Alright I have yet to pick perfectly on a NESCAC weekend but I think I saved the best for last and have a good feeling about this one. So here goes nothing:

Conn vs. Hamilton: Two words: Kena Gilmour. I expect Kena to simply be too much for a Conn team that has been having a tough season. While the supporting cast of the Continentals has left something to be desired as of recent, I think Hamilton wins. 82-64 (Hamilton)

Trinity vs. Amherst: This one for me is tricky. Amherst is finally back to almost full strength (I imagine it will take Robinson & Sellew a game or two more to be fully back) Trinity has shown a high ceiling (win vs. Midd) and a low floor (loss vs wes). However, I think the Mammoths, and hot streak of Garret Day will be too much for the Batams. 77-72 (Amherst)

Tufts vs. Middlebury: I will come right out and say it-Panthers over Jumbos. While the Jumbos have a solid lineup, I expect Kornaker and Farrell to have big games. Moreover, I think Savage will struggle against a fundamentally sound Panther defense that plays together. 87-80 (Midd)

Bates vs. Williams: even with Bates on the verge on missing the playoffs (I believe) I think Williams is looking slightly better the more the season goes on. I think the Ephs will risk it and play Karp a lot of minutes against a guard dominant/run&gun team and it will pay off. I think Karp has 20/10/8 or more and the Ephs win. 79-70 (Williams)

Colby vs. Wesleyan: Even after a remarkable season, Colby faces a possibility of dropping to #3 in the playoff standings (if being 20-3 but #3 in the league standings doesn't epitomize the difficulty of the NESCAC than I don't know what does). Sam Jefferson is questionable, Wesleyan has their backs up against a wall and I think the Cardinals will come to play. On a practical level, Colby pushes teams to play more guards/forwards. Wes has struggled when they have gone big and has A LOT of firepower in their backcourt (sometimes too much for the rotation). A combination of their hot shot guards and some chippiness shown throughout the season will keep the Cards in this game. Also, expect Jordan James (the one practical big for this game) to have a BIG game (20/15). Maybe it's the desperation from Wes, maybe it's Sam Jefferson being hurt, maybe it's a big performance from Gabe Ravetz but I'm taking the Cardinals. 85-82 (Wes).

Here's to a great NESCAC weekend! 

My predictions for Friday night play:

Wes v. Amherst: While the Cards have been rocky at times this year, they usually come to play against Amherst. Given the absence of Sellew & Robinson and the stellar play from the 2 remaining juniors for Wes (Walker and James) I am giving the nod to Wes tonight. 75-72 (Wes)

Williams v. Conn: Karp and Prowitt-Smith will be too much for the Camels tonight and I see a up and down Williams improving to 10-9 tonight. 89-64 (Williams)

Tufts v. Bowdoin: The story here is Reynolds vs. Tufts. While he's been playing well throughout the year (20+ points in 5 of the 6 games) but look for Tufts defense to be too much for him tonight. 78-65 (Tufts)

Colby v. Bates: In a battle of Maine I think Colby will get dinged tonight. This prediction comes from it being so hard to stay undefeated in NESCAC play more than anything. Pair that with a well coached, scrappy Bates team led by a group of guards and I think we have an upset coming in Lewiston. 81-80 (Bates).

Trinity v. Midd: With Trinity's typical defensive formidability on a down year, I think the Panther's high powered offense to be in full swing tonight. I expect Folger to have a big game and this to be a chippy game with lots of free throws. 89-77 (Midd)

Good afternoon all-I have been a been a fan of NESCAC hoops and have been following along this board for a few years now. However, today I am officially deciding to throw my hat in the ring to offer some hot takes, league analysis, banter whenever the Cards are playing and continue to enjoy hearing perspectives from long time fans of what I find to be one of the more fascinating leagues around the country. As you might have already guessed, I am a Cardinals fan through and through, but I will do my best not to let that bias my perspective (although I do still think the Cards have a shot at the NESCAC title come playoff time-but we can dive into that later).

My first post will be dedicated for who's stock went up and who's went down after the first NESCAC weekend along with a rocky first half of this week.

Colby: Up. The Mules are operating at full force so far this season, starting off 2-0 in the league and undefeated early on. While the Conn win didn't tell us much, the Trinity win put on displayed the Mules toughness translates into the league. The 4-headed monster of Jefferson, Dorion, Hanna and Tyson will give some NESCAC teams fits this year.

Middlebury: Up. While the Panthers dropped their first loss of the season game one of NESCAC play to Amherst, they followed it up with a strong second-half comeback against Hamilton and a gritty win against Albertus Magnus. Once again, Jeff Brown has put together a solid team, led by another do-it-all guard in Jack Farrell. After adjusting to the loss of Sobel, seems like the Panthers are going to continue along an upward trend.

Williams: Down. For the first time in as long as I can remember I think Williams might actually be on a down year. 7 loses already (and 6 out of conference) makes me wonder if the Ephs will be playing late into February. For me their offense, normally run to perfection, doesn't look as crisp and turnovers are costing them.

Matt Karpowicz: Up. If there is one reason not to count the Ephs out just yet it is because of the stellar and consistent play of their senior big. Averaging 16 and 9, and with the NESCAC bigs seeming to be on a down year, look for him to keep Williams in the fight this season.

CT Basketball: Down. With two teams at 0-2 and Trinity at 1-1, the teams from CT each looked shaky during the first weekend of NESCAC play. While there's still a lot of basketball to be played, 1-5 in not a great start. To turn this corner, it seems like a push from Trinity or Wes is most likely.

Bates Offense: Up. Bates offense is a combination of old-school fundamentals, new school run & gun and man is it fun to watch. While I am not sure where they land in the NESCAC rankings, a fundamentally sound offense and deep bench will keep them in a lot of games.

Amherst Depth: Down. Don't get me wrong, this team is good. There top 6 (including Garrett Day off the bench) can run with most teams in the country. However, after that it really drops off. When so much of NESCAC play is about consistency and depth, their lack of the ladder makes me question how they will do dealing with back to back hard fought games deep into the season.

This NESCAC season: UP UP UP. While some said the NESCAC is down skill-wise this year (and I would agree) this is shaping up to be one of the more interesting seasons for one reason: the league is wide open. While Colby/Middlebury seem to be the frontrunners, Midd is 1-1 after weekend 1 and Colby still has a gauntlet of top NESCAC teams to go through the rest of the season. I see 5/6 teams with a tangible path to winning the playoffs along with the above two.

As usual, I am excited to see what weekend #2 tells us.