Here's another in the "Team Report" series, looking back and ahead at conference programs.
Up now ...
SIENA MEN
2012-13 RECORD: 4-14 (9th place) in MAAC play, 8-24 overall.
2012-13 RECAP: Beat Marist, 70-64, in a MAAC tournament play-in round contest, lost to Niagara, 74-62, in a quarterfinal-round contest. Several days after the end of the MAAC tournament, third-year head coach Mitch Buonaguro was fired.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Not a lot, not in an eight-win season. And, it seemed that Buonaguro, a well-respected basketball mind was either not quite capable of a second try as a head coach (he had been the head man at Fairfield in the late-1980's), or was a victim of a lot of circumstances against him. Most fans of the program believe it to be the former, but, in truth, it was probably more the latter. Buonaguro certainly showed he had what it takes the previous season when, due to injuries, and unexpected ineligibilities, he coached a team with just six reliable players to a far-above-expectations 14-17 record. And, then, this past year started when two of his expected starters, Rakim Brookins and Trenity Burdine, were suspended for the season's first three games due to rules' violations. Brookins dealt with back issues most of the rest of the season, and Burdine had some foot issues and a second academic-related suspension during the season. Despite that, the Saints were usually respectable, losing two games by a single point and eight overall by six points or fewer. Senior forward O.D. Anosike was a significant bright spot, leading the country in rebounding (11.4 per game) for the second straight season, the first player in MAAC history to do so. Sophomore swingman Rob Poole (11.8, 4.7) became a nice second option and, with a little more improvement, will contend for conference all-star honors in the future. Brookins, Burdine and sophomore Evan Hymes all had some bright moments, good games and big plays ... just not nearly enough of them.
WHAT WENT WRONG: The year-long issues/injuries with Brookins and Burdine were real setbacks. Hymes, who had one of the best freshmen seasons in school history (13.4 ppg.), didn't match that as a sophomore, dropping to 11.3 with nearly four turnovers per contest. Sophomore big man Imoh Silas, a redshirt the previous year due to a complicated NCAA ruling, wasn't what Buonaguro hoped for, particularly on the defensive end. Freshman forward Brett Bisping dealt with some back issues most of the year, while another touted first-year player, guard Ryan Oliver, suffered a mid-season knee injury and only played 17 games. It left the Saints thin in the backcourt, to the point that Poole wound up playing major minutes there late in the season. Davis Martens, who had a strong late-season stretch (12.5/5.3 over a five-game stretch), opted to graduate and not come back for the coming season and complete a final year's eligibility. The 8-24 record, coupled with a slow-down style and reliance on a zone defense, almost necessitated by depleted numbers, also alienated fans, and school administrators opted to let Buonaguro go despite a year remaining on his contract.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Just about everything will change, particularly at the top with former Loyola head coach Jimmy Patsos taking over. Patsos revitalized a dormant Greyhounds' program and took that team to the NCAA's two years ago and to the CollegeInsiders.com Tournament this past season. Patsos also has the type dynamic personality that attracts interest, a modern-day Mike Deane, if you will. Brookins and Burdine are both gone, victims of more violations. It leaves Poole as the only sure-thing starter among returnees, although the 6-8 Silas, Hymes and Oliver will certainly be in the mix. Patsos, though, is a master at reloading and finding players, and he found a few for Siena among players who initially committed to play for him at Loyola. Those include incoming freshmen point guard Marquis Wright, small forward Maurice White, power forward Michael Wolfe and 6-6 forward Lavon Long. Thee lone Buonaguro recruit still coming in is 6-8 Javon Ogunyemi, an athletic big man who could be a part of the playing rotation. Patsos also got a transfer in 6-5 guard Patrick Cole from Coppin State, where he averaged 10.3 ppg. this past season as a freshman. Cole will have to sit out a year per transfer rules. There is also a possibility that talented 6-2 guard Taran Buie, a local product who has already been at two colleges (Penn State and Hofstra) might join the program and is seeking an NCAA waiver to be immediately eligible to a family illness. For sure the Saints will be young with a lot of new pieces to fit into place. But, Patsos has already exhibited an ability to turn a program around. He just might not be able to do it right away.
PREDICTION FOR 2013-14: Bringing in a coach with nine years of experience and considerable success elsewhere in Patsos is a coup for the program. He knows how to find players. But, the turnaround he made with the Loyola program took a couple of years, and it might not happen right away at Siena, either ... not with all the newcomers and inexperience players who will get playing time. It's probably too much to expect a top-five finish (the top five teams avoid the post-season tournament's play-in round), but Patsos' team will play hard and be competitive. Expect a few more wins than last year and a finish somewhere in the 6th/7th/8th range in the 11-team league with much better to come in subsequent seasons.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Girls' GymRat Event A Place For Future Stars To Shine
The GymRat CHALLENGE AAU basketball tournament, played in New York's Capital Region, has a reputation as a showcase for rising stars. The boys' version of the event was played three weeks ago and, now, its the girls' turn to play in what is the largest tournament of its kind for females on the east coast.
In all, 228 teams with close to 2,500 players from 13 states and Canada will be in the area this weekend for games on Saturday and Sunday.
Games begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday and continue until the wee hours and, then, resume at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Each team plays three "pool round" games, and teams that advance from pool play begin championship brackets Sunday afternoon with champions determined in four age brackets Sunday evening.
Games will be played at UAlbany, Skidmore College, Schenectady H.S., Niskayuna H.S., the Saratoga Recreation Center, Saratoga's Gavin Park Athletic Center and Maple Hill Middle School in Saratoga. There are age divisions for players 16-under (traditionally rising seniors), 15-under, 14-under and 13-under.
Admission is $10 per day or $15 for both days and covers any game at any venue. Reasonably priced concessions, merchandise and game programs with full rosters are also available at every site.
There are 16 Capital Region-based teams participating with close to 180 local players, and the proverbial best of the best from the east come to the event.
