MBB: Liberty League

[shooters]

Well you can ignore my previous message because Hamilton lost to Clarkson today. Shocker but not a total surprise, something about Clarkson v. Hamilton that is just plain weird.

[OlBallCoach]

First I would like to tip my hat to both Brazell (Vassar) and Grazioli (Hobart) for joining the 1000 pt club this week.
Congrats men...great accomplishment!


Although the OlBallCoach couldn't make it to Po-town to watch the Brewers today, the box score clearly indicates a more typical Vassar like approach to taking care of business. The Brewers wisely relied on their super seniors Avitabile and Brazell to lead the way on the offensive end....and they responded in kind, taking 28 of the teams 53 attempts, while converting 12 of Vassar's 23 made FG's.

Jon Schwartz, who came off the bench to spark the Brewers in the second half on defense versus Union last evening, today got a much earned spot in the starting lineup, and with it came up large for Coach Dutton, going 3-4 from the floor, 5-6 from the charity stripe, while also tallying a game high 3 thefts (making his weekend totals 6-8 FG's,8-9 FT's including 8 steals during the LL homestand).

Vassar who had been firing 3's like they were going out of style, took a much more managable 15 three point attempts converting 7 versus the Thoroughbreds.
Senior Dan Forcella capitalized on his 13 minutes of play by going 3-5 from long distance.

VC once again made their opponents pay for fouling them by shooting lights-out from the FT line going 21-24 for an eye popping 87.5%, just one day after netting 18-22 (81.8%) vs. the Dutchmen.

As long as this Brewer team continues to make defense priority #1, they will be difficult to discard at any LL location.

Although the Brewers did what they needed to do to stay in the LL Title hunt we will grant to those who also closely follow this league that this was versus the 2 teams (Union, Skidmore) who currently reside at the bottom of the LL standings.

[with age comes?]

TGP- you'd be proud of your team.  Grazioli is very good.  He choses his spots to leak out and in doing so scores many baskets in transition as he easily beats opposing big men down the floor.  That being said within a set offense he has real skills around the basket and uses his 6'7" frame well.  Have seen all the liberty league teams in person except for SLU and by george I'm curing that on Tues barring a Northcountry blizzard and Grazioli and Simmons at RPI are the best big men that I've seen in the league. Both have the potential to be POY if their teams make it into the playoffs.  Rest of the players at 'Bart that impressed me:  Estep- solid business like, excellent rebounder for his size. Not flashy but every coaches dream to have on your team with effort and a good sense of the game. Llewellyn has a lightenning quick explosive first step (as good as I've seen in the league) BUT only to the right.  As he matures and hopefuly works on his game (and his move to the left) he will be an excellent guard in this league.  Was absolutely lights out on free throws to preserve the win vs Clarkson down the stretch.  His size makes him a little vunlerable on zone trap presses if he gets the ball in the corner. I'd say he's about 5'10".  By far the most pleasant surprise for Hobart was McHugh.  He was perfect from the floor 3 for 3 from downtown and 4-4 from the charity stripe to go along with about 5 assists in the win over Clarkson.  Might have to agree with Bart1117 that the Statesmen could sneak into the playoffs as the 4 seed.

[bucketsallday]

great for vassar to get out of this weekend 2-0. two starters were out for both games with ankle injuries, and avitabile (as well as coach dutton) were dealing with the flu. as olballcoach said, coming out weekend for jon swartz - if they can get consistent play out of him down the stretch like he played this weekend it would be a huge boost. also great to see joe davis and dan forcella get on track, two other key role players. halfway thru league play, its starting to look like the four playoff teams will be clarkson, stl, hamilton, and vassar.  with the parody within those four teams, winning the reg season and hosting the LL tourney will be huge.

[airball55]

I still would not count out Hobart.  With the majority of their games yet to played at home, they could make a run at Vassar or Clarkson.  Both of those teams are playing well, but neither a sure bet.  All they need is some help, root hard for St. Lawrence and Hamiltont to win out and take care of their head to head with both Vassar (at home) and Clarkson who they handled quite easily.  How about the Golden Knights??  We should check the roster, is this the same team that lost to Caz and Alfred etc..?

[with age comes?]

Want to set the record straight.  Clarkson did not lose to Alfred, they did however lose to Caz the college (not the poster over on the e-8 board) who did provide Alfred with their sole victory of the season.  In defense of the Knights they have had injuries which kept out 4 contributing players for multiple games in the non-league season schedule.  However they do continually amaze me.  Against Hobart they sleepwalk for the first 34 minutes of the game (down 20 at one point) put on a press & hit some 3's that brings them back to 6 down with about 1:40 left.  Llewelyn solid at charity stripe to seal win for Hobart.  Against Hamilton, Clarkson played with much greater intensity.  Hamilton seemed a little spent after emotional victory over SLU the night before, especially in the first half.  The second half Knights just hung tough in spite of 36 to 16 advantage in attempts from foul line for Hamilton.  Guess the Knights are doing it with smoke and mirrors??? Just a totally unexpected win.... Agree with Airball that it is way to soon to name playoff teams and everyone better add RPI to the list too.  They are better than their record and I believe will contend especially if they get improved guard play.  Their bigs are really good (especially Simmons).

