Here's the latest installment in the "10 Teams in 10 Days" series looking back and ahead at MAAC women's programs.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD (11-7 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 20-14 overall)
RECAP: It took Fairfield a while to get things right but when it did, it did so in a big way. A 20-win season was a significant accomplishment for a team that lost four key starters from the previous year. And, then, it started this past season with a 10-12 overall record and a 4-7 mark in conference play. It would have been easy to figure 2009-10 wasn't going to be their year, and the Stags could have coasted home. Instead they won their last seven conference contests and nine in a row overall including victories in the first two rounds of the MAAC tournament before losing to Marist in the championship game. It was enough to earn a post-season berth in the Women's Basketball Invitational event where it won a first-round game over Towson before falling in the second round to Appalachian State. The season saw former role player 6-2 senior Stephanie Geehan produce a season that was worthy of Player of the Year consideration, former shooting guard Desiree Pina make a successful transition to point guard and freshman Katelyn Linney emerge as one of the conference's top rookies.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Geehan, content to defer to older teammates over her first three seasons, made a seamless transition to be the program's spotlight player. In doing so she set a conference record for single-season blocked shots (118), fifth-best nationally. Her 11.4 rebound-per game average also led the MAAC and ranked sixth nationally. She also became one of just 10 conference players to ever record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for her career. Pina became a nice second option, while also directing the offense and was just about indispensible, averaging 38.1 minutes per contest. Linney became an effective long-range weapon with 67 three-pointers on the season. Sophomore Taryn Johnson, an athletic forward, averaged 8.9 point, 6.9 rebounds and had 53 blocks and Tara Flaherty, a 6-2 senior forward, became an effective second presence in the post, particularly late in the season. The late-season nine-game winning streak included a victory over Marist and two over second-place finisher Iona. As a team the Stags set school records for most blocks and most made three-pointers in a season. Give at least a little credit to third-year head coach Joe Frager, who is among the conference's best.
WHAT WENT WRONG: The slow start, which wasn't helped by a knee injury to promising sophomore guard Sarah Paulus (3.8 points, 3.5 rebounds in four games). After that, the Stags became an "Iron Six," as its top six players scored 1,877 of its points and the rest of the roster contributed just 97. No other MAAC team did more with less. When Geehan struggled, which wasn't often, Fairfield became primarily an easier-to-defend perimeter team. Geehan got in early foul trouble in the conference tournament's championship game, and the Stags couldn't compete against Marist without her. Otherwise not much else went wrong, particularly in the second half of the season.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Frager took a team that lost more than any conference team after the 2008-09 season and produced a second-straight 20-victory year in 2009-10. The program doesn't lose as much in terms of quanty, but it does lose one of its all-time best players in Geehan as well as Flaherty, its only other inside presence. It will be interesting to see if Fairfield can overcome significant losses yet again. The perimeter, though, will be as good as any team's, particularly with Johnson at small forward and Pina and Linney at the guard spots. If Paulus is healthy again, she'll be a nice addition. Junior Joelle Wawrocky, a 6-foot-0 guard, and 6-1 freshman forward Brittany McFarlane both look capable of stepping up next season. The program, though, needs to find some post players and depth and much of that could come from incoming freshmen post players 6-2 Katie Cizynski and 6-1 Brittany Obi-Talbot and 5-10 guard Alexys Vazquez.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: After surviving the loss of four starters and still finishing with 20 victories this past season, we know better now than to underestimate what Frager can get out of his players. The perimeter pieces are in place. If the incoming freshmen can provide some help in the post and, in the process, extend the team's playing rotation to seven or eight, it could be another good season for the Stags. They won't fall from the conference's upper half, and could realistically finish in in the top three.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Women's Report: Jaspers Getting Better
Here's the latest installment of the "10 Teams in 10 Days" series looking back and ahead at conference women's programs.
Up now ...
MANHATTAN (10-8 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 15-15 overall)
RECAP: The program hasn't had a winning overall record since a 20-10 mark in 2002-03, and underwent an off-season coaching change to bring in John Olenowski, who had done nothing but win an extraordinary amount of games as a high school coach and head coach, in the 1980's at Pace University. Most recently an assistant at Long Island University, Olenowski almost got the Jaspers back on the positive side of the won-loss ledger with a 15-14 regular-season mark that slipped back to .500 (15-15 overall) when they lost to Niagara in the first round of the MAAC tournament. Otherwise things were fairly satisfying, an encouraging first step, for a young team that was 10-20 overall the previous year. Included was a midseason stretch when it won six times in eight MAAC games. The season also saw 6-foot-0 sophomore forward Lindsey Loutsenhiser emerge as one of the better players in the conference, senior point guard Michelle Pacheco revitalize her career that slipped considerably the previous season and allowed a host of younger players to get valuable and positive playing experience.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Pacheco, who fell out of favor and lost her starting job as a junior, flourished under Olenowski in her senior seasons, finished fourth in the conference in scoring, first in assists, second in steals and was a first-team all-MAAC selection. Loutsenhiser, a sophomore, finished third in scoring, 10th in rebounding and second in field-goal percentage. She was a second-team all-star selection who probably should have been on the first team. Nadia Peters, a 6-1 sophomore forward, was a nice inside presence and her 1.6 blocks-per-game average was second-best in the conference. The team won games by taking care of the ball. Its' positive 3.4 turnover ratio was the best in the MAAC as it turned it over 100 fewer times than opponents. Those extra possessions showed up on the scoreboard where Manhattan averaged 62.3 points per game, third-best in the conference. There was the 6 wins in 8-game mid-season stretch including a pair over third-place Fairfield. At the end of the season Manhattan knocked off Manhattan, 65-62, one of Marist's three regular-season losses and Pacheco had 28 points in that contest.
