Yesterday, after FF lost, it was the majority opinion of Iona fans that said if we can beat Rider, the tourney is ours. Well we beat Rider, but now I'm reminded of 1991. Twenty years ago in Gary Browkow's last year as coach, LaSalle (If my memory serves me) was the favorite going in, with the games being played in Albany. Well in the Semi's, SPC knocked off LaSalle, and we beat Siena in Double OT, with Sean Green scoring 43. We thought the tourney was ours. Unfortunately, we lost to SPC in the finals, and Gary B. was fired soon after. Just a little history.
Yesterday, after FF lost, it was the majority opinion of Iona fans that said if we can beat Rider, the tourney is ours. Well we beat Rider, but now I'm reminded of 1991. Twenty years ago in Gary Browkow's last year as coach, LaSalle (If my memory serves me) was the favorite going in, with the games being played in Albany. Well in the Semi's, SPC knocked off LaSalle, and we beat Siena in Double OT, with Sean Green scoring 43. We thought the tourney was ours. Unfortunately, we lost to SPC in the finals, and Gary B. was fired soon after. Just a little history.
Then and Now! Then, we were coached by one of the finest gentlemen I have had the pleasure to refer to as a friend. Unfortunately, Gary was a better person than a game coach. Today, we are coached by someone who MAY turn out to be one of the finest game coaches we have known. If we lose tonight, I will be very surprised. That said, I declined to give the 10.5 points on Saturday and the 7.5 points Sunday - I am not breaking any patterns now. Would love to give the points; but, will not bet this game.
Yesterday, after FF lost, it was the majority opinion of Iona fans that said if we can beat Rider, the tourney is ours. Well we beat Rider, but now I'm reminded of 1991. Twenty years ago in Gary Browkow's last year as coach, LaSalle (If my memory serves me) was the favorite going in, with the games being played in Albany. Well in the Semi's, SPC knocked off LaSalle, and we beat Siena in Double OT, with Sean Green scoring 43. We thought the tourney was ours. Unfortunately, we lost to SPC in the finals, and Gary B. was fired soon after. Just a little history.
My gut tells me this is going to be a nailbiter, always tough to beat a team 3 times in one year. The guy that concerns me on St. Peter's is Jenkins; he has gone off on Iona for big games before. We need to control the boards. Win one possession at a time guys, one at a time and things will take care of themselves.
This year reminds me more of 2006, when SPC was kind enough to knock off #1 seed Manhattan for us in the semis while Iona steamrolled through Niagara, Marist and then SPC in the finals.
Also, I've never bought the "it's hard to beat a team 3 times in a season" theory, that someone brought up. Yes, before any games have been played, the odds of beating a time 3 times are relatively low, but once you've beaten them twice, (and beaten them convincingly) the odds are in favor of getting the third win, not against it.
I'm not taking SPC lightly. They are a gritty team, with a lot of experience and several streaky players who can be dangerous when they are on their game. But, if the Gaels play as well as they have been playing or anything close to it, they should win.
Post by hawaii bill on Mar 7, 2011 14:39:11 GMT -5
Don't forget in 2006 we had played one less game than SP's when we played on Mon. night. Concerned that many here think this is a fait accompli. Hope the team is ready to play a worthy opponent tonight.
St. Peter's knows they are now playing with house money. Iona knows that this is a game they "should" win. If they don't, they will have nobody to blame but themselves. I think this team is so focused that they will not allow that to happen.
Don't forget in 2006 we had played one less game than SP's when we played on Mon. night. Concerned that many here think this is a fait accompli. Hope the team is ready to play a worthy opponent tonight.
ConnBill; apparently we lack a little of the swag of some of our cohorts here; what I saw yesterday wasn't the same St. Peters team we played in the past. I second your sentiments Iona is facing a worthy opponent tonight. This game is going to be a close one.
59, I remember that '91 game. SPC had a point guard with long hair that kept killing us.
ctbill and ghost, I have a lot of respect for SPC, they're in the finals. And I am one who usually will not make predictions about a game. However, if Iona plays as it has for the past few games, I do not see the game being close. I congratulate SPC for upsetting FF. However, they played a great first half yersterday and then made the game pretty exciting in the second half (sound familiar?).
Iona, on the other hand, led by 6-8 points iover the last two days and then totally dominated in the second half. These guys have learned how to win and not squander leads.
We have not had much luck over the past few years. It seems that if something bad can happen to Iona, whether it be blowing a big lead or getting stunned at the buzzer, ala Bryant or Canisius, it happens to the Gaels. I am pretty convinced that these guys have turned that corner and now may bend, but will not break.
Could we lose tonight? Sure. Do I think we will lose if both teams play up to their potential? No. That's not something I am used to saying.
I believe that Tim Cluess will have another successful game plan and the team will again execute. As far as I am concerned, this is a recipe for Iona to punch its ticket to The Dance (fingers and toes crossed).
ETA: We have been playing "one game at a time" and we need to play tonight "one possession at a time". No looking ahead, just get a "W" tonight.
59, I remember that '91 game. SPC had a point guard with long hair that kept killing us.
ctbill and ghost, I have a lot of respect for SPC, they're in the finals. And I am one who usually will not make predictions about a game. However, if Iona plays as it has for the past few games, I do not see the game being close. I congratulate SPC for upsetting FF. However, they played a great first half yersterday and then made the game pretty exciting in the second half (sound familiar?).
Well said, Z. While I respect SPC, I feel pretty confident going into this game. (Of course, I suppose FF felt confident going into yesterday's game too).
Anything can happen, but I feel like Iona is on a roll, like they were in 2006.
I also wonder if SPC might be spent after that incredible game yesterday, that must have been physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. I wouldn't be shocked to see them either come out a little flat, or flame out at some point in the game.
I wonder if Cluess will mix in a lot of pressure defense, after seing what it did to SPC for the first 12 minutes of the 2nd half.
I guess the only thing that makes me nervous is that everything seem TOO perfect for Iona, so everythign has to go wrong, right?
Nah! Iona 88 SPC 69 Iona, on the other hand, led by 6-8 points iover the last two days and then totally dominated in the second half. These guys have learned how to win and not squander leads.
We have not had much luck over the past few years. It seems that if something bad can happen to Iona, whether it be blowing a big lead or getting stunned at the buzzer, ala Bryant or Canisius, it happens to the Gaels. I am pretty convinced that these guys have turned that corner and now may bend, but will not break.
Could we lose tonight? Sure. Do I think we will lose if both teams play up to their potential? No. That's not something I am used to saying.
I believe that Tim Cluess will have another successful game plan and the team will again execute. As far as I am concerned, this is a recipe for Iona to punch its ticket to The Dance (fingers and toes crossed).
ETA: We have been playing "one game at a time" and we need to play tonight "one possession at a time". No looking ahead, just get a "W" tonight.
While I respect SPC, I feel pretty confident going into this game. (Of course, I suppose FF felt confident going into yesterday's game too).
Anything can happen, but I feel like Iona is on a roll, like they were in 2006.
I also wonder if SPC might be spent after that incredible game yesterday, that must have been physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. I wouldn't be shocked to see them either come out a little flat, or flame out at some point in the game.
I wonder if Cluess will mix in a lot of pressure defense, after seing what it did to SPC for the first 12 minutes of the 2nd half.
I guess the only thing that makes me nervous is that everything seem TOO perfect for Iona, so everythign has to go wrong, right?
Nah! Iona 88 SPC 69
gm, I could not have said it (especially the part about everything going TOO perfect for Iona) any better. I would be very pleased if Iona can come out of this game as you predict.