MBB: Conference of New England

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Gordon's hitting the boards well and taking it strong to the basket, both good ways to win games.  This might be more exciting than I thought.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Middlebury's pulling away again.  Lots of bad passes from GC and great defense from Middlebury.  It looks like Gordon's playing a bit over their heads, uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns, etc.

[scout]

Middlebury's pulling away again.  Lots of bad passes from GC and great defense from Middlebury.  It looks like Gordon's playing a bit over their heads, uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns, etc.

They are afraid to drive to the hoop because Locke has blocked an inane amount of shots.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Tim Edwards has just dominated Aaron Trigg so far this game.  I thought that matchup might be the difference and it appears to be so.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Middlebury's pulling away again.  Lots of bad passes from GC and great defense from Middlebury.  It looks like Gordon's playing a bit over their heads, uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns, etc.

They are afraid to drive to the hoop because Locke has blocked an inane amount of shots.

You'd think they'd at least try a pump fake or something - they're just throwing it right into him.

[scout]

Middlebury's pulling away again.  Lots of bad passes from GC and great defense from Middlebury.  It looks like Gordon's playing a bit over their heads, uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns, etc.

They are afraid to drive to the hoop because Locke has blocked an inane amount of shots.

You'd think they'd at least try a pump fake or something - they're just throwing it right into him.

They are just so hesitant. The great pressure perimeter defense is preventing them from their second option, the three. Locke only has two fouls, too, so he'll be affecting shots the rest of the way.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

GC got it down to 5 with the ball and threw an unforced turnover in the backcourt.  That might have done it.

[scout]

GC got it down to 5 with the ball and threw an unforced turnover in the backcourt.  That might have done it.

That was it. They were thinking of what to do with the ball before they completed the pass.

Gordon hung with a top 10 team in the nation... Not bad at all.

[scout]

Middlebury hangs on for the 64-57 win.

[scout]

In retrospect, it was a solid showing by Gordon. They had a little bit of a 'deer caught in headlights' look at the start of both halves. My guess is that Middlebury saw tournament teams throughout their season and Gordon had to adapt.

Adapt they did, though. And again, I find Coach Murphy to be a great in-game coach. His adjustments brought Gordon back within two possessions each from 13 and 16 point deficits.

Aaron Trigg was absolutely stifled by Tim Edwards. Just wiped him clean from the sheet. Still, Aaron didn't give up and played some solid defense and managed the rest of the players on the court.

Bajema led all scorers with 21. Solid showing from him.

If Gordon could have found any post presence at all, they would have won this game. Locke had around 12 blocks on the game... Shots that absolutely would have found the hoop had they not been deflected.

Middlebury is a great team. At least we know the Gordon was not overrated this year.

[backboard]

12 blocks???  My goodness

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

12 blocks???  My goodness

He's a big dude.

[scout]

12 blocks???  My goodness

He's a big dude.

He's a 6-11 junior. It was pretty unreal.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

12 blocks???  My goodness

He's a big dude.

He's a 6-11 junior. It was pretty unreal.

A lot of it was confidence.  Locke was doing a lot of things, both offensively and defensively he couldn't get away with against a more experienced team.

[scout]

12 blocks???  My goodness

He's a big dude.

He's a 6-11 junior. It was pretty unreal.

A lot of it was confidence.  Locke was doing a lot of things, both offensively and defensively he couldn't get away with against a more experienced team.

Additionally, Gaskill and Walker weren't aggressive in going toward the basket. Granted, I don't think that's Walker's type of game anyway (he's more finesse post move oriented)... But I think Gaskill has the strength and enough size to go up two-handed to at least draw the foul. He did it a couple of times in the game, but most of Locke's Blocks (possible Midd student section nickname??) were on teardrops and finessed post moves.