MBB: Little East

[ECSUalum]

amh63,
Thank you soo much for the invite to the above mentioned game, unfortunately, we have a family birthday celebration to attend,...... shoot!! I know NESCAC football is huge, (especially when the Ephs and Lord Jeff's play), and bet the game with the Cardinals will be outstanding on Homecoming weekend
Have a blast at your homecoming and GO LORD JEFFS.
Still planning Amherst-ECSU, (barring a weather event), over nighter on Jan 7.  Give me a heads up if you have a change of plans. Any thoughts on nice places to stay in Amherst MA?, ie BB or Inn
Thanks again,
best,
ecsualum

[amh63]

ECSU...see the Jan.7 game is at 7PM in Le Frak .   Wise move to stay overnight .  There are three Inns that comes to mind....one being the Deerfield Inn up the road and a nice pricey BB in North Amherst. ...The Black Walnut Inn. That one, I pass by in day night .  At night it will be hard to find!...therefore I would recommend The Lord Jeff Inn on the Commons...if you can get in.  You can walk to LeFrak.  You can walk to restaurants in town.  If you arrive early enough you can visit the art museum, etc.  actually the inn was completely renovated last year and is surrounded by College buildings.  Otherwise, I suggest the Marriott  Courtyard or the Holiday Express less than half a mile away on Route 9 in Hadley.  Short ride after the game. Check the Chamber of Commerce site.  Coming up from Interstate 91, you take Rt 9 to Amherst...going through Hadley.  There is a Howard Johnson on the right, then the holiday Express on the left and then the Marriott on the right...the Marriott being the newest.  I wish I could join you, but limited funds and time away from the wife prevent me.
Go to the Amherst Website, hit the " about Amherst", and then hit " Visit Amherst"which gives a list of hotels by distance away and also a list of BBs.  Once on the website you might enjoy the story of Amherst GMs in MLB...written by BLoomburg online on 10/11/13 

[ECSUalum]

ECSU...see the Jan.7 game is at 7PM in Le Frak .   Wise move to stay overnight .  There are three Inns that comes to mind....one being the Deerfield Inn up the road and a nice pricey BB in North Amherst. ...The Black Walnut Inn. That one, I pass by in day night .  At night it will be hard to find!...therefore I would recommend The Lord Jeff Inn on the Commons...if you can get in.  You can walk to LeFrak.  You can walk to restaurants in town.  If you arrive early enough you can visit the art museum, etc.  actually the inn was completely renovated last year and is surrounded by College buildings.  Otherwise, I suggest the Marriott  Courtyard or the Holiday Express less than half a mile away on Route 9 in Hadley.  Short ride after the game. Check the Chamber of Commerce site.  Coming up from Interstate 91, you take Rt 9 to Amherst...going through Hadley.  There is a Howard Johnson on the right, then the holiday Express on the left and then the Marriott on the right...the Marriott being the newest.  I wish I could join you, but limited funds and time away from the wife prevent me.
Go to the Amherst Website, hit the " about Amherst", and then hit " Visit Amherst"which gives a list of hotels by distance away and also a list of BBs.  Once on the website you might enjoy the story of Amherst GMs in MLB...written by BLoomburg online on 10/11/13 

Thank you sir, The Lord Jeff Inn sounds nice, guess we will try for reservations there, if, as you say its not booked>
Again, have a wonderful Homecoming weekend!!!!

[ECSUalum]

ECSU...see the Jan.7 game is at 7PM in Le Frak .   Wise move to stay overnight .  There are three Inns that comes to mind....one being the Deerfield Inn up the road and a nice pricey BB in North Amherst. ...The Black Walnut Inn. That one, I pass by in day night .  At night it will be hard to find!...therefore I would recommend The Lord Jeff Inn on the Commons...if you can get in.  You can walk to LeFrak.  You can walk to restaurants in town.  If you arrive early enough you can visit the art museum, etc.  actually the inn was completely renovated last year and is surrounded by College buildings.  Otherwise, I suggest the Marriott  Courtyard or the Holiday Express less than half a mile away on Route 9 in Hadley.  Short ride after the game. Check the Chamber of Commerce site.  Coming up from Interstate 91, you take Rt 9 to Amherst...going through Hadley.  There is a Howard Johnson on the right, then the holiday Express on the left and then the Marriott on the right...the Marriott being the newest.  I wish I could join you, but limited funds and time away from the wife prevent me.
Go to the Amherst Website, hit the " about Amherst", and then hit " Visit Amherst"which gives a list of hotels by distance away and also a list of BBs.  Once on the website you might enjoy the story of Amherst GMs in MLB...written by BLoomburg online on 10/11/13 

