Category: NEC

Season In Review: Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers

Nearly 18 hours after Mount St. Mary’s was thoroughly dismantled by LIU Brooklyn in the second half of the NEC championship game, Jamion Christian answered his phone with the same optimism and level headedness he had shown all season throughout the ups and the downs.

“Man, I’m good,” Christian said when asked about his mood after their season ending loss. “We have most of these [players] coming back and we have a ton of momentum heading into recruiting season. So we just have to get after it and get a couple of guys.”

Mayhem may have run out of steam after a furious late season surge that saw the Mount winning nine straight heading into the NEC title game, yet the head coach was tremendously proud of his team’s effort. And he had every reason to be.

This was a team that had compiled a 19-42 record in the previous two seasons under Robert Burke. Expectations weren’t terribly high coming into the 2012-13 season, nor was anyone expecting the Mount to join the upper echelon of the conference with the likes of Robert Morris, Wagner, and LIU. But the aforementioned Burke didn’t leave the cupboard bare with talent, having recruited and signed transfers Rashad Whack, Sam Prescott, and Taylor Danaher. Early on, it was clear Whack and Prescott were the type of athletic, high-scoring wings Christian needed in order to install his high paced Mayhem system, one where the team was expected to force turnovers and shoot a lot of threes. Repeat: A LOT of threes.

The non-conference season started out promising enough, with the Mount winning four of their first seven contests. In the four victories, the Mountaineers extracted an average of 20 turnovers, made an average of nine threes, and held opponents to under 1.00 point per possession each game. Welcome to Mayhem!

Unfortunately for Christian, teams predictably began to adjust to his havoc reeking system, beginning with a blowout loss at Loyola (MD). The setback began a rough 3-9 stretch including a 2-6 start to the conference season, but Christian wasn’t necessary worried or focused on the somewhat discouraging stretch of basketball.

“I was so caught up in our team just trying to improve everyday, that I didn’t recognize that we were in a winning streak or losing streak,” explained Christian. “I really felt like we were inching closer and closer to being a really good team and we just kept trying to find ways to [improve everyday].”

And improve they did. Following an eight point loss to Robert Morris, the Mount put together a 11-1 streak, which catapulted the Mount from the outside of the NEC playoff picture to almost earning a home game in the first round of the NEC tournament. They were scoring efficiently with Whack, Prescott, and Julian Norfleet leading the charge. They were defending the basketball – in nine of their final 11 victories, the Mount held opponents to under 1.01 points per possession. But most importantly, a point guard emerged in freshman Shivaughn Wiggins. His stark improvement on both ends of the floor, along with Norfleet controlling a majority of the point guard duties, helped drastically advance the Mount’s offense. Both players were finding creative ways to score and getting sharpshooters like Whack, Prescott, and Kelvin Parker good looks along the perimeter.

In the end, the frantic turnaround to their season fell a little short in Brooklyn. According to Christian, the tough loss was an example of how his team needs to improve from a maturity standpoint.

“The moment heightened for our guys,” said Christian when asked about how the second half versus LIU got away. “They recognized they were down seven, down ten. ‘Hey we’re in the championship game, we have to make a move.’ And I just don’t think we handled it very well as a group.”

Losing is always part of the process that makes a team better in the long run, and surely the Mountaineers will come out hungrier and more prepared for a run at the NEC championship next season.

Best Moment: It’s always a good thing when the team’s best moment comes at or near the end of the season, and that absolutely was the case with the Mountaineers. After winning eight straight, the Mount came into Moon Township and dominated Robert Morris on their own home floor in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score would indicate. The 69-60 semifinal victory was the Mountaineers’ best win since Milan Brown left town.

Worst Moment: Despite beginning the NEC season 2-6 and undergoing a 3-9 stretch midseason, it was their NEC season opening loss to Fairleigh Dickinson at the Knott that really stung. The Mount shot a season worst 14.3% from behind the arc, showing pundits how much the Mount could live and die by the three-pointer. Especially when Christian’s Mayhem system wasn’t creating turnovers from their opponents.

Saying Goodbye

Raven Barber – With three respectable big men at Christian’s disposal, it appeared Barber would finish his career at the Mount as part of the dreaded platoon, sharing time with Kristijan Krajina and Danaher at the “5”. But for the final third of the season, Barber improved his play and was rewarded with more minutes. The physical specimen, who has a similar build to his predecessor Danny Thompson, did well to patrol around the rim and clean up the offensive glass in his senior season. (5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 57.9% FG%)

Kelvin Parker – It was quite the tumultuous relationship between Parker and Christian. The soon-to-be junior was given a scholarship last offseason, fell into Christian’s doghouse early, emerged as another scoring wing midway through NEC play, only to exit stage left at season’s end. It may not have worked in Emmitsburg, but I’m willing to bet another mid-major program will take a chance on Parker’s athleticism with two years of eligibility remaining. Parker has intriguing upside in the right system. (5.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.9 spg)

