MBB: NEWMAC

[WPI89]

rlk - thanks for the recapp.  The 7' 3" player is our import from New Zealand (Mark Overdvest)!  He is every bit of 7'3".  He is actually a junior.  He can move fairly athletically and looks decent in the layup line as you mention - surprised he has not been able to carve out any minutes whatsoever.

[gordonmann]

The NESCAC hasn't been a one-big league in a really long time. I don't know the last time that happened.

Sorry to inject one more NESCAC note on this board, but I answered my own question and wanted to document it here.  The conference had one bid in 2005. After this weekend's results, maybe the conference is headed toward another one-bid year.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The NESCAC hasn't been a one-big league in a really long time. I don't know the last time that happened.

Sorry to inject one more NESCAC note on this board, but I answered my own question and wanted to document it here.  The conference had one bid in 2005. After this weekend's results, maybe the conference is headed toward another one-bid year.

Wait.  What?  Can someone go back to my opening weekend post?  We've now officially got a bandwagon.

[gordonmann]

Yes, true. You get all the credit for calling it if it happens.

I still think the conference will get at least two. I thought Middlebury was close to a lock for an at-large bid entering conference play, and then they opened 0-2 against two teams I assumed they would beat.

[WPI89]

Great bounce back for WPI with a good win at Babson! 

[WPI89]

3 way tie atop the NEWMAC if Babson beats MIT tonight.

I guess that is in WPI's best interest, however - I do have a little nagging part of me that thinks getting Babson another loss tonight would not be bad in the long run.

[WPI89]

WPI vs Coast Guard rescheduled for tonight in Worcester.

[pjunito]

WPI, sorry I haven't been around. I do read the post. This thread seems too quiet. I know hugenerd made an appearance earlier in the year. Looks like 3 really good teams in the NEWMAC. You have seen them all play. Right now, who do you think is playing the best basketball? Who has the better overall team in your opinion?

[WPI89]

Punto - nice to hear from you.  If the 3 teams played many games - say like 10 each against each other - the answer is pretty straight forward in my opinion.  WPI would win the vast majority.

I think they would go like 15-5 or better.  They are just very steady - basically other than a few halfs here and there (insert last 3 minutes vs Springfield) - you know what you are going to get.

That being said, I think Babson may have the most upside talent.  The kind of team that could easily be playing the second weekend of the big tournament.  WPI will need to hit some 3's and get the right match-ups to say the same.

WPI may have the best D of the Bartley era so far - but they can go on extended scoreless streaks.

I have seen a good bit of video on MIT (none of the MIT/WPI game) and maybe I am bad luck, but they have not looked that good to me.  They are at Springfield and then at WPI next week - so I will have a better feel for them by 2/11.

[WPI89]

Whew!!!!  That would have been the first real bad loss.  Emerson is a decent team albeit inconsistent, but coming off the Springfield loss and heading into Babson - that was pretty close to must win for WPI.  I will take it!

[pjunito]

WPI, I am rooting for your guys to pull it off. I enjoy watching them play; they are sound defensively and I enjoy a team that prides themselves in defense and rebounding. Big game coming up; I will keep my eye on it.

Rankings coming up this week; I think the winner of the Babson/WPI game will be ranked #1 in the region this week.

[WPI89]

Soooooo disappointing.  Not looking up any stats but I think WPI missed at least thier last 10 shots and I also think Flannery scored Babson's last 15 points or so. 

Can't even conceive what that would be like in a game not decided in the 50's.

Great effort all around.  Tough D as always.  Just simply can't miss your last 10 shots - half of which were layups.

Bummer - looks like going to Babson for the NEWMACS.

#someoneknockdownashot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pjunito]

WPI, I watched the entire 2nd half of the game. Both teams play very strong man to man defensive. It was impressive to see how every shot (and some shots were way off) was contested. WPI had a 5 point lead with about  6 minutes left an then Flannery took over. I don't know how tall he is; but he plays much bigger. He has a strong upper body and was able to get really easy looks. I am not sure if he is a consistent outside shooter; but I was very surprised that WPI didn't play off of him a little bit. Flannery seems like he likes the physical play, and was able to use his body to shield the ball while work his way to within 6 feet of the basket. Additionally, no other Babson player was close to making a perimeter shot;  so  this truly was a one man offensive effort the final 5 minutes.

WPI seem liked a really young team the final 5 minutes. There was no movement without the ball; guys were dribbling and passing the ball behind the 3 point line and then forcing up a shot with less than 8 seconds on the clock. Three times in the final 7 minutes, they turn the ball over during a fast break opportunity. Just very sloppy. They did have a chance to tie the game with under a minute left but missed a free throw. It was a tough game; the effort was intense.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Regional Rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2015/02/11/first-regional-rankings-released-today/

[WPI89]

Congrats WPI for keeping thier 20 win season streak alive and well. I didn't check on Wooster but they are either there or headed there again. So Worcester will will still have the second longest active streak, to Wooster. I think 17 in a row and 12 now for us!!!

Let's go boys. Finish string!