"Worst Defense I've Seen"
That's how coach Will Brown would describe his team's performance against the Main run and gun offense on Friday. Maine would shoot 19-31 (61.3%) against Albany in the first half, and 14-27 (51.9%) after the break.
Maine would finish the contest shooting 67.6% on two point field goals.
The Great Danes tried various looks on defense to slow down the Black Bears including man, and several forms of zone. For a majority of the game Maine was able to get to the rim at will. Isaac Vann, coming off injury, recorded 19 points in 25 minutes on 8-9 shooting for Maine. Aaron Calixte and Kevin Little each contributed 16 to the Black Bear cause.
Maine was able to get some momentum heading into the break as they cut an 11 point Great Dane lead with 3:17 left to 5 by halftime.
Peter Gunz
Peter Hooley returned to form on the offensive end in this one recording 29 points on 11-17 shooting, including 5-8 from deep in 39 minutes of action. Hooley would start the game 4-4 from deep (going 1-4 from there) as he had a monster first half from beyond the arc.
While Albany fans have to be excited to see Hooley back on track the team still hasn't put together a complete offensive performance. Evan Singletary and Ray Sanders would combine to go 4-20 (20%) from the field for 19 total points (15 of which were Singletary's). Sanders would come up with a huge steal and layup for Albany late in the contest; however, he would foul his man on the ensuing possession to give Maine the game winning free throws.
Greig Stire went 3-4 from the field in 24 minutes before fouling out. Mike Rowley finished the contest with 12 points and 7 rebounds, including 5 on the offensive end.
No Excuses...But Here's One Anyway
Maine took this one away from Albany. There's no denying that the Great Danes got sucked into a back and forth offensive affair with limited defense. Full credit has to be given to the Black Bears for the win.
That being said, having a noon start on a Friday is mind blowing. Beyond the game time being so early the Great Danes would travel 6 hours by bus the previous day/evening. A team should be ready to play regardless of the circumstances. There's no excuse for their defensive performance, but you can see how such a schedule could mess with a college aged adult.
I expect every child who attended the game today to write me a 1 page double spaced paper on how this basketball game influenced their decision to attend college. Basketball games are played at noon (on weekends) for one reason, and one reason only...national TV exposure (aka $$$). There was no broadcast for todays game, only Maine educating Albany on the "all offense, no defense" approach.
Stats That Stuck Out
- Maine outscored Albany 47-40 in the paint
- Albany shot 64% in the 1H and 32.3% in the 2H
- Albany shot 5-9 from deep in the 1H, 1-7 in the 2H
- Maine shot 7-14 from the FT line
- Maine shot 3-10 from three in the 2H
- Both Ray Sanders and Greig Stire fouled out for Albany
- Albany attempted 15 and made 14 more FT's than Maine
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