Recent participants from MAAC schools include Sydney Rosales (headed to Marist), Tehresa Coles (at Siena), Briana Logan (headed to Siena), Damika Martinez (Iona, this past season's MAAC Player of the Year), Maeve Parahus (headed to Manhattan) and dozens of others. Other Capital Region-team GymRat alums include Julie Forster, Sarah Royals and Keyenna Williams, who played on this past season's UAlbany NCAA team.
The event also draws considerable talent from elsewhere, including Epiphany Prince, who played in the GymRat in two different years and is annually among the WNBA's leading scorers. Four years ago Breanna Stewart, then a 6-foot-4 center who was rated the top high school player nationally, was here. Stewart, this past season, led UConn to a national championship and was the first freshman since 1986 to be the MVP of the Final Four.
Stewart's teammates, Bria Hartley and Caroline Doty, UConn's starting backcourt this past season, are also GymRat alums.
Your Hoopscribe is involved, helping organize and being part of a group of talent evaluators who watch games over the weekend and pick all stars. After the event I'll be writing about the top-level all stars selected as well as producing a report on the championship game at each division. It will all be available at the event's website (as are past all-star teams), www.gymratchallenge.com
Is all of that well received? In past years, there have been more than 1.2 million hits to the site within two weeks after the reports get on line. Reports will be on line, this year, no later than next Wednesday or Thursday.
We'll also keep track of players who are being recruited by MAAC programs, and post that information here, at "Keepin' Track of the MAAC" by late next week.
Better yet, though, fans of terrific basketball can get out to get a first-hand look at the sport's future stars and, in many cases, future MAAC standouts. The event truly is a basketball junkie's paradise.
In all, 228 teams with close to 2,500 players from 13 states and Canada will be in the area this weekend for games on Saturday and Sunday.
Games begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday and continue until the wee hours and, then, resume at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Each team plays three "pool round" games, and teams that advance from pool play begin championship brackets Sunday afternoon with champions determined in four age brackets Sunday evening.
Games will be played at UAlbany, Skidmore College, Schenectady H.S., Niskayuna H.S., the Saratoga Recreation Center, Saratoga's Gavin Park Athletic Center and Maple Hill Middle School in Saratoga. There are age divisions for players 16-under (traditionally rising seniors), 15-under, 14-under and 13-under.
Admission is $10 per day or $15 for both days and covers any game at any venue. Reasonably priced concessions, merchandise and game programs with full rosters are also available at every site.
There are 16 Capital Region-based teams participating with close to 180 local players, and the proverbial best of the best from the east come to the event.
Recent participants from MAAC schools include Sydney Rosales (headed to Marist), Tehresa Coles (at Siena), Briana Logan (headed to Siena), Damika Martinez (Iona, this past season's MAAC Player of the Year), Maeve Parahus (headed to Manhattan) and dozens of others. Other Capital Region-team GymRat alums include Julie Forster, Sarah Royals and Keyenna Williams, who played on this past season's UAlbany NCAA team.
The event also draws considerable talent from elsewhere, including Epiphany Prince, who played in the GymRat in two different years and is annually among the WNBA's leading scorers. Four years ago Breanna Stewart, then a 6-foot-4 center who was rated the top high school player nationally, was here. Stewart, this past season, led UConn to a national championship and was the first freshman since 1986 to be the MVP of the Final Four.
Stewart's teammates, Bria Hartley and Caroline Doty, UConn's starting backcourt this past season, are also GymRat alums.
Your Hoopscribe is involved, helping organize and being part of a group of talent evaluators who watch games over the weekend and pick all stars. After the event I'll be writing about the top-level all stars selected as well as producing a report on the championship game at each division. It will all be available at the event's website (as are past all-star teams), www.gymratchallenge.com
Is all of that well received? In past years, there have been more than 1.2 million hits to the site within two weeks after the reports get on line. Reports will be on line, this year, no later than next Wednesday or Thursday.
We'll also keep track of players who are being recruited by MAAC programs, and post that information here, at "Keepin' Track of the MAAC" by late next week.
Better yet, though, fans of terrific basketball can get out to get a first-hand look at the sport's future stars and, in many cases, future MAAC standouts. The event truly is a basketball junkie's paradise.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Team Report: Siena Women Will Need Inside Help
Here's another in the "Team Report" series, taking a look back and ahead at conference programs.
Up now ...
SIENA WOMEN
2012-13 RECORD: 8-10 (6th place) in MAAC play, 13-16 overall. Won a quarterfinal-round MAAC Tournament game, 52-48, over Fairfield. Lost in the semifinal round, 68-58, to Iona.
2012-13 RECAP: A stellar season from its top player, senior center Lily Grenci (15.9 points, 9.5 rebounds per game), and from sophomore guard Tehresa Coles (9.1, 4.6). Otherwise, a mixed bag. The program fired long-time head coach Gina Castelli to bring in former Northwestern assistant Ali Jaques, yet despite the return of the majority of the previous year's roster the record was almost identical to Castelli's from the past two season ... except Castelli's last two teams finished fourth in the league standings, while this season's had to sneak out a win over a Canisius team playing without its point guard in the season's final game to avoid the play-in round and finish sixth in the MAAC. Jaques, though, proved to be an effective motivator as her team effectively persevered through some difficult stretches. Subsequent years will be a better indication of what she can do with this program.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Grenci's strong season that, in this humble estimation, should have brought her Player of the Year honors (which, instead, went to Iona sophomore Damika Martinez). Coles improved significantly, particularly on the offensive end. Defensively, she finished 28th nationally in steals. As a team, Siena went to the foul line more than any other conference team, and converted there finishing 38th nationally in free-throw percentage. There were nice non-league wins over Maine, coming back from a 17-point second-half deficit; and one at UMass. Siena also had a regular-season blowout win over second-place Iona (68-54), and a three-game mid-season winning streak (over Manhattan, Saint Peter's and Loyola). A new defensive scheme that emphasized pressure, particularly with a half-court/trapping zone, forced opponents into nearly 20 turnovers per contest, more than any other MAAC defense. The MAAC tournament victory over Fairfield, which had beaten the Saints in both regular-season games was an pleasant upset.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Start with some tough losses including three straight early in the season: a one-point setback at Sacred Heart on a last-second foul call, followed by a last-second half-court heave by Tiahana Mills of Canisius to beat Siena (ESPN SportsCenter's top highight that night), followed by losing a late-game lead and, then, an overtime contest at Niagara. It could have been a devastating stretch, yet the Saints hung in, quickly following up with a 3-game winning streak. But, a 5-7 run down the stretch required beating a depleted Canisius team in the final regular-season contest to avoid the tournament's play-in round. The team emphasized pounding the ball inside, at the expense of its perimeter players, and opponents sagged inside to eventually clog the middle. Other than Coles, no other perimeter player averaged more than 5.2 points per game. Injuries were also a factor. Redshirt freshman guard Ida Krogh played through year-long foot issues, and junior forward Kate Zarotney played through season-long shoulder issues. And, while the team forced turnovers it committed more than its share. Its 19.3 per game ranked it 293 of 343 D-I teams nationally in total turnovers. And, only 10 teams nationally had worse field-goal percentages.
