WBB: NEWMAC

7express · February 27, 2012, 02:45:34 PM

Well, that sucks for Babson. Not only are they not hosting, they get paired up in Amherst's part of the bracket meaning 1 of those 2 teams won't be playing after Saturday. Really, that should be an elite 8 matchup, not a second round matchup.

NE Hoop Guy · February 27, 2012, 03:13:58 PM

It does not really suck for Babson, it does suck for NCAA Division III basketball, because it has been and should have been an Elite 8 or Sweet 16 match-up.

The problem with this whole thing, every year, not just this year, is it is politics. This is just like all youth sports down to Little League, the people in charge keep the exclusive club to themselves. They get the match-ups that favor them and their friends and the rest, especially those who are threatening to them, get relegated. They would never put Babson over with Tufts on the other side of the bracket as they know that would likely result in a final four appearance, threatening the exclusive club. Instead they take one of the the biggest members and give them an early shot to knock out the insurgents. Bottom line is the NCAA is as bad as all the other youth sports organizations, the only difference is they are bigger and older kids still protecting turf.

To clearly illustrate the above paragraph you only need look at UNE. They are in, with a stength of schedule much worse than Babson and a league much worse than Babson, yet they have been ranked ahead. Why? And why do they get an at large after losing in their conferenece semi-final......because the coach has been on the committee for three years. No other reason, no other criteria puts them anywhere near there out of the CCC. They will not last. If I were Colby I would be very unhappy with this, as the Colby SOS and wins is much more impressive that UNE.

USM is another example, the coach fits. They win at home where they own the refs, but not on the road. But they fit.

So these things are always a bit sensitive for sure, but this is blatant. UNE being the poster child.

Maine 1 · February 27, 2012, 03:32:45 PM

Very disappointed to see Babson sent to Amherst in the first round. For three years what has essentially been the same group has had great results. They want out and played a tougher schedule this year, and only had 2 losses. There were a lot of places they could have gone. I will say that Amherst is not as strong as it has been the last few years, but they are still very good, and eventually the road goes through Amherst.

I was also surprised that Colby did not get in, although I expected USM and UNE to get in over them.

Good luck to all teams.

MVP · February 27, 2012, 03:50:08 PM

I agree with the most recent posts, Babson gets completely dissed once again. This team has earned the opportunity and privilege to host.
The disrespect shown this program is amazing!

Eventually, the road does go through Amherst..but to match-up Babson v Amherst in the 2nd round isn't good for the players or NE WBB fans, and everybody knows it.

Good luck to all the players and fans !!

bsc73 · February 27, 2012, 09:34:08 PM

You forgot to mention that the chair of the northeast region is an administrator ffrom Salve Regina!

Quote from: NE Hoop Guy on February 27, 2012, 03:13:58 PM
It does not really suck for Babson, it does suck for NCAA Division III basketball, because it has been and should have been an Elite 8 or Sweet 16 match-up.

The problem with this whole thing, every year, not just this year, is it is politics. This is just like all youth sports down to Little League, the people in charge keep the exclusive club to themselves. They get the match-ups that favor them and their friends and the rest, especially those who are threatening to them, get relegated. They would never put Babson over with Tufts on the other side of the bracket as they know that would likely result in a final four appearance, threatening the exclusive club. Instead they take one of the the biggest members and give them an early shot to knock out the insurgents. Bottom line is the NCAA is as bad as all the other youth sports organizations, the only difference is they are bigger and older kids still protecting turf.

To clearly illustrate the above paragraph you only need look at UNE. They are in, with a stength of schedule much worse than Babson and a league much worse than Babson, yet they have been ranked ahead. Why? And why do they get an at large after losing in their conferenece semi-final......because the coach has been on the committee for three years. No other reason, no other criteria puts them anywhere near there out of the CCC. They will not last. If I were Colby I would be very unhappy with this, as the Colby SOS and wins is much more impressive that UNE.

USM is another example, the coach fits. They win at home where they own the refs, but not on the road. But they fit.

So these things are always a bit sensitive for sure, but this is blatant. UNE being the poster child.

MVP · February 29, 2012, 01:05:21 PM

Congratulations to the Babson WBB team on winning the NEWMAC title.

