Mt St Mary's

College Hoops Thursday: Your Commentary

Raphielle Johnson — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:15:49 -0800

Thursday's schedule is highlighted by the first night of the SEC/Big East Invitational, and while the marquee games are tomorrow there are solid match ups to keep track of tonight. At the top of that list has to be Georgetown (5-1) heading south to take on #12 Alabama (7-0), and the question will be what John Thompson III's big men can do against JaMychal Green (15.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg) and Tony Mitchell (14.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg). To say the least this will be a tall task for Henry Sims, Nate Lubick and the rest of the Georgetown frontcourt, as Mitchell is one of the best athletes in the game and Green is considered to be one of the top interior players in the SEC.

Sims is averaging 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and his ability to step out on the perimeter in Georgetown's system makes him a tough cover when on. But his performance will need to be consistent if the Hoyas are to have a serious shot at leaving Tuscaloosa with the win, and the season goes for Lubick. Georgetown will also use the versatile freshman Otto Porter (9.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and classmate Greg Whittington, and it's going to have to be a group effort as it wouldn't be realistic to expect any of these four to rise to the level of a Green or Mitchell on their own.

The guard play should also be entertaining, and in Georgetown's Jason Clark (17.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Alabama's Trevor Releford (11.6 ppg, 2.4 apg) there will be two of the better guards in their respective leagues on display. Clark's really had to step up his offensive production with Austin Freeman and Chris Wright moving on, becoming more of a scorer in his senior campaign. Outside of he and wing Hollis Thompson (14.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg) the Hoyas are young on the perimeter, as they look to the likes of Markel Starks and Jabril Trawick for minutes.

As for Releford (11.6 ppg, 2.4 apg), he leads a young backcourt with just one season of experience under his belt. Freshmen Levi Randolph, Trevor Lacey and Rodney Cooper are all capable of being outstanding players for Anthony Grant in the future, and each has shown the ability to make plays now as well. The one concern for the Crimson Tide has to be the fact that they essentially break even in their averages for assists and turnovers per game, and Georgetown's opponents have averaged 15.5 turnovers per game this season. Both teams are good at attacking the offensive boards, but the Hoyas will need to take advantage of their superiority in offensive efficiency and valuing the basketball if they're to pick up what would be a big road victory.

Also playing in the SEC/Big East Invitational tonight is top-ranked Kentucky, which hosts a St. John's team even younger than their rotation and lacking the depth that John Calipari's group brings to the table. A prohibitive favorite to win tonight, this is a good test for the Wildcats from a maturity standpoint. Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb and Darius Miller need to lead Kentucky and make sure there aren't any signs of the team looking ahead to Saturday's game against North Carolina. Providence visits South Carolina and DePaul host Ole Miss in the other two games on the docket.

But the bigger deal on Thursday night is the start of conference play in multiple conferences that tend to play their league tournaments on the first weekend of "Championship Fortnight" (nearly 12 days is not a "Week"). In the NEC games between St. Francis (NY) and Mount St. Mary's and Wagner visiting LIU will help shape the league race that takes a break until January after this weekend. In the Big South, defending regular season champion Coastal Carolina begins their quest to finally get to the NCAA Tournament after squandering opportunities in each of the last two seasons with VMI coming to town, and defending Big South Tournament champ UNC Asheville opens at Gardner-Webb. And Liberty at Campbell should be another solid opening night tilt in the Big South.

Play in the Atlantic Sun, Horizon, MAAC, SoCon and Summit leagues also begins tonight, with gems including South Dakota State at IUPUI (Summit), Cleveland State at Wright State (Horizon) and Davidson visiting defending champion Wofford (SoCon) highlighting the slate. The conference games for this weekend may not get the major highlights on ESPN, but these are incredibly important games. League titles aren't lost on this weekend, but an 0-2 start makes it far tougher to win a conference title when getting back to that business a couple weeks from now.

Top 25 Games
7:30 PM St. John's at (1) Kentucky (ESPN2)
9:30 PM Georgetown at (12) Alabama (ESPN2)

NCAA Division I Games
5:30 PM UNC Asheville at Gardner-Webb
7:00 PM South Dakota State at IUPUI
7:00 PM St. Francis (NY) at Mount St. Mary's
7:00 PM Arkansas State at St. Bonaventure
7:00 PM Harvard at Vermont
7:00 PM Chattanooga at Georgia Southern
7:00 PM VMI at Coastal Carolina
7:00 PM Liberty at Campbell
7:00 PM Eastern Michigan at Colgate
7:00 PM Youngstown State at Detroit
7:00 PM Lehigh at Fordham
7:00 PM FIU at Georgia State
7:00 PM Savannah State at Hampton
7:00 PM Morehead State at Kent State
7:00 PM Wagner at Long Island
7:00 PM South Dakota at Oakland
7:00 PM Winthrop at Presbyterian
7:00 PM Sacred Heart at Quinnipiac
7:00 PM Fairleigh Dickinson at Robert Morris
7:00 PM Providence at South Carolina (ESPNU)
7:00 PM Monmouth at St. Francis (PA)
7:00 PM Siena at St. Peter's
7:00 PM Davidson at Wofford (ESPN3)
7:00 PM Cleveland State at Wright State
7:00 PM Central Connecticut State at Bryant (MSG+)
7:00 PM Jacksonville State at USC Upstate
7:15 PM East Tennessee State at Stetson
7:30 PM UMBC at American
7:30 PM Radford at Charleston Southern
7:30 PM Marist at Loyola (MD)
7:30 PM UMKC at IPFW
8:00 PM Murray State at Western Kentucky
8:00 PM Citadel at Charleston (ESPN3)
8:00 PM Loyola (IL) at Milwaukee (ESPN3)
8:00 PM Texas Tech at Texas A&M-CC (ESPN3)
8:00 PM UNC Greensboro at Appalachian State
8:00 PM George Washington at Kansas State (ESPN3)
8:00 PM Western Carolina at Samford
8:00 PM Middle Tennessee at Tennessee State
8:00 PM North Dakota State at Western Illinois
8:00 PM UIC at Green Bay (ESPN3)
8:05 PM McNeese State at Louisiana-Lafayette
8:05 PM Cal State Fullerton at Wichita State
8:15 PM Mercer at Lipscomb
8:15 PM Kennesaw State at Belmont
9:00 PM San Francisco at Montana
9:00 PM Ole Miss at DePaul (ESPNU)
9:00 PM Paul Quinn at Sam Houston State
9:05 PM Westminster UT at Northern Colorado
10:10 PM Stanford at Seattle

Jon Teitel's "Forgotten Legends" Series: Mount St. Mary's Jack Sullivan

Jon Teitel — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:03:26 -0700

In the latest installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time discussing the career of the late Jack Sullivan with his college coach, Mount St. Mary's legend Jim Phelan. Without the benefit of the three-point shot Sullivan scored more than 2,600 points and remains the school's all-time leading scorer while also grabbing more than 1,200 rebounds.

Jon Teitel: Why did Sullivan decide to attend Mount St. Mary's?

Jim Phelan: His family was from Massachusetts and was friends of the Kennedy's. Jack Kennedy was a regular at their house for dinner! My first year here was Jack's second year here as we were both newcomers to the area.

JT: In 1957 your team made the Division II Final Four before losing to Kentucky Wesleyan and Sullivan set a tournament record that still stands by scoring 185 points in five games (37 PPG). How was he able to play his best when it mattered the most, and how close did you come to winning it all?

JP: We had a great year, beating Villanova in the Palestra, Georgetown, etc. Jack was the greatest scorer we ever had; he could make hook shots from all over the court. There has never been anyone who could shoot like Jack. I was fresh out of the Marine Corps and told him that those shots would never go in during a game, and he would just say "Yes sir"...and then make them in the game!

JT: He was named an All-American as a senior. What did it mean to him to win such an outstanding individual honor?

JP: He was a very low-key person, but I am sure he was excited about that. He later set a bunch of Marine Corps scoring records, and was a leading scorer at every other place he played. He was a joy to coach, as he did everything that I asked.

JT: He remains the school's all-time leading scorer. Could you tell at the time how prolific a player he was, and do you think that anyone will ever break his record?

JP: Nobody will break his record: he would have scored 4,000 points if there had been a three-point line back then! Back then Jack played most of the game, but coaching styles are different today, as they keep running players in and out.

JT: In the summer of 1957 he was drafted in the second round by Philadelphia (six spots behind Sam Jones), but ended up following in your footsteps and becoming a Marine instead. Why did he decide to join the Marines, and do you think he could have made it as an NBA player?

JP: He went to camp with Philly, but they did not give him a fair shake as they had another decent player. I think that he could have made it in the NBA because he was such a great scorer. He grew up in D.C. working out with Elgin Baylor, but they never played against each other in official games due to school segregation.

JT: Jack's granddaughter Brigid McTavish currently plays lacrosse at Mount St. Mary's. Do you think that she has any added pressure due to having such a legendary grandfather?

