MBB: NEWMAC

[mass_d3fan]

WPI89 - Did you attend the Trinty-WPI game?  I know you got to the the game in Danbury, I was hoping you may ave gotten to Hartford as well and could offer some insight on the game.

Hugenerd,

what are your thoughts on the upcoming WPI-MIT game on Wednesday?

[Hugenerd]

Hugenerd,

what are your thoughts on the upcoming WPI-MIT game on Wednesday?

Its going to be tough for MIT, they need to find their identity offensively and they are playing a deep and experienced opponent in WPI.  The two best performers from the WPI matchups from last season (both of which were won by MIT), will not be in uniform due to season ending injuries (Burke and Hollingsworth), so they are really going to need to have some players step up.  MIT also needs to raise their level defensively, something they did not do in the two losses last week.  I think the matchup of Tashman vs. Carr will be a good one to watch, as those two are probably the top two (healthy) big men in the conference right now.

I think WPI is a legit at-large NCAA team right now, so I think MIT will really have to play well to compete on the road.

[WPI89]

Massd3 - I did not go up to Hartford - thought about it but couldn't talk my daughter into going with me.

Trinity has been playing better as of late - so could turn out to be a decent win.

It's almost like the BCS now.  If WPI has any chance for an at large bid - they need teams like Trinity, RIC, Curry, Lassel etc.......... to win some games in their league.

I am not sure this WPI team knows their identity yet either - funny for a fairly experienced team.  Bartley doesn't seem to have a predictable sub pattern.  They are too easily influenced in style of game by their opponents.  Pretty big statement game tomorrow - with MIT's woes - will WPI step up and declare themselve the NEWMAC team to beat?

[mass_d3fan]

First off,  Congrats to WPI's Matt Carr for being named the NEWMAC player of the Week.

WPI89,

  Thanks for the reply. You mean you could not convince your daughter that a Saturday afternoon with Dad at a college basketball game in Hartford would be the highlight of her week?

I do agree with you that it has been very confusing watching the lineup changes and substitution patterns this year.  I don't think anyone would have thought you would take a pre-season All-American and cut back his minutes from 31 per game to 25 and not start him in 3 games out of 14.  A number of the key players are getting less time on the court than in the past and I think this is what has led to a these very slow and out of sync starts in most of their games lately.

On another note, since you have seen them play too, I was curious if you had noticed something I have in the games I have seen so far this year. It is in regards to the Engineers offense. What is your opinion of how they use of screens to get guys open and their effectiveness with the pick & roll?

[mass_d3fan]

WPI returns to the top 25 at #23.  MIT's tough week sees them fall to ORV:#32.

[WPI89]

M-D3

Not really qualified to comment based on my one live game at West Conn and extended highlights at Harvard but I will say - Robinson and Carr worked 2 pick and rolls to perfection in the early part of the game in Danbury before the Westconn guards took WPI completely out of any semblance of an offense with their quickness.

Despite my latest posted comments - I am a Bartley fan - I think they do play disciplined on both sides of the ball for the most part - they certainly play hard.....I just can't put my finger on their identity.  Haven't seen them press, they are not overly quick (although I am comparing them to the only other D3 teams that I have seen live this year - Westconn and Albertus Magnus - maybe the 2 quickest teams in the Northeast).

With the development of Carr - I think they need to stay dedicated to pounding the ball inside.  Getting the offense started closer to the basket (maybe through better cuts, screens, pick and roll etc as you suggest).  Poiund it in and score or kick it out.  Nothing ground breaking - kind of basketball 101 but I do think Carr gives them a presence inside that I did not know they had.

ps - funny line about my daughter and yes you nailed it.  Hartford and WPI hoops were not top of list.

[mass_d3fan]

WPI89

Thanks your input.  I brought it up because I had been noticing this year that WPI does not seems to make tight cuts off their screens.  Too many times they are leaving space for the defender to slide by.  

I am glad to hear they worked some pick & rolls well at West. Conn.  I have seen a lot of those plays missed due to the ball handler not looking at the screener when he rolls.

I have not seen them use any presses this year either.  From what I have heard about West. Conn., they have an extremely quick group of guards.  I am not sure that anyone in the NEWMAC has that kind of speed.  

I agree with you about Bartley.  He has done an amazing job at WPI and continues to reload the team with quality D3 players.  I think they are one of three teams including Wooster and someone else to register 20 win seasons in each of the past 7 years. Quite a feat for an engineering school.  From what I understand the program was a disaster when he arrived. That is something most of the top teams in the country did not do.  He does seem to be struggling this year in letting the team 'discover' itself.  I'm not sure if he is trying to gain experience for next year or what the reasons are.  It just doesn't seem to fit the pattern of the past years.

One thing is certain, they can't continue to have these slow starts.  MIT has already had one of those losses you dont want if your looking to be the top team in the conference and WPI will slip and lose one as well if they continue the current trend.

Big question is whether or not the games get played tomorrow given the forecast.
Springfield at Wheaton has already been postponed to Thursday.

Next time, you should tell your daughter you will take her to one of the malls and let her shop.   Or maybe not...LOL

[magicman]

The game between MIT and WPI in Worcester on Wed. the 12th has been postponed to Thursday Jan. 13th at 7 PM.

