One-Bid Wonders

Hartford head coach John Gallagher was in the thick of things all practice long (Photo by Sam Perkins)

Last Monday I hopped in my beat-up Grand Prix, and hit the America East back roads for the first time this season, bombing down I-84 to catch up with Hartford head coach John Gallagher and take in a Hawks practice.
To use a tired cliche and say that the Hawks enjoyed a roller-coaster season last year would be a huge understatement: The incredibly young and inexperienced Hawks began the season 0-13. Instead of packing it in and giving up – as most teams would have done – Hartford came together their fiery and energetic head coach, going 7-9 in conference while finishing in sixth place. The Hawks peaked at the right time, knocking off Boston University in the quarterfinals of the America East Tournament before falling to eventual champion Vermont in the semis, capitulating only after a double-overtime thriller that will go down as one of the greatest America East Tournament games ever.

The Hawks can no longer catch AE foes by surprise, and are looking to make the leap from loveable upstart to conference contender. They have the talent, and more importantly the tenacity and work ethic: the America East is a good-enough-on-guts league, and in a year seemingly devoid of star talent and a head-and-shoulders-above-the-competition favorite, on most nights, the team that plays the hardest will likely walk away the winner.

Not to give away our preseason picks before they are unveiled, but we think the Hawks will take a step up this season.

I brought along a new camera, and in addition to jotting down my thoughts on the night, I snapped a lot of photographs – which will hopefully become a regular occurrence throughout the season. A link to the complete album can be found at the end of this post.

Thoughts, sights and sounds: (more…)

(Allston, MA) – Nice Guys Finish Last: It’s a tired, worn-out cliché. It’s also the hard-luck line that Jake O’Brien has walked for most of his college career.

On Thursday, O’Brien, the Terriers’ star forward and potential America East Player of the Year for the upcoming season, was granted an unconditional release from Boston University. The release was anything but planned, and was a direct result of the ban from America East postseason play – and through it, any chance of playing in the NCAA tournament – levied by America East member institutions.

“I definitely didn’t see myself sitting in this position right now,” reflected O’Brien, “I had really looked forward to playing this season, chasing my NCAA dreams, and playing for coach (Joe) Jones who I have a great relationship with.”

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it,” he added. (more…)

Former Boston University Terrier John Holland is one step closer to his dreams of playing in the NBA. The 2011 America East Player of the Year, Holland is one of 13 players signed to suit up for the reigning Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA’s Orlando Summer League.

A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, Holland etched his name across the Terriers record books during his four-year career (2007-2011), ranking in the top-10 in program history in 11 different statistical categories. His 2,212 points, 725 rebounds, 200 steals, 129 games and 4,195 minutes rank second, sixth, first (tied), first and first all-time in program history, respectively.

A 6’5” guard-forward who excelled in run-and-gun transition as well attacking the hoop off the bounce in the half-court, Holland was the recipient of the 2011 Kevin Roberson Award given to the America East regular season Player of the Year.

Holland capped his career by carrying the Terriers to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002, scoring 27 points to go with 10 rebounds in a 56-54 comeback win in the championship game. Holland scored 23 of his points after the intermission, including all of the Terriers points during a 14-0 Terriers’ run which erased a 15-point Stony Brook lead. Holland’s two free-throws with 2.4 seconds left gave the Terriers their first lead of the game as BU punched its ticket to The Big Dance.

After graduating, Holland, spent the summer playing for the Puerto Rican National Team (he was eligible through a Puerto Rican grandparent) before signing his first professional contract to play for Chorale Roanne in the French Pro A league. (more…)

The America East braved the early storm of player departures, as while other conferences lost high-impact big-name stars, the AE sailed through the first few weeks of the off-season virtually unscathed, losing only a few minor role-players.

That all changed on Friday, as it was officially announced that Gerardo Suero, arguably the most physically-gifted raw-talent in the league will forgo his senior season at the University of Albany. In a story that One-Bid Wonders first learned of and hinted at three weeks ago, it was also reported Monday that Binghamton freshmen Ben Dickinson, Omar Richards and Chris Longoria have all been granted releases to pursue transfer options.

In a story first broken by WCDB Sports Director Jay Sanin and also reported by Andrew Santillo of the Troy record, on his 23rd birthday Suero announced that he will leave school early to pursue a professional career.