JP: Jack's grandson Ryan McTavish was also a great high school scorer who signed with Presbyterian. It helps that Ryan and Brigid's last names are not Sullivan, so people do not know about their grandfather off the top of their head.

JT: Sullivan passed away in 2010. When people look back on his career, how do you think he should be remembered the most?

JP: He should be remembered as the best scorer in school history. I have been coaching for a long time, and I think that Jack could score 30-40 points per game even today with his jump shots and leaping ability.

Sullivan is on Jon's list of best fantasy players in NEC history.

Central Connecticut State: Rich Leonard (1984) 1697 PTS (#3), 1001 REB (#5), 329 AST (#5), 256 STL (#2)
Fairleigh Dickinson: Desi Wilson (1991) 1902 PTS (#1), 780 REB (#5), 176 STL (#2), conference POY
Long Island: Robert Cole (1983) 1800 PTS (#2), 610 AST (#1), 274 STL (#1)
Monmouth: Ron Kornegay (1969) 2526 PTS (#1), 2-time All-American
Mount St. Mary's: Jack Sullivan (1957) 2672 PTS (#1), 1216 REB (#3)
Quinnipiac: Frank Vieira (1957) 2649 PTS (#1)
Robert Morris: Jeremy Chappell (2009) 1875 PTS (#3), 681 REB (#4), 266 STL (#4), 243 3PM (#1), conference POY
Sacred Heart: Darrin Robinson (1993) 2402 PTS (#2), 219 3PM (#2), 43.4 3P% (#2), 2-time All-American, conference POY
St. Francis (NY): Darrwin Purdie (1989) 1613 PTS (#1), 748 REB (#2)
Saint Francis (PA): Maurice Stokes (1955) 2282 PTS (#2), 1819 REB (#1), All-American, NIT MVP
Wagner: Terrance Bailey (1987) 2591 PTS (#1), All-American, conference POY

Jon Teitel's Coaching Greats Series: Robert Morris' Jarrett Durham

Jon Teitel — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:34:14 -0800

In the latest installment in his "Coaching Great" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with former Robert Morris head coach Jarrett Durham. Coach Durham led the Colonials to three NCAA Tournament appearances in Moon Township and remains the school's winningest coach. Durham now works at his alma mater, Duquesne, as a Special Assistant to the Athletic Director in addition to calling the men's basketball games on the radio (WPBG-FM 104.7 in Pittsburgh).

Jon Teitel: In your first year at Duquesne you averaged 21.1 PPG as your freshman squad went unbeaten and you were known as "Jarrett the Jewel". How did you get that nickname, and do you think you could have beaten the varsity team that year?

Jarrett Durham: Of course I think we could have beaten the varsity! The nickname came about because I was being flippant with a news reporter who was asking me about other players. I had just seen Marquette's Dean Meminger play, and I said that if he was "Dean the Dream", then I was "Jarrett the Jewel"! I was just an 18-year old kid who did not realize that the reporter would write it in the paper, and the nickname just stuck.

1969 NCAA Tournament

JT: You beat St. Joseph's in the opening round. How far did you think your team could go that year?

JD: We felt pretty good about our team, and thought we could go pretty far. Beating St. Joe's in Rhode Island was great.

JT: You had a one-point loss to North Carolina after Lee Dedmon scored off of an 85-foot pass in the final minute. Do you think that you should have won that game, and what was the reaction like in your locker room afterwards?

JD: We thought we got hosed when one of the Nelson twins (I forget if it was Barry or Garry) got called for goaltending, and then the ref awarded the Heels a pair of free throws on top of that.

JT: You had a three-point win over St. John's in the third place game. Did you get some measure of satisfaction by winning your final game, or was it just a case of taking out your revenge on St. John's?

JD: We just felt good about winning every time we stepped onto the court.

JT: As a senior you were named Honorable Mention All-American and graduated as the fourth leading scorer in school history. Did you realize at the time how prolific a player you were?

JD: Not really. I just played each game one at a time, and just had fun playing.

JT: What are your memories of the 1971 NCAA Tournament (Bob Morse had 19 rebounds in a five-point Penn victory)?

JD: I did not shoot well in that game. We were very disappointed, as we were always chasing Penn from behind but could not overtake them.

JT: In the summer of 1971 you were drafted in the fourth round by Detroit (four spots behind Tom Owens), but ended up playing one minute for the New York Nets and made it to the ABA Finals. Why did you end up going to the ABA, and what was it like for that one magical minute?

JD: It was great to play in the ABA. The Nets made me an offer, and I waited for an offer from Detroit, but it did not arrive until after I had already decided on New York. I came in for a guy who had fouled out, played for one minute, and that was that.

JT: What are your memories of the 1982 ECAC Metro Tournament final as an assistant coach at Robert Morris (tournament MOP Tom Parks scored 21 points off the bench in a one-point win over LIU)?

JD: We were unbelievably shocked, as we had lost to LIU on the road by 40 points earlier that season. It was one of my career highlights as a coach.

JT: What are your memories of the 1982 NCAA Tournament (Forest Grant scored 25 points in a loss to defending champion Indiana)?

JD: The biggest journey for a small school is just getting to the tourney, as you will probably face a high seed once you get there. Our starting center was only 6'7", which was as tall as Indiana SG Randy Wittman!

JT: What are your memories of the 1983 NCAA tourney (10-points win over Georgia Southern, then Steve Reid made a 23-footer with five seconds left in a two-point Purdue victory)?

JD: It was great to get our first win, as we were very well prepared. I had played for Indiana coach Bobby Knight in an all-star game during my senior year, and he came into our locker room after the 1982 tourney game. He told us that the first time that most teams make it to the tourney they just enjoy getting there, but the second time you make it is when you can really make a difference and win a game. Purdue held the ball at the end because there was no shot clock at the time.

JT: You became head coach at Robert Morris in 1984 and remain the all-time winningest men's basketball coach in school history. How did you get the job, and what made you such a good coach?

JD: I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. My first year as an assistant coach there was the first winning season in RMU history, so that helped a lot. The kids really identified with me because I ran the show on the defensive end, and we used to press a lot.

JT: In 1989 and 1990 you were named NEC Coach of the Year. What did it mean to you to win such outstanding individual honors?

JD: It was the first time that I ever won a big accolade as a head coach, so it meant a lot to me. We had a great group of kids who had great chemistry. We did not have the most talent, but winning meant a lot to them.

JT: What are your memories of the 1989 NEC Tournament final (one-point win over FDU)?

JD: It was really exciting. Anthony Dickens had to sit out the previous year due to reconstructive hip surgery. We kept him around the team to keep his spirits up, and he just kept getting better and better. He ended up becoming captain, and made the winning free throw despite being only a 45% FT shooter.

JT: What are your memories of the 1989 NCAA Tournament (Sean Elliott scored 27 points [8-12 FG] in an Arizona victory)?

JD: I remember thinking that we would never score! They had several first round picks on that team: Elliott, Kenny Lofton, Anthony Cook, etc. I remember the first play of the game was a lob to Lofton, and I told my guys that it was going to be a long night.

JT: What are your memories of the 1990 NCAA Tournament (Rick Calloway scored 22 points [9-10 FG] in an eight-point Kansas victory)?

JD: It was a great experience. We were only down by three points at the half and kept it close throughout the game. Nobody had really ever heard of RMU, but the crowd got behind us as the underdog. My wife went to buy an RMU t-shirt at halftime...but they were all sold out!

JT: What are your memories of the 1992 NCAA Tournament (Tracy Murray scored 20 points [8-11 FG] in a UCLA victory)?

JD: We played them tough for about 30 minutes, and then the roof caved in on us as we just ran out of gas. We were only down by about five points at halftime, but when the big guy keeps hitting you in a boxing match, it is hard to keep your arms up.

JT: You returned to Duquesne as an assistant coach in 2000, then became associate athletic director in 2001, and were recently hired to do color commentary for men's basketball games. What did it mean to you to go back to your alma mater, and how excited are you about the new gig?

JD: I am very excited for the new opportunity, as it was always something that I wanted to do. Coming back to Duquesne was great because I have launched a few different careers here: coaching, administration, and now broadcasting.

Coach Durham is also on Jon's list of best coaches in NEC history.