Thank you sir, The Lord Jeff Inn sounds nice, guess we will try for reservations there, if, as you say its not booked>
Again, have a wonderful Homecoming weekend!!!!

Oh BTW +k

[7express]

It's official.  LEC teams have kicked off practice effective today.  Sometime in the next few weeks ill have 7express's annual LEC preview: my predictions (which will go horribly wrong once February comes around), games to watch, and anything else I may like to add.  If someone wants to add something, don't feel like you have to wait for me to get the ball rolling, because it may end up being a couple weeks till I start it.

[ECSUalum]

7,
Always look forward to your insightful preseason predictions.
Just was over on RIC's mens BB site and see they have already played 3 exhibition games up in Canada where they were 2-1.  Seems thay have picked up Austin Cily, a 5-7'' guard from Westerly HS.  Some blogs had him as  possibly recruited by URI, but that his height was perhaps why he is with RIC.  Seems he started all three games up in Canada and had 13,17, and 14 pts in the three games.

here is a video on Cilly:
http://coxsportsonline.com/2013/04/hannah-dobson-and-austin-cilley-made-their-marks-on-westerly/

Other freshmen contributing in Canada and on the 2013-14 squad are:

6'4''forward Brian Daniels (Elmsford, NY)  article:   
http://pleasantville.patch.com/groups/sports/p/brian-daniels-emerging-basketball-star

6'6'' forward Thiwat Thiwat (Portland, ME) 
article:  http://www.pressherald.com/sports/backgrounds-are-similar-and-the-goal-is-the-same_2012-03-03.html

6'3''guard Terrance Tribble (White Plains, NY)

have not searched the above freshman, but assume Walsh has reloaded like in previous years.

Coach Walsh loses Tahrike Carter, Ethan Gay, Steve Roberts,  Fernando Torres, and Randy Casey to graduation.  Carter was a top scorer and rebounder, Gay and Roberts were subs who played approx. 400 min each and were subs Walsh used a lot in certain  defensive and offensive sets. Casey played an bit and Torres was really not an impact player.

Still waiting for the Warwick Mall RIC basketball preseason interview with Coach Walsh which provides a vg view on the LEC

[ECSUalum]

Ask and you, shall receive !!
Watch Head Coach Bob Walsh & Senior Michael Palumbo on the Fox Toyota-Scion Inside RIC Athletics Show:
http://www.goanchormen.com/releases/high_mbasketball.html

Coach Walsh gets 10 day head start on season because he was in Canada, which he states can be done once every 3 years!!

Great Job by Scott Gibbons and RIC basketball for this preseason video!!!

[ECSUalum]

BTW WCSU, ECSU and RIC 2013/14 schedules are posted on their respective men's BB pages

[7express]

Unfortunately, I have Tuesday night classes up at the Waterbury campus when most of our games are, and am coaching an AYSO soccer team until mid November, so I won't be at many, if any, Western games November & December, so hopefully LECFan, WCSU91, or someone else can keep us updated, because I'll just be looking at results from a boxscore, and a boxscore can be very deceiving.

