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| Alex Francis was spectacular against RMU, but the Colonials got the win. (p/c Bryant). |
1. Robert Morris (2-0)
2. Wagner (2-0)
3. Bryant (1-1)
4. Mount St. Mary's (1-1)
5. St. Francis (Brooklyn) (1-1)
6. Fairleigh Dickinson (1-1)
7. Sacred Heart (1-1)
8. St. Francis (PA) (1-1)
9. Long Island (0-2)
10. Central Connecticut (0-2)
News and Notes:
News and Notes:
- RMU is coming of a huge road win against Bryant. If you missed our recap, catch it here. RMU will take on St. Francis (PA) Thursday and we'll have a game preview up tomorrow.
- Karvel Anderson was named the NEC player of the week. That's what happens when you average 34 points in a week.
- Andrew Chiappazzi talks with Karvel Anderson about his evolution as a scorer.
- TribLIVE radio's Ken Laird chats with head coach Andy Toole about conference play, Karvel Anderson, Mike McFadden's health, attendance, and defense. A great interview worth ten minutes of your time (audio).
- The Post-Gazette's Craig Meyer writes about conference play for RMU and mid-major's around the country
- LIU is starting to look like the walking dead as they fall to 0-2 in conference play.
- From a week ago... Ryan Peters of Big Apple Buckets gives out NEC mid-season awards.
- Mount St. Mary's lands a nice transfer from Butler.
- According to the Post Gazette's Craig Meyer, Mike McFadden was back at practice today. That's good news as he battles a knee injury.
- Another note from Meyer, "RMU's average attendance through its first 4 games has been 902.5. At the same point last season, it was 933.5. Not much of a bump from UK win." Pick it up Robert Morris.
Conference Look Back/Ahead:
After one weekend of conference play, we learned a few things around the NEC. Here are some things that jumped out after the first two games.
1) Central Connecticut and Long Island are both in a lot of trouble. They are two teams that have been CRUSHED by injuries and suspensions. The Blackbirds have dealt with it all year, and just don't have the depth to keep up with teams. They did lose both their games to two contenders (SFNY, Wagner) so one should not write them off yet.
Central is another story. Matt Hunter is out for the year (suspension) and star guard Kyle Vinales broke a bone in his finger. He's likely out until the NEC tournament, if CCSU even makes it that far. On opening weekend, the Blue Devils got destroyed on their home court by Wagner, and followed that up by losing handily to St Francis (PA), again at home. The Red Flash were 2-12 entering the game.
2) Mount St Mary's is a weird team. They lost on the road at FDU, but took down St Francis Brooklyn on their home court. They have the leagues best offense scoring 109 points-per-100 possessions (RMU is second) but don't play a whole lot of defense. Expect the Mount to beat some teams they shouldn't but lose to some teams they should handle.
3) There is still a lot of time for craziness to ensue, but after the first weekend of league play, everything went about according to plan. RMU and Wagner won both games, and Bryant was right there. CCSU and LIU are the only winless teams, but given the injuries they have that's no surprise. The only surprise may have been FDU taking down Mount, but that's about it (and that isn't too shocking).
In week two of league play, we have a few intriguing match ups.
The best game, on paper anyway, on Thursday has to be Wagner at The Mount. The Mountaineers have a huge weekend coming up, hosting both 2-0 Wagner and 2-0 Robert Morris (more on that in a bit, Saturday 1/18). The game Thursday against Wagner in on ESPN3.
I'm really interested in this match up. Wagner has a great defense, and Mount has a great offense. On top of that, I want to see if the Seahawks have really found themselves after an up-and-down non conference slate, or if they just benefited from a soft first-two league games. Their opponents record (LIU/CCSU) is a combine 0-4 and both as mentioned are devastated with injuries. If Wagner wins this one though, they will reclaim the top league contender spot (at least until Saturday when RMU has the opportunity to pick up the same type of win at the Mount).
LIU needs to win on Thursday. They play their NEC home opener against FDU. If they lose to the Knights it could be a long season (though FDU is vastly improved).
I (Lee) still don't know what to make of St Francis Brooklyn. I said before league play I wasn't buying them quite yet while many around the league think they can contend for a spot in the NEC title game. Then they crushed LIU on opening night, but lost to Mount giving up 88 points in the process.
I maintain the thought that they will not finish in the top four (I have them fifth) but they should pick up two wins this weekend. A game at CCSU and then a home affair against Sacred Heart is not an overly challenging pair of games, in fact it may be their easiest weekend of games in conference play.