[Hugenerd]

The game between MIT and WPI in Worcester on Wed. the 12th has been postponed to Thursday Jan. 13th at 7 PM.

They're expecting 18 inches tonight! (I hope MIT preschool is open)

[mass_d3fan]

Went over to Clark earlier tonight and witnessed Clark defeat Tufts in a very poorly played game.  I had guessed that there had to 50 turnovers in this one, and that was confirmed when I saw the box score (Tufts-30, Clark-21).  The good news for Clark is they won the game, bad news is that they got out rebounded 37-22 and showed they are very vulnerable down low.

Brian Vayda led the Cougars with 13, but committed 6 TOs.  Also in double figures were Tucker Esborn(12) and DJ Bailey(11pts/5blks). Mitch Renshaw posted 8 points and a team-high 5 rebounds.

Everyone here in New England stay safe and ride out the storm!

[jhawk]

 

Good win for Bbason

They are improving
Babson wins without PG McDermott . Stats show he has only played 7 of 13 games .
Is Marcus injured any report on his return .

[mass_d3fan]

I started writing this after the game, but my neighbor had a limb fall on his garage, so after some late fun with a chain saw, I can get this posted.

I went over to WPI this evening and watched the battle of the Engineers go to WPI with a 68-53 win over MIT tonight.  Matt Carr(15),  Jeff Robinson (13) and Kyle Nadaeu(11) and Fernando Perez(9) led the scoring  for WPI.  Mitch Kates(15), Jamie Karraker(10), Tim Donegan(10) and Will Tashman(9) led the way for MIT.  Carr & Tashman shared game high honors with 7 boards.

This one was dominated by Carr early as he lit up the MIT defense for 8 early points before getting a couple of quick fouls halfway through the period.  He sat the final 10+ minutes.  WPI open up the lead to 11 twice, the first time MIT battled back to get it to 5 on buckets from Kates, McQue, Karraker & Donegan.  Perez, Shannon, Nadaeu & Robinson scored to build it back to 11 before a Donegan hoop got the game to a 30-21 halftime score.  Tashman committed his 2nd foul with under a minute in the first half, so both big guys started the 2ns half with 2..

The second half started off just like the first, Carr put a nice spin move on Tashman drawing his 3rd and upping the lead to 11.  Next, a Ben Etten offensive board and assist led to a Nadeau 3 pointer.  Following the 3rd straight MIT turnover, Carr found Nadeau in the corner for another 3 and the lead was 17points, 2 minutes into the 2nd half.  MIT cut the lead to 14 a couple of times, but most of the second half was played with WPI having a very comfortable lead.  MIT did cut it to 13 with just under 2 minutes to go, but got no closer.

WPI won the rebounding battle 34 to 26, but the big difference was on the offensive glass where Carr had as many boards(5) as the entire MIT team and Ben Etten had 4.  WPI  as a team had 15 offensive boards that led to 14 to 3 advantage in 2nd chance points. The other big advantages WPI enjoyed were in points off turnovers, 29-11 and points in the paint, 37-18.

Two unsung heroes tonight for WPI – Joe Wesloski & Jameel Galloway combined to play 29 minutes of very good defense especially when Carr was sitting.

Also another strange lineup tonight for WPI as Jeff Robinson did not start again.  He came of the bench and struggled shooting going 5 for 17 and missed 2 of 3 free throws after shooting 96% from the line in the first 14 games.  I am not sure what the reason is that he is not starting now, but one thing is certain, it is affecting his performance.  Also Jerome Stewart was in street clothes.  No visible signs of injury, so not sure if he was just under the weather or what the issue maybe as he has not played in the last two games.

There were 5 players in warm-ups on the end of the MIT bench tonight,   Obviously Hollinsworth & Burke, but Attanasio, Sather & Watkins did not look like they were there toplay.  To top  that off, MIT has bus issues and the game started 30 minutes late.

[WPI89]

Thanks for all the detail M-D3.  Sounds like quite an eventful post storm evening - buses and trees etc.......

Gotta wonder if Robinson is in the dog house or if Bartley is trying for the 6th man type spark?  Can't think of any other reasons.

[mass_d3fan]

WPI89,

   Thanks, it was more eventful than I needed!  Fortunately, there was no major damage to my neighbor's garage.  Just a few shingles on the eaves and a few small dents & scratches on the main door.  We needed to cut it up so he could at least get his car out of the garage this morning.

   The game had some real excitement in the air as most people knew this was a big game for both teams in the conference positioning and well as their standing on the national scene.

   WPI has to keep its focus and avoid a letdown tomorrow at Coast Guard.  I believe the game audio is being broadcast on the net.

   Another thing I did notice was that Clark head coach Paul Phillips was in the upper seats scouting as they play MIT in Cambridge tomorrow & host WPI on Tuesday.

I am not sure what the situation is with Robinson not starting, but he is 18 for 50 (36%) in the games he did not start.  As a starter, he was 59 for 130 (45%).  He still playing the same number of minutes, but coming off the bench is having a real effect, and it is not a good one.

[WPI89]

Nerd - where are you.  I know the injuries have taken all your steam away but we'd like to hear your thoughts.............