WHAT'S AHEAD: The loss of Grenci is as significant as any team in the league has to deal with. And, Zarotney, probably the next best inside player, is having off-season shoulder injury and might be lost. Those were the team's best two post players last season. It leaves the post, for the coming year, in the hands of sophomore-to-be Symone Kelly, who battled concussion issues and had a limited role last season, and incoming 6-2 freshman Meghan Donohue. Kelly, a physical player, showed some signs this past season but the middle will be inexperienced. The Saints will also need contributions from other its other incoming freshmen, particularly 5-6 point guard Briana Logan, who is a cousin of the men's program's all-time leading scorer Marc Brown. Other perimeter spots are well stocked with experience, including wing forward Sole-Anglada, guards Kanika Cummings and Ciara Stewart. Coles, a junior, is a potential all-league player and Krogh, a sophomore, is also solid.
PREDICTION: If Zarotney doesn't play, then the Saints will be relying on inexperienced post players to compete inside against several teams with quality inside veterans. The perimeter, though, is at least solid with considerable depth. The turnover issue might be alleviated to some esxtent if Logan can at least be a contributor at the point. Still, the MAAC looks to be stronger overall for the coming year, and adds two new programs including Quinnipiac (which loses only one starter from a 30-3 team). The best expectation is a middle-of-the-pack finish, and avoiding the tournament's play-in round would be a nice achievement.and not out of the realm of possibility.
Up now ...
SIENA WOMEN
2012-13 RECORD: 8-10 (6th place) in MAAC play, 13-16 overall. Won a quarterfinal-round MAAC Tournament game, 52-48, over Fairfield. Lost in the semifinal round, 68-58, to Iona.
2012-13 RECAP: A stellar season from its top player, senior center Lily Grenci (15.9 points, 9.5 rebounds per game), and from sophomore guard Tehresa Coles (9.1, 4.6). Otherwise, a mixed bag. The program fired long-time head coach Gina Castelli to bring in former Northwestern assistant Ali Jaques, yet despite the return of the majority of the previous year's roster the record was almost identical to Castelli's from the past two season ... except Castelli's last two teams finished fourth in the league standings, while this season's had to sneak out a win over a Canisius team playing without its point guard in the season's final game to avoid the play-in round and finish sixth in the MAAC. Jaques, though, proved to be an effective motivator as her team effectively persevered through some difficult stretches. Subsequent years will be a better indication of what she can do with this program.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Grenci's strong season that, in this humble estimation, should have brought her Player of the Year honors (which, instead, went to Iona sophomore Damika Martinez). Coles improved significantly, particularly on the offensive end. Defensively, she finished 28th nationally in steals. As a team, Siena went to the foul line more than any other conference team, and converted there finishing 38th nationally in free-throw percentage. There were nice non-league wins over Maine, coming back from a 17-point second-half deficit; and one at UMass. Siena also had a regular-season blowout win over second-place Iona (68-54), and a three-game mid-season winning streak (over Manhattan, Saint Peter's and Loyola). A new defensive scheme that emphasized pressure, particularly with a half-court/trapping zone, forced opponents into nearly 20 turnovers per contest, more than any other MAAC defense. The MAAC tournament victory over Fairfield, which had beaten the Saints in both regular-season games was an pleasant upset.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Start with some tough losses including three straight early in the season: a one-point setback at Sacred Heart on a last-second foul call, followed by a last-second half-court heave by Tiahana Mills of Canisius to beat Siena (ESPN SportsCenter's top highight that night), followed by losing a late-game lead and, then, an overtime contest at Niagara. It could have been a devastating stretch, yet the Saints hung in, quickly following up with a 3-game winning streak. But, a 5-7 run down the stretch required beating a depleted Canisius team in the final regular-season contest to avoid the tournament's play-in round. The team emphasized pounding the ball inside, at the expense of its perimeter players, and opponents sagged inside to eventually clog the middle. Other than Coles, no other perimeter player averaged more than 5.2 points per game. Injuries were also a factor. Redshirt freshman guard Ida Krogh played through year-long foot issues, and junior forward Kate Zarotney played through season-long shoulder issues. And, while the team forced turnovers it committed more than its share. Its 19.3 per game ranked it 293 of 343 D-I teams nationally in total turnovers. And, only 10 teams nationally had worse field-goal percentages.
WHAT'S AHEAD: The loss of Grenci is as significant as any team in the league has to deal with. And, Zarotney, probably the next best inside player, is having off-season shoulder injury and might be lost. Those were the team's best two post players last season. It leaves the post, for the coming year, in the hands of sophomore-to-be Symone Kelly, who battled concussion issues and had a limited role last season, and incoming 6-2 freshman Meghan Donohue. Kelly, a physical player, showed some signs this past season but the middle will be inexperienced. The Saints will also need contributions from other its other incoming freshmen, particularly 5-6 point guard Briana Logan, who is a cousin of the men's program's all-time leading scorer Marc Brown. Other perimeter spots are well stocked with experience, including wing forward Sole-Anglada, guards Kanika Cummings and Ciara Stewart. Coles, a junior, is a potential all-league player and Krogh, a sophomore, is also solid.
