Check out this story from former Quinnipiac student Zach Smart on Bobcat Kevin Jolley.

Jolley played with the Bobcats in 2005-06

By Bill Cloutier


bcloutier@nhregister.com

Twitter @BillCloutier

BROOKLYN -- The sheer drama in Wednesday night’s Northeast Conference quarterfinal game between Quinnipiac and Long Island was right out of a motion picture.

In fact, the suspense grew so greatly that actor/director and basketball junkie Spike Lee left his seat and stood on the baseline directly under the Long Island basket for the game’s final minutes.

Unfortunately for the game Bobcats, they won’t be able to make a curtain call. Quinnipiac’s heart-breaking 91-83 loss in Brooklyn marked the second straight season that the Bobcats were eliminated by LIU in NEC tournament.

It won’t happen again. That’s because Quinnipiac is moving to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference next season.

Wednesday’s game turned into a foul-fest and the Bobcats’ free-throw shooting woes reared their ugly heads again. Ousmane Drame, who otherwise was brilliant and is generally one of the best Bobcats at the line, missed six of his eight attempts from the stripe in the second half as Quinnipiac squandered a nine-point lead in the game’s final 10 minutes.

“We were up good but we started fouling and they got back into the game with free throws,” Quinnipiac junior forward Ike Azotam said. “We didn’t execute and we lost our poise. Free throws lost us a couple of games this year and they won us a couple. In the second half it came back to haunt us.

Azotam fouled out of the game with over five minutes remaining. He was one of four Bobcats to foul out.

“It was tough to watch from the bench,” he said. “You never can guess that you’ll lose four starters in a game. I don’t want to say that the (officiating) was one-sided. They played better than us in the second half.

“I kept telling them to keep playing, that we’ve been down before. We started the season 5-11 and 1-3 in the conference. We were in close games all year.”

Moore wraps up his first six seasons at Quinnipiac with a 70-39 mark in NEC play. He is a bit disappointed about the past season but once his Bobcats proved their mettle down the stretch.

“I really wish we had won the Central (Connecticut State) game in particular,” Moore said. “That might have given us a better seed and we wouldn’t have had to start our journey at Long Island. Arguably this is as hard a place to win because of the belief they have. They’re going to be a tough out.

“I think our record should have been better than 15-16. I’m really proud of the hole we dug ourselves out of. We’ve prided ourselves, the last five years, of having strong Februarys with teams that continued to improve. This team carried the torch.

“I’m really excited about the individual improvements from a lot of our young guys. We had a lot of guys stuck with no confidence but we grew a great deal in January and February. They rattled off a great winning streak.”

Azotam, Quinnipiac’s rugged forward who led the team in scoring and rebounding and was named to the NEC second team, will be back as will Drame, who Moore called the best big man in the conference as the season progressed.

“Drame had a great end to his sophomore year and he’s terrifically talented,” Moore said. “The drive to win is coming out for him. I’m very excited about what he can do for us the next two years.”

The Bobcats will lose unflappable guard Dave Johnson who has been a court leader for the past few seasons as well as versatile forward Jamee Jackson, and oft-injured swingman Garvey Young. But guards Evan Conti and Zaid Hearst will return and both proved themselves in Quinnipiac’s biggest games.

“It’s hard to say because we lost in the first round but I was proud of how we played in the last month,” Azotam said. ”I’m looking forward to next year. We bring back most of our team and I’m confident about next year.”

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MEN'S BASKETBALL GAMEDAYS


QUINNIPIAC AT LONG ISLAND
Where: Wellness Center, Brooklyn
When: Today, 4:30 p.m.
Records: Quinnipiac (15-14, 11-6 Northeast); Long Island (16-13, 11-6)
Radio: WQUN-1220 AM
Internet: www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com
Video: NEC Front Row

What to look for
Scouting Long Island: The Blackbirds held off Sacred Heart in Thursday's crucial penultimate NEC game. The victory leaves the preseason favorites in a four-way tie for second place with Quinnipiac, Bryant and Wagner. A win today guarantees a home game in the first round of the tournament. Robert Morris has locked up the top seed. LIU is 10-4 at home and led by Jamal Olasewere averaging 18.7 points and 8.4 rebounds. Point guard Jason Brickman leads the nation in assists.
Scouting Quinnipiac: The Bobcats rebounded from a tough loss at Central Connecticut State to defeat St. Francis, N.Y., on Thursday. The victory kept Quinnipiac's chances of a No. 2 seed in the NEC tournament alive but they can finish as low as sixth in the regular-season standings with a loss. Quinnipiac beat LIU earlier in the season but the Blackbirds, who knocked Quinnipiac out of last season's NEC tournament played without its top players Olasawere and C.J. Garner. Quinnipiac has won seven of its last eight games and had four players reach double figures against SFNY led by Ike Azotam with 19.

NCAA DIVISION III TOURNAMENT
ALBERTUS MAGNUS AT ALVERNIA

Jefferson Lora

Where: Physical Education center, Reading, Pa.
When: 7 p.m.
Video: albertusfalcons.com
Records: Albertus Magnus (24-4); Alvernia (23-4)

What to look for
Scouting Albertus Magnus: The Falcons are in the tournament for the third time in the last four year. In both of their previous trips they won their tournament opener but lost in the second round. Albertus is a veteran team with six seniors. Darius Watson leads the team in scoring at 23.3 ppg. while both Arshad Jackson and James Jennings are scoring over a dozen a game.
Scouting Alvernia: The Crusaders are making their eighth appearance in the championships and hosting for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Alvernia (23-4) used a 78-68 win over Lycoming on Saturday afternoon in the Commonwealth Conference Championship game to earn an automatic berth into the tournament. Like AMC, Alvernia is receiving votes in the D3 top 25 poll. Kahlil Bennett leads four Crusaders scoring over double figures at 14.3 ppg.

