MBB: NEWMAC

[wildgoose]

Yvon starts as a 3b on the baseball team

[617primetime]

 Wonder if you guys think Springfield could make a run in the newmac tourney. After a horrendous start this year, they have won four straight including a 20 point win over Endicott. Also, they've played WPI, Amherst, and Tufts very tight; and took Williams to OT. Granted, they'll probably have to lock up with WPI early, but I wanted to know if you guys think this is a team that could run the table and get in.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I was just thinking the same thing.  I think they are probably the most capable team of knocking WPI off and it would certainly boost the talent level of the NE region reps in the tourney if they made it in.  They were so highly regarded to start the year and had a great year last year.  I think they can do it, but they're still probably a longshot at this point.

[hugenerd]

I think any team in the NEWMAC could win the tourney.  There is no team that much better than any other team.  Especially if you consider WPI the best team, they have not beaten anyone by more than a few points so it is wide open.

[TheFence]

I think I posted it here yesterday saying the Springfield was the team to watch in the NEWMAC Tourney.

Interesting to here that Yvon plays baseball as well.  Hassan Robinson was a outstanding shortstop and was darfted by the Houston Astros organiztion.  He made it far as Double A I believe before hanging up his spikes.  Oh yeah, he could really score on the Basketball court as well. That of course was back when Spirngfield played D2 in the NE 10 Conference.

[newmacnewcommer]

I hope Yvon gets serious consideration for Player of the Year, even if Springfield doesn't win the tourney. He's been the most consistent player for 4 years.

I agree that the the tourney is wide open with the exception of Clark and Babson.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

WPI is in at #2 in the first rankings, no other NEWMAC team got a mention.  Keene at #10 is very surprising.

[sixer]

I agree that the the tourney is wide open with the exception of Clark and Babson.

I totally agree.  2 years ago WPI was the regular season champs, and Babson stole the NEWMAC championship in the tourney.  WPI may be getting the most attention, but since they've played so many NEWMAC opponents down to the wire I agree that anything could happen in the tourney.

"IF" WPI slips up and doesn't win the tourney, they'd still be a safe bid to the NCAA tournament, right?  But then they'd lose home court advantage and draw a more difficult 1st round game.

I think next week's Springfield @ WPI could set the tone here.

[hugenerd]

According to the scoreboard WPI lost to Wheaton tonight by 2.

[wildgoose]

Babson beat Coast guard!

[hugenerd]

Tonights results make the last few games of the season interesting , MIT and CGA are now tied for second in the conference with Wheaton 4th.  I am not 100% but I am pretty sure WPI has already clinched the conference.  The only teams that can technically have the same record as them if everything goes right are CGA and MIT.  MIT has already lost twice to WPI and even if CGA wins out and WPI loses out, their head to head will be 1-1 and CGA would lose the next tiebreaker which is record against the third place team, which is MIT whom CGA lost to.  Thus, it will be interesting to see who can get that second place spot (as well as 3rd and 4th) and host some games in the NEWMAC tourney.

[617primetime]

Like to see the North Shore native Ryan Flynn drop 22 for WPI... wonder why Cain only got 7 shots off

[newmacnewcommer]

Cain only got 7 shots tonight because WPI's ball movement stinks and has for quite some time ! WPI doesn't have 1 player in the top 10 in assists in the conference. They have 3 or 4 guy's who try to beat you 1 on 1.  They are not good at sharing the ball. This is why they won't go very far in the NCAA tourney. When another team takes away your
best player you have to make even more of an effort to get him the ball otherwise the defense wins. I think this escapes the coaching staff.

[sixer]

and when you put that up against Sean Kelly's 7 assists for the night it makes for a tough matchup.  Doesn't help that WPI shot for 18% from 3-point territory, where they usually excell.

I think Tue's game against Springfield will be a real test.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'd just like to mention that after last night, Springfield just has to win out to get the #2 seed in the tournament (or at least a tie for it).

Things are shaping up to be very interesting indeed.