Floriani: Thought on the Coaches vs. Cancer senifinals

Ray Floriani is an occasional contributor to BIAH.

NEW YORK CITY - A few sights, thoughts and points of note from the semifinals of Coaches vs. Cancer…

Exiting the train and walking up the stairs to MSG someone behind me is carrying a sign. A fan ? No, as the sign read 'Lipitor causes kidney failure'. Only in New York.

Notables are in the building. A number of NBA scouts as well as Bobby Knight, Dick Vitale and John Feinstein.

Maryland and Pitt both brought cheerleaders. For Pitt's squad it's a one game stay as they head to South Florida for football. Busy schedule, besides studies and practice.

Thrilled to see good officiating friend Brian Dorsey working his first MSG game. Had the pleasure of working with Brian on numerous occasions and just pleased to see him on the Garden floor.

Next to our press area is a group of Pitt students. Wearing 'Oakland Zoo' t -shirts, they are booing. Not that they do not have the right to boo but it's an annoying sound. Almost like they read it from a cue card.

I am wondering if the Pitt big men are getting involved enough. Pick up the halftime stat sheet and see 11-3 edge on the offensive boards. They may not be engaged in an 'old school' post up game but they are very much a factor.

Really like Jordan Williams, Maryland's 6-10 sophomore. He's a matchup problem because of his effectiveness down low as well as the ability to move out and hit the mid-range jumper.

A writing colleague who was on press row the first half near the Maryland bench said coach Gary Williams' language would make a marine sergeant blush. Gary is intense. Always has been. That’s his style but he is genuinely a really good person. Just during those 40 minutes, he's quite different.

Both coaches, Williams and Pitt's Jamie Dixon, agree -- tonight's game was for November but with March like intensity.

Read that Texas coach Rick Barnes met with Jerry Sloan over the summer. Barnes wanted a new offensive look so he spent several weeks learning the Utah Jazz system. The motion is evident in the Longhorn attack. The race it up the floor with no outlet is also of note.

Early on in game two it isn't the Longhorn offense. It's the defense that needs attention, for now, as the Illini were getting too many good looks.

The evening eventually ended after midnight. Texas outlasted Illinois 90-84 in overtime.

Texas-Pitt should make a great final. Illinois-Maryland in the consolation is not exactly chopped liver either.

Great matchups for this time of the year. And as Gary Williams said, "we find out a lot about our teams playing these games." Very true indeed.
Continue reading...

Thoughts on the A-10

BIAH contributor Ray Floriani was on hand in Atlantic City for the quarterfinals of the A-10 tournament. Here are some of his thoughts...

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Each year there is an obligatory trip down the Garden State Parkway to Atlantic ‘Always turned on’ City and the Atlantic Ten Tournament. This year it was Friday’s quarterfinals at Boardwalk Hall. A few observations….



1. The Big East is marquee programs, the history and tradition of MSG mix in with the glamour of celebrities and notables, Bill Clinton, Spike Lee and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie just to name a few. The A-10 provides us with strong programs in arguably the best non-BCS conference in the land. The atmosphere at the Big East can be corporate at times but at the A-10 it is different. Like being around close friends you haven’t seen in awhile.

2. Unless you are on the opposing bench, you sit back and marvel at the simplicity and execution of Temple. They epitomize the late Al McGuire’s ‘K.I.S.S.’ philosophy - ‘Keep It Simple Stupid’. Juan Fernandez buries threes. Come out and play him and he finds teammates like Lavoy Allen in the paint. In the 69-51 win over St.Bonaventure the Owls had 18 assists on their 30 field goals. That’s 60% of their field goals assisted and that’s great ball movement and unselfishness.

3. Speaking of St.Bonaventure, their stay was not long but getting to AC was progress. Bonnies defeated Duquesne in the first round. It was the first quarterfinal appearance for Bonaventure since 2002 and further validation of the great job Mark Schmidt is doing in Olean.

