MBB: NESCAC

nescac1 · March 15, 2011, 05:06:30 AM

Congrats to Troy Whittington, regional player of the year, Jeff Brown, coach of the year, and James Wang, Ryan Sharry, Will Hanley, and Conor Meehan, who all (deservedly) made all regional teams. I'd say Troy warrants a spot on the first-team all-american, and Sharry and Wang should both be second or third teamers, at worst.

http://www.d3hoops.com/awards/all-region/2010-11/northeast-men

The New England picks look dead-on to me other than Brian Clark for Salem, who seems like a stretch on the first team, although there isn't really any obvious candidate for that fifth spot, maybe Brooks, Hanley, or Jones. Surprised Locke didn't at least make the fourth team.

Of note to Eph fans, Wooster's Ian Franks was his region's player of the year. Speaking of Wooster, highlights from their last win:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7DUuEYC9YE

I imagine James Klemm, an underrated defensive player, will get the tough assignment, and hopefully Mickens can give some gritty minutes off the bench to help wear Franks down. I expect that Robertson and Wang will do a good job on the Wooster guards. On the other end, I'd make Franks work on D by trying to run Klemm off some screens.

Wooster seems to me like the team most similar to Williams in this year's tourney. The two teams are pretty close in both fg percent, 3 pt fg pct, scoring, threes made per game, and opponent fg percentage. Both start an athletic 6'5 center, a 6'7-6'8 four with deep range, and three guards who can drive and shoot. Like Williams, other than one post guy, Wooster seems to generate its offense from off the ball movement, penetration, and kick-outs to open shooters. The one real advantage Williams has is a truly dominant inside scorer, IF Troy can play, and play to close to his usual ability level. Otherwise, I'd say these teams are likely dead-even.

Coach Maker on Hoopsville starting at 5:30 mark:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/13311449

eph partisan · March 15, 2011, 06:47:30 AM

Quote from: The Voice on March 15, 2011, 01:34:03 AM
Couldn't avoid the siren's call... Just bought my tickets. Planning on making the 714-mile trek by car on Friday starting early enough to hopefully catch the Williams-Wooster game. Looking forward to seeing some of you there!

Well done, Voice. I took a road-trip with my friends last year to Salem, and it was a great time.

Quote from: nescac1 on March 15, 2011, 05:06:30 AM
I imagine James Klemm, an underrated defensive player, will get the tough assignment, and hopefully Mickens can give some gritty minutes off the bench to help wear Franks down. I expect that Robertson and Wang will do a good job on the Wooster guards. On the other end, I'd make Franks work on D by trying to run Klemm off some screens.

Wooster seems to me like the team most similar to Williams in this year's tourney. The two teams are pretty close in both fg percent, 3 pt fg pct, scoring, threes made per game, and opponent fg percentage. Both start an athletic 6'5 center, a 6'7-6'8 four with deep range, and three guards who can drive and shoot. Like Williams, other than one post guy, Wooster seems to generate its offense from off the ball movement, penetration, and kick-outs to open shooters. The one real advantage Williams has is a truly dominant inside scorer, IF Troy can play, and play to close to his usual ability level. Otherwise, I'd say these teams are likely dead-even.

I bet they throw Rooke-Ley and Epley at Franks rather than Mickens. Both are excellent defenders - Rooke-Ley looks simply annoying to play against. You have to imagine that they will run those double screens for Klemm all day.

What bodes well for the Ephs is that they have success against teams that play like they do - it's when teams like VW and Middlebury throw variation out that they have some trouble.

If Troy can't go, Williams will not have one post scorer. Emerson is a pick-and-pop player, Dodson is many things but not a big in the classic sense of the word, and none of their guards can so much as play out of the high-post except maybe the freshmen, who won't exactly be the focal point of the offense this year. They'll have to hope that Wang, Robertson, and Klemm can carry them. What will be interesting to see is who gets Troy's minutes if he can't go. Obviously, Emerson is the safe bet for the lion's share, but the two frosh are both excellent defenders and rebounders.

On the other hand, we've already covered Troy's left handed tendencies. As long as he can catch the ball, he'll be effective.

GnacAlum55 · March 15, 2011, 09:54:20 AM

WHITMORE TO RETIRE!!! I just came across this...

http://hoopdirt.com/blog/db32066d/hot-rumor-diii-legend-to-retire/

Sad to see a legend go. I've always enjoyed watching his teams play. What a great NESCAC job that opens up. Can't wait to see who they hire.

Colby Hoops · March 15, 2011, 11:22:31 AM

Its a sad day for all those who have been a part of Colby basketball. Whitmore epitomized the program, and while many just know him for his sideline antics (I believe he has coached Walzy's all-crazy team more than anyone), he truly is a great man and cared for his players more than the average fan will ever know. He coached some great teams and some great players, particularly in the late 80s and early 90s when the likes of Matt Hancock and the coach's son Kevin Whitmore were playing for the Mules, but its never been about wins and losses for him. Going back a couple years, the school held a celebration for Whitmore's 600th win and the place was packed with players of all ages coming to Waterville from all across the country. Every year the alumni game is packed with former players, and coach always called it his favorite day of the year.

