Holiday Festival Day 2

We had the opportunity to go to Madison Square Garden four times already this season - for the Preseason NIT, the SEC/Big East Invitational, and the Jimmy V Classic. While the experience was great and the games even better, what most don't realize is that for bloggers like ourselves, events like this are a great opportunity to network.

One of the people we got a chance to meet there was Ray Floriani, a columnist at College Chalk Talk and a fellow member of Rush the Court's army of correspondents. Ray was able to battle the snow and made it to the Garden on Sunday for the first round of the Holiday Festival and was kind enough to do a write-up for us.

Ray will be popping up from time-to-time here at BIAH.

By Ray Floriani

NEW YORK CITY - Cornell’s last trip to the Holiday Festival was 1970. It was billed the ECAC Holiday Festival and had a power packed field. Back then nationally ranked South Carolina and Western Kentucky (remember Jim McDaniels?) met in the final with Frank McGuire’s Gamecocks earning an 86-84 victory. Cornell went 1-2 in the eight team field, losing to South Carolina the first round, defeating Manhattan then dropping a fifth place game to Holy Cross.

Suffice to say the Big Red’s return trip, almost four decades later, was much more enjoyable and memorable as they claimed the championship defeating St.John’s in the final 71-66.

Cornell's cheerleader wishing everyone a happy holiday after the Big Red's title.

The championship was an outside shooting affair at the onset with both teams lighting it up beyond the arc. The numbers bear this out.

• Cornell: 58 possessions, offensive efficiency of 122, effective FG 70%
• St. John's: 59 possessions, offensive efficiency of 112, effective FG 52%
  

Offensive efficiency is points per possession multiplied by 100. Cornell registered 1.22 points per possession. Both Teams had above average offensive efficiency marks. Cornell, as noted, bordered on the superlative.

EFG percentage takes into account three point shots. The formula is

EFG = FGM + (.5 * 3pt FGM)/FGA.

The Big Red’s 11 of 18 mark from beyond the arc was a major reason for the very high EFG mark.

In the first half both teams shot well (an identical 7 of 11 from three). St. John’s took a 36-31 lead into halftime. In the second half St. John’s cooled off and Cornell gradually caught the Red Storm and took a lead. St. John’s coach Norm Roberts felt Cornell denied the paint and gave the three. On the other side Cornell mentor Steve Donahue believed the percentages would catch St. John’s, not known as a proficient three point club. They did.

Davidson defeated Hofstra 61-52 in the consolation. It was a tough game emotionally for both coaches. Bob McKillop of Davidson is a Hofstra grad and Tome Pecora of Hofstra is a good friend who once coached with McKillop (at Long Island Lutheran High school 1984-87). "I just tried to look at the scoreboard and see home and visitors," McKillop said.

Final notes...

'Spahn and Sain and pray for rain'. The old Boston Braves baseball slogan can apply to Hofstra. They have two good guards in junior Charles Jenkins and freshman Chaz Williams. The Pride needs someone, preferably an upperclassman, to step up and contribute on a regular basis. Hofstra has to rebound better as they were beaten on the boards both nights.

Davidson is still under .500 at 5-8. They are getting better. Part of the process was former role players now having new duties and being asked to step up with the Stephen Curry era over. The Wildcats also had a tough non-league schedule with the likes of Butler, Rhode Island and Gonzaga before the trip here. Suffice to say they are coming together and had two fine outings in the Big Apple.

Davidson and Cornell are two throw back teams with their ball movement, precision cutting and mid to long range shooting. For the two games Cornell had 39 assists to just 24 turnovers. The Big Red assisted on 68% of their field goals.

MVP Jeff Foote was very impressive. The seven foot Cornell senior center doesn’t force the issue, is a good passer and has nice inside moves. Foote also has something you rarely see on any level from big men today, a soft jump hook. Foote scored 19 points and had a game high 11 boards in the championship game.

Have to love the MSG scoreboard. You get virtually every college score men and women. Case in point. I exited MSG knowing the Sacramento State Women’s team defeated the Academy of Art 92-70.

All Tournament:

Chaz Williams, Hofstra - Two good games, led Hofstra with 14 points in the consolation.

Jake Cohen, Davidson- Scored 18 both games, a 6-10 freshman and the Wildcats’ leading scorer.

Dwight Hardy, St. John’s- An all tourney selection who came off the bnch and was a factor both nights. Led the Storm with 19 points aginst Cornell.

D.J. Kennedy, St. John’s- A solid scorer and rebounded the 6-5 senior swingman has to be guarded outside and can get to the rim.

Ryan Wittman, Cornell - Hit the shot that sent Cornell to the final. Scored 10 in the final but had 29 in that big semifinal victory.

MSG Lou Carnesecca Holiday Festival MVP - Jeff Foote, Cornell: Foote’s exploits were noted previously. He can also be credited with great humilty as he said after the game "the only other MVP I got was in a high school tournament. To get it here on this stage at Madison Square Garden is really exciting."

To all.. A Happy Holiday!