I thought the Ephs played quite well in their road opener against Delhi. The defense was mostly high quality, and the offense produced lots of good shots. Unfortunately, they didn't shoot very well from 3. Being a witness to perhaps 25-30 Eph opening games, I know just how sadly they sometimes turn out, including last year's game. With so many new or players returning from injury, this Eph team must necessarily have a whole new identity. They are clearly trying to play faster and more aggressively on offense. I liked the way they were moving the ball up court as quickly as possible, with a lot more shots happening in the first 10-15 seconds. This strategy didn't produce as much scoring as hoped for, but the template is already starting to take place for higher offensive output. The defense continues to be stout. I will hazard a guess that this year's defense will be better than last year's. They have more really solid defenders up and down the roster than they have had in a number of years.

Hudson Hansen has emerged as a a significant offensive performer, in addition to being a fine defender who can guard any position, and an excellent rebounder. He is stronger this year. He and Brandon Roughley will be tough for most teams to guard. I also want to mention Isiaha Dickens, the junior center. He has completely transformed himself into a significant player. His improvement is dramatic. Also, the Ephs now have a host of very solid guards, perhaps the best group Williams has had in a while. Evan Glatzer is healthy again and looking good. Alex Lee looks to be better than last year, Noah Dinkins is a solid as ever, and Sammy Cooley is coming into his own. In addition, there is a FY guard, Justin Belcher, who I think will also see action this year, who shows extraordinary potential.

The Ephs have another road test on Wednesday against Oneonta, a team that appears to be very good this year.

 A 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.

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?

Three ups and three downs for some overreactions from opening weekend:

3 ups (no order)

1. Colby - took care of business against teams they were supposed to beat but looked good doing it and some individuals showed serious flashes, particularly in the sophomore class. Marcos Montiel averaged 14-6-6 across the weekend, Savion Stroud went for 21 and 14 today, and Sam Hinman hit 6 threes for 20 points off the bench in the opener. Poulton looks like an all-league guy again and they still can expect production from Jack Lawson.

2. Middlebury - biggest win of the weekend against a ranked St. Joe's (CT). We don't know how good St. Joe's will be compared to years past but we know they are good and not a team Middlebury was expected to beat given last season. Mainly, a huge sign of life from Sam Stevens, going for 28 on 13-21 shooting. If he can be the guy for them that they thought they had after his freshman year then their outlook is vastly improved.

3. Tufts - not a huge surprise but took care of business against two winning programs by 20+ each in Bridgewater St and Emerson (who was admittedly missing its best player). Gyimesi looks like a POTY candidate and although Truman Gettings did not make an appearance it looks like the young guards that could replenish their backcourt are ready to do so.

3 Downs

1. Hamilton - took it on the chin to a good Stockton team and might not be ready to compete at the top of the league. Just didn't look like a group that could beat Trinity or Tufts.

2. Wesleyan - could be no cause for concern at all or could be a major red flag but no Shane Regan in the box score for their opening win against Rutgers-Newark. They need him back really soon if they want to compete for a Pool C bid this year.

3. Amherst - looked good against Western Conn and weren't expected to win per se @ WPI but Will Scherer 8 minutes and just 3 fouls doesn't bode well for a team that really needs to know what its best rotation is heading into NESCAC play. 4-26 from 3 is a new look for a team that relies on its interior strength so maybe it is good that they even took that many but that level of shooting will not get it done if they want to play 2 bigs together. Nice to see Ryker Vance flash a little bit

In addition to Stroud seemingly taking a big step forward, the freshman class looks very promising. Nate Kwiecinski, Jack Gatjanis and Dan Civello all in the rotation immediately. Numbers aren't popping off the page after two games for that trio, but I've been impressed -- and they certain add some length and athleticism.

I think the last four freshman to start right out of the gate for Colby were Max Poulton, Will King, Noah Tyson, Matt Hanna, and now Nate Kwiecinski -- promising..

All great points by Spring Street and Colby Hoops. A few other things that have popped out:

1. Amherst went from an embarrassment of riches inside to real concern there.  The incoming frosh went pro; Randall not on the roster; Tam has not played so presumably he is hurt; and I wonder if Scherer is banged up after not playing the second half vs. WPI.  Amherst's upcoming schedule is so easy that they may cruise regardless, but they definitely need Scherer to stay healthy this year. 