Central Connecticut State: Howie Dickenman (1996-present) 217-196, 3 NCAA tourneys, 3 conference titles, 4-time conference COY

Fairleigh Dickinson: Tom Green (1983-2009) 407-351, 4 NCAA tourneys, 4 conference titles, 2-time conference COY

Long Island: Clair Bee (1931-1943, 1945-1951) 360-80-2, 2 NIT titles, 1 Helms title

Monmouth: Wayne Szoke (1987-1998) 168-133, 1 NCAA tourney, 1-time conference COY

Mount St. Mary's: Jim Phelan (1954-2003) 830-524, 2 NCAA tourneys, 1 conference title, 16 D-2 tourneys, 1 D-2 title, 2-time national COY, 2-time conference COY

Quinnipiac: Burt Kahn (1960-1991) 459-358

Robert Morris: Jarrett Durham (1984-1996) 157-183, 3 NCAA tourneys, 3 conference titles, 2-time conference COY

Sacred Heart: Dave Bike (1978-present) 478-430, 8 D-2 tourneys, 1 D-2 title, 1-time national COY

St. Francis (NY): Daniel Lynch (1948-1969) 283-237, 2 conference titles

Saint Francis (PA): Skip Hughes (1945-1966) 293-206-1

Wagner: Tim Capstraw (1989-1999) 117-164, 1-time conference COY

College Hoops Thursday Recap: Syracuse Hangs On in D.C.

Raphielle Johnson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:58:10 -0800

This time around Syracuse didn't wait to get going against Georgetown, racing out to a 20-6 lead in the game's first six minutes. Things didn't get much better for the Hoyas despite Chris Wright scoring 12 first half points as they went into the locker room trailing by thirteen (44-31), and the Orange increased the lead to as many as 23 points (60-37) by the time the second half was less than eight minutes old. It would have been understandable if some turned to other games but the Hoyas refused to quit as a hot-shooting Austin Freeman led them all the way back to within one (71-70) with just over one minute remaining.

But thanks in large part to Andy Rautins (26 points, seven rebounds), Wes Johnson (16 points, eight rebounds and five blocks) and Kris Joseph (11 points off the bench), Syracuse made enough plays late to survive 75-71. Greg Monroe got into foul trouble early, a development that didn't help matters given how well Rautins played to start the game. And after Thursday night there should be little doubt as to who Syracuse's most valuable player is.

He's the key to the whole team, defensively, offensively," said Coach Boeheim. "Say whatever you want to say he makes the plays and obviously he's a tremendous shooter but he makes plays, he gets other people the ball and is really key on our defensive end. This was really, I thought, one of his best offensive games and they were right there with him and he made some tough shots (quote courtesy of guhoyas.com)."

Rautins was outstanding while Johnson and Joseph made up for both Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson fouling out in the middle of Georgetown's frantic rally. The Montreal native made two key plays late, including scoring a driving layup to put Syracuse up 73-70 with nine seconds remaining. And for Johnson to play the way he did made up for Onuaku playing just thirteen minutes due to his foul difficulties.

The big three for the Hoyas each scored twenty or more points but they received virtually no help from the supporting cast. And against a team like Syracuse that can turn to a Kris Joseph off the bench that will be fatal more times than not. Syracuse shot better than the Hoyas from three as well as from the foul line, making up for an eighteen-turnover night that nearly slipped away. But in holding on the Orange may have shown a little "championship resolve".

Three Key Happenings

1. Ole Miss' NCAA Tournament hopes took a serious hit with their loss to Vanderbilt. The Rebels are in trouble due to their missed opportunities in big games and a remaining schedule that lacks a serious shot at a resume-building win outside of hosting Florida on Saturday. The Commodores dropped Ole Miss to 5-6 in SEC play with the 82-78 win as A.J. Ogilvy played his best game of the season, finishing with 27 points and eight rebounds. It didn't matter than Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy spent six days drilling into the heads of his players what they'd need to do to slow the big man down; he simply found whatever shot he wanted and scored with relative ease.

Chris Warren led the Rebels with 23 points but Vandy was able to get to the line, making twenty-six of thirty-four from the charity stripe. And given the fact that the Commodores lead the conference in free throws attempted it must have been discussed that they can't be given opportunities to score "free" points. Yet Kevin Stallings' team did just that and as a result Ole Miss finds itself in trouble with five games left in the season. Warren and Terrico White have the talent to lead this team to a solid finish but they'll need someone else to step up and be a consistent scoring option if they're to make the field of 65.

2. A wild night in the NEC sees a favorite emerge, one team no one wants to play and Bryant picking up their first win. In regards to the standings the biggest development was Quinnipiac losing at Saint Francis (PA), dropping them two games behind first-place Robert Morris ahead of their meeting on Saturday at RMU. But neither of those teams may be the one that no one wants to see in the NEC Tournament. That honor falls to Mount St. Mary's who won their seventh straight game with a dominant second half, beating Central Connecticut State 85-58 in Emmittsburg. Jeremy Goode led the way with 26 points while Kelly Beidler and Jean Cajou scored 14 apiece and defensively the Mountaineers locked up the Blue Devils in the second half.

Shemik Thompson scored 20 for the Blue Devils in the first half...and finished the game with 22. Central may have finished the game shooting 50% from the field but they also had 21 turnovers and shot just 36% in the second half. They've played well offensively for much of the season, but now with the defense playing better look out. No one's looking forward to meeting the Mountaineers in the upcoming NEC Tournament, where they've played in each of the last two title games (winning in 2008). Lastly, Tim O'Shea's Bryant Bulldogs picked up their first win of the season with a 53-51 road win over Wagner. Raphael Jordan's two free throws with a second remaining snapped the Bulldogs' 28-game losing skid, meaning that no one will go winless in college basketball this season.

3. Gonzaga falls at Loyola Marymount; has the opportunity to stay in Spokane slipped away? On a night that saw the Lions not only back at full strength for the first time in nearly two months but also honoring the 1989-90 team that went to the Elite 8, Gonzaga shot poorly from the field as LMU picked up their first win over a ranked opponent since that Tournament run (beating Alabama). The Bulldogs hit just 34.4% of their shots (25.9% in the second half) and scored just 27 second-half points as they fell 74-66 in Los Angeles. Four LMU starters scored in double figures with Ashley Hamilton's 17 leading the way, but to see where the matchup truly went downhill for Gonzaga a look at Robert Sacre's line would tell part of the story.

Sacre missed all five of his shots, scoring just two points in 27 minutes. By no means does Gonzaga need him to be a primary scoring option due to the presence of Matt Bouldin, Steven Gray and Elias Harris. But when any of those three are off (they shot a combined 11-37 from the field Thursday night) the Bulldogs need Sacre to get them a few baskets. While their work thus far in WCC play still has them in the driver's seat for the regular season crown this is more about how far they can go in the NCAA Tournament. And have they lost out on the opportunity to play their first two Tournament games at Spokane Arena? Not if they can win out, but by no means is that a guarantee either.

Top Three Games

1. Syracuse 75, Georgetown 71 See above.

2. Bryant 53, Wagner 51 See above.

3. Pittsburgh 58, Marquette 51 The Panthers picked up a big win on the road, knocking off a foe that's given them trouble in recent meetings. Four Panther starters scored ten points as they shot 54.8% from the field and assisted on 19 of their 23 baskets. Jimmy Butler led all scorers with 14 but the Golden Eagles couldn't make up for Pitt's harassment of Lazar Hayward into a 4-17 night from the field.

Three Notable Performances

1. F Mark Yelovich (SIU-Edwardsville) Yelovich made eleven of fourteen shots from the field on his way to 34 points while also grabbing five rebounds in the Cougars' 91-76 win at North Dakota.

2. Forwards Robert Glenn and Alex Young (IUPUI) These two combined for 54 points (Young with 29, Glenn 26) while also tallying five assists apiece in the Jaguars' 103-65 pasting of UMKC.

3. G A.J. Slaughter (Western Kentucky) Slaughter scored 31 points on 10-16 shooting while also accounting for six assists and three rebounds in the Hilltoppers' 99-69 win over South Alabama.

Northeast Conference

Poll: Who Will Win the Northeast Conference?

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:21:39 -0700

Mount St. Mary's Basketball Preview: #122

Joel Welser — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:51:05 -0700

Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers

Overall Rank: #122

Conference Rank: #1 Northeast Conference

2008-09: 19-14, 12-6

2008-09 postseason: CIT

Coach: Milan Brown (79-105 at Mount St. Mary’s, 79-105 overall)

Mount St. Mary’s is certainly not a basketball powerhouse, not even in its own conference, but Coach Milan Brown has put together two consecutive quality seasons and there is little reason to believe that the Mountaineers will not be in the mix yet again for a title in the Northeast Conference. The absence of Sam Atupem and Markus Mitchell will be big, but this group has the players to make the frontcourt at least serviceable.

Key Losses: F Sam Atupem, F Markus Mitchell

Key Newcomers:

And one of those frontcourt players will be incoming freshman Raven Barber. The 6-8 forward will be asked to play a role in the paint from day one and he could work his way into the regular rotation. The same can be said for Kristijan Krajina. The 6-9 Croatian is a great athlete who can play facing the basket or back down smaller opponents. The problem is he is still recovering from an injury suffered last season and it might be a while until he is able to emerge as an effective player for the Mountaineers.

