MBB: NEWMAC

[SpringSt7]

What a game by Jake Ross against Coast Guard tonight.  Playing 43 minutes, he put up 55/21 and five steals.  Amazing.

Yeah, I was watching the Babson-MIT game, so missed Ross' magnificence.  He's a lock for All-District 1st team, and Heath Post is probably on the 2nd team.

All-District Team lock feels like we're underselling it a little bit, no? He's been the best player in New England, a surefire 1st team All-American, and is firmly entrenched with Nebraska Wesleyan's Nate Schimonitz in a two man race for National Player of the Year.

I won't disagree with anything you've said.  Having not watched enough games outside the region, I didn't want to be a "homer" and overlook other guys outside the region.  It's kinda like when people say "this movie has to win Best Picture" when they haven't seen any of the other movies nominated.

Suffice to say, if he is indeed 1st team All-American (likely) he's also a lock for 1st team All-District.

Fair points. I know d3hoops.com has no regional restrictions but the NABC picks one player from each of the 8 (?) districts for each of the 1st 2nd and 3rd teams. I would say the only competition Ross has for 1st Team is Colby's Sam Jefferson, who is averaging 22.4 points per game on 61-49-89 splits.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

What a game by Jake Ross against Coast Guard tonight.  Playing 43 minutes, he put up 55/21 and five steals.  Amazing.

Yeah, I was watching the Babson-MIT game, so missed Ross' magnificence.  He's a lock for All-District 1st team, and Heath Post is probably on the 2nd team.

All-District Team lock feels like we're underselling it a little bit, no? He's been the best player in New England, a surefire 1st team All-American, and is firmly entrenched with Nebraska Wesleyan's Nate Schimonitz in a two man race for National Player of the Year.

I won't disagree with anything you've said.  Having not watched enough games outside the region, I didn't want to be a "homer" and overlook other guys outside the region.  It's kinda like when people say "this movie has to win Best Picture" when they haven't seen any of the other movies nominated.

Suffice to say, if he is indeed 1st team All-American (likely) he's also a lock for 1st team All-District.

Fair points. I know d3hoops.com has no regional restrictions but the NABC picks one player from each of the 8 (?) districts for each of the 1st 2nd and 3rd teams. I would say the only competition Ross has for 1st Team is Colby's Sam Jefferson, who is averaging 22.4 points per game on 61-49-89 splits.

There are rumors the NABC may be changing things up.  I've heard there's talk of allowing the first and second ranked players in each region to be eligible for the first team.  Essentially you'd have the same format - one from each region per team, but they wouldn't be locked into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams by region.  Not a done deal, but it's a conversation being had.

[BaboNation]

Babson  105   Clark  70

This was not much of a game, particularly because Clark didn't seem interested in any aspect of team defense.  They've really been on a slide since beating Babson at home in the game Oftring got injured.

All 5 Babson starters had strong games, with reduced minutes in a blowout.  Ainge might have had a triple-double if he was needed, and finished with 13/7/9.  Jaworski, the go-to guy in clutch situations, seemed to recognize this game for what it was, and was happy to facilitate his teammates most of the afternoon.  Still, while taking only 8 shots, he finished with a solid line of 15/5/4.  Coolahan was red hot inside and out, and led the team with 25.  Kirkpatrick tied his season high with 18, and looks more and more like a 4-year starter.

Davern went over the 1000 point mark in a strong game for Clark, but his team didn't provide enough help in this one.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The men's first regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-first

[BaboNation]

WPI  75   Babson   56

The Engineers went on a 20-4 run in the final 6 minutes to make the final somewhat misleading, but in truth, they were in control throughout this game.

Babson's last run closed it to 55-52 and Coolahan was unable to finish a baseline layup with 6 minutes left that would have made it a 1 point game.  But then Wheeler hit back-to-back-to-back dagger 3's and it was over for all practical purposes.

Babson had a good defensive double-team on Stephenson down low for most of the game, making it difficult to close out on outside shooters.  But WPI absolutely dominated both boards (45-27 overall).  Wisniewski had a monster game (19/15).  Wheeler was also strong, particularly when it mattered most and finished with 17/7.  I continue to be impressed by FY Lowther who finished with 8/9 and looked very comfortable in a big NEWMAC game.

