MBB: NEWMAC

[hugenerd]

Not that anyone really cares, but I attended the MIT-Babson game this evening and was astonished by what I saw.  This had nothing to do with the game but rather the respective benches- Babson had 10 guys suited up ready to sub in while MIT had 3 (which really may have been 2 because one player didnt play and may have been injured).  This wouldnt be THAT shocking if MIT had started the season with maybe 8 or 9 players (a couple are bound to get injured) but, with their returning guys the should have had 14 (there are only 12 on the roster and the reason will be made clear soon).  In addition to that, two of the guys playing significant minutes now didnt play at all in the first couple of games (which was not due to injury).  So, in fact, Coach Anderson has only 5 of the guys he thought would be contributing significantly to the team playing in this game.  Now starting at 14, here is how the team siphoned down to where it is now:

Preseason: Two returning big men (would be soph and junior) who played significant minutes last year decide to take the year off (one to study abroad, the other without reason)

Injuries:
Billy Johnson- stress fracture
Bradley Gampel - knee injury
plus 1-2 more guys who didnt play as much (at least one, but I am not sure about the other)

And, finally, my personal favorite:
A player who was the sixth man on the team took a whole month off (10 games), to do an internship.


So in all they have lost their likely two starting big men (preseason), their back-up small forward (Johnson) and starting point guard (Gampel) to injury, as well as their sixth man (Mroz). 5 of their top 7 players. The only players who I think would have started who played tonight are the returning NEWMAC Newcomer of the year, Bartollota, and possibly Alex Krull.

I honestly dont know how they practice with 7-8 players, coaches must jump in or something. It must be pretty tough.  I am sure other teams around the country or in the past have had the same amount, or fewer, players but the way in which they keep losing guys is what really hurts. 

To sum this all up, I wasnt trying to put down the MIT team at all,  I am very much a fan.  The purpose of the message was more to congratulate Coach Anderson on still doing a wonderful job in preparing his players and still competing despite all the defections.  I kind of wonder what might of been if they had everyone this year. Luckily, the only senior I mentioned in that group is Krull, so they should give WPI a good run at it next year (that is if they same thing doesnt happen again).

[atn alum]

and for those who follow MIT (or others), tune in to their game against coast guard at 7 ET tonight on sportsjuice.com

[hugenerd]

MIT got it done with the 7 players I mentioned in my previous message.  Huge night for Alex Krull, scoring a career high 31 points. 3 guys for MIT played 40 minutes (and conference points leader Bartollotta was night one of them).

I wonder what is going on with CGA, they return pretty much everyone from a team that finished 3rd in the conference last year.  They have already lost 5 games through 13 this year, whereas last year they had not lost 5 games until they had played 19.  The team looks to be regressing rather than progressing.

[cheeks14]

well i heard Craig Johnson wasn't playing for CGA this year and he was huge for them in the middle last year.  From the looks of it Prebeck and Sowers are having another good season but Johnson might have been too much to lose. 

Also, I went to the WPI @ Clark game the other day and I wasn't very impressed with Clark.  I don't know how they beat Coast Guard in 2 OT because they just didn't seem that good.  WPI looked very solid and early on it seems like they will run away with this conference.  Ryan Cain is putting up huge numbers lately and I don't think anyone will challenge them this year. 

[hugenerd]

well i heard Craig Johnson wasn't playing for CGA this year and he was huge for them in the middle last year.  From the looks of it Prebeck and Sowers are having another good season but Johnson might have been too much to lose. 

Also, I went to the WPI @ Clark game the other day and I wasn't very impressed with Clark.  I don't know how they beat Coast Guard in 2 OT because they just didn't seem that good.  WPI looked very solid and early on it seems like they will run away with this conference.  Ryan Cain is putting up huge numbers lately and I don't think anyone will challenge them this year. 

I had looked at the boxscores and seen the name "Johnson", turns out that it was Grant not Craig.  I guess that explains part of their struggles.  I still think they should be doing better than they are.

[clarkie]

Remember, it is a rebuilding year for Clark...Cassara left mid-recruiting and they lost two scoring forces (Dutille and Szklarz). They also only have one senior.

Though I was not at the WPI game, I was at the Coast Guard game and they won because of solid coaching, a game they certainly would not be in if Cassara was still at the helm.

Will Clark win the NEWMAC this year? Probably not. But will they be a team that all other teams in the conference know they cannot look over and prepare for? Absolutely.

Lets go Cougars!

[mattapn02126]

Babson wins at home vs. MIT to improve to 4-1 in the NEWMAC. Anyone think they can make a run?

[cheeks14]

I think Babson will run away with second place in the NEWMAC.  As far as having a chance to beat WPI, I can't really see WPI losing a game the rest of the season.  They are playing really well and they are a very well balanced team.  They have a very solid inside outside game going and they are on a long winning streak.  WPI could and should go undefeated for the first time in NEWMAC history which is really a big accomplishment but they are just a step above every other team in the league at the moment. 

[Pat Coleman]

Cain -- 8-for-13, 4-for-6, 2-for-2. 22 points, seven rebounds.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Cain -- 8-for-13, 4-for-6, 2-for-2. 22 points, seven rebounds.

Yeah, yeah.

[wildgoose]

I think Babson will run away with second place in the NEWMAC.  As far as having a chance to beat WPI, I can't really see WPI losing a game the rest of the season.  They are playing really well and they are a very well balanced team.  They have a very solid inside outside game going and they are on a long winning streak.  WPI could and should go undefeated for the first time in NEWMAC history which is really a big accomplishment but they are just a step above every other team in the league at the moment. 

AT BABSON

Springfield 64
Babson 58

I dont think Babson will make any kind of Run .  WPI is a entire step above everyone - they are a excelllent defensive team

[hugenerd]

Big day for MIT and Bartollotta .  Alex Krull had 27 points while Jimmy Bartollotta had 26, 10 and 8.  Both played 40 minutes in the win vs. newbury. 

MIT can get to over .500 in conference if they can pick up a couple of wins vs. Wheaton and Coast Guard this week.

They still only have 7 active players (this is the 7th game in a row, dating back to Jan. 9).  They are 4-3 over that span (3-3 NEWMAC). In my opinion, Coach Anderson is doing an even a better job than he did last year-- when he won NEWMAC coach of the year.

[clarkie]

I just wanted to share this article about the poor Clark Cougars woes this season in NEWMAC play. Despite a 6 game skid, Paul Phillips captures what basketball is all about in my opinion in this article in The Worcester Telegram and Gazette :http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070128/NEWS/701280613/1009/SPORTS

Clark is playing with conviction and passion again and with some added depth (hopefully size though Normandin is really playing BIG in more ways than one) and as the team matures they will be once again be a force in the NEWMAC in the years to come.

Boys, you are making me a proud alum!

[mattapn02126]

Real nice win for Babson over Tufts last night...

[mattapn02126]

Babson by 10 over WPI. The Beavers are now 6-2 in the NEWMAC, and they have some real nice momemtum going.