PREDICTION: If Zarotney doesn't play, then the Saints will be relying on inexperienced post players to compete inside against several teams with quality inside veterans. The perimeter, though, is at least solid with considerable depth. The turnover issue might be alleviated to some esxtent if Logan can at least be a contributor at the point. Still, the MAAC looks to be stronger overall for the coming year, and adds two new programs including Quinnipiac (which loses only one starter from a 30-3 team). The best expectation is a middle-of-the-pack finish, and avoiding the tournament's play-in round would be a nice achievement.and not out of the realm of possibility.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Team Report: Fairfield Men Facing Much Inexperience
Here's another in the "Team Report" series, looking back and ahead at conference programs.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD MEN
2012-13 RECORD: 9-9 (tied for 6th) in MAAC play, 19-16 overall.
2012-13 RECAP: The Stags were the seventh-seeded team for the conference tournament, and made it to the semifinals with wins over Saint Peter's and Rider, before falling to Manhattan, 60-42. Fairfield then got an invitation to the CollegeInsiders.com tournament, where it dropped a last-second 73-71 decision to Kent State.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: A nice year by senior guard Derek Needham (14.6 points per game and a team-high 110 assists). He finished his career as No. 3 on the Stags' all-time scoring list and No. 4 on its all-time assist list. He was a contributor from his first game as a freshmen, as well as one of the classiest individuals to ever play in the MAAC. The win total is good, but the likelihood is that expectations were higher than a tie for sixth in the regular-season standings. Still, a fourth-straight trip to a national post-season tournament is definitely a positive, and the Stags played well there, rallying from a a 13-point deficit in the second half to tie it with 16 seconds remaining before Kent State converted the winning basket with three seconds remaining. Amadou Sidibe, a developing "big" had a strong freshman season (5.7 points, 6.2 rebounds per game) and will only get better. And, head coach Sydney Johnson thinks highly enough of Sidebe's leadership abilities to have named him a captain for the coming season, an almost unheard of honor for a sophomore. Another freshman, 6-6 small forward Marcus Gilbert, also contributed (5.5, 3.2) and looked like he will be a nice building block for the future. Desmond Wade was solid at the point (110 assists against 67 turnovers). Team-wise there was a nice six-game winning streak early in the year (Rider, Milwaukee, Drexel, St. Joe's, Old Dominion and Canisius). And, later, there was a mid-season five-game winning streak against MAAC opponents. The Stags also did much of their best work on the defensive end, holding opponents to 59.2 ppg., 27th-best nationally.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Other than Needham, there wasn't a consistent offensive threat (the team's second-best scorer was forward Maurice Barrow, at 8.9 ppg.), and teams without at least two offensive threats rarely have a lot of success. The Stags did good work, though, turning games into physical affairs played at their preferred (slow) pace. But, as good as the defense was ... the offense ranked 309 out of 343 Division I teams nationally in terms of points per game. The couple of in-season winning streaks were countered by inconsistent stretches. The Stags started 2-6 in MAAC play before a 7-3 run down the stretch to get to the .500 level in conference play. Still, it wasn't good enough to avoid the post-season tournament's play-in round as Fairfield wound up as the event's No. 7 seed. Fairfield actually had a 7-1 stretch after the 2-6 start before losing its final two regular-season games. One of those two late losses was a 34-31 setback against Manhattan. Fairfield's 31 points in the game matched the program's all-time low for a single game, last set in the 1976-77 season. The Stags were also a little "short" inside with the only real contributor taller than 6-6. Keith Matthews, an effective reserve who reportedly wasn't pleased with his playing time, was given a release from his scholarship and is said to be looking to transfer to a school in his home state of Florida. The team's inconsistent play was probably caused, in some part, by its overall inexperience as there were only five non-freshmen on the roster.
WHAT'S AHEAD: The top three guards (Needham, Wade and Colin Nickerson) are gone, and that leaves a considerable backcourt void. But, help is coming. Sean Grennan, a 6-3 off-guard who sat out last season after transferring in from Seton Hall (he was limited to 18 games there in the 2011-12 season due to appendicitis), has three years of eligibility. The Stags also have numbers in the backcourt but, again, but will have inexperience there after having so much senior talent this past season. Sophomore-to-be Justin Jenkins is a candidate at both guard spots. But, incoming freshman K.J. Rose looks like the only true point guard in the program. Lincoln Davis, another newcomer, spent this past season at prep school. He's another strong candidate for playing time in the backcourt but appears to be more scorer than ball-handler. The future of the program's guard corps appears strong, but inexperienced for now. It means the front court will have to make strides, but there's talent there in the developing Sidibe, Barrow and Gilbert. Josip Mikulic, a 7-footer, flashed some potential this past season and might be ready to be a stronger role player. And, then, there's a big piece, literally, coming aboard in mid-season when Pittsburgh transfer Malcolm Gilbert, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound center, becomes eligible after the first semester. Gilbert, who played sparingly at Pitt as a freshman two years ago, was redshirting in 2012-13 when he, instead, opted for a mid-season transfer to play alongside his brother, Marcus. His offensive game is still developing, but he should be an immediate contributor on the defensive end.
PREDICTION FOR 2013-14: It's hard to envision Fairfield competing for the league's top spot this year, particularly considering its youth. Barrow will be the program's only senior. Everyone else on the roster will be either a sophomore or a freshman. Still, there's enough talent in place for the Stags to be competitive. A mid-pack finish is probable with considerably better coming in future years as the youngsters develop together.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD MEN
2012-13 RECORD: 9-9 (tied for 6th) in MAAC play, 19-16 overall.
