MBB: NEWMAC

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · January 05, 2014, 04:24:53 PM

Hoopsville is back on the air tonight and starting the usual twice-a-week format. Tune in to hear from a number of coaches including WPI's Chris Bartley.

Show starts at 7 PM EST and Coach Bartley will be in the first thirty minutes of the program.

You can tune in here: www.d3hoopsville.com

You can also follow us and be social on Twitter (@d3hoopsville and #Hoopsville) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/Hoopsville). You can even email us at hoopsville@d3hoops.com.

Thanks and enjoy the show!

WPI89 · January 06, 2014, 01:55:31 PM

Thanks Dave - I missed it live but just listened to Coach Bartley - he is a great listen. I am sure Coppola loves that he used the Gronk reference!

Great job as always.

I assume a new top 25 later today?

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · January 06, 2014, 02:13:30 PM

I always enjoy listening and talking to Coach Bartley... and I agree with the Gronk thought.

Thanks for tuning in.

New Top 25 comes out later today, yes.

GoTech73 · January 08, 2014, 10:01:17 PM

Just saw the score/press release from the MIT/Clark game tonight - Final was 63-36, MIT held Clark to just 19% from the floor! Did anyone happen to watch any of the game? Curious if MIT's defense is really that good, or if Clark just had a really bad day?

rlk · January 08, 2014, 10:40:44 PM

Quote from: GoTech73 on January 08, 2014, 10:01:17 PM
Just saw the score/press release from the MIT/Clark game tonight - Final was 63-36, MIT held Clark to just 19% from the floor! Did anyone happen to watch any of the game? Curious if MIT's defense is really that good, or if Clark just had a really bad day?

I wasn't there, unfortunately. But I suspect MIT's D was a big part of it. MIT's D is ranked #2 in the country, and held RIC to 38 points (granted, RIC isn't what they sometimes are). Redfield had 5 blocks out of a total of 8 by the Engineers, and MIT clobbered Clark on the boards. Remember that MIT starts 3 6'8" players and has another 6'8" and 2 6'10" players in reserve. They'll be a bit more vulnerable to a strong outside team, I suspect. The throwdown against WPI on Saturday will be interesting.

The other thing I really liked to see is the bench depth, which is something MIT has lacked even in the great Final Four run a couple of years ago. Ryan Frankel and Dakota Pierce both scored in double figures, and Russell Johnson and Lampros Tsontzos both contributed double figure minutes.

WPI89 · January 09, 2014, 10:06:20 AM

2 convincing wins leading up to the first WPI/MIT game this weekend. Will be fun - I hope to catch the broadcast. WPI shot lights out from 3 at Springfield and MIT apparently made all of the Clark players shoot with their left hands or something?

Will be a really fun next 7 weeks. Also enjoying the minor chaos over on the NESCAC side of things. Still feel like their little brother (and certainly will until more NEWMAC damage can be done in the post season) but things seem to be evening out some over the past couple of years.

Imagine if we could have an early season night or 2 nights where we match up all the NESCAC and NEWMAC teams against each other (like the Big 10 - ACC thing they do) - would be fun.

Amherst-WPI. Williams-MIT. Middlebury-Babson. Tufts-Springfield. Wesleyan-Clark. Trinity-Emerson. Bates-Coast Guard. Sorry Colby Hamilton CC etc, we ran out of teams............but wouldn't that be fun!

WPI89 · January 09, 2014, 11:14:57 AM

Wheaton-Colby. Sorry Wheaton - didn't leave you out for any reason other than early alzheimers.

BBallers · January 09, 2014, 04:39:47 PM

Quote from: rlk on January 08, 2014, 10:40:44 PM
Quote from: GoTech73 on January 08, 2014, 10:01:17 PM
Just saw the score/press release from the MIT/Clark game tonight - Final was 63-36, MIT held Clark to just 19% from the floor! Did anyone happen to watch any of the game? Curious if MIT's defense is really that good, or if Clark just had a really bad day?

I wasn't there, unfortunately. But I suspect MIT's D was a big part of it. MIT's D is ranked #2 in the country, and held RIC to 38 points (granted, RIC isn't what they sometimes are). Redfield had 5 blocks out of a total of 8 by the Engineers, and MIT clobbered Clark on the boards. Remember that MIT starts 3 6'8" players and has another 6'8" and 2 6'10" players in reserve. They'll be a bit more vulnerable to a strong outside team, I suspect. The throwdown against WPI on Saturday will be interesting.

The other thing I really liked to see is the bench depth, which is something MIT has lacked even in the great Final Four run a couple of years ago. Ryan Frankel and Dakota Pierce both scored in double figures, and Russell Johnson and Lampros Tsontzos both contributed double figure minutes.