[airball55]

AGe, my mistake on Alfred, I meant Hilbert or Lehman or whoever, those teams are pretty much all the same.  I beleive there is way too much of this team came to play or that team didn't stuff on here.  Sometimes, some teams match up better with others and get unexpected results.  That said, the Liberty League isn't nearly as athletic as the Sunyac, hence Clarkson matching up better with inner conference teams.  Take nothing away from the Knights, but their recipe for success is keeping the scores down, and against the Vassars, RPI's, and Unions of the world, they can shut them down and have.  I am sure Hamilton played hard, they just got beat, same as any other game.  That was a big win for them, 502 is more than a one game difference then 4-3 when tie breakers are involved and Hamilton will finish in the top two. 

[labart96]

TGP- you'd be proud of your team.  Grazioli is very good.  He choses his spots to leak out and in doing so scores many baskets in transition as he easily beats opposing big men down the floor.  That being said within a set offense he has real skills around the basket and uses his 6'7" frame well.  Have seen all the liberty league teams in person except for SLU and by george I'm curing that on Tues barring a Northcountry blizzard and Grazioli and Simmons at RPI are the best big men that I've seen in the league. Both have the potential to be POY if their teams make it into the playoffs.  Rest of the players at 'Bart that impressed me:  Estep- solid business like, excellent rebounder for his size. Not flashy but every coaches dream to have on your team with effort and a good sense of the game. Llewellyn has a lightenning quick explosive first step (as good as I've seen in the league) BUT only to the right.  As he matures and hopefuly works on his game (and his move to the left) he will be an excellent guard in this league.  Was absolutely lights out on free throws to preserve the win vs Clarkson down the stretch.  His size makes him a little vunlerable on zone trap presses if he gets the ball in the corner. I'd say he's about 5'10".  By far the most pleasant surprise for Hobart was McHugh.  He was perfect from the floor 3 for 3 from downtown and 4-4 from the charity stripe to go along with about 5 assists in the win over Clarkson.  Might have to agree with Bart1117 that the Statesmen could sneak into the playoffs as the 4 seed.

Thx for the report.  k+

I am bummed Hobart missed a chance to upset SLU this weekend in Geneva.  Sounded like a great game. 

http://web.hws.edu/athletics/hobart/showrelease.asp?id=4392

[airball55]

Phew, what a finish at Clarkson tonight, where the Larries pull it out by one.  Wopperer hits a tough 12 footer with 3 seconds left to win it.  Real tough make there.  Clarkson probably deserved a better fate in the last sequence.  Three time St. Law. had shot and Clarkson was fouled on rebounds but the stripes decided to swallow the whistle.  Then Smith gets rebound and swarmed and a jump ball call.  Probably as poorly an officiated sequence as I have seen in a while.  Amazing where they find these guys.  Still, fun game to watch and gutty win for St. Lawrence who now has the inside track on hosting.  I think when you fill up for $40 or more for gas, you get a whistle now.  Offer only valid at Mobil stations.  These same guys called some iffy ones on Sharlow in the first half so I guess if you are bad, be bad all game.

[with age comes?]

Airball you said it all.  And you are dead spot on.   Great game to watch. SLU has the inside track now as I think they will beat Hamilton at home.  Still have to contend with road games at Vassar & RPI but they definitely have the edge.   Don't know why Clarkson gets such lack of respect from the refs.  I don't recall ever having them shot the same number of foul shots in a game as the opposition.  In the last 2 games the opponents have over double the attempts (56 to 26 if memory serves me). Yesterday SLU shot 20 to Clarkson's 10 and that was a home game.  But its water over the dam now, hopefully Clarkson stiffens adn takes care of business this weekend because the war is not over yet!

[Bart1117]

Sweep this weekend for hobart...

[with age comes?]

Leaders falter SLU, Vassar and Hamilton all lose.  Huge games tomorrow for Bart & RPI.  Winner takes critical step towards playoffs.   Likewise either Hamilton or Vassar will lose 2 this weekend.  Another big game at Hamilton.  Union and Skidmore look to be spoilers and no doubt will spoil for someone before the end of the season.

[OlBallCoach]

A box score view.....

V.C. played 20 more 3 Balls-For Life (scratch-offs), cashing a mere 6 (30%) ...... in their 1 point loss (57-56) vs. Hobart.

The Bart (49) got 6 less total attempts from the field vs. the Brewers (55), while converting only 1 less of those FG trys (22 vs 23) for the ball game.

[Bart1117]

I called a SWEEP for Hobart..



Didn't I?


they will get 3rd spot now watch..

[OlBallCoach]

Great call this weekend from Bart1117.....can't hit the bottom of the net any purer than that!

Sweep this weekend for hobart...

V.C. scratched18 more 3 Balls-For Life attempts vs. Hamilton, and in doing so only found 3 winners in the bunch for a lack luster 16.7%.

It ended a weekend of disastrous long range bombing for the Brew Crew that saw them go 9 for 38 (23.6%) from behind the arc.

X out the 3 ball attempts and the Brewers shot a blistering 33-64 (51.5%) from 2 pt range for the weekend.

While I also must also add to this by stating that V.C. went 27-34 from the foul line over the weekend for a red-hot 79.4%.

Can anyone say Bill Murrey (V.C.) in Ground Hogs Day (Liberty League action) ?