MBB: Liberty League

[unionalum]

Union lost in the first round of ecac's tonight at home 86-83
End of the road for:
Cagianello
Scordato
Bonner
Rayhill
Murphy

Dato- 28 pts, 11 assists, 6 rebound, 4 steals
Cag- 24pts... finished with 2006 for his career

I caught the postgame broadcast... I guess during the game they wanted to stop it to honor Cagianello for 2000, he tried to wave them off and keep on with the game (I think Union was in the midst of a run at this point)   Anyway, he said they could do whatever they wanted postgame, but it was time to play.

I got the impression from the broadcasters that they took a quick photo or two, but a tough way to end a season getting upset at home like that.

Goodluck to you Hamilton guys.

[shooters]

Assists,

I thought your comments made complete and total sense out of this mess on the postings lately. Way to jump in and level things out!! There were days I couldn't stand my college coach either but you deal with it and move on. Anderson will do good things for Hamilton as will Murphy at SUNYIT. Like you said this is their life.

Bed- You seem to present a lot of knowledge on many items at Hamilton so I will accept you know what you are talking about. I question taking a lump sum of money over a lawsuit however involving your legacy and your program. If someone would as me to to step down after 30 years and if I had done nothing wrong you would be in for the fight of your life. It all just doesn't make sense. BUT the games start tonite and like you said we have had some down time so lets talk bball. Sounds like UNION is losing everyone after this season. Too bad they got upset!! Is the Hamilton game on the radio this evening?

Good luck the the Conts!!

[John McGraw]

NCAASports.com will be broadcasting the game tonight from Hamilton. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 PM. The link to the broadcast can be found at...

http://www.ncaasports.com

[shooters]

absolute madness in the Plattsburg v. Hamilton game!!!! I was listening and I about fell over, guys from both teams missing two free throws w/ little time left, Plattsburg w/ 1.6 seconds left going to the line down 1 for two shots. GUY MISSES BOTH SHOTS!!!! Nick Jones w/ a huge tip in late in OT, sounded like a great game. Hamilton better enjoy the victory b/c if they think Plattsburg is tough wait til they meet the Amherst, talk about a buzzsaw.

[bed]

Shooters...

I agree----if you can barely get by Plattsburgh, you are unlikely to get by Amherst.  The game also went to OT which might take more out of hamilton.

I predict Hamilton down by about 9-10 at the half and the game never really being within Hamilton's reach to win.  One of those games where maybe they make a run to bring the game from down 13 or 14 to down 7, but they never really get any closer than that.

Amherst is just too tough and physical.

[shooters]

Even Pat Coleman said that Amherst really doesn't have much in their way coming out of that region, Amherst is just in a better league and have played better opponents night in night out. I wish Hamilton was pushed more this season as far as opponents so they would be prepared for this match-up. I think a 10-15 pts. game would be about right.  I don't have to tell you who i'm pulling for but even I can't post any prediction of a possible upset. Go Conts!

[CCsalive]

So much action in the Liberty League room all week and then a great over-time thriller prompts three posts? Yet another reason why the NESCAC is better.

Hamilton should consider an all-nescac schedule. make it a pride thing..."its tougher for us and we still get it done and win" kind of thing...fly to the games...something to make it attractive to the recruits...NESCAC 06-07 will be even better. Hamilton would struggle to finish in the top five.

All said, I've seen Amherst twice this year...I'd give them a 15-point cushion on Hamilton, BUT the Conts are dangerous, they're in a no lose scenerio...they have some ballers who, after surviving round 1, will be fearless. Welchons, in particular, has nothing to lose and has the cojones to pull off soemthing magical. Ngobene and Jones need to strike fear like they are capable of...I wish I could be there...

...I heard the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House was a-ROCKIN!

[shooters]

And two of the posts were by me, make it three now!!! I agree that either the LL needs to get some better competition or Hamilton should get a stronger non-conference schedule. I heard the game on the radio and it sounded like there was 3,000 people there last night! I can only imagine what it will be like at Amherst, that place crowds them in.  Hamilton usually goes hot then cold then hot again shooting the ball so since they were cold last night I think it will be draino time tomorrow evening. I WISH I COULD BE THERE ALSO! I think if there was a line on the game it would be right about -15, but like it was said anything can happen, especially w/ that careless full court pressure and chaos that happens afterward.  HOpe it is a close game.

