Post by nashvillestag on Oct 29, 2014 12:58:19 GMT -5
First action coming up for Stags a little over a week away (not counting the "secret" scrimmage against Boston University) will be against UB a week from Friday. Although almost a complete turnover in their roster from last season (a normal proceedure at Park Ave.), the league coaches are predicting the Knights to win their conference. Interesting that this year for the first time since Sacred Heart has gone D-1, UB will be playing the Pioneers this Saturday. I will try to get up there and see that game. But my initial comment in advance of when they and the Stags play is that unlike other years when the result wasn't that important, this year is completely different. The Stags must win this game and win it convincingly so as to establish confidence both with the team and the fans that better things are on the horizen. Last year this game was a disaster, not so much even because it was a loss that didn't count, but more so because the result had to hurt the confidence of a young team that surely had a carryover effect as the season started. I look for a much better effort next week.
UB will play at Sacred Heart's Pitt Center at 6:00 pm on this Saturday evening. Last season UB was (18-11)(14-6 ECC) and beat the Stags 63-59 before 1,984 fans in an exhibition game at the WBA.
Nash, "The Stags must win this game and win it convincingly"
No,I do not see it as a must win. In this game I want to see a fluid offense,that can score from the perimeter and significantly improved guard play at the #2 position.
Nash, "The Stags must win this game and win it convincingly"
No,I do not see it as a must win. In this game I want to see a fluid offense,that can score from the perimeter and significantly improved guard play at the #2 position.
74 you're right. Those are very important things to look for. And if these things are apparent in this game that would go a long way toward winning it I would think. Actually in a way I think I may be overstating the importance of the result in this contest as after all, the result doesn't count. And by drawing a line that doesn't get met should not mean the season can't be a success. But I guess I am thinking of the fact that the team and fans needs a surge of confidence that confirms that things are and will be much better this time around. Therefore a good performance would certainly help.
Being able to see improved guard play is the most important thing. With that, will come the win and the vision that we can really compete for MAAC Championship. Last year we had players that said they were guards on the Roster Page..... they were guards in name only. This year we have multiple players that have "Guard-like" skills. IMO, we need to have the ability to play a 3 guard line-up for at least 15 to 20 minutes a game. That is a Must to have a winning team in the MAAC. When I asked Sydney at last years Doc's Roundtable, he said he wanted to go with 3 guards, but did not have enough players that could play guard.
I thought I saw some real excitement from the fans at the Red-White scrimmage.
Post by nashvillestag on Nov 2, 2014 9:23:17 GMT -5
As usual the Knights are small, quick, try to play in your face and with a quick tempo. They have 3 or 4 players that might be decent in the MAAC, but after that they are very thin. The one ligitimate big they have, a 6'8 kid who is very strong, he should give the Stags some problems both in scoring against them and and also getting rebounds. A couple of guys are good shooters and the PG seems to have a good handle. That said, an improved SHU team wore them out in the 2nd half and beat them rather easily. Not much of a bench for UB. BTW concerning the Pioneers (who we don't play this year but will next season), they may have found a real star in guard Cane Broome from the Hartford area of Conn. He was fantastic in scoring 23 points. A quick lefty with a good shot, he also can get to the basket and finish easily. Interesting with him in that he was always rated very highly in NE. I believe he was only a couple of slots below Tyler Nelson in the NERR rankings. I'm not sure but I think we tried to get him. Style of play might be similar to what I think we will see with Threatt, Be interested to see how the comparison will go with their play. As far as the game this week, the Stags will get a good test in handling the ball against pressure. That will be the most important thing to watch IMO.
Broome went to prep school last year because he wanted to become a PG and get an offer from a Big Time school. However, his game was more like a scorer/2G. And since his PG skills never advanced, the Big Schools were not interested in a 2G that was under 6-0. It was a huge pick-up for Sacred Heart. I see in the Box score that he had a lot of points, but no assists and no turnovers. He sounds like a 2G to me. Nash, do you see him strickly as a 2G/scorer/playmaker, and how do you compare him to Shadrac Kasimir that Iona picked-up. I do not think we offered him when he was in prep school, but we did offer him when he was in HS. Certainly sounds like a Threatt type of player
Below is the link to the thread we had on Cane Broome when he signed.