Josh Castellanos – Christian praised Castellanos’ leadership and floor presence, yet his inability to score ultimately found the floor general on the bench once Wiggins emerged as the NEC’s best rookie. In a system where guards are expected to score and make threes, Castellanos’ ability to run an offense and fearlessness in the clutch simply wasn’t enough. Despite the midseason demotion, however, the junior carried himself with tremendous class. (4.3 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 A/TO)

Looking Ahead

The core of the team remains intact, and with the Mount’s hot finish to end the 2012-13 season, they’ll be expected to finish in the upper third of the NEC next year. This expectation is absolutely fair, especially with the scoring trio of Whack, Prescott, and Norfleet returning. Throw in an extra offseason of development for Shivaughn Wiggins – who could be an all-NEC player candidate – and you have the dynamic backcourt that Christian covets. Besides Wiggins, it will be interesting to see how much more production he’ll get out of his sophomore class, including Danaher, Gregory Graves, and Christian Crockett. How they and his freshmen class step up may be the x-factor in determining if the Mount can get back to the NCAA tournament.

The Greatest Non-Conference Victories in the History of the NEC

One of the first posts I ever wrote on Pioneer Pride centered around Wagner’s upset victory over Pittsburgh three days before Christmas last season. Immediately after watching Dan Hurley’s masterpiece, I took to the keyboard to pen one of my first posts on the Northeast Conference. Continue reading “The Greatest Non-Conference Victories in the History of the NEC” →

Season In Review: Sacred Heart Pioneers

In what was expected to be the year Sacred Heart would compete for a NEC home playoff game, the Pioneers fell flat on their face. Injuries to Chris Evans and Evan Kelley in the preseason took away the team’s depth – not to mention two of their best players at creating off the dribble – and forced sophomore guards Phil Gaetano and Steve Glowiak to step up. Both guards did exceed expectations on the offensive end, but the backcourt was extremely thin and allowed virtually no room for error. Throw in Justin Swidowski’s season long issue with his shoulders, and you had a severely undermanned team for most of the season. Continue reading “Season In Review: Sacred Heart Pioneers” →

Season In Review: St. Francis Brooklyn

Coming into the season much was expected of the Terriers after a surprising run to the fourth seed in the conference that earned head coach Glenn Braica conference coach of the year honors in 2011-12. The offense improved, but the defense regressed heavily and the St. Francis Brooklyn was lucky to hang onto the eighth seed in the NEC tournament. Continue reading “Season In Review: St. Francis Brooklyn” →

Preview: James Madison vs. LIU Brooklyn

Tonight in Dayton the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds will look to do something they’ve never done in the history of the men’s basketball program, win a game in the NCAA tournament. They’ve come pretty close before, back in 1984 the Blackbirds lost to Jim Calhoun’s Northeastern team by just three point in the “preliminary” round.

Continue reading “Preview: James Madison vs. LIU Brooklyn” →

Robert Morris Stuns Kentucky, Wins First Round of NIT

Less than one year ago, John Calipari and his Kentucky Wildcats were hoisting up the NCAA championship trophy as the best team in all of the land. On Tuesday night, the Wildcats’ season mercifully came to a close in Moon Township, of all places, with the Robert Morris Colonials stunning the defending NCAA champs, 59-57.

After winning the opening tip with 7’0″ center Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky failed to use their overwhelming length and athleticism to their advantage against the undersized, yet tenacious Colonials. Quite simply, Robert Morris out-hustled, out-toughed, and out-fought the bigger and more athletic Wildcats throughout. When it was all over, the Colonial Crazies, Robert Morris’ vociferous and passionate student section, may have become the first group of fans ever to storm the floor after a first round victory in the NIT. But it was well worth it, as Robert Morris gave the Northeast Conference its biggest victory in the history of the league.

Using the feverish crowd to their advantage, the Colonials raced out to a 10-0 lead, thanks in large part to some sharp shooting from the perimeter. (It’s like the Wildcat players forgot the game plan defensively – do not let these Colonials get open looks!) Anthony Myers-Pate, Coron Williams, and Russell Johnson each hit long, open jumpers to kick off the festivities. Eventually, Kentucky would find their bearings and inch their way back into the game, but Andy Toole’s group set the tone early. These Colonials would not be intimidated by a team fortified with top 50 recruits and former McDonald’s All Americans.

After a 10-2 run late in the first half gave the Wildcats their first lead, Robert Morris fought back to lead at halftime, 28-27. Kentucky may have worked their way back, but Calipari was none too pleased as he was walking into the visitor’s locker room for the break. He told the ESPN sideline reporter that his team was shying away from the physical battle Robert Morris had allowed the first half to become. The Wildcat players needed to be hungrier and tougher if they wanted to avoid the monster upset, in the coach’s opinion.

