In reference to the comments about how Middlebury might select a coach this year, I am sure it will not be related to who is the "hot guy now. As a former player who actually pre-dates the last three Midd coaches but has followed the team since for a long time, and actually knows people there, I am sure it will be a very careful selection. The current NCAA trends that favor size and university programs will make this a much difficult decision, if we want to continue on a pattern that does favor us. It is a tough call. Middlebury has come a long way in past twenty eight years, but the future is less certain for the smaller schools without grad programs. Watch this decision as it will be important for Middlebury, and other similar schools.

Quote from: maineman on November 17, 2024, 04:44:33 PM

Quote from: D3Parent1 on November 17, 2024, 09:13:27 AMA really good win for Midd!  A tight back and forth game which I think had about 10 lead changes.  Some great contributions from some of last years minor role players is a really good sign.  And of course seeing Sam Stevens strong showing bodes well for the season for Midd.

Is Jackson McKersie injured?

McKersie is injured and out until Jan.

The season is over. As a Midd guy, it was good but not what we hoped for, given Sobel and the returning players. In our case, we never really established a great wing/guard scoring punch, despite being an elite rebounding team. We did become a much better defensive team, partly because of Alex and also our entire team. It happens. This D3, not D1, so life goes on. Time to enjoy the "spring season". We always did. See you all next year.

I want to second the thoughts of my old friend, and one team mate, on the importance of Middlebury's game at Conn College. Tim Sweeney is a terrific young coach who built Hobart into a real contender. He will do the same at Conn. He may have been who another team should have considered. As a Midd guy again wearing Panther gear, this game cannot be underestimated. Without Brennan last week, we were fortunate to win one game, one that we really needed. But a win tomorrow means that we will go to the NCAA tourney regardless of what happens in the Hamilton games. Clearly, we would like to get the NESCAC tourney games at home, and a possible golden rail, but that is a topic for next week. On to the best weekend of D3 basketball!

The real story may be that Oswego is really good, and very dangerous. I came from upstate NY so I follow the Sunyac and other upstate leagues, and this is a team to be taken very seriously if your team happens to draw them in the first weekend of the NCAA. I am wearing a Middlebury flannel vest as I write this, so my concerns are transparent. No one should sleep on RPI or Brockport either. We learned that the hard way 3 years ago.

This an interesting issue, and I agree that minutes play a big role in ROY. But I want to defend Sam Stevens, last year's ROY who many expected to become a national player this year. I watch every Middlebury game, and Sam is still a great player, but his shooting touch has been an issue all season. He was phenomenal last year as he led the team to an 18-6 record as a freshman, along with Sobel,Osher, and Brennan. They are all back and Sam has struggled with his shot. As a result, the has cut back this long range jump shots, and concentrated on penetration, rebounding, defense, and team play. It is a tough experience, but he has done a great job. He is still the go-to guy when there is no easy pass to Alex, and takes on this role willingly. And, if they foul him, he makes the shots. I get that his stats will likely keep him off the all-star teams that are being discussed here, but he is still one of the best players in the NESCAC. And, he could well the guy who steps up in the NESCAC tourney.

Midds game against Tufts tomorrow is huge. Tufts is really good, and Midd cannot afford a loss in their last  home game of the year in the NESCAC. It will be a war. Midd now really relies on Sobel on offense, with Stevens and Osher only taking 12 shots tonight. I don't think they can win that way, but hope I am wrong.

I have been part of and watching Middlebury basketball all of my adult life, and I have not seen a game like tonight in recent memory. Yes, it helps that we won, but this was a war with 2000 fans in a hostile place after two tough games this weekend. Jeff Brown had the team ready to play, and Alex was on a mission against Hunter. I think I have watched all of his games, but I know I have never seen the game he played tonight. The whole club responded against a team that fought back and seemingly took control with 3 minutes to go. Stevens really asserted himself tonight in a very tough match up with Brito who is great. Flaks is a difference maker for Midd, as we do not win tonight without him. All in all, a great win. Notably, the announcers pointed out that Keene will be a big favorite to win the rest of their games, while Midd heads into the meat of the NESCAC season at Williams this weekend.

As a Midd guy on Alumni weekend, good to see that we took care of business and actually looked good doing it. Next week is a big deal for this team. First is Keene on Monday at Keene. Neither team ducks each other in good years or bad, and this is the best Keene team in a long time. Next, on to Williams for the second straight year at their place. It speaks for itself, as it will mean a lot in terms of NESCAC and RR. Both games are huge, but Williams is more important. The good news is that Middlebury is playing well and healthy. We also tend to be overlooked a bit. But we are 13-2, and last I looked, Alex plays for us. Interesting week ahead.

As "Old Guy" said, it was a brutal game for Midd at EC today. They got beat up, did not play great, and still got on the bus with a win. So far, they have played 2 home games and only have 5 more to look forward to. 6 of their 10 NESCAC games are on the road. So, today was huge, and losing to a lower level Regional team could have really hurt at team that was the last team out of the NCAA last year and does not figure to win the NESCAC. Sobel is a great player, always the best player on the court at a very important position. Stevens, Osher, and others are also really good, so they will hang in there. Like last year, they need others to score, and Flaks looks like that guy. It will be a fun month of January. As a former player who was part of a very different era, it has been, and is, a great ride.

Having watched and reviewed many of the NESCAC games so far, a few things seems to emerge. Williams looks to be the early season class of the field, based on talent and depth. Depth, of course, can prove tricky for App, as he has some pressure to feed a lot of minutes to many players. But, they are good. No team is shooting particularly well, likely due to early season rust. This will change, and a few teams will gain an advantage as the season moves toward January. Most of the winning teams are winning the rebound edge, but only Middlebury, with Sobel and Brennan, is really dominating. If this continues, it could be good for Midd. Also, Midd has no issues with excessive depth, as their top 8/9 players have well defined roles. This also seems true with Trinity, which has surpassed expectations. Finally, St. Joe's win over Tufts is a bit of a jolt. Not only are they good but they beat a good NESCAC team easily. They will be a big problem in the region. But, the fun is just beginning.

This is sad news. As a basketball player in the late sixties, Butch was a constant and inspiring part of our lives. His story has been well chronicled by several writers and publications. But he was more than a story to hundreds of us, and always in view on the streaming Midd games every winter. He was at several games this past season. Given his challenges, he lived a long time. He gave us a lot, and I believe his relationship to the players, coaches, and fans enhanced his life as well.

The Middlebury schedule is posted and it is very tough. 23 games, 7 home games, with only 4 of 10 NESCAC games at home. At Williams for 2nd consecutive year. They should be good but this is really difficult.

With no real dog in the fight, other than a NESCAC lifetime, I think we are at an interesting tipping point. For the past couple years, I have believed the Williams model of  ever-bigger athletes who can defend and shoot for the outside was the future of D# basketball. I have not always thought that was great but reality. This year's games just reinforced that. But now we get a game where a much smaller team with an  incredible 52/41/ 90 will go against a team that only allows 39/29 a game. It is a great match up, and we should all tune in to see. The future of the D3 game in on display. It should be a lot of fun.

One comment, Stevens is still battling Mt. Union and shooting the 3 well. This is significant because it is important that Willians shoot the 3 well tomorrow, if, they face Mt. Union. Karren is really good and Williams is very big. The key will be to make the threes. They did it against Midd, but not so much again a much better Wes team. If it is Stevens, they catch a great break.