(Records before Friday's games)
YALE AT CORNELL

Where: Newman Arena, Ithac, N.Y.
When: 7 p.m.
Video: cornellbigred.com
Records: Yale (11-15, 5-5 Ivy); Cornell (13-14, 5-5)

What to look for
Scouting Cornell: The Big Red won at Yale earlier in the season as Cornell raced out to an early 11-2 lead, withstood a Yale comeback and held on for a 68-61 victory on Feb. 15. The Bulldogs were hurt by poor foul shooting as they shot just 12-of-26 (46.2 percent) from the line. Shonn Miller had 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks to pace Cornell and Johnathan Gray also scored 18. Miller is the reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year.
Scouting Yale: Yale has placed fourth or better in league play in each of the last 12 years and is looking to finish with a winning league record for the third straight year and for the fifth time in the last seven years. The future certainly looks bright as well. There are seven freshmen or sophomores averaging at least 13.9 minutes per game, and players who return next year have scored 1,250 of Yale's 1,804 (69.3 percent) points. Yale's depth has played a big role in the success of this year's team. In the 10 league games, the Bulldogs' bench is averaging 28.3 points.

-- Bill Cloutier

MEN'S BASKETBALL GAMEDAYS

BRYANT AT QUINNIPIAC
Where: TD Bank Sports Center, Hamden
When: Today, 2 p.m.
Records: Bryant (17-8, 10-4 Northeast Conference); Quinnipiac (13-13, 9-5)
Radio: WQUN-1220 AM
Internet: www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com
Video: NEC Front Row
What to look for
Scouting Bryant: The surprising Bulldogs have hovered around first place in the NEC all season long. They are one of three teams with 10 wins in the conference. The Bulldogs are 4-2 over their last six games, but just 1-2 in their last three. Most recently, five different Bulldogs registered double-digits in points, while junior forward Alex Francis picked up his seventh double-double of the year to lead Bryant over CCSU 88-67 on Thursday night. The win completed the Bulldogs' first season sweep of the 2012-13 campaign and marked Bryant's 17th win of the season, tying the conference mark for the season turnaround in NEC history (15 games).
Scouting Quinnipiac: The Bobcats have won five straight and seven of their last nine to move into fourth place in the NEC standings. Their torrid stretch has left them just a 1 1/2 games out of first place. It is Senior Day and the Bobcats will honor Dave Johnson, Garvy Young and Jamee Jackson before the game. The class has amassed a 76-47 mark in their time with the club. Quinnipiac needs one more win to clinch a playoff spot but have clearly set their sites higher. It beat Sacred Heart on Thursday.

Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship
ALBERTUS MAGNUS AT ANNA MARIA COLLEGE
Where: Fuller Center, Paxton, Mass.
When: 2 p.m.
Records: Albertus Magnus (23-4, 15-3 GNAC); Anna Maria (20-7, 16-2)
What to look for
Scouting Albertus Magnus: The Falcons blew out Johnson & Wales on Thursday to earn their third berth in the title game in the past four years. They won both prior trips. Darius Watson had 27 points in the semifinal win while Arshad Jackson added 21. The Falcons average 85.4 points a game and have spent time in the nation's Top 25 during the season and have an outside shot an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III tournament with a loss but earns the automatic bid with a win. Watson is averaging 22 points and moved into fourth place in the AMC all-time list on Thursday.
Scouting Anna Maria: Senior Anthony Click knocked down six 3-pointers and scored 25 points as the AMCATS trimmed St. Joseph College 75-63 in the semifinals to move into their second straight title game. Click has 1,700 career points. The AMCATS stretched their winning streak to 17 games, tied with Amherst College for the longest current winning streak in NCAA Division III men's basketball. Last year, Albertus Magnus hammered Anna Maria in the title game at Hamden 88-54. But Anna Maria won the only matchup this season, 97-88, at Paxton, Mass.

(Records before Friday's games)
HARVARD AT YALE
Where: Lee Amphitheater
When: 8 p.m.
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: WYBC-AM 1340
Video: yalebulldogs.com
Records: Harvard (15-7, 7-1 Ivy League): Yale (10-15, 4-4)
What to look for
Scouting Harvard: The Crimson entered the weekend in first place in the Ivy League after cruising past Princeton in a showdown last week at Cambrdige, Mass. Harvard sports an impressive RPI ranking of 97 and is 31-6 over the past three seasons in league play. The Crimson played at Brown on Friday night and are led by Siyani Chambers, a front-runner for the top freshmen award, averaging 13 points and six assists. Slashing forward Wesley Saunders leads the team in scoring at 16 points and proved a difficult player to stop in the team's first matchup.
Scouting Yale: The Bulldogs, who played Dartmouth on Friday, dropped a 67-64 decision at the Lavieites Pavilion earlier in the season. Yale trimmed a big deficit to three points in the final seconds but were unable to get any closer. The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games but dropped three straight against rival Harvard. Senior Sam Martin has hit 9 of his last 13 3-point attempts and freshman Justin Sears is shooting 65 percent from the field in his last three games. Yale leads the Ivy League in rebounding and has outrebounded eight of its last nine foes.
- Bill Cloutier

Ike Azotam scored 14 points and Ousmane Drame added 13 but it was the Bobcats' late defense which Quinnipiac to a crucial 81-74 win over Sacred Heart in an NEC game at the Pitt Center on Thursday night.
Quinnipiac tried everything hoping to silence Gibson. Finally it was junior college transfer Shaq Shannon who held the key to throttling the Pioneer guard who entered the game 11th in the nation in scoring at 20.5 points.

Ike Azotam

Gibson scored 36 points but was shut out for the final 8 minutes, 58 seconds of play as Quinnipiac posted a pivotal 81-74 win in a Northeast Conference game at the Pitt Center. It is the fifth straight win for the surging Bobcats and seventh victory in their last eight games. The recent hot stretch has vaulted Quinnipiac into the top half of the NEC standings with four difficult games remaining on the docket.