Broome went to prep school last year because he wanted to become a PG and get an offer from a Big Time school. However, his game was more like a scorer/2G. And since his PG skills never advanced, the Big Schools were not interested in a 2G that was under 6-0. It was a huge pick-up for Sacred Heart. I see in the Box score that he had a lot of points, but no assists and no turnovers. He sounds like a 2G to me. Nash, do you see him strickly as a 2G/scorer/playmaker, and how do you compare him to Shadrac Kasimir that Iona picked-up. I do not think we offered him when he was in prep school, but we did offer him when he was in HS. Certainly sounds like a Threatt type of player
Below is the link to the thread we had on Cane Broome when he signed.
I believe the young man is more of a 2G than a 1, but with the ability to play the point if necessary, probably something that won't happen too much this year with senior Phil Gaetano running the show. So I guess the term you use all the time, "lead guard" might be apropo here. Comparing him to Casimir, he is not quite as fast, but he is a little bit bigger and stronger at the rim. Also, Shadric has a great shot from outside. And although Broome hit 2-3 behind the arc, the fact is his shot didn't "look" that pure. Not a perfect rotation by any means. So that tends to tell me that his midrange and in game is more important than his 3-Pt. attempts. It's one viewing, I'm sure he will have his bad moments just like all freshmen do, but it was a good first impression for sure.
I see UConn struggled to pull away from Southern CT State last night, the Owls gave the defending champs all they wanted. You never know what's going to happen when you play D2 teams like UB.
I just hope the Stags play well and give us some hope that improvement is coming this year. In particular, I want to see the offense shoot better and be more creative than last season.
I would also like to see the team shoot better and be more creative on offense. I think we have a very good shooting team when open, but the Key is to have that creative offense..... and that all comes down to improvement in the 3 area's Ballhandling, Passing and Shooting. My expectations for the Bridgeport game are:
1. See players out there that can do all 3.... Dribble, Pass and Shoot. Last year we did not seem to have anyone that could do all three. This year I feel we have a lot of candidates
- Tyler Nelson..... high Basketball IQ and skill level - Rome Segura.... true PG that can score - Marcus Gilbert..... if he has improved Ballhandling/Passing - Demarcus Threatt.... triple threat and could be our best 1-on-1 player - KJ Rose.... if he has improved to become a great finisher from 8 feet in - StevieJ.... just needs to be able to be more aggressive with the dribble and creativity. He can sure shoot. - Degnan... has all the offensive skills, does he have the strength and aggressiveness as a frosh
2. Bridgeport will give our Ballhandling a good test, and they are typically a lot of ball hawks. With Better Ballhandling, that will need to a lot more wins. Rome Segura is a key.
3. I want to see that special player out there. Nelson certainly showed he could be that. Was that just a 1 game wonder, or is it for real.
4. Want to see more of Rome, Degnan, and Threatt and see if they also can be special
5. I want to see Marcus play like an All-MAAC player
6. Return to the best defense in the MAAC..... Malcolm, Rose, Amadou and Marcus are keys
The Stags will turn their attention to the University of Bridgeport Friday night, renewing an exhibition series that started in 2006-07. Fairfield owns a 6-2 advantage in the exhibition series. The Purple Knights finished with an 18-11 overall record last year and advanced to the NCAA tournament. This year, Bridgeport was selected as the East Coast Conference (ECC) preseason favorites by collecting five of the 11 first-place votes.
Head Coach Mike Ruane will look to Ernest Rouse to lead his team into the 2014-15 season. Rouse averaged 8.6 point per game last year and shot 44 percent from the field overall and 41 percent from three-point range.
Tickets for the exhibition game can be purchased through ticketmaster.com or at the Webster Bank Arena box office. For information on 2014-15 season tickets and mini-ticket plans, please visit the basketball ticket web site or call the Fairfield University Athletic Ticket office at (203) 254-4136.
making my first trip to Webster arena tomorrow night. any special section where the proboard people hang out?
Most posters sit right near the Mid court line, or in back of the Fairfield bench. Stag Club posters can be seen in the Stag club prior to the game to eat and drink. And some show at halftime to restock with some beers. Also at Halftime and Post Game many can be seen behind section 115. You can tell a poster, because they look like they are in a Football huddle diagramming plays, and always suggesting that the guy who isn't playing, should be playing.
If you see someone like this..... stay away from him, he is trouble. Actually thats me, when I was a lot younger..... I am now old and retired:
