Quote from: Bucket on November 16, 2019, 10:30:53 PM

Quote from: Old Guy on November 16, 2019, 09:51:26 PM
Pay little or no attention to my evaluations of Midd opponents. I thought the SUNY Canton-Wentworth game last night at Midd was a snoozefest — neither team impressed me. On the other hand, I liked Bridgewater State, who really extended Midd in a four point loss (four point Midd win) 85-81. So this afternoon, SUNY Canton knocked off Bridgewater and Wentworth gave Middlebury a real test before falling 75-64 (Wentworth was up at the half). I concluded that yesterday's Wentworth-SUNY Canton game was between two pretty good defensive teams.

Ahead by two (52-50) with eight minutes to go today, Midd went on a nice run, highlighted by Folger's two contested corner threes. Folger scored his 1000th point in the first half. At the risk of condescension, I mention what a great kid (sorry, young man) he is. He's such a versatile player: 6'8", an outside shooter, a shot blocker and rebounder. A player easy to like on many levels. All-time favorite.

As others have said, all five starters today (Middlebury starts three point guards who can score) finished in double figures. Farrell was more of his kamikaze self in this game: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals. Midd shot better from three (9-23), though Farrell/Bosco/Kornaker were only 3-12. Folger's 4-5 certainly helped.

Must mention some history here. For those of us who go back a way (I am "Old Guy," after all), the presence of a Bridgewater State team in our gym introduces profound emotions, memories. As Middlebury was going from NESCAC middle of the pack to really good, we played Bridgewater State in an NCAA tournament game in our gym in 2008-09. What a great season we had had, 24-4, NESCAC champs, hardly an every year thing for Middlebury. We were not accustomed to such success.

We were up by five points with 35 seconds to play before a raucous full house in the NCAA first round game. Game over, right? Nay, nay. Bridgewater State player Stace Garrick hit two threes from deep . . .  not deep really, different time zone, seriously, 25-30 footers, the second to beat us at the buzzer, 78-76. Nice ride home for the Bears, broken hearts for the home folks, a second JD for me in the inevitable post mortems. in a local watering hole, drowning my sorrows. Unforgettable. 

Sports! Thrill ya, kill ya.

You know I'm a stickler for facts, OG—the Bridgewater tournament loss was actually in the second round; Midd had a bye in the first round. And Garrick's second dagger wasn't at the buzzer. There was time on the clock for NESCAC POY Ben Rudin to race up the floor and get off a potential game-winner from 18. Rimmed out.

If you're a real stickler for facts, Bucket, you'll remember that the shot didn't rim out, but rather hit front rim. Makes you wonder if fresh legs would have sent Rudin and a very talented Middlebury team deep into that tournament!