WHAT WENT WRONG: A very evident rebounding disadvantage (Manhattan's 32.9 rebound-per-game average was last in the conference, and it got beat by an average of six per game) left the team with very little margin of error. And, then, it lost its best outside-shooting threat when sophomore guard Alyssa Harrington, one of the conference's top marksmen, suffered a mid-season injury and missed the final 16 games. To that point she was leading all conference players with 37 three-pointers. Manhattan had four other players hit at least 20 3-pointers during the year, but the loss of Harrington made the team a little easier to defend. Loutsenhiser, whose best work came on the perimeter, was also the team's leading rebounder (6.5 per contest). An overabundance of young players (10 of the 13 team members were freshmen or sophomores) almost ensured the best work was in the future. There was also a lack of depth. After Harrington's loss, the team pretty much only relied on seven players. The season ended on a down note, the 66-54 tournament loss to Niagara which the Jaspers had beaten in both regular-season contests. It should give the team some off-season incentive.
WHAT'S AHEAD: More improvement should be coming particularly if the program can find a replacement for Pacheco, its standout point guard. That could come from incoming freshman Jazmine Jarvis, a 2,000-point scorer on the high school level. If Jarvis, or anyone else, steps up to run the team effectively then the Jaspers could reasonably approach the 20-victory level this coming season. Loutsenhiser is the requisite "star" player a team needs to compete for the conference's upper level, and Harrington's return should allow her to be a second offensive force. Peters should get better and provide a little more inside, and junior guard Abby Wentworth (9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds) is another solid starter who does a little bit of everything. Toni-Ann Lawrence, a 5-11 freshman forward, averaged 2.9 rebounds in limited playing time this past season and could add some needed inside help. Among the recruits is 6-3 center Brandone Roberts.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: If a point guard steps up, and some rebounding help emerges ... both likely to happen ... Manhattan should do no worse than this year's fourth-place finish and could compete for the top three spots. Anything more than that does depend on filling the point-guard/rebounding needs, but finishing in one of the top three spots is certainly a possibility. Competing for the regular-season crown isn't out of the question, either.
Up now ...
MANHATTAN (10-8 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 15-15 overall)
RECAP: The program hasn't had a winning overall record since a 20-10 mark in 2002-03, and underwent an off-season coaching change to bring in John Olenowski, who had done nothing but win an extraordinary amount of games as a high school coach and head coach, in the 1980's at Pace University. Most recently an assistant at Long Island University, Olenowski almost got the Jaspers back on the positive side of the won-loss ledger with a 15-14 regular-season mark that slipped back to .500 (15-15 overall) when they lost to Niagara in the first round of the MAAC tournament. Otherwise things were fairly satisfying, an encouraging first step, for a young team that was 10-20 overall the previous year. Included was a midseason stretch when it won six times in eight MAAC games. The season also saw 6-foot-0 sophomore forward Lindsey Loutsenhiser emerge as one of the better players in the conference, senior point guard Michelle Pacheco revitalize her career that slipped considerably the previous season and allowed a host of younger players to get valuable and positive playing experience.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Pacheco, who fell out of favor and lost her starting job as a junior, flourished under Olenowski in her senior seasons, finished fourth in the conference in scoring, first in assists, second in steals and was a first-team all-MAAC selection. Loutsenhiser, a sophomore, finished third in scoring, 10th in rebounding and second in field-goal percentage. She was a second-team all-star selection who probably should have been on the first team. Nadia Peters, a 6-1 sophomore forward, was a nice inside presence and her 1.6 blocks-per-game average was second-best in the conference. The team won games by taking care of the ball. Its' positive 3.4 turnover ratio was the best in the MAAC as it turned it over 100 fewer times than opponents. Those extra possessions showed up on the scoreboard where Manhattan averaged 62.3 points per game, third-best in the conference. There was the 6 wins in 8-game mid-season stretch including a pair over third-place Fairfield. At the end of the season Manhattan knocked off Manhattan, 65-62, one of Marist's three regular-season losses and Pacheco had 28 points in that contest.
WHAT WENT WRONG: A very evident rebounding disadvantage (Manhattan's 32.9 rebound-per-game average was last in the conference, and it got beat by an average of six per game) left the team with very little margin of error. And, then, it lost its best outside-shooting threat when sophomore guard Alyssa Harrington, one of the conference's top marksmen, suffered a mid-season injury and missed the final 16 games. To that point she was leading all conference players with 37 three-pointers. Manhattan had four other players hit at least 20 3-pointers during the year, but the loss of Harrington made the team a little easier to defend. Loutsenhiser, whose best work came on the perimeter, was also the team's leading rebounder (6.5 per contest). An overabundance of young players (10 of the 13 team members were freshmen or sophomores) almost ensured the best work was in the future. There was also a lack of depth. After Harrington's loss, the team pretty much only relied on seven players. The season ended on a down note, the 66-54 tournament loss to Niagara which the Jaspers had beaten in both regular-season contests. It should give the team some off-season incentive.