The joke on our team was that you could never beat Coach Whitmore down to the gym. He was in his office every morning at the crack of dawn, and he would stand at midcourt pacing back and forth and going over his notes starting about 2 hours before every practice. It just won't look right to see Colby with someone else on the sidelines next year.

nescac1 · March 15, 2011, 11:45:06 AM

Wow. Congrats to Coach Whitmore on a momumental career. Now that is a tough act to follow. Are there any obvious in-house candidates?

Between Williams and Midd in the men's Final Four, Amherst in the women's final four, NESCAC men's and women's coaches and players dominating all-regional honors, Paulsen coaching Bucknell in the NCAA tourney, and Whitmore's retirement, I officially proclaim this the most newsworthy week in NESCAC hoops history.

Colby Hoops · March 15, 2011, 12:44:15 PM

Not really sure about replacements. The assistant coach Dana Doran has been there for 4 years and I'm sure he'd have an opportunity at it. Damien Strahorn, a former player is the coach at Salem State, after being an assistant at Colby and then Columbia. I'd guess those are two that will have a chance at the job, but I'm not sure other than that. Could be a tough first year for whoever takes over, as the team loses Russell and Van Loenen from a team that struggled quite a bit. Recruiting will be key.

nescac1 · March 15, 2011, 12:50:47 PM

In addition to the graduation losses, it's hard to recruit without a permanent coach! So I imagine Colby will indeed have some growing pains, then allow (much like Wesleyan and, it seems this year, Trinity did with new coaches) a massive infusion of (badly needed) new talent the next year. Strahorn sounds like an interesting choice, to bring some youthful energy and the credibility as a former star player, plus with the strong connection to the school.

Old Guy · March 15, 2011, 05:06:25 PM

Between Williams and Midd in the men's Final Four, Amherst in the women's final four, NESCAC men's and women's coaches and players dominating all-regional honors, Paulsen coaching Bucknell in the NCAA tourney, and Whitmore's retirement, I officially proclaim this the most newsworthy week in NESCAC hoops history. (NESCAC1)

Not to mention Middlebury women's ice hockey in the frozen four (back in Rochester)

Old Guy · March 15, 2011, 05:18:09 PM

I actually remember Dick Whitmore as a player. He played underneath for Bowdoin in those ugly black uniforms with black Converse All-Stars - the Polar Bears were easy to dislike (especially for Bates' partisans like me as a kid). He was a very effective player, bulky, hard to move, skilled.

In his heyday as a coach(of about 25 years) he could be ferocious in other school's gyms, also easy to dislike. He put on some shows. His outburst were scary. That booming voice, that fierce expression, jacket off, stomping his feet, his size. Things broke in locker rooms. Maybe it was all a show for effect, but you couldn't tell that from where I sat.

So I'm glad to read these words of praise, to get a sense of the coach and man underneath that on-court persona.

nescac1 · March 15, 2011, 06:52:16 PM

Walzy, are you giving final four lines, or are you retired now that Amherst is out of contention?

And by the way, if you ever do a national all-crazy team, I nominate the Wooster Rubik's Cube solving for all-crazy pregame tradition.

Wow, Old Guy, you are really living up to your moniker with a recitation of Whitmore's playing credentials! It is really too bad that the truly elite Colby teams from the early 1990's never got a chance to show what they could do in the NCAA tourney.

JustAFan · March 15, 2011, 07:16:14 PM

Will the games in Salem be available to watch on-line or will we only be able to follow the scores via GameTracker? I haven't been able to find anything that confirms their availability on-line, and if so, whether a fee will be charged.

eph partisan · March 15, 2011, 07:44:14 PM

Quote from: JustAFan on March 15, 2011, 07:16:14 PM
Will the games in Salem be available to watch on-line or will we only be able to follow the scores via GameTracker? I haven't been able to find anything that confirms their availability on-line, and if so, whether a fee will be charged.

JustAFan, I believe that the games will be broadcast on cbs.com's online website. They were last year. They are also available on one of their cable tv packages, but I am not sure which.

Mr. Ypsi · March 15, 2011, 07:48:17 PM

Quote from: JustAFan on March 15, 2011, 07:16:14 PM
Will the games in Salem be available to watch on-line or will we only be able to follow the scores via GameTracker? I haven't been able to find anything that confirms their availability on-line, and if so, whether a fee will be charged.

FF games are always online, and I'm pretty sure they are free.

Quote from: nescac1 on March 15, 2011, 06:52:16 PM
Walzy, are you giving final four lines, or are you retired now that Amherst is out of contention?

And by the way, if you ever do a national all-crazy team, I nominate the Wooster Rubik's Cube solving for all-crazy pregame tradition.

Wow, Old Guy, you are really living up to your moniker with a recitation of Whitmore's playing credentials! It is really too bad that the truly elite Colby teams from the early 1990's never got a chance to show what they could do in the NCAA tourney.

For national all-crazy team coach, I've gotta nominate Coach Giovanine of (just-missed the FF) Augustana. GREAT coach, but with sideline antics that drive opposing fans wild.

Yes, good to see that 'Old Guy' really deserves the moniker! I keep running across posters with 'old' in their name who could be my sons!

Pat Coleman · March 15, 2011, 08:01:15 PM

The Final Four will be streamed online -- there's a link on our scoreboard already -- but it is NOT on television this year.

eph partisan · March 15, 2011, 08:06:26 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on March 15, 2011, 08:01:15 PM
The Final Four will be streamed online -- there's a link on our scoreboard already -- but it is NOT on television this year.

Thanks, Pat. Do you know if the streaming will be available outside the US?