MBB: NEWMAC

[mass_d3fan]

The 2011-2012 schedules are up, and I am very very surprised at the incredibly weak schedule put forth by MIT(tossing the Harvard game out, since it is not 'supposed' to count as it were).  I realize that there are many factors involved, but when you look at their D3 out of conference schedule, its is extraordinarily weak when you consider the overall level of teams in the NE region.

NEWMAC TEAMS : NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULES

MIT - 12 games:  1- 20 win team, 9 sub .500 teams, 5 teams with less than 10 wins (only 2 teams with more than more 13 wins.)  Combined Opposition Record - 124-165.

WPI - 12 games: 7 - 20 win teams,   3 sub .500 teams, 2 teams with less than 10 wins. Combined Opposition Record - 199-124.

Springfield - 13 games: 6 - 20 win teams, 4 sub .500 teams, 2 teams with less than 10 wins, Combined Opposition Record - 218-143 (Pride taking on Amherst & Elms on back-to-back nights then playing Trinity & Williams back-to-back 7 days later!)

Clark -12 games: 2 - 20 win teams, 3 sub .500 teams, 2 teams with less than 10 wins. Combined Opposition Record - 180-139.

Babson - 13 games: 2 -20 win teams,  7 sub .500 teams, 3 teams with less than 10 wins. Combined Opposition Record - 163-171

Wheaton - 12 games: 1 - 20 win team, 6 sub .500 teams, 4 teams with less than 10 wins. Combined Opposition Record - 143-174.

Coast Guard - 10 games: 1 -20 win team, 4 sub .500 teams, 2 teams with less than 10 wins. Combined Opposition Record - 131-140

(I am sure I made a few mistakes with this, but just wanted to give you all a look how the teams were scheduling.)

All things being equal, MIT will be the top team with WPI & Springfield battling for the 2 slot. It wil be very interesting to see how MIT's schedule is percieved by the voters when its time for the polls and by the NCAA when regional rankings come out.  Salem State and maybe RPI are the only teams that they should have any issues with outside of the conference(aside from Harvard of course).

As I was looking at the WPI schedule, I was thinking this might be one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country. I mean half your non-conference games against 20 win teams, then I saw Springfield's.  6 20 win teams too, but playing 3 of them in back-to-back situations, including Amherst & Williams.  I was very disappointed to see that MIT did not step it up in regards to the level of competition outside the conference.  Maybe no-one wanted to play them, I do not know - I can only comment on the schedule as it is presented, and it is very weak.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm guessing MIT is having a bit of a harder time scheduling top tier in-regions teams these days than they did five years ago.

[WPI89]

MassFan - thanks for the breakdown.  I am excited to see some new names on WPI's schedule.

Someone would need to explain to me why MIT would have trouble scheduling?  I get that their program is now really strong and the class of the NEWMAC but..............?

That being said, I am also not sure that scheduling the toughest opponents is the way to get into the NCAA's - in fact - I may be of the opinion that the opposite holds true.  But it doesn't leave any margin for error - MIT has to win 20 and basically has to win the regular season NEWMAC if they were to lose in the conference tourney and get a bid.  Whereas if they were to schedule and beat a couple of regional top 10 types - then there is some margin for a few slip- ups.

Will be fun to follow from afar in any case.

[amh63]

When does the start of formal practices get underway?  It is Nov. 1 in the NESCAC
The chatter on the NESCAC board is just starting to pick up.  Amherst is expecting around 24 players to compete for spots.  There is now a rumor from a valid source that a 6'10" prospect may try to "walk-on".  If so he is probably a long term prospect.  The interesting area is in the point guard position.  Another FY prospect that is now on the football team hopes to join the fray.  A solid player is having a great year on the soccer team and I think he will be late for practice again if the soccer team goes into the post season.
Anyway, for the posters here that I had invited to Amherst's Homecoming on the 22 of October...WPI89 and Mass_d3fan, a reminder that the invites are still open....since I have survived the storms and earthquake in the MD/D.C. area.  Let me know here or on the football NESCAC board.

[leelowlang]

NEWMAC

2010-11 Final Standings

1.  WPI – 23-6, 11-1 NEWMAC
2.  MIT – 20-9, 7-5 NEWMAC
3.  Springfield – 15-11, 7-5 NEWMAC
4.  Coast Guard – 11-14, 5-7 NEWMAC
5.  Babson – 10-15, 5-7 NEWMAC
6.  Clark – 10-15, 4-8 NEWMAC
7.  Wheaton (Mass.) – 8-16, 3-9 NEWMAC

2010-11 Conference Championship
o   MIT 63, WPI 52

NCAA Performance
o   MIT 82, Ithaca 78 (1st Round)
o   Rochester 60, MIT 52 (2nd Round)
o   WPI 58, Bridgewater State 57 (1st Round)
o   Amherst 92, WPI 70 (2nd Round)