WHAT'S AHEAD: More improvement should be coming particularly if the program can find a replacement for Pacheco, its standout point guard. That could come from incoming freshman Jazmine Jarvis, a 2,000-point scorer on the high school level. If Jarvis, or anyone else, steps up to run the team effectively then the Jaspers could reasonably approach the 20-victory level this coming season. Loutsenhiser is the requisite "star" player a team needs to compete for the conference's upper level, and Harrington's return should allow her to be a second offensive force. Peters should get better and provide a little more inside, and junior guard Abby Wentworth (9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds) is another solid starter who does a little bit of everything. Toni-Ann Lawrence, a 5-11 freshman forward, averaged 2.9 rebounds in limited playing time this past season and could add some needed inside help. Among the recruits is 6-3 center Brandone Roberts.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: If a point guard steps up, and some rebounding help emerges ... both likely to happen ... Manhattan should do no worse than this year's fourth-place finish and could compete for the top three spots. Anything more than that does depend on filling the point-guard/rebounding needs, but finishing in one of the top three spots is certainly a possibility. Competing for the regular-season crown isn't out of the question, either.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Women's Report: Niagara's Run Continues
Here's the latest in the "10 Teams in 10 Days" series looking back and ahead at MAAC women's programs.
Up now ...
NIAGARA (9-9 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 13-18 overall)
RECAP: Through nearly half its season Niagara looked like the worst team in the league, which wasn't a surprise. The Purple Eagles needed to win their final regular-season game of 2008-09 to avoid becoming the fourth team in conference history to go through a league schedule without a win. It finished 1-17 in MAAC play and 3-28 overall. And, it followed that with a 3-12 overall record to start the 2009-10 season. And, then, Niagara wasn't the conference's worst team any more. Just ask Marist, the regular-season champion, which suffered a 69-59 defeat at Niagara on Jan. 31. That was the second of a mid-season five-game winning streak. Some lineup adjustments and a renewed dedication to doing the so-called little things, i.e. boxing out, getting on the floor for loose balls, etc., that add up to victories also added up to a remarkable mid-season turnaround from what looked to be another disasterous season. Instead, it turned out to be a very satisfying season, one that earned third-year coach Kendra Faustin the conference's Coach of the Year award and created considerable optimism for what's ahead. The 9-9 conference record was the program's first .500 league season since 2004-05. It won a decisive first-round MAAC tournament game with a 66-54 victory over Manhattan before it lost to tournament-winner Marist, 69-47, in the semifinal round.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The mid-season rededication turned the season around. After the 3-12 start it would have been understandable if the team merely opted to play out the string. That it didn't had to be as satisfying as the 10-6 won-loss record down the stretch, including victories over league champion Marist and third-place Fairfield. The turnaround came with a lineup adjustment that moved lightly used resevere 6-1 senior center Jaclyn Konieczka into the starting five. Her rebounding and defense provided aspects of play that were lacking for a team that had been getting overwhelmed in the post until then. Although Konieczka only averaged 5.8 points and 4.8 rebounds, she had a career high 21 points in the "signature" victory over Marist. Freshman point guard Kayla Stroman also provided play beyond her years while running the team. Another guard, sophomore Ali Morris, was named the conference's 6th Player of the Year winner and junior forward Liz Flooks, one of the MAAC's top outside shooters, was a second-team all-conference pick. As a team Niagara committed 73 fewer turnovers than its opponents.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Rebounding was a problem all season as Niagara was outrebounded by a per-game average of 7.5. Through its first 12 games it operated at a deficit of 11.4 rebounds per game, after that only a minus 4.1. Tough to win games giving up all those extra possessions, but the Purple Eagles did other things well, including putting a value on its own possessions and it had 73 fewer turnovers than opponents. Its second-leading scorer, Jennifer McNamee, suffered a mid-season injury and didn't play after Jan. 31. Four of its top eight players were freshmen or sophomores, although that overall inexperience became less of a factor as the season progressed. Mostly, it was a tale of two seasons. The first 15 games were miserable ad the final 16 were far more than program followers expected.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Potentially more post problems as the team's top two rebounders, 6-1 Rachele Folino (5.7 per game) and Konieczka are both gone. it leaves Flooks, mostly a perimeter performer; and the 5-5 Stoman as the two leading returning rebounders. Otherwise, there is much to be optimistic about. Flooks will be among the conference's better scorers this coming season, Stroman has a year's experience running the team. Morris will likely play a bigger role after a nice sophomore season. Another sophomore, 5-10 forward Meghan Watermann might have been the league's top defensive stopper this past season. And, 5-11 freshman forward Jessica Flamm showed signs of being a nice contributor. But, there's still the rebounding problem, and that might have to be solved by incoming freshmen. The best is athletic 5-11 forward Shy Britton. And, there are two-6-1 players joining the program, Jazmine Frost and Kaitlin Gattuso, whose dad is the associate head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: There won't be any need for a mid-season turnaround. If the team can continue to embrace the need to do the dirty-work duties that produced this past season's strong second-half results, then it should be winning games right away. There are five very good perimter players returning. The only question concerns finding some inside players, even if those only provide rebounds and inside defense. If that comes, Niagara should finish in the upper half of the league standings.
Up now ...