2012-13 RECAP: The Stags were the seventh-seeded team for the conference tournament, and made it to the semifinals with wins over Saint Peter's and Rider, before falling to Manhattan, 60-42. Fairfield then got an invitation to the CollegeInsiders.com tournament, where it dropped a last-second 73-71 decision to Kent State.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: A nice year by senior guard Derek Needham (14.6 points per game and a team-high 110 assists). He finished his career as No. 3 on the Stags' all-time scoring list and No. 4 on its all-time assist list. He was a contributor from his first game as a freshmen, as well as one of the classiest individuals to ever play in the MAAC. The win total is good, but the likelihood is that expectations were higher than a tie for sixth in the regular-season standings. Still, a fourth-straight trip to a national post-season tournament is definitely a positive, and the Stags played well there, rallying from a a 13-point deficit in the second half to tie it with 16 seconds remaining before Kent State converted the winning basket with three seconds remaining. Amadou Sidibe, a developing "big" had a strong freshman season (5.7 points, 6.2 rebounds per game) and will only get better. And, head coach Sydney Johnson thinks highly enough of Sidebe's leadership abilities to have named him a captain for the coming season, an almost unheard of honor for a sophomore. Another freshman, 6-6 small forward Marcus Gilbert, also contributed (5.5, 3.2) and looked like he will be a nice building block for the future. Desmond Wade was solid at the point (110 assists against 67 turnovers). Team-wise there was a nice six-game winning streak early in the year (Rider, Milwaukee, Drexel, St. Joe's, Old Dominion and Canisius). And, later, there was a mid-season five-game winning streak against MAAC opponents. The Stags also did much of their best work on the defensive end, holding opponents to 59.2 ppg., 27th-best nationally.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Other than Needham, there wasn't a consistent offensive threat (the team's second-best scorer was forward Maurice Barrow, at 8.9 ppg.), and teams without at least two offensive threats rarely have a lot of success. The Stags did good work, though, turning games into physical affairs played at their preferred (slow) pace. But, as good as the defense was ... the offense ranked 309 out of 343 Division I teams nationally in terms of points per game. The couple of in-season winning streaks were countered by inconsistent stretches. The Stags started 2-6 in MAAC play before a 7-3 run down the stretch to get to the .500 level in conference play. Still, it wasn't good enough to avoid the post-season tournament's play-in round as Fairfield wound up as the event's No. 7 seed. Fairfield actually had a 7-1 stretch after the 2-6 start before losing its final two regular-season games. One of those two late losses was a 34-31 setback against Manhattan. Fairfield's 31 points in the game matched the program's all-time low for a single game, last set in the 1976-77 season. The Stags were also a little "short" inside with the only real contributor taller than 6-6. Keith Matthews, an effective reserve who reportedly wasn't pleased with his playing time, was given a release from his scholarship and is said to be looking to transfer to a school in his home state of Florida. The team's inconsistent play was probably caused, in some part, by its overall inexperience as there were only five non-freshmen on the roster.
WHAT'S AHEAD: The top three guards (Needham, Wade and Colin Nickerson) are gone, and that leaves a considerable backcourt void. But, help is coming. Sean Grennan, a 6-3 off-guard who sat out last season after transferring in from Seton Hall (he was limited to 18 games there in the 2011-12 season due to appendicitis), has three years of eligibility. The Stags also have numbers in the backcourt but, again, but will have inexperience there after having so much senior talent this past season. Sophomore-to-be Justin Jenkins is a candidate at both guard spots. But, incoming freshman K.J. Rose looks like the only true point guard in the program. Lincoln Davis, another newcomer, spent this past season at prep school. He's another strong candidate for playing time in the backcourt but appears to be more scorer than ball-handler. The future of the program's guard corps appears strong, but inexperienced for now. It means the front court will have to make strides, but there's talent there in the developing Sidibe, Barrow and Gilbert. Josip Mikulic, a 7-footer, flashed some potential this past season and might be ready to be a stronger role player. And, then, there's a big piece, literally, coming aboard in mid-season when Pittsburgh transfer Malcolm Gilbert, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound center, becomes eligible after the first semester. Gilbert, who played sparingly at Pitt as a freshman two years ago, was redshirting in 2012-13 when he, instead, opted for a mid-season transfer to play alongside his brother, Marcus. His offensive game is still developing, but he should be an immediate contributor on the defensive end.
PREDICTION FOR 2013-14: It's hard to envision Fairfield competing for the league's top spot this year, particularly considering its youth. Barrow will be the program's only senior. Everyone else on the roster will be either a sophomore or a freshman. Still, there's enough talent in place for the Stags to be competitive. A mid-pack finish is probable with considerably better coming in future years as the youngsters develop together.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Coyle Returns To MAAC as St. Peter's Women's Coach
The Marist men's team isn't the MAAC's only program that, this off season, has hired a head coach that previously worked at the sport's highest level.
The Red Foxes, earlier this spring, brought in Jeff Bower, who had been in the NBA for 15 years in a variety of positions ranging from general manager, interim head coach and scout.
And, now, the Saint Peter's women's program, this week, hired Patty Coyle, who had been in the WNBA for a decade, first as an assistant coach with the New York Liberty from 1999-2004 and, then, as that franchise's head coach from 2004-09.
Coyle replaces nine-year Peacocks' coach Stephanie DeWolfe, who left the position shortly after this past season.
Coyle is an enlightened hire by a once-strong program that has struggled in recent years. The 51-year old Coyle brings not only the credibility of having spent a decade in the professional ranks, but also past MAAC experience and previous success at rejuvenating a conference program.
Coyle had been in the league at Loyola from the start of the 1992-93 season through five games of the 1998-99 season when she was hired away to be an assistant with the WNBA's Liberty franchise.
During that time, she turned around a Greyhounds' program that had been nothing short of abysmal with 13 consecutive losing records, including a 12-71 overall record in the last three seasons before Coyle took over.
Coyle's first Loyola team finished 8-6 in the MAAC and 14-15 overall. In her six-plus seasons with Loyola her teams had a 100-77 record and advanced to back-to-back NCAA tournaments (1995 and 1996), the program's only two appearances in the NCAA's in its history.
Coyle, a no-nonsense program director, then spent the next decade in the WNBA before she eventually returned to the college ranks in 2010 as an assistant coach with Pittsburgh. That program, though, fired head coach Agnus Berenato and her entire staff after the Panthers finished 0-16 in Big East play and 9-21 overall this past season.
