MBB: NEWMAC

[BaboNation]

I watched a little over half of the Babson scrimmage against Wheaton @ Staake Gym.  The only thing noteworthy to me was the Babson lineup.  Since we're still dealing with Covid it's certainly possible that guys who played on Wednesday tested positive after that.  But I also wonder whether Coach Brennan used this as an opportunity to give minutes elsewhere.  Nothing should be made of a blowout game against a NEWMAC bottom-dweller that was missing Alex Carlisle.

The more compelling game was WPI @ Emerson.  I watched the last 12 minutes.  Adams and Lowther are sooo physically strong.  And Adams was taking it to Houston inside.  WPI plays fundamentally consistent for 40 minutes.  Low turnovers.  Good screening.  Movement.  Spacing.  They may go the rest of the regular season undefeated.  MIT, Clark, Emerson, and Babson could conceivably give them a game, but it will take an A-effort to get the job done.
The only disappointments in this game was no crowd and just one average camera shot;  not what I've come to expect from the Emerson crew.

[BaboNation]

Babson finds a way to win one at home over MIT 69-62 without Bradanese who fouled out just 1 minute into the 2nd half, and after just 11 minutes of court time.  Suffice it to say coach Brennan will not be inviting this crew to dinner anytime soon, but I won't go there.
In truth, Babson was struggling mightily to defend the paint on one end and lacked any rhythm or efficiency on offense for most of the first half.  Only a brief 5-0 run to close the half reduced an 11 point deficit to 6 when it looked like the game was slipping away.
MIT was playing one of the few games all year with all of their normal starters and rotation.  They've lost some winnable games that I'm convinced would have gone the other way with everyone available;  but such is '21-22.

For Babson Kirsch, Dierney, and Amado had strong games and the focus on both ends was much better in the 2nd half.  Coach Brennan held this one together with duct tape (Smith & Kirkpatrick unavailable, Bradanese out early).  Holding MIT to 21 2nd half points was a total team effort.

Had to have this one to hold serve at home and maintain any hope for a postseason bid.

[BaboNation]

Babson handles Coast Guard easily at home, 89-72.  Bradanese, Dorney, and Amado all had strong games.  The only noticeable absence was Beau Smith (2 straight games now).  Jack Staiti made his first appearance of the year after seeing action last year.
Amado had a gorgeous put-back and nearly had a double-double in the first half, finishing with 17/10.
Coast Guard is probably just a year away from moving into the top 4 of the NEWMAC; good young players with size.

So far 5-1 in the NEWMAC has been as expected, with a very favorable home-away schedule (also 5-1).  It would be very nice to end the first round with an away win @ Clark.  This should be a competitive game, featuring 2 FY stars in Taylor & Amado.  Babson is only 1-3 in true away games; 1-0 on neutral court.  With 6 of the next 8 games away from Staake, and the only 2 remaining home games against WPI & Clark, the road to the finish won't be easy.

WPI had all they could handle @ Wheaton before pulling it out in the final seconds on a Downing 3, 80-77.   Alex Carlisle was back for the Lyons and had 19 in the first, got poked in the eye in the second, and couldn't make it back for the last 10 minutes.  But Aaron Williams was a Lyons force with 31/12.  He's always had a strong inside game and has worked himself into better playing shape.
But WPI always finds a way.  They battled back from 13 down and played better down the stretch.  Lufkin (19) was huge off the bench.
Wheaton played a 2-3 zone a lot, including on the last 3 by Downing.  Puzzling choice.  They don't have the quickness to deny shooters.

[BaboNation]

Looks like WPI isn't going to wait til the last possession to put away Hamilton in Worcester.

WPI smothering everything inside and causing some of the 15 first half TOs, leading to a 29-11 lopsided start  (that's a halftime score, believe it or not).

[BaboNation]

I wish I could've watched 3 games at once, but I'll have to catch some replays.

The game I watched had Babson over Clark in OT @ Worcester 71-68.  Ugly first half for Babson with only 9 FGs and 15 TOs.  Down 10 at the half, but it felt like 20 the way they couldn't handle the full court press (reminded me of the J&W game a few years back) which Clark hasn't used this much in NEWMAC play.  But when it works, why get away from it.  Babson didn't even score for the first 5 minutes, but fortunately was only down 5.
Babson played with better poise in the 2nd half and went with mostly vets.  They didn't take their first lead until under 3 minutes left.  In OT Bradanese and Kirsch helped close it out.
If they play the 2nd half style of team defense and offensive poise they should be competitive in all remaining NEWMAC games.  So, they finish the first half of conference play 6-1.