NIAGARA (9-9 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 13-18 overall)
RECAP: Through nearly half its season Niagara looked like the worst team in the league, which wasn't a surprise. The Purple Eagles needed to win their final regular-season game of 2008-09 to avoid becoming the fourth team in conference history to go through a league schedule without a win. It finished 1-17 in MAAC play and 3-28 overall. And, it followed that with a 3-12 overall record to start the 2009-10 season. And, then, Niagara wasn't the conference's worst team any more. Just ask Marist, the regular-season champion, which suffered a 69-59 defeat at Niagara on Jan. 31. That was the second of a mid-season five-game winning streak. Some lineup adjustments and a renewed dedication to doing the so-called little things, i.e. boxing out, getting on the floor for loose balls, etc., that add up to victories also added up to a remarkable mid-season turnaround from what looked to be another disasterous season. Instead, it turned out to be a very satisfying season, one that earned third-year coach Kendra Faustin the conference's Coach of the Year award and created considerable optimism for what's ahead. The 9-9 conference record was the program's first .500 league season since 2004-05. It won a decisive first-round MAAC tournament game with a 66-54 victory over Manhattan before it lost to tournament-winner Marist, 69-47, in the semifinal round.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The mid-season rededication turned the season around. After the 3-12 start it would have been understandable if the team merely opted to play out the string. That it didn't had to be as satisfying as the 10-6 won-loss record down the stretch, including victories over league champion Marist and third-place Fairfield. The turnaround came with a lineup adjustment that moved lightly used resevere 6-1 senior center Jaclyn Konieczka into the starting five. Her rebounding and defense provided aspects of play that were lacking for a team that had been getting overwhelmed in the post until then. Although Konieczka only averaged 5.8 points and 4.8 rebounds, she had a career high 21 points in the "signature" victory over Marist. Freshman point guard Kayla Stroman also provided play beyond her years while running the team. Another guard, sophomore Ali Morris, was named the conference's 6th Player of the Year winner and junior forward Liz Flooks, one of the MAAC's top outside shooters, was a second-team all-conference pick. As a team Niagara committed 73 fewer turnovers than its opponents.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Rebounding was a problem all season as Niagara was outrebounded by a per-game average of 7.5. Through its first 12 games it operated at a deficit of 11.4 rebounds per game, after that only a minus 4.1. Tough to win games giving up all those extra possessions, but the Purple Eagles did other things well, including putting a value on its own possessions and it had 73 fewer turnovers than opponents. Its second-leading scorer, Jennifer McNamee, suffered a mid-season injury and didn't play after Jan. 31. Four of its top eight players were freshmen or sophomores, although that overall inexperience became less of a factor as the season progressed. Mostly, it was a tale of two seasons. The first 15 games were miserable ad the final 16 were far more than program followers expected.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Potentially more post problems as the team's top two rebounders, 6-1 Rachele Folino (5.7 per game) and Konieczka are both gone. it leaves Flooks, mostly a perimeter performer; and the 5-5 Stoman as the two leading returning rebounders. Otherwise, there is much to be optimistic about. Flooks will be among the conference's better scorers this coming season, Stroman has a year's experience running the team. Morris will likely play a bigger role after a nice sophomore season. Another sophomore, 5-10 forward Meghan Watermann might have been the league's top defensive stopper this past season. And, 5-11 freshman forward Jessica Flamm showed signs of being a nice contributor. But, there's still the rebounding problem, and that might have to be solved by incoming freshmen. The best is athletic 5-11 forward Shy Britton. And, there are two-6-1 players joining the program, Jazmine Frost and Kaitlin Gattuso, whose dad is the associate head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: There won't be any need for a mid-season turnaround. If the team can continue to embrace the need to do the dirty-work duties that produced this past season's strong second-half results, then it should be winning games right away. There are five very good perimter players returning. The only question concerns finding some inside players, even if those only provide rebounds and inside defense. If that comes, Niagara should finish in the upper half of the league standings.
Women's Report: Loyola Should Get Better
Here's the latest in the "10 Teams in 10 Days" series looking back and ahead at conference women's programs.
Up now ...
LOYOLA (9-9 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 14-16 overall)
RECAP: A mixed bag of a season that took one downward turn when junior point guard Candice Walker was lost to a torn plantar fasciia after just four games, and the Greyhounds didn't have a capable replacement to handle the ball. Not long afterwards assistant coach Alisha Mosley was hospitalized after feeling ill for several weeks. She had double pneumonia, a loss of kidney functions, inflammation in the back of her brain and nearly lost her life. After 43 days in a medically induced coma, she began her recovery and, in late February, was moved from intensive care to a rehab situation. Reports about her recovery have been positive. On the court, sophomore guard Miriam McKenzie had as strong a break-out season as any conference player, finishing second in the league in scoring (16.7 ppg.) and sixth in rebounding (7.6). She also took on much of the ball-handling duties in Walker's absence and led the team with 85 assists, but committed 132 turnovers. Junior guard Erica DiClemente had a nice season, as did senior forward Kaitlin Grant. Freshman guard Katie Sheehin played well enough to earn all-Rookie Team honors. Loyola opened the season strong (4-1 in MAAC play), went through a long dry spell (8 losses in 10 games) and, then, finished wll with three straight victories before falling to Fairfield in the first round of the conference tournament.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: McKenzie's breakout. An athletic-do-everything player, she figures to be among the MAAC's better players for the next two seasons and is a likely Player of the Year candidate over that time. She was the youngest player to earn first-team all-MAAC honors this past season. Clemente, a 5-11 guard, averaged 14 points per game in her last seven games. Sheehin averaged 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in her last nine games. Meredith Tolley, a 6-foot-0 forward, established herself as one of the better long-range shooters in the MAAC, connecting on 43 during the season. The team opened the season with a nice victory over Iona, then suffered a 3-point loss to Fairfield and followed that with victories over Rider, Saint Peter's and Manhattan. After that, though, it suffered through a 2-8 stretch before winning its last three regular-season games.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Things bottomed out for the middle portion of the season during that 2-8 stretch in conference play. The loss of Walker, the team's only effective ball-handler, ensured a promising season wouldn't be any better than its .500 conference finish. Things never work well when the team's primary ball-handler (McKenzie) commits 47 turnovers move than assists. Besides the loss of Walker, there wasn't enough height. Walker, a 6-o forward, was the only true post player, although McKenzie wound up as the team's leading rebounder from the guard spot. Mosley's situation, obviously, was an emotional issue for the program.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Grant graduates leaving a significant post-position situation for the program to plug. Freshman 6-0 forward Alyssa Sutherland (2.8 points, 2.4 rebounds) could help out there next year, as could 6-1 incoming freshman Nneka Offadilo, who will be the program's tallest player. Otherwise the team has more than its share of good periter players in McKenzie, DiClemente, Sheehin, Tolley and Devon Carey. But it also needs to develop some depth. Only seven players appeared in its MAAC tournament game. Walker's expected return at the point should help significantly.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: Walker's return to full health should improve things. The perimeter group is deep and talented, among the better groups in the conference. McKenzie is the "signature" player that a program needs to compete for the conference's upper division. Coach Joe Logan is certainly among the better program directors in the conference, and is likely to employ a style of play that will mask the inside deficiency. Loyola was tied for fifth in the final regular-season standings last year, and should reach that level, at a minimum, this year. If it can rebound well enough it could finish in the top three or four spots.