Shannon finished with 11 points and Zaid Hearst added 10 for the Bobcats which moved into fourth place in the NEC just a game and a half behind front-running Robert Morris. James Ford came off the bench to score a nine crucial points in just eight minutes.
It was the 64th meeting between the two teams and most likely the last time they’ll meet in conference play as the Bobcats will join the MAAC next year.
“Losing begets losing and winning begets winning and we’re on the good side now,” Quinnipiac coach Tom Moore said.
"We're bigger and we're deeper than they were."
They work really hard. We've had a lot of growth on this team."
Moore said his Bobcats hit the low point of the season in the second half of their last game against Sacred Heart, an 80-74 loss.
"We were awful then. Now we're the higest point we've been all season. They believe that anything is possible."

MEN'S BASKETBALL GAMEDAYS

QUINNIPIAC AT SACRED HEART

Where: Pitt Center, Fairfield

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.

Records: Quinnipiac (12-13, 8-5 Northeast Conference); Sacred Heart (9-15, 7-6)

Radio: WQUN-1220 AM

Internet: www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com

Video: NEC Front Row

What to look for

Scouting Sacred Heart: Led by high-scoring Shane Gibson the Pioneers won at Quinnipiac 80-74 earlier in the season. Gibson had 31 in the game and is second in the conference in scoring 20.1 points. Wallingford guard Phil Gaetano is fifth in the nation in assists (7.56). Sacred Heart sits in sixth place in the NEC standings, has beaten the Bobcats three straight times, and needs a strong finish to assure a tourney berth.

Scouting Quinnipiac: The Bobcats look for their fifth straight win tonight when they begin a monster stretch to close the regular season. Quinnipiac will play five teams, all in the tournament hunt, in a span of 10 days. All of the games are 50-50 matchups. If Quinnipiac continues its recent roll it could win the NEC title if they fall apart they could miss out of the tourney all together. Coach Tom Moore's team have made a habit of finishing seasons strongly and the Bobcats have won six of their last seven games.

-- Bill Cloutier

HAMDEN -- Quinnipiac sophomore Evan Conti keeps proving everyone wrong, everyone except his coach Tom Moore.
Moore went out on the limb to recruit the 6-3 guard, and the Bobcats are already reaping the benefits in his second season.
Quinnipiac visits Sacred Heart tonight at 7 in a crucial Northeast Conference men’s basketball game. The Bobcats have won four straight and six of their last seven games to move into fifth place in the NEC standings. Sacred Heart sits in sixth place with only the top eight teams qualifying for the postseason tournament.

Evan Conti

Conti has been on a roll as of late. A week ago he poured in a team-high 18 points in a dramatic win over Robert Morris. On Saturday he nearly notched a triple double in a blowout of St. Francis (Pa.).
Not bad for a player from Bayside, N.Y., who no one really wanted.
“He’s a kid coming out of the New York City Catholic League and he’s got no Division I scholarships in March,” Moore said. “He’s got the Division II schools killing for him but I love when we started recruiting him that he really wanted that challenge to play Division I.
“No one in New York City would believe that by the end of his sophomore season that he would have the terrific season that he’s had. He’s made big plays to help us win games.”
Conti carries an 8.3 scoring average with a team-high 27 3-pointers into tonight’s game. He’s hit long-range jumpers and made powerful drives to the basket carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
"He thinks he’s a lot better than he is and that’s awesome,” Moore said. “I’ll say that to our team in our scouting reports about kids from other teams that the reason this kid is good is because he thinks he is.
“Evan got his body college ready. He’s never going to be the most athletic kid out there but he improved his body. Then it was a matter of him getting some opportunities. He forced them by how well he plays in practice. I know there are people who believe that I must be nervous when he’s out there but Evan just figures things out.”
And even after he blew a game against St. Francis (N.Y.) with an errant pass that led to the game-winning basket, he thanked Moore for just giving him a chance.
“For a long time in high school I was trying to figure myself out, figure where I was going,” Conti said. “Quinnipiac has always been so great to me. On my visit Coach Moore decided to offer me, he told me things that I could come here and do; things that most other people said I couldn’t do. From him telling me that on my visit, I just keep replaying that in my mind. He gave me this opportunity and I’ve worked for that my whole life.
“I just want to pay him back by playing as hard as I can and take every opportunity like it’s the last. It means so much for me to be out here doing what I’m doing and it feels good to be able to help my team.”
Yale menThe Bulldogs seem to be at least a year away from threatening for a league title and earning an NCAA Tournament berth. At 4-4 Yale needs to run the table to have any shot of getting back into the race.
The schedule, however, is favorable. Yale has four of its next six games at home including matchups with Harvard (Saturday, 8 p.m.) and Princeton. Even if they sweep someone they’ll need help.
But just one look at the talent on this team and it is hard to believe that Yale won’t contend for the title within the next two years. The Bulldogs are loaded with freshmen and sophomores already making an impact.
Yale womenThe Lady Bulldogs are looking to finish above .500 in the Ivy League. They enter this weekend 9-13 overall and 4-4 in Ancient Eight play.
Senior guard Megan Vasquez recently became the eighth player in the history of the program to record 1,300 career points and last weekend Yale logged its first weekend road sweep of Cornell and Columbia since the 1997-98.
Princeton, however, appears to be undeniable with a 7-0 league mark.
Albertus MagnusLed by Darius Watson the Falcons were the heavy favorites to repeat their Great Northeast Athletic Conference title. But Albertus Magnus (22-4) may have to do the heavy work on the road. After dropping a late regular-season game to tonight’s opponent Johnson & Wales, the Falcons earned the second seed in the GNAC tourney.
AMC opened GNAC play Tuesday with a win over Rivier setting up tonight’s monster rematch. If they win, the title game is Saturday at top-seeded Anna Maria College or back in the Falcons’ nest against St. Joseph’s (Maine).
The women’s team (20-6) went on the road to beat Rivier on Tuesday and continue their revival season with a semifinal game at Emmanuel in Boston, Mass., tonight. New Haven’s Kendrea Walker and Hamden’s Lianne Carrero have been immense all season.
SCSU-New HavenThe two rivals square off for a men’s and women’s doubleheader on Saturday at Southern. The men’s teams headed into Wednesday night’s games with identical marks and tied for fourth in the Northeast-10 Conference. They could meet again in the NE-10 tournament and Saturday’s huge game could determine which team will host the contest.
The UNH women’s team is currently sitting in seventh in the NE-10 standings eyeing a postseason berth. Southern, which reached the NCAA Division II regional final last season, is relegated to the role of spoiler.
Quinnipiac womenIf the Bobcats run the table the biggest question is where they’ll be seeded in the NCAA tournament. Quinnipiac has won 14 straight games and is 22-2 overall. They’ve beaten St. John’s and they are currently ranked 55th in the nation in the RPI.
But they’re strength of schedule is 255th and still sinking. Look for the Bobcats to get a No. 14 seed if they run the table and despite their incredible season they most likely still need to win NEC tournament to get an NCAA berth.