4. Game of the day? On paper it was Xavier-Dayton. Two intense rivals. Close in geography but no love lost between. The pair split during the regular season and Dayton desperately needed this to keep NCAA tournament hopes alive. The game did not disappoint. In an intense, fast paced and physical contest, Xavier rallied from 15 down with just under 12 minutes to play to post a 78-73 victory. Credit Xavier‘s Jordan Crawford (20 points) and Terrell Halloway (22 points) for doing appreciable damage during the late run.


5. Rhode Island, another team fighting for its collective NCAA life, posted a convincing win over St. Louis. Rick Majerus’s club normally dictates the action through a succession of well oiled offensive sets. URI took St. Louis out of anything they tried to run, beat them on the boards 38-26 and forced 13 Billiken turnovers. A complete victory that began with defense.

6. UMass made a late run but Richmond triumphed 77-72. Spiders put five players in double figures and Chris Mooney’s club is another one that is very difficult to guard. Especially with A-10 Player of the Year Kevin Anderson.

6A. Best cheerleading group - St. Louis - Don’t believe me ? Check the picture.



Postscript: The committee was not too kind with the A-10. Dayton figured their chances were gone after the Xavier loss but having Jim Baron’s Rhode Island club left off the board was a setback. Even the draw is not the best, with Richmond facing a dangerous St. Mary’s team. Worse was Temple. Conference co-champions, A-10 post season tournament titlists, and 29 wins. The reward? Fifth seed and a very tough opening round draw in Cornell. Xavier has a Minnesota team that was defeated by Ohio State in the Big Ten finals and could be very dangerous.

Continue reading...

Is Ray Floriani a jinx?

Ray Floriani is quickly becoming our resident tempo-free expert.

It just occurred that some of the strange goings on lately can be attributed to a jinx. Namely with yours truly and Rush the Court. Oh, don’t read this wrong. I love my association with RTC and never would have been introduced to this fine address without them.

It simply is what I have written this season.

Every other week a recap is submitted on the Northeast Conference and MAAC. Besides that is an occasional article of general interest. In November, at Coaches Vs. Cancer, one of my features was on the North Carolina cheerleaders. Well, you can see what has transpired in Chapel Hill these past few weeks.

Over thanksgiving another one of my articles was a profile on the UCONN cheer/spirit program. Watching the Huskies effort against Cincinnati on Saturday all I could think is NIT. How about UNC-UCONN at the Garden in an NIT semi. Coula happen.

Friday morning I sent my MAAC wrap-up across several time zones (with no Rick Majerus-like complaints of the cyberspace road trip). At the beginning I noted how the MAAC tournament in March will be 'Siena's to lose'. The reasoning was the undefeated Saints have the experience, talent, coaching and location. That evening Siena went out and lost at Niagara. On seeing the score I thought blame me.

On second thought I did not officiate their game nor did I drive the team bus to Niagara Falls Ontario and not NY by mistake. Neither of those things happened, in other words the game had a great crew and I’m sure Fran McCaffery’s club arrived well rested and prepared to play.

So what happened? Here's quick tempo free look:

Siena: 71 possessions; Off. Efficiency 104; eFG: 45%; OReb: 55%; T/O rate: 21%
Niagara: 68 possessions; Off. Efficiency 128; eFG: 60%; OReb: 50%; T/O rate: 18%

The purple Eagles scored their 87-74 victory because they were almost unconscious from the floor, battled the Saints gamely on the ball and cared for the ball with a great TO RATE. Niagara also moved the ball extremely well with 22 assists on 33 field goals and shot 26 of 40(65%) from two point range. Joe Mihalich’s club all appeared to follow the lead of sophomore forward Kalief Edwards , a 7 PPG scorer, who shot 9 of 14 from the floor for a 20 point night.

