MBB: NEWMAC

[Hugenerd]

MIT did struggle a bit in their opener, although they were able to build a 15 point lead in the second half before a late Curry flurry accounted for the final score. I hope they play, and shoot, better tomorrow at home. I didn't see the game, but I'm curious if Hollingsworth's 8 offensive boards were all off his 8 missed shots (11-19)?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

MIT did struggle a bit in their opener...

They get to play Gordon tomorrow, who has no seniors, only one guy with any real experience and who only scored 38 points in their opener (at home) against St. Joe's of Vermont.

[WPI89]

WPI puts a hurting on Husson.  Boy was I wrong - thought WPI would really struggle with their first 2 games.  I know winning breeds winning but I am starting to think Bartley can sell ice to Eskimos.  He is not really leaving Mass with his recruiting efforts but he seems to reload every few years as needed.  Serious contributions from multiple freshman! Not sure I will ever be convinced that he is a top tier bench coach but he seems to be a great motivator and a terrific talent evaluator.

Trying not to get too exited but all signs point to Husson being at least decent - I was pleasantly surprised by the win and stunned by the score.  Internet issues at home prevented me from watching the video so just going on box and recap.

Mass3 - you watch - any comments?

[amh63]

Saw the first half on-line.  Surprised to see the "blow-out" final score.  Was watching to get my eyes adjusted to watching college BB again while awaiting the start of Amherst's first game this Friday.  Anyway, here is my two cents on the first half.  WPi seems to have a solid team that wants to pass the ball around....mostly on the outside at this time.  WPI's big man Carr has a good inside game and rebounds well. Most of the offense was generated by outside shots....several good shooters who are not afraid to take 3's.  Husson, on the other hand, was bigger inside, and was sloppy with the ball.  Seems their first 3-4 possessions ended up with a turnover....leading to WPI'S 8-12 point lead for most of the first half.  Husson.s bigger players are not very good around the basket.  Husson did cut the lead down to about 6, but WPI built the lead back up as the first half ended.  Alot of subsitution by WPI in the first half.  WPI may need to develop an inside game to use.  Didn't have enough time to determine the defensive play of either team.

[WPI89]

Thanks

[Hugenerd]

Big win for Springfield tonight over ODAC squad EMU.  EMU received votes in the preseason poll.

[mass_d3fan]

WPI89 & amh63

Yes, I did attend the game.  I will say I was expecting a much closer game.  WPI played good on the defensive end.  Husson looked very rusty and out of sync. Carr led the way with 15 pts & 10 boards and Ryan Kolb gave the team a big boost off the bench with 8 points and 8 rebs.  Jameel Galloway got a start and played well. The young guards, Coppola & Longwell both hit in double-digits with 10 & 13 respectively.

Offensively though, I hope what I saw is not a sign of things to come for the Engineers.  They got Zaharchuk, Husson's 6-10 center, into foul trouble early, but never really pounded the ball inside after that.  As you know, I completely believe a consistent outside game develops as a consequence of establishing your inside game.  WPI opened up a lead, but then let Husson back into the game.  This was at a time with Zaharchuk on the bench and Carr had a big advantage down low.  The Engineers did not do a good job of exploiting that advantage, and a 13 point lead got shaved down to 4.  Just as an example, I would point to MIT's first game, how many FGA's did Hollingsworth have? – 19.  How many other touches do we think he had? – a lot I'm sure.  On one of WPI's first possessions, Carr dished it out from the post and Coppola drained a 3.  I think that kind of ball movement works better then just perimeter shell passing than amh63 is referring to.  I am hopeful this was just a first game thing and they will need their big guy to get the ball much more if they expect to compete with the top teams in the region.

I believe they can find a good balance between their inside game and outside shooting.  It gets really dangerous to get caught up in basing your offense on bombing away from the outside.  We saw that last year after they had that hot game at Wheaton from beyond the arc.

HN

Yes, a good win for Springfield and Coburn did play.  MIT & WPI better not look past the Pride.  By the time conference play comes along, they will be very battle tested with the schedule they have.

[mass_d3fan]

Good Evening fellow posters

Good Weekend for the NEWMAC.

Babson wins the 2011 Courtyard by Marriott Tip-Off Championship beating RWU by 20.
Tournament MVP Marcus McDermott put up 13 pts,6 rebs, 3 assts
Matt Florio posted 8 pts and also made the all-tournament team.
The Beavers are now 4-0.

Springfield wins the Marymount Invitational over Marymount, 63-45
Alex Berthiume was the tournament MVP with 17pts & 4 rebs.
Ryan Coburn was also named to the all-tournament team.
Springfield is now 3-0.

MIT (3-0) - 104, RPI 75

Hollinsworth - 28 pts, 15 rebs
Tashman - 23pts, 10 rebs
Bender- 24 pts, 5 assts
Kates - 6 pts, 9 assts

WPI (2-0) - 100, Castleton 81

Carr-20 pts,11 rebs,3 assts
Coppola-18 pts, 6 assts
Kolb-9 pts,9 rebs
Longwell-11 pts
Brown-4 pts, 7 assts

coast Guard won 2 games at the 20th Annual Equinox Classic.
Greg Marshall & David Anderson were named to the all-turnament team
Marshall had 28 pts in CGA's win on Friday, anderson posted 16 pts and 8 rebs on S
Ricky Rodriguez put up 20 off the bench to key the win on saturday.
The Bears are now 2-1.

Wheaton (2-1) - 61, Wheelock - 59
Brendan Degnan - 18 pts, 5 rebs
Brian Grossman, Cliften Desravines, & Shawn Daily each had 8 pts

Clark lost the title of the Hamilton Tip-Off Tournament to the hosts, 60-58.
Brian vayda(24pts) and Tucker Esborn (19pts/7rebs) were named to the all-tournament team
The Cougars are now 1-2.

[WPI89]

Thanks for the great summary MASSD3!

[mass_d3fan]

Congrats to Noel Hollingsworth for being named NEWMAC Player of the week for this first week of the season.

[Hugenerd]

Undefeated night for NEWMAC tonight, with all teams in action. The league is a combined 24-4 so far this year (about 1/3 of the way into the non conference schedule), with 4 of 7 teams still undefeated, 2 with only one loss, and no teams under .500.

[WPI89]

Wow - will make for quite the conference season!

[WPI89]

Looking froward to WPI-Salem State to finish up the Holiday weekend on Sunday.  Salem State seems to be really solid.  On paper they seem more well rounded - they aren't playing up in the low hundreds like some of their teams in the past and have some decent wins already this year.  They already have a win at Williams.  Williams is banged up beyond comprehension early - but a win at Williams is a great win even if they aren't playing their usual starters.

[WPI89]

Does anyone know when the first "in-season" top 25 comes out?

[Pat Coleman]

Next Monday. (Sometimes the first one might be late because of the holiday, but we aim for Monday night.)