MBB: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

goldenpipes · February 12, 2008, 09:37:38 PM

absolutely....I didn't say it was impossible, Lasell has to win outright since they played emerson once and lost.

if things fall right they can get #1, but they can certainly can win the tourney even if they're not the #1 seed.

I think the conference has more depth than in past years - any of the top 4 teams could win through to get to get through.

Out of the 4 teams though, only Emerson has a chance to get an at-large bid if they don't win the tournament but make the finals based on their non-conference success...lasell had some close losses against some strong teams but emerson beat three NEWMAC's by 10+ along with William Patterson and Vassar.

broke_ya_ankles · February 12, 2008, 09:56:55 PM

if Emerson wins out regular season wise and makes it to the conference final and loses and winds up around 24-4 it will certainly be hard for the committee to ignore a team with a winning percentage of .857 although as discussed on a few other boards the Northeast region is looking at probably 3 at large bids and unfortunately more of Emersons at large faith would likely be more in the hands of Amherst and Umass-Dartmouth winning their conference tournaments.

Even one loss before the conference final I think eliminates Emersons chances at all of an at large bid just because their out of conference wins arent really that impressive. William Patterson was a big win, Vassar was an ok win. Their 3 wins vs. NEWMAC teams arent that great, the only one with at least a .500 record in the NEWMAC is Babson at 4-4 but they are 7-13 overall, Wheaton 12-8, MIT 12-10. Sure they are nice wins but I just dont think they are at the caliber of wins needed for an At-Large bid playing in one of the 10 worst conferences according to the massey ratingss

goldenpipes · February 12, 2008, 09:59:59 PM

I agree that Emerson would have to make the finals and other teams that are rated higher would have to win through to help Emerson's at large chances.

Can't disagree with that analysis ankles....I think it'll be really good tourney, especially if the top 4 teams reach the semi round of the GNAC's.

broke_ya_ankles · February 12, 2008, 10:28:05 PM

definitely will be a great tournament, the GNAC has got to be one of the most competitive conferences in New England in terms of inner conference games. the top 4 have all proven they can beat each other, and St. Joes isnt really that far behind at 9-5. They appear to be at full strength for the first time in awhile, Murphy had an injury early on that made him miss the opener and still wasnt 100% when he began playing. Eatmon missed 4 games in the middle of conference season where the monks went 2-2 with the 2 losses coming to Emmanuel by 7 and Lasell by 9, with Eatmon in the lineup it could have been a different story. Also St. Joes has a kid by the name of Alonso Davis who is listed at 6'7 and he's extremely athletic, not one of those wasted height guys. his stats are extremely impressive when he gets to play more than just 2 or 3 minutes. In 8 games where he has been given significant minutes (meaning at least 8 minutes) he has averaged 11.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in just 14.8 minutes. why he isnt used more is beyond me, the only thing I can think of is they are saving him as a weapon come playoff time? hes been the monks most efficient player this year as evidence by his numbers in limited minutes.

jamiejohn · February 12, 2008, 11:17:16 PM

I think lasell has the most talent. They should do very real in the gnac tourney. Also i dont think any gnac team will get a at- large bid. the only team that has a chance is emerson and they would have to make it to the finals and they still might not get it

UnsungHero11 · February 14, 2008, 01:02:13 PM

Personally, I think anything less than an undefeated conference season for Lasell is a disappointment. Talent wise, they are a step or two ahead of everyone else in the league, but for some reason (my guess is coaching) they don't play as hard as they should. It looks like they're back on track, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lost early in the playoffs.

old_hooper · February 14, 2008, 01:24:42 PM

I seriously doubt that GNAC will have anymore then the champion in the tournament. A Pool C really would be a long shot based on the other teams that are truly in contention for one. It has been said, that at most 3 for the NE. I would think that the runner up from the NESCAC will get one and possibly another assuming Amherst wins it as of the regional standings. Also, as it sits right now, UMass Darmouth is almost assured a Pool B if they don't win the conference championship. The other team that is really on the bubble according to the poll is Brandeis. They are in a heep of trouble if they lose two more games which very well could happen based on their schedule. Still a couple weeks of games left and that will shake out things but I would think that the GNAC will only get one in the tournament.