Up now ...
LOYOLA (9-9 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 14-16 overall)
RECAP: A mixed bag of a season that took one downward turn when junior point guard Candice Walker was lost to a torn plantar fasciia after just four games, and the Greyhounds didn't have a capable replacement to handle the ball. Not long afterwards assistant coach Alisha Mosley was hospitalized after feeling ill for several weeks. She had double pneumonia, a loss of kidney functions, inflammation in the back of her brain and nearly lost her life. After 43 days in a medically induced coma, she began her recovery and, in late February, was moved from intensive care to a rehab situation. Reports about her recovery have been positive. On the court, sophomore guard Miriam McKenzie had as strong a break-out season as any conference player, finishing second in the league in scoring (16.7 ppg.) and sixth in rebounding (7.6). She also took on much of the ball-handling duties in Walker's absence and led the team with 85 assists, but committed 132 turnovers. Junior guard Erica DiClemente had a nice season, as did senior forward Kaitlin Grant. Freshman guard Katie Sheehin played well enough to earn all-Rookie Team honors. Loyola opened the season strong (4-1 in MAAC play), went through a long dry spell (8 losses in 10 games) and, then, finished wll with three straight victories before falling to Fairfield in the first round of the conference tournament.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: McKenzie's breakout. An athletic-do-everything player, she figures to be among the MAAC's better players for the next two seasons and is a likely Player of the Year candidate over that time. She was the youngest player to earn first-team all-MAAC honors this past season. Clemente, a 5-11 guard, averaged 14 points per game in her last seven games. Sheehin averaged 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in her last nine games. Meredith Tolley, a 6-foot-0 forward, established herself as one of the better long-range shooters in the MAAC, connecting on 43 during the season. The team opened the season with a nice victory over Iona, then suffered a 3-point loss to Fairfield and followed that with victories over Rider, Saint Peter's and Manhattan. After that, though, it suffered through a 2-8 stretch before winning its last three regular-season games.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Things bottomed out for the middle portion of the season during that 2-8 stretch in conference play. The loss of Walker, the team's only effective ball-handler, ensured a promising season wouldn't be any better than its .500 conference finish. Things never work well when the team's primary ball-handler (McKenzie) commits 47 turnovers move than assists. Besides the loss of Walker, there wasn't enough height. Walker, a 6-o forward, was the only true post player, although McKenzie wound up as the team's leading rebounder from the guard spot. Mosley's situation, obviously, was an emotional issue for the program.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Grant graduates leaving a significant post-position situation for the program to plug. Freshman 6-0 forward Alyssa Sutherland (2.8 points, 2.4 rebounds) could help out there next year, as could 6-1 incoming freshman Nneka Offadilo, who will be the program's tallest player. Otherwise the team has more than its share of good periter players in McKenzie, DiClemente, Sheehin, Tolley and Devon Carey. But it also needs to develop some depth. Only seven players appeared in its MAAC tournament game. Walker's expected return at the point should help significantly.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: Walker's return to full health should improve things. The perimeter group is deep and talented, among the better groups in the conference. McKenzie is the "signature" player that a program needs to compete for the conference's upper division. Coach Joe Logan is certainly among the better program directors in the conference, and is likely to employ a style of play that will mask the inside deficiency. Loyola was tied for fifth in the final regular-season standings last year, and should reach that level, at a minimum, this year. If it can rebound well enough it could finish in the top three or four spots.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
MAAC to Run Hall of Fame Tip-Off Event
The MAAC's own post-season tournament, which moves to Springfield, Mass., at the end of the 2011-12 season, won't be the only event the league will host at that community's MassMutual Center.
It was announced today (May 12) that the conference will be involved with the latest version of The Basketball hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament that will be held at the MassMutual Center this November 20 and 21, a Saturday and Sunday.
Eight teams will participate in two brackets of four teams over two day in an NCAA exempt tournament. Rider will be the MAAC's representative in the event.
In addition to the two brackets that will play in Springfield, each of the participating schools will play against each other in two additional games to be hosted on campus by Bradley University, New Mexico State University, University of Massachusetts, and University of Southern California.
In games scheduled for Saturday November 20th at the MassMutual Center in Springfield - Bradley University will match up with the University of Southern California and New Mexico State University will play the University of Massachusetts. The winners and losers of the Saturday games will play on Sunday in the consolation and championship games.
The other bracket of four teams and the complete schedule of campus site games will be announced at a later date as well as the remaining four schools, television information and ticket information.2010
The MAAC will serve as the event's sponsoring conference, serve in various operational roles and provide an annual participant in the field of teams.
