Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics
By: Josh Silverman
The Quinnipiac Bobcats defeated Florida Gulf Coast University 66-56 in the first game of their season on Friday Nov. 11. Here are three way too early reactions:
Brittany Johnson will take the biggest leap forward this year
Junior Brittany Johnson played 23 minutes when Quinnipiac took on FGCU at the TD Bank Sport Center. Johnson used those minutes efficiently, totaling 14 points. Six of those came from behind the arc, where she hit two of her three shots. She also went four-for-five from the free throw line and had a steal. Although it is only game one, her stat line is far better than her average last season.
Although Johnson doesn’t put up the flashiest stats, she is an integral part of the roster. Head coach Tricia Fabbri has seen her improve each year she’s been in the program.
“She was here all summer and she has improved her game, especially offensively. She’s a player that is going to give you the right positioning and can play scout defensive. She can give the right pass at the right time. She is playing so confidently and that’s what you want to see every year a player advances in the program. “
Johnson, a starter in 28 games last season, has the tools and discipline to become a top player on the Bobcats deep roster.
With the talent and depth that this team has, just winning the MAAC tournament might not be a high enough ceiling for this team. If they are going to take that extra step, they will need Johnson to be a player that can spark a comeback and change a game.
This team’s depth will carry them to the NCAA Tournament
If this team stays healthy, they will win the MAAC tournament. They have incredible depth, unlike any team in the conference. Last year this team had 11 players score over 100 points, while Marist only had six and Iona only had five. Of those eleven players, only one graduated. Against Florida Gulf Coast, Quinnipiac had eight different players score.
That number will increase over the course of the season and Quinnipiac should at least equal, if not increase on the amount of players that score at least 100 points this season.
The Bobcats run a system they call the Gold Rush, where they sub out five players and sub in five totally new ones who are well rested. By doing this, the Bobcats are constantly creating new matchups and have fresh players. While they didn’t un the system against the Eagles, expect it as the year progresses.
Florida Gulf Coast was tired in the second half, while Quinnipiac was well rested because they have the ability to sub in five different players and have them perform equally as well as the starters. That is why Florida Gulf Coast was outscored by 11 points in the second half.
Adily Martucci is following Maria Napolitano’s footsteps
In the finals of the MAAC Tournament last season the Bobcats dearly missed senior Maria Napolitano, who was injured in the previous game. Adily Martucci stepped up in her place, and although the Bobcats fell short in that game, she gave them a glimpse into what this season would look like, or so they thought.
If you watched the game, you would see that she led the team and commanded the game better than she had in the finals last season. However, coach Fabbri wasn’t surprised.
“She’s been so productive in the preseason for us that her production today was no surprise to us. She’s been doing that all preseason. We needed that and it was really get to see herself be really confident in that role.”
She finished tied for the most points on the team, but it was how she scored that was most impressive. Six of her 14 points came from behind the arc and they came at times when the Bobcats needed it the most.
The first one was three minutes into the second half and it jump-started the Bobcats offense. That one shot lit a spark for the team and they never looked back. Coach Fabbri knows she can continue and was proud she showed that in game one.
“She’s playing so well for us and I thought she was really tough down the stretch when we needed her the most and she shot the ball really efficiently. She was able to open up a really close game and then was able to basically put it away, her and Aryn (McClure).”
When the team needed a play, she was there to make the play, just like Napolitano. If the Bobcats make the NCAA Tournament in March, it will be lead by Martucci.