2. Agree that Wesleyan definitely needs a healthy Shane Regan, but Ben Lyttle exploding with a massive game could be a great sign for them. He looked like a huge upside guy last year albeit raw as a scorer, so if he did make a leap especially as a shooter their perimeter group will be flat scary once Regan returns.

3. Conn College getting out rebounded 46-28 v TCNJ is not a great sign. Murray and Rice will really be missed inside and Conn is playing a much smaller starting group this year. Espinosa seems to be carrying a huge offensive burden.

4. Shooting will be a huge concern for Williams this year, especially without McGraw and Porter playing right now, and 4-20 in the opening game is not a great sign.  The Ephs are gonna have to hope a few guys step up from the perimeter or else they will have to rely even more than usual on elite defense this year.  Rebounding could also be a challenge especially against Oneonta, which always pounds the glass. I do think it will take some time to round into shape with several FYs in the rotation, several starters playing different positions, and Glatzer getting back to form.  Last year's offense often ran through Nate at the top of the key so that will also be an adjustment. 

5. I was high on Ray Cuevos as a recruit for Bowdoin and he looks poised to be an early impact guy as a first year. 

6. In the big picture, Trinity and Tufts came in as the favorites and I agree there is nothing to suggest that is going to change much ... Gettings played football again this year so it may take him a few weeks to get into hoops shape, and Trinity looks very deep in talent once again.  Tufts is playing even bigger this year and is now putting a D1-sized lineup out there.  In a league with very few teams with intimidating interior groups they will be a bear to deal with from a physicality standpoint. 

What's scary for the rest of the league is that neither Trinity nor Tufts relies heavily on their senior classes. Both have at least a two-year window ahead as nationally relevant teams. 

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.

Injuries are always going to change things, so will start out that my picks are with healthy teams:

1) Williams, they just have so much talent and if Hansen plays like he did in the first game all year, he will be in consideration for all league. He has so much talent and could be one of the toughest players to guard in the league, bigs shouldn't be able to stay with him on the outside and wings shouldn't be able to guard him down low. Roughley, IMO is the best all around big in the league. But as stated by others they need to get healthy and in shape. If they do, best talent in league, will that correspond to wins, will see.

2/3) Trinity/Tufts - Tufts will be looking for payback and have a well rounded team, can they score consistently from the outside will be the key. They can guard and have size. Gyimesi is a beast and Reilly can get his shot off against most defenders, just needs to be consistent. Key for them will be Morakis, needs to bring it on both ends, but he is so strong and tough to defend. Trinity will be interesting to see how they deal with the loss of Smith, he could defend anyone last year and was their stopper. Do they have that person this year or multiple players to handle what he did. Watching them they went with 3 guard offense, Vetter will be guarded by bigger players, will see how that works. Dorion great defender, look for him and Orokougo to have big years. And Davis is a beast. Wouldn't want to play center in the league the next 3 years. They seem to play a little tougher non conference schedule this year, and last year it was one of the easiest in D3, will be interesting to see how they do before conference play.

4) Wesleyan - If healthy I think Regan will be player of the year, he can score at all levels. As stated above, Lyttle is strong and had a great game, if he keeps that up, they will have 3 headed monster. They get any sort of consistent big play they will be right there contending for the league title. Johnson, well we all know how good he is on both ends.

5)  Middlebury - Health again, Stevens is very good when healthy. If he stays healthy, they will have a shot at all league games. Brennan is a beast down low and can rebound with the best of them in the league. They need a healthy Mckersie and has not been in any of his 3 years so far. They play hard and are well coached.

6) Colby - they can just shoot, which makes them dangerous. Poulton as good as he is a shooter, he is also very smart on both ends. They need their bench to be more consistent as well as their bigs. I think this team is 1 year away from being very good.

7) Conn - tough team to figure out this early. They lost a ton, while Zene is a good pick up, and a better shooter than Murray, he doesn't defend or rebound, which is a huge loss. Their zone will mess with teams, but not sure without the big guy down low, they can shoot well enough to get higher than 6-7.