[7express]

And looking at the schedule, I think 6-3 the first 9 games is very achievable, and anything less than 5-4 we could be in for another disappointing season.
Bowdoin the opening game of the Regis tournament is very good.  Probably a loss.  @ USM the final game of the first semester is probably a loss as well.  I don't think we'll lose by 30 again like we did last year, but the toughest game of the pre-Christmas schedule.  Then you take a look at the others ho-hum.  Fitchburg state is the final team in that Regis tournament, so the second game will be either Regis or Fitchburg.  I say we have a better chance at beating Regis then Fitchburg.  Then a road game @ TCNJ is a toss up, not a very good team but lost to them at home.  Their outside Trenton, IIRC so that's a long trip.  Mitchell & Lesley are the 2 schools playing in the Western tournament, no reason we shouldn't be 2-0.  Vassar is an improved squad.  I know someone on the Skidmore ladies team, so I go see them play @ Vassar, and the coach was able to get some talent up there, but a game we should come away with.  Framingham & Worcester state are 2 MASCAC schools to end the first half home schedule we should take down.
So, in my opinion @ USM is probably a loss, Bowdoin/Fitchburg (if we end up playing them)/TCNJ/Vassar are the toss up games, Regis (if we play them), Lesley/Mitchell/Framingham/Worcester should be wins.  If we go 3-4 in the "toss up" games and win everything else, that'll leave us 7-2 at Christmas, or more wins then we would've had all of last year.  I'll take that out of the gate.

Looking at Eastern's first half schedule: tough bookends, the middle is really easy.  Becker/Purchase playing the night cap are two talented squads.  Becker last year had like a 50 game conference winning streak snapped, and even though Purchase's win/loss record was bad last year they lost about 8 guys from the team 2 years ago, and the coach gets at lot of Juco guys, so it's good to play them in the beginning while the team is still meshing.  That Becker/Purchase second game should be really good.  Then down in Florida: woof!  Carthage ain't a slouch, but when you in a league with Illinois Wesleyan, Augustana and North Central you're going to struggle in-conference.  Speaking of North Central, not sure what they graduated from last year, but they were hovering around the top 10 all season.  Both teams come out of the CCIW, which maybe the toughest league in the conference.  if you want any info on those teams, talk to Ypsi, who follows IWU and knows the CCIW inside-and-out.

As for RIC, their preparing themselves for the NCAA's.  Road games @ Brandeis, Bridgewater, MIT and Amherst and a home matchup against Tufts all teams that should all be in the running for NCAA bids this year.  A home matchup against cross city rival J&W should be the classic offense (J&W) vs. defense (RIC) battle.  RIC had no consistency on offense last year which is what hurt them.  if they want to compete against Amherst, MIT (even in what should be a down year for them) & Tufts in the season, and take the next step in the NCAA's, you HAVE.TO.SCORE.POINTS. so this schedule sets the bar for RIC in that regard.  I'd say they have to win at least half of those games (with at least 1 of the wins over Amherst or MIT) to be taken seriously for a deep run this year.

[LECFAN32]

Daniels and Trimble both from westchester area.

Tribble is ok.

Daniels would be a great big guy if he keeps his head on straight, also is the biggest 6'4 I've ever seen when combined with long arms and broad shoulders. Nice scoring instincts, soft touch, lefty, powerfull getting off the ground

Would have been perfect for western, shame they didn't go get him.

[LECFAN32]

Saw cilleys highlights on youtube, nice shooter but most scholarship levels would have been a prettyyy big stretch with his height at the combo guard. Seems to be at a nice level for him.

[tomsullivan1963@hotmail]

Looks like he can stroke it...another Ryan Martin, perhaps?

[7express]