So forget the jinx, for Siena as well as UNC and UConn. I did promise the S;ton Hall cheer coach, Jackie, an RTC profile for her squad. Things are busy and that’s on the back burner. Still whenever I cover the Hall at the Rock she never reminds me. Guess she doesn't want to jeopardize the Pirates' post season aspirations.

Continue reading...

Fordham needs to remove Grasso's interim tag

Ray Floriani had a chance to see Fordham play last week. Needless to say, he was impressed with interim coach Jared Grasso.

This has been said and written in a few other locales.

Very simply and to the point.

Hey Fordham: HIRE JARED GRASSO!!!

When I was 12, Grasso was my coach at the Quinnipiac basketball camp.

In mid-December Grasso was appointed interim head coach after Dereck Whittenburg was shown the door. The first time I saw the former Ram assistant running the team and making the decisions was on December 19th at the Izod Center in East Rutherford. Then and there I was convinced he was the man for the job.

You may be thinking this writer has officiated one too many poorly played lower level basketball games and has taken leave of his senses. Fordham is 1-11 under Grasso, 0-6 in Atlantic Ten play and on an eleven game losing streak. Not so.

There are a number things in Grasso’s corner. First, his ability to recruit. Some coaches are good recruiters only but Grasso is comfortable with the X’s and O’s. He can manage a game and make adjustments. But the thing that stood out that December afternoon as Villanova opened the game the second half en route to a 96-58 rout of Fordham is how his players react. They respond to his coaching, play hard and are enthusiastic right to the final buzzer.

Those same qualities were evident over a month later on Saturday in a 62-45 loss to Temple at Rose Hill. The Owls pulled away the second half but here was Grasso working each possession and his players carrying out assignments, though some were forgotten (it happens with young teams). To the end they competed regardless of the score.

A former guard at Quinnipiac, Grasso has his college coach Joe DeSantis as an assistant and a voice of experience and guidance. He is learning on the job but has something you cannot learn.

It’s inside. Something called passion.

Grasso is energetic to hit the road recruiting after a loss and/or watch tape of the next opponent. Overall, he is genuinely passionate about the program and his players, a point expressed by Dayton’s Brian Gregory after their mid January meeting at the Garden.

Awarding Grasso with the job now would help recruiting as prospective players would know who is running the program the next few seasons or more. Turning Fordham around will not be easy. Jared Grasso relishes the challenge. He is actively immersed in it at present time. Hopefully the administration will realize it, give him a contract and scrap that interim tag. Soon!
Continue reading...

A visit to a St. Anthony's freshman game

BIAH Contributor Ray Floriani also works as a referee in his native New Jersey. He had a chance to ref a freshman game for St. Anthony's. Yes, that St. Anthony's.

Officiating assignment this afternoon called for a freshman game at St. Anthony. Yes that St.Anthony, the school with head coach the legendary Bob Hurley, and a program known nationally. Make that internationally.

Outside of Golden Door Charter School, St. Anthony's home court.

Came from a travel tournament in my Lyndhurst hometown and left my whistles at the gym. Luckily partner Manny Bernardez had a spare. St. Anthony is facing Memorial of West New York today and after a brief pre-game officials conference, we are ready.

Inside the gym.

Game starts out with the St. Anthony pressure defense setting the tone. Even the half court defense is getting in the passing lane, deflecting passes and starting transition breaks. Being on the floor and experiencing the St. Anthony intensity up close on defense is a perspective you can’t get from the stands. In a word maybe too often used but appropriate, awesome.

On one out of bounds I tell the St. Anthony player ‘hold your spot’ (as we are instructed to do). He answers, ‘thank you sir’. Bob Hurley is in Massachusetts with the varsity but the stamp on his program permeates all levels at the school. Courtesy to officials and sportsmanship are as important to Hurley as playing hard and relentlessly defending.