Coyle, though, wasn't out of work long, connecting with Saint Peter's two months (a move that had been rumored for several weeks) after losing her position at Pitt.
The Peacocks, for sure, need similar work that Coyle did at Loyola. Saint Peter's has had five straight sub-.500 overall records, including a 2-16/2-28 finish this past season and a 13-79 overall record over the past three seasons.
Coyle certainly has a rebuilding job ahead. Saint Peter's graduates three of its top four scorers and its three leading rebounders from this past season's team.
Your Hoopscribe was able to spend a few minutes with Coyle prior to an early season game at Pittsburgh this past season, and she fondly reminisced about her previous experience in the MAAC,
"What I miss most (about the MAAC) is the people from around the league that I had good relationships with," she said, back then. "The MAAC is a very good league, and that all starts with the leadership. We had some battles with some good programs when I was at Loyola, and I always enjoyed them and enjoyed my entire MAAC experience."
And, now, she's back for another run, taking on another program in need of some rebuilding. If her track record at Loyola is any indication, then Saint Peter's will be back among the conference's stronger teams in the very near future.
The Red Foxes, earlier this spring, brought in Jeff Bower, who had been in the NBA for 15 years in a variety of positions ranging from general manager, interim head coach and scout.
And, now, the Saint Peter's women's program, this week, hired Patty Coyle, who had been in the WNBA for a decade, first as an assistant coach with the New York Liberty from 1999-2004 and, then, as that franchise's head coach from 2004-09.
Coyle replaces nine-year Peacocks' coach Stephanie DeWolfe, who left the position shortly after this past season.
Coyle is an enlightened hire by a once-strong program that has struggled in recent years. The 51-year old Coyle brings not only the credibility of having spent a decade in the professional ranks, but also past MAAC experience and previous success at rejuvenating a conference program.
Coyle had been in the league at Loyola from the start of the 1992-93 season through five games of the 1998-99 season when she was hired away to be an assistant with the WNBA's Liberty franchise.
During that time, she turned around a Greyhounds' program that had been nothing short of abysmal with 13 consecutive losing records, including a 12-71 overall record in the last three seasons before Coyle took over.
Coyle's first Loyola team finished 8-6 in the MAAC and 14-15 overall. In her six-plus seasons with Loyola her teams had a 100-77 record and advanced to back-to-back NCAA tournaments (1995 and 1996), the program's only two appearances in the NCAA's in its history.
Coyle, a no-nonsense program director, then spent the next decade in the WNBA before she eventually returned to the college ranks in 2010 as an assistant coach with Pittsburgh. That program, though, fired head coach Agnus Berenato and her entire staff after the Panthers finished 0-16 in Big East play and 9-21 overall this past season.
Coyle, though, wasn't out of work long, connecting with Saint Peter's two months (a move that had been rumored for several weeks) after losing her position at Pitt.
The Peacocks, for sure, need similar work that Coyle did at Loyola. Saint Peter's has had five straight sub-.500 overall records, including a 2-16/2-28 finish this past season and a 13-79 overall record over the past three seasons.
Coyle certainly has a rebuilding job ahead. Saint Peter's graduates three of its top four scorers and its three leading rebounders from this past season's team.
Your Hoopscribe was able to spend a few minutes with Coyle prior to an early season game at Pittsburgh this past season, and she fondly reminisced about her previous experience in the MAAC,
"What I miss most (about the MAAC) is the people from around the league that I had good relationships with," she said, back then. "The MAAC is a very good league, and that all starts with the leadership. We had some battles with some good programs when I was at Loyola, and I always enjoyed them and enjoyed my entire MAAC experience."
And, now, she's back for another run, taking on another program in need of some rebuilding. If her track record at Loyola is any indication, then Saint Peter's will be back among the conference's stronger teams in the very near future.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Former Gael Dagostino Set To Be Ave Maria Coach
Our first viewing of Kenny Dagostino was as a standout high school player at Guilderland (N.Y.) H.S., a 6-foot-1 guard who was a little too small and a little too slow afoot to be a factor at the Division I level. Still, he had enough ability to have been a good player at the Division II level, and had several scholarship offers to play D-II.
Instead, Dagostino wanted a Division I experience, wanted to be mentored by coaches at the highest level and soak in as much of their expertise as he could. Dagostino knew, even as a high school player, his basketball future would be as a teacher/coach and not as a player.
So, he walked on at Iona where he played for Jeff Ruland and graduated in 2006. Because of his on-court smarts, his all-out hustle and enthusiasm, Ruland regularly claimed that Dagostino was one of his all-time favorite players.
Mostly, Dagostino was a practice player, but a very good one who most-definitely challenged starting teammates every day in practice. Over his four years at Iona he saw action in just 29 games and scored nine total points, but those statistics belied his contributions in practices and as a team leader.
He got the full Division I college experience, even getting to the NCAA tournament with the Gaels in the 2005-06 season. Ruland gave Dagostino a scholarship when "Dags" was a junior and a senior. And, Dagostino was a team captain as a senior. And, how many college walk-ons are respected enough leaders to eventually earn captain's designation?
Your hoopscribe remembers connecting with Dagostino, via phone, when the Gaels were in transit to the the NCAA's in 2006. There probably wasn't an individual anywhere enjoying the experience any more than he was, even though he knew he wouldn't get on the court.
"This is what I came here for," said Dagostino. "This is what I wanted to experience, the thrill of being involved in an NCAA tournament. This is what I dreamed about."
It was all part of the experience that Dagostino hoped would lead to something in the sport in future years.
And, now, it has. Now, another dream is being realized.
Dagostino, according to a variety of sources, will be named the had coach at Ave Maria University, a four-year NAIA program near the Gulf Coast in southern Florida. It's a nice move for a young coach who doesn't turn 30 until September.
Dagostino certainly paid his proverbial dues to advance. He began his coaching progression at UAlbany, first as a grad assistant/video coordinator and, then, as the program's director of basketball operations.
In 2009 he got his first chance to direct a program when he was named head coach at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. In four seasons there he had a 74-44 record.