Figure today would be a good day to start my LEC season preview.  Today will be looking at the schedules and analyzing the most important non LEC game as well as the most important LEC game in my opinion, and giving an OOC schedule strength.  Let's start with Eastern:
http://d3hoops.com/teams/Eastern_Connecticut/Men/2013-14/index
Combined 12/13 win-loss record: 150-94.  Those are a pretty good list of teams the Warriors are going up against anchored by Catholic (25-4), North Central (28-4), and Amherst (30-2).  Also will play either Purchase (22-6 in 12/13) or Becker (13-13 in 12/13).  5 of the 9 opponents on the non LEC portion of the schedule were under .500, but those 3 games against Catholic, Amherst and North Central skew the opponents win/loss record.  I give Eastern an A.  They'll be ready for the LEC.
Most important non-conference game: North Central (in Orlando) December 20.  Hear me out here why I didn't say Amherst.  North Central out of the CCIW is one of the better teams in the conference, and NCCU was in the top 15 all season last year.  This will also be an important game for the Warriors in that it is out of region, so if Eastern would to win this game and linger in pool C at the end of February this game will stand out for a couple reasons: for 1, it doesn't count towards their in-region win/loss which is the basis of what teams get selected, so even if they lose the game it doesn't hurt them in that regard like a loss to Amherst (in region) will.  Second of all, if they were to win the game that will be a HUGE non-region win they can hang their hat on at seasons end.  It doesn't always work out (see Keene beating Middlebury in 2011 but still getting left out), but it's a good schedule to get a pool C, especially in what looks like another down year in the conference.
Most important LEC game.  January 28 @ Western.  This is the final game of a brutal 4 game LEC stretch which see's the Warriors play USM, Keene, and RIC before that game against the Colonials.  They should probably beat Keene pretty easily, but depending on what happens in those games vs. USM, RIC and the first game vs. RIC may need this to stay in contention.  The Warriors end the season with that dreaded trip to Gorham, Maine which is something to keep an eye on.
Western: http://wcsuathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule
Combined 12/13 record: 108-146.  Grade: D.  I understand why, get some confidence easy wins, match our 12/13 win total before conference play opens, but the teams are horrible.  If you want to count Fitchburg state at 16-11 who we may not even end up playing anyways as their in the Regis tournament on the other side, we have 11 OOC opponents: 4 of them are over .500 (ones at 14-12 which is barely over .500), 0 are at .500 and the other 7 are all under .500.  Taking out Worcester state (12-14) from that under .500 category, the other 6 teams all finished at least 6 games under .500 last year.  New England is a fertile ground for basketball.  I don't want us playing Amherst, or Williams or Middlebury, but we should at least get some decent opponents.  Why did we drop Albertus and replace them with Lesley (9-16) or Vassar (7-18)??  What does beating those opponents by 20 offer us??  We may lose, but losing a close game with a good Albertus team in their gym is 5 million times better then eating a cupcake like Lesley by 30.
Most important OOC game.  Tough to pick with this schedule but I'll go with @ TCNJ November 20.  We lost to this 5-20 team at home a year ago.  Even with this cupcake laden schedule, if we drop this one on the road, it could be another long year.
Most important LEC game: January 9 vs. Dartmouth.  Our LEC schedule starts us off with 4/5 on the road to begin the season with this being the lone home game.  Our road trip takes us to USM, Plymouth, Keene & Boston and return home after Boston to play USM again, RIC & USM.  Getting this win against Dartmouth is imperative, because that's a brutal 8 game stretch.
Plymouth: http://athletics.plymouth.edu/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule
Combined 12/13 opponents win/loss record: 145-145.  Grade of C.  Plymouth on opposite ends of the spectrum.  They littered the schedule with in-state opponents they should beat with ease (Lyndon [12-14], Colby [7-17], Johnson state [9-17] and Rivier [10-16) as well as teams they shouldn't beat, but should at least pose a challenge (Westfield state [23-6], Tufts [17-9], and Salem state [16-11]), so they should be about .500 heading into 2014.
Most important OOC game: home vs. Castleton state November 26.  One of the few tweeners on the Panthers schedule.  Castleton is like a poor man's Grinnell.  The coach trys to run some aspects of the Grinnell offense, but doesn't entirely go all in on it.  Last year the Panthers lost 95-89, the most points the Panthers scored in a single game last year and they couldn't even get the win!  How often do you see that??
Most important LEC game: Home vs. Keene state January 28.  Between January 21 and February 11, this is Plymouth's lone home game.  Keene went 3-0 in the season series last year, but got depleted due to graduations.  2 of the 3 games last year were decided within 6 points.
Keene: http://keeneowls.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule
2013/13 opponents win/loss: 195-114.  Grade B+.  A lot of good teams, but not a schedule I'd like for a young team.  Outside of WPI (26-3) and Middlebury (25-4), none of the other teams really scare you even though all except Lasell (6-19) were above .500 last year.
Most important OOC game: home vs. Husson November 15.  Husson was 20-9 playing in a pretty bad conference last year.  With a much better Keene team, Husson won by 1 in the opener @ Husson last year.
