MBB: NESCAC

[Hugenerd]

I'm surprised RIC isn't ranked despite the loss.  They beat WPI last week who was ranked #15 at that time and is now #20.  I guess the lost to Eastern Conn weighed more heavily than the win.

The polls are also dependent on what others do, and not alot of teams in the bottom of the poll lost. There were also several teams who had bigger wins than RIC, without any losses.

[Colby Hoops]

I'm surprised RIC isn't ranked despite the loss.  They beat WPI last week who was ranked #15 at that time and is now #20.  I guess the lost to Eastern Conn weighed more heavily than the win.

The polls are also dependent on what others do, and not alot of teams in the bottom of the poll lost. There were also several teams who had bigger wins than RIC, without any losses.

Good point, and I don't follow most non-NESCAC teams very closely, just seems that WPI and RIC have somewhat similar profiles yet WPI remains ranked despite losing to RIC last week.

[walzy31]

Tuesday December 13th Spread

Amherst Vs. Anna Maria
Amherst -33.0
O/U: 141.0

[7express]

Anna Maria and under.

[magicman]

Amherst defeats Anna Maria 76-57.

Good bet by 7express. He's still hot.

[ECSUalum]

I'm surprised RIC isn't ranked despite the loss.  They beat WPI last week who was ranked #15 at that time and is now #20.  I guess the lost to Eastern Conn weighed more heavily than the win.

The polls are also dependent on what others do, and not alot of teams in the bottom of the poll lost. There were also several teams who had bigger wins than RIC, without any losses.

Refer to Dr Huge's rational for RIC not being ranked this week a few posts back.  He reiterates above but in more detail.  But, again, keep winning and the polls take care of themselves, (assuming you care about poll rankings in the first place).

[amh63]

Wasn't going to post again until Dec. 30.  After watching last night's game at Amherst on-line, I decided to post some comments for those that did not watch.  Amherst's win has been posted by others.  The game was of note because of the following:
Aaron Toomey suffered an ankle injury in the Brandeis game.  He played well last night.
Barrise is getting his outside shot back.  He made 4 last night and is now in sole 5th place for the most 3-points made..at Amherst.
Barrise made a rare 5-point play!  Coach Hixon was complaining to a man in a stripe shirt about the missed fouls on Toomey when Barrise made an contested 3-point shot. He went to the foul line to shoot his shot...as it turned out 2 shots.  The puzzled announcers got word that Barrise got 2 shots because of a hand check .  The official who made the call happened to be the one Hixon was having a conversation with.
John Halas..of the Chicago Bears Halas, former Trinity BB star, former asst. coach at Amherst, presently coach of the Northfield-Mt. Hermon prep school BB team.......was at the game and chatted during half-time.  Still a followe.r of Amherst and Trinity BB, he states that the Trinity team is very young , but improving.  He expects that Trinity will get a great recruiting class coming in the Fall.  His challenge at NMH is coaching talented younger players that have 30-50 college coaches in the stands watching during games.  His players for the most part are Div.1-level players.
Coach Halas is a follower and admirer of Walzy and his spreads.  He also "outed" you WALZY!  He announced to the on-line world your college fame and your knowledge of BB!
Tom Kilian returned to play.  Tom had been recovering from an ankle injury.
More bench players were inserted throughout the game and brought energy with their play,IMO

[walzy31]

Coach Halas is a follower and admirer of Walzy and his spreads.  He also "outed" you WALZY!  He announced to the on-line world your college fame and your knowledge of BB!

John was articulate at the half, especially in regards to the difference in coaching at the NESCAC and High School levels and additionally about the posted spread. I'm not sure I would say he "outed me to the on-line world,".... but he definitely publicly mentioned the spreads in shout-out form to the the 50-70 listeners who were tuned in. A +1 is waiting for him when he returns to the boards (who knows when that will be since NMH is cruising undefeated right now).

[nescac1]

Two NESCAC big man recruits: http://nehoopnews.com/news/1561/New-England-Round-Up-December-19th-2011.php

Thomas Palleschi, a 6'8 forward/center from Phillips Andover, has committed to Tufts University.  Palleschi is a skilled and mobile big man that should be a very solid get for the Jumbos. 

Another NESCAC commitment we learned about recently is 6'8 center, Ben Pollack, of Farmington, Connecticut giving the Lord Jeffs of Amherst a verbal.  Another skilled, fairly athletic big that is a scholarship level player that Amherst has scooped up.  Pollack averaged 17ppg, 14rpg, and 2 blocks last year at Farmington HS. 

Williams should have a good test vs. Ohio Northern in its first game back from break on December 28.  ONU is from a power conference (OAC) and recently beat Marietta, which was at the time a top-10 team.  ONU plays Wittenberg, another top-25 caliber squad, tonight.  Williams will be well rested and hopefully approaching full health / fitness, but could be a bit rusty vs. a team that has been playing high-level competition while Williams has been in a lengthy exam / holiday hiatus. 

[amh63]

Thanks for the info....nescac1.   However, I have to wonder about the "verbal" term in Div.3 in general and in particular, for Amherst.  The ED results are out.  If he is an ED candidate and was accepted, he is in.  If he deferred his application to the regular pool, or the school did, it may not be a sure thing.  It is interesting to note that he is at the same high school that Spencer Noon is from and the same HS that an Amherst WBB FY player is from.....seems there is a connection somewhere.
Maybe I will put the question to Coach Hixon on the 29th of Dec.  Amherst is playing in Arlington, Va. on the 30th....as I posted earlier. There is a dinner/reception for the team hosted by the local Alumni group and the parents of one of the team members.  Wasn't sure I would join initially, but may change my mind......have to ask my wife since family is in town for the holidays...I know the drill.

[jayhawk]

Ben Pollack going to Amherst
Palleschi - nice player who is an excellent rebounder, I believe he may also be a baseball player

[JustAFan]

Nice words for Middlebury's Ryan Sharry here:

http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.com/news/article/2318/Rankings-Revisited-Class-of-2008.php

[walzy31]

Nice words for Middlebury's Ryan Sharry here:

http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.com/news/article/2318/Rankings-Revisited-Class-of-2008.php

That is a really cool article. Happy holidays to all!

[walzy31]

Friday December 30th Spread

Amherst @ Marymount (VA)
Amherst -24.5
O/U: 154.5

[7express]

Marymount and under.  First game after a long break, like a low scoring game.