Suero arrived on campus last summer preceded by perhaps more hype and higher expectations than any recruit in Great Danes history.

A native of the Dominican Republic, he moved to the US at age 17 and enrolled at Our Savior New America School, where he exploded on the court. Suero was Originally recruited by many “Big Time” Schools, among them Pitt, Syracuse, Marquette, UCLA and Memphis, but he failed to get through the NCAA clearinghouse due largely to difficulty with the English language.

Suero made his way to Albany after two-years in the JuCo ranks, due in large part to his UA connections with former ‘Danes Jamar Wilson and Tim Ambrose, both of whom preceded him at Our Savior. (more…)

(Burlington, VT) – The University of Vermont moved quickly in replacing departing players Brendan Bald (leaving the team, remaining in school), Chris Santo and Ryan McKeaney, landing potential impact transfers Hector Harold and Ryan Pierson, as confirmed by multiple team sources.

Both Harold (6’7” wing/forward) and Pierson (6’10” center) give the Catamounts length and size, and both are transferring into the program from a higher level; Harold from Pepperdine (West Coast Conference) and Pierson from Northeastern (CAA).

Harold, a 6’7” 205 pounder who can play the three and four is billed as an athletic shooter who can run the floor and finish above the rim, and who could be a potential match-up problem in the America East. As a sophomore, he played in 27 games, averaging 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game.

Listed at 6’10” 260, Pierson came to Northeastern with tremendous promise and hype, and was billed as being the first dominant rebounder to lace them up on Huntington Ave since America East alumn Sylbrin Robinson (2004). A legit 6’9”, he has the size and talent to make a significant impact at the America East level.

In his freshman season, Pierson earned CAA All-Rookie honors, averaging 7.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in just under 26 minutes per game. However, during his sophomore campaign, the St. Louis native appeared to fall out of favor with the Huskies staff, and saw his minutes and production drop dramatically; averaging just 1.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 8.7 points per game.

Both players must sit out the 2012-2013 season as transfers, but will have two years remaining of eligibility. Both have the potential to make a significant impact in the AE, but both have yet to tap their potential at the collegiate level.

(Vestal, NY) – Binghamton University head coach Mark Macon has confirmed that the contracts of assistant coaches Rob Brown and Julius Smith have not been renewed for next season.

“I have just chosen to go in a different direction with the staff. I wish them both well,” Macon wrote in an e-mail to the Press and Sun Bulletin on Tuesday.

One-Bid Wonders originally learned of the shakeup 26 days ago, hinting at the move via Twitter, but waited to break the story until receiving official confirmation, which came today from the school’s athletic department.

While Macon has stated that the decision was his to make, the word from several sources close to the situation has remained that the decision to turnover the coaching staff came from significantly higher up in the athletic department and was not the head coach’s to make.

The Bearcats are fresh off a 2-29 season which included a 26 game losing streak; made national news; and was not only the worst record in program history, but also the worst season in the history of the America East Conference.

Several sources close to the situation have also indicated that originally, Macon’s entire staff including retained assistant Don Anderson were to be let go, but that Anderson was retained in an attempt to appease the current roster, among whom Anderson is highly popular (several former players have credited Anderson with running the team and holding the program together).

If the decision was not made by Macon, it is an interesting indication of where the head coach stands with new Athletic Director Patrick Elliott. Elliott, who was hired in October, has publicly thrown his support behind Macon — who, along with Anderson, are the last remnants from the Kevin Broadus era scandal. Macon’s contract was extended in February of 2011 through 2014, however, removing a coaches ability to stock his own staff is hardly a vote of confidence.

Word is that the Athletic Department has already reached out to — and received and application from — at least one former Bearcat.

(Burlington, VT) – Vermont junior wing Brendan Bald, the 2011 America East Defensive Player of the Year, has left the Catamounts basketball team, but will stay in school to complete his degree.

“Brendan has decided not to play basketball his senior year and to focus on his academics,” said Vermont head coach John Becker in a press release earlier today. “He is not transferring and will stay at UVM his senior year. I want to thank Brendan for all his hard work and contributions to the men’s basketball program. He will always be a Catamount and I wish him the best in the future.”

