MBB: NEWMAC

[WPI89]

Babo was hoping for a recap of Saturday.  I only got to read the recap and box.  Clearly a rough shooting night - hopefully, WPI d had something to do with that? 

Hope you are well and join back in the chat soon.

[BaboNation]

Hey WPI89,

For sure the WPI defense showed up in this one.

Belated congrats to your squad.  I remarked in my last post how similar this year has started for Babson compared to last year.  Then the similarities got even eerier.
Last year Amado missed the first game between the two teams, and he was out again on Saturday.  And the final score (61-49) was the exact score of that first meeting last year.  Amado's absence might not have changed the L to a W, but at present there's no reason to believe Babson can beat top competition like WPI without him.

Again, points in the paint were a huge factor (edge WPI).  And both Callahan and Sevilla were able to penetrate to create opportunities.  Lufkin was back for his first game in limited minutes.  His experience should help.  I think Bledsoe is going to be a terrific player going forward.  His setup and stroke on the 3 is as technically sound as I've seen in recent years, and when you factor in that he's only a FY, that he can create space for his shot, and that he's canning shots in crunch time, he could have a great career.
Adams looks better than ever.  He's great at setting up down low;  he's very good at the pick and roll off the high post;  and he cleans the defensive boards while being a force on the offensive boards as well.  And he clearly loves hitting the weight room.

[BaboNation]

So proud of the Babson squad in what has been a truly challenging season.

With back-to-back conference championships they are now tied with MIT at 6 for the most all-time.  And in both championships they had to go on the road to beat the #1 and #2 seeds.  Going to the NCAA  tournament 4 years in a row also ties a program record.

It certainly didn't look promising as recently as 7 days ago with Amado out of action since January 20th and more player games missed due to injury than any in recent memory.  In one stretch they lost a starter per game in 3 straight outings and were forced to use guys like Parker Mason who himself is still working his way back.

So while watching some horrid performances against the bottom of the league, including blowout  losses by 68-38 @ Salve Regina, and 90-54 @ Springfield I struggled to stay confident that the season could be salvaged.  That said, I think when Timmy O'Toole (top rebounder) was lost for 9 games during the holiday Wisconsin trip coach Brennan probably figured at 5-5 Pool C was looking like a long shot, even though their year-end SOS was something like 10th in the country, so get the team healthy and ready for late February.  Brennan, Dorney, et al deserve all the accolades for getting this team in peak form at the right time and the postseason game plans were superb.

The usual stars deserve the lion's share of attention, but I want to single out some lesser known players who really played well down the stretch.

David Cross:  The best defensive guard on the roster had trouble staying on the court because he seemed to lose his offensive game and that in turn affected his overall play.  While never a top scorer, he was missing open looks by wide margins.  But when the calendar flipped to February he was back and his contribution on both ends was outstanding.  The job he did defending Taylor in the final was a key to victory.  30+ mpg in the 3 postseason games, when he hadn't done that once all season speaks for itself.

Tyler Lauder:  He held his own against the best 2 conference bigs in back-to-back games (Adams & McArdle).  Still just a sophomore, his offense needs work, but he denied and frustrated both guys for long stretches when it counted.  That he almost matched McArdle point for point (8 vs. 10) was an unexpected plus.

Timmy O'Toole:  Best rebounder, 2nd in steals, rotates in coverage at every position but the point.  You can overlook all he does until he's gone for 9 games and you wonder why we can't grab a rebound or shut down a forward inside.  And, like Lauder, just a sophomore.

NeJohn Fortes:  The most anticipated FY recruit, he didn't see action til mid-season due to a knee injury, but he's already worked his way into the rotation.  He provides depth for the forwards with wingspan and hops that surprise the opposition.  He looks like he's still adjusting to his dramatic increase in height (listed at 6'6") but he's a 3-level threat that is somewhat rare beyond Baxter and Amado.

Not to criticize the different D3 experts who gave Babson a small chance at the championship (the mathematical models gave them something like a 6-8% chance, and game-by-game losses by double digits) but you'd have to know that the first time they had Baxter-Amado-O'Toole-Lauder-Cross-Fortes all available at the same time was game #1 of the postseason.

[WPI89]

Didn't know we were back.  Congrats Babo!  Great mini-run by Babson and a pretty competitive effort in the tourney.

Can't believe the NESCAC is killing it in the tournament - on what I thought may have been a "down-ish" year.  Congrats to our big brother.

And congrats to D3hoops - the new board has a great look and feel - can't wait to chime in on off-season news and then of course as we ramp up to 24-25.

Best of luck to the sweet 16.

