MBB: NEWMAC

WPI89 · November 30, 2024, 05:54:01 PM

WPI handles Tufts. Maybe best/most important win since their tourney run! 7-0.

stlawus · November 30, 2024, 06:58:39 PM

WPI's a very impressive team. I've had my eye on the program since SLU alum Riley Naclerio became an assistant coach. Team is playing so well that he might end up with a HC job soon.

BaboNation · November 30, 2024, 07:52:49 PM

Now that was really impressive.

On paper WPI had no business going into Tufts gym and playing that well. The matchups (particularly Bernstein and Gyimesi) didn't look favorable.

But no team in the NEWMAC is more fundamentally sound year after year than WPI (he said grudgingly). Hounding defensive, without fouling; limiting the opposition to 1 shot; don't turn the ball over; force turnovers; solid point guard play, etc. etc.
All credit to coach Bartley. And these guys all hit the gym.

My eyes saw a Tufts team that was unprepared to face a zone defense when it was used, and never really fully adjusted. Looked like Bernstein was very frustrated. WPI has always had size inside, but this year's team has more quickness and the double and triple teams down low came quick and caused havoc.

The guards on WPI looked quicker all game. They can all put the ball on the floor and are good spot up shooters. Callahan (like others) was giving the same up-fake on the perimeter and getting into the lane consistently. Grad xfer Margetson is a perfect fit to their system. Tim Reidy has come out of nowhere in his senior season.
Bledsoe has unlimited range it seems. And junior JR Newman hasn't played yet this season.

This WPI team has been transformed from the offensive style of the last 10 years or so. Gone (mostly) is the guy on the low block working back to the basket. This team will shoot more 3's (by far I think) than the others. And with Morelli playing the 5, but capable at the arc it opens the floor for cuts and other options.

Things might be different in a tournament rematch, but tonight was a signature win. Now I just want WPI to get past Salve Regina so that they come to Babson Park next Saturday undefeated.

WPI89 · November 30, 2024, 09:28:51 PM

Great stuff Babo. Thanks for posting over the NEWMAC thread ST Lawrence!

WPI89 · November 30, 2024, 09:32:07 PM

Posted too quickly. Was going to complement Coach Riley. I have a connection at Dickinson that spoke very highly of him from his brief stop at Gettysburg.

Greek Tragedy · December 01, 2024, 06:59:05 AM

Great early season win by the Engineers. Hopefully, for them, this will translate into postseason success. One can't forget, despite two regular season titles, there was no NCAA tournament bid the last two years because of conference tournament losses. Obviously beating a team like Tufts on the road will help their strength of schedule.

WPI89 · December 07, 2024, 08:55:56 PM

Didn't see today babbo. Seemed Comfy for the home team. Any report?

deiscanton · December 20, 2024, 08:19:23 AM

It looks like the US Government is going to shut down starting tonight.

How is this going to affect Coast Guard basketball? In the past, the Coast Guard teams were not allowed to play during a shutdown.

The Coast Guard men are supposed to play today and tomorrow at the Cruzin Classic, of which I believe that the games are being streamed on the Sun Digital Network at no charge. Coast Guard's first game is scheduled at 2 PM today vs Ursinus, and they are supposed to play tomorrow, but the shutdown takes effect at midnight tonight.

My brother, who works as an attorney for the IRS in Washington, DC, is scheduled to be on unpaid furlough during the shutdown. He just texted me telling me not to worry about my finances. I told him that I would inform him if the shutdown does start affecting my finances. I am not worried about my eldest niece, who is a first year student at Wash U--- I think that she will be fine.

I will check up on the Cruzin Classic game at 2 PM by video stream to see what I can find out. I do not believe that there is a charge to watch the Cruzin Classic games.

Update-- 4:25 PM Eastern-- Based on my brother's experience with past government shutdowns, I believe that if the government shutdown does indeed start at 12:01 AM Eastern tomorrow, the Coast Guard men's basketball team will still be allowed to play their Saturday game at 6 PM Eastern in Florida, although the coach does not get paid. On Monday morning, both the Coast Guard men's and women's basketball coaches would have to come into their offices in New London, CT on a partial unpaid day for the sole purpose of formally closing down their offices, shutting down their computers, and turning in their work keys. After noon on Monday, the coaches would be on unpaid furlough for the remainder of the shutdown, and the Coast Guard basketball teams would not be allowed to formally do team practices or play in games. That is based on what I saw during the 35 day shutdown in 2019. Back pay from the furlough would probably come through after the shutdown ends, although that is not guaranteed.

deiscanton · December 20, 2024, 07:12:33 PM

At 7 PM Eastern, maybe Congress will be able to save the day for the Coast Guard basketball teams after all. If so, it will be a relief, and I can write about D3 Sports once again.