Most important LEC game: February 1 vs. USM.  The start of 4/6 in Spaulding to end the season, and if you want to include the Plymouth game on January 28, Keene ends the season playing 5 of their last 7 in the state of New Hampshire.  If they can manage to hang around up to that point, that could be a big key for a strong finish for Keene to end the year.
RIC: http://www.goanchormen.com/index.html
2012/13 opponents win/loss: 162-106.  Grade A.  Record wise, worse win/loss than Eastern’s opponents, but the quality of RIC is better, so that’s why both get an A in 7express’s strength of schedule department…
Most importand OOC game: …However, unlike Eastern I will nominate RIC’s game vs. Amherst (January 29) as most important non LEC game.  This is a measuring stick for RIC.  They’ve had almost a good of a record as the Williams, Middlebury’s, Amherst’s, but can’t quite get over the hump, and that potentially starts with being unable to defeat Amherst during the season.  They’ve been close a few years, but haven’t actually been able to get them.  Since I think RIC is going to be more a threat than Eastern will be, I think it’s more important that RIC beat Amherst, so that’s why I have RIC’s game vs. Amherst as most important and not Eastern’s.
Most important LEC game: @ Eastern December 7.  RIC and Eastern have split the last 4 regular season meetings.  These are likely going to be the 2 best teams this season, so winning this on the road would go a long way to seeing RIC at the top once again.  Also, RIC plays Boston & USM within the first 4 LEC games, 2 teams that could challenge Eastern/RIC at the top.
USM: http://southernmainehuskies.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule
2012/13 opponents win/loss: 148-137.  Grade B-.  Only 2 “bad” opponents: Colby (7-17) and UNE (5-20).  St. Joseph’s LI had a bad season record wise last year (6-20), but they are normally decent in the skyline. 
Most important OOC game: November 15 @ Westfield state.  Last year Lee Vasquez hit a half-court buzzer beater to win by 1 in Gorham.  Vazquez is gone and most of the key USM players from last year are still around this year for 1 more go (Conor Sullivan, James Odneal, and Brandon Tomah).  USM had a great season on the road last year, and actually finished only 1 game better at home (7-5) than in road/neutral games (8-8).  Was that just due to an incredibly weak conference, or are they starting to get good players up there in Maine??  If they can stay competitive at Westfield, they may be able to hang in the race for a conference championship.
Most important LEC game: Home vs. Keene November 23.  An important early LEC matchup.  USM lost at home to Keene last year.  I have 2 motto’s for being a championship caliber: 1) You sweep at home and split on the road (since you only play 7 road games that’ll mean beating 1 of the top tier teams on the road), or 2) for every game you lose at home, you have win 1 more on the road: i.e. if RIC loses 2 in the Murray center, they’d have to win 6 on the road to be a title contender (4 for the split + 2 more for losing 2 home games).  The reason I said this is because USM starts with the first 3 LEC games at home: Keene, Western & Dartmouth.  They should beat all 3, but they lost at home to Dartmouth last year.  If they drop 1 of these 3 in Gorham, then they’d have to get a win @ Boston, @ RIC, or @ Eastern to make up for the home loss(es); last year they went 0-3 in those road games losing by an average of 16 points.
Dartmouth: http://www.corsairathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/2013-14/schedule
2012/13 opponents win/loss: 133-130.  Grade C+.  Got what should be a couple should be wins in Goucher (6-18) and Geneva (5-21).  If this was division 1 they’d also have money games in Tufts (17-9), Elms (18-11), and Brandeis (17-8).
Most important OOC game: January 16 @ Curry.  Even though it’s in the middle of the LEC season, I think this will be important for Dartmouth.  Curry won the CCC last season, but lost their best player who scored 18 in the Curry win last season.
Most important LEC game: December 7 @ Plymouth state.  The first game is always important because you want to get off to a fast start and not dig yourselves a hole.  Plymouth swept the season-series 2-0 last year and completely embarrassed Dartmouth on the Corsairs home court winning 69-40.  You have to think the Dartmouth players remember that, and would also want to get out to a quick 1-0 start in the conference. 
Boston: http://www.beaconsathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/2013-14/schedule
Opponents win/loss: 96-86.  Grade.  INC.  Boston still has 4 spots left to fill: 2 at the Amherst tournament, and 2 at their annual Thanksgiving tournament, so until I find out which teams are in those tournaments, I can’t accurately grade them.
Most important OOC game: January 23 vs. Tufts.  If last year has any bearing on this year, and with the Beacons it probably will since the majority of the team is back, this will be a great test for the Beacons offensive firepower vs. the Jumbos lock down defense.
Most important LEC game: February 18 home vs. USM.  Could be a first round preview yet again in the 4/5 or 3/6 matchup, and the winner of this could go a long way to deciding what team would host if that is indeed a quarterfinal matchup.
Total conference opponent win/loss (note I know a lot of teams like Tufts play more than 1 game against LEC teams, so this record isn’t exactly correct): 1137-958.  Overall grade: B.  Western’s schedule brings the conferences grade down, but 7 of the 8 teams the 2012/13 opponents winning percentage was at or above .500.  Hopefully we can pull off some of these good wins, and have a good season, and get multiple teams in the NCAA tourney.