SAINT FRANCIS (PA.) AT QUINNIPIAC

Where: TD Bank Sports Center, Hamden

When: Saturday, 3 p.m.

Records: St. Francis (Pa.) (3-21, 3-10 Northeast Conference): Quinnipiac (11-13, 7-5)

Radio: WQUN-1220 AM

Internet: www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com

Video: NEC Front Row

What to look for

Scouting St. Francis: It has been a dreadful season for the Red Flash which lost its first 11 games of the season before upsetting Central Connecticut State. St. Francis knocked off its second state team on Thursday playing spoilers by winning at Sacred Heart 64-60. Earl Brown had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Red Flash which snapped a two-game slide. Brown scored 14 and grabbed 18 rebounds against the Bobcats earlier in the season.

Scouting Quinnipiac: The Bobcats defeated rival Robert Morris 63-61 on Thursday for their fifth win in the last six games and third straight for the first time this season. With the win Quinnipiac moved into sixth place in the NEC standings as Evan Conti led all scorers with 18 points including a big jumper with 13 seconds to play. Ousmane Drame had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Quinnipiac which crushed the Colonials on the backboards 29-12 in the second half alone. Quinnipiac needed overtime to defeat St. Francis earlier in the season 75-66 as Ike Azotam had 22 points and 11 rebounds.

-- Bill Cloutier

MEN'S BASKETBALL GAMEDAYS


QUINNIPIAC AT ROBERT MORRIS

Where: Sewall Center, Moon Township, Pa.

When: Today, 7 p.m.

Records: Quinnipiac (6-11, 2-3 Northeast Conference); Robert Morris (11-7, 3-2)

Radio: WQUN-1220 AM

Internet: www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com

Video: NEC Front Row

What to look for

Scouting Quinnipiac: The Bobcats' snapped a three-game slide with an overtime win at St. Francis (Pa.) on Thursday. Despite needing the extra session to knock off the Red Flash, who entered the game just 1-15, the win was desperately needed. Ike Azotam led all scorers with 22 points as the Bobcats played without starters Dave Johnson and Garvey Young. Saint Francis forced the overtime period with a 6-0 run in the final two minutes of regulation; but Quinnipiac was quick to answer in overtime. Zaid Hearst collected the first two points and the Bobcats went on a 14-4 run over the next four minutes of play. Quinnipiac's defense was terrific, holding SFU to just one field goal (1-6) in the added five minutes.

Scouting Robert Morris: The Colonials defeated Sacred Heart 66-62 on Thursday despite playing without two of its top scorers Velton Jones and Karvel Anderson due to injury. One of the conference's preseason favorites, RMU has won three straight after opening the NEC campaign with losses at Central Connecticut and Bryant. Jones suffered a head injury on a flagrant foul in last week's game at Monmouth and is questionable. Mike McFadden and Lucky Jones both scored 15 in Thursday's win.

YALE AT BROWN

Where: Pizzitola Center, Providence, R.I.

When: Today, 7 p.m.

Records: Yale 6-11, Brown 4-9

Video: brownbears.com

What to look for

Scouting Brown: The Bears (6-8) are playing well under the direction of fi rst-year head coach Mike Martin. Brown has won two straight and three of its last five, including wins over Providence and Niagara. The Bears feature the Ivy League's top two rebounders in Rafael Maia (8.4 rpg.) and Cedric Kuakumensah (8.1 rpg.) and two of the top four scorers - Matthew Sullivan (3rd, 15.0 ppg.) and Sean McGonagill (4th, 14.6 ppg.). Brown is second in the league in field goal percentage defense (.420).

Scouting Yale: The Bulldogs open the Ivy League schedule winners of two of their last three games. The Bulldogs have finished fourth or better in the Ivy League in each of the last 12 years. That didn't earn Yale much respect in the preseason Ivy League media poll, which projected a sixth-place finish for the Bulldogs. Yale, though, has a history of proving the prognosticators wrong. In five of the last seven years, the Bulldogs have finished higher than projected.

-- Bill Cloutier

Recently, our Chirs Hunn spent a day with Quinnipiac men's basketball coach Tom Moore.

Here is a link to the story:

“For every single one of them you’re nervous,” says Moore, sitting in a chair seeming a bit jittery. “It’s a different type of job than most people have. A banker could have a good or bad day and his or her boss knows. A landscaper has a bad day and they lose a customer or something. In this profession if you go out there and play terrible, it’s a reflection on me. It’s that fear of, and Bill Parcells said this too, you remember the bad losses more than the big wins. I certainly do. It gets to the point where winning is good just because it’s not losing. Those are the feelings you have about an hour or so before the game.”