[shea]

I couldn't catch the Hamilton-Plattsburgh game.  Can someone answer the following questions for me?

1.  Hamilton usually plays an up-tempo game and more often than not scores 80+ per game (and 6 times this year 90+).  Did Hamilton slow this one down, or was that Plattsburgh's doing?

2.  Did Plattsburgh go predominantly for zone or man-to-man?

[thebear]

Plattsburgh likes to control the tempo.  They often are in the 60's against good teams.  They are not a great outside shooting team, but have a couple of guys who get streaky.  A score in the 60's is not surprising.

Unless the zebras mandate a steady parade to the charity stripe most of Plattsburgh's wins against quality teams came in games where they held the opponents under 70.

That being said, they also can run and gun with the best as their games vs. New Paltz and SUNYIT demonstrated.  I think good SUNYAC coaches recognize their talent and don't want to get into a track meet.  Gibbs-Smith is very fast, I think he's run a sub-22 200m which is national class track speed, so letting him play wide open is a losing proposition.

Plattsburgh plays a mixture.  They have great athletes, so they can play man-to-man, sometimes they go zone, particularly when Hatch is in the game to protect him.  In the Potsdam loss at Plattsburgh, Potsdam frosh Damon Brown lit them up from the arc, and they quickly reconsidered playing zone.

Miller their 6th man, gives them a lot of flexibility, as he's short, but athletic, so he will often play as an undersized four, and move Gorham to the 5.

Gibbs-Smith has the physical gifts to be a 4 or a 3, so he's a mismatch in any event. 

[bed]

I think the reason there have been so few posts is that many of us didnt see the game, and a lot of us who tend to post here recently (me included) were happy that Hamilton escaped with the victory.

I'm only going to say this b/c I know perhaps it will spark some posts from Shooters and others.......but I'm being totally serious.............I spoke with people who have been around Hamilton basketball all season (and have seen a lot more of there games than me this season) and they said Hamilton had a big lead (double digits----climbing to 12-15 points at times I think)...........and that the coaching, yes you read correctly, the coaching by Tobin Anderson........i.e. poor coaching by Anderson allowed Plattsburgh to come back in the game on the Continentals.  Apparently, Hamilton........as has been the problem all season long...........could not close out inferior teams..........allowing them to hang around, hang around, and then make it a battle down the stretch.

I know I've knocked the guy a lot------or at least presented the arguments why he's not as good a coach as some on this site make him out to be (old Clarkson loyalists included)............but I'm telling you that the perception is that he is not a big time coach and his team can't close people out.   HOWEVER.....as someone who witnessed the Hamilton blowout of Union in the LL finals...........I give him credit for that big win and not letting Union back in..............BUT...........throughout the season that game appears to be more the exception than the rule when it comes to Hamilton closing people out.

[bed]

Hamilton keeps it close tonight if................

1) They get out to a good start and keep the crowd out of the game

2) Welchons and TK combine for at least 40 points.....the higher the # the better.

3) Someone else besides those 2 players can make a contribution offensively (e.g Jones, Peck, Giorgi, Valenti).

4) Hamilton must pick it up defensively by using its press effectively, but switching up its defense throughout the game to try to keep Amherst off balance.

[met_fan]

Failing to finish off weaker teams is not something that is new to Hamilton.  When I was there from '94-'95 to '97-'98, I witnessed plenty of games where they appeared to have the game in hand, only to let their opponent make it a nailbiter at the end.  I don't remember anyone blaming the coach then, though.

[bed]

CMK,

Valid point my friend.  You are correct sir.  I do remember more than a couple games where Coach Murphy's teams failed to close people out.

Let's hope the Continentals show up tonight and give a big effort.  If they come out and try their best and just get beaten by a better team, I'll be satisfied with the team and its coach.

[Ulf_Tornstrom]

Pioneer Pride Baby.  UC heads to the Sweet Sixteen. 

How's your "I Love Tobin" sign coming fellas?   Hamilton had their chance at the fifth "Sweet 16" in school history come up short, way short actually, at Amherst.   

Go Pioneers!!!