With the stunning CG win over WPI, WPI and Babson are 6-1, and Emerson is 5-2 in conference play.  This Saturday's Babson @ Emerson game takes on added importance.

Speaking of Emerson, Jarred Houston put up another ridiculous line of 28-21-6 (6 blocks).  He should be up for postseason regional honors.

Nothing will be easy for Babson in the 2nd half of conference play.  Only 2 of 7 at home (WPI & Clark).  But if they keep on grinding and don't get complacent they have enough talent to make some noise.

[BaboNation]

I watched the replay of the CG win over WPI, being particularly curious to see why Lowther played only 11 minutes despite finishing with only 2 fouls.  He apparently hurt his right wrist/hand boxing out on a rebound around 18:30 of the 2nd half.  Looked like he got it taped up but never returned to the action (WPI down 9 at the time).  I saw him on the sidelines tossing a ball at a practice rim, so I'm guessing it's not too serious, but what do I know.

VIDEO:

https://www.newmacsportsnetwork.com/uscga/?B=315535


Cameron Brown for CG is an up-and-coming FY star.  He held his own with Adams from WPI.

[BaboNation]

What a game going on @ Emerson ... going to OT ... NEWMAC at its finest

[BaboNation]

Tremendous game with Babson prevailing in OT over Emerson.  I'll bet this was a 3 point or less game for 35+ minutes of regulation.  Intense all the way.

Houston was his usual unstoppable self inside 21/11, but had a rough game at the FT line (1/6).  Max Davis kept them in the game in regulation with some fearless 3-point shooting before going quiet in OT.

For Babson, Kirkpatrick had the key 3-pointer to force OT, then Bradanese took over in OT (3/3) with a killer 3 ending the run.

This is such a better running offense since really the Colby game.  They were getting the shots they wanted throughout.  Coach Brennan has tightened the rotation to upperclassmen, with the exception of FY Amado who plays like one.  They are more focused and grinding on both ends.  And now they've won back-to-back road games against top-level NEWMAC competition.  Now 7-1 in the NEWMAC, tied with WPI.  Next up @Wheaton who went to the wire with WPI and better not be taken for granted.

Video replay:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT_8parx8nw

Next Sat. facing WPI @ Staake.

[BaboNation]

Babson takes care of business @ Wheaton by 10.  Alex Carlisle played in this one after missing the game @ Babson.  It was good to see that for the most part the team didn't develop bad habits and was locked in defensively.  The 2nd half was a little shaky at times, but they were subbing liberally with a fairly safe lead.  Strong games for Dorney 16/15, Bradanese 19, and Kirkpatrick 13, all playing under 30 minutes.  Carlisle had a very quiet night (8), well off his 26 average.

Elsewhere WPI demolished Emerson at home, setting up a Saturday matchup @ Staake Gym with both teams coming in at 8-1 in league play.  Lowther is fully back for WPI.  I expect Babson to put up a far better showing in the rematch now that they've tightened the rotation and players have gotten more familiar playing with each other.  Both teams could really use the 'W';  WPI to solidify their chances for hosting NCAA games;  Babson to get safely within the tournament bubble.

MIT beat Springfield in a battle which may determine the 5th, and final playoff berth.  Daryl Costa has missed the last couple of games for Springfield, which hurts their chances.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The Hoopsville Marathon is here!



The show is hitting the air at 12:00 PM ET and going for at least NINE hours for the 8th Annual Hoopsville Marathon Show.

Show link: www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2021-22/marathon

This year's show featured coaches, administrators, student-athletes, and many others around Division III who gave us a sense of the season to date and what is to come. There is only a month or so left in the regular season, so there was plenty to talk about.

The marathon is also a chance to celebrate the final month of the Division III basketball regular season.

