MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[D3HoopJunkie]

An impressive last couple games for the Falcons as they pick up wins against rival JWU and Rivier. Both games were well executed at both ends defensively and offensively. This team is really clicking right now and they're in a good spot to hopefully win out and go into the GNAC tournament with home court advantage for the quarters and semi finals.

This team has dealt with a lot of adversity this season between losing key players to injuries for stretches of time and losing a impact freshman in Marquan Watson. I heard that Marquan had some personal issues that required him to have to withdraw from the school. Its unfortunate as his future was extremely bright and was without question a player that Oliver could have potentially turned into an outstanding player had he been able to continue but things at times are more important than basketball and I wish Marquan luck in the future. Never had any personal interactions with him but he carried himself well on the court and seemed like a respectable young man.

The St Joes loss was a tough and the the overall effort in the loss to Suffolk the next game was not something we as fans are used to seeing out of our Albertus teams. But again, it looks like they have refocused and have their eyes set on another playoff run and GNAC championship. Lasell on Wednesday followed by Norwich, Emmanuel and Anna Maria. The big one is going to be against Emmanuel who continues to impress under second year HC Danny Lawson.

The GNAC race is turning into quite a finish and with only a few games remaining it will be interesting to see how things finish up. The top 3 teams are clearly St Joes CT, Albertus and Emmanuel with everyone else battling for position for the remaining spots.

One game at a time. Lasell is next at home! Lets keep it rolling Falcons!

[Falcons 25]

Junkie, do not look beyond Lasell Wednesday. They are very good & ahead of AMC now. This is not the typical Lasell team that we have faced
in the last several years!
That said, AMC will win 4 straight game if they:
1. Come to play defense for 60 minutes!
2. Rebound like they are capable of doing.
3. Mitch, run plays every time on offense & we`ll be all right!
This team can`t afford to overlook anyone if we are to finish as the #2 seed.(short of a total St. Joe`s collapse)

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The men's first regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-first

[Saint-Paul]

It was bombs away for the Monks tonight in a 90 - 81 win over the Saints.  The Monks attempted 40 three point shots and connected on 18 of them to shoot down the Saints in an important GNAC contest.  The Saints defense was just not good enough tonight.  They did not run the Monks off the 3 pt line, but allowed them to set their feet and get plenty of wide open looks.  Saints effort level in contesting shots was also sub par tonight.  I was a little disappointed in the Saints game plan.  This was not the first time the Saints played the Monks this year.  The Saints know that the Monks don't have a strong post game and have to live and die by their perimeter shooters, and yet the Saints were not out behind the arc contesting the Monks shooters. I hope this loss does not cost the Saints a home playoff game.

[stlawus]

Something I've noticed the few times I've watched St. Joe's is that Calhoun seems to just disappear in the 2nd half.  Sometimes he comes back to the bench but I didn't even see him return during the Regis game.  Anyone know why?

[deiscanton]

Something I've noticed the few times I've watched St. Joe's is that Calhoun seems to just disappear in the 2nd half.  Sometimes he comes back to the bench but I didn't even see him return during the Regis game.  Anyone know why?

Coach Calhoun hasn't been on the bench in the second half, does anyone know why?

I will let Coach Calhoun comment for himself on his personal health issues.  USJ is fortunate to have Glen Miller as an Associate Head Coach.  The  commentator on the Monks streaming feed did not make a huge deal out of the situation.

My reply from last season is just as valid today. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Something I've noticed the few times I've watched St. Joe's is that Calhoun seems to just disappear in the 2nd half.  Sometimes he comes back to the bench but I didn't even see him return during the Regis game.  Anyone know why?

Coach Calhoun hasn't been on the bench in the second half, does anyone know why?

I will let Coach Calhoun comment for himself on his personal health issues.  USJ is fortunate to have Glen Miller as an Associate Head Coach.  The  commentator on the Monks streaming feed did not make a huge deal out of the situation.

My reply from last season is just as valid today.

If anyone watched the ESPN docu-series with Calhoun, they would see this.

[deiscanton]

Congrats to the St Joe's (CT) Blue Jays on clinching the #1 seed in the upcoming GNAC Tournament.

[Falcons 25]

Well, here we are, Saint! A battle for 2nd place will take place this Tuesday night @ THE NEST!
Emmanuel is one game behind our Falcons, but if the Saints win they get 2nd place according to how I
understand tiebreakers! Two very well matched teams; should be a great game!
Now for the upstart St.Joe`s team from upstate CT.! The playoffs are a different animal entirely & it`s
one & done if you lose! I`ll take my chances with that reality. We`ve been there.

[Saint-Paul]

WE played well in short spurts, but could not sustain the intensity needed over 40 minutes to knock off a ranked team.  The offensive explosion just appeared overwhelming.  Saints were up 31 - 22 with 7 minutes to play in the first half and then within  a few minutes they were down 46 - 43 at the half. Second half was the same way, five or six minutes of solid play, but not good enough.  Should be a good game on Tuesday.

[Falcons 25]

AMC prevails in the battle for 2nd seed in the GNAC tournament. Outstanding game that was close throughout with The falcons
pulling away at the end by 15 pts.
Keys to the game:
1. excellent AMC defense held the Saints to probably a season low in shooting % from the field & 3-pt land too.
2.  35 defensive rebounds by AMC!
3.  21 assists for the Falcons- great ball movement!
4. AMC scored on more drives to the rim than I can remember!

Emmitt Riddick went off for 39 pts- what a smooth customer!   J. Green-Younger had 34 pts. for AMC.
Justice Washington did yeoman`s work on the boards w/13 tonight.

Emmanuel, Lasell & Anna Maria are all tied for #3 slot!!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 2's Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-second

[Saint-Paul]

I was surprised that the Saints continued in a man to man defense after getting blown out three minutes into the game. Down 21 - 6, I was expecting a change in defense, and maybe better close outs on the perimeter shooters, who were on fire. Playing from behind against a very good team is a difficult position to be in. Saints spent a lot of energy to get back into the game but had nothing left for the important last two minutes.  It did not look like the Saints were ready for the intensity that Albertus showed at the start of the game. Looks like a two team race for the GNAC championship.

[deiscanton]

And most of us are going to have to watch the GNAC title game on-line through a video stream, because the O'Connell Center in West Hartford is much smaller than the Nest in New Haven.  Glad to see that USJ is building a new 1400 seat gym.

[D3HoopJunkie]

And most of us are going to have to watch the GNAC title game on-line through a video stream, because the O'Connell Center in West Hartford is much smaller than the Nest in New Haven.  Glad to see that USJ is building a new 1400 seat gym.

Regarding this statement, if both St Joes and Albertus are fortunate enough to make the GNAC Final, do you think the school would consider moving it to a larger venue? I know they have already done this in the past for a few big games and I would think this has to be considered for a potential match up of this magnitude? They have used Trinty's gym a few times in the past for Calhouns first game last season and another time I believe as well? Would the GNAC have something to say about this as well? I know playing in your home gym on your home court is a huge factor but so is playing in front of a huge crowd of people as well. I sincerely doubt this would upset Calhoun considering the stages he has coached at. The gym at St Joes is just too small! Albertus looks like the XL Center compared to it and it was very difficult to get a seat at last years championship!

Hopefully both schools and the GNAC can come together on some agreement here for the sake of the fans! Selfish I know but Calhoun/Oliver BlueJay/Falcons is must see action!