By Bill Cloutier

bcloutier@nhregister.com
Twitter@BillCloutier

Quinnipiac tips off the Northeast Conference season tonight when it hosts St. Francis (N.Y.) in the first of two crucial contests this weekend. The Bobcats, who opened the season with high hopes of capturing its first conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth, struggled through the non-conference portion of its season.

Although nearly defeating UConn in the Paradise Jam Tournament earlier in the season the Bobcats are just 1-4 at home and lost to Maine last time out. Their halfcourt offense and foul-shooting remain major problems.

Here is a look at the predicted order of finish in the NEC regular season:

1. Robert Morris (8-5, current record): Always a title contender no player in the league is more clutch than Velton Jones. The Colonials have played in four straight NEC championship games. Led by up-and-coming coach Andy Toole, RMU is a lock to battle for the title once again and Jones could seize Player of the Year honors.

2. Wagner (6-5): The Seahawks lost coach Danny Hurley to Rhode Island but are still one of the top clubs in the conference coming off an impressive 25-6 campaign. Bashir Thompson is the youngest coach in the nation and he has had an uneven start to his tenure mixing lineups along the way but Wagner is talented and has perhaps more depth than anyone in the conference.

3. Long Island (5-7): The Blackbirds were the preseason favorite for their third straight NEC title but after losing reigning Player of the Year Julian Boyd to a season-ending knee injury their margin for error took a serious hit. Jamal Olasawere will have to shoulder an increased load and manage to stay out of foul trouble which has been his undoing in the past. LIU can't afford any other injuries on its way back to the NCAA and will be without its top three players for the first two games of the NEC season (Olasawere and C.J. Garner due to suspension and Boyd due to injury).

4. St. Francis (N.Y.) (4-7): Rugged power forward Jalen Cannon leads the enigmatic Terriers. Cannon is one of the few threats to Quinnipiac's Ike Azotam to win the NEC rebounding title. He is a rugged force in the paint with a deft touch. SFNY needs to find consistent scoring to battle for the title but are a menace with Cannon in tight games.

5. Bryant (7-4): This is the first year that the Bulldogs are eligible for the postseason and the timing couldn't be any better. Bryant won just one conference game last season and is wildly inconsistent but its starting lineup is solid offensively and that alone will lead to several wins. A fast start will get them in the postseason tournament and they've already won at Boston College and Lehigh.

6. Central Connnecticut State (4-7): The Blue Devils will be fun to watch led by high-scoring combo of Kyle Vinales and Matt Hunter. Suprisingly, however, CCSU is one of the worst rebounding teams in the country and if coach Howie Dickenman can't change that then no one can. It will be their downfall.

7. Quinnipiac (4-7): The Bobcats were picked fourth in the preseason poll but no one has stepped up consistently to help their struggling offense. Ike Azotam is sure to draw double- and triple-team defenses in the halfcourt set leaving the scoring burden to others. No team will work harder or rebound better but there's only so many games that coach Tom Moore can provide the difference.

8. Sacred Heart (2-9): The Pioneers have the league's best scorer in Shane Gibson and one its best pure point guards in Wallingford's Phil Gaetano. They don't have depth, however, and have struggled mightily in the preseason. Gibson has to have a huge year to keep coach Dave Bike's team in the playoff picture.

9. Monmouth (5-8): The Hawks, along with Quinnipiac, will move to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference next season. Monmouth has the potential to crack the top eight and earn an NEC Tournament berth but they seem to lack the offensive firepower to go any further.

10. Mount St. Mary's (5-6): Junior guard Julian Norfleet will look to carry the Mount back into the top half of the league. After winning just six games in the NEC last year Jamion Christian takes over as head coach but MSM has not shot the ball nor rebounded well in non-conference action.

11. Fairleigh Dickinson (5-7): Kinu Rochford is the hottest name in the NEC coming off back-to-back 30-point performances. The Knights could finish much higher if Hartford-transfer Mustafaa Jones shoots well but history is against them.

12. Saint Francis (Pa.) (0-11): Sure the Red Flash have played difficult non-conference schedule but not only are they winless they really haven't even been competitive. Umar Shannon is a one-man team.

Things just got a little more interesting the Northeast Conference.

Long Island's Julian Boyd, the reigning Northeast Conference player of the year found out over the weekend that a torn ACL in his right knee has ended his season eight games in.

The talented Boyd has gone through something like this before.

Before the 2009-10 season, Boyd, who had been selected NEC rookie of the year, was told he had a heart condition known as noncompaction cardiomyopathy -- part of his heart was enlarged. There would be no activity of any kind for months. Finally he was cleared to resume playing basketball. He played like he did before the diagnosis. Many thought he played at a higher level and the Blackbirds won the conference tournament the last two years and the NCAA tournament berths that came with them.

Things were going well for Boyd in his senior season until a play near midcourt in the second half of a win at Rice last Wednesday.

Boyd went for a steal, got tangled up with some other players and his leg was bent the wrong way. Boyd knew he was hurt because of the pain. He was helped off the court. Nobody would know how bad it was until he underwent an MRI.

LIU is the favorite to win the NEC title.

The following report comes from the New York Daily News. The Blackbirds have been the top program in the NEC for the past few seasons and look to be the overwelming choice to win the title again this year. Boyd and Olasawere could be the best two players in the conference.

Julian Boyd

Long Island University Brooklyn has suspended the four members of its men’s basketball team for their involvement in a Sept. 14 fight on campus, LIU Brooklyn Director of Athletics John Suarez said in a statement.


“No other student-athletes were implicated in this incident,” Mr. Suarez said. “Until all legal and appeals processes have been completed, we will not comment further on this matter.”