Guests include (in order of appearance, subject to change):

• Conner Delaney, Johns Hopkins men's senior
• Frank Marcinek, Susquehanna men's coach
• Dan Krikorian, Chapman men's coach and Co-Host of "Slappin' Glass" podcast
• Minority Coaches Panel:
  
• • Larry Anderson (MIT men's coach)
  • Kam Gissendanner (La Roche women's coach)
  • Jason Harris (UMass-Boston men's coach)
  • Gary Stewart (Stevenson men's coach)
• Gary Stewart, Stevenson men's coach and NABC Board member
• National Committee Chairs:
  
• • Michael Schauer, Wheaton men's coach and men's committee chair
  • Megan Wilson, Luther Associate AD and women's committee chair
• Dan Kenny, John Jay men's sophomore and volunteer firefighter
• Jina DeRubbo, Washington & Jefferson women's coach
• Cameron Hill, Trinity (Texas) women's coach
• Stephen Gabel, Nazareth men's senior
• State of DIII with Louise McCleary, Interim Vice President for Division III
• Jim Haney, Division III Men's Officiating Coordinator
• Fred Roggin, NBC4 LA Sports Anchor and AM570 LA Sports Host
• Top 25 Women's Double-Take with Gordon Mann and Scott Peterson
• "Happy Hour" with friends of Hoopsville and D3 basketball

[BaboNation]

WPI does it again, blowing out Babson @ Babson by 19.

Just when I thought Babson was ready to give the Engineers a game they ran into a team that was firing on all cylinders.  This is a tough matchup for Babson because Adams (16/14) & Lowther (26/9) are so physically strong.  When they set up on the low block and they get the ball it's a mismatch.  Unfortunately, Babson does not have the physical makeup to deny them position or alter their shots and Babson has been unable to deny the entry pass.
It was still a game for about 10 minutes, but WPI was shooting lights out in this one.  At halftime WPI had these gaudy stats:  60% FG pct; 6/9 3-pt; 7/7 FT;  compounded by 13 points off TOs.
A microcosm of the 1st half had Babson holding for the last shot, down 15.  Kirkpatrick turned the ball over, resulting in a layup, FT, and 18-point deficit.

Other than Amado (17/10)  and Dorney (17), the rest of the team had rough games.  Kirkpatrick has been key to the team turning around since coming back full time, but he was uncharacteristically off his game.

So, a lot of hard work went into climbing back into the NEWMAC race and NCAA contention, but this is a huge setback.  Sitting at 15-6, even winning out of the regular season and getting to the NEWMAC championship may not be enough, particularly if they get blitzed by WPI again.

[BaboNation]

Good to see Babson suffered no ill effects after Saturday's loss to WPI.

Tonight's crushing of Springfield on the road (96-71) keeps hope alive for a tournament berth, but there's a lot more work to do.

This was the 4th straight road win after struggling away from home early in the season.  Coach Brennan was able to empty the bench with 5 minutes left and up by 30.

Kirsch had another strong all-around game with 16 points, 7 assists, and no turnovers,  He leads the NEWMAC in A/TO at 4.7 in conference games.
Dorney had another double-double with 21/10.
Gao had a nice, meaningful 14 minutes.  He's been largely out of the rotation, but if he can contribute down the stretch, that would be a big help.  He's got more quickness than the other rotational small forwards.  With Clark's quick, shifty lineup coming to Staake on Saturday he could be a factor.

Elsewhere around the NEWMAC, all the top teams won.  Barring something unforeseen WPI will be #1 seed, Babson #2, Emerson #3, and Clark and MIT will play the 4-5 game in the NEWMAC tournament.

[BaboNation]

Another thumping, this time Babson over Clark in the final home game of the season.  It got up to 34 before Coach Brennan started to empty the bench.

Dorney with another strong game 17/11 and Kirsch finished with 8 assists that should have been at least 10 if not for some easy baskets that were rushed off beautiful feeds.

This time Babson clearly was better prepared for the full court press that really didn't bear any fruit.  Just 8 turnovers in all, some at the end, and a stellar team A/TO of 23/8.

Looks like Clark will lock up the 4 seed as MIT went down @ Wheaton.  WPI-Babson-Emerson-Clark-MIT for the NEWMAC tournament.

Babson, now 17-6 finishes the regular season on the road at Coast Guard and MIT.

[BaboNation]

WPI blows out Coast Guard @ home, but Lowther got injured again (oddly, against Coast Guard again) and played only the first 2 minutes.  Once again it was in rebounding action.  Looked like a leg injury.  May have stepped on a foot, but almost looked like non-contact).

Video: (@ 17:58 of 1st half)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxHo61Jbju4

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 2 Regional Rankings - which are ranked now: https://d3hoops.com/notables/2022/02/men-regional-rankings-first