My new favorite conference is the NEC – and not because one of the 87 Fox Sports channels in my cable package broadcasts several NEC games a week. Okay, maybe that’s it. But, either way, I have become a closet LIU fan and just a fan of this league, in general. And, since that same FSN channel had the NEC double-header yesterday, I got to watch a pretty fantastic semifinal double-header setting up a very interesting final on Wednesday.
#3 Robert Morris 71 – #2 Wagner 64
Danny Hurley probably took more proverbial “lumps” as a college coach in Sunday’s semifinal loss on their home floor than any other time in, this, his second season at the collegiate level. Staring at the end of a terrific season in Staten Island, Hurley’s team, completely imploded in the final minutes, coach included. Robert Morris, the benefactor of this implosion, played well enough to win anyway, but the Wagner meltdown of bad fouls, technical fouls, and poor turnovers just cemented RMC’s trip to the finals. Hurley’s team will be back, though, as he is really building something in the forgotten borough. On the other side, this Robert Morris team earned it – playing as well as anyone in the low-majors since the beginning of February – and will be really tough in the finals. 6 people had RMC in the finals (Lil Lohse, Mac, Primm, Rikey, RDoc, Waters); only RDoc and Waters have them winning it. 7 people lost their NEC champion in this one (Alexi, Dave, Gross, Lohse, Lynch, RSmith, Scoot).
#1 Long Island 78 – #5 Quinnipiac 75
Now, I can say this as a long-time (almost two years, now) fan of the LIU Blackbirds. I think they got a lot of “home-cookin'” in this one and were actually outplayed on their home floor by a young, feisty QU team that will be featured often in the years to come on that FSN channel of mine. That being said, LIU did make the plays down the stretch that leads to winning basketball, particularly, LIU’s Big Three stepped up when their numbers were called, as they have their whole careers so far – and there is only more to come. Sophomore PG Jason Brickman (awesome name for a guard) is as steady a floor general as you’ll find at this level, and his job is made even easier by a pair of stalwart junior forwards (Julian Boyd and Jamal Olasawere), who are probably playing at a level too low for their abilities. This LIU team might be my Long Beach State of next 2012-13. But, for now, they have to focus on reaching another NCAA tournament, and it won’t be easy, as Robert Morris is coming to town on Wednesday night. Most people did have the Blackbirds reaching the finals (Dave, Gross, and Lohse were the only three that did not). Teddy (who did have LIU also, due to reseeding) and Dave missed out on the QU upset pick. Half the field (Bry, Doogan, Gersh, J, Lil Lohse, Mac, Primm, Rikey, Stri, Teddy) has LIU cutting down the nets.
NEC Standings
The LIU and RMC wins kept three people perfect in the NEC – Mac, Primm, and Rikey. They all have LIU winning it, but more on that in Wednesday’s preview.
NEC PENTHOUSE – Mac, Primm, Rikey (53*)
NEC CELLAR – Gross (12)