WPI's postseason success will depend on some consistent outside shooting, like they had tonight.  Their defense will travel anywhere.

Although Babson had an off-night (to say the least) from 3-point range (1-15), much of that was due to WPI closing out quickly and not respecting Babson's low post offense.  Coach Bartley is very familiar with Babson's tendencies and always has a good defensive team.  Overall Babson shot only 33%.  And they weren't missing open shots.  Everything was contested.
They finished with only 2 2nd chance points.

For Babson going forward, 18-4 is still very good, but now it becomes more imperative to beat Wheaton and Emerson.  That would get them to 20 wins.  I'd hate for them to have to go into Springfield in the season-ending game needing a win.

[WPI89]

Thanks for the recap Babo. WPIs best win for sure. They have been shooting well. I was in Worcester on Saturday and they shot well against Coast Guard also. Shaping up for a fun close out and a wide open tourney.

[WPI89]

BABO - I think i ask this every year - but in the unlikely event both WPI and Babson can pick off Springfield to end the year - it would be likely that all 3 end up with 11 wins and 2-2 against each other.  What is next for the tie-beaker - do you know?

[BaboNation]

BABO - I think i ask this every year - but in the unlikely event both WPI and Babson can pick off Springfield to end the year - it would be likely that all 3 end up with 11 wins and 2-2 against each other.  What is next for the tie-beaker - do you know?

Well, according to the NEWMAC Handbook

"If necessary, head-to-head competition against common, non-conference opponents of
the teams that are tied will be used."

I'm not sure there are any such opponents that all 3 teams would have faced.

The final step is a "draw".

Something similar occurred last year between WPI, Babson, and Springfield for 3rd-5th.  Springfield got #3 because they were the only one to beat #1 MIT.  The tiebreaker for 4th vs. 5th may have come down to a draw, because WPI had to travel to Babson for the 4-5 game, and all other tiebreakers seemed to keep them tied, including the only non-conference opponent (Tufts) which they both beat.

[WPI89]

Hope the coin toss is more legit than Iowa Caucus!

[BaboNation]

Babson  82   Wheaton  57

Senior Day @ Staake.  Ulrickson got the start (senior) in place of Ainge.  But Ainge was in street clothes for this game.  Oh boy.  Can't afford another possible injury with key games next week @ Emerson and @ Springfield.

Coach Brennan emptied the bench in this one.  Jaworski had another complete game of 22/8/5 in 27 minutes of action.  Already a 1st team All-NEWMAC in my opinion, he will be a challenger for best player in New England in his senior season.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

In two weeks, the regular season will be over. If teams want to still be playing in March, the time to get it done is now ... including conference tournaments, some of which start for some this week.

This week will also bring with it a better understanding of which teams are in position to be playing in the NCAA Tournaments.

Monday on Hoopsville, we will chat with several programs which have positioned themselves atop their conference races and hope home court will help them punch tickets to the NCAA tournaments. However, they also know the difference between playing at home or in the NCAAs could be a single game still to be played.

Guests Schedule (order subject to change):
- Charlie Averkamp, Benedictine women's coach
- Trent Milby, Berea women's coach
- Jake Ross, Springfield senior guard
- Dean Burrows, Wesley men's coach
- Bob Quillman & Ryan Scott, Top 25 Double-Take

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[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 2's Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-second

[WPI89]

thanks Dave

[WPI89]

Ross just too good tonight (like most nights). WPI cut it to 7 with 5 mins left and Mr Ross took over.  Couple of 3s in a row. Seemingly every rebound and oh then you can't get the hall out of his hands and he hits every free throw.

I hope these teams play again in 10 days and I very much look forward to a long run by Springfield in the big tourney.

[BaboNation]

Ross just too good tonight (like most nights). WPI cut it to 7 with 5 mins left and Mr Ross took over.  Couple of 3s in a row. Seemingly every rebound and oh then you can't get the hall out of his hands and he hits every free throw.

I hope these teams play again in 10 days and I very much look forward to a long run by Springfield in the big tourney.

Did Wisniewski play?  I didn't see him in the box.  Your best defender and all-around solid player.  All hands needed on deck when you take on Springfield.