MBB: NEWMAC

[BaboNation]

I think MIT dressed maybe 9 guys.  The Babson-UMB looked like maybe 37 (both teams).

MIT is thin after Hinkley, Pilsbury, and the Greek Geek.

[BaboNation]

Babson 91  Suffolk 66

Babson wins their Invitational, which they've won most every year once they got smart and disinvited Endicott and Keith Brown.  Just kidding.  Sort of.

This one was more the up-tempo style more suited to Babson's offense.  (UMass-Boston was often going deep into the shot clock on most possessions).  Suffolk had their way with Coast Guard yesterday, and treated Staake Gym as its second home court.

I can't stop raving about Bradanese, who put on a clinic in this one.  He gives up inches and pounds to most big men he faces, but he gave Rowe (6'8") the complete repertoire of up-fake and drive, baseline jumper, and taking him away from the rim.  And he kept Rowe off the offensive glass.  Bradanese finished with 25/8 in just 21 minutes and may have had the play of the game on a block of Rowe at the rim.

And I know it's early, and I haven't seen all the FYs, but Nate Amado 14/10, starting and looking very comfortable at this level is sure to get consideration for NEWMAC ROY.  He had a highlight dunk thrown in.

Babson did a great job picking the Rams up at the arc, helped out on defense, and took care of business on the glass.  After falling behind 12-2 the defense really locked in and took control.  They harassed Hale, a 20+/game scorer into 4/17 shooting.

I love the veteran steadiness they're getting from Kirsch.  Gorgol continues to expand his offensive game.  Welch fits in perfectly as firepower off the bench.  Depth, depth, depth, without a drop off in commitment to the system nor intensity.  Kudos to the coaching staff.  This can't be easy.

And we still haven't seen the heralded FY Parker Mason!

17 young men played 3 or more minutes for Babson.  I won't consider calling this 'emptying the bench' until they play at least 20.

It's early, but I'm really excited about this team's potential.

Finally, it always warms my heart to see a guy like Max Gussen, now a senior, who has battled adversity and challenges for playing time.  He returned to campus with a 21-man roster, yet played the final 5 of this one with everything he's got.  How can you not root for guys like that?

[Greek Tragedy]

No Hinkley for MIT last night??

[BaboNation]

No Hinkley for MIT last night??

I saw that.  After playing all 40 minutes in the prior game.  I have no insight on the reason for his absence.  They certainly need him.

[BaboNation]

Babson 70  Lasell  67

This Lasell team is essentially the same team they beat twice last year at home;  the first one was close, and the second was a rout.

Lasell is a veteran team (2 seniors and 2 grads starting) and the offense runs through guards Day & Nunez. Day is super quick off the dribble and has very active hands on the defensive end. 

After having only 14 TOs through their first 2 games (total) Babson had 14 in this game.  Some were caused by the quick hands of Lasell every time the ball was put on the floor, others were just a lack of focus, including a cross court pass in the last minute that sliced the Babson lead to 1.

63-63 with 3:30 to go and Bradanese got the lead back with a FT, steal, and coast-to-coast layup.  They held Lasell to just one FG the rest of the way.

Nunez had a monster game (28/8).  He and Day continued the unsettling trend of quick guards getting by their man deep into the lane and finishing or dishing.  Babson is going to need to work harder on help to shut off these drives.  They'll be seeing more of this a week from now when St. Joe's and Martin come to Staake.

Bradanese finished with 14/11 for Babson.  Coach Brennan went mostly with his veterans down the stretch.

So, with a couple of wake-up calls, Babson has held serve at home (3-0).  Their next game with Salve Regina is their first road test.  Then the next 4 get tougher, and the next four tougher still.

Still waiting to see the leading FY recruit Parker Mason and junior Kirkpatrick.

[Greek Tragedy]

Anyone know why MIT's game time got moved up 3 hours? Is there a big storm coming in?

[BaboNation]

Anyone know why MIT's game time got moved up 3 hours? Is there a big storm coming in?