"The MAAC membership in looking to grow its relationship with the Basketball Hall of Fame, the MassMutual Center and the City of Springfield was eager to extend its expertise and provide staffing for The Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament as the event's sponsor," said Rich Ensor, the MAAC commissioner. "The MAAC prides itself on its record of hosting league and NCAA Championships, and exempt events in venues throughout the country and looks forward to great college hoops next November in the city that prides itself as the birthplace of basketball."
It was announced today (May 12) that the conference will be involved with the latest version of The Basketball hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament that will be held at the MassMutual Center this November 20 and 21, a Saturday and Sunday.
Eight teams will participate in two brackets of four teams over two day in an NCAA exempt tournament. Rider will be the MAAC's representative in the event.
In addition to the two brackets that will play in Springfield, each of the participating schools will play against each other in two additional games to be hosted on campus by Bradley University, New Mexico State University, University of Massachusetts, and University of Southern California.
In games scheduled for Saturday November 20th at the MassMutual Center in Springfield - Bradley University will match up with the University of Southern California and New Mexico State University will play the University of Massachusetts. The winners and losers of the Saturday games will play on Sunday in the consolation and championship games.
The other bracket of four teams and the complete schedule of campus site games will be announced at a later date as well as the remaining four schools, television information and ticket information.2010
The MAAC will serve as the event's sponsoring conference, serve in various operational roles and provide an annual participant in the field of teams.
"The MAAC membership in looking to grow its relationship with the Basketball Hall of Fame, the MassMutual Center and the City of Springfield was eager to extend its expertise and provide staffing for The Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament as the event's sponsor," said Rich Ensor, the MAAC commissioner. "The MAAC prides itself on its record of hosting league and NCAA Championships, and exempt events in venues throughout the country and looks forward to great college hoops next November in the city that prides itself as the birthplace of basketball."
Women's Report: Siena's Pieces in Place
Here's the latest in the "10 Teams in 10 Days" series looking at MAAC women's programs.
Up now ...
SIENA (8-10 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 11-17 overall)
RECAP: Another slightly less-than-satisfying season, but the team remains on the verge of being better than respectable. Although it hasn't been above .500 in conference play since 2003-04, it has had a 48-60 MAAC record over that time. Not bad, just not real good. This past season was a little of both. The Saints knocked off the conference's second-best team, Iona, in regular-season play and lost a one-point game to the league's third-best team, Fairfield, when the Stags' Stephanie Geehan sank a three-pointer at the buzzer. Siena also lost an overtime game at Niagara. Victories in those two close losses and Siena would have finished in fourth, rather than seventh place. A variety of injuries also played a role in holding down the Saints. An 0-6 start in non-conference play against a series of higher-level opponents was followed by a 11-12 afterwards. Mostly, though, the season was what the results indicated: some very good nights and some lesser ones. On the whole, a lot of inconsistent play.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The apex was a 75-67 overtime victory over tough Iona late in the season when Siena trailed by 18, 27-9, late in the first half and, then, rallied for a victory against its largest deficit in a winning effort in nine years. The win was predicated on a 12-assist/4-turnover effort after the half, something the Saints didn't get enough of as it had 3.9 turnovers per game more than opponents for the season. A 45-25 victory over Rider in the first-round of the MAAC tournament was a positive, too, as Broncs' point total was the fewest by a Siena opponent in the Saints' Division I history. Siena also had a big victory over a solid Loyola team (59-33) in mid-season. Junior forward Serena Moore (13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds) emerged as one of the league's best front-court players and will likely be a Player of the Year candidate next season. Freshman Lily Grenci, who battled foot problems all year, had two big games with 14-point efforts against the league's top two teams, Marist and Iona. Senior guard Allie Lindemann had 68 3-pointers, the second-highest total in the conference. A variety of other players had moments, just not enough of them. A commitment to defense after the 0-6 start paid some dividends. The first victory of the season, a 65-61 overtime effort against the University at Albany, was the 300th win of coach Gina Castelli's career. Only two other coaches (Mike Granelli and Dianne Nolan) have recorded more victories as MAAC coaches.
WHAT WENT WRONG: In Siena's glory days (over a five-year span from 1997-98 through 2001-02 it won 16 MAAC games four times ... only Marist has matched that sort of streak), it won because it had the most overall talent. It hasn't had a "signature" player since those days, and last year was no exception. Injuries played a role. Senior Sarah Fullmer, a 6-3 center, suffered a concussion, missed four games and, then, played tentatively (5.3 points per game) over the final seven games of the year. Grinci, a 5-11 forward, broke a foot in preseason, didn't come back until the end of December and didn't get in playing condition for another month. She had two big-time efforts, portending a bright future, and, then, was hindered by her foot woes again at season's end. There were far too many turnovers, 18.1 per game. Overall team quickness, or lack thereof, also caused problems. Opponents made 8.8 steals per game against Siena, while Siena only averaged 5.7 steals per contest. A touted recruit, Carly Cooper, expected to provide backcourt help, left the program before ever playing a game.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Despite the loss of three starters (point guard Merrick Volpe, Fullmer and Lindemann), better days are likely ahead. Five recruits are signed (and, a sixth might be coming), including point guard Ciara Stewart, who will likely get plenty of playing time. Two other guards and two post players are among the recruiting class and the group is expected to help increase team speed and athleticism. The flip side is that it's rare that freshmen make a significant impact. Still, Moore will be among the league's best players next season, Grenci is an emerging talent with all-league caliber potential and sophomore guard Christina Centano is a gritty, versatile perimeter performer who should have a step-up season. Several other solid role players also return.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: Siena should be solid again, and may be better if any of the freshmen, particularly the point guard, are ready to contribute. The team should be deeper and more athletic than last season, but less-experienced as well. There are enough good veteran players in place, though, to at least ensure a middle-of-the-pack finish. If any of the freshmen add anything of significance, then, it could be better. Expect anywhere from fourth-to-seventh in the standings with the promise of better things ahead as the strong incoming recruiting group develops.