Ave Maria's job opened up in May when its previous coach, Jamon Copeland, moved on to become the head coach at the University of Texas at Tyler.
Ave Maria won 23 games this past season and has a good nucleus returning. It's another nice move forward for a good guy and a young coach on the rise.
Instead, Dagostino wanted a Division I experience, wanted to be mentored by coaches at the highest level and soak in as much of their expertise as he could. Dagostino knew, even as a high school player, his basketball future would be as a teacher/coach and not as a player.
So, he walked on at Iona where he played for Jeff Ruland and graduated in 2006. Because of his on-court smarts, his all-out hustle and enthusiasm, Ruland regularly claimed that Dagostino was one of his all-time favorite players.
Mostly, Dagostino was a practice player, but a very good one who most-definitely challenged starting teammates every day in practice. Over his four years at Iona he saw action in just 29 games and scored nine total points, but those statistics belied his contributions in practices and as a team leader.
He got the full Division I college experience, even getting to the NCAA tournament with the Gaels in the 2005-06 season. Ruland gave Dagostino a scholarship when "Dags" was a junior and a senior. And, Dagostino was a team captain as a senior. And, how many college walk-ons are respected enough leaders to eventually earn captain's designation?
Your hoopscribe remembers connecting with Dagostino, via phone, when the Gaels were in transit to the the NCAA's in 2006. There probably wasn't an individual anywhere enjoying the experience any more than he was, even though he knew he wouldn't get on the court.
"This is what I came here for," said Dagostino. "This is what I wanted to experience, the thrill of being involved in an NCAA tournament. This is what I dreamed about."
It was all part of the experience that Dagostino hoped would lead to something in the sport in future years.
And, now, it has. Now, another dream is being realized.
Dagostino, according to a variety of sources, will be named the had coach at Ave Maria University, a four-year NAIA program near the Gulf Coast in southern Florida. It's a nice move for a young coach who doesn't turn 30 until September.
Dagostino certainly paid his proverbial dues to advance. He began his coaching progression at UAlbany, first as a grad assistant/video coordinator and, then, as the program's director of basketball operations.
In 2009 he got his first chance to direct a program when he was named head coach at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. In four seasons there he had a 74-44 record.
Ave Maria's job opened up in May when its previous coach, Jamon Copeland, moved on to become the head coach at the University of Texas at Tyler.
Ave Maria won 23 games this past season and has a good nucleus returning. It's another nice move forward for a good guy and a young coach on the rise.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Team Reports: Fairfield Women Will Be Strong Again
Here's another in the "Team Report" series taking a look back and ahead at conference programs.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD WOMEN
2012-13 RECORD: 11-7 in MAAC play (3rd place), 18-14 overall. Lost in the MAAC tournament's quarterfinal round, 52-48, to Siena. Received a berth in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) where it won a first-round game, 71-51, over St. Francis and, then, lost to Penn, 49-48.
2012-13 SEASON RECAP: Start at the end ... the Stags got sudden endings both to MAAC play and, then, the season. It took a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Penn to end Fairfield's season, 49-48, in the WBI. That post-season berth came after Siena pulled off an upset, 52-48, victory in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC tournament. The late-season ups and downs were a microcosm of the regular season in which Fairfield opened non-league play by winning five of its first six games and opened MAAC play with a 6-1 record, the only loss in that stretch by five to league unbeaten Marist. After that nice league start, though, the Stags went 5-6 in other conference games. And, other than those two nice stretches ... the 5-1 non-league start and the 6-1 MAAC stretch ... Fairfield's record was 7-12.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The 5-1 non-league start, the 6-1 MAAC start wee both very nice stretches, and probably saw the Stags playing a little better than expected. The program lost two all-time players, from the previous season (Taryn Johnson and Desiree Pina) to graduation, and, all things considered, getting 18 total wins on the year probably exceeded expectations. But, players leave and others step up. Junior forward Katie Cizynski, previously a role player, became a first-team all-MAAC selection, averaging 11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and shooting 48.6 percent from the floor (52nd best nationally). Junior forward Brittany Obi-Tabot, previously a lightly used reserve, broke out to average 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and was a second-team all-MAAC pick. Sophomore guard Alexys Vazquez was superlative from long range, making 74 of 189 from beyond the bonus stripe, a 39.2 percent accuracy rate which was 23rd best nationally. Katelyn Linney, a senior guard, averaged 8.1 points per game and Kristin Schatzlein, a freshman guard, had a solid first season in college (4.4, 2.2). The Joe Frager-preferred playing style ... defense and deliberate, multi-play offense, was effective again. Fairfield opponents only averaged 53.9 points per game, the 23rd best defensive statistic nationally. That total, though, is always somewhat skewed since the Stags almost never push the ball up court and usually run clock on offense while running a variety of set plays. Still, it works. Frager has 119 wins in six seasons, and really has turned the program around after it went through six straight years without cracking the .500 mark prior to his arrival. This year's end result was another national tournament berth, one that included a home-court victory (over St. Francis). It was the Stags third national post-season invitation in the past four seasons.
WHAT WENT WRONG: The highs (the 5-1 start to non-league play, the 6-1 MAAC start) were balanced by the lows (7-12 otherwise). The loss, as a No. 3 MAAC tournament seed to No. 6 seed Siena in the league's post-season event was a disappointment, as was the abrupt end to its overall season when Penn made a last-second three-pointer to pull out a 49-48 victory over the Stags in the WBI tournament. There were physical issues, too. Brittany McFarlane, the 2011-12 season's Sixth Player of the Year in the MAAC, battled painful rheumatoid arthritis in her hips all season and played at far less than her best. That she played at all this past season was a tribute to her desire. Obi Tabot also missed three late-season games with an injury and probably wasn't at her best in the tournament loss to Siena. And, the team never found a suitable replacement for Pina, who had been one of the league's best point guards who not only ran the team but also contributed with outside shooting. The Stags went with sophomore Felicia DaCruz and junior Christelle Akon-Akech splitting the role. DaCruz struggled to guard quicker opponents and with her outside shooting (25.3 percent, including just 14.0 percent on three-pointers) and Akon-Akech rarely looked to shoot from the perimeter (she averaged 3.3 points per game) and opposing defenses were able to leave her open on the perimeter and help out on other Fairfield players.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Probably yet another good season in what is now a nice six-year run. The team's top three scorers (Cizynski, Obi-Tabot and Vazquez) and six of the top eight all return. The losses are Katelyn Linney, essentially a long-range shooter (8.1 ppg.) and McFarlane, who struggled physically as a senior. They aren't devastating losses. There's still strong perimeter play returning, particularly if either DaCruz and/or Akon-Akech can improve their perimeter shooting skills. Cizynski and Obi-Tabot combine to be one of the conference's better front-court duos. And, there looks to be good front-court help coming via recruiting. Samantha Cooper, a 6-2 forward from Ontario, Canada is the biggest recruit. She is joined by two 6-footers, Kelsey Carey (2,174 career high school points) and Kristine Miller, a strong inside player.
