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Post by loyal on Feb 11, 2024 19:54:03 GMT -5
Unlike some and despite the lackluster preseason views of many, I am reasonably satisfied with how the team has performed thus far. Few held high hopes from what was added or gained in the off season, but were bolstered by a poor MAAC and a portal that was damaging to all low majors. Other’s sustained hope from the anticipated return of Oumar and a predictable fan base that does not give much thought to injury. To my thinking, we remain only a big forward (by MAAC standards), or two, of being near the top of the league’s best. Few deny our offensive limitations but (again ignoring fan-delusional health issues), a healthy Washington and a fully healed Hough, would give us the nucleus to compete with any league member. It stands particularly true in our case, given where our principle weaknesses lie. A glance at recent games show the lack of respect for any inside scoring and our inability to counter otherwise. While Washington has surprisingly added an outside game, his value to us is still more inside. An early-season level Hough added to Corey’s all around play, will give us what we are lacking most, a scoring presence inside and allow our guards the space needed to operate outside. Sow and Roberts, while hard working, complimentary members, can not offer this. Similar to what might be heard from other programs, barring injuries, we should be able to compete for the top spot in A.C. Spot on.
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Post by dreamweaver on Feb 12, 2024 9:07:34 GMT -5
I am with you guys. Hard to complain when our guys give their all. What more can you ask than having them play to their full potential? I would much rather see this than a more talented team under-perform.
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Post by figgyprez on Feb 12, 2024 16:11:25 GMT -5
Agree mostly with Galt. If can keep them- a big if these days- a nucleus next year of Washington zeigler houge and tinsley is a good start. Beyond that it’s hard to know who we might lose. I think Clarke and Reid are done. With multiple transfers allowed who knows if this years portal gets go back into portal next year. Bland already went into the portal once already. Oumar has the most debilitating injury we’ve seen since Juan Jimenez hurt his pinky- just kidding. Figuring out the middle and adding firepower should be priority. Depends on how many spots we have to fill. Lots of ifs
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Post by loyal on Feb 12, 2024 18:20:29 GMT -5
Corey, even in an injury plagued campaign, will likely attract NIL offers we can’t match. Hope I am wrong.
IMO every MAAC roster will be remade every year as MAAC coaches seek the Rice (Quinny) transfer to get them over the top. Almost every promising player will get plucked. Will be impossible to handicap based on returning players….as Jordan Belfort’s Dad said in “Wolf of Wall Street”….it’s a new world.😊
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Post by youngalum on Feb 12, 2024 18:40:37 GMT -5
Loyal unfortunately I agree.
Some random observations from my favorite watering hole in JC pregame: FF has to be the most pompous fan base in the MAAC. I was sitting next to about 10 FF fans young and old. Couldn’t help but hear them say how they needed to get out of the MAAC, especially since Sacred Heart was joining. How they should be in the Patriot league, at which point one of the wives chimed in with “that’s what Holy Cross is in right?” I wanted to interject and ask if they wanted to leave since they haven’t won since Clinton was in office. Academically they are probably closer to Saint Peter’s than anyone in the PL but I kept my mouth shut.
I did meet a nice couple from downtown JC. I asked them how they knew about the bar since they said it was their first time there. They saw reviews about the burgers and were looking for something to do on a Saturday. They were going to the bar then their first Saint Peter’s game. They wanted to check us out since they live locally and we’re amazed at our Elite 8 run. There still is a market of potential new fans out there!
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Post by latigo on Feb 12, 2024 19:53:40 GMT -5
Youngalum, great points about FF. As limited knowledge that I have about the MAAC, FF is damn lucky that Jay Young was shown the door. I predicted last year he was a done deal. True, I got lucky and a trip abroad helped me with that prognostication. FF is a complete 180 from Uncle Fester. I realize Casey was at Niagara but in my view, is COY.
Why do FF fans think they are superior? Puhleeze. Last thing, 2 coaches in the MAAC will not be retained next year. I have my picks.... anyone want to chime in?
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Post by latigo on Feb 12, 2024 19:55:24 GMT -5
Last thing Youngalum, how can any fan base be more pompous than Iona or Siena?
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Post by youngalum on Feb 12, 2024 21:01:51 GMT -5
Last thing Youngalum, how can any fan base be more pompous than Iona or Siena? They have an elitist attitude amongst their base that isn’t limited to the 10 random fans I overheard in a bar. In fairness they probably are the best academic school in the MAAC but I wouldn’t put them on par with the Patriot league schools where they think they belong. Another excuse I hear from their fan base is they can’t get the players into their school that other MAAC schools get. To that I would point to our Elite 8 team: Lee, Drames, Banks, Edert were all MAAC academic selections (I’m probably missing someone too). I even recall their announcers calling our kids thugs one year because they were celebrating after beating the Stags on a buzzer beater. I never cared for them and probably never will.
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Post by figgyprez on Feb 12, 2024 21:15:12 GMT -5
I was also surrounded by obnoxious ff fans. I will say something now I never thought I’d say- if the Maac championship game is Iona vs ff I’m pulling for the gaels (ouch)
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Post by latigo on Feb 12, 2024 21:30:20 GMT -5
Thank you for the clarification. I agree that the EE team had scholars that most MAAC teams don't. One thing SP has that NO MAAC team will ever have... an EE NCAAT team. Youngalum, I wish I would have been there when those FF fanatics opined. Go Peacocks!
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Post by dreamweaver on Feb 12, 2024 22:03:44 GMT -5
Question for the group and no, I don’t know the answer. Has any team that left the MAAC, ever gotten into the NCAA tournament after leaving? Monmouth, Fordham, Army, Holy Cross, LaSalle, Loyola. Am I missing anybody?
Latigo, , Coach of the year, Quiny’s Pecora, , on the hot seat, , Witherspoon and Baggett.
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Post by youngalum on Feb 12, 2024 22:24:28 GMT -5
Question for the group and no, I don’t know the answer. Has any team that left the MAAC, ever gotten into the NCAA tournament after leaving? Monmouth, Fordham, Army, Holy Cross, LaSalle, Loyola. Am I missing anybody? . Holy Cross definitely has, not sure about the others.
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Post by peacockpride on Feb 13, 2024 8:44:08 GMT -5
Question for the group and no, I don’t know the answer. Has any team that left the MAAC, ever gotten into the NCAA tournament after leaving? Monmouth, Fordham, Army, Holy Cross, LaSalle, Loyola. Am I missing anybody? . Holy Cross definitely has, not sure about the others. LaSalle made one good run in the early 2010’s but I think that might be it.
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Post by latigo on Feb 13, 2024 10:48:53 GMT -5
Question for the group and no, I don’t know the answer. Has any team that left the MAAC, ever gotten into the NCAA tournament after leaving? Monmouth, Fordham, Army, Holy Cross, LaSalle, Loyola. Am I missing anybody? Latigo, , Coach of the year, Quiny’s Pecora, , on the hot seat, , Witherspoon and Baggett. Dreamweaver, I'll put Pecora 2nd. I think Casey at FF, who took over in October, has completely turned FF around. I think 'Spoon is gone along with Carm (provided they can come up with the buyout).
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Post by youngalum on Feb 17, 2024 11:43:04 GMT -5
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