Today, Ursinus defeated Coast Guard, 73-71. Coast Guard is scheduled to play tomorrow vs Roanoke at St Thomas U in less than 24 hours-- at 6 PM Eastern tomorrow in the last game of the day in the Cruzin Classic. Roanoke defeated Montclair State today in their game, 93-73.

deiscanton · December 21, 2024, 06:23:54 PM

Well, the new continuing resolution has been signed into law.

Coast Guard vs Roanoke is tipping off shortly, although it would have been played tonight even if Congress did not pass a new CR in time, since the Coast Guard men's basketball team paid for the trip to Florida, planned this trip well in advance, and raised 100% private money to fund their costs to participate in this tournament. In addition, the Cruzin Classic is run entirely by a private company, so there would be no violations of the Anti deficiency Act in the participation of Coast Guard in this tournament.

Since I last posted, I was able to find the current shutdown contigency plans of the Department of Defense, and I learned that even though sports at Coast Guard are not considered essential or excepted activities, they would be allowed to continue so long as no federal funds are spent in the running of the athletic department or in support of the athletic teams.

The remainder of life at the Coast Guard Academy would have been drastically affected starting Monday morning,however. In the case of the Coast Guard athletic department, it would continue during the shutdown, but only for the purposes of supporting the current season's athletic teams. I believe that off season coaches would be furloughed for the duration of the shutdown.

I looked at the 2013 Coast Guard men's soccer season and the 2019 Coast Guard basketball team seasons, and it looked like games were played on time during these shutdowns entirely with 100% private money.

I recall that in 2013, the Pentagon had temporarily ordered all athletic programs at the service academies shut down for the few days of the October government shutdown, but outcry from fans of the Navy, Army, and Air Force football teams encouraged the Department of Defense, in consultation with their lawyers, to reverse these plans, and create a contigency plan for how to operate the sports teams in the event of a lapse in appropriations.

I also believe that similar plans exist on how to provide for the continued operation of the sports teams at the US Merchant Marine Academy in the event of a government shutdown as well.

deiscanton · December 21, 2024, 07:12:57 PM

At halftime, down in the 305, it is Roanoke 38, Coast Guard 20.

deiscanton · December 21, 2024, 08:01:13 PM

Final from St Thomas U in the 305--

Roanoke 81, Coast Guard 57

With that, the 2024 Trip Sports Inc Cruzin Classic has come to a close.

WPI89 · December 27, 2024, 07:38:03 AM

^ fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

WPI89 · December 30, 2024, 09:50:04 PM

So much for my trip to Hartford tomorrow!

deiscanton · December 31, 2024, 12:20:04 PM

It looks like WPI is playing better today vs Geneseo right now than they did in the loss vs Suffolk last night. WPI89, you made the smart move by not going down to Hartford today. Save your money for later in the season. It is better watching this third place game on the live NSN stream.

On another note, I am planning to subscribe to FloCollege starting on Thursday for the remainder of the college basketball season until the conclusion of the softball Spring Games. With the NEWMAC, NE10, and Coastal Athletic Association on the package, I really think that it is becoming a necessity for those D3Hoops fans in the Boston area to invest in the service for a few months a year.
(Northeastern, Bentley, and the NEWMAC teams all on the package.)

I previously subscribed to FloSports on the old CAA conference package for a few months in the past. I paid $14.99 a month for the service then. FloCollege's current rate is $5 a month more expensive, but considering the travel costs that I would have to pay to watch NEWMAC teams in person, I find the monthly rate to be affordable and a better bargain. Your mileage may vary.

12:33 PM ET update-- WPI 53, Geneseo 28 at the half. I'll take a quick check of live stats when there is 5 minutes left in the ballgame, but I do not think that I will have to rejoin the stream to watch the last 5 minutes of this one today. However, if Geneseo has other ideas, I can always go back to NSN to join the game in progress.