At the half it is 44-20 St. Anthony. We discuss a few items during the break and it is out on the floor. The second half sees no more full court pressure by the Friars. Both teams are now in a 2-3 zone and time moves. For St. Anthony’s guard quickness, size and the ability to move the ball on offense are too much. Memorial in their own right is not a bad team. They are relatively competitive but on this afternoon they are facing a team on another level. The Memorial players will challenge and take it to the basket hard. All too often St. Anthony has the answer on defense and is still forcing turnovers.

St. Anthony's freshman take chairs back to the storage room.

Despite facing a half court defense Memorial scores 6 second half points and loses 83-26. Following our game there is a knock on our officials’ room door. It is the St. Anthony freshmen team putting away chairs so the JV can practice. At St. Anthony you may be part of a marquee program but that does not excuse you from doing the ‘grunt work’. On and off the floor. The way it should be.

Says it all right there.

Continue reading...

Ray Floriani looks back at the double-header in the Garden this week

A look back on Wednesday’s MSG doubleheader. St.John’s edged Cincinnati 52-50 for their first Big East win of the season and Dayton enjoyed their trip to The Garden with a 74-58 Atlantic Ten decision over Fordham.

The St.John’s-Cincy game was a return to New York for Lance Stephenson. A prep star of virtually legendary (nicknamed ‘born ready’) status, Stephenson is a freshman at Cincinnati. He leads the Bearcats in scoring with 12.7 PPG and is second in rebounding at 4.8 RPG. The scoring numbers especially, can be deceptive as Mick Cronin’s team often, as tonight, opts for a grind it out half court game.
On the evening Stephenson was less than spectacular. The numbers?: 3/9 shooting, 1/3 fromthe like, 6 points, 5 assists, 5 boards, 7 steals, and 1 turnover.



On the night Stephenson played 37 minutes. Using the NBA efficiency model (PTS+REB+STL+A+BK) - (TO + missed FT+ missed FG), Stephenson checks in with a 6 efficiency total. Dividing that by his 37 minutes the efficiency per minute is .162. Not eye popping numbers to say the least.

In the waning seconds Stephenson threw the ball away for a turnover. St.John’s took advantage of two last second miscues by the Bearcats to pull this one out. The Stephenson turnover didn’t cost the game for Cincinnati but he did note after the game, “I made a bad decision…passed it to the wrong guy. I thought he was open.”

NBA scouts in attendance were not sold on Stephenson. ‘Born ready’ but not ready for June. Some requesting to stay off the record said they would not take him based on past reputation. To his credit, Stephenson’s days at Cincinnati have not seen him as a problem. The only problem is adjusting to life in the rigors of the Big East. Overall he’s been fine. He had 21 points and the winning free throws in his debut against UCONN. The St.John’s game, another story, And proof the Big East can be humbling.

In Dayton’s win over Fordham the leading scorer for the Flyers was not Chris Wright or Chris Johnson, two excellent talents. The leader was a 6-9 sophomore off the bench, Luke Fabrizius , a deadly three point shooter with 13 points. Such are the weapons at coach Brian Gregory’s disposal. And we haven’t even got into discussing the four senior guard combo of Warren London, Marcus Johnson, Mickey Perry and Rob Lowery.

In Fordham’s behalf, they trailed 38-36 with sixteen minutes to go before Dayton’s overall talent and depth took over. Rams have nice young talent in Chris Gaston and Alberto Estwick. The lone contributing senior, Brenton Butler scored a game high 20 points but is really a two trying to fit at the point.

Interim coach Jared Grasso is doing a great job keeping the Rams focused and playing hard to the final buzzer regardless of the score. Hopefully the Fordham administration will do the right thing, scrap that interim status and title. Get Grasso’s name on a contract and make him the new head coach at Rose Hill. NOW!

Continue reading...

Chat with Lawrence Frank

Ray Floriani was in attendance for Wednesday's double-header at the Garden, and had a chance to speak with former New Jersey Nets coach Lawrence Frank.