I tried to see the game, but the video kept freezing. Too bad they keep increasing the prices and lower the quality. I believe it was a combination of things. First of all, if you continue to drive to the basket straight at Redfield, then you will probably get it swatted back to you. He is a junior and has done this in the previous years, so it shouldn't be a secret to anyone. Of course, MIT's deliberate offense contributes to lower scores. Third, Clark did miss some open looks and it kind of snowballed on them. Fourth, MIT's defense appears to be improved, but it will have to continue to improve to have a shot at the NCAA's. I believe MIT's best two games were last night and against RIC. I agree with you that RIC is not nearly as strong as they had been in previous years. I also agree that MIT's bench has a lot of talent, but Coach Anderson typically has a smaller rotation, except in blowouts and with foul trouble.

BBallers · January 09, 2014, 04:52:22 PM

Quote from: WPI89 on January 09, 2014, 10:06:20 AM
2 convincing wins leading up to the first WPI/MIT game this weekend. Will be fun - I hope to catch the broadcast. WPI shot lights out from 3 at Springfield and MIT apparently made all of the Clark players shoot with their left hands or something?

Will be a really fun next 7 weeks. Also enjoying the minor chaos over on the NESCAC side of things. Still feel like their little brother (and certainly will until more NEWMAC damage can be done in the post season) but things seem to be evening out some over the past couple of years.

Imagine if we could have an early season night or 2 nights where we match up all the NESCAC and NEWMAC teams against each other (like the Big 10 - ACC thing they do) - would be fun.

Amherst-WPI. Williams-MIT. Middlebury-Babson. Tufts-Springfield. Wesleyan-Clark. Trinity-Emerson. Bates-Coast Guard. Sorry Colby Hamilton CC etc, we ran out of teams............but wouldn't that be fun!

I think Clark just had an off night and some poor shot selections, but MIT is big and active. I'm glad that the NEWMAC is stronger and will hopefully continue to strengthen. Your idea about the NESCAC-NEWMAC playing each other like the Big 10-ACC, especially with your pairings, would be fantastic to watch. I agree with our little brother comparison, but if the NEWAC keeps improving and the AD's (from both conferences) get some guts, then maybe it could happen.

WPI89 · January 15, 2014, 09:13:47 AM

Large game against Babson tonight - good luck boys.

BBallers · January 15, 2014, 11:33:21 AM

Quote from: WPI89 on January 15, 2014, 09:13:47 AM
Large game against Babson tonight - good luck boys.

I think WPI would definitely be favored, especially at home. Babson is having a very good year as is the whole NEWMAC conference teams. Should be a good game.

WPI89 · January 15, 2014, 08:54:49 PM

Just win baby! 1 more tonight. I saw the last 4 sloppy minutes but I will take it for sure!

middhoops · January 16, 2014, 02:25:59 PM

Congrats to WPI. Good game. Babson made it close at the end. The NEWMAC is a very tough league to run the table. Looking forward to many more good games.
I wish Middlebury played WPI. Not that I think we'd necessarily win, just that these two teams have looked relatively even in recent years. Even in a down year, Midd might rise to the level of their opponent's play. Maybe someday.....

WPI89 · January 17, 2014, 04:47:21 PM

Found it Pat - thanks!

rlk · January 18, 2014, 09:59:20 PM

MIT defeated Springfield College 55-51 in a hard-fought men's basketball battle that went down to the final seconds. The aptly-named Springfield Pride never led, but as usual never gave up. MIT was paced by sophomore Justin Pedley's 7-14 effort from downtown with a total of 27 points. Pedley also iced two free throws in the final 2 seconds to finally seal the win. Freshman Dakota Pierce added 12 for the Engineers, and Andrew Acker hauled down 12 rebounds to complement his 8 points.

Springfield placed 3 in double figures, led by Nick McKenna's 14.

MIT's defense, as usual, was superb. Springfield had averaged 83 points coming in and had not scored less than 61 (against WPI). They couldn't establish an inside game against our front line at all. Our offense basically revolved around the outside game, though, and if Pedley hadn't been absolutely on fire the game would have been very different. Redfield fouled out early in the second half, which definitely made things more difficult for us. We never trailed, but they tied it up at 41 midway through the second half, and it would be 2 minutes before anyone would score again.

Springfield definitely takes its nickname (the Pride) seriously. They do not give up. They had a lot of fans make the trip to Cambridge.

Game photos at http://rlk.smugmug.com/Sports/Basketball/MIT-Springfield-20140118/36125690_j2J2ng#!i=3029274642&k=Tx4f6Fm . Pat et al, please feel free to use these (with attribution) on d3hoops. I'd prefer if possible that you link so I can get traffic metrics.