I believe this game was originally going to be played at MIT and was moved to UM-Dartmouth.  Beyond that, and the reason for the venue change ...

[deiscanton]

Anyone know why MIT's game time got moved up 3 hours? Is there a big storm coming in?

I believe this game was originally going to be played at MIT and was moved to UM-Dartmouth.  Beyond that, and the reason for the venue change ...

Rockwell Cage is hosting rounds of the NCAA DIII Women's Volleyball Championship starting tomorrow-- hence, the venue change.

[BaboNation]

MIT took it to UMass-Dartmouth for 30 minutes, building a 17 point lead, but UM-D roared back in the next 5 minutes to even the game and eventually win it in OT.

MIT's Chatziveroglou had a monster game (33/16/6) and did a great job running the offense out of the high post (kinda like Tim Roberts of a few years ago).  It looked like the tight MIT rotation, and another game without Ian Hinkley might have led to fatigue down the stretch.

Nevertheless, for 2 years away from competitive games, there are signs that this team can be a factor in the NEWMAC down the road.  But they need Hinkley back.

[BaboNation]

Salve Regina 78 Babson 70


Bad loss.  Bad loss.

No reflection on Salve Regina, who were the better squad on this day.  Babson did almost nothing right and still had chances at the end.

Despite the 3-1 start to the season this was the 4th straight slow start.  Too much of Babson's offense was at the perimeter and too many Seahawk players were posting up down low.  When they weren't converting, they were getting to the FT line.

For the game, Salve Regina was +14 in FT makes, and that's not a complaint.  Sometimes it's as simple as one team scoring inside, and the other not able to do so.  Babson could not stop the low post game for long sequences.  Collins, Spencer, and Kelly mostly had their way inside.

For Babson, other than FY Amado, too many players had very quiet games, including Bradanese, who had his least productive game in 2+ years.  Some of it was due to early foul trouble, but there are no excuses.

Outrebounded by 10.  Even in past years with smaller lineups Babson has been able to protect the paint and the glass better.

And wing players are going to need to consistently knock down 3's to open things up inside.

Another wake up call.  The schedule now gets much more difficult.  Lots of things to improve upon when St. Joe's comes to Staake Gym.

[WPI89]

Very nice early win for WPI. Only saw last 10 mins. But the ability to lock down what I assume will be a very competitive Colby is quite encouraging. I saw last 15 mins and ot for Colby last night vs NEC and they looked like a team that will win 15+ games this season, even in the NESCAC. today they looked out of sorts on offense. If WPI can knock down shots like first 2 games and lock down like tonight, they will be tough to beat. Had no idea what to expect this year. Congrats to the coaches and players on a very nice early tourney championship! 

[BaboNation]

Very nice early win for WPI. Only saw last 10 mins. But the ability to lock down what I assume will be a very competitive Colby is quite encouraging. I saw last 15 mins and ot for Colby last night vs NEC and they looked like a team that will win 15+ games this season, even in the NESCAC. today they looked out of sorts on offense. If WPI can knock down shots like first 2 games and lock down like tonight, they will be tough to beat. Had no idea what to expect this year. Congrats to the coaches and players on a very nice early tourney championship!

Congrats!  Adams is a stud.  Great win for WPI & the NEWMAC

[WPI89]

Exciting game added to WPI's schedule as they travel up to Burlington to play the University of Vermont tomorrow night at 7 pm.

The game is on ESPN3 if you are interested.

[WPI89]

Legit broadcast is fun!  https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/bad7a018-bc42-4d29-8742-53b2d17f874d

[WPI89]

The boys look great.  Funny thing to say down 20 at the Half.  But especially early - classic Bartley/WPI - running their offense and playing tough d.  Had some tough breaks and tons of UVM 3s going down while WPI 3s keep going halfway down.  Too much size for UVM for us to truly compete - but really fun and proud of the boys!  Adams/Lowther and others belong.  Not getting dominated with guard play at all.  UVM pushing our offense out - but again - fun game.

PS - I think UVM will win their normal 20+ games - they gave Maryland all they could want on Saturday