Congratulations to all players in the NEWMAC conference receiving post-season recognition! Congratulations to Babson's Nikki Wurdeman for being named 2012 NEWMAC Player of the Year

Congratulations to senior captains, Nikki Wurdeman and Kathleen King for being named NEWMAC first team all conference .

Congratulations also to junior Sarah Collins for being named NEWMAC first team all-conference!

Best of luck to the entire Babson team, coaches and fans in their quest for a National Championship!

Good luck to Babson's head coach Judy Blinstrub who is only one win away from 500 career wins!

Pat Coleman · March 04, 2012, 03:29:18 PM

Quote from: NE Hoop Guy on February 27, 2012, 03:13:58 PMIf I were Colby I would be very unhappy with this, as the Colby SOS and wins is much more impressive that UNE.

The head-to-head really favored UNE, with UNE winning at Colby. I am 100% sure that's why UNE was selected before Colby was.

MVP · March 04, 2012, 06:06:44 PM

Wow!!

Congratulations to the Babson women's basketball team!! Despite the pre-game disrespect and other distractions.... the team performed in Amherst like champions! Amherst was sweating this one out right to the buzzer. Babson nearly came up with the upset to advance...and knock Amherst out !!

The Babson team played with poise and toughness the whole game, both attributes that have made them champions year after year.
They left it all out on the court last night. They played full speed all year.

Congratulations to the three seniors, Wurdeman, King and McKenna!! They truly are special young ladies. They are fantastic players, teammates and leaders. What they have accomplished has meant so much to this program. They will all excel at whatever they do.

We wish them all the very best!!

Congratulations to Judy Blinstrub on her 500th win!! An amazing accomplishment!!

Look forward to the 2013 season!

remsleep · March 06, 2012, 10:57:12 PM

This is the time of year that coaching changes accumulate. Any rumors out there about imminent changes in the NEWMAC?

MVP · March 15, 2012, 05:37:29 PM

Congratulations to seniors Kathleen King and Nicole Wurdeman from Babson College for being selected to play in the NEWBA 2012 senior all-star game to be played at Western New England University later this month on March 24!!

Also, Congratulations to Lauren Hannmann, WPI for being selected to play in the 2012 NEWBA senior all-star game!!

MVP · June 12, 2012, 10:24:21 AM

Does anyone have any news on the class of 2016 prospects/ recruits?

MVP · July 13, 2012, 07:31:22 AM

The 2012-2013 schedules have been posted. It will be interesting to see the level of competition in NEWMAC. Babson still looks very strong despite losing King and Wurdeman in the 2012 graduating class.

Babson begins the season with a few non-conference games, the Babson invitational tournament hosting Framingham St and then either playing RI College or Bowdoin. Then they travel to Puerto Rico for a Christmas tourney.

Babson also hosts Williams in a mid-January tilt.

MVP · October 18, 2012, 02:33:02 PM

Happy New Year to all D3 coaches, athletes and fans!! Can't wait for the season to begin. Look forward to hearing the WBB news around the country and the NEWMAC conference .

kate · October 18, 2012, 03:36:10 PM

Couldn't say it any better myself, MVP! Love that enthusiasm - we're looking forward to Delaware Valley College's opening tip-off game at McDaniel College in Maryland - it's always great to see everyone again! Not to mention that it makes a long winter actually fly by

! Good luck to your team!

MVP · October 25, 2012, 12:53:16 PM

Happy New Year!!
The 2013 pre-season top 25 has been posted. It is a very strong list of teams. Babson has been conference champions the last four consecutive years ...going undefeated in conference play for the last 3 seasons. Losing only 8 games in 3 years..... including 4 consecutive post-season runs/....reaching the elite 8 in 2010 and 2011 and finishing last season ranked #18th after a tough loss to Amherst, they did not make the list. Primarily, IMO, because they lost 2 all-americans in the 2012 graduating class

Head coach, Judy Blinstrub, 29th year, 500 wins and her coaching staff have 3 returning starters/seniors including Wynn, Mallios and Collins who are all very talented and strong . They also have a strong group of returning letterwinners/ under-class who have all played a huge role in the teams' success the last several seasons. And, once again they also have a strong class of recruits to give them balance and depth . They hope to lead this team again this year to another NEWMAC conference championship and a deep run in the NCAA tournament .

Babson will earn their way onto the Top 25 list as the season goes along.

Good luck to all NEWMAC coaches, players and fans of women's basketball !!

Can't wait for the tip-off!!