

This team even without English will be just fine. Jahmerikah Green Younger has stepped up big time and so has Tyreek Perkins. I don't suspect they'll miss a beat.

I am so intrigued at the possibilities of this team and where they can go. Are they the most talented team we have had at Albertus? Probably not. But, they play so well together and are a highly underated defensive team. I actually believe that this is Oliver's best defensive unit that he has had in his tenure. And I have to say that out of all the great players we have had like Ray Askew, Darius Watson, Big Vic, Tavon Sledge.....I really don't think we have ever had a player quite like JQ Walters. He no doubt has a motor unlike any of them and his athleticism and dribbling ability boxed into his 6'6 frame make him I think the toughest matchup player Oliver has ever had. He is the type of player that you can lean on completely to either keep you in a game or take over a game. He's fascinating to watch and I hope that if were fortunate enough to be dancing come March people will take notice of his skill.

This team could lose in the first round of the tourney or at the same time, I can see them going on a crazy run and making a Final Four which is why I am so intrigued. I cant wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.

Suffolk on Thursday in Boston then 4 straight at home! Lets Go Falcons!

[Greek Tragedy]

That's terrible news about English. I hope everything works out for him and his family.

[Mr.Know Most Of It]

D3HoopJunkie, I couldn't agree with you more. 2 through 8 is a toss up on any given night. Saint-Paul, are you talking about the same Norwich team that beat Riv by 42 on the road? Hope you're not banking on that one bud haha. It has been a very interesting season to watch for the GNAC. All about match-ups. Tough to predict games this year. Going to be one heck of a finish.

[D3HoopJunkie]

MrKnow

Welcome to the boards. I have to ask, do you pledge an allegiance to a particular team in the GNAC?

A few of us here have been saying for a couple seasons now that it would be nice to get another teams fan interested in posting here. The GNAC thread while relatively quiet is mainly Albertus supporters and of course Saint-Paul who as you know is a fan of the Emmanuel basketball team, just not their head coach LOL

Welcome aboard!

[Mr.Know Most Of It]

I can't say I do unfortunately, but I plan on commenting on a few different threads. Just a fan of basketball looking for some solid discussion!

[Saint-Paul]

Saints able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with 75 - 79 home loss to the Anna Maria Amcats. Saints successfully unleashed their chaos on the Amcats with their full court pressing the entire game. Not just after made field goals, not just after made free throws, but after every inbounds play, every turnover, every live rebound.  Amcats were taken completely out of their offensive rhythm by the Saints trapping and frantic scrambling around the back court. Amcats easily broke the press and found wide open shots from spots they don't normally shoot from.  Only one Amcat player was able to take advantage of this by hitting four three's in the first half. The other players missed a lot of wide open shots, shooting too quickly and not running their plays.  Saints held a 6 point lead with 2:36 to play, but could not switch off their frantic play to show patience and ball control.  Amcats took a one point lead with 1:30 to play, the Saints came back and took a two point lead, but the Amcats finished with a six point run to seal the game. Saints lose their 18 th of the season.  With nothing to play for and nothing to lose, the Saints are now officially a dangerous team to play.  While the other GNAC teams are struggling for play off position, the Saints will be playing free and easy, completely without any pressure.  They can run wild up and down the court, enticing their opponents to do the same.  It doesn't matter if they lose by 3 or 30, so they are free to jack up as many 3 pointers as the feel like.  I think they will upset at least one, maybe two of their final five opponents with this style of play. 

[Saint-Paul]

Got my first look at St Joe - Maine today as the Monks easily defeat the Saints 67 - 56.  This one was never a game, as the Monks jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.  St Joe has a very nice starting five, they move the ball and look for each other.  They can score both inside and out so they are difficult to guard.  The Monks are not long or athletic and they have limited foot speed but they make up for it by playing with a very high basketball IQ.  They know when to push transition and when to pull the ball out and set up. Complete opposite of the Saints.  I was amused that the St Joe game announcer was shocked at all the quick shots the Saints were taking.  The announcer kept repeating " another quick shot for the Saints "  all game long.  Apparently, this was their first look at the Saints style of play this year.  St Joe shot 58% from the three point line while the Saints went in the opposite direction making 16% of their three point attempts.  St Joe shoots the ball well enough from the perimeter that they could be a dangerous palyoff team

[Ferraro13]

Been busy lately so I've been away from the boards for a while but getting caught up now on the season!

