We Right Here
It wasn't Stony Brook's fault, they said and did all the right things. The media finally hopped on board, there were articles, ESPN love, and radio appearances. As much as a team tries to control the outside noise, it's never as easy as it sounds.
Albany had heard enough.
The three time America East defending champions were being looked at as a side note, the league was Stony Brook's...everyone else was just along for the ride.
Wednesday was the perfect storm, Albany was always supposed to win this game. These teams are pretty equal, and you knew Albany would do everything they could to protect home court.
Throw in the hype surrounding Stony Brook and the Danes ability to thrive in the underdog role and you end up with a game like last night; one where the Great Danes controlled the tempo, style of play and scoreboard for nearly 40 minutes.
Albany made their statement, Stony Brook will have to take the league...it's not theirs yet.
Jumpman
Will Brown let the world know his game plan. Albany was going to play the percentages, slouch off certain shooters, while clogging the paint. The Great Danes turned Stony Brook into a jump shooting team Wednesday night, and the Seawolves failed to connect.
Stony Brook would finish the first half 1-7 from deep, a stat which marginally improved during the final 20 minutes (3-13). You hate to call out one player, but Carson Puriefoy struggled big time...Stony Brook can't defeat Albany when he performs the way he did Wednesday night.
Puriefoy: 2-11 FG, 1-7 3FG, 5-8 FT, 4 turnovers
Albany turned Ahmad Walker into a jump shooter as they cut off his driving angles, Lucas Woodhouse finished 5-12 from the floor (made some tough shots)...the Seawolves perimeter looked flustered for a large percentage of the game Wednesday night.
The Stony Brook big men showed up as they have all season. Rayshaun McGrew finished with 13 on 5-11, and Jameel Warney finished the contest with 14 points on 5-11 shooting and 8 rebounds.
Nobody's Perfect
Albany executed their game plan, pulling away late in the first half. Their ability to shoot the ball well from the field (15-26) and deep (5-8) in the first half would be dampened slightly by the turnovers. They would finish the night with 17, allowing Stony Brook to hang around in a game that had otherwise been dominated by the Great Danes.
Albany would also manage to control the second half thanks to their interior play as they'd only shoot 2-7 (28%) from deep in the final 20 minutes. The big 3 of Mike Rowley, Greig Stire, and Richard Peters would combine for 27 points on 12-17 shooting. More important than their stat line was their ability to attack the Stony Brook big men, both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Albany bigs would double Jameel Warney down low, while more often than not there would be 4 total Albany players in the paint.
Richard Peters had the most effective 4 points, 0 rebounds in 11 minutes stat line in the history of basketball. During a second half stretch Peters was able to alter Warney's shots on defense, while going right at the back to back America East POY on offense.
Peter Hooley finished with a game high 12 rebounds, Joe Cremo a game high 16 points.
So Where Are We?
Right where we started, nothing has changed. Coming into the season there were two league favorites; with two teams in New Hampshire and Vermont that could spoil the party.
Stony Brook has the talent (debatable, certainly have the Ace), Albany has the mojo and the coaching. Albany had the Seawolves on the ropes when they visited Long Island earlier this year; Stony Brook took the game late as Albany handed it over.
Albany has now made their statement, they're just as good as Stony Brook.
If things play out as they should, we are headed towards round 3, on Long Island...March 12th.
No comments:
Post a Comment