8/9) Hamilton/Amherst - Hamilton has a lot of good players, I am just not as high on them as others are. Not sure on their depth either, not sure they are strong or tough enough. Last year they had 1 good win (Tufts) from Jan on, rest were all teams they should compete with or win, the loss to Bowdoin was bad. Amherst like others here, is just an enigma. The have a ton of talent, how good it is, will depend on whether the coach decides to stick with a lineup and bench. He is just too inconsistent. Love Scherer, but he needs to play on the block. Seems every time I watch them he is outside the 3 point line setting screens or passing from their as well, doesn't help his game. If he is hurt they are in trouble. I like Hammond, but he has to raise his shooting percentages. But with them it comes down to coaching, its not good.

10/11) Bates/Bowdoin, give the edge to Bowdoin. McGowan is good, just can't do it alone. McBride good young shooter and will see if Rey helps any, but didn't play much the first 2 games, so guessing not ready after taking year off. Cuevas seemed to play well first 2 games, but the team is at least a year away. Bates they play hard, they can shoot some, but they need size more than anyone in the league and more talent.

What happened to Charlie Randall?

Here is a somewhat circuitous NESCAC to D1 transfer story. One of Tim Gilbride's prize recruits toward the end of his tenure as HC at Bowdoin was a big power forward from Georgia by the name of Burke Chebuhar. He spent only 1 year at Bowdoin, and it was the Covid shutdown year. He transferred to D1 Lehigh after the Covid season where he played 3 seasons, blossoming into an impact player in his final season. He has now transferred to Notre Dame as a graduate student and seems to be seeing some playing time and scoring some points:
https://fightingirish.com/roster/burke-chebuhar/

Quote from: quicksilver on November 18, 2024, 10:15:37 PMHere is a somewhat circuitous NESCAC to D1 transfer story. One of Tim Gilbride's prize recruits toward the end of his tenure as HC at Bowdoin was a big power forward from Georgia by the name of Burke Chebuhar. He spent only 1 year at Bowdoin, and it was the Covid shutdown year. He transferred to D1 Lehigh after the Covid season where he played 3 seasons, blossoming into an impact player in his final season. He has now transferred to Notre Dame as a graduate student and seems to be seeing some playing time and scoring some points:
https://fightingirish.com/roster/burke-chebuhar/

Thanks for the update.  Always wondered what happened to him.  At the time, I was excited to see another recruit from the Atlanta area and then lost track of so many things during the shutdown.  Sounds like he would have been a real difference maker for the P'bears.

Yes -- He would have been a difference maker for Bowdoin. Between the COVID shutsown and Gilbride announcing his retirement just after what would have been the basketball season during the COVID year,I totally get why Chebuhar would have transferred, especially since he had an opportunity at a D1 school (Lehigh) where he would see some playing time. And now graduate school at ND -- things worked out well for him . .

Quote from: D3BBALL on November 18, 2024, 02:06:35 PMInjuries are always going to change things, so will start out that my picks are with healthy teams:

1) Williams, they just have so much talent and if Hansen plays like he did in the first game all year, he will be in consideration for all league. He has so much talent and could be one of the toughest players to guard in the league, bigs shouldn't be able to stay with him on the outside and wings shouldn't be able to guard him down low. Roughley, IMO is the best all around big in the league. But as stated by others they need to get healthy and in shape. If they do, best talent in league, will that correspond to wins, will see.

2/3) Trinity/Tufts - Tufts will be looking for payback and have a well rounded team, can they score consistently from the outside will be the key. They can guard and have size. Gyimesi is a beast and Reilly can get his shot off against most defenders, just needs to be consistent. Key for them will be Morakis, needs to bring it on both ends, but he is so strong and tough to defend. Trinity will be interesting to see how they deal with the loss of Smith, he could defend anyone last year and was their stopper. Do they have that person this year or multiple players to handle what he did. Watching them they went with 3 guard offense, Vetter will be guarded by bigger players, will see how that works. Dorion great defender, look for him and Orokougo to have big years. And Davis is a beast. Wouldn't want to play center in the league the next 3 years. They seem to play a little tougher non conference schedule this year, and last year it was one of the easiest in D3, will be interesting to see how they do before conference play.

4) Wesleyan - If healthy I think Regan will be player of the year, he can score at all levels. As stated above, Lyttle is strong and had a great game, if he keeps that up, they will have 3 headed monster. They get any sort of consistent big play they will be right there contending for the league title. Johnson, well we all know how good he is on both ends.

