MBB: NEWMAC

[TheFence]

I'd agree that WPI is soft inside but Coleman plays big.  He's very athletic and reabonds very well for his size so WPI doesn't get killed on the boards, which is critical when your undersized.

Also, it is my observation that there are not many d3 teams that are loaded inside.  This is why WPI is getting away with it right now.  Coming tourney time they won't have a problem until they get out of the region because nobody in NE will kill them upfront due to Coleman's athletisim.  Again once they get out of the region they have bigger problems as their strength (Guard play and intensity) will be matched and probably overmatched not be mention what some teams may be able to do them inside.

Of course we said that about Keene State a couple years ago as well and they beat Rochester who had one of the best big men in the country to get to the elite 8.

None the less WPI is the class of New England in my opinion.  I think their better than Amhearst.  Sleeper in NEWMAC tourney is Springfield.  They have the best player in the conference.  As far as the NCAA's you don't want to be Amhearst or WPI and See Salem State in round 2.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

As far as the NCAA's you don't want to be Amhearst or WPI and See Salem State in round 2.

Fence, is that because of their size in the post?  Because they certainly are playing even more sporadically than usual.  They might not even make the tourny this year; I'm not confident they can string together enough games to win their conference tournament.

[sixer]

As far as the NCAA's you don't want to be Amhearst or WPI and See Salem State in round 2.

I'm with Hoops Fan, why do you say that?  Maybe I misunderstood you, but I don't think WPI would have any problem at all with Salem State.  They beat Salem 96-71 early in the season.  It was actually one of their few decisive vistories.

[TheFence]

They are both sleepers so keep my comments in perspective. Here's my rational.

Springfield: I think the Guard (Yvon is it) can carry them to a few victories despit there terrible record.  Also, they have played a very tough schedule so they will be tested come the conference tourney.

Salem State.  I saw them twice and they are big and athletic.  They struggled big time early on in the non-conference season but that I believe that was because they had bunch guys who had not played together.  It is a typical Salem State crew, a bunch of  transfers from all over the counrty Juco and D2 as well.  I think their talent alone will make them tough.  They are playing better of late, of course that could be becasue they are playing in a weak conference. (Though not as bad as the CCC, Kidding Hoopsfan Just Kidding)

Keep in mind, no ever accussed me of being the Stu Feiner of D3.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I assumed that's what you meant.  They are big and athletic as always, but they have to play together for long stretches, which seems like, well a stretch, for this crew.  It is true, they pose match-up problems in the post for a lot of teams.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Another question I have for you guys.  I know Gordon has talked to the NEWMAC about becoming school #8.  There seems to be a decent fit in terms of mission and vision and the direction of the school's development.  Do you know what the procedure is for schools joining the NEWMAC?  Is there a waiting period?  How many schools have to approve the addition?

[sixer]

Hoops Fan,
Keep in mind that Gordon would make team #8 for the men's side of the conference, but team #11 for the women.

From the NEWMAC handbook:

Section 4.
Minimal Principles Governing Full Membership:
1. Must demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence.
2. Must be NCAA Division III member.
3. Must maintain consistent, broad based, gender equitable programs sponsoring a majority of the
sports in which the conference currently offers championships.
4. Must be a college or university that is within a reasonable travel distance for all member
institutions.
5. Must maintain full conference participation in all sports that are part of the varsity program, and
are classified as a NCAA Division III sport.

Section 5.
Application Process:
If the conference is considering member expansion or replacement, or if an institution initiates a
request for membership, a majority plus one vote of the Athletic Directors is required to issue an
invitation to apply for membership.

All those seeking membership must adhere to the following procedures:
1. A letter of application should be sent to the Conference President indicating interest in
membership.
2. Input on the applicant will be gathered by the Executive Director and shared with the Athletic
Directors. The Athletic Directors will have a minimum of 30 days to review application
materials.
3. The Athletic Directors will vote on new members at the June meeting.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Thanks for the quick, thorough reference sixer; I take back anything I may have said about you.

I'm hearing rumblings from Gordon that they may be looking to leave sooner rather than later (hence the admission of WNEC to the CCC next season).

I wonder if there is any way to know what if any steps in the process have been done?  I don't think they are at the point of petitioning, but I know there have been "talks."

[sixer]

I'm a little in the dark, why is Gordon looking to leave the CCC?

[617primetime]

 Springfield looked good and got a nice win over Clark by 15. Swingman Derek Yvon broke the school's alltime scoring record with 29 points to put him a little over 2000.

[mattyt02]

Springfield looked good and got a nice win over Clark by 15. Swingman Derek Yvon broke the school's alltime scoring record with 29 points to put him a little over 2000.

He ended up with 2006, breaking Hassan Robinson ('95) old mark of 2005.

[formerbant10]

Congrats to Mr. Yvon, 2000 a lotta f'in points.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

That's not a half bad career right there.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

And to answer you sixer, Gordon has been on the rise both in their academics and in the attention they've been paying to the athletic department for the last few years.  They see the NEWMAC as a better fit for the Athletic Department in all sports as well as a better fit in terms of academic mission, etc.

No matter how much money some of the schools have, the CCC is a blue-collar conference and GC just doesn't want that anymore.  They do have aspirations for being more well rounded and complete athletically.  They probably do or are aspiring to have more in common with the NEWMAC schools.

[TheFence]

Any time you score more points in a career than Hassan Robinson your doing something.  Congrats to Derek Yvon.

I wonder if he's and all-american baseball player like Robinson was.