Four members of the Long Island University Brooklyn men’s basketball team were arrested last night and charged with assault in the third degree, the New York Post reported. Seniors Julian Boyd, the Blackbirds leading scorer and rebounder in 2012, Jamal Olasewere, the team’s second leading scorer, C. J. Garner, third in team scoring, and reserve Troy Joseph were all picked up on the university’s Downtown Brooklyn campus after they were accused of assaulting three men and two women on the university track team during a fight at a campus dorm on Sept. 15 Sept. 14.

The arrests come at a time when the LIU basketball program, which has qualified for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament the past two seasons, hopes to win its third Northeast Conference championship in a row. Not only will the Blackbirds play three dates at the new Barclays Center, in November the team is scheduled to travel to Lexington, Kentucky to tip-off against the national champion Wildcats.

Student-athletes on the campus have already come to the players’ aid, according to the Blackbirds Hoops Journal, garnering more than 300 student signatures on a petition supporting the four arrested athletes.

Well, I’m back from vacation and it’s time to empty out the mailbag.

Here’s a bunch of items, many of them from Quinnipiac.

Pecknold signs an extension

Pecknold

Quinnipiac University Director of Athletics Jack McDonald has announced that Men's Ice Hockey Head Coach Rand Pecknold has signed a contract extension through the 2016-17 season. Terms of the contract have not been disclosed.
In 2011-12, Rand Pecknold, in his 18th season as Quinnipiac's head coach, guided the Bobcats to its 16th consecutive non-losing season with a 20-14-6 overall mark, including a 9-8-5 record in ECAC Hockey, giving Pecknold 20-win seasons in 14 out of his 18 years behind the bench for Quinnipiac, as well as his 11th in 14 years at the Division I level. In addition, Quinnipiac’s 13-4-3 home record matches the 2009-10 team’s mark

Yale names Goodwin softball coach

Goodwin

 

Jen Goodwin, who spent the last two years as the Assistant Executive Director for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, has been named the head softball coach at Yale.
Goodwin also has extensive Ivy League coaching experience. She spent two years as an assistant at Harvard, recruiting two-time Ivy League Pitcher of the Year Rachel Brown and helping guide the Crimson to the 2007 Ivy League title, and was Dartmouth’s interim head coach in 2004

 

Quinnipiac women’s basketball team starts tour of Italy

After a long, eight-hour flight, the Quinnipiac's Women's Basketball team landed in Rome to begin their 10-day tour of beautiful Italy.
To kick-off the start of their adventure, the Bobcats hopped on their tour bus for what would be many breathtaking views of the ancient city. In their sights, the Bobcats saw the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, Arch of Constantine, Saint Peter's Basilica and many landmarks that make up Rome.

Quinnipiac hopes to host Women’s Frozen Four

Quinnpiac is hoping to host the 2014 women's Frozen Four, which will be held in Minnesota for the second consecutive year in 2013. It will be in Minnesota this coming season and was in Duluth in 2012.

Quinnipiac University Director of Athletics Jack McDonald has announced that Women's Basketball Head Coach Tricia Fabbri has signed a contract extension through the 2016-17 season. Terms of the contract have not been disclosed. In 2011-12, Fabbri guided the Bobcats to one of the most accomplished seasons in Quinnipiac history, adding to an impressive resume at the helm of the women’s basketball program.

Tricia Fabbri

"I'd like to thank President Lahey, Sr.VP Mark Thompson and Director of Athletics and Recreation Jack McDonald for allowing me to continue as the Women's Basketball Head Coach at Quinnipiac University,” said Coach Fabbri. “This community is so special to me and my family. It truly is an honor and privilege to lead the program into this season and for seasons to come."
Since joining the Northeast Conference, Coach Fabbri has distinguished herself as a premier coach in the league. Fabbri ranks second all-time in career NEC regular-season wins (157) and overall NEC wins (164) after adding significantly to the totals last year.

HAMDEN, Conn. -- Quinnipiac University Director of Athletics and Recreation Jack McDonald has announced that Men's Basketball Head Coach Tom Moore has signed a contract extension through the 2016-17 season. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The two-time Northeast Conference Coach of the Year kept the momentum going in his fifth season at the helm of the Bobcats, guiding Quinnipiac to its third consecutive national postseason appearance. Moore led the Bobcats to the 2012 CBI Invitational and their seventh straight Northeast Conference Tournament, adding to an impressive list of accomplishments thus far.

Tom Moore

"Tom and his staff continue to elevate Quinnipiac Men's Basketball with post-season appearances, academic success and community service,” said McDonald. “I and the entire Quinnipiac community are very pleased and grateful for their continued growth and success."

"I am thrilled to sign a contract extension with Quinnipiac University through the 2016-17 season,” said Coach Moore. “The support that I have received from our administration has been invaluable in helping us elevate our program. I'd like to thank President John Lahey, our Athletic Director Jack McDonald, and our entire Athletic Department administration for their continued commitment to men's basketball. I'd also like to thank my coaching staff and our student-athletes for all of their hard work and dedication. I am excited and energized about continuing our success in the future, both on the court and in the classroom."

Both on and off the court, Moore has transitioned the program into a perennial power in the Northeast Conference. Moore has guided the Bobcats to an average of 21 wins over the last three seasons, including two 20-plus win campaigns, compiling a 93-65 overall record. Just over the last three seasons alone, Quinnipiac has collected 63 wins, leaving Coach Moore with a .650 winning percentage during the stint.

Moore led Quinnipiac to an unprecedented 23 victories in 2009-10; guiding the Bobcats to the programs first-ever NEC Regular-Season Championship and national postseason tournament berth (NIT). Under Moore’s tutelage, Justin Rutty was named the program’s first-ever NEC Player of the Year. Rutty and James Feldeine were also named to the all-league first team under Moore’s direction.

