MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

That's a good group and it will really (if it happens) be the catalyst for everything else.  I think it will be much easier to see where the chips fall once a new conference is difinitively formed.

[All-around]

Is southern vermont out for this year. And if so, does that mean they are not playing the teams normally in their conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

As far as I know SVC will be independent this year, which means they'll probably end up with a good number of GNAC teams on their schedule.

[All-around]

any predicitons, or anyone know anything about recruits....

[goldenpipes]

Any team previews to report?  Teams have finally hit the practice courts...I'll try my hand at an Emerson preview by the first of the month.

I do know that the gym is open and ready to go. After 15 years of announcing for the Lions in a number of locations, we finally have a home. It should provide an excellent atmosphere for college basketball and hopefully one that opposing teams dread visiting. Cheers to the administration - they did a first - rate job.

Emerson lost two starters from last year's squad, Steve Georgoulis and Jay O'Connell. Most players are back from last year's squad: Will Dawkins (C), Ben Chase (C), Alfredo Tovar, Morales Hendricks, Anthony Riemas, Joe Boylan, and Scott McGowan....I'm not sure about others from last year's team since practice just opened.

I do know that Samuel J. Newman-Beck had knee surgery and is out for the year, so he won't be part of the rotation. The Lions also have added new players who will compete for starting positions and playing time....obviously those things will be sorted out over the next month.

Even though there are new players, the overall theme will be the same - effort, effort, effort, defense, and effort - a Coach Hank Smith staple.

Any news about any other GNAC teams?

[heythere]

i heard that there might be some problems with emmanuel star toliver thomas, first i heard he was out for a semester now i here the year with a torn acl.

Emmanuel should still be very strong, norwich lost hensely which will be very hard to replace and wnec lost godbout so should be a tight race this year

[GnacAlum55]

Early predictions.....

1. Emmanuel - Is Thomas out or not?  Still cream of the crop.
2. Norwich - Heard they have a good transfer.  Solid veterans.
3. Emerson - They play in the GNAC championship game every year and play hard.
4. Suffolk - Murphy is back + good recruiting class
5. WNEC - losing Godbot hurts
6. Albertus - Surprise pick.  All freshmen from last year are back according to web site.
7. JWU - 3 key losses (Bannister, Moran, Fernandes)
8. Rivier - Can't seem to get over the hump
9. Daniel Webster - Good new coach.  Will be MUCH better!

[heythere]

1. emmanuel- toliver is out atleast a 1st semester maybe even a year, but still return 4 other starters, 17-1 in gnac last year
2.norwich- lost hensley but still have two quick guards and a 6-7 transfer
3.emerson- somehow they just win, and play intense defense for 40
4.wnec- godbout does hurt but still have alot of key players returning
5.suffolk- leading scorer in the gnac is back, plus 3 returning starters
6.albertus- only lose 1 guy, there fresh were good last year
7. rivier- alot of talent maybe they will acutally win with it this year
8. jw- lost 3 key players which was almost all of there offense
9. daniel webster- 0-25 and counting

[creekhoops]

It's too far of a stretch to put JWu in 7th or 8th place.  You have to believe that they anticipated losing Bannister, Moran, and Fernandes - and recruited accordingly.  I'd hold off on that pick until after the first round of confernce play.  EMU will be tough, and similar to the Wales teams of 02-04 - but beatable with solid defense.  Emerson, with their new facility and a fantastic city to recruit to, will begin their upward climb.  My thoughts are that they will be a Babson-like program before too long (that is, when Babson was good).  I couldn't care less about 5 through 10, but 1-4 is more likely to be Emerson, Emmanuel, Norwich and Wales.  Oh, and Rivier - they are getting over that hump.  They will be in the mix, as well.  Sounds crazy - but that's what predictions are all about: speculation.  Let's see.

[All-around]

It has to be only a matter of time before emerson leaves the gnac. Academically they are so far beyond the rest of the teams in their conference. And with Lasell and Mt. Ida coming in, within the next couple of years it wouldn't be surprising to see them go. Possibly to the newmac or ccc

[heythere]

It's too far of a stretch to put JWu in 7th or 8th place.  You have to believe that they anticipated losing Bannister, Moran, and Fernandes - and recruited accordingly.  I'd hold off on that pick until after the first round of confernce play. 

i Dont think its a stretch to put jw them at the bottom, in coach benton 3 years there they have gotten worse each year from 21 to 15 and last year 12 wins. the 3 seniors last year werent even his recurits.  so i would expect the same results this year with another so so freshmen class.

emerson has to be looking to leave the gnac. and remember they have 9 teams now with wnec leaving and 3 coming in next year that give them 11. so maybe emerson also leaves to give the gnac 10.

[All-around]

Emmanuel has its roster up. Looks as if Tolliver Thomas has not come back, and that he most likely will not be there for second semester. Everyone else returns. No knew big guys really, a couple guards that I dont know much about.

Im sure emmanuel will be good, but it seems as if in the playoffs they tend to get beat. Norwich is one tough team, Coach Booth up in Vt. always gets them to play hard and the right way. And emerson should be pretty good as always. In looking at their first semester games, they have a pretty tough schedule, so we will see.

[goldenpipes]

It would make sense based on academics that Emerson would leave the GNAC, but overall our programs haven't had a lot of success which makes a move more difficult. In team sports (aside from men's hoops) Emerson hasn't won any GNAC titles.

It's true academically that Emerson doesn't match up. Based on specialized majors and admissions standards, Emerson is a NEWMAC school....now that we have improved facilities the other programs will need to establish a track record of success like EC hoops....and then we will be a fit for the NEWMAC or similar conference.

Emerson takes on Gordon tomorrow at the brand new Lions Den in pre-season scrimmage action. I hope to get there for a report.

[All-around]

any word on the gordon-emerson scrimmage?

[Maq Diesel]

I heard that Gordon won by 23 and that they played pretty sloppy basketball.  I didn't see the game first hand that is just what I heard.