As for the Colonials, one wouldn't expect them to have many problems with the Red Flash, though nothing is a guarantee in this league. If they can get by St Francis, they can send a big message with a win Saturday at Mount.
My guarantee of the week:
LIU Brooklyn picks up their first NEC win of the season over FDU.
My upset pick of the week:
Sacred Heart beats either Bryant or St Francis Brooklyn on the road.
I'm giving myself a little leeway here by picking the Pioneers in one of the two games, but I like what I saw from Sacred Heart this weekend. They gave RMU a run for their money, and beat FDU just two days after the Knights beat Mount. I think they pull off one of these two games, and if I was forced to pick just one, I would go with the St Francis Brooklyn.
--Lee Kunkel
--@Kunkel5
--Chris Cappella
--@C_Cappella
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| With two 30+ point games, Anderson was named NEC player of the week. (p/c NBC) |
After one weekend of conference play, we learned a few things around the NEC. Here are some things that jumped out after the first two games.
1) Central Connecticut and Long Island are both in a lot of trouble. They are two teams that have been CRUSHED by injuries and suspensions. The Blackbirds have dealt with it all year, and just don't have the depth to keep up with teams. They did lose both their games to two contenders (SFNY, Wagner) so one should not write them off yet.
Central is another story. Matt Hunter is out for the year (suspension) and star guard Kyle Vinales broke a bone in his finger. He's likely out until the NEC tournament, if CCSU even makes it that far. On opening weekend, the Blue Devils got destroyed on their home court by Wagner, and followed that up by losing handily to St Francis (PA), again at home. The Red Flash were 2-12 entering the game.
2) Mount St Mary's is a weird team. They lost on the road at FDU, but took down St Francis Brooklyn on their home court. They have the leagues best offense scoring 109 points-per-100 possessions (RMU is second) but don't play a whole lot of defense. Expect the Mount to beat some teams they shouldn't but lose to some teams they should handle.
3) There is still a lot of time for craziness to ensue, but after the first weekend of league play, everything went about according to plan. RMU and Wagner won both games, and Bryant was right there. CCSU and LIU are the only winless teams, but given the injuries they have that's no surprise. The only surprise may have been FDU taking down Mount, but that's about it (and that isn't too shocking).
In week two of league play, we have a few intriguing match ups.
The best game, on paper anyway, on Thursday has to be Wagner at The Mount. The Mountaineers have a huge weekend coming up, hosting both 2-0 Wagner and 2-0 Robert Morris (more on that in a bit, Saturday 1/18). The game Thursday against Wagner in on ESPN3.
I'm really interested in this match up. Wagner has a great defense, and Mount has a great offense. On top of that, I want to see if the Seahawks have really found themselves after an up-and-down non conference slate, or if they just benefited from a soft first-two league games. Their opponents record (LIU/CCSU) is a combine 0-4 and both as mentioned are devastated with injuries. If Wagner wins this one though, they will reclaim the top league contender spot (at least until Saturday when RMU has the opportunity to pick up the same type of win at the Mount).
LIU needs to win on Thursday. They play their NEC home opener against FDU. If they lose to the Knights it could be a long season (though FDU is vastly improved).
I (Lee) still don't know what to make of St Francis Brooklyn. I said before league play I wasn't buying them quite yet while many around the league think they can contend for a spot in the NEC title game. Then they crushed LIU on opening night, but lost to Mount giving up 88 points in the process.
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| SF Brooklyn beat LIU, but lost on the road to Mount. (p/c Getty Images) |
I maintain the thought that they will not finish in the top four (I have them fifth) but they should pick up two wins this weekend. A game at CCSU and then a home affair against Sacred Heart is not an overly challenging pair of games, in fact it may be their easiest weekend of games in conference play.
As for the Colonials, one wouldn't expect them to have many problems with the Red Flash, though nothing is a guarantee in this league. If they can get by St Francis, they can send a big message with a win Saturday at Mount.
My guarantee of the week:
LIU Brooklyn picks up their first NEC win of the season over FDU.
My upset pick of the week:
Sacred Heart beats either Bryant or St Francis Brooklyn on the road.
I'm giving myself a little leeway here by picking the Pioneers in one of the two games, but I like what I saw from Sacred Heart this weekend. They gave RMU a run for their money, and beat FDU just two days after the Knights beat Mount. I think they pull off one of these two games, and if I was forced to pick just one, I would go with the St Francis Brooklyn.
--Lee Kunkel
--@Kunkel5
--Chris Cappella
--@C_Cappella
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