A year later, Moore guided the Bobcats to a 22-10 record and a home game in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Rutty was named to the All-NEC First Team for the third straight year, while James Johnson joined him among the league’s top five players, giving Moore back-to-back years with a pair of All-NEC First Team members.

Most recently, Moore channeled the Bobcats to an 18-14 record and a trip to the CBI Invitational Postseason Tournament. James Johnson and Ike Azotam were selected to the All-NEC Second Team, while freshman standout Ousmane Drame was named to the All-NEC Rookie Team. With Moore instructing him every step of the way, Drame became Quinnipiac’s Rookie leader in rebounds and blocked shots in his inaugural season, a promising facet in relation to Moore’s coaching philosophy.

A large part of the Bobcats’ success over the past three years has been their prowess on the boards. Quinnipiac has established itself as a national power on the glass, evidenced by its consistency in three major categories. During Coach Moore’s time at Quinnipiac, the Bobcats have finished top 10 in total rebounding, offensive rebounding and rebounding margin 10 times. Most recently in 2011-12, Quinnipiac led the nation in offensive rebounding, while finishing second, only behind North Carolina, in total rebounding and rebounding margin.

In 2009-10, Quinnipiac was one of four teams – Kansas, Kentucky and Radford – to finish the year in the top 10 in the country in both rebounding margin and rebounds per game, before repeating the feat in 2010-11, joining Pittsburgh and Old Dominion. Quinnipiac finished 2009-10 behind only Michigan State (+8.6) in rebound margin at +8.5, while taking 10th in the nation in rebounds per game at 40.4.

Along with team recognition on the glass, comes individual accomplishments as well. Rutty, the NEC’s All-Time Career Rebounding Leader, finished second in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (4.9) for the second consecutive year in 2009-10. Azotam, who is on pace to challenge Rutty for the top spot in NEC Rebounding, finished 15th in offensive rebounding (3.6) and 30th in total rebounding (9.5).

Off the court and in the classroom, Moore led the greatest turnaround of any team in NCAA Division I during his first three years as head coach. According to a study prepared by FoxSports.com’s Jason Belzer, the Bobcats increased their Academic Progress Rate (APR), as compiled by the NCAA, by 219 points, more than any other program in the nation in that time. Over the last five years, Quinnipiac has boasted tremendous success academically among the Northeast Conference as well. At the end of the 2010-11 school year, the Bobcats accumulated the highest team GPA in the league.

In 2007, Moore became the sixth men's basketball head coach in Quinnipiac history and just the Bobcats' second coach at the Division I level. Moore took over after spending the previous 13 years as a member of the coaching staff at the University of Connecticut. After guiding Quinnipiac to their first non-losing season since the 2002-03 season, Moore was named the CollegeInsider.com Coach of the Year.

During his time in Storrs, Conn., Moore helped build UConn into a national powerhouse and played a major role in guiding the Huskies to the 1999 and 2004 NCAA Division I Men's National Championships.

Recognized as one of the top recruiters and evaluators of talent in the country, Moore either recruited or coached numerous current NBA players at UConn as the Huskies currently claim 15 active NBA players, the fifth most of any Division I program in the country. UConn's 2004 recruiting class was the consensus No. 1 by every major recruiting publication.

Moore currently resides in Tolland, Conn. with his wife, Eileen, and their three daughters: Elizabeth Rose, Catherine Grace, and Caroline Mary.

Quinnipiac freshman swingman Nate Gause has transfered to Le Moyne College.
The 6-foot-3 Gause spent last year at Quinnipiac University and joins the Dolphins with three years of eligibility remaining.

Nate Gause has transfered from
Quinnipiac to DII Le Moyne

With the Bobcats, Gause appeared in 22 games off the bench as Quinnipiac went 18-14 and appeared in the College Basketball Invitational. He registered 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per contest.

He reached double-figures in three games, including a season-best 14 at American University on November 22. As a senior at Poughkeepsie High School, Gause was named the Poughkeepsie Journal Player of the Year after averaging 23 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game for the 21-1 Pioneers, while earning all-league, all-section and all-state honors.

Le Moyne, a member of the NE-10 plays against SCSU so fans of Gause will get another chance to see the flashy guard play.
Gause was anther of many enigmatic players to come and go quickly from the Bobcats' fold. He had natural scoring ability but at times seemed lost defensively.
Gause's outside shot was also inconsistent.
My guess is that he'll be a Division II star at Le Moyne but probably would have never made a major impact at Quinnipiac.
Gause was also one of four players to named in an on-campus assault case before the season started at Quinnipiac. He received accelarated probation for his charges.

Quinnipiac University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tom Moore has announced three additional signings that will join the Bobcats’ roster for the 2012-13 campaign. Guards Tariq Carey (Union, N.J.), Shaquille Shannon (Philadelphia, Pa.) and James Ford (Hopewell, Va.) will join the Bobcats’ quest for their first trip to the NCAA Tournament next season.

