MBB: NEWMAC

[WPI89]

Yes but Walzy still owes me 2.5 karma dollars.........I'll be back and yes, I would think it a virtual lock that if WPI gets in and wins a tourney game - they would be playing a NESCAC team in round 2 - hopefully in Harrington.

[BBallers]

Nice battle going on at WPI today with a 3 pt game at halftime.  The refs going with the 2 wrongs make a right style of reffing with back to back clean blocks by WPI & MIT that were both called fouls.  Other than that it's been well played by both sides.  MIT going 1-11 from 3 pt line in the 1st half, we'll see if they pick it up in the 2nd to pull off the upset.

You are correct that they called bad fouls both ways when it came to those clean blocks.  I believe there were other clean blocks that were also inappropriately whistled as fouls.  Speaking from MIT's perspective, the worst 3 calls came at the end of the game when it was close.  Near the end of the game when MIT was getting a little momentum, Redfield had an easy layup where the shorter defender hit his arm just above Redfield's elbow that Redfield missed badly with no whistle.  With a couple minutes left and a 4 point WPI lead, Paul Dawson had the ball (I forgot if it was after a turnover or rebound) and was bodied by WPI player to the point where he was being pushed backwards while dribbling and unable to use his speed for one of the few MIT fast break opportunities.  Not only did they not call the body foul (no-calls are okay if consistent), but then called a foul on Dawson for pushing off with his offhand.  The worst was with about a minute left in the game and I believe a 4 point WPI lead where Kates drove the lane and dished to a wide open Dawson for a corner three point shot.  Dawson missed off the back of the rim and MIT got the rebound and quickly scored a layup that the refs ruled was a shot clock violation.  IOW's, all 3 refs apparently did not see Dawson's shot hit the rim or were afraid to make the right call.  A great game could have been a better game with competent officials.  With that said, I believe WPI would have won this game even if the officials made the right calls.  WPI is balanced and physical and truly worthy of their high national ranking.  Their student fans really get into the game that adds to the excitement.  I will look forward to seeing the future games.

BBaller - I missed from 4:30 down to 2 minutes (video feed issues) - and perhaps this is when all these calls happened?  After the 2 minute mark - the game was never in doubt and varied from 7-10 point lead.  Kates (I think Kates) hit the 3 at the buzzer to change a 9 point lead to a 6 point lead.  I agree that this was truly anyone's game until 2 minutes though and I really look forward to the rematch in Cambridge.  Watched 38 minutes and never really thought about the refs - they let both sides play and stayed out of the way in my opinion.

Student section was great for an early Saturday contest.

I appreciate the clarifications as I was not watching the clock closely.  Maybe my times were off and I will have to ask my son who attended the game with me.  Those calls were probably made in the 3 minute to 2 minute range as you suggested.  The precise timing maybe wrong, but after those three calls that were close together, MIT was in a foul quickly and chuck (quick 3 point shots) mode until the final score.  The game was within 4 points late in the game when these fouls were called.  Kates hit a couple of 3's near the end of the game that included the buzzer beater three you mentioned to bring the final score down under double figures.  There were also several clean blocks that were called as fouls (going both ways) and often called by the officials that were out of position.

There was some decent defense played early on, but it really appeared that both teams were tight and missed shots.  What bodes well for WPI in the next game is that Capolla appeared to have an off-game in this matchup and WPI still won.  Maybe it was the WPI fans or the quality of both teams, but this had the feel of a NCAA tournament game and was very entertaining.  I expect the next game to be equally entertaining.

[WPI89]

Agree - despite the low percentage from the floor from both teams - I got the impression throughout that it was because of the defensive intensity both ways.  You put it perfectly - it felt like a tourney game.

Fun to think of these 2 teams slugging it out at the highest possible level!

Any update on MIT's walking wounded?

[amh63]

WPI89....posted on the "CAC" board that I will cover you if Walzy forgets.....do not expect he will.....see first half of my post.

[BBallers]

Agree - despite the low percentage from the floor from both teams - I got the impression throughout that it was because of the defensive intensity both ways.  You put it perfectly - it felt like a tourney game.

Fun to think of these 2 teams slugging it out at the highest possible level!

Any update on MIT's walking wounded?

Noel appeared to still be hobbling, so I would not try to guess when or if he will return.  His low post offense is surely missed.  Jamie mentioned earlier and I believe it was reported in the newspaper that he may return in January, so my guess is he will return at some point.  Dennis Levene would definitely help, but I'm unsure of his return.  I was glad to be able to watch Paul Dawson play, especially on defense with his speed and effort.  The NEWMAC has to be one of the strongest conferences and, hopefully, that will be given consideration with the NCAA selection committee when considering at-large bids.

[amh63]

WPI....good luck in the game tonight...though your team seems to win without luck. 
Still time to put your bet down for the BIG Amherst vs, Williams game tonight.  Oh yes, one can give a karma point only once in a 24 hour period...same for the other way.

[WPI89]

I am on it Amh63 - but not much confidence.  I figure it is a "free" 2-k's though - plus it is the first of what sohould be huge match-ups between Amherst/Williams/Middlebury - so I had to get in.

[WPI89]

19..............

[amh63]

You are to much of a "newbie" to have a shout-out by an Amherst student.  Another thing if your daughter gets to play for Amherst
Anyway....a Karma point is on the way from me.

[WPI89]

You are to much of a "newbie" to have a shout-out by an Amherst student.  Another thing if your daughter gets to play for Amherst
Anyway....a Karma point is on the way from me.

It is not me - it is just the "street cred" that comes from backing a 19-0 team! 

Going to have to end this Manti relationship and actually meet you at some point Amh63!  Would be WPI's worst nightmare but maybe Amherst loses a couple of times down the stretch and gets sent to Worcester for a potential second round match-up (million miles ahead of myself - but pre-game meal is on me and I will see you there)!

[WPI89]

PS - still a chance of daughter playing college hoops but Amherst likely a good bit above our expectations.

[WPI89]

WPI should move to either 5 or 4 in the top 25 tonight - crazy!  At Babson, Coast Guard at home this week.

[ronk]

 Here's a Washington Post Online story about future MIT player Tim Higgins-looks like he wanted to go to MIT all along, if accepted.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/recruiting-insider/post/paul-vis-tim-higgins-eager-to-focus-on-academics-basketball-at-mit/2013/01/25/aa803c66-6723-11e2-9e1b-07db1d2ccd5b_blog.html#   

[rlk]

Here's a Washington Post Online story about future MIT player Tim Higgins-looks like he wanted to go to MIT all along, if accepted.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/recruiting-insider/post/paul-vis-tim-higgins-eager-to-focus-on-academics-basketball-at-mit/2013/01/25/aa803c66-6723-11e2-9e1b-07db1d2ccd5b_blog.html#

Going to be quite a stack of bigs.

[WPI89]

20