PolarBear,

Colby will not be webcasting for this game.  I can't figure out how this is possible, especially in this day and age.  Maybe the tough economic times?  In addition to the GameTracker, they will have a radio broadcast here:  http://www.colby.edu/campus_cs/clubs/wmhb/ ... although I'd be willing to bet that GameTracker will bring more to the table than whoever commentates this game.

As for your analysis, seems spot on to me.  I have not seen Bowdoin play, but by looking at their roster, they seem to have Colby in size and possibly in depth.  Regarding Choice, I couldn't agree more.  As good as he is on offense, he is much better on defense.  Cutrone is the key though for Colby. 

Of course, I am partial to Colby, but I expect a good, physical game between two teams that hate eachother.  Bowdoin is not a particularly good road team (5-7) and Colby is solid at home (11-2).  I think that will make the difference and I like Colby by 6 in a back and forth game. 

Quote from: CCsalive on February 19, 2009, 11:58:28 AM
Sounds like the sentiment out of Colby is that they've had a nice year and they've entered into "icing on the cake" territory. Where I'm from this is called "in the tank" and I can guarantee that this is a program that will never win anything. Old Guy says their first round game is a toss-up. NY Hoopster is ecstatic about a 600-win milestone and Adam Choice's "game." The bottom line is that they HAVE TO DEFEAT BOWDOIN to justify their successful season. That's the reality when you're close to getting over the hump.

CCsalive,

I enjoy reading your posts, especially the ones where you talk-up Conn's chances of beating Middlebury (which are less than 0).  I can never tell if you are serious or not, which makes them more enjoyable.  As for this supposed "sentiment" out of Colby, you are generalizing from a few comments.  I can tell you that anything less than the NCAA's will be a disappointment to the players, given their overall talent level this year.  So yes, as for the Bowdoin game, it is safe to say they have to beat Bowdoin to justify a successful season. 

I'm also not really sure why you are guarenteeing that Colby will never win anything.  What are you basing that on?  Is Conn going to win anything, a team that is averaged less than 2 conference wins per year in the last 7 years.  I'm also not sure how NY Hoopster's comments about Whitmore's 600 win milestone fit into this conversation.  I'm sure NY Hoopster was just recognizing a great accomplishment, as only a small handlful of coaches win 600 games. 

I'm not sure Colby-Bowdoin is a toss-up, maybe on a neutral floor.  Colby has to be the clear favorite at home.  That gym is going to be very loud.

Massd3fan,

I'm not sure who Bartolotta is?  Did he play in the NESCAC? 

Yes, I think the POY should come from a team who has had a successful season.  The NESCAC has only selected POYs from winning teams.  If you look at Jon Pierce from Tufts, he has great stats (#1 ppg, tied #1 rpg), but there is no chance he wins POY.  He will be on the 1st team though, nothing wrong with that.  There is already a DPOY, an ROY, and a POY, so I think that is enough for awards.

Lines for Friday:

Colby +1.5 @ Williams
Trinity -8.5 @ Tufts
Bowdoin +6 @ Middlebury
Amherst -11 @ Bates

Lines for Saturday:

Colby +2.5 @ Middlebury
Bowdoin -7 @ Williams
Conn +2 @ Wesleyan
Trinity +4 @ Bates
Amherst -19 @ Tufts

 

Quote from: massd3fan on February 04, 2009, 01:13:16 PM
I believe it would be simpler for each conference and even at the national level to have BOTH a Best Player (POY) award and a Most Valuable (MVP) award.

Massd3fan;  I think it would be overcomplicating things to assign seperate awards at the end of the season for POY and MVP.  I think as a rule of thumb, you have to finish in the top half of the league to be considered for POY.

And as for the discussion of who is POY,  I'm interested to see how the rest of the season plays out with Rudin and Middlebury playing two good teams in Colby and Bowdoin, and then Trinity and AMH the next.  In looking strictly at Rudin's numbers, they don't blow you away (13.6 ppg 4.7 ass .405 fg%).  Although since I have not seen him play, I can't really speak to how vital he has been to their improvement.  I think that  whichever team wins the league will have the POY.  I don't think this should always be the case, but none of the better teams this year have a player who is statistically dominant.