Tariq Carey, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Union, N.J., comes to Quinnipiac after wrapping up a stellar high school career at Newark Eastside and perennial powerhouse St. Anthony’s. Carey spent his first three seasons with the Red Raiders, where he averaged over 11 points per game through three seasons. He then transferred over to St. Anthony’s and enjoyed an outstanding senior season with the Friars. Carey led the team to a perfect 32-0 record, finishing the season as the #1 ranked team in the country. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.5 rebounds along the way.
"I am thrilled to welcome Tariq Carey to our Quinnipiac Basketball family,” said Coach Moore. “He is a very good offensive player who has good strength and a college-ready body. We plan to use him as both a point guard and a shooting guard. He brings great shooting range, a tight handle, and an ability to get in the lane and create offense off the dribble."
Carey was regarded as one of the Top 10 players for the state of New Jersey, according to the NBE in 2011. His ability to attack the lane, finish and distribute makes him a viable candidate for playing time next year. In the 2012 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions, Carey proved his offensive capabilities with an 18-point performance in the championship game. Defensively, he is very aggressive and is adept at racking up steals and initiating fast breaks.
“Myself and every member of East Side High School would like to say how proud we are that Tariq is attending Quinnipiac University,” said ESHS Men’s Basketball Head Coach Troy Long. “Tariq is a personable young man that we watched grow up from the 7th grade. Quinnipiac is getting a combo guard who can score in bunches when you ask him to, play lock down defense, or run your team. He learned so much from a Hall of Fame coach and now I’m excited to see him play at the collegiate level. Quinnipiac just got a lot of fans from Newark!”
Shaquille Shannon, a 6-foot-2 guard from Philadelphia, Pa., will arrive on campus this summer with two years of eligibility for the Bobcats. Shannon was enrolled at Connors State Junior College in Warner, Oklahoma, where he played for two seasons. Most recently, he led the Cowboys to a 22-8 record and a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region II Tournament Quarterfinals. The Cowboys led the nation in field goal shooting percentage (54 percent) for the season, ranked #4 in three-point shooting (40 percent) and #8 in the nation in free-throw shooting (70 percent). Shannon played a large role in the offensive prowess, leading the team in three-point field goal percentage (56 percent), and ranked second in field goal percentage (52 percent) and free-throw percentage (75 percent). He averaged 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
"Shaquille Shannon is a great addition to our program,” said Coach Moore. “He is another combo guard who brings two years of experience at the highest level of junior college basketball. Shaq is a terrific three-point shooter and a great rebounder from the backcourt position. I expect his toughness and junior college experience to really help our backcourt."
Prior to Connors State Junior College, Shannon attended Communications Technology High School for four years. Shannon led the Blue and Gold to a strong finish in 2010, while picking up several individual achievements as well. He was named to the Daily News All-City Team and the Daily News All-Public Third Team in his senior season.
“Shaq is a great person that works extremely hard in the classroom and on the court,” said Connors State Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bill Muse. “He will be successful at everything he does. The fans will love to watch him play because he plays extremely hard.”
James Ford, a 6-foot-3 guard from Hopewell, Va., joins Quinnipiac after completing a prolific career at Quality Education Academy (QEA) in Winston-Salem, N.C. Ford led the Pharoahs to a 23-6 record, including a 9-1 mark in Greater Carolina High School Athletic Association (GCHSAA) competition. As the #1 seed in the GCHSAA Tournament, QEA went on to hoist the trophy after outlasting the Body of Christ Christian in the championship game. Ford averaged a team-best 18.5 points, six rebounds and five assists per game in his senior campaign.
"James Ford has a chance to be one of the best shooters that we've had here at Quinnipiac,” said Coach Moore. “His size, length, and touch from long range should help us right away. He was one of the best deep shooters that we saw in the scholastic ranks this season. He can also handle the ball, pass well, and has the potential to be a very good defender. I am very excited to add him to our perimeter rotation."
Due in large part to Ford’s offensive success, the Quality Education Academy’s men’s basketball team was ranked seventh in the state of North Carolina at the end of the year. Ford is a tremendous shooter, especially from long distance, and adds length on both ends of the court. Combined with athleticism, Ford soars above the rim with ease, evidenced by his six rebounds per game last season.
”James has been from the day he came to QEA a model citizen, excellent student, and a hard working basketball player,” said Quality Education Academy Men’s Basketball Head Coach Isaac F. Pitts Jr. "James is what I call shooters delight; his jump shot is a thing of beauty and picture perfect. He's an extremely loyal kid that will represent your university very well.”
The Bobcats will open the 2012-13 campaign with the Paradise Jam in the United States Virgin Islands. For all the latest news, scores and highlights pertaining to the men’s basketball program, visit www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com.

Tariq Carey, a 6-3 point guard from St. Anthony’s (N.J.) has committed to play at Quinnipiac next season.

Carey averaged 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the undefeated Friars (32-0), and chose Quinnipiac over Missouri State, Boston University, New Hampshire and Siena. “He’s a pretty versatile guard, he can play both guard positions,” Hall of Fame St. Anthony coach Bob Hurley told SNY.tv. “He’s strong. He became a much better defensive player this year, so I think he’ll be ready to play defense at the college level. “And he’s an excellent offensive player when you give him some freedom. He’s a really, really good passer and I think other than Kyle [Anderson] last year he was our second-best guy getting the ball into the post. At Quinnipiac, they were the No. 2 rebounding team in the country so they got somebody who can get the ball inside and they’ve got guys who can do stuff with it.”

James Johnson is gone so who will fill the void?
Looks like Middletown N.Y.’s Kendrick Ray is next in line. Kendrick is the younger brother of former Villanova star Allan Ray, who signed with the Boston Celtics after playing for seasons with the Wildcats.
His lineage also includes sister Brittany, who played at Rutgers.
Kendrick Ray looks to be cut in the same mode as James Johnson who started with the Bobcats from the first day he stepped on the campus. Ray is a 6-footer who plays both point guard and shooting guard. Check out this video and you’ll see the resemblance.

Ray led Middletown in the final eight of the New York State championships where they were walloped by Mount Vernon.
James Johnson is gone so who will fill the void?
Looks like Middletown N.Y.’s Kendrick Ray is next in line. Kendrick is the younger brother of former Villanova star Allan Ray, who signed with the Boston Celtics after playing for seasons with the Wildcats.
His lineage also includes sister Brittany, who played at Rutgers.
Kendrick Ray looks to be cut in the same mode as James Johnson who started with the Bobcats from the first day he stepped on the campus. Ray is a 6-footer who plays both point guard and shooting guard. Check out this video and you’ll see the resemblance.
Ray led Middletown in the final eight of the New York State championships where they were walloped by Mount Vernon.