[BaboNation]

Babson's 24-25 schedule is out very early.  They've loaded up their 9 OOC games big time, and 6 are on the road/neutral court (tournaments @ NYU and Wooster).  And the AM home game is the night before Thanksgiving and the Trinity game is during winter break, so I don't expect a lot of home court support.

While things change year to year I'd expect to see both Case Western and Trinity in the preseason top-10.

Babson also lost 2 assistant coaches in the offseason, so this will make the challenge even greater.

Here are those games with final Massey & D3Hoops rankings from 23-24:

NYU (A) (13,17)
Ithaca (N) (158,n/a)
St. Joseph's CT. (A) (26,27)
UM-Dartmouth (A) (151,n/a)
Albertus Magnus (H) (68,n/a)
Brandeis (A) (77,n/a)
Case Western (N) (9,11)
Wooster* (A) (62,n/a)
Trinity (H) (2,4)

* Assumes Wooster beats Pitt-Bradford in the opener of their holiday tournament

https://babsonathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

[ImTold]

I'm told Babson has filled one of their vacant assistant spots with a familiar and prominent name

[BaboNation]

Well, Babson sure did get a familiar and prominent name as an AC.

The GOAT is back.  Not sure why he stepped away from a nice job at Villanova, but I love the idea of having him back on campus.

Welcome home Joey!

https://babsonathletics.com/news/2024/8/28/flannery-returns-to-babson-as-mens-basketball-associate-head-coach.aspx

[BaboNation]

Some conference rosters are out.

Babson: https://babsonathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

Clark: https://clarkathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

Coast Guard: https://coastguardathletics.com/sports/mbball/roster

Salve Regina: https://salveathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

Springfield: https://springfieldcollegepride.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

WPI: https://athletics.wpi.edu/sports/mens-basketball/roster

Speaking about Babson, there are some milestones and records that are within reach.  Coach Brennan begins his 30th season.  He's 19 wins away from #500, but given the challenging non-conference schedule I think he'll need at least one postseason NEWMAC win to get there.
Also a 7th NEWMAC championship would break the current tie with MIT.  Lastly, no team has won the conference 3 consecutive years (Babson has won the last 2).

The Babson roster numbers 19, an increase of 5 over last year, and given recent injury history much needed.  Coach Brennan called last year's injuries the most challenging of his career, often having to conduct non-contact practices.

There are 2 grad xfers this year:  Kloman from D1 Brown and Stoddard from Williams.  I think the team will have more pure point guard depth (albeit some FYs) than any time I can remember. 

Some of the FYs come with "rankings".  I don't put much stock in those.  There's too much continual work that needs to be done to be prepared for success at the next level. Not knocking the rating services.

The coaches rankings give a slight edge for Babson over Clark, with WPI @ 3.  Until I can see live action that sounds about right.  I'll be a broken record, but if MIT brings everyone back healthy the top of the conference could get very interesting.

[WPI89]

I caught some of The Citadel vs. Boston College last night. John Adams started for them. Unfortunately, he battled foul trouble all night before eventually fouling out.  He ended up with 6 points (even made a few FT's) and 4 boards.  More importantly, he certainly looked like he belonged out there.  The Citadel stayed within shouting distance all night before losing by 9.

On a quick other note, Sevilla only played a few mins for Sonoma State the other night in an exhibition against San Diego State.

How I wish they both were in Harrington for one last go at it!

[WPI89]

Quite the early statement tonight. WPI rolls Worcester State. St Joes Maine then hopefully Amherst this weekend! 

[WPI89]

Great start for The Engineers from Worcester. 2 more wins and a trophy for the Ted Coughlin Tourney. Controlled the Amherst game pretty much. Only watched the live stats as I am still not signed up for our new pay TV.

I am a Met, Ranger, Dolphin fan. I thank Coach Bartley for my one team that doesn't let me down.

Fun start to the season, looking forward to the journey.

[WPI89]

Congrats to the team of the week, WPI. Caught my first extended action tonight. Great first half. Offense from defense, typical Bartley style. Callahan controls both sides of the floor. He gives them a chance to best anyone. Sloppy second half. Too many fouls reaching in instead of moving their feet. But 4-0 is 4-0. Keep rolling boys.

[WPI89]

Doubt players look at these boards, but just in case, I felt bad for not mentioning Reidy on his career high 20 point game!  Congrats.

[WPI89]

Bledsoe 3 with 14 seconds gets WPI past Salem State, and to 5-0!

[BaboNation]

Bledsoe 3 with 14 seconds gets WPI past Salem State, and to 5-0!

Good stuff WPI89.  I was on Bledsoe early last year - thought he was best of a large FY class.