Whatever Calipari told his team at the half didn’t really work. All-NEC first teamer Velton Jones came out determined in the second stanza, rattling off six straight points to guide his Colonials back to a semi-comfortable advantage. If the nation didn’t know about the feisty bulldog of a point guard who hails from Philly, then they surely did now. This kid is something special, but you (as a NEC reader) already knew that.

Ironically, it wasn’t the athletic, yet passive Alex Poythress, or the freakish tall Cauley-Stein, or the versatile Kyle Wiltjer who kept the Wildcats in the game when things were looking bleak for Big Blue Nation. It was the seldom used Jarrod Polson who best matched Robert Morris’ energy on the floor. Calipari rewarded the junior – who had only played 33% of Kentucky’s available minutes this season – with 31 minutes of playing time, easily a season high. Polson finished with 10 points on five shots to go along with three assists versus only one turnover.

Despite Polson’s and Archie Goodwin’s efforts, Robert Morris extended their lead to as much as 13 points in the second half, after a Russell Johnson three-pointer. Suffice it to say, things were looking so promising for Robert Morris that the Colonial Crazies were beginning to plan the best route for court storming. (Heads up, press row!)

Kentucky, however, had one last spurt in them, as they embarked on a 17-4 run to cut the lead to one, 54-53, with only 3:18 remaining. In the midst of Kentucky’s furious rally, Lucky Jones made things a lot more difficult for Toole when he physically assaulted Goodwin on a fast break lay-up attempt. The foolish foul was called a flagrant two, and lead to Jones’ ejection from the game.

With the game once again in question, Velton Jones put his team on his shoulders and refused to let his storied career end on Tuesday night. After a now motivated Goodwin laid the ball in with only 44 seconds left to tie the contest, Jones fed a cutting Russell Johnson underneath the basket. Johnson’s shot was blocked by Cauley-Stein, but Mike McFadden was there for the offensive rebound. He was fouled attempting the put-back, but calmly under intense pressure, drilled both free throws. A wild three by Wiltjer fell short at the buzzer, sending The Chuck into a frenzy.

It was an improbably victory for Robert Morris, who now will await the winner of Providence and Charlotte. Even more improbable was Kentucky’s inability to take full advantage of their size and skill set. Cauley-Stein and Witjer combined to take ten shots (ten shots!), while the Wildcats only outrebounded Robert Morris by four caroms.

It was another balanced scoring effort for the Colonials, who registered 1.12 points per possession in the win. Seven players scored, led by Lucky Jones’ 15 points. Also fitting, Robert Morris was perfect at the line, draining all 14 of their free throw attempts. They surely needed every one of those to make history on Tuesday night.

We have a feeling Andy Toole will be giving a lot more interviews down the road.

For some postgame reaction and reading, we strongly suggest A Sea of Blue’s reaction to the loss, followed by some angry Blue Blue Nation comments.

A Lack of Respect

Look, we’re really excited that Robert Morris is hosting Kentucky in the NIT tonight. (If you saw my tweet…) But I think Nelson Castillo raises a good point in his post here about Joe Lunardi’s preview video for LIU Brooklyn. It doesn’t bother me that much that RMU’s game is mentioned – ESPN has a game to hype – but it does bother me quite a bit that Lunardi gets a basic fact such as how many times the Blackbirds have been to the NCAA tournament in a row incorrect. Continue reading “A Lack of Respect” →

Kentucky at Robert Morris Preview: A Q&A With A Sea Of Blue

I sat down with Glenn Logan of A Sea With Blue to ask a few questions about John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats, who found themselves on the outside looking in for the NCAA tournament. Ken Pomeroy has them as the fifth best team to miss out on the Big Dance. As a result, Robert Morris will be hosting Kentucky in the first round of the NIT Tournament, since the Rupp Arena couldn’t find enough employees to operate a soda and popcorn machine tonight.

The Colonials will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to host the defending NCAA champions in their little 3,100 seat gym known as The Chuck. It should make for fascinating television on ESPN tonight at 7:30 PM! (For my answers to Glenn’s questions regarding Robert Morris, go here.)

Onto my Q&A with Glenn:

Ryan: With what you’ve seen regarding the team recently, do you expect them to be motivated to play at Robert Morris in a 3,100 seat gym? Will anyone on the team actually care, other than maybe Calipari’s family who may or may not still be in Moon Township?