Backcourt:

Mount St. Mary’s may have had the edge over their opponents due to their frontcourt depth last year, but it was two players on the perimeter who led the team in scoring. Point guard Jeremy Goode dished out 4.1 assists per game and led the team with 14.9 points per game. Goode is also the best outside shooter on the team and a pretty good rebounder for a 5-9 point guard. Jean Cajou will once again be by his side after averaging 12.6 points per game during his sophomore campaign. Cajou is also a decent ball handler and a capable outside shooter. At times his long range shot was not falling during the 2008-2009 campaign and Cajou could emerge as a major scoring threat if he can connect on a few more of his attempts.

Frontcourt:

There is still talent in the paint even without Atupem and Mitchell. Most notably is Atupem’s brother Shawn. The returning Atupem is not the shot blocking that his brother was, but he is a more capable scorer. Shawn Atupem will step into his own and the starting job under the basket should be his. That leaves the versatile 6-5 forward Kelly Beidler as the main shot blocking threat on the team. Beidler scored 10.9 points per game and led the team with 6.9 rebounds. His stature may be small and he might have to move to the four spot, but Beidler should have no problem putting up big numbers no matter where he plays.

Who to Watch:

If Beidler moves to the four spot, that would put Will Holland back into the starting lineup. Two years ago Holland was third on the team in scoring and started all 34 games. Last year he only averaged 4.9 points per game and failed to earn a start all year long. Holland struggled coming in off the bench and his shooting numbers went down a lot. The Mountaineers need to get Holland back on his game if they hope to go back to the post season.

Final Projection:

There are not many holes on this roster. Depth might be an issue if players like Pierre Brown and the newcomers are not ready to contribute, but the starting five is full of proven talent and few teams in the NEC will be able to keep up with Goode, Cajou, Beidler and Atupem. If those four play as well as they did last year, Mount St. Mary’s will have a good shot at getting back to the NCAA Tournament.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

Projected Starting Five:

Jeremy Goode, Senior, Guard, 14.9 points per game

Jean Cajou, Junior, Guard, 12.6 points per game

Will Holland, Senior, Guard, 4.9 points per game

Kelly Beidler, Senior, Forward, 10.9 points per game

Shawn Atupem, Junior, Forward, 9.6 points per game

College Basketball Preview - 144 Teams in 144 Days - Preview Interviews

Robert Morris Going Dancing: Clip of the Day

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:36:46 -0700

Thanks to the genius of YouTube, the world has access to thousands of great college basketball videos to keep us busy every second of every day. We'll be featuring daily movies to whet your college basketball appetite. Even if you've seen them before, some clips are just too good not to watch again and again.

ROBERT MORRIS: DANCING

Robert Morris is heading to the Big Dance for the first time since 1992. This is a video shot from the crowd as Dallas Green hits the game winning shot with a few seconds to go, after picking up a loose ball. Listen for the "oh no" in the crowd as RMU loses the ball, and then the shrieks when the baseline shot goes in.

- Watch all of CHN's favorite College Basketball Videos!

- Also check out past Cheerleaders of the Day!

- And finally the Picture of the Day!

NEC: Semifinals Preview & Notes

Press Release — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:03:26 -0800
With quarterfinal play now in the books, the 2009 NEC Men's Basketball Tournament resumes with semifinal action on Sunday, March 8. Top-seeded Robert Morris hosts #5 Quinnipiac in a game to air live at 2:00 pm on MSG and Fox College Sports. FSN-Pittsburgh will air the game on delay at 8:30 pm. The second game of the day features a rematch of the 2008 NEC title game as defending champion and #2 seed Mount St. Mary's hosts #3 Sacred Heart. Tipoff is at 7:00 pm. The winners will face off for the NEC championship on Wednesday, March 11 at 8:00 pm on ESPN2.
#1 Robert Morris (22-10, 15-3 NEC)
• Top-seeded Robert Morris raced out to a 22-point first half lead and held off a late St. Francis (NY) charge for a 73-60 win in an NEC quarterfinal matchup in Moon Township on Thursday.

• NEC Player of the Year Jeremy Chappell (Cincinnati, OH/Northwest) led the way for the Colonials with 19 points, five rebounds and six assists, while second team all-NEC performer Rob Robinson (Waldorf, MD/Globe Institute of Technology) chipped in with nine points and 13 rebounds.

• Robert Morris has won nine straight games at home and is 13-2 at the Sewall Center on the year.

• The Colonials will take on #5 Quinnipiac in Sunday's semifinals in a game to air live at 2:00 pm on MSG and Fox College Sports, and on delay at 8:30 pm on FSN-Pittsburgh.

• Robert Morris and Quinnipiac have never met in the postseason. The Colonials swept the Bobcats during the 2008-09 regular season.

• In the two games this season against Quinnipiac, Robinson averaged 18.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 4.5 spg.

• The Colonials have now reached the NEC semifinals in three of the last four years.

• Robert Morris claimed its second straight NEC regular-season championship and sixth overall (eight if its 1981-82 and 1982-83 divisional championships are included) with a 15-3 league record.

• In two seasons under Mike Rice, the Colonials are 31-5 (.861) in NEC play, the second-best two year stretch behind Marist's 28-4 (.875) run from 1986-88.

• Robert Morris is 48-18 (.727) overall the last two seasons.

• The Colonials received a vote in the AP Top-25 poll on February 9th and 16th and reached as high as #23 in the CollegeInsider Mid-Major poll on February 16th. During this period, RMU won 13 straight NEC games.

• Robert Morris set a new NEC record with 15 straight road wins over league opponents before the two-year streak was snapped with a three-point loss at Monmouth on February 19th.

• Robert Morris has posted back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1988-89 (21 wins) and 1989-90 (22 wins) and second time in school history.

• The Colonials have won a league-high five NEC titles, all between 1982 and 1992.

• Robert Morris has won the NEC championship in three of its four previous appearances when seeded first (1989, 1990 and 1992). The top-seeded Colonials were knocked by Mount St. Mary's in the 2008 semifinals.

• Robert Morris is 12-6 all-time in NEC Tournament games at home.

• The Colonials are 9-0 against the second through sixth seeds in the NEC Tournament. The team's three conference losses on the year came to #7 Wagner, #8 St. Francis (NY) and Monmouth, which didn't make the field.

• Junior guard Jimmy Langhurst (Willard, OH/Willard) is second in the NEC in 3PFG% (.423).

• Senior guard Jeremy Chappell (Cincinnati, OH/Northwest) has established a school record with 121 games played and 117 starting assignments. On Thursday, he eclipsed Chipper Harris' (1980-84) program record with 97 double-digit scoring games.

• Chappell (16.7 ppg, second in NEC) is the leading active scorer and ninth in league annals with 1,824 points.

• Chappell is the only player in NEC history with over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 steals and 200 three-pointers. He enters the postseason with 1,824 points, 661 boards, 330 assists, 261 steals and 235 3PFG.

• Chappell ranks in the NEC top-15 in nine individual categories, including first in steals (2.5 spg, 13th in nation).

• The Colonials lead the NEC in 3PFG percentage (.399) and are second in FG percentage (.476).

#2 Mount St. Mary's (18-12, 12-6 NEC)
• Defending NEC champion and #2 seed Mount St. Mary's held serve at home on Thursday, ousting #7 Wagner by a 72-62 margin in quarterfinal play.

• Sophomore guard Jean Cajou (Fairfax, VA/Paul VI) scored a game-high 21 points against Wagner, including seven points in the last two minutes of the contest. With Mount St. Mary's ahead by two, Cajou nailed a three-pointer to give the Mount a 64-59 leads with 1:35 left on the clock.

• Sophomore forward Shawn Atupem (Newport News, VA/Woodside) scored 16 points off the bench, while junior forward Kelly Beidler (Virginia Beach, VA/Tallwood) added 15 points and seven boards.

• Mount St. Mary's and Sacred Heart have met just once in NEC Tournament competition, with the Mountaineers going on the road to defeat the Pioneers, 68-55, in the 2008 NEC title game.

• The Mount and Sacred Heart split their two regular season games with each team winning on its own home floor.

• The Mount has won nine straight home games and is 11-2 at Knott Arena this season. It is the longest homecourt win streak by the Mount since winning 16 in a row from 1994-96.

• The Mount has qualified for the NEC semis in each of the last three years following a six-year absence.

• The Mount will attempt to become the first NEC program to repeat as champions since Rider in 1993 and 1994.

• Mount St. Mary's captured its three NEC titles in 1995, 1999 and 2008.

• The Mount owns the distinction of being both the lowest (#6 seed in 1999) and second-lowest (#4 seed in 2008) seeded teams to win the NEC Tournament.

• Mount St. Mary's is 16-10 all-time in NEC Tournament games, including 5-3 under Brown. The Mount's .615 winning percentage in the postseason ranks second among current NEC institutions.

• The Mount's #2 seed is the highest for the program since a #1 seed in 1996. That year, the Mount fell to Rider in the semifinals. In 1995, the Mountaineers won their first NEC title as the #2 seed.