The Falcons are in full control of their own destiny in the GNAC at the moment. Undefeated in conference play and clearly the class of the league. Looking at the standing for the rest of the conference and honestly 2 through 8 is a complete toss up. Anyone of those teams could beat each other on any given night but Albertus stands alone. With home-court advantage likely for the GNAC tourney, the Falcons will be extremely tough to topple. That being said they cant get to comfortable with where they sit, they have to stay focused and keep their eyes on the main goal which is winning the GNAC tourney and making the dance!

JQ Walters is yet again FAR AND AWAY the best player in the conference and is heading for a repeat as GNAC POY and a likely All-American nod as well.

Some unfortunate news. It appears A'jen English career as a Falcon was short lived. I was told at the game Saturday that he had some really difficult family issues that occurred in the last couple of weeks that resulted in the passings of a few of his family members. My thoughts go out to English's family. It appears he is done for the rest of this season and it's just to early to tell if he will be back next year. I hope he does come back! He looked like a heck of a player in the limited minutes that we saw him in. He was able to create his own shot and take you off the dribble and was a great passer as well.

I really don't think most people understand the hardships and backgrounds that a lot of the players we have at Albertus have come from. Coach Oliver has always done a great job of taking a number of kids in who have gone through tough times that most of us probably wouldn't even understand. He is known for giving kids a shot or second chance that most coaches wouldn't give and his players both past and present love him for it. I have had the pleasure of speaking to a number of them over the years just in passing and they love Coach Oliver because he provides them with skills and structure not just on the court but off it as well. He has a great relationship with his players after their playin careers are over. Most fans and people see Oliver as a fiery, intense coach which he certainly is but he is a great leader off it as well and his players really respect him for it. He has brought a winning culture to Albertus since the second he stepped on campus and we as fans are grateful for his efforts.

This team even without English will be just fine. Jahmerikah Green Younger has stepped up big time and so has Tyreek Perkins. I don't suspect they'll miss a beat.

I am so intrigued at the possibilities of this team and where they can go. Are they the most talented team we have had at Albertus? Probably not. But, they play so well together and are a highly underated defensive team. I actually believe that this is Oliver's best defensive unit that he has had in his tenure. And I have to say that out of all the great players we have had like Ray Askew, Darius Watson, Big Vic, Tavon Sledge.....I really don't think we have ever had a player quite like JQ Walters. He no doubt has a motor unlike any of them and his athleticism and dribbling ability boxed into his 6'6 frame make him I think the toughest matchup player Oliver has ever had. He is the type of player that you can lean on completely to either keep you in a game or take over a game. He's fascinating to watch and I hope that if were fortunate enough to be dancing come March people will take notice of his skill.

This team could lose in the first round of the tourney or at the same time, I can see them going on a crazy run and making a Final Four which is why I am so intrigued. I cant wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.

Suffolk on Thursday in Boston then 4 straight at home! Lets Go Falcons!

This albertus team is in trouble with no English. Still rooting for them like always but I can see them getting upset in gnac tourney, these close games in tourney are a lot diff when season on the line

[Falcons 25]

WOW!  AMC over Norwich, 79-75.
THANK YOU, HANIF BALAL- 7 late points, including 4-4 on the foul line when it counted!
Norwich can`t play a better game than what they did today. (3-point shooting & great
late defense on J. Walters)
AMC has a lot of heart! Down 6 points with under 2 minutes to go & they tied it with treys
from Bilal & Pittman! Then, Hanif`s clutch free throw shooting!
BRING ON JOHNSON & WALES...Tuesday night @ 7pm @ THE NEST!

[D3HoopJunkie]

This team isnt missing English. We're talking about a guy who played in 5 games and played limited minutes. He was hardly here! He played well for us in his short time and I wish he was still a part of this team but the team is just fine without him.

Falcons25 - The credit has to go to Green-Younger with the first 3 to cut the 6 point lead in half. It wasn't Pittman. Bilal played very well and came up clutch with that 3 and FT's to seal the game!

Can't wait for Tuesday night! The biggest rivalry in the GNAC returns to the Nest for the first time this season!!

[Ferraro13]

They aren't just fine without him. Barely beating Norwich and Suffolk. Limited game ls, limited minutes and he made them that much better. He was gonna get better with every game too. Shut down JQW and albertus doesn't have much. THEY ARE IN TROUBLE. Let's stop being bias here. But in Mitch I trust, go Falcons