CCCalum2 · February 14, 2008, 01:52:10 PM

Quote from: UnsungHero11 on February 14, 2008, 01:02:13 PM
Personally, I think anything less than an undefeated conference season for Lasell is a disappointment. Talent wise, they are a step or two ahead of everyone else in the league, but for some reason (my guess is coaching) they don't play as hard as they should. It looks like they're back on track, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lost early in the playoffs.

buddy, I don't think that you have all your facts straight. you are challenging them about playing hard and knocking the coach, but if you had all the facts, maybe your tune would change. They were 4-1 before arguably their best player went down with and injury and they proceeded to drop some tough decisions in his absence. Lost a tough won to Babson by 2, another tough one to #1 Amherst by 7. They have dropped a few league games. Twice to JWU, and once each to Emerson and Rivier. No slouches their either. Their non-league losses are Keene State, Babson, Amherst and Williams. All quality teams. I know Babson's record is not great, but they are a solid team. It is very hard to run the table in any league, never mind in a league with a lot of parity. 18 league games is very tough to go undefeated. I think they've responded very well to a tough stretch in the middle of their schedule and are now playing very well at the right time. To say that it's a disappointment that they didn't run the table in the league is a bit of a stretch. Again, make sure you know the facts before opening your mouth, or in this case, typing on your keyboard.

creekhoops · February 14, 2008, 05:55:30 PM

Ok, back again for the first time in a year. As the GNACs approach, lets discuss the best GNAC teams of all time. Is it the 02-03 SVC team? How about some of the Endicott teams early on, or perhaps an Emerson Squad late 90s? WNEC squads? Suffolk 01 with Luisi? How about JWU 03-04 that beat SVC twice in one week to win it all? How do these teams stack up against what is out there now?

t33white · February 14, 2008, 09:50:38 PM

Having played against the Emerson teams of the last 90's i would say they were some of the best. the had great size, speed and shooters. riv had some strong teams also. the gnac was a tough conference back in the late 90's but emerson definately stood out as the team to beat every year.

UnsungHero11 · February 15, 2008, 01:17:23 PM

Quote from: CCCalum2 on February 14, 2008, 01:52:10 PM
Quote from: UnsungHero11 on February 14, 2008, 01:02:13 PM
Personally, I think anything less than an undefeated conference season for Lasell is a disappointment. Talent wise, they are a step or two ahead of everyone else in the league, but for some reason (my guess is coaching) they don't play as hard as they should. It looks like they're back on track, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lost early in the playoffs.
buddy, I don't think that you have all your facts straight. you are challenging them about playing hard and knocking the coach, but if you had all the facts, maybe your tune would change. They were 4-1 before arguably their best player went down with and injury and they proceeded to drop some tough decisions in his absence. Lost a tough won to Babson by 2, another tough one to #1 Amherst by 7. They have dropped a few league games. Twice to JWU, and once each to Emerson and Rivier. No slouches their either. Their non-league losses are Keene State, Babson, Amherst and Williams. All quality teams. I know Babson's record is not great, but they are a solid team. It is very hard to run the table in any league, never mind in a league with a lot of parity. 18 league games is very tough to go undefeated. I think they've responded very well to a tough stretch in the middle of their schedule and are now playing very well at the right time. To say that it's a disappointment that they didn't run the table in the league is a bit of a stretch. Again, make sure you know the facts before opening your mouth, or in this case, typing on your keyboard.

Sounds good, I guess, if you want to make excuses. But the FACT of the matter is, they have the tallest player in the league, by about a foot, who is also incredibly athletic, can shoot from the outside and absolutely dominates at this level (not to mention, according to this board, he is also player of the year) their entire starting five is more talented and more athletic than any other team's in the league. If their best player went down with an injury that should only give them more reason to win, not an excuse to lose. To be honest, it doesn't matter what you say...I totally agree that their non conference schedule is tough, thats why i said they should have gone undefeated IN THE CONFERENCE.If they just stayed focused on winning instead of talking trash, I'm sure they would have done much better this season....and I do know one fact. Discipline is instilled by a coach, not by a best player (who happened to go down with an injury)

jamiejohn · February 15, 2008, 01:23:53 PM

Its defiantly a disappointing year for lasell, this is the year they needed to make it to the ncaa. There losing Crawford the best player in the league and Powell the best pg in the league.

goldenpipes · February 15, 2008, 01:48:50 PM

I have to disagree with unsung on a number of points presented. I will agree that Guitian is a special player and will be GNAC 1st team and possibly POY. I haven't seen him play but I have heard a lot of great things about him. However, unless his height is not listed properly on the Lasell website, at 6'9" he is not a foot taller than everyone else in the league. Since Levi Smith of Emmanuel is 6'7" I'd have to say that's one of the most ridiculous statements I've seen in a long time unless two inches is now equivalent to one foot.