• Mount St. Mary's is 9-4 all-time in NEC quarterfinal games with victories in each of the last three years.

• Mount St. Mary's is 18-12 this season, the third-most wins by a Mount team since moving to NCAA Division I in 1988-89. The record is 21 set by the 1995-96 squad (21-7), while the Mountaineers went 19-15 during last year's NEC Tournament run.

• The Mount is 7-2 all-time at home in the NEC Tournament.

• The Mount's 12-6 conference record tied for the second-most league wins in program history. • Mount St. Mary's leads the NEC in scoring defense at 63.3 ppg.

• First team all-NEC guard Jeremy Goode (Charlotte, NC/Providence Day) stands fourth among active NEC players with 1,254 points. Goode ranks 23rd on the NEC's career assist list with 460.

• Cajou is second on the team in scoring with 13.5 ppg. He leads the NEC and is seventh nationally in FT percentage (.891).

• The Mount is one of just four teams in the nation to start the same lineup in every game this year. The others are Butler, Clemson and North Dakota State.

#3 Sacred Heart (17-13, 12-6 NEC)
• In NEC quarterfinal action on Thursday, #3 seed Sacred Heart defeated in-state rival CCSU for the third time this season with a 76-64 win over the sixth seeded Blue Devils in Fairfield.

• Junior guard Chauncey Hardy (Middletown, CT/Xavier), who had missed the previous two games with a wrist injury, scored a game-high 22 points in the victory.

• First team all-NEC forward Joey Henley (Kent, WA/Kentride) recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

• Sacred Heart now gets a long-awaited rematch with Mount St. Mary's, which beat the Pioneers in last year's NEC championship tilt, 68-55.

• The Pioneers and Mountaineers split their two regular season meetings with each defending its home court.

• A win will give Sacred Heart its third consecutive NEC title game appearance. The Pioneers are 5-3 all-time in the tournament.

• Sacred Heart is now 3-2 against CCSU in NEC Tournament play. The Pioneers have faced the Blue Devils in each of their five NEC Tournament appearances.

• The Pioneers have won six straight games by an average margin of 19.3 points.

• Sacred Heart has now posted three straight winning seasons, a first at the Division I level and first time since the 1987-88 (16-13), 1988-89 (22-10) and 1989-90 Division II campaigns (15-14).

• The Pioneers are the NEC's top scoring team, averaging 73.8 ppg. Sacred Heart also paces the league in field goal percentage (.483, 15th nationally) and assists (17.1 apg, 10th in nation).

• Over the last seven games, Sacred Heart is producing 84.5 ppg, while allowing just 67.4 ppg.

• Sophomore forward Mehmet Sahan (Istanbul, Turkey/Tilton School) averaged 14.5 ppg and shot 82.3 percent (14-17) from the floor in two games against the Mount this season.

• Since inserting junior guard Corey Hassan (Merrimack, NH/Merrimack (Boston U.)) into the starting lineup, the Pioneers are 13-4.

• Last year the Pioneers went 7-3 down the stretch and finished 13-5 in conference play. In 2006-07, Sacred Heart finished 12-6 in the NEC and won five of its last six regular season games.

• Graduate student forward Joey Henley (Kent, WA/Kentride) leads the NEC and is sixth nationally in field goal percentage (.621). He is also sixth in the conference in scoring (15.7 ppg), sixth in rebounding (6.8 rpg) and fourth in blocks (1.3 bpg).

• Henley is up to 1,383 career points and 642 rebounds, both second among active NEC competitors.

• Four Sacred Heart players average in double figures: Henley (15.8 ppg), Hardy (11.5 ppg), Hassan (11.2 ppg) and senior forward Ryon Howard (Bronx, NY/Holderness School) (10.6 ppg).

• Bike, now in his 31st year at Sacred Heart, leads all current NEC coaches with 481 career victories.

#5 Quinnipiac (15-15, 10-8 NEC)
• The #5 seeded Bobcats were the only road team to emerge victorious in Thursday's NEC quarterfinals with an 86-78 overtime win at #4 seed Long Island. Quinnipiac swept all three games with LIU on the year.

• Quinnipiac led by 11 points with 2:37 to play, but LIU ended regulation with a 15-4 run, including a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. In the extra session, senior guard Bryan Geffen (Queens, NY/St. Francis Prep (Boston U.)) hit a clutch three-pointer with 2:43 to go to give the Bobcats a four-point lead. Quinnipiac scored the remainder of their points from the line.

• Sophomore forward Justin Rutty (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy), a first team all-NEC selection, had a monster game with 18 points and 16 boards. Junior forward James Feldeine (New York, NY/Cardinal Hayes), the winner of the inaugural NEC Most Improved award and a second team all-NEC performer, led all scorers with 22 points.

• The Bobcats last reached the NEC semifinals in 2007.

• Quinnipiac and Robert Morris have never met in the NEC playoffs. The Colonials won both outings against the Bobcats in the regular season.

• The Quinnipiac-Robert Morris game will air live on MSG and Fox College Sports at 2:00 pm.

• Feldeine averaged 21.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 3.5 spg versus the Colonials in two games this season.

• The Bobcats are 5-5 in NEC Tournament competition (3-0 at home, 2-5 on the road), including a run to the 2002 title game after entering the tourney as the #7 seed. That year, Quinnipiac knocked off #2 Wagner and #3 UMBC before falling to top-seeded CCSU, 78-71, in the championship.

• The Bobcats have now finished over .500 in NEC play in each of the last three seasons.

• Quinnipiac has been strong on the boards all year long. The Bobcats lead the NEC and rank 25th nationally in rebound margin at +5.7 per game.

• In league play, the Bobcats ranked first on the circuit in FG% defense at 40.7 percent.

• Feldeine is the NEC scoring leader at 17.0 ppg. He has more than doubled his scoring average from last season when he posted 8.3 ppg.

• Feldeine is averaging 21.7 ppg over his last three outings.

• Rutty is first in the league with 9.7 rpg (21st in the nation) and 12 double-doubles.

• Rutty ranks second in the nation with 4.5 offensive rebounds per game, second only to Pittsburgh All-American candidate DeJuan Blair.

• Rutty is also tenth in the NEC in scoring at 15.0 ppg, and sits second in the conference and 10th nationally in field goal percentage (.608).

• NEC All-Rookie guard James Johnson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) is the league's freshmen leader in three categories with 4.1 apg, 1.6 spg and a 1.53:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

• Geffen has hit 56 three-pointers on the year to pace the Bobcats.

--

Northeast Conference Tournament: Preview & Prediction

Evan Dorey — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:23:06 -0800

This is one in a series of conference tournament previews, in which I run down all the teams involved, give a brief statistical review and present the log5 projections, using in-conference offensive and defensive efficiency. The basic log5 methodology comes from Bill James, and this is an area Ken Pomeroy has looked at in the past as well. I claim nothing new in the application, but obviously with slightly different methodologies, these numbers may differ from others you find. I don’t claim to be an expert on any particular conference, and I’m sure there are some mis-characterizations on some players I’ve seen sparingly at best, so please add your thoughts in the comments. Anyway, with no further ado, the preview follows below:

NEC Tournament

The NEC Tournament has all game played at the higher seed with 8 of the 11 teams making the quarters.

#

Team

SF

F

W

1

Robert Morris

94.76%

82.61%

64.72%

2

Mount St. Mary's

91.99%

66.85%

22.16%

3

Sacred Heart

91.38%

31.18%

9.09%

4

Long Island

72.84%

12.75%

3.11%

5

Quinnipiac

27.16%

3.76%

0.71%

6

Central Connecticut

8.62%

0.98%

0.06%

7

Wagner

8.01%

0.99%

0.07%

8

St. Francis NY

5.24%

0.88%

0.09%

Robert Morris has separated itself from the rest of the conference all season, and with it hosting every game it plays, it should be on course for the NCAA bid.

#1 – Robert Morris Colonials (21-10, 15-3) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.162

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1992 (1^st Round)

Besides one bad weekend in which they lost twice on the road, the Colonials have looked untouchable in NEC play. This is mostly thanks to their ability to defend the inside and force a lot of turnovers. They are vulnerable to the outside shot, and foul a lot, both areas that can be exploited. Offensively, they commit a lot of turnovers themselves, but are solid shooters from all over the floor.

Players to watch:

6-3 SR Jeremy Chappell, 16.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.5 SPG, 56.2 eFG% - No player in the conference could replace what Chappell does for RMU, he’s a spectacular player who leads the team in every major category except blocks, and leads the NEC in steals. He’s also a 40% three-point shooter, but he does have a bit of a turnover problem.

5-11 JR Jimmy Langhurst, 10.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 60.4 eFG% - Chapell is a good shooter, but Langhurst is lights-out, at 43% from behind the arc. Any opponent focusing too strongly on Chapell will get burned by Langhurst’s scoring ability.