“I have decided not to play basketball my senior year so that I can focus my time on my academics,” said Bald in a statement released by the Catamounts. “I plan on graduating a semester early and studying for the LSAT’s this fall. It is my hope to enter law school and pursue a career in law. I am thankful for my three years of being a member of the UVM basketball team and I thank the coaches, fans, and alumni for their support. I have created memories I will never forget. It is in my best interest to step away from the game of basketball and I wish the team and the coaches nothing but the best in the future.”

Bald enjoyed a breakout season as sophomore during the 2010-2011 season, averaging 11.3 points in 28.2 minutes per game, shooting an eye-popping 41 percent from behind the arc while being named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, as well as earning a place on the All-Defensive and All-Conference Third teams.

Despite being named a captain last season, Bald’s game regressed significantly, as the junior’s minutes and production dropped dramatically. Bald’s averages dipped to 7.6 points and 23.9 minutes per game, and his three-point percentage fell to 26.4 percent.

Beyond sheer numbers, Bald seemed to lose his energy and edge on the court; shying away from contact on the offensive end while playing without his usual aggression on the defensive end.

Behind closed doors, the word was that Bald had lost his love of the game. According to several sources, Bald informed the coaching staff on Wednesday of is decision to leave the team and end his playing career – it was no a mutual decision, but Bald’s alone. However, the coaching staff was not surprised.

The Catamounts now have an open scholarship to use. While there is already speculation about landing a high-impact transfer, the coaching staff is still deciding which direction they will head.

(Boston, MA) – Multiple team sources have confirmed that sophomore guard Mike Terry Jr. has left the Boston University Terriers and will look to transfer at the end of the school year.

Terry, a sophomore guard from Philadelphia, played in 28 games during the past season, averaging 1.6 points in nine minutes per game.

Generously listed at six-feet, Terry played in 57 games during his two-year career on Comm. Ave., was a defensive-minded guard who was viewed by coaches and teammates a terrific practice player and top-flight teammate who brought tremendous energy every day.

Terry was not forced out the door, and, according to multiple sources, would have been welcomed back with open-arms by the current coaching staff.

However, the writing was on the wall that Terry’s role moving forward would have been of little more than a practice player, and the word is that he is looking to transfer where he will see an increased role on the court (likely to a D2 or D3).

Terry is the second member of former Terriers head coach Pat Chambers’ first full-recruiting class to leave BU, joining center Mat Piotrowski on the transfer list.

The Terriers now have two open scholarships to fill, and are reportedly looking to land at least one impact transfer.

(Baltimore, MD) – Freshman forward Chandler Thomas has left the University of Maryland-Baltimore County basketball team and plans to transfer elsewhere, as confirmed by multiple sources.

Thomas, a 6’6” forward from Indianapolis, Indiana, averaged 6 points and 3.4 rebounds in a little over 17 minutes per game during his first season of college ball.

Thomas showed brief flashes of brilliance, and solid upside as the kind of high-energy undersized four-man that plays well in the America East. In just the fourth game of his career, Thomas scored 23 points on 8-12 shooting against VMI, and also added 19 points against America East rival Albany on February first.

But Thomas’ playing time became increasingly sporadic as the season wore on; and he seemed to spend more and more time in head coach Randy Monroe’s doghouse, coinciding with a sharp drop-off in confidence on the low blocks and increasingly tentative play in the post.

There is no word on Thomas’ transfer destination (although it would seem likely that he would head go the “D2” route), but what is certain is that he is getting the heck out of dodge.

Outside of Thomas, the rest UMBC’s returning roster will be back in uniform next year. Thomas’ scholarship will be going to walk-on guard Ryan Cook, who finished second on the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game despite playing in his first season at the Division I level.

(New Orleans, LA) – As first reported by Greg Logan of Newsday, Stony Brook head coach Steve Pikiell is forgoing testing the open waters of the coaching market and will be staying on Long Island for the foreseeable future.

In an interview with Logan at the Final Four, Stony Brook Athletic Director Jim Fiore stated that he is currently ironing out a new contract for his head coach.

“Steve and I have talked, and we’re re-doing his contract,” said.

Pikiell recently wrapped up his seventh season at the helm of the program with the team’s second America East regular season crown in three-years, and the second NIT post season tournament appearance in that same time frame, cementing himself as the best coach in program history. (more…)