Up now ...
SIENA (8-10 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 11-17 overall)
RECAP: Another slightly less-than-satisfying season, but the team remains on the verge of being better than respectable. Although it hasn't been above .500 in conference play since 2003-04, it has had a 48-60 MAAC record over that time. Not bad, just not real good. This past season was a little of both. The Saints knocked off the conference's second-best team, Iona, in regular-season play and lost a one-point game to the league's third-best team, Fairfield, when the Stags' Stephanie Geehan sank a three-pointer at the buzzer. Siena also lost an overtime game at Niagara. Victories in those two close losses and Siena would have finished in fourth, rather than seventh place. A variety of injuries also played a role in holding down the Saints. An 0-6 start in non-conference play against a series of higher-level opponents was followed by a 11-12 afterwards. Mostly, though, the season was what the results indicated: some very good nights and some lesser ones. On the whole, a lot of inconsistent play.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The apex was a 75-67 overtime victory over tough Iona late in the season when Siena trailed by 18, 27-9, late in the first half and, then, rallied for a victory against its largest deficit in a winning effort in nine years. The win was predicated on a 12-assist/4-turnover effort after the half, something the Saints didn't get enough of as it had 3.9 turnovers per game more than opponents for the season. A 45-25 victory over Rider in the first-round of the MAAC tournament was a positive, too, as Broncs' point total was the fewest by a Siena opponent in the Saints' Division I history. Siena also had a big victory over a solid Loyola team (59-33) in mid-season. Junior forward Serena Moore (13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds) emerged as one of the league's best front-court players and will likely be a Player of the Year candidate next season. Freshman Lily Grenci, who battled foot problems all year, had two big games with 14-point efforts against the league's top two teams, Marist and Iona. Senior guard Allie Lindemann had 68 3-pointers, the second-highest total in the conference. A variety of other players had moments, just not enough of them. A commitment to defense after the 0-6 start paid some dividends. The first victory of the season, a 65-61 overtime effort against the University at Albany, was the 300th win of coach Gina Castelli's career. Only two other coaches (Mike Granelli and Dianne Nolan) have recorded more victories as MAAC coaches.
WHAT WENT WRONG: In Siena's glory days (over a five-year span from 1997-98 through 2001-02 it won 16 MAAC games four times ... only Marist has matched that sort of streak), it won because it had the most overall talent. It hasn't had a "signature" player since those days, and last year was no exception. Injuries played a role. Senior Sarah Fullmer, a 6-3 center, suffered a concussion, missed four games and, then, played tentatively (5.3 points per game) over the final seven games of the year. Grinci, a 5-11 forward, broke a foot in preseason, didn't come back until the end of December and didn't get in playing condition for another month. She had two big-time efforts, portending a bright future, and, then, was hindered by her foot woes again at season's end. There were far too many turnovers, 18.1 per game. Overall team quickness, or lack thereof, also caused problems. Opponents made 8.8 steals per game against Siena, while Siena only averaged 5.7 steals per contest. A touted recruit, Carly Cooper, expected to provide backcourt help, left the program before ever playing a game.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Despite the loss of three starters (point guard Merrick Volpe, Fullmer and Lindemann), better days are likely ahead. Five recruits are signed (and, a sixth might be coming), including point guard Ciara Stewart, who will likely get plenty of playing time. Two other guards and two post players are among the recruiting class and the group is expected to help increase team speed and athleticism. The flip side is that it's rare that freshmen make a significant impact. Still, Moore will be among the league's best players next season, Grenci is an emerging talent with all-league caliber potential and sophomore guard Christina Centano is a gritty, versatile perimeter performer who should have a step-up season. Several other solid role players also return.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: Siena should be solid again, and may be better if any of the freshmen, particularly the point guard, are ready to contribute. The team should be deeper and more athletic than last season, but less-experienced as well. There are enough good veteran players in place, though, to at least ensure a middle-of-the-pack finish. If any of the freshmen add anything of significance, then, it could be better. Expect anywhere from fourth-to-seventh in the standings with the promise of better things ahead as the strong incoming recruiting group develops.
Women's Report: Peahens Need More Help
Here's the latest in the "10 Teams in 10 Days" series looking at MAAC women's programs.
Up now ...
