MBB: NEWMAC

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I watched most of the MIT-Harvard matchup.  The defense wasn't quite there yet, but MIT's offense seemed to be clicking better than you'd expect November 10th.  I thought they looked strong and Jomard was great - other guys coming up big, too.  My questions still are about the bench play and when they'll get the defense in line.  Harvard was bigger and quicker, but they were still getting lanes they shouldn't've been allowed.

Good exhibition performance, though.

[deiscanton]

It is indeed great that one can watch Clark play Worcester State to open up the season right now; unfortunately, the sound is not turned on the Boxcast video feed from Worcester, MA, and no one is updating the live stats.  It is very hard to follow a game this way.

[hopefan]

It is indeed great that one can watch Clark play Worcester State to open up the season right now; unfortunately, the sound is not turned on the Boxcast video feed from Worcester, MA, and no one is updating the live stats.  It is very hard to follow a game this way.

Thank goodness the actual scoreboard is usually in camera range...

[WPI89]

WPI cruises. Lots and lots of freshman minutes. That's exciting!  Great test against Eastern tomorrow night!

[amh63]

Believe the MIT vs. Harvard game was Not an Exhibition game...as someone noted on the Nescac board.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Believe the MIT vs. Harvard game was Not an Exhibition game...as someone noted on the Nescac board.

Not for Harvard.  It was a real game for them, I believe.

[JustAFan]

The WPI roster has 10 freshman, 3 of whom started last night  (including both bigs), and the Engineeers' top 3 scorers last night were freshman. They will get a much better test today vs. Eastern CT.  But one of WPI's better big men last year, 6-8 junior James Loring, is not listed on this year's roster. Did he transfer?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Believe the MIT vs. Harvard game was Not an Exhibition game...as someone noted on the Nescac board.

Not for Harvard.  It was a real game for them, I believe.

Correct... D1 doesn't allow them to have exhibitions once the season starts, I don't believe. The bigger point is they have to fill in a lot more games into their schedules, so if allowed exhibitions are rare as a result.

The game for MIT is an exhibition which is allowed for lower division schools. Ryan knows this, but... Division III teams are allowed two exhibition games in the preseason, but can use any of them during the regular season outside of their 25-game schedule. If they want more exhibitions, they can only play them during the regular season (only two are allowed in the preseason) AND they must take them away from their regular season schedule of 25-games.

Just thought some would want to know...

[rlk]

Believe the MIT vs. Harvard game was Not an Exhibition game...as someone noted on the Nescac board.

Not for Harvard.  It was a real game for them, I believe.

Correct... D1 doesn't allow them to have exhibitions once the season starts, I don't believe. The bigger point is they have to fill in a lot more games into their schedules, so if allowed exhibitions are rare as a result.

The game for MIT is an exhibition which is allowed for lower division schools. Ryan knows this, but... Division III teams are allowed two exhibition games in the preseason, but can use any of them during the regular season outside of their 25-game schedule. If they want more exhibitions, they can only play them during the regular season (only two are allowed in the preseason) AND they must take them away from their regular season schedule of 25-games.

Just thought some would want to know...

Last year our game against them was an exhibition for both teams, on November 3.  IIRC that was because Harvard had a big international trip planned, so the game needed to be pushed up a week.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

That is an example of where it would be an exhibition game for Harvard as well since it is before their regular season officially starts.

[WPI89]

Congrats boys!  Great win.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The basketball season always experiences a lull a month after starting the season. It is one of just a few sports that experiences the ups and downs of scheduling. With finals complete and students headed home for the holidays, teams are left to either take a very long stretch of time off as well or find a way to stay active.

Sunday night on Hoopsville, Dave chats with a few coaches whose programs are at a cross-roads: finding a way to keep playing or take a break after squeezing in nearly half the season in the opening four weeks. Dave will also take a look at the Top 25 and wonder if things have settled down especially on the men's side.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. You can watch the show LIVE starting at 7pm ET right here: http://bit.ly/2CM1ExW

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Guests include (in order of appearance):
- Keri Carollo, No. 13 UW-Whitewater women's coach
- Matt Hunter, York (Pa.) men's coach
- Larry Anderson, No. 22 MIT men's coach
- Ryan Scott, D3hoops.com Around the Nation columnist

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[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I know there's no one posting here anymore - wondering if AJ Jurko is coming back for MIT or if the injury ended his season?

[rlk]

I know there's no one posting here anymore - wondering if AJ Jurko is coming back for MIT or if the injury ended his season?

Started yesterday against WPI and scored 10 points.

[BaboNation]

So, a little over halfway through the regular season, where do things stand? 

MIT is the clear class of the conference but lately they've been using a 7 man rotation.  Hey it's a very GOOD 7,  but that may not be enough.  Not sure what happened to Nwana.

My school is clearly down, and I DO NOT WANT TO MAKE EXCUSES, but they have been missing 3 starters since the end of November (Lowry, Dolan, Hasbargen).  Lowry, is injured - I'm assuming the same is true for the others.  Even when they were at full strength and they were rolling early in the season I saw cause for concern.  Their paint defense has been really bad.  On a bright note they've found something in new starter - freshman Andrew Jaworski (15.0 since being inserted) who might have a purer shot than Comenale.

The conference as a whole is better balanced than it has been the last 5 years.  Nice to see Coast Guard and Emerson turning things around.

Still, it looks like we'll see only 2 bids in March (MIT and Springfield) and even that is going to require Springfield to step on the gas.

Wishing well for all the NEWMAC teams!