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Post by iona05 on Jan 26, 2014 16:25:14 GMT -5
Let the countdown begin!
Should be a great night for NYC college basketball. Let's hope for a packed house, a well played game by both teams, and of course that the Gaels leave with first place in the conference!
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Post by Joebird on Jan 26, 2014 16:48:43 GMT -5
If Quinny beats Canisius Thursday at Quinny, we go into manhattan game in sole possession of first place. Game is on SNY.
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Post by husker76 on Jan 27, 2014 10:17:06 GMT -5
Here we go! Just what we have been waiting for all season. This will serve as the "real test" of this team. Both teams know how important this game is terms of conference play and momentum down the stretch. So looking forward to this game. Praying the refs call the game properly with the way Manhattan leads NCAA in fouls. Coach Masiello wants a mug feat to take away our rhythm on offense. In Cluess we trust! I expect this team will be ready.
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Post by ic59 on Jan 27, 2014 11:23:24 GMT -5
Somewhat concerned about Sean. For the year, by my count, he has 54 threes, which averages less than three (2.8) a game. And in the last seven games he has had only 13 (1.85). It's not like the opposition didn't know that he was a long range shooter, and he seems to be getting open looks.
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Post by ghostofwillard on Jan 27, 2014 11:41:08 GMT -5
Funny year in the Maac this season, I don't think what team is better than the next is a big factor; I think it's how 1 team matches up against another is. Manhattan with its inside presence of Brown and Pankey could be a big problem for the Gaels, I think the rebounding #'s for this game are going to be ugly. The guards IMO need to dominate the perimeter of this game for Iona to win. This is just a tough match up for Iona.
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Post by iona05 on Jan 27, 2014 11:49:07 GMT -5
Speaking with Jasper fans and reading their comments brings back memories of the 2011-12 season for us. With all the hype, press clippings, and expectations, it's like every game is a Final 4 elimination matchup for their fanbase. Makes me kinda glad those days are over, although I think part of us all misses them a bit. Big difference is that their at-large hopes seem to be completely shot at this point in the season, while we all know that wasn't the case for us.
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Post by ic59 on Jan 27, 2014 17:32:04 GMT -5
ghost, if we go small (yesterday's starting lineup), Manhattan would have a TOUGH time trying to defend our perimeter shooters. No way that Brown and Pankey could get out on them. But the question is, can we knock them down? I see Sean Armand as the key. If he gets hot, I think we'll be okay.
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Post by ghostofwillard on Jan 27, 2014 19:11:44 GMT -5
I agree '59, but AJ and Tre have to supplement A strong effort from Sean,
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Post by ic59 on Jan 28, 2014 7:39:48 GMT -5
In thinking about this game, I feel it will come down to how well we handle Manhattan's pressing defense. Masiello might even go full court press, which we haven't handled very well, this season. I'd be more confident if TC would play Gomez and Sledge more, but so far he's been reluctant to do so. Also, don't mind DL bringing the ball up against pressure, but if we're playing "small" he won't be in the game. Then Mike Poole would have to play that role, as we might want to take the ball out of AJ's hands. Just an opinion that on defense ball handling will be more important than rebounding. On offense, free throws and turnovers will tell the tale. Of course Iona erases a lot of mistakes with "threes". JMO.
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Post by unowho on Jan 28, 2014 9:37:13 GMT -5
I think we are going to be fine as long as:
DL plays strong and physical and makes at least half of his FT AJ controls the pace and makes good decisions with the ball, sometimes has a tendency to want to score more than pass. TB looks to attack and knock down the open looks and get in on the rebounding game MP continues to work the 10-15 foot game and keeep getting those rebounds, deflections and keep the intensity going SA gets a good rhythm and finds his shot. Kinda has been struggling especially when putting it on the floor. IA keep bringing that energy, hitting that open look and pounding the glass with the bigs. His length really helps inside DG push the pace when its there, penetrate, kick or look for the dump inside from where the help came from
(if get pt) TS push the pace, push the pace and apply constant pressure on the ball RH play confident, be a force inside even if you have to give a foul or two to let them know you are there
Overall, we have to defend, and obviously we have to score. I think teams that slow us down have a very good chance of beating us in the half court set. (ie, St Peters), however getting a twenty point lead alot of times allows you some cushion but that will haunt you at some point. (ie BYU)
Hopefully, everybody is practicing hard this week because they want pt. I am sure everybody wants to play when it is a nationally televised game and to quell the preseason polls that had the jaspers picked to win it all.
Maybe Masiello will leave the box again a few times and give us some cherry points at the foul line.
DEFENSE-------"pressure breaks pipes."
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Post by husker76 on Jan 28, 2014 12:15:10 GMT -5
This is a game where we cannot be tentative about attacking the rim when opportunities arrive. We know Manhattan we will be aggressive on both ends of the court, that is a given. If the refs call the game properly we can use their aggressiveness on defense against them. The statistics show they will foul. I feel free throws will be a key. If they sag in the lane giving us open looks we will need to hit early to try to force them out on shooters creating space. Our ball movement the last several games coupled with patience to make them work on the defensive end will be crucial. Would be interesting to see us use pick and roll with Laury or Poole in the high post. Brown is a smart defensive player, but we might get Pankey to reach and foul. I like our chances better with only one big on the floor. Hopefully the game lives up to the pregame hype.
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Post by ic59 on Jan 29, 2014 8:05:36 GMT -5
I think Masiello will go into the game feeling that he has the better team, both offensively and defensively. Naturally defense isn't a question, but I'm guessing that he feels that with Beamon back they can also "out score" us. So I don't expect any coaching surprises on his part. He'll say as the defending MAAC Champion and playing at home Iona should be the favorite, and he hopes that his Jaspers can keep it a close game. If we do win then he'll have a few coaching surprises (such as starting Gael Killer, Emmy Andujar) in store for us down at Draddy. We'll see. And we should get a lot of local media coverage, including a LoHud pre-game story. JMO.
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Post by ic1983 on Jan 29, 2014 9:56:07 GMT -5
This should be some game. I hope the school is pulling out all the stops to encourage student attendance.
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Post by iona05 on Jan 29, 2014 11:42:23 GMT -5
83...believe it will be packed on Friday night, certainly on the student side. The bigger question is will we fill up the season ticket side for once? Hopefully the answer is yes, as that side looks awful on TV when it's half empty.
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Post by husker76 on Jan 29, 2014 11:54:21 GMT -5
Wish the camera angle was different. Most arenas are setup to have the student in full view to take advantage of their enthusiasm. Put the students on display for TV and create a little more excitement for tv audience. SID was the tv camera angle considered to try to take advantage of student section vs half empty season ticket section? First impressions carry a lot of weight and I would think shots of enthusiastic students cheering Iona would help with marketing the college and team. Just my opinion. I love small venues that are packed and loud much better than larger venues with the same number of spectators. Bigger is not always better. The athletes love loud boisterous crowds as it adds to the excitement and intensity on the floor. Praying for a full house and some noise!
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