[ronk]

Figure today would be a good day to start my LEC season preview.  Today will be looking at the schedules and analyzing the most important non LEC game as well as the most important LEC game in my opinion, and giving an OOC schedule strength.  Let's start with Eastern:
http://d3hoops.com/teams/Eastern_Connecticut/Men/2013-14/index
Combined 12/13 win-loss record: 150-94.  Those are a pretty good list of teams the Warriors are going up against anchored by Catholic (25-4), North Central (28-4), and Amherst (30-2).  Also will play either Purchase (22-6 in 12/13) or Becker (13-13 in 12/13).  5 of the 9 opponents on the non LEC portion of the schedule were under .500, but those 3 games against Catholic, Amherst and North Central skew the opponents win/loss record.  I give Eastern an A.  They'll be ready for the LEC.
Most important non-conference game: North Central (in Orlando) December 20.  Hear me out here why I didn't say Amherst.  North Central out of the CCIW is one of the better teams in the conference, and NCCU was in the top 15 all season last year.  This will also be an important game for the Warriors in that it is out of region, so if Eastern would to win this game and linger in pool C at the end of February this game will stand out for a couple reasons: for 1, it doesn't count towards their in-region win/loss which is the basis of what teams get selected, so even if they lose the game it doesn't hurt them in that regard like a loss to Amherst (in region) will. Second of all, if they were to win the game that will be a HUGE non-region win they can hang their hat on at seasons end.  It doesn't always work out (see Keene beating Middlebury in 2011 but still getting left out), but it's a good schedule to get a pool C, especially in what looks like another down year in the conference.
Most important LEC game.  January 28 @ Western.  This is the final game of a brutal 4 game LEC stretch which see's the Warriors play USM, Keene, and RIC before that game against the Colonials.  They should probably beat Keene pretty easily, but depending on what happens in those games vs. USM, RIC and the first game vs. RIC may need this to stay in contention.  The Warriors end the season with that dreaded trip to Gorham, Maine which is something to keep an eye on.
Western: http://wcsuathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule
Combined 12/13 record: 108-146.  Grade: D.  I understand why, get some confidence easy wins, match our 12/13 win total before conference play opens, but the teams are horrible.  If you want to count Fitchburg state at 16-11 who we may not even end up playing anyways as their in the Regis tournament on the other side, we have 11 OOC opponents: 4 of them are over .500 (ones at 14-12 which is barely over .500), 0 are at .500 and the other 7 are all under .500.  Taking out Worcester state (12-14) from that under .500 category, the other 6 teams all finished at least 6 games under .500 last year.  New England is a fertile ground for basketball.  I don't want us playing Amherst, or Williams or Middlebury, but we should at least get some decent opponents.  Why did we drop Albertus and replace them with Lesley (9-16) or Vassar (7-18)??  What does beating those opponents by 20 offer us??  We may lose, but losing a close game with a good Albertus team in their gym is 5 million times better then eating a cupcake like Lesley by 30.
Most important OOC game.  Tough to pick with this schedule but I'll go with @ TCNJ November 20.  We lost to this 5-20 team at home a year ago.  Even with this cupcake laden schedule, if we drop this one on the road, it could be another long year.
Most important LEC game: January 9 vs. Dartmouth.  Our LEC schedule starts us off with 4/5 on the road to begin the season with this being the lone home game.  Our road trip takes us to USM, Plymouth, Keene & Boston and return home after Boston to play USM again, RIC & USM.  Getting this win against Dartmouth is imperative, because that's a brutal 8 game stretch.