5)  Middlebury - Health again, Stevens is very good when healthy. If he stays healthy, they will have a shot at all league games. Brennan is a beast down low and can rebound with the best of them in the league. They need a healthy Mckersie and has not been in any of his 3 years so far. They play hard and are well coached.

6) Colby - they can just shoot, which makes them dangerous. Poulton as good as he is a shooter, he is also very smart on both ends. They need their bench to be more consistent as well as their bigs. I think this team is 1 year away from being very good.

7) Conn - tough team to figure out this early. They lost a ton, while Zene is a good pick up, and a better shooter than Murray, he doesn't defend or rebound, which is a huge loss. Their zone will mess with teams, but not sure without the big guy down low, they can shoot well enough to get higher than 6-7.

8/9) Hamilton/Amherst - Hamilton has a lot of good players, I am just not as high on them as others are. Not sure on their depth either, not sure they are strong or tough enough. Last year they had 1 good win (Tufts) from Jan on, rest were all teams they should compete with or win, the loss to Bowdoin was bad. Amherst like others here, is just an enigma. The have a ton of talent, how good it is, will depend on whether the coach decides to stick with a lineup and bench. He is just too inconsistent. Love Scherer, but he needs to play on the block. Seems every time I watch them he is outside the 3 point line setting screens or passing from their as well, doesn't help his game. If he is hurt they are in trouble. I like Hammond, but he has to raise his shooting percentages. But with them it comes down to coaching, its not good.

10/11) Bates/Bowdoin, give the edge to Bowdoin. McGowan is good, just can't do it alone. McBride good young shooter and will see if Rey helps any, but didn't play much the first 2 games, so guessing not ready after taking year off. Cuevas seemed to play well first 2 games, but the team is at least a year away. Bates they play hard, they can shoot some, but they need size more than anyone in the league and more talent.

There has got to be some cognitive bias involved if Williams is still ranked 1 (maybe even moving up the rankings) after this weekend! I would love to have the inside scoop on Declan Porter's status. He changed the dynamic of the Eph's offense when healthy. They were able to execute a "half" fast break style offense - he would just sprint to the opposing three-point line off a defensive rebound and shoot before his own teammates crossed the half court line. McGraw has certainly had a few good outings, and I will look for him to progress. I still feel like Alex Lee is better as a scoring guard than distributor. Hansen had a good first game but interested to see if he has the offensive capacity to be the "guy" as a focal point of the opposition's defensive strategy. Outside of that, I wasn't massively impressed with their offensive aptitude. With that being said, I do say that exact comment every year, and every year they are 20-5 or better. So maybe I will shut up.

Shane Reagan being out for Wesleyan is perhaps the most concerning tidbit from this weekend. He's a lot of fun to watch - good basketball IQ and moves very well off the ball. As impressive as Johnson has been over these last few years, he'll need a host of supporting characters to get over the hump in his final season - especially against a few nationally ranked foes (specifically Tufts and Trin). Not much unexpected to say about them - still very good teams.

Middlebury! I am one of the few that has not forgotten that Sam Stevens was the first rookie to be voted as an all league guy since DR. Still of the belief that he is likely the largest matchup problem in the league on his good days. The ball moved with a purpose on Saturday afternoon and individuals stepped up and made plays. Cwalina is a dangerous guy to bring off the bench. They'll need to improve their post presence (offensively and defensively) going forward.

Not sure but heard Regan was not injured but sick and not supposed to miss any additional games, hope it's the case.

As a noted Williams fan, they are at best 3rd right now, both taking into consideration the preseason outlook and this weekend's performances. Porter and McGraw are both out until the second semester and the offense will probably continue to look similar to Saturday for the foreseeable future.

One thing on Stevens - no one has forgotten about his freshman year. In fact, we probably remember it too much, it's why no one is willing to fully quit on him or this Middlebury team despite the fact that they are currently an injured version of last year's 11-14 team without its leading scorer.

Stevens had a great game but he's 3 years removed from that freshman version. 2 years ago he shot 36% from the floor and 25% from three. Until proven otherwise, it seems like either version is just as likely to show up on a nightly basis