On Wednesday it was off to MSG for a doubleheader. St.John’s edged Cincinnati for their first Big East win 52-50 while Dayton posted a 74-58 Atlantic Ten decision over Fordham. Among those in attendance was former NJ Nets coach Lawrence Frank. I got a chance to meet and talk with Frank who had a front row seat behind the Cincy and Dayton benches. Frank hails from Teaneck, NJ, and my residence is Lyndhurst, about 8 miles south, so we had something in common to discuss right off the bat.

We discussed officiating and youth basketball. I am a big proponent of having youth teams only press on a limited basis. Let them learn half court and fundamentals first. Frank shares the same opinion and added that he attended a fifth grade game the other night and one coach was in a 1-3-1 half court trapping defense. “Some of these coaches go out there like they are trying to win an NBA title, he said. “The important thing is to teach the kids the game.“

As we went on I noted the other night I officiated a fifth grade game and both teams pressed the whole game. Even the winning team up eleven with six seconds to go pressed off a dead ball. The kids ,on both teams, exited the gym with virtually no chance to patiently advance the ball and run half court sets the entire night.

We discussed a pet peeve of mine, verticality. We as officials make mistakes but players can stay out of trouble employing verticality on defense. Frank noted that on defense players are taught or encouraged to locate the offense with their bodies rather than getting to a space. ‘Get a body on someone’ I hear coaches encourage on many an occasion. Frank’s idea of establishing a space or beating a man to the spot is virtually forgotten at the lower levels today.

Overall, an enjoyable chat and meeting with a someone who coached at the game’s highest level but is in tune regarding what is needed at the foundations of the game.

Continue reading...

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!
Continue reading...

Holiday Festival Day 1

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 - With the white stuff courtesy of mother nature shoveled and tucked aside, duty called for a trip to the Garden and the Holiday Festival. Game one: Davidson-Cornell. How attractive a year ago with a certain guy named Curry burying jumpers. This contest with a struggling Davidson and good Cornell team gave us an OT classic.



Stat wise you would find it hard pressed to separate the two. Cornell led 44-31 at the break and was outscored by exactly the same score the final 20 minutes of regulation. Both teams had identical marks of 21 assists 11 turnovers, another exhibit of how well the game was played.

In the end result, separation came from Cornell’s Ryan Wittman, the game high scorer with 29 points. Wittman buried a long, beyond NBA, three as the buzzer sounded.

“I thought it was short,” he said, “but I’ll take it.”

In the nightcap, St. John’s built an early lead over Hofstra. In the season of giving, the Red Storm gave it back courtesy of a diet of jump shots (that missed). In the latter part of the second half with Hofstra leading by six, St.John’s toughened on defense and once again attacked the basket. They went on a decisive 12-0 run that sparked the 72-60 victory.

Hofstra notes pointed out the Pride as the winningest program in the NY area for this decade, In fact, Hofstra had a four game win streak over St. Johns from 2003-04 through 2006-07.

“This was big for us,” St.John’s junior swingman D.J. Kennedy said. “It shows we are headed in the right direction.”

Kennedy didn’t say it specifically but hinted the snapping of that four game series streak was nice.

The Storm showed they could be headed in the right direction. A year or two ago they probably lose this game once Hofstra took that half dozen point lead. With a little more maturity and experience, St. John’s found the resolve to dig down and find the way to win. Kennedy’s team leading 19 points and 15 boards helped.

Of added significance was off the bench contributions of junior guard Dwight Hardy (17 points) and junior forward Justin Brownlee (10 points, 13 rebounds). Charles Jenkins led all with 24 points, but the 6-3 Hofstra junior guard was defended closely down the stretch.

St. John’s is 9-1, the lone loss a competitive one to Duke at Cameron. Suddenly that November win over Temple in Philly’s Hoop Group Classic looks better each day. The next order of business is Cornell. A win in that one would give added momentum with Big East play right around the corner. Stay tuned.
Continue reading...