MBB: State University of New York Athletic Conference

[Nick bigmorton]

Belucci is the POY

He leads the conference in scoring by like 6 ppg.

He shoots a high percentage from everywhere.

Most importantly he has done a lot of damage from the PG position from Brockport, the most important position on the floor.

He manages to score and do all the little things while running a solid SUNYAC squad

**Before we count Ranieri's Bi-ceps out of the hunt it should be said that he is playing without the little toe on his left food (zoo visit gone wrong).  A man that can persevere like that deserves POY consideration.

[Nick bigmorton]

One more factor....When Barton and Belucci went head-to head:

Belucci                     Barton
30 pts                      10pts

Brockport win.

[thebear]

That game was at Brockport, where, as documented on this board (By a brockport fan), the zebras were not having their best night.  A bunch of Bellucci's points came from the line late in the game, as Potsdam had to foul to try to get closer.

Barton played only 16 minutes before fouling out courtesy of said incompetent zebras.  My guess is that had he been able to play his normal complement of 27-30 minutes, the game would have been much closer.
With the unbalanced schedule, Ben won't get to experience the reverse treatment in the North Country.

Since that Potsdam - Brockport Game, since the coaches are voting now, these are the games that will be remembered Played since that day.

          Barton                Bellucci
Record  5-0                    2-2
Pts          24.6               18.3
Rebs       10.6                 4.5
Ast          3.0                   3.5
Blk           0.4                    --
Stl           2.2                     .7
2 FG %   56%                   50%
3 FG       7                        10
3 FG %   50%                   45%
FT %      64%                    80%

Since the Brockport game, Barton has been called for 5 fouls in five games.

Bellucci had five against Cortland, where they forced him to play defense.

[Nick bigmorton]

I dont really know what the last 5 games really matter.  All i was saying is that, head-to-head Ben was 20 points better.  Referees are often incompetent and the good players adjust.  Im not sure the award is for the SUNYAC Player of  5-random games in the middle of the season.  The award is for an entire year.   Barton is like 4th in scoring in the SUNYAC.  Although scoring doesn't tell everything it is often the most important criterion when deciding individual basketball awards.  Ben has scored and made his teammates for an entire season.  That is a player of the year.

[thebear]

There is a stat system called Tendex, that uses all aspects of a game to eveluate a player's performance.  As of Tuesday night, the tendex shows Barton with 523 points in 675 minutes.  Bellucci has 518 points in 796 minutes.

Barton leads Bellucci by a bunch in rebounding, Asts to Turnovers, Blocked Shots and Steals, which offsets Bellucci's edge in scoring.

Then, this system, calculates pts/minute played, which gives Barton a big advantage, and also factors in the pace at which the team plays.  Since 'port plays no defense and a run & gun style, they get a lot more scoring opportunities.  Also, since Barton is the top defensive rebounder in the conference you can bet he doesn't get the cheapie fast break release points that Bellucci seems to always be around for.  Coaches understand that.

It should be a very close call.  P.S. the "down the stretch" games are what everyone remembers.  That's why five (not so) random games are important.  Murphy and Broderick are going to freshly remember the game Barton played against them, as are Ansari, Moore, and Minton.

What they aren't going to remember too kindly is Bellucci staying in the game after the outcome was decided to fatten up his scoring stats.  That's not what a POY is.

[bearseh]

Whew!

Mess with thebear and get torched with the facts.

By the ways, thanks for the Taggart reminder. Sometimes I'll forget the mantra: Defensive, Rebounding, Convert at the Line.

Taggart delivers the second object in a "big" way.

[Nick bigmorton]

I dont really know what this valtrax stat is, but it sounds too complicated.  If you look at efficiency ratings in the NBA you will rarely find that the top guy in the ratings is actually the leagues most valuable player.  So personally, I don't really take those too seriously.  I think you make good points and barton would be a good candidate, but I think the entire year Belucci has had as far as doing everything for Brockport statistically, and being there when they need a PG makes him edge out Skrelja and Ranieri...Oh yeah, and Barton. 

One stat  I do know.  Cortland 21-2 SUNYAC REG. Season champs. 

Ready to do some steamrolling in the tourney

[bearnation]

To answer the question of why the SUNYAC plays its conference tournament at the AUD in Utica, find the contract between the SUNYAC and the city of Utica.  You will then find the answer.$$$$$$"S

The SUNYAC gets no love, top team(Cortland) is 21-2 and only 15 votes on the top 25.  Maybe the league should come up with a promotion.  Just visited Potsdam web site anyone with a Potsdam id or a proof of residence for Potsdam gets into the game free Tuesday night.  If Jerry Welsh/Maxcy isn't full they should give back all of the trophies. 

[thebear]

bearnation - not quite so fast.

