By Joe Budzelek (@stf_ncaa)
Last offseason, Sacred Heart head coach Anthony Latina shared the following outlook on the Pioneers just months prior to making their season debut in the MAAC: "I’m confident we put together a roster that can be competitive right away, but I’m sure every coach in our league feels that way. In the past, we’ve been competitive with some of the top teams in the MAAC, but being competitive is one thing, winning the games is a whole different thing, so we have to be that much better.”
Now, amidst a four-game winning streak following last night’s dominant 89-to-77 victory over Rider, Sacred Heart is playing their best basketball of the season and are showing why they are one of the better teams in the conference as the Pioneers now stand alone at fifth in the MAAC conference standings with a 6-5 record.
“Our offensive efficiency has been the most impressive thing during our four-game winning streak and pretty much for all of conference play,” said Latina following the game. Currently ranked as the most efficient offense in the MAAC by a wide margin, per KenPom, the Pioneers have totaled some impressive feats of efficiency throughout their four-game winning streak: “The last four games, we’ve scored 1.21 points-per-possession in the half-court and 1.23 points-per-possession in transition,” adds Latina, “while also shooting 42% from three and turning over the ball a total of just 41 times for a 14.5% turnover percentage.”
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| Tanner Thomas (#25) finished Thursday night with his second double-double of the season. (Photo Credit: Josh Gee) |
In addition to their efficiency, Sacred Heart’s balanced attack was on full display Thursday night as all five starters scored at least ten points, headlined by Tanner Thomas’ second double-double of the season, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.
Injuries to forward Raymond Espinal-Guzman and wing Aidan Carpenter have affected the size and athleticism of Sacred Heart’s rotations, but the seven remaining top-minutes players have been a impressively efficient group on offense, especially considering that all seven shoot better than 31% from three while Anquan Hill, Tanner Thomas and Nyle Ralph-Beyer each convert over 45% of their three-point attempts. Improved floor spacing has been key in helping the growth, confidence and performance of freshman point guard Mekhi Connor, who has averaged 12 points, 11.5 assists and just 2.8 turnovers per game during this four-game winning streak.
Noting the group’s growing comfort and moxie playing together, Latina adds “I think our guys are really buying in and settling into roles that they are comfortable with and good at.” Amongst these roles, there is a balance, especially in the offensive end. Conner is the floor general, Griffin Barrouk and Nyle Ralph-Beyer are the floor-stretchers, Amiri Stewart is the physical two-way downhill scorer while the versatility of Tanner Thomas, Anquan Hill and Bryce Johnson has allowed Latina to mix and match his frontcourt.
Following their visit to cross-town rivals Fairfield on Saturday, Sacred Heart finishes their February schedule facing off against some of the best teams in the conference, highlighted by home dates with Quinnipiac and Marist and a visiting tilt at Merrimack. With their impressively cohesive offensive play, the Pioneers have the MAAC on notice.
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