Rush The Court

Ray Floriani of College Chalktalk is the RTC correspondent for the NEC and MAAC Conferences.

NEWARK, NJ – The Northeast Conference Co-Players of the Week were James Feldeine and Jeremy Chappell. Feldiene, a junior guard for Quinnipiac,  averaged 27.5 ppg, 8 boards and 5 assists in a spectacularly well rounded week. Quinnipiac went 1-1 during that stretch.  Chappell, a senior guard for Robert Morris and one of the NEC’s elite, averaged 22 points, 7 rebounds over a three game stretch that saw the Colonials take road games against Lafayette and Central Michigan. The latter was played at the Detroit Pistons home at the Palace at Auburn Hills.

Rookie of the Week was Central Connecticut freshman Bobby Ptacek. The  6-3 guard had career highs of 20 points 6 rebounds in the Blue Devils’ win over Princeton.

IN PERSON: Caught FDU’s loss at St.Peter’s two days before Christmas. The Knights dropped a 69-61 decision and were guilty of 20 turnovers on the evening. FDU head coach Tom Green, concerned yet in normal humorous spirit noted, “They say it’s better to give than to receive and tonight we played the role of a generous Santa.” Green pointed out that the 15 turnovers resulted in fifteen more field goal attempts (59 to 44) by the Peacocks. A huge figure in a three possession game.  Cameron Tyler (17 points) and Sean Baptiste (game high 25 points) continued their torrid scoring. Green is hoping to get the likes of Alvin Mofunaya (6 points, 8 rebounds, 9 blocks) more involved offensively. The 6-8 junior was only 3 of 6 from the floor. And that 9 block figure is not a typo. FDU rejected 14 shots on the evening.  On the NEC race: “I said it the last few years, it’s fairly wide open. I believe Mt.St.Mary’s is the favorite though they have been snake bit in some close games. Still, I think the other spots are fairly well up for grabs and hey, we’re 1-1 in the conference.”  After a murderous non-conference schedule that NEC record gives FDU, 1-10 after last night’s loss at Seton Hall, something of a ‘second season’ to build on.

NEC lists eight teams with duos averaging a collective 25 ppg. The breakdown…

COMBINED SCORING

• QU        James Feldiene    18.8    Justin Rutty    16    34.8
• CCSU        Ken Horton        20.6    Robby Ptacek    10.2    30.8
• MSM        Jeremy Goode        16.6    Jean Cajou    12.9    29.5
• LIU        Kyle Johnson        16.1    J. Wisseh    11.7    27.8
• RMU        Jeremy Chappell    16.9    J. Langhurst    10.6    27.5
• SFNY        Kayode Ayeni        14.8    S. Perunicic    12.7    27.5
• WC        Joey Mundweiler    13.9    Jamal Smith    13.3    27.2
• SHU        Joey Henley        13.4    Ryon Howard    13.4    26.8
• SFPA        Devin Sweetney    14.4    Mislav Jukic    11.4    25.8

ANOTHER STAT OF NOTE: In losses to Virginia Tech, Penn State and Georgetown, Mount St. Mary’s shot 40% from the floor compared to their opponents’ combined 36%. The difference in the three close losses was the foul line. The Mount was 20-37 (54%) while their BCS opposition was 73-97 (75%).

IN PERSON 102 – Following Wagner’s 68-58 win over NJIT on Sunday, Seahawks coach Mike Deane was asked his assessment of the upcoming NEC race. “I really don’t give it (NEC race) much thought other than we are 0-1 after losing a tough one against Quinnipiac,” Deane said. “Tomorrow we leave for Kansas State and that is my concern. I really take it a game at a time. I did see St.Francis (NY) and St,Francis (PA) on television but that was more casual watching than analytical.” Deane did make a significant point about NEC scheduling. “We are on a Thursday-Saturday format for most of our conference games,” he said. “That might be good if you travel (like the St.Francis (PA)-Robert Morris swing) but I really think a Wednesday-Saturday format is better for preparation. That gives you two days to prepare rather than the one when you play on Thursday.”  In the NJIT game leading scorer Joey Mundweiler had 10 points but was only 3 of 9 from the floor. “Joey is a shooter,” Deane said. “We had a few days over break where we lifted and/or stretched and didn’t get in the gym as much. Joey has to be in the gym. I guarantee when we get home, he’ll go to the gym and take at least 100 jump shots.”

To all… best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.