MBB: NEWMAC

amh63 · March 08, 2011, 11:30:18 AM

Hugenerd......maybe busy with studies about this time. His "defense" of his degree/topic/field is in the Spring.....though I am never clear if the academic "spring" is the same as the "Spring" that starts March. 21

WPI89 · March 08, 2011, 01:52:58 PM

Funny Amh - I see you still have some "spring" in your step. At least I picked you guys to win the whole thing in my bracket - so I am an adopted Lord Jeff fan for now.

I think Nerd is just looking for enough of us to beg him for one more missive.............

Argylebballer · March 08, 2011, 02:11:20 PM

If people want to hear more about all the Northeast games tune in to Sports Flash on WXIN in Providence Thursday from 4-6pm. The Head Coaches from WPI, Williams, RIC, Amherst, Middlebury, and Pat Coleman will all be on. With a few other guest as well. You can listen online at www.ricradio.org. And call in at 401-456-8787 if you want to talk basketball.

WPI89 · March 08, 2011, 02:27:04 PM

Nice - thanks Argyl

mass_d3fan · March 08, 2011, 02:31:26 PM

No Coach Anderson from MIT?

It will be interesting to here the season ending thoughts from Coach Bartley and possibly some insight into next years squad.

Argylebballer · March 08, 2011, 02:45:42 PM

Bartley will be on at 4:20 eastern time

amh63 · March 08, 2011, 03:53:32 PM

I also wish to thank the RIC poster. Wonder if the broadcast will be blended/interfaced with Hoopsville on Thursday.
Welcome aboard WPI! I hope you are correct. In anycase....you are offically invited to Amherst's Homecoming in Oct. Let me know and there should be free food and drinks at my tent and/or after the game in the "Cage". There should be no charge for the game. Also check out the college website in the Fall.

Hugenerd · March 08, 2011, 09:12:50 PM

Sorry, I have been working hard on papers/finishing up research/preparing for thesis defense/faculty interviews/newborn and 4 year-old.

With regards to the game, I thought MIT was tired, which especially showed in the 2nd half. It didnt help that the rotation got really short for the tourney, but I guess you have to play the guys you feel give you the best chance when it counts most. I still thought they should have won the game, but when your starting backcourt has an off not shooting, its always tough to get the W.

They look to be really strong next year, with everyone except Zuk returning, and Hollingsworth and Burke back. On top of that they have a few really high-level recruits coming in, and a couple more they are still going after. The next two years look promising, but unfortunately I will be moving so I will have to watch from afar. I wish them the best going forward.

WPI89 · March 09, 2011, 07:46:33 AM

Massd3 - I do hope Bartley talks some about next year but I bet it is all about his opinions on remaining tourney teams.

Nerd - thanks for the effort - good luck and get some rest. MIT will certainly be preseason NEWMAC favorites big time next year.

Amh63 - I may just zip up 91 next October and find you - good luck the next 2 weeks!

mass_d3fan · March 09, 2011, 08:41:15 AM

HN

Best of luck in your defense! and your job search!

My wife & I wish you and your wife all the best in the world as you move forward on the most rewarding years of your life! Enjoy every moment - It is going to fly by much faster than you can imagine.

I hope you end up somewhere you can get some D3 games and we can all enjoy your insight. If not, I will look forward to your ongoing evaluations of MIT from afar.

WPI89 - You are probably right, but hopefully the hosts will at least ask him about next year. The reply may be a stock answer, but they should at least ask.

amh63 - I have read some of the posts on the NESCAC & LEC borads. IF Amherst plays anywhere near what I saw this past weekend, they will handle RIC with ease. People are kidding themselves if they think RIC can play inside with the Jeffs.

As far as Akinrola's injury being nothing major - I do not buy that at all. What injury that is not 'major' keeps you out of a NCAA tournament game that is not an expected easy win? I can understand it if his issue was an illness (100+ fever, etc) but if it was an injury, obviously it was major. Have you heard anything about what the injury was?

I did not see Middlebury or Williams play, so I cant really comment much on them. However, I liked what I saw from Amherst this weekend. Great Executuion. Sharp cuts off screens (WPI should keep playing the video of that game throught their pre-season next year emphasize that this is how you should run at and cut off a screen). When the ball went down low, it was delivered properly and ON-TIME. No hesitation. That was true if they were going to a big, OR if it were to a guard or small forward with a mis-match. The ball handlers, Meehan especially, did a great job of seeing mis-matches and immediately taking advantage of it. Always a mark of a great team. They were thwe best team I saw this year and I wish them success as they drive to get to Salem!