SAINT PETER'S (7-11 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 11-19 overall)
RECAP: Not the best of seasons from a program that, a little more than a decade ago, was as dominant in the conference as Marist is now. The Peahens have had just one above .500 overall record since the 2001-02 season (19-12 in 2007-2008), and weren't close to that this past season. They played a gritty, hard-nosed style and pounded the boards (their 5.1 rebound-per-game edge over opponents topped the MAAC), and the offensive rebound was often their best offense. But, there just wasn't enough offense. A 54.2 point-per-game average was second from the bottom of MAAC teams. There weren't even a lot of close calls. Saint Peter's lost eight of its 11 conference games by double figures, and never managed to win more than two straight games. Its eighth-place regular-season finish was a far cry from the glory days of this program that still holds a 330-153 won-loss record against MAAC opponents. And, then, it dropped its first-round tournament game with a 67-57 setback against Canisius.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The emergence of a strong inside game. Sophomore 6-2 center Quiana Parker averaged 6.6 rebounds per game and became more of a force as the season progressed. She averaged 6.7 points and 10.2 rebounds over the season's last nine games. She and junior Charlene Riddick (9.1 points, 6.5 rebounds per contest), a 6-0 forward, should combine for one of the conference's better front-court duos next season. Senior guard Natasha Morris (12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds) had a nice season and was a third-team all-MAAC selection. Few teams played harder on a nightly basis, and opponents knew they were going to get banged around physically by the Peahens. That intense style of play, particularly a dedication to rebounding, probably lifted the team to a better record than its talent level indicated.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Start with 600 turnovers, exactly 20 per game and far too many to win on most nights. Only last-place Rider (20.3 TOs per contest) had more. The Peahens didn't share the ball well, either. Their 9.4 assist-per-game average was the worst of all conference teams. Sophomore small forward Jynae Judson averaged 11.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, but had an abysmal 160 turnovers against a team-high 74 assists. Judson did average 13.3 points in the team's last three games, but her offense work was more than negated by her turnover proclivity. Judson was the team's primary ball-handler because the Peahens didn't have a true point guard, and won't solve their turnover problems without finding one. That it wasn't close in almost all of its conference losses wasn't a good sign. In truth, there just wasn't a lot of talent here this past season and the team's record indicated that it played above its means.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Two starters (Morris and Alena Ali) are gone, and there don't appear to be any replacements on what was an 11-player roster this past season ready to emerge. Unless the program brings in a ball-handler, Judson will likely handle much of that duty again and she'll need to cut her turnover totals in half, a tall order. Porter and Riddick provide some optimism, along with Adenike Oyesila, a capable 6-0 reserve this past season. Any success next season will have to come from overpowering opponents inside and pounding the boards, which is the one thing the team was good at this past season. Still, the glory days of a 15-3 conference record and a 25-6 overall mark from the 2001-02 season, the last time the program was dominant, are distant memories and don't appear to be on the immediate horizon.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: If the Peahens continue to play with the enthusiasm and intensity of this past season, they won't be abysmal. Still, there are no recruits reported yet (although they might be forthcoming). Without at least a couple impact players joining the program, the upcoming season might not even approach last season's results. It should be interesting to see the progress of the front court players, particularly Porter. But, a finish near the bottom of the standings is the likely result.
Up now ...
SAINT PETER'S (7-11 in MAAC play in 2009-10, 11-19 overall)
RECAP: Not the best of seasons from a program that, a little more than a decade ago, was as dominant in the conference as Marist is now. The Peahens have had just one above .500 overall record since the 2001-02 season (19-12 in 2007-2008), and weren't close to that this past season. They played a gritty, hard-nosed style and pounded the boards (their 5.1 rebound-per-game edge over opponents topped the MAAC), and the offensive rebound was often their best offense. But, there just wasn't enough offense. A 54.2 point-per-game average was second from the bottom of MAAC teams. There weren't even a lot of close calls. Saint Peter's lost eight of its 11 conference games by double figures, and never managed to win more than two straight games. Its eighth-place regular-season finish was a far cry from the glory days of this program that still holds a 330-153 won-loss record against MAAC opponents. And, then, it dropped its first-round tournament game with a 67-57 setback against Canisius.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: The emergence of a strong inside game. Sophomore 6-2 center Quiana Parker averaged 6.6 rebounds per game and became more of a force as the season progressed. She averaged 6.7 points and 10.2 rebounds over the season's last nine games. She and junior Charlene Riddick (9.1 points, 6.5 rebounds per contest), a 6-0 forward, should combine for one of the conference's better front-court duos next season. Senior guard Natasha Morris (12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds) had a nice season and was a third-team all-MAAC selection. Few teams played harder on a nightly basis, and opponents knew they were going to get banged around physically by the Peahens. That intense style of play, particularly a dedication to rebounding, probably lifted the team to a better record than its talent level indicated.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Start with 600 turnovers, exactly 20 per game and far too many to win on most nights. Only last-place Rider (20.3 TOs per contest) had more. The Peahens didn't share the ball well, either. Their 9.4 assist-per-game average was the worst of all conference teams. Sophomore small forward Jynae Judson averaged 11.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, but had an abysmal 160 turnovers against a team-high 74 assists. Judson did average 13.3 points in the team's last three games, but her offense work was more than negated by her turnover proclivity. Judson was the team's primary ball-handler because the Peahens didn't have a true point guard, and won't solve their turnover problems without finding one. That it wasn't close in almost all of its conference losses wasn't a good sign. In truth, there just wasn't a lot of talent here this past season and the team's record indicated that it played above its means.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Two starters (Morris and Alena Ali) are gone, and there don't appear to be any replacements on what was an 11-player roster this past season ready to emerge. Unless the program brings in a ball-handler, Judson will likely handle much of that duty again and she'll need to cut her turnover totals in half, a tall order. Porter and Riddick provide some optimism, along with Adenike Oyesila, a capable 6-0 reserve this past season. Any success next season will have to come from overpowering opponents inside and pounding the boards, which is the one thing the team was good at this past season. Still, the glory days of a 15-3 conference record and a 25-6 overall mark from the 2001-02 season, the last time the program was dominant, are distant memories and don't appear to be on the immediate horizon.
PREDICTION FOR 2010-11: If the Peahens continue to play with the enthusiasm and intensity of this past season, they won't be abysmal. Still, there are no recruits reported yet (although they might be forthcoming). Without at least a couple impact players joining the program, the upcoming season might not even approach last season's results. It should be interesting to see the progress of the front court players, particularly Porter. But, a finish near the bottom of the standings is the likely result.
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