MBB: NEWMAC

[T990]

Just noticing some early league scores from:

http://www.d3hoops.com/conference/NEWMAC/mens/2010

RIC in close wins over Clark and Springfield.

Springfield over Salem State 74-63 !

Emerson over Wheaton by 3.

Coast Guard plays Connecticut College on Friday.    

[Hugenerd]

10 minutes into the John Abbott game, and Coach Anderson is already playing his 3rd team guys.  MIT is up 27-4 (after a 21-0 run).

13 minutes into the game and MIT is playing four freshman and a sophomore who didnt see any gametime at all last season.  This is turning into an uncompetitive JV game really quickly.

MIT up 46-21 at the half.  Noel Hollingsworth has 19 points and 8 rebounds.


Final Score: MIT 78 - JAC 38

No starter played more than 17 minutes, Noel Hollingsworth had 21 and 8 in 17 minutes.

[T990]

Found the boxscore to the J. Abbott game here:

http://www.rpiathletics.com/sports/2009/11/20/MBB_1120093921.aspx?id=2535

[Hugenerd]

Every player on MITs roster played at least 12 minutes.  There were only 5 FTs attempted the entire game by both teams combined (none in the second half).  What a waste of a game.  I wonder why RPI couldnt get another d3 school in their tourney (or at least a school from another division in the states). 

[Hugenerd]

MIT squeeks past RPI, 56-55.  Was a close game but really sloppy play by MIT.  They shot 38% form the field, 27% from 3, and 40% from the FT line, had 25 turnovers, and gave up 13 offensive boards.  They were lucky to pull this one out, but I am glad they did. 

Mitch Kates really carried the team, going for an (early) career high of 22 points in 38 minutes of play.  Noel Hollingsworth added 12 and 9, Billy Bender chipped in 11 points.

MIT plays at Curry on Tuesday, before their home opener against Suffolk next Saturday.   MIT plays 6 of their first 7 games on the road (including their first 4).  Only 4 non-conference home games for MIT this year (9 away).

[BBallers]

I agree that MIT played really sloppy, but a win is a win.  Their bigs can really dominate.  However, it appears they have trouble defensively with the 3 bigs playing together.  Billy Johnson was the 3rd leading scorer in the conference last season and managed just 3 points in both tournament games.  I expect Coach Anderson will eventually correct this by playing him at the 4 position where he can shoot over shorter opponents or take similar sized opponents out to the 3-point line where he is a proven scorer.  MIT appeared to struggle when RPI used man defense as most of the MIT players cannot create their own shots.  It is still early in the season and this team has the potential to be as good or possibly better than last year's team that was the best team in MIT history.

[Hugenerd]

I agree that MIT played really sloppy, but a win is a win.  Their bigs can really dominate.  However, it appears they have trouble defensively with the 3 bigs playing together.  Billy Johnson was the 3rd leading scorer in the conference last season and managed just 3 points in both tournament games.  I expect Coach Anderson will eventually correct this by playing him at the 4 position where he can shoot over shorter opponents or take similar sized opponents out to the 3-point line where he is a proven scorer.  MIT appeared to struggle when RPI used man defense as most of the MIT players cannot create their own shots.  It is still early in the season and this team has the potential to be as good or possibly better than last year's team that was the best team in MIT history.

I agree completely.  The point you made is exactly why Katz had a huge game, he is a guy who can make things happen off the dribble for himself and therefore he did better with the man-to-man defense (he was the best guard in the tournament, as evidenced by winning the tourney MVP honors, Noel Hollingsworth was also on the all tourney team).  He is not a spot up shooter, but makes things happen.  By the way, Katz has 10 steals through 3 games (he could have had much more, he had 4 in 13 minutes against John Abbott), which would put him on pace for 100 if they play 30 games like last year.  Pretty good start for his career.

As for Johnson, I think he will get it going eventually.  He sometimes struggles on the road, but he plays very well at home consistently.  Dont forget that he scored 40 last year at home on senior day.

[T990]

Congrats to MIT on gutting out a win on the road against the defending Liberty League champs.  Some significant stats:  Jamie Karraker DNP, Billy Johnson 3 total points in the tournament; vs RPI Kates had 1 Assist in 38 minutes, Hollingsworth 7 TOs (lots of traveling calls) and 5 PFs, but most of all the team shot a woeful 38% from the field.  Lots to improve on and sort out as the season progresses, especially their motion offense which wasn't producing efficiently.  But this is to be expected as they adding so many new players.

[BBallers]

Agree with your comments on Mitch.  He is one of the few players on the team who can take someone off the dribble.  Bender is the other one.  Jamie did not do it well last season, but he improved in this area over the summer.  I can't wait until his back gets better because he is a pure shooter along with Billy Johnson.  BTW, not to discount Billy Johnson's 40 points because that was a remarkable game, but their opponent made the conscious decision to play a triangle-and-two defense against Jimmy and Jamie, leaving Billy alone for shots.  Please don't interpret this as discounting Billy's skills as I believe he is not only the best MIT player but may be the best player in the conference.  IMO, Billy is an average on-ball defender, dribbler and passer, but an excellent rebounder and shooter and good post defender.  When playing the right position, he will begin to dominate again.

Comparing this team to last year's team:
Mitch vs. Bradley (Equal) Mitch is much better, but turns the ball over too much now.  Rated equal because Bradley was a senior and Mitch is a freshman.  Mitch will be better eventually.
Anybody vs. Jimmy (Advantage Last Year)  No question.
Sophomore transfer Noell, along with freshman Will and Ben are all better post players than we had last year (outside of Billy Johnson who is still here) and the other players are returning.  (Advantage this year).

