MBB: NEWMAC

BBallers · February 28, 2011, 09:22:53 AM

In the WPI/MIT game, Tashman played great defense, but I agree that WPI should have gone to Carr more often. Here's hoping his ankle improves before the first round of the NCAA's. It would be great for the NEWMAC if both teams went far in the playoffs.

I believe the referees were about as good as I have seen this season, i.e., they were consistent in their calls. This made the tournament that much better. MIT's defense has been getting better in the later part of the season in both man and zone, but especially the zone. WPI had a very poor shooting percentage that makes the point about Carr even more compelling. MIT had way too many turnovers and the WPI points on turnovers were significant. MIT usually plays good defense against Robinson, who is a great player and I hope he has a great NCAA showing. I am glad that 2 NEWMAC teams are in the NCAA games again and looking forward to seeing the brackets.

Hugenerd · February 28, 2011, 09:30:25 AM

I personally felt that they were better off playing someone healthy than utilizing Carr the way they did. He was completely ineffective and I am sure his ankle swelled up a ton after the game.

It would have been nice if they had named Tashman and Kates Co-MVPs, they both deserved it. Tashman has really improved offensively this season. Next year they will have a dominant tandem with him and Hollingsworth.

Hopefully they continue to play well and make some noise this post-season also.

WPI89 · February 28, 2011, 09:41:28 AM

WPI does not deserve it but here is to the D3hoops bracket being right on!

mass_d3fan · February 28, 2011, 11:05:55 AM

Not sure I would say he was completely ineffective, diminshed some absolutely. He did not play badly on the defensive end and was open a lot underneath. I would agree with you on completely ineffective if he had handled the ball as much as he had been all year and shot say 2 for 12. He hit a baseline jumper (over Tashman I think) with around 5 minutes to go in the game to make it 48-42 (WPI did not score again until 1:30 to go) and was not favoring the ankle at all on that play. There were times you could tell he was feeling it. No surprise there. Just can't understand why you bother to play him with out really finding out how much he could give you down low.

I tend to agree with you though, I think they would have been better sitting him and letting him have the benefit of time to recover for this weekend. Also, as I said, they made no effort to utilze Wesoloski either. He should have come into the title game feeling very confident after his best collegiate game on Saturday. Tashman played very well, but WPI never really made him have to defend anyone inside with the ball.

Your point about next year is another reason for my earlier comments. One can expect that Carr will have a very good senior year, but WPI will need more than him to beat MIT. In the two earlier meetings this year, the Tashman/Carr matchup was a close one.

Carr ------ 27 pts, 11 rebs, 2 assts, 4 TOs, 1 blk, 6 stls
Tashman- 19 pts, 13 rebs, 3 assts, 8 TOs, 1 blk, 1 stls

The way Carr was playing on Sat. before the injury, we could have expected a great battle in this 3rd matchup. Personally I was looking forward to seeing that, but that is just an old-school inside guy's view of the game...LOL.

Next year Carr will most likely have to matchup on Hollinsworth and Wesoloski (best guess at this time) on Tashman. Even if WPI manages to basically make these matchups a wash (which would be the best of outcomes in my opinion), WPI has no one capable of matching up with Kates and the other MIT back court players and perimeter shooters.

Anyway, lets hope both teams play well and make a run starting this weekend.

Hugenerd · February 28, 2011, 11:36:37 AM

MIT will also get Jimmy Burke back next year, who you may remember as the guy who put away WPI at the end of both games last year (the first game was a blow out, but WPI made a late run to cut it to 11, which was ended by three consecutive posessions in which Burke scored a combined 8 points; In game 2, at WPI, he scored 9 of his 15 points in about the last 10 minutes to help close out the game). He is another guy (in addition to Kates) who has a good handle and can create his own shot, in addition to shooting close to 50% from 3 when he is healthy.

mass_d3fan · February 28, 2011, 11:52:12 AM

HN

Yes, I do remember. Right now I am not sure what WPI will look like. Certainly Shannon will get the most minutes at point. He has improved this year, but tends to get a lot of fouls. It will be interesting to see who moves into Robinson & Etten's roles. I just do not see where they have anyone capable of matching up with the personel MIT will have. I have not heard anything about recruits at WPI so I am not sure if they have anything coming that can jump in in a similar fashion to Kates & Tashman last year.

WPI89 · February 28, 2011, 01:17:51 PM

WPI is in and will host! Waiting on MIT's matchup. Break it down fellas.

WPI89 · February 28, 2011, 01:23:24 PM

MIT at Ithica - bummer they have to play on someone's homecourt. Look forward to your Ithaca breakdown, Nerd!

They sure made Westconn sweat!

Hugenerd · February 28, 2011, 03:43:29 PM

Quote from: newmacbball on February 28, 2011, 02:31:37 PM
#3 from WPI did a good job on Kates all three games, I wouldnt say they dont have anyone to match up with him.

He is talking about next year, Robinson, Nadeau, Etten, and Stock are all seniors and wont be around. They also did a good job on him by doubling in most situations (not to mention holding him, #3).

WPI89 · February 28, 2011, 03:55:04 PM

Easy HN - you won - you can be a little more gracious - you are starting to sound like Jabnike.........where did he go anyway?

I do look forward to your Ithaca breakdown - their record at least does not seem too imposing?

Bridgewater has been up and down - lots of NEWMAC matchups to look at. If Carr is healthy, WPI needs to win......no more paper tiger.

leelowlang · February 28, 2011, 04:18:19 PM

Bridgewater is a very dangerous matchup for WPI I feel. Seniors that have been through the grind in Motta and Jackson; really like those two. Experience getting it done two years ago at Middlebury, the poor taste in last year's 'upset' to Farmington, and they are probably playing their best of ball of the year now.

WPI's Carr is banged up? Nature of the injury?

WPI89 · February 28, 2011, 05:19:40 PM

Ankle - hurt himself in the NEWMAC semi against CG. Depending upon who you talk to, the severity differs. He did play a mostly ineffective 25 minutes against MIT.

I am sure MassD3 or the Nerd will fill you in with more detail.

Hugenerd · February 28, 2011, 06:10:54 PM

Quote from: WPI89 on February 28, 2011, 03:55:04 PM
Easy HN - you won - you can be a little more gracious - you are starting to sound like Jabnike.........where did he go anyway?

I do look forward to your Ithaca breakdown - their record at least does not seem too imposing?

Bridgewater has been up and down - lots of NEWMAC matchups to look at. If Carr is healthy, WPI needs to win......no more paper tiger.

If you look at that posters email address, I think my post will make more sense. I was joking around with my comment in parentheses, it was based on who I thought was making the comment.

atn alum · February 28, 2011, 07:21:04 PM

For what it's worth, my favorite observation from championship weekend was the MIT kid reading aloud from a neuroscience textbook whenever a kid from Springfield went to the free throw line.

"The cerebral cortex is located ... The cerebellum is...."

Thought it was hillarious. Applaud the creativity. Bring that with you to Ithaca this weekend.

Good luck to both WPI and MIT.

mass_d3fan · February 28, 2011, 07:32:35 PM

LOL, I loved it. It is so much better than the usual "distraction" techniques. Certainly better than Spike Lee in the front row running his mouth!

Big time Style Points for creativiy! LOL