PREDICTION FOR 2013-14: Another typical Fairfield season, that is one that approaches 20 victories overall and has the Stags finishing among the top three in the final MAAC standings. It's probably a given that Marist will capture yet another conference crown, but Iona (second place this past season) will be adjusting to a new coach. It means Fairfield could certainly contend for second place in the coming season.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD WOMEN
2012-13 RECORD: 11-7 in MAAC play (3rd place), 18-14 overall. Lost in the MAAC tournament's quarterfinal round, 52-48, to Siena. Received a berth in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) where it won a first-round game, 71-51, over St. Francis and, then, lost to Penn, 49-48.
2012-13 SEASON RECAP: Start at the end ... the Stags got sudden endings both to MAAC play and, then, the season. It took a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Penn to end Fairfield's season, 49-48, in the WBI. That post-season berth came after Siena pulled off an upset, 52-48, victory in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC tournament. The late-season ups and downs were a microcosm of the regular season in which Fairfield opened non-league play by winning five of its first six games and opened MAAC play with a 6-1 record, the only loss in that stretch by five to league unbeaten Marist. After that nice league start, though, the Stags went 5-6 in other conference games. And, other than those two nice stretches ... the 5-1 non-league start and the 6-1 MAAC stretch ... Fairfield's record was 7-12.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The 5-1 non-league start, the 6-1 MAAC start wee both very nice stretches, and probably saw the Stags playing a little better than expected. The program lost two all-time players, from the previous season (Taryn Johnson and Desiree Pina) to graduation, and, all things considered, getting 18 total wins on the year probably exceeded expectations. But, players leave and others step up. Junior forward Katie Cizynski, previously a role player, became a first-team all-MAAC selection, averaging 11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and shooting 48.6 percent from the floor (52nd best nationally). Junior forward Brittany Obi-Tabot, previously a lightly used reserve, broke out to average 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and was a second-team all-MAAC pick. Sophomore guard Alexys Vazquez was superlative from long range, making 74 of 189 from beyond the bonus stripe, a 39.2 percent accuracy rate which was 23rd best nationally. Katelyn Linney, a senior guard, averaged 8.1 points per game and Kristin Schatzlein, a freshman guard, had a solid first season in college (4.4, 2.2). The Joe Frager-preferred playing style ... defense and deliberate, multi-play offense, was effective again. Fairfield opponents only averaged 53.9 points per game, the 23rd best defensive statistic nationally. That total, though, is always somewhat skewed since the Stags almost never push the ball up court and usually run clock on offense while running a variety of set plays. Still, it works. Frager has 119 wins in six seasons, and really has turned the program around after it went through six straight years without cracking the .500 mark prior to his arrival. This year's end result was another national tournament berth, one that included a home-court victory (over St. Francis). It was the Stags third national post-season invitation in the past four seasons.
WHAT WENT WRONG: The highs (the 5-1 start to non-league play, the 6-1 MAAC start) were balanced by the lows (7-12 otherwise). The loss, as a No. 3 MAAC tournament seed to No. 6 seed Siena in the league's post-season event was a disappointment, as was the abrupt end to its overall season when Penn made a last-second three-pointer to pull out a 49-48 victory over the Stags in the WBI tournament. There were physical issues, too. Brittany McFarlane, the 2011-12 season's Sixth Player of the Year in the MAAC, battled painful rheumatoid arthritis in her hips all season and played at far less than her best. That she played at all this past season was a tribute to her desire. Obi Tabot also missed three late-season games with an injury and probably wasn't at her best in the tournament loss to Siena. And, the team never found a suitable replacement for Pina, who had been one of the league's best point guards who not only ran the team but also contributed with outside shooting. The Stags went with sophomore Felicia DaCruz and junior Christelle Akon-Akech splitting the role. DaCruz struggled to guard quicker opponents and with her outside shooting (25.3 percent, including just 14.0 percent on three-pointers) and Akon-Akech rarely looked to shoot from the perimeter (she averaged 3.3 points per game) and opposing defenses were able to leave her open on the perimeter and help out on other Fairfield players.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Probably yet another good season in what is now a nice six-year run. The team's top three scorers (Cizynski, Obi-Tabot and Vazquez) and six of the top eight all return. The losses are Katelyn Linney, essentially a long-range shooter (8.1 ppg.) and McFarlane, who struggled physically as a senior. They aren't devastating losses. There's still strong perimeter play returning, particularly if either DaCruz and/or Akon-Akech can improve their perimeter shooting skills. Cizynski and Obi-Tabot combine to be one of the conference's better front-court duos. And, there looks to be good front-court help coming via recruiting. Samantha Cooper, a 6-2 forward from Ontario, Canada is the biggest recruit. She is joined by two 6-footers, Kelsey Carey (2,174 career high school points) and Kristine Miller, a strong inside player.
PREDICTION FOR 2013-14: Another typical Fairfield season, that is one that approaches 20 victories overall and has the Stags finishing among the top three in the final MAAC standings. It's probably a given that Marist will capture yet another conference crown, but Iona (second place this past season) will be adjusting to a new coach. It means Fairfield could certainly contend for second place in the coming season.
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