#2 – Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (17-12, 12-6) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.115

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2008 (1^st Round)

The only team that looks to have a serious chance of stopping Robert Morris, the Mountaineers ran off an eight-game winning streak in January that moved them from 0-3 into contention for the league title. Like the Colonials, Mount St. Mary’s relies on its defense, and while it isn’t quite as good as the league leaders in that area, it still has a strong group that forces a lot of turnovers and causes a lot of problems on the outside. When they get the ball, the Mountaineers tend to send it inside, to reasonable success. They are also good offensive rebounders who rarely turn the ball over.

Players to watch:

5-9 JR Jeremy Goode, 15.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.9 SPG, 48.2 eFG% - Goode is the best three-point shooter for the Mountaineers, but takes most of his shots from inside, where he’s not too successful. He leads the team in steals and assists, and is a effective lead guard.

6-3 SO Jean Cajou, 13.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 50.3 eFG% - Cajou is another perimeter player, and is most notable for his free-throw shooting, a stellar 84-for-95 on the season. He’s a solid, double-digit scorer who doesn’t make much of an impact on the other lines of the box-score.

#3 – Sacred Heart Pioneers (16-13, 12-6) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.099

Last NCAA Tournament bid: None

The Pioneers, who are the third team that the numbers give a serious chance of making of the final, will hope that the conference’s best offense will help them to make their first NCAA Tournament. They shoot 50% from the field, and do it with a balanced attack that is excellent on both twos and threes. Sacred Heart needs to be efficient with its shots, as it turns the ball over a lot and is one of the nation’s worst teams at getting to the free throw line. The Pioneer defense isn’t as strong, but is a solid unit that does a lot of things well, but nothing really well.

Players to watch:

6-5 SR Joey Henley, 15.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 62.0 eFG% - Henley is the perfect fit as an NEC ‘big’ man, leading the team in points, rebounds and blocks, and having the conference’s best field goal percentage. He’s a purely inside player who will cause a lot of problems for opponents.

6-6 SR Ryon Howard, 10.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 54.4 eFG% - Howard is also a strong inside player, but while he’s a bit better of a rebounder, he lags well behind in most of the other statistical areas.

#4 – Long Island Blackbirds (16-13, 12-6) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.061

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1997 (1^st Round)

Long Island may be tied with the two teams above them, but in terms of efficiency margin there is a pecking order, and LIU clearly sits 4^th. The Blackbirds are the last team in the tournament which average more than a point-per-possession, and do it despite a terrible FG%. They manage to be effective by leading the league in turnovers, and doing an excellent job at the free throw line. Long Island’s defense is also a pretty solid unit, thanks to the Blackbirds’ strong rebounding and keeping opponents from scoring much behind the arc or at the stripe.

Players to watch:

6-1 JR Jaytornah Wisseh, 15.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 41.7 eFG% - Wisseh is one of those odd players that shoots better from three than two, and his 36% from inside the arc is a serious hindrance to his play. Despite this, he’s a pretty good player, as just like his team he shoots very well from the free throw line.

6-4 SR Ron Manigault, 5.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 47.7 eFG% - Manigault’s offensive play is basically non-existent, but he’s one of the conference’s best rebounders, and for a team that depends so heavily on dominating the glass, he’s plays an important role.

#5 – Quinnipiac Bobcats (14-15, 10-8) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.030

Last NCAA Tournament bid: None

The period between mid-December and mid-January was tough for Quinnipiac, just 2-9 over that stretch. After that, they had a strong finish to battle up to the fifth spot and earn themselves a shot at a semifinal berth. The Bobcats have the best field goal defense in the league, but are somewhat vulnerable to long-distance shooters. Quinnipiac may stop its opponents’ shots, but hits very few of its own, and it depends on some of the nation’s best offensive rebounding to stay above .500.

Players to watch:

6-7 SO Justin Rutty, 14.9 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 60.3 eFG% - Rutty is the closest player in the conference to averaging a double-double, and the NEC’s best rebounder. He’s an excellent player in the paint, shooting 60% from the floor, but his 42% on free throws makes him a bit of a liability in the late game.

6-4 JR James Feldeine, 16.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 47.3 eFG% - In addition to having the conference’s leading rebounder, the Bobcats also have the NEC’s top scorer in Feldeine. He takes a lot of shots, and makes just enough of them to remain an efficient player.

#6 – Central Connecticut Blue Devils (13-16, 8-10) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.054

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2007 (1^st Round)

They may be the #6 seeds, but the Blue Devils are the weakest team in the tournament, hampered by a defense that has struggled. Opponents have been able to dominate the inside with little resistance, shooting a high percentage and picking up a lot of their own misses. CCSU takes very few three-pointers, and with good reason, given its league-worst performance behind the arc, and has put together a decent offense by getting the ball inside.

Players to watch:

6-6 SO Ken Horton, 16.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 54.6 eFG% - There can’t be much doubt that Horton is the team’s most important player, as he leads it in points, rebounds and blocks, and is also the Devils’ most efficient offensive weapon. He’s a good inside scorer who can complement it with a good outside shot, one of the few guys on the team who can hit a three.

6-0 SO Shemik Thompson, 11.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 42.6 eFG% - Thompson has some decent averages, but is a player that ends up wasting a lot of possessions. He’s really struggled with his shooting, and while he does put up good steal and assist numbers, he also commits a lot of turnovers.

#7 – Wagner Seahawks (16-13, 8-10) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.039

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2003 (1^st Round)

Wagner looked destined for the bottom three after entering February 3-and-9 in conference play, but a stirring finish to the season, including wins over Mount St. Mary’s and Robert Morris, saw them get into a tournament spot. During its streak, Wagner has improved its shooting percentages both offensively and defensively, especially in its ability to hit threes. The Seahawks cause a lot of turnover trouble for opponents, which generally manages to cover its own problems holding onto the ball.

Players to watch:

6-4 SR Llewchean Radford, 11.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 52.8 eFG% - Radford is a very good rebounder who has actually seen his scoring diminish somewhat as the team has started to string together victories, but has kept up his rebounding numbers. His biggest trouble has been avoiding foul trouble, as his time on court is limited in a number of games in which he manages to pick up four or five fouls.

6-2 SR Joey Mundweiler, 14.0 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 57.0 eFG% - Mundweiler is basically a three-point shooting specialist, and at nearly 40% from behind the arc, he’s a good one. His game against Monmouth to close out the regular season was a stellar one, as he set an NEC record by making 11 three-pointers.

#8 – St. Francis (NY) Terriers (10-19, 7-11) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.031

Last NCAA Tournament bid: None

Despite grabbing the last seed in the tournament, St. Francis has actually been slightly better than both of the teams just above it in the seedings. The Terriers are the NEC’s most three-dependent team, and thus have a fairly low FG% relative to their eFG%. However, they face the problems we might expect from a perimeter heavy team, struggling on the glass and not getting to the free throw line much. A couple of other weaknesses are less typical, poor free throw shooting and a lot of turnovers. Defensively, they hold opponents to a low percentage from the outside, but don’t do well inside, and commit the most fouls in the league.

Players to watch:

6-2 SO Ricky Cadell, 15.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 55.6 eFG% - Cadell is a player who has really developed into a bigger scoring threat over the season, averaging 21 points a game in the month of February. He’s an excellent three-point shooter, but also does a lot of damage inside.

5-8 SR Jamaal Womack, 10.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 41.7 eFG% - Womack is a solid point guard when it comes to distributing the ball, but when a possession ends with him shooting, the Terriers don’t typically benefit. His long-distance shot is close to being decent, but he is a disaster when he takes shots inside.

My statistical all-NEC team:

Robert Morris SR G Jeremy Chappell, 16.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.5 SPG, 56.2 eFG%

Mount St. Mary’s JR G Jeremy Goode, 15.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.9 SPG, 48.2 eFG%

Central Connecticut SO F Ken Horton, 16.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 54.6 eFG%

Sacred Heart SR F Joey Henley, 15.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 62.0 eFG%

Quinnipiac SO F Justin Rutty, 14.9 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 60.3 eFG%

NEC Player of the Year (Jeremy Chappell) & All-Conferencee

Press Release — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:52:09 -0800

Somerset, NJ -- Robert Morris senior guard Jeremy Chappell (Cincinnati, OH/Northwest) was unanimously selected as the 2008-09 Northeast Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year in a vote conducted by league head coaches. Long Island freshman forward Julian Boyd (San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft) was named NEC Rookie of the Year, while Robert Morris senior guard Bateko Francisco (Paris, France/Fort Scott JC) was voted NEC Defensive Player of the Year. Quinnipiac junior forward James Feldeine (New York, NY/Cardinal Hayes) was the recipient of the inaugural NEC Most Improved Player award. Jim Phelan Coach of the Year honors went to Robert Morris head coach Mike Rice for the second year in a row. The honorees were announced on a media teleconference this morning to promote the 2009 NEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, which begins on Thursday with quarterfinal play at four campus sites.

