Friday, February 5, 2010

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Monmouth at FDU

by Ray Floriani

TEANECK, NJ - In the NEC’s battle of the Garden State, FDU defeated Monmouth 75-69 on Thursday. The efficiency and four factors in a 71 possession game (Monmouth 70 FDU 71):


FTM

ORtgeFG%FGAOR%TO%
Monmouth9940283213
FDU10656242017

Monmouth’s leading scorer Travis Taylor (16 PPG) sat out due to a suspension. Coach Dave Calloway refused to mention that and focused on defense or lack of it. The Hawks trailed 40-24 at the half. Calloway noted teams often start games slow offensively so scoring 24 first half points was not the problem. It was giving up 40 for the half and 75 for the game.

A tale of two halves. What the Dickens are those numbers?


Off. Eff

1st2nd
Monmouth73122
FDU12192

FDU got out to a 17 of 29 shooting (66% eFG PCT) first half while Monmouth struggled at 7 of 29 (28% eFG). Again, as Calloway noted it was simply poor defense on the part of his ball club. FDU also had only 5 turnovers for an outstanding 15% Turnover Rate (TO%). Basically, the Knights were getting their money’s worth and full use of 85% of their possessions the first half.

In guards we trust.
FDU’s backcourt did the most damage. Sean Baptiste led all scorers with 27 points while grabbing an impressive 10 rebounds. Mike Scott added 20 and was 7 of 7 from the line. In total, the guards accounted for 59 or 79% of the FDU points. “we let them get to the rim especially in transition,” Calloway said. “That’s something we could not allow.”

Calloway also pushed the pace more, realizing that a walk it up the floor approach doesn’t work when you are down 16 points and the clock is ticking. Monmouth entered the game averaging 64 possessions in NEC play. The first half was on schedule at 33 possessions. The final half the possessions increased to 37 for the reasons noted. Scoring wise Whitney Coleman had 14 second half (18 for the game) points. Inside Nick DelTufo got free for nine of his 13 on the night.

Momentum is funny.
Monmouth got it to a two possession game in the stretch but never could draw even which was a key factor for FDU. “I was clock watching,” admitted FDU coach Greg Vetrone. “Give Monmouth credit. They made adjustments and took away a few things we did the first half. They made it tougher for Baptiste to get good looks the second half.”

FDU shot 4 of 16 for three on the night. They did a good job in transition and attacking the basket with an impressive 64% (25 of 39) two point field goal percentage. FDU enjoyed a 36-20 points in the paint advantage. Another factor was improvement in the TO category. FDU entered the game with a 22% Turnover Rate in NEC games. Their 17% mark was truly impressive especially considering they were willing and able to get out and run.

Monmouth had a better FT Rate (FTA/FGA). Both teams got to the line over 20 times but the Hawks took better advantage of their trips. Monmouth shot 18 of 26 while FDU was 13 of 21.

FDU had a big 24-7 edge in bench scoring. That was sort of deceptive as Scott did not start but scored 20 points while logging 36 minutes of PT.

Monmouth is 7-16 (6-5 in NEC). FDU got off to a rocky non-league start and is 10-13 overall and 6-5 in NEC. By a quirk in schedule the return meeting for these two clubs is less than 48 hours away as they tip off at noon Saturday at Monmouth.

The Codey Trophy.
To commemorate the NEC ‘Battle of New Jersey’ this was instituted in 2008. The school that records the best record for the two men’s and women’s games is the yearly recipient of the trophy. If the records are tied the winner is determined by point totals. FDU captured the award in 2008 and ‘09. The award is named after FDU alumnus (‘81) Richard Codey a former Senate leader who twice served as New Jersey’s acting governor.

“We gave up too many points especially for this time in February. We just did not get stops when we needed them. We simply did not get it done defensively.” - Monmouth coach Dave Calloway

“I used the schoolyard approach where the first team to score eight stays and keeps playing. I told our guys the first team to 70 wins. I did not feel they (Monmouth) were capable of getting 70.” - FDU coach Greg Vetrone
The Codey Trophy
NEC Battle of New Jersey

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