JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Fairleigh Dickinson made a late run to post a come from behind 66-61 win over St. Peter’s at Yanitelli Center. In a Wednesday night matchup, the visiting Knights earned their third straight victory to even their season record at 3-3.
Our look at the numbers begins with the possessions:
FDU 67
St. Peter’s 69
NEWARK, N.J. – Seton Hall continued its hot start by winning their fifth game in six tries, defeating St. Peter’s 76-61 at the Prudential Center on Sunday. St. Peter’s, who started off with a three-game win streak, featured by a win at Rutgers, dropped a second straight to fall to 3-2. The numbers of note:
Possessions:
St.Peter’s 61
Seton Hall 66
The Hall got out in transition the second half but for the most part, St. Peter’s did a good job dictating tempo.
NEW YORK – In generalities he knew this was big. Taking a closer look at specifics told how big it was. Coach Monte Ross realized the Pre-Season NIT represented three things for his program:
1. Exposure
2. Competition
3. Opportunity
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – It’s time for a closer look at the Progressive Legends Classic final night at the Barclays Center.
CONSOLATION:
UCLA 60, Georgia 56
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Georgetown defeated eleventh-ranked UCLA to advance to the Legends Classic championship game. The 78-70 victory is broken down in tempo free numbers. In a 71-possession game the efficiencies were:
Georgetown 110
UCLA 99
NEW YORK – Some notes and a look back at the 2K Sports Classic:
The Classic was captured by Alabama in a convincing 77-55 win over Villanova. Alabama squeaked by Oregon State in the semis while Villanova came back late to defeat Purdue in overtime. Oregon State exited Madison Square Garden with third place, defeating Purdue in the consolation. For junior forward Devon Collier it was a nice showing on his “homecoming”. The 6-8 Collier hails from the Bronx and played his high school ball at St. Anthony’s for Hall of Famer Bob Hurley. Collier does not start, but true to the coaching adage “it is more important who finishes”, Collier is on the floor at crunch time.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The strain and stress was not a product of a warm gym on an unseasonably mild November night. Well, part of it could be attributed to climate. The real reason for the stress, which ultimately gave way to relief, was in the outcome. St. Peter’s survived a tough contest to defeat Central Connecticut State 64-61 at the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City. The Peacocks are now 2-0. Coach John Dunne is a combination thrilled and relieved. Welcome to coaching as the cliché tells us.
“After winning five games all of last season it’s great to get the first two,” Dunne said following the contest. The Peacocks got out to an early lead before losing it and being forced to play catch-up a good part of the game. Central Connecticut is still tiring to find their inside game. The Blue Devils enjoy a good perimeter attack and when the shots were falling the offense clicked and the lead built.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. - St.Anthony’s coaches and players knew the defense of its title would not be easy. The Friars had sights set on repeating as Hamilton Park Summer League champions but realized there were several worthy challengers. When the smoke cleared last Thursday and the Friars defended the championship there was a slight surprise. The team they defeated 51-48 in a tough contest was not Hudson Catholic. Rather it was another in-city power, St. Peter’s Prep.
In the semifinals Prep eliminated Hudson 55-49 in overtime. Hudson had been knocked out of the Parochial B State Tournament by the Friars last March. With virtually everyone returning, the Hawks were projected as a possibility to keep St. Anthony’s from defending their Parochial and New Jersey State Tournament of Champions crown this Winter. An early season matchup in the Hamilton Park League between the two schools served further notice as Hudson emerged victorious.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Billy Armstrong played for Bob McKillop in the Nineties. A former Davidson guard, Armstrong swears by his former coach’s methods and style. So when the Bergen Catholic (NJ) High School coach was asked to direct the Hamilton Park All-Star team, a few considerations and challenges had to be addressed. There would be no practices and minimal preparation, in stark contrast to the McKillop philosophy of meticulous preparation and attention to detail. Armstrong did follow his college mentor’s example in one aspect, he sized up the situation at hand and adjusted.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – In recent years when fellow basketball officials inquired about the summer league(s) worked by yours truly, the Hamilton Park circuit was always prominently mentioned. When asked what teams were in it, the presence of national power St. Anthony’s seemed to give the league instant validation. Today in year ten, the league is known in the New York-New Jersey area for its competitiveness, organization and excellent competition. St. Anthony’s is still there, but there are a host of strong programs in the twenty-team high school division.
Charlotte naturally had hoped to make the NCAA Tournament, then hoped to make a run in the NIT when it came calling instead. But the 49ers have a season of progress now in the books and should be primed to continue growing next season from what they did this year.
Amidst much talk of whether or not conference tournaments are a good idea, Notre Dame got a boost in New York. They are happy with the tournament and feel more prepared for the NCAA Tournament despite a semifinal loss.
Georgetown vs. Syracuse lives on just a little longer in the context of the Big East. That, and more from Thursday’s quarterfinals, including one team being delayed coming to the press conference because of a special visitor.
The second round of the 2013 Big East Tournament is in the books and the quarterfinal matchups featuring the top four teams are set. Here are some notes from Wednesday’s games at Madison Square Garden.
The first round of the Big East Tournament saw a close overtime game and a blowout, with the former seeing a tournament record tied. We take a look back at the opening night in New York.
As the CAA gets ready to hand out awards, here is a look at how I voted. The biggest award was a tough call, while two other big awards were easy calls to make.
In 2012-13, a couple of consistent powerhouses should remain contenders, including one who lost an NBA lottery pick. In addition, teams with new head coaches are headed for rebuilding years.