BBallers · March 09, 2011, 08:47:40 AM

Quote from: mass_d3fan on March 08, 2011, 02:31:26 PM
No Coach Anderson from MIT?

I agree he should be invited and deserving since he has participated in the last three years in the NCAA tournament. MIT may have the lowest admittance rate of any D3 NCAA school and does not offer any merit scholarships. IOW's, MIT's basketball recruits that get admitted into MIT are sacrificing merit scholarship money at many other good D3 schools. My point is only that Coach Anderson has had great success despite these competitive limitations.

Quote from: hugenerd on March 08, 2011, 09:12:50 PM
With regards to the game, I thought MIT was tired, which especially showed in the 2nd half. It didnt help that the rotation got really short for the tourney, but I guess you have to play the guys you feel give you the best chance when it counts most. I still thought they should have won the game, but when your starting backcourt has an off not shooting, its always tough to get the W.

They look to be really strong next year, with everyone except Zuk returning, and Hollingsworth and Burke back. On top of that they have a few really high-level recruits coming in, and a couple more they are still going after. The next two years look promising, but unfortunately I will be moving so I will have to watch from afar. I wish them the best going forward.

I agree with MIT being tired and their poor shooting percentage may have been a partial result of tired legs. MIT's defense has improved a lot near the end of the year, but 40 second half points is a lot to give up. I also believe there were too many unforced turnovers. Despite this, they were still in the game. I believe Jamie may have come close to some school records for total number of 3 pointers and % of 3 pointers.

I agree that next year may be the best year in MIT history (at least on paper). It just depends on how well there chemistry comes together because there are a lot of scorers on the team. IMHO, in the frequent times where MIT's offense would be stagnant, Hollingsworth should almost always be able to get off a decent shot. Burke's shot is always of value to a team. I look forward to reading more about the MIT recruits. HN, I hope you will still post frequently even though you may only see the games through your computer. Best of luck in your next location.

amh63 · March 09, 2011, 08:55:47 AM

WPI189.......please do....leave a note on the board....or the football board to me as the game with Weselyan approaches and I can discuss the details/particulars wrt tailgate tent, etc. I will be coming up from D.C.
Hugenerd...best wishes. I know what you are going thru. My oldest son was born at Mt. Auburn Hospital in the early Spring as I was wrapping up things at MIT. Another era though. Noticed that you spelled defence the British way.
Mass_3fan.....I was so taken with your post on the NESCAC board on the Amherst game that I referred it to the Amherst SID to let the players /coaches know. The SID say he would and noted the team players often read the posts on these boards. Not to neglect you, let me know if you wish to join the event this October. The college picks up the charges for the game and refreshment after the game and for old folks like me, the refreshments during the game...i.e. people that are approaching big reunion events and therefore big gifts.

mass_d3fan · March 09, 2011, 09:38:26 AM

amh63 - Ty for for kind words and the invite. If things work out that I can get up there for that, I'll let you know.

While it is obvious that I have been a big WPI backer, I feel you have to be honest about a team's drawbacks and not just post about the good times. I was impressed by the Lord Jeffs athletes and even more with their on-court execution and thier conduct towards complete strangers after the game.

I sincerely hope they go much further than the Sweet 16.

Argylebballer · March 09, 2011, 10:14:02 AM

Quote from: mass_d3fan on March 09, 2011, 08:41:15 AM
As far as Akinrola's injury being nothing major - I do not buy that at all. What injury that is not 'major' keeps you out of a NCAA tournament game that is not an expected easy win? I can understand it if his issue was an illness (100+ fever, etc) but if it was an injury, obviously it was major. Have you heard anything about what the injury was?

Akinrola has been confirmed to be fine and 100% ready to play this weekend. That is all I know.

Hugenerd · March 09, 2011, 10:19:23 AM

Quote from: BBallers on March 09, 2011, 08:47:40 AM
I believe Jamie may have come close to some school records for total number of 3 pointers and % of 3 pointers.

He finished 2nd in both. He was 1 three pointer shy of tying the made 3s single season record, and he went into saturday's game ahead in the single-season 3%, but his poor effort that day dropped him below Bartolotta's mark from 08-09.