Chappell follows in the footsteps of former teammate Tony Lee to make it back-to-back NEC Player of the Year award winners for the Colonials, who head into the NEC Tournament as the top seed after winning their second straight regular season crown. After sharing the offensive load with fellow all-stars Lee and A.J. Jackson the last two years, the 6’3” Chappell became the focal point of the Robert Morris attack this season and was more than up to the task. With the ability to shoot from long range, attack the rim, sweep the boards, distribute the ball to teammates and defend the perimeter, Chappell ranks in the NEC top-15 in nine different categories. The two-time Choice Hotels NEC Player of the Week leads the conference and ranks 13th nationally with 2.6 steals per game. Chappell is also third in scoring (16.6 ppg), made three pointers (73, 2.4 per game) and free throw percentage (.854), eighth in rebounding (6.3 rpg) and ninth in three-point percentage (.403). The former NEC Rookie of the Year and two time all-star will also be remembered as one of the top all-around performers in the history of the league. With career totals of 1,805 points, 656 boards, 324 assists, 259 steals and 232 three-pointers, Chappell is the only player in NEC history to compile 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 steals and 200 three-pointers in his career. A Cincinnati, OH native, he is the third-leading scorer in school history and tenth on the NEC career chart. He also ranks seventh all-time in the conference in steals. In Chappell’s four years in Moon Township, the Colonials have compiled a 79-41 record and he will graduate as the school recordholder for games played (120) and games started (116). Chappell is the first unanimous NEC Player of the Year selection since FDU’s Chad Timberlake in 2005-06. Other Robert Morris players to earn NEC Player of the Year include Lee in 2007-08, Chipper Harris in 1983-84, Vaughn Luton in 1988-89 and Myron Walker in 1991-92.

Boyd stepped into the void left by the graduation of Kellen Allen and gave the Blackbirds a legitimate threat on the low block and workhorse on the offensive glass. On Monday, the 6’7” forward earned his league-leading sixth Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week honor, the most in a season since Saint Francis (PA)’s Darshan Luckey was honored on eight occasions in 2002-03. Boyd, who hails from San Antonio, TX, enters the postseason ranked first among NEC freshmen in rebounding (6.3 rpg) and second in scoring (10.3 ppg) despite coming off the bench all 29 games and averaging just 22.6 mpg. Per 40 minutes, Boyd is averaging 18.3 ppg and 11.1 rpg for the Blackbirds, who posted their best conference record (12-6) since 2000-01 and are assured of their first winning season since 1997-98. Additionally, Boyd ranks second in the league in offensive boards (3.0 rpg) and ninth in field goal percentage (.508). Boyd is the third Long Island recipient of the NEC Rookie of the Year award, joining James Williams (2004-05) and Richie Parker (1996-97).

A terrific perimeter defender for Robert Morris, Francisco helped anchor one of the NEC’s stingiest defenses in 2008-09. Teaming with NEC steals leader Jeremy Chappell in a formidable backcourt, the Colonials allowed a conference-low 62.8 ppg in league play, ranked second overall during the regular season in scoring defense at 66.4 ppg and yielded less than 70 points in 12 of their last 13 games against NEC competition. Individually, the native of Paris, France has compiled 39 steals and is tenth in the league with 1.3 spg.

Feldeine’s steady rise at Quinnipiac culminated with his selection as the inaugural winner of the NEC Most Improved Player award. A seldom used freshman, Feldeine became a key contributor as a sophomore in 2007-08, then developed into a full-fledged star for the Bobcats this past season when he effortlessly stepped into the role formerly held by all-conference standout DeMario Anderson. Picture-perfect jump shot aside - the 6’4” forward has hit 46 shots from three-point range - Feldeine can score in a variety of ways from converting in transition to attacking the basket in traffic. With double-digits in all but one game this season, the New York City native leads the NEC with 16.8 ppg. He is also a strong rebounder with 6.1 per game (10th in the NEC) and has posted three double-doubles on the year. The Mid-Majority Baller of the Week on December 22 and two-time Choice Hotels NEC Player of the Week, Feldeine has more than doubled his scoring average from last season when he averaged 8.3 ppg.

In leading Robert Morris to its second consecutive NEC regular season championship, Rice joins Rider’s Kevin Bannon as the only coaches in NEC history to be voted Jim Phelan Coach of the Year in each of their first two years in the conference. Despite the loss of 2007-08 NEC Player of the Year Tony Lee and three-time NEC all-star A.J. Jackson, Rice kept the Colonials playing at a high level by emphasizing defensive effort on the floor, adding newcomer Rob Robinson to the front line and turning the keys on offense over to Jeremy Chappell, the latest Robert Morris standout to earn NEC Player of the Year plaudits. The Colonials are an astounding 31-5 in NEC play over the last two years, the second-best two year stretch behind Marist’s 28-4 (.875) run from 1986-88. Overall, Robert Morris has posted a 47-18 record in his tenure and back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1988-89 (21 wins) and 1989-90 (22 wins). Other notable achievements in Rice’s short time with the program include an NEC record 15-game road winning streak against conference opposition that was just recently snapped, a school record 26 wins in 2007-08 and a win over ACC opponent Boston College last season. Robert Morris has also received votes in the Associated Press Top-25 poll in each of the last two years. Heading into the NEC Tournament as the top seed, the Colonials have clinched a berth in the Postseason NIT for the second straight year. Last season, the Colonials nearly pulled off the upset in the NIT with an 87-81 setback at Syracuse. Former Robert Morris coaches Matt Furjanic (1982-83) and Jarrett Durham (1988-89 and 1989-90) have also won this award.

Two of the five players that comprise the all-NEC first team were second team all-stars a year ago, led by Robert Morris senior guard Jeremy Chappell (Cincinnati, OH/Northwest), the league’s Player of the Year. Long Island junior guard Jaytornah Wisseh (Brooklyn, NY/Banneker Academy) was also a second-team honoree in 2007-08, while Sacred Heart graduate student forward Joey Henley (Kent, WA/Kentride) was voted to the second team in 2004-05. Mount St. Mary’s junior guard Jeremy Goode (Charlotte, NC/Providence Day) and Quinnipiac sophomore forward Justin Rutty (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) are both first time award recipients.

A fleet-footed 5’9” point guard who has started 90 games since his arrival in Emmitsburg in 2006, Goode immediately transformed Mount St. Mary’s into a title contender and led an improbable Mount run from the #4 seed to the program’s third NEC title last season. Serving as the indispensable hub of the offense, Goode powers the Mount’s transition game and directs the team’s halfcourt attack with equal aplomb. Throw in an improved shot from long range - he has boosted his three-point shooting from 29.9 percent as a sophomore to 39.8 percent this season - and you have one of the most dynamic performers in the conference. A two-time Choice Hotels NEC Player of the Week, Goode is sixth in the NEC in scoring at 15.8 ppg, and also ranks second in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.74:1), third in steals (1.9 spg), seventh in assists (4.1 apg) and tenth in three-point percentage (.398). In three years, the Charlotte, NC native has already moved into 24th place on the NEC career list with 457 assists and is the fourth-leading active scorer on the circuit with 1,249 points.

A grizzled veteran who was a second team all-NEC performer back in 2004-05, Henley has been the face of Sacred Heart basketball for the better part of the decade. Now a sixth-year graduate student, Henley shook off the second major knee injury of his career to make a triumphant return to the hardwood this season and reclaim his spot as one of the top interior players on the circuit. One of the great athletes in NEC annals - he has also competed at high levels in both football and track and field at Sacred Heart - the 6’5” Henley’s quickness, leaping ability and tenacity on the block make up the size differences he often faces in the paint. As he attempts to lead the Pioneers to their first NEC title, the Kent, WA product enters the postseason as the league’s leading field goal shooter with a 62.0 percent conversion rate. That figure is good for seventh nationally. The two-time Choice Hotels NEC Player of the Week is also seventh in the conference in scoring (15.8 ppg), sixth in rebounding (6.7 rpg) and fourth in blocks (1.3 bpg). Henley is now up to 1,368 career points and 631 rebounds, both marks second among active NEC competitors.

Rutty’s emergence as a dominant interior force in his sophomore campaign helped keep Quinnipiac afloat in the NEC playoff race despite a rash of injuries playing havoc with the team’s rotation. One of the few players in the conference with the ability to change the course of a game through his work on the glass, the burly 6’7, 250 lb. Rutty currently sits first in the league with 9.5 rpg (24th in the nation) and 11 double-doubles as the leader of the NEC’s top rebounding team. His work on the offensive glass has earned him recognition as he ranks second in the nation with 4.4 offensive rebounds per game, second only to Pittsburgh All-American candidate DeJuan Blair. Rutty also refined his post game, developing a reliable jump hook that made him nearly impossible to defend in the paint. To that end, the Newburgh, NY native is tenth in the NEC in scoring at 14.9 ppg and ranks second in the NEC and 14th nationally in field goal percentage (.603).