The problem is the school is on a "mini break' this weekend, with no school Monday and Tueday.

Many Potsdam students won't get back to campus until the game is over, as Mom will expect to feed them before they leave for Potsdam.

Hence the promotion, to try to drum up community interest etc.  Since we will be a few students short on Tuesday night.

Bearseh - Facts are great, unfortunately some people don't like the facts, when opinion serves their purposes better.  Speaking of facts, I thought Valtrax  was a drug they advertise on cable to be used to treat a certain viral social disease.

The tendex system I was describing is similar to the one used for college bb by CBS Sports line,

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/playerrankings/regularseason/OVERALL

the 1-2-3 in that ranking as far as player effectiveness are JJ Reddick, Shelden Williams, and Adam Morrison.  That tells me there's a pretty good correlation between productive players and successful teams.

If you look at Barton's stats and Shelden Williams' stats they're eerily similar
although Barton gets his points and rebounds in less time than Williams.

As a certain DA (& wife of a former Bear coache) bearseh, bearnation and I know would say, I rest my case.

"Just the Facts, Ma'am, Just the Facts" __ Sgt. Joe Friday

[Maxcy Maniac]

and the Crowd goes wild for theBear!!!

[Nick bigmorton]

Eeeeeeeasy pandas,

Lets not compare apples and oranges.  Edane Barton does not go through the rigors of an ACC schedule every year.  While Cortland is a juggernaut, they are certainly not North Carolina or Maryland.  I like your Tendex thing, and I used the word Valtrax knowingly to emphasize what little I knew about your system.  You bears fans are like a couple of grizzlies tumbling through a dumpster.  Anyway, I am valuing the stats as well as opinion.  I think every coach that has a vote will weigh their personal opinion for POY.  I just think the year Bellucci is having can't be argued against.  Head-to-head 30 pts to 10 pts for Barton.  And if you want to bring in garbage points, Barton scored several "meaningless" buckets when the game was decided against Cortland. 
Lets not mention that he got dunked on by Si "fly-high puddin'-pie, in your eye, make you wanna cry" Skrelja.

[bearnation]

Bear,  I have faith that the good students of SUNY Potsdam will leave that last meatball on the platter, start their engine to drive north to support their team.
The good folks of the north country truely know the hand that feeds them and will be there to support the Bears digging through the dumpster for a meal of there SUNYAC opponent.  Then it is off to Utica because like it or not this is the chosen path.

[thebear]

On a more serious note, tonight has a slate of four SUNYAC games.

Matchups and their tournament implications

Potsdam (10-5) at Oneonta (2-12)

Potsdam win and they clinch at least a 4 seed and a home game.  Oneonta
is playing for pride.  Coming off Tuesday's emotional win at Oswego. Dobbs will keep his players focused on the business at hand - one game at a time.
Oneonta coming off a 37 point loss at Oswego last Saturday will be playing hard to regain some respect.

Geneseo (6-9) at Cortland (13-1)
Probable preview of SUNYAC 1-8 first round game.  Cortland playing to maintain their #1 regional seed with central location and exclellent facility probable hosting site for the first three NCAA rounds.  A win for Geneseo would cement the 8 seed. At least the coaches won't have to spend a lot of time scouting and watching film for Tuesday's game.

SUNYIT (8-6) at Fredonia (4-10)
SUNYIT still alive for a four seed.  Has to keep winning to retain the 5 seed as Plattsburgh has a much easier schedule for the weekend.  Fredonia's deliberate style may frustrate the "run & gun" Wildcats.  Fredonia's much more competitive at home with upset wins vs. Brockport and Plattsburgh.

Plattsburgh (7-7) at New Paltz (2-13)
Plattsburgh pretty much a lock for a 6 seed, but looking at a 5 if they win out and IT loses one this weekend.  New Paltz playing for pride on senior night.

Based on the outcome of these four, will update tomorrow's games in the AM.

Pretty ugly weather forecast here, Potsdam to Oneonta, Plattsburgh to New paltz, IT to Fredonia, Geneseo to Cortland all may be rough trips today. 

[Grutte Dirk]

Is there a forum that discusses SUNYAC sports not found on D3sports.com?

[BBM]

Nick: I'm a bit confused about a statement of yours'. You stated that Barton got some cheap baskets at the end of the Cortland game when the game was already decided. I was at that game and if my memory serves me right, I remember it being a tied game with 5 minutes to go. Yes, Cortland won by 9, but they had to scratch and dig for that win. They do have a very good team. As far assaying that Bellucci had 30 and BArton 10 when they played head-to-head, that comparison can't be made as they did not guard one another. They both deserve POY, but maybe the next 2-4 games will give one of them the edge. Remember: Barton was Playoff MVP for the past 2 years, I guess that cream truly rises to the top.