Noell did do a lot of traveling over the summer and in practice, but he will overcome that.  He is a beast under the basket and has some good moves.

[tball]

First let's congratulate Coach Anderson and the MIT Team for winning the tournament this weekend

Second I'll qualify my comments by stating I didn't see the games this weekend - life interferes

Some observations from the box score and the play by play:   (accentuate the positive)

1.  MIT won the tournament.  The last several years they have come up short in tournament finals
2.  MIT started 3 new guys & played 5 new guys 10+ minutes against RPI
3.  RPI started 3 Seniors & 2 Juniors in the tournament and opened their new gym.  They were motivated
4.  RPI won their league last year
5.  Two of MIT's new guys led the tournament in: scoring, rebounding, steals & blocks, and made the all tournament team
6.  It was established that Mitchell Kates is a stud
7.  MIT won without Jamie Karraker who will help scoring
8.  MIT won without Bill Johnson playing his best.  (there is no doubt he will fill it up in familiar gyms)
9.   MIT won a game where they didn't play their best offensively
10.  A young team (on average) gutted out a win

There will be some growing pains but the future looks very bright

[Hugenerd]

First let's congratulate Coach Anderson and the MIT Team for winning the tournament this weekend

Second I'll qualify my comments by stating I didn't see the games this weekend - life interferes

Some observations from the box score and the play by play:   (accentuate the positive)

1.  MIT won the tournament.  The last several years they have come up short in tournament finals
2.  MIT started 3 new guys & played 5 new guys 10+ minutes against RPI
3.  RPI started 3 Seniors & 2 Juniors in the tournament and opened their new gym.  They were motivated
4.  RPI won their league last year
5.  Two of MIT's new guys led the tournament in: scoring, rebounding, steals & blocks, and made the all tournament team
6.  It was established that Mitchell Kates is a stud
7.  MIT won without Jamie Karraker who will help scoring
8.  MIT won without Bill Johnson playing his best.  (there is no doubt he will fill it up in familiar gyms)
9.   MIT won a game where they didn't play their best offensively
10.  A young team (on average) gutted out a win

There will be some growing pains but the future looks very bright

This may be pedantic, but just to clarify, RPI won their conference tourney - they finished third in the regular season behind St. Lawrence and Hamilton in the Liberty League.

I agree with all your points.  Kates came in with a lot of hype and he definitely shows that promise.  As he gains more experience running the offense, I look for him to keep his turnovers down and become a complete point guard.  Hollingsworth is unstoppable in the post, the only person who can stop him is himself (when he travels and fouls).  The team is much more complete this year and they can get production out of every position, and they can play both an inside and outside game.  Hopefully they will put it all together eventually and be as good or better than last years team.  It may take some time for Billy Johnson to adjust to his new role as a 3, but he is also coming off of an offseason injury, so I am not too concerned about his lack of production this weekend, especially since they got two Ws.

[toooldtoplay]

My assessment of the first games is easy - best yet to come.  A young team that commits 20+ turnovers a game and still finds a way to win is impressive. You have to expect some of the TO's especially for Kates as a frosh in a new system with new teammates. I think Tashman has yet to find himself but show ability and will improve every game. Hollingsworth can dominate if not double teamed and the shooters should make teams pay.  Johnson is with new teammates and in a new position for him. Best is yet to come.  Carriker DNP this year - another positive as we move on. Burke seems to be able to play 1 or 2 effectively and can score. Montgomery is a big that can shoot the three and play D in the post.  Returning players need to figure out what the new guys can and can't do but Bender and Zuk look sharp starting the year.   Coach Anderson may have more options this year than in the past and can expand the offensive game to take advantage of some of those skills.

Best part of the season is the webcasts that are taking over at many colleges allowing us alumni to see more games than in the past. Is there any reason that every school doesn't webcast its games???

[Hugenerd]

Mitchell Kates dominated for MIT, enroute to 66-56 win at Curry.  Kates scored 28 points, on 10-12 from the field, had 9 rebounds, and 8 steals, all in 27 minutes of action.  Noel Hollingsowrth added 12 and 10, while Jimmy Burke added 12 points for MIT.

MIT hosts Suffolk on Saturday at 2 for their home opener.

[toooldtoplay]

I see that WPI beat Framingham (1-3) by 2 points.   WPI plays Curry on Dec 1.  May be a good indicator of the relative strength of each program this year.  I see from the boxscore less turnovers but still 16.  Any word on the overall game. Did MIT play well?

[Hugenerd]

I see that WPI beat Framingham (1-3) by 2 points.   WPI plays Curry on Dec 1.  May be a good indicator of the relative strength of each program this year.  I see from the boxscore less turnovers but still 16.  Any word on the overall game. Did MIT play well?

Im not sure about how they played, I am going to try to go to the home opener on Saturday, so I should have a better idea then (I have only seen them scrimmage in person, couldnt make the first 4 away games), but what is going on with the free throw shooting?  They are shooting 51% as a team (they were below 50% through the first 3 games).  Not a single person is shooting over 60% (Billy Johnson leads the team at 3-5).  Katz is 13-23 (56%) and Hollingsworth is 4-11 (36%), no one else has taken more than 5.  Also, 51 FTs through 4 games is a pretty low tally, I wonder if they are not getting calls because of all 4 games being on the road or if they are not being aggressive (part of the reason is that John Abbott game where they shot a total of only 2 FTs).  I cant see a team coached by Coach Anderson not being aggressive.  Hopefully they will start getting a few more calls at home and gain some confidence sinking some FTs at home.  They have 5 out-of-conference away games left and 4 home (only 10 home games this year, with 15 away overall).