Also, to say that Lasell should run the table in the conference....also a baseless statement. The league is solid this year w/Emmanuel, Wales, and Emerson playing very well and Rivier and St. Joe's have solid squads as well. In my opinion, if you state that one team should run the table they should be light years ahead of the other teams they play. No knock on Lasell, they are very good but certainly there is not that large of a divide between them and 3-4 teams in the league. How you can you that they should have run the table? Emerson beat Lasell in Newton without Rouse and Messinger - if they were that much better they should have rolled by a ton - but they didn't because both of those teams are very talented and will play close games. As for the best starting 5, I'd say that you'd get varying opinions about which team has the five in the GNAC because of the talent level and competition.

It's not as clear cut as you think and I think the GNAC tournament games will bear that out - I think we're in for a great week of well played, tight games that go down to the end.

Quote from: UnsungHero11 on February 15, 2008, 01:17:23 PM
Quote from: CCCalum2 on February 14, 2008, 01:52:10 PM
Quote from: UnsungHero11 on February 14, 2008, 01:02:13 PM
Personally, I think anything less than an undefeated conference season for Lasell is a disappointment. Talent wise, they are a step or two ahead of everyone else in the league, but for some reason (my guess is coaching) they don't play as hard as they should. It looks like they're back on track, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lost early in the playoffs.

buddy, I don't think that you have all your facts straight. you are challenging them about playing hard and knocking the coach, but if you had all the facts, maybe your tune would change. They were 4-1 before arguably their best player went down with and injury and they proceeded to drop some tough decisions in his absence. Lost a tough won to Babson by 2, another tough one to #1 Amherst by 7. They have dropped a few league games. Twice to JWU, and once each to Emerson and Rivier. No slouches their either. Their non-league losses are Keene State, Babson, Amherst and Williams. All quality teams. I know Babson's record is not great, but they are a solid team. It is very hard to run the table in any league, never mind in a league with a lot of parity. 18 league games is very tough to go undefeated. I think they've responded very well to a tough stretch in the middle of their schedule and are now playing very well at the right time. To say that it's a disappointment that they didn't run the table in the league is a bit of a stretch. Again, make sure you know the facts before opening your mouth, or in this case, typing on your keyboard.

Sounds good, I guess, if you want to make excuses. But the FACT of the matter is, they have the tallest player in the league, by about a foot, who is also incredibly athletic, can shoot from the outside and absolutely dominates at this level (not to mention, according to this board, he is also player of the year) their entire starting five is more talented and more athletic than any other team's in the league. If their best player went down with an injury that should only give them more reason to win, not an excuse to lose. To be honest, it doesn't matter what you say...I totally agree that their non conference schedule is tough, thats why i said they should have gone undefeated IN THE CONFERENCE.If they just stayed focused on winning instead of talking trash, I'm sure they would have done much better this season....and I do know one fact. Discipline is instilled by a coach, not by a best player (who happened to go down with an injury)

All-around · February 16, 2008, 07:52:11 PM

Looks like with Emmanuel and Emersons win that Tuesday may bring a huge game!

I also find it odd that Emerson now with 20 wins and only 3 losses gets no love regionally let alone nationally.

goldenpipes · February 16, 2008, 09:09:26 PM

Great game between Emerson and Riv at the Muldoon today.

Rivier led 48-34 with approx. 15 to play, only to see the Lions run off 16 straight points keyed by Jeremy Shannon's ability to get to the hoop.

Riv bounced back and led 65-60 with a minute to play, but Ben Chase hit a big 3 and Shannon got to the rack for a finger roll layup with 3 seconds to play in regulation.

OT went back and forth, Lions led by two - Riv had the last possession and Jeff Carpenter was fouled with no time on the clock. Carp missed the first attempt and the Lions earned a hard fought 20th win of the season.

Carp had 17 and 10 rebounds for Riv, Lions were led by Ben Chase with 17 and Jeremy Shannon with 16. Free throws were a big factor - Emerson made 22 of 32 and Riv only 7 of 19.

1st place and most likely the regular season championship on line Tuesday when Emerson and Emmanuel meet at the Lions Den- game time 7 PM.

As far as the Emerson/no love comment, I think that is a reflection on the league as a whole....in 13 seasons the GNAC never gets props, even though it continues to get better every year. I think the non-conference games tell a different story - Emerson beat three NEWMAC teams and Lasell played a number of close games vs. top schools in the NE...and Rivier took Wheaton (IL) to OT.

Over the next 2-3 years the GNAC and its teams will get better PR if they can make some noise in the NCAA tournament....success has been mixed, but we haven't had a sweet 16 team yet - one or two appearances in the 16 and others will be turned on to what we already know to be true.