Midd vs. Wentworth
Well it wasn't picture perfect, but for the second game of the season it is worth noting the Panthers have all five starters in double digits. The game against Bridgwater yesterday ended with four of the teams top players in double digits. Good news for all the Midd fans this team has scoring depth!
Folger once again put up numbers that win games, yesterday he pulled down 17 rebounds tonight another 12 on top of 19 points. The coaching from Wentworth derserves a nod, they clogged up the Midd guards (not easy to do) and pulled the bigs up into the top of arc. The Midd rhythm was off, but nods to Will Ingram who came off the bench and put so much defensive pressure on Wentworth that it changed the dynamics on the floor. This Midd team is going to be so much fun to watch, they are deep in offense and for the first time since I have been watching Midd Hoops they need to work on D. Yeap hard to believe but their D is not to the Jeff Brown standard, at least not yet!

Sobel just have to say that watching a "pure" big is joyful!
Folger his versatility means you can expect double/double's
Bosco no frill just gets the job done
Ferrell did not get the ball anywhere near enough but the jack rabbitt is fun to watch
Top it off with Eastman an all round b-ball player
This is going to be a season to remember

I am only into the third season of D3 Panther hoops but the game tonight Hamilton vs Midd. will stay with me for a very long time! Panthers dominated the first half, the front court with Farrell and Bosco was (as always) faster than most teams can handle. Oh but Hamilton has #24 Gilmore and he is as fast and talented in the front court, more than the Panthers have dealt with. What Gilmore did not have is the stamina of the dynamic duo of Farrell and Bosco, add strong physical game by Dahleh, Folger and Sobel blocking and intimidating with their speed, McCord with core rebounding and outlet passing, a fans delight! It is everything a College b-ball game is meant to be, exciting, fast paced, great defense, and at the end of the game you leave knowing neither team deserves to lose. Hamilton is a worthy opponent, great team, well coached, and the Panthers led by Jeff Brown walk away with the most entertaining win of the season! Thank You Panthers for giving the Midd fans such a memorable event!

What a delight to watch this Middlebury team redefine itself over the past several weeks. To see McCord, Tarantino, and Folger come into their "Bigs" game has been exciting. Yes they have lost players that were expected to be producers, but this team digs in, finds the hot hand, selflessly pushes the ball that way and demonstrates what Team greatness is all about. You can shut down a team that is grounded on a super star, you cannot stop a rough and tumble team like the Panthers because they continuously work together. Of course St. Amour is a scoring force, Daily is a leader like none other, Brown is a play maker, but the team together is a force that produces unexpected outcomes. If nothing else Panthers you have given your fans a season to remember regardless of the Big Dance. Wonderful young athletes with very bright futures, much appreciated.

You never know who is going to step up and shoot the lights out; Jake Brown with career high 31, perhaps. McCord pulling down defensive and offensive rebounds and scoring double digits, why not. Folger using his wing span to knock the ball around like he was playing volleyball and scoring a career high, sweet to watch. Sure, all of that plus the staples of Matt and Jack. That is why they are a formidable "T"eam, on any given night a break out performance or two and the Panthers pull out a win against a team shooting 3's at a percentage that should have won the game.

I am a newbie to NESCAC collegiate ball and the Midd panthers. The panthers are one of the best "run n gun" teams I've seen in a long time. Coaches are beginning to understand just how deadly that full court push is and wisely are using all their tools to slow them down, including strategic subbing. Against Wesleyan Midd made it look easy to shut down the bigs  under the hoop, the ups of Tarantino coupled with the wing span of Folger is a formidable force protecting the hoop on the defensive end. When the entire team gets early touches you can believe the panthers will perform well on the offensive end. The front court is deep enough to make sure the guards keep their legs for the sprint to the finish, they just don't stop coming at you. When all else fails their is Jack, he can slay the giant! Can't wait to see more of Midd, they just keep getting better.