Wisseh is one the quickest players to emerge from the NEC ranks in recent years and his unique ability to create plays off the dribble sets him apart from most guards in the region. Virtually unguardable one-on-one or in transition, the 6’1” Wisseh can work his way into the paint at will and gets to the line more than any other player in the league. His unselfish nature also leads to drive-and-dish opportunities for teammates, who often find themselves unguarded as opposing defenses collapse on the Brooklyn native. In leading the Blackbirds to a #4 tournament seed, Wisseh emerged as the fourth-leading distributor in the conference with 4.5 apg, and also ranks eighth in scoring (15.3 ppg), sixth in free throw percentage (.813), and eighth in steals (1.5 spg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.46:1). With 1,168 career points, he enters the postseason as the seventh-highest scorer among active NEC players. A second team all-NEC honoree a year ago, Wisseh’s 371 career assists ranks fourth among the current crop of NEC competitors and 41st all-time in the league.

The all-NEC second team features five first-time honorees, all of whom will all be back in the fold next season. Along with Quinnipiac’s James Feldeine (New York, NY/Cardinal Hayes), the NEC’s Most Improved Player award winner, the second team is comprised of Fairleigh Dickinson junior guard Sean Baptiste (North Brunswick, NJ/St. Joseph’s of Metuchen), St. Francis (NY) sophomore guard Ricky Cadell (New York, NY/The Patterson School (NC)), Central Connecticut State sophomore forward Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) and Robert Morris junior forward Rob Robinson (Waldorf, MD/Oxon Hill (Globe Institute)).

Baptiste has evolved into a complete offensive package for the Knights. A prolific scorer with an NEC-best five 30+ point outings on the year, he has the ability to shake defenders in the halfcourt, create mid-range shot opportunities, shoot with accuracy from three-point territory (48 this season) and is strong enough in the air to finish around the hoop. He finished his junior season ranked fourth in the NEC with 16.3 ppg, but led the conference in league play with 18.6 ppg. His nose for the ball and aggressive nature around the hoop led to the 6’3” guard pulling down a team-high 5.9 rpg, the 11th-best mark on the circuit. Baptiste, a North Brunswick, NJ product, cracked the 1,000-point mark in February and will enter his senior year with 1,034 career points.

Cadell took his game to another level during the second half of the season and helped keep the Terriers in contention for an NEC playoff spot after leading scorer and rebounder Kayode Ayeni went down with a season-ending injury. A tough player to defend due to his quick first step and ability to slice into the lane and finish, the 6’2” Cadell keeps defenders honest with his long distance shooting skills. Over the last 11 games, the New York City native has averaged 19.5 ppg, including a career-high 33-point explosion last Thursday against Sacred Heart. The scoring surge lifted Cadell’s season average to a team-best 15.1 ppg, the ninth-best mark in the NEC. He ranks second among conference guards and 14th overall in field goal shooting at 47.0 percent. Cadell is also eighth in the league in three-point accuracy (.406) and ninth in made three-pointers (1.9 per game).

Following a terrific rookie campaign for CCSU in 2007-08, Horton continued to hone his skills and led the NEC in scoring for much of the 2008-09 campaign. Playing longer than his lanky 6’6” frame would indicate, his versatility hails a new breed of forward who can effectively play a number of positions on the floor. Horton is an effective post player whose range extends out to three-point territory where he has hit 29 shots this season. Currently ranked second in the NEC with 16.6 ppg, his 13 games of 20+ points are four more than any other player in the conference. He is also third in the league with 1.6 blocks per outing and ranks eighth in free throw accuracy (.807), 11th in field goal percentage (.502) and 12th in rebounding (5.9 rpg).

By giving the Colonials a solid post presence and interior defender, the 6’8”, 215 lb. Robinson helped fill the hole left in the Robert Morris frontcourt after the graduation of A.J. Jackson. A terrific athlete who can fill the lane on the break and finish above the rim, Robinson excelled in league play where he averaged 12.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg and shot 56.9 percent from the floor. Overall, he finished the regular season fourth in the league in field goal percentage (.545) - including a 9-9 game against Wagner on January 17th and a 7-7 performance on Saturday against Mount St. Mary’s - and ranked second on the Colonials in scoring (11.9 ppg) and rebounding (5.3 rpg).

A terrific freshman crop is led by Long Island’s Julian Boyd (San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft), the NEC Rookie of the Year. He is joined by a pair of Monmouth players in Will Campbell (Willingboro, NJ/Paul VI) and Travis Taylor (Union, NJ/Union). After averaging 4.2 points over his first 20 collegiate games, Campbell was switched to the off-guard position in late January, a move that resulted four straight 20+ point outings to close the season and 11 consecutive double-digit efforts. Over those 11 games, he averaged 18.1 ppg to lift his season average to 9.1 ppg and was twice honored as Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week. A 5’10” sharpshooter from long range, Campbell ranked second on the Hawks with 42 three-pointers. Taylor, an athletic 6’8” power forward with an already refined post game, was a three-time Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week honoree and closed out his freshman campaign ranked first among league freshmen with 12.4 ppg and 54.2 percent shooting from the floor (fifth overall in the NEC). He also pulled down a team-high 5.8 rpg. Renowned for his unlimited shooting range and high arcing three-point shots, St. Francis (NY) forward Stefan Perunicic (Belgrade, Serbia/Dimitrije Tucovic) has set an NEC freshman record with 86 treys this season, including a 7-11 display from downtown in a December win over Robert Morris and a 7-9 effort in a victory over Bryant in February. Perunicic is second among NEC freshmen with 11.0 ppg and a 38.7 percent success rate from beyond the arc. He also ranks in the NCAA top-30 in both made three-pointers and three-point percentage. Immediately assuming the starting role at the point, James Johnson’s (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) game no longer resembles that of a typical freshman after averaging 32.8 minutes per game for playoff bound Quinnipiac during the regular season. An unselfish player who is contributing 10.0 ppg, Johnson also paces NEC first year competitors with 4.2 apg, 1.6 spg and a 1.54:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

2008-09 NEC Men’s Basketball Award Winners Player of the Year Jeremy Chappell Robert Morris G 6-3 210 Sr Cincinnati, OH/Northwest Rookie of the Year Julian Boyd Long Island F 6-6 220 Fr San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft Defensive Player of the Year Bateko Francisco Robert Morris G 6-1 185 Sr Paris, France/Fort Scott JC Most Improved Player James Feldeine Quinnipiac F 6-4 190 Jr New York, NY/Cardinal Hayes Jim Phelan Coach of the Year Mike Rice Robert Morris 2008-09 NEC Men’s Basketball First Team All-Conference Name School Pos Ht Wt Yr Hometown/High School Jeremy Chappell Robert Morris G 6-3 210 Sr Cincinnati, OH/Northwest Jeremy Goode Mount St. Mary’s G 5-9 170 Jr Charlotte, NC/Providence Day Joey Henley Sacred Heart F 6-5 210 Gr Kent, WA/Kentride Justin Rutty Quinnipiac F 6-7 240 So Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy Jaytornah Wisseh Long Island G 6-1 180 Jr Brooklyn, NY/Banneker Academy 2008-09 NEC Men’s Basketball Second Team All-Conference Name School Pos Ht Wt Yr Hometown/High School Sean Baptiste Fairleigh Dickinson G 6-3 185 Jr North Brunswick, NJ/St. Joseph’s of Metuchen Ricky Cadell St. Francis (NY) G 6-2 180 So New York, NY/The Patterson School (NC) James Feldeine Quinnipiac F 6-4 190 Jr New York, NY/Cardinal Hayes Ken Horton Central Connecticut St. F 6-6 185 So Ossining, NY/Ossining Rob Robinson Robert Morris F 6-8 215 Jr Waldorf, MD/Oxon Hill (Globe Institute) 2008-09 NEC Men’s Basketball All-Rookie Team Name School Pos Ht Wt Yr Hometown/High School Julian Boyd Long Island F 6-6 220 Fr San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft Will Campbell Monmouth G 5-10 170 Fr Willingboro, NJ/Paul VI James Johnson Quinnipiac G 6-0 183 Fr Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin Stefan Perunicic St. Francis (NY) F 6-6 195 Fr Belgrade, Serbia/Dimitrije Tucovic Travis Taylor Monmouth F 6-8 200 Fr Union, NJ/Union

#	Team	SF	F	W
1	Robert Morris	94.76%	82.61%	64.72%
2	Mount St. Mary's	91.99%	66.85%	22.16%
3	Sacred Heart	91.38%	31.18%	9.09%
4	Long Island	72.84%	12.75%	3.11%
5	Quinnipiac	27.16%	3.76%	0.71%
6	Central Connecticut	8.62%	0.98%	0.06%
7	Wagner	8.01%	0.99%	0.07%
8	St. Francis NY	5.24%	0.88%	0.09%