Plymouth: http://athletics.plymouth.edu/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule
Combined 12/13 opponents win/loss record: 145-145.  Grade of C.  Plymouth on opposite ends of the spectrum.  They littered the schedule with in-state opponents they should beat with ease (Lyndon [12-14], Colby [7-17], Johnson state [9-17] and Rivier [10-16) as well as teams they shouldn't beat, but should at least pose a challenge (Westfield state [23-6], Tufts [17-9], and Salem state [16-11]), so they should be about .500 heading into 2014.
Most important OOC game: home vs. Castleton state November 26.  One of the few tweeners on the Panthers schedule.  Castleton is like a poor man's Grinnell.  The coach trys to run some aspects of the Grinnell offense, but doesn't entirely go all in on it.  Last year the Panthers lost 95-89, the most points the Panthers scored in a single game last year and they couldn't even get the win!  How often do you see that??
Most important LEC game: Home vs. Keene state January 28.  Between January 21 and February 11, this is Plymouth's lone home game.  Keene went 3-0 in the season series last year, but got depleted due to graduations.  2 of the 3 games last year were decided within 6 points.
Keene: http://keeneowls.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule
2013/13 opponents win/loss: 195-114.  Grade B+.  A lot of good teams, but not a schedule I'd like for a young team.  Outside of WPI (26-3) and Middlebury (25-4), none of the other teams really scare you even though all except Lasell (6-19) were above .500 last year.
Most important OOC game: home vs. Husson November 15.  Husson was 20-9 playing in a pretty bad conference last year.  With a much better Keene team, Husson won by 1 in the opener @ Husson last year.
Most important LEC game: February 1 vs. USM.  The start of 4/6 in Spaulding to end the season, and if you want to include the Plymouth game on January 28, Keene ends the season playing 5 of their last 7 in the state of New Hampshire.  If they can manage to hang around up to that point, that could be a big key for a strong finish for Keene to end the year.
RIC: http://www.goanchormen.com/index.html
2012/13 opponents win/loss: 162-106.  Grade A.  Record wise, worse win/loss than Eastern's opponents, but the quality of RIC is better, so that's why both get an A in 7express's strength of schedule department...
Most importand OOC game: ...However, unlike Eastern I will nominate RIC's game vs. Amherst (January 29) as most important non LEC game.  This is a measuring stick for RIC.  They've had almost a good of a record as the Williams, Middlebury's, Amherst's, but can't quite get over the hump, and that potentially starts with being unable to defeat Amherst during the season.  They've been close a few years, but haven't actually been able to get them.  Since I think RIC is going to be more a threat than Eastern will be, I think it's more important that RIC beat Amherst, so that's why I have RIC's game vs. Amherst as most important and not Eastern's.
Most important LEC game: @ Eastern December 7.  RIC and Eastern have split the last 4 regular season meetings.  These are likely going to be the 2 best teams this season, so winning this on the road would go a long way to seeing RIC at the top once again.  Also, RIC plays Boston & USM within the first 4 LEC games, 2 teams that could challenge Eastern/RIC at the top.
USM: http://southernmainehuskies.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule
2012/13 opponents win/loss: 148-137.  Grade B-.  Only 2 "bad" opponents: Colby (7-17) and UNE (5-20).  St. Joseph's LI had a bad season record wise last year (6-20), but they are normally decent in the skyline. 
