I like our chances against Siena and SPU. Would prefer to avoid Monmouth and Rider if possible.
4/5 matchup against Manhattan with Siena waiting for us in the semifinals does not scare me.
This is where Greg is right (!!!!) in that you can make a case for or against any potential foe:
St Peter's is the deepest team and plays the best defense, but they are very young and may not be up for the moment.
Siena probably has the best trio of players in the league and is the best offensive team, but they have not proven to be particularly strong away from home. They have beaten us twice, but once was without Van Eyck and if you subscribe to the sweep theory you're confident in the third meeting.
Monmouth has beaten us twice and has probably the best player in the league with the game on the line in Salnave. But see above re sweep theory, and also their wins over us came before we were playing well.
Rider has very good talent, but can't make free throws and never advances in the tournament. However, they've lost to us twice already, and see above re sweep theory--the flip side of it this time.
I won't include all the other teams, but we can play this same pro-con game with them too. At the end of the day, destiny is what it is.
I like our chances against Siena and SPU. Would prefer to avoid Monmouth and Rider if possible.
4/5 matchup against Manhattan with Siena waiting for us in the semifinals does not scare me.
This is where Greg is right (!!!!) in that you can make a case for or against any potential foe:
St Peter's is the deepest team and plays the best defense, but they are very young and may not be up for the moment.
Siena probably has the best trio of players in the league and is the best offensive team, but they have not proven to be particularly strong away from home. They have beaten us twice, but once was without Van Eyck and if you subscribe to the sweep theory you're confident in the third meeting.
Monmouth has beaten us twice and has probably the best player in the league with the game on the line in Salnave. But see above re sweep theory, and also their wins over us came before we were playing well.
Rider has very good talent, but can't make free throws and never advances in the tournament. However, they've lost to us twice already, and see above re sweep theory--the flip side of it this time.
I won't include all the other teams, but we can play this same pro-con game with them too. At the end of the day, destiny is what it is.
After the past 4 years I have converted to Greg and Guy's side on this. We can argue either side on each matchup. However, although Arnold has coached well of late, I think our odds in any matchup are not nearly as good without Cluess coaching this team through the tourney.
This is where Greg is right (!!!!) in that you can make a case for or against any potential foe:
St Peter's is the deepest team and plays the best defense, but they are very young and may not be up for the moment.
Siena probably has the best trio of players in the league and is the best offensive team, but they have not proven to be particularly strong away from home. They have beaten us twice, but once was without Van Eyck and if you subscribe to the sweep theory you're confident in the third meeting.
Monmouth has beaten us twice and has probably the best player in the league with the game on the line in Salnave. But see above re sweep theory, and also their wins over us came before we were playing well.
Rider has very good talent, but can't make free throws and never advances in the tournament. However, they've lost to us twice already, and see above re sweep theory--the flip side of it this time.
I won't include all the other teams, but we can play this same pro-con game with them too. At the end of the day, destiny is what it is.
After the past 4 years I have converted to Greg and Guy's side on this. We can argue either side on each matchup. However, although Arnold has coached well of late, I think our odds in any matchup are not nearly as good without Cluess coaching this team through the tourney.
This is a fair point. One thing in our favor: there really aren't any great, proven tournament coaches in the MAAC these days. Mas has won a couple, but that was when he had the best talent. Dunne's win came when he had top 5 talent. The MAAC has a few longtime coaches that have not won much of anything--Rice and Baggett come to mind. Dunleavy has had a little success in his short time but until he learns to coach a little defense his teams won't last forever. Halloway and Carm have the most talent but little experience, though Halloway had them ready for us last year, albeit with a more veteran group. The other coaches lack the talent and experience to do any real damage.
So, while Arnold will go into this with question marks, he will have Cluess in his ear for a week, preparing him. This will be worth more than you think. Now, no, I'm not guaranteeing anything. Let's just say I will be SHOCKED if we are quickly eliminated, though in a 4-5 game you're talking about a pick'em game so it's certainly possible.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
I think we are peaking at the right time,will be at full strength come tourney time,and I feel EJ is the best player in this league,SR leadership will be huge,he is playing lights out right now and stopping him will be a nightmare in AC,guess we’ll see soon enough.
This hasn't been even considered in a while, and I don't know how sick Cluess is, but is there any chance he will travel to these games and spend 48 hours in AC, either off site or as a "helper" on the bench? My guess is no but maybe its possible?
Last Edit: Feb 24, 2020 16:20:35 GMT -5 by Joebird
I think we are peaking at the right time,will be at full strength come tourney time,and I feel EJ is the best player in this league,SR leadership will be huge,he is playing lights out right now and stopping him will be a nightmare in AC,guess we’ll see soon enough.
For me, full strength means a healthy Dutch, Gist, and Nik.
I think we are peaking at the right time,will be at full strength come tourney time,and I feel EJ is the best player in this league,SR leadership will be huge,he is playing lights out right now and stopping him will be a nightmare in AC,guess we’ll see soon enough.
For me, full strength means a healthy Dutch, Gist, and Nik.
What is your interpretation?
I will sign up for dutch and nick so we have some players to go to in case of foul trouble
This is where Greg is right (!!!!) in that you can make a case for or against any potential foe:
St Peter's is the deepest team and plays the best defense, but they are very young and may not be up for the moment.
Siena probably has the best trio of players in the league and is the best offensive team, but they have not proven to be particularly strong away from home. They have beaten us twice, but once was without Van Eyck and if you subscribe to the sweep theory you're confident in the third meeting.
Monmouth has beaten us twice and has probably the best player in the league with the game on the line in Salnave. But see above re sweep theory, and also their wins over us came before we were playing well.
Rider has very good talent, but can't make free throws and never advances in the tournament. However, they've lost to us twice already, and see above re sweep theory--the flip side of it this time.
I won't include all the other teams, but we can play this same pro-con game with them too. At the end of the day, destiny is what it is.
After the past 4 years I have converted to Greg and Guy's side on this. We can argue either side on each matchup. However, although Arnold has coached well of late, I think our odds in any matchup are not nearly as good without Cluess coaching this team through the tourney.
Yes, excellent point, but I still don't think it makes a difference what the matchups are.
I will sign up for dutch and nick so we have some players to go to in case of foul trouble
Still love to have Gist—being greedy.
We could use another 3 point shooter, maybe we can get lucky and Perez will continue his improved play and be a factor from three come tourney time. He will know it’s now or never for him.
Just win, win, win, win! Then win, win, win! All of our guys know what is at stake. If they play with confidence, without hesitation, and with energy sharing the ball there is no team they can't beat. These are our steel worriors!
Last Edit: Feb 24, 2020 23:01:32 GMT -5 by epatrick