A Sea of Blue: Honestly, this team is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates made manifest, and on steroids — you never know what you’re gonna get. Calipari doesn’t know, and if he doesn’t, there’s no way your humble correspondent and Kentucky blogger could divine what motivates this bunch. I know it’s a frustrating answer, and the truth is, some of them, and maybe all of them really do care, and will play their hearts out. I just can’t vouch for all of them, and even if they do care, their execution is so incredibly hit-or-miss, it’s just hard to say what will happen.

What I will say is that if an opposing squad is willing to consistently execute sharply and has a modicum of talent, they can beat this Kentucky team. But if you give the Wildcats confidence and let them get on a roll, they can crush almost anyone on a given night. It’s just about as impossible to predict as the weather around here. So you may see a bunch of future NBA players dunking and making shots and looking like the Miami Heat. Or, you might see a group that looks like an eccentric AAU team, throwing  the ball at random into the stands as if it were radioactive. Your guess is as good as mine, and I mean that in all sincerity.

Ryan: In your opinion, what have been the biggest reasons for Kentucky’s downfall late in the season? Obviously, things got worst with Noel’s knee injury, but was this team truly lacking a natural leader? Or do you feel their inconsistent guard play has led to their inconsistency?

A Sea of Blue: The biggest reason is simple — they can’t shoot. This team is incapable of consistently making a shot outside of eight feet.  If Archie Goodwin can’t get to the rim, he can’t score.  Alex Poythress can shoot, but he won’t. Julius Mays can shoot sometimes, but he’s undersized and needs help to get a shot. Kyle Wiltjer is in a season-long slump that shows no sign of abating. Ryan Harrow’s confidence is so fragile that if an opposing player calls him a dirty name, he’s likely to go 2 for 15.

Julius Mays tries to lead, and does a decent job. Unfortunately, the rest of them don’t seem to want to follow, and Julius just can’t be forceful enough to snap them out of their funk. Willie Cauley-Stein will play hard and do good things, but he’s raw and can’t shoot free throws. It’s just a mess.

Noel was such a huge intimidator in the paint. He made several teams so nervous with his shot blocking that they literally gave up, and tried to beat us with midrange shots. He was perhaps the greatest 6’10” athlete ever to stride the planet, and I mean that in all sincerity and with due respect to Dwight Howard. His quickness was not of this Earth. He was #10 in block % and #73 in steals % nationally, something never before seen in college basketball, and he didn’t even get to finish the season. His offensive game was raw, but a better shot blocker has never graced a college court. We would not be in the NIT if he were available. He could make teams quail just by taking the court, he was that threatening, and he played all out, all the time.

Kentucky’s guard play can best be described as follows: A quick, talented point guard with fragile confidence who’s as likely to pass the ball to get rid of it as to any real purpose, and a shooting guard of surpassing athletic talent who can’t shoot and turns the ball over 21% of his touches. The third guard is an undersized 2 guard who shoots it well, but can’t get his own shot.

Ryan: The Colonials lack players with any real size down low, so do you expect Calipari to exploit this mismatch agasinst Robert Morris with a heavy dose of Wiltjer, Poythress, and Cauley-Stein? Is there any way for a small team to counter Kentucky’s size?

A Sea of Blue: Calipari will try to exploit the Colonials size — who wouldn’t? Cauley-Stein is a superb athlete and 7’0″ tall, so we’re going to go to him early and often. Unfortunately, if you have enough fouls, you can just put him on the line, where he shoots under 50%. Alex Poythress is a shrinking violet, although if you don’t intimidate him early, he can lose his mind and go off for 20 and 12. He’s best described by Tubby Smith’s former quip about Kelenna Azibuike:  “Looks like Tarzan.  Plays like Jane.”

Goodwin is the one player that you can’t account for, because if he somehow realizes what you are doing, he can kill you by getting in the paint. The problem is, he doesn’t seem to know how to play under enough control to avoid help charges consistently, so if you can catch him a few times, you can get him in foul trouble. Also, if you don’t break Harrrow’s confidence down early, he can kill you getting into the paint and get on a roll shooting the ball. You don’t want that.

Ryan: Do you have a prediction for the game? Do you feel the Wildcats are in serious danger of getting upset?

A Sea of Blue: Honestly, I have nothing. We could win, or lose, by 20. This team is a mystery even to themselves, and there is simply no way I can predict anything about them.  Even Coach Cal has literally thrown up his hands and accepted the simple fact that he has a better chance of winning the Powerball Lottery than predicting what these guys will produce on a given night.

We beat one of the best teams in the nation the Saturday before last, then turned around six days later and got blown out by a 16-16 team that was even younger than we are, and the game was never close. This Kentucky team could probably confound God himself, and therefore any prediction is far beyond my humble intellect.

Thanks again to Glenn for stopping by and be sure to follow A Sea of Blue on Twitter here. And don’t forget to tune in tonight, in what will be the most important game Robert Morris has ever played on its Moon Township campus. Rocky, meet Apollo Creed!