Most important OOC game: November 15 @ Westfield state.  Last year Lee Vasquez hit a half-court buzzer beater to win by 1 in Gorham.  Vazquez is gone and most of the key USM players from last year are still around this year for 1 more go (Conor Sullivan, James Odneal, and Brandon Tomah).  USM had a great season on the road last year, and actually finished only 1 game better at home (7-5) than in road/neutral games (8-8).  Was that just due to an incredibly weak conference, or are they starting to get good players up there in Maine??  If they can stay competitive at Westfield, they may be able to hang in the race for a conference championship.
Most important LEC game: Home vs. Keene November 23.  An important early LEC matchup.  USM lost at home to Keene last year.  I have 2 motto's for being a championship caliber: 1) You sweep at home and split on the road (since you only play 7 road games that'll mean beating 1 of the top tier teams on the road), or 2) for every game you lose at home, you have win 1 more on the road: i.e. if RIC loses 2 in the Murray center, they'd have to win 6 on the road to be a title contender (4 for the split + 2 more for losing 2 home games).  The reason I said this is because USM starts with the first 3 LEC games at home: Keene, Western & Dartmouth.  They should beat all 3, but they lost at home to Dartmouth last year.  If they drop 1 of these 3 in Gorham, then they'd have to get a win @ Boston, @ RIC, or @ Eastern to make up for the home loss(es); last year they went 0-3 in those road games losing by an average of 16 points.
Dartmouth: http://www.corsairathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/2013-14/schedule
2012/13 opponents win/loss: 133-130.  Grade C+.  Got what should be a couple should be wins in Goucher (6-18) and Geneva (5-21).  If this was division 1 they'd also have money games in Tufts (17-9), Elms (18-11), and Brandeis (17-8).
Most important OOC game: January 16 @ Curry.  Even though it's in the middle of the LEC season, I think this will be important for Dartmouth.  Curry won the CCC last season, but lost their best player who scored 18 in the Curry win last season.
Most important LEC game: December 7 @ Plymouth state.  The first game is always important because you want to get off to a fast start and not dig yourselves a hole.  Plymouth swept the season-series 2-0 last year and completely embarrassed Dartmouth on the Corsairs home court winning 69-40.  You have to think the Dartmouth players remember that, and would also want to get out to a quick 1-0 start in the conference. 
Boston: http://www.beaconsathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/2013-14/schedule
Opponents win/loss: 96-86.  Grade.  INC.  Boston still has 4 spots left to fill: 2 at the Amherst tournament, and 2 at their annual Thanksgiving tournament, so until I find out which teams are in those tournaments, I can't accurately grade them.
Most important OOC game: January 23 vs. Tufts.  If last year has any bearing on this year, and with the Beacons it probably will since the majority of the team is back, this will be a great test for the Beacons offensive firepower vs. the Jumbos lock down defense.
Most important LEC game: February 18 home vs. USM.  Could be a first round preview yet again in the 4/5 or 3/6 matchup, and the winner of this could go a long way to deciding what team would host if that is indeed a quarterfinal matchup.
Total conference opponent win/loss (note I know a lot of teams like Tufts play more than 1 game against LEC teams, so this record isn't exactly correct): 1137-958.  Overall grade: B.  Western's schedule brings the conferences grade down, but 7 of the 8 teams the 2012/13 opponents winning percentage was at or above .500.  Hopefully we can pull off some of these good wins, and have a good season, and get multiple teams in the NCAA tourney.

  With the new rule that all games count in the primary criteria as long as at least 70% of the schedule is in region, the in-region record may have been superseded. We need to have the NCAA handbook experts let us know if in-region record is important this season.