RETURNING LEADERS
•   Scoring
o   Brian Vayda – Clark – 6'5", Sr., F – 17.6 ppg
o   Mitchell Kates – MIT – 6'1", Jr., G – 15.6 ppg
o   Will Tashman – MIT – 6'8", Jr., F – 14.1 ppg
o   Kevin Sowers – Coast Guard – 6'1", So., G – 13.4 ppg
o   Jamie Karraker – MIT – 6'4", Sr., G – 12.7 ppg
•   Rebounding
o   Will Tashman – MIT – 6'8", Jr., F – 8.9 rpg
o   Brian Vayda – Clark – 6'5", Sr., F – 8 rpg
o   Matt Carr – WPI – 6'7", Sr., F – 7 rpg
•   Assists
o   Mitchell Kates – MIT – 6'1", Jr., G – 5.0 apg
o   Kevin Sowers – Coast Guard – 6'1", So, G – 3.2 apg
o   Will Bayliss – Wheaton – 5'11", So., G – 2.8 apg
•   Steals
o   Mitchell Kates – MIT – 6'1", Jr., G – 2.24 spg
•   Blocks
o   Ryan Coburn – Springfield – 6'8", Sr., F/C – 2.92 bpg
•   FG %
o   Kris Noonan – Babson – 6'6", Sr., C - .605 FG%
•   3-pt FG %
o   Jamie Karraker – MIT – 6'4", Sr., G - .431 3FG%
•   3FG Made
o   Jamie Karraker – MIT – 6'4", Sr., G – 97 3FGM
•   FT %
o   Brian Vayda – Clark – 6'5", Sr., F - .814 FT%

[Hugenerd]

Just a note, MIT's Karraker and Hollingsworth are both juniors with respect to eligibility (2 years left).

[WPI89]

AMH63 - thanks for following up on the invite! 

I had not forgotten and even talked to my twin Sophomore (in HS) daughters about the opportunity to see a great College atmosphere.  Unfortunately, I will be in Florida at a conference and unable to attend.

I have great memories of playing ball (hoops) up at Amherst in the mid 80's (when WPI/Amherst played every year).  Was one of the few games we played in front of a packed house, along with Williams, and our games with rival Clark.

Thanks again for the invite and I hope you have a nice weather and a great day.

[amh63]

WPI89.....There is always next year...Homecoming will be in early Nov. with Williams.  The weather maybe dicey but there will be a packed house with about 8-10 thousand in attendance.  MBB practices will have started and you may get to see some practices if you arrive early.  Your twin daughters will be more interested in the college atmosphere being juniors then.  Maybe we will meet when Amherst meets WPI in the post season this year.  Amherst should have a team capable of going into the post season.  Will WPI have such a team this year?

[WPI89]

Thanks again A-63

Unfortunately I think we may have to meet up at an Amherst/MIT post season game this year.  If MIT can manage to stay healthy - they may be the strongest NEWMAC representative in quite a while.  WPI likely will be a year a way from competing at the highest levels again.

[mass_d3fan]

amh63

I too will have to take a rain check this year on football.  My wife and I are spending most of our feww time getting some long overdue repair work done to this house. I am hopeful we will be done by the time basketball gets going. Outside at least.

While I agree MIT should be the top team in the NEWMAC, I do think WPI can have another top level season and they should have a shot at NCAAs if they put it all together.  We can have fun making some predictions over the next few weeks.

[WPI89]

Doctor Nerd, Massd3 et al - you should check out the new thread on the board about recruiting and commitments - it has a good start to it but needs some NEWMAC specific thoughts. 

PS - looks like WPI added some size - MD# - can you add anything about he new frosh?

[Hugenerd]

Im not as plugged in as I used to because I moved, but MITs new roster is up:

http://mitathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/2011-12/roster

There appears to be some attrition of last year's freshman class (only 2 sophomores return).  In addition, a recruit from this year, Reinier Strobos is not listed.  I heard this may be due to lingering injury issues with his knees.  They are very solid and experienced in their top ~6 or so players, but are very young and/or inexperienced after that.  They do have some talent coming in with this class, though.  Dennis Levene was on a lot of Ivy radars and Nick Prus, from the Chicago area, is a solid outside scorer. I dont know much about the other freshman, but they are bringing in another class of 7, so its possible there is a standout in that crowd.

[Hugenerd]

Hollingsworth made 1st Team Preseason All-American.

Also, I found out that Burke is still out this season.

[Hugenerd]

MIT cracks the Top 10 rankings in the Preseason Poll.  Thats their highest preseason ranking ever!

[WPI89]

Hopefully MIT does not stumble early - will be fun to see how high they can climb.  WPI just on the outside - I think around 29.  I do not see them winning both their first 2 games so it will likely be a tough job for them to crack the top 25 at any point this year.