MBB: NESCAC

[7express]

Preseason Prop Bet

Which team receives the #3 seed in the 2013 NESCAC tournament?

+180 Amherst
+180 Middlebury
-170 Wesleyan
+125 Tufts
+165 Williams
+500 Bates
+550 Bowdoin
+700 Hamilton
+1000 Trinity
+2500 Colby
+5000 Conn College

I will go Middlebury.  I think Wesleyan can finish 2nd.

[Colby Hoops]

Former Bantam Varum Ram (one of about half of last year's Trinity roster no longer with the program, still curious what is going on, if it's an issue with the coach, or just a lot of guys leaving for various different reasons) is now a walk on at the University of Maryland:

http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/ram_varun00.html

I can't recall a former NESCAC player ever transferring up to an ACC school before!

I think Sal Abdo went from starting Trinity point guard to walk-on at Boston College. I believe it was because he graduated and went to BC for grad school and still had eligibility.

[nescac1]

Colby Hoops, I stand corrected. 

This has nothing to do with hoops, but I had to share, trust me, it's worth it, this insane rant from a D-3 golf coach.  Some NESCAC A.D. must make it their mission to hire this guy ... based on recent commentary on the boards about the Amherst men's and women's soccer coaches, it sounds like Amherst would be the perfect fit!  (Sorry, could not resist ...)

http://deadspin.com/5959088/****ing-hunky+dory-d+iii-golf-coachs-profane-rant-is-a-thing-to-behold

[nescac1]

This is not NESCAC news, but WPI has an incoming 7'3 dude from New Zealand:

http://wpi.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/bios/overdevest_mark_fgro

The last 7'3 player I can recall in D-3 New England hoops was Eric Gingold, class of 96 (I think) at Williams, who long-time NESCAC observers will remember as the tallest Jew ever to play college basketball, who was rumored (although not ultimately selected) to be an NBA draft prospect despite rarely leaving the bench at Williams.  I'll be watching this guy closely to see if he can generate as much hype as Gingold ...

[toad22]

One more name I would add to the potential all NESCAC team is Taylor Epley from Williams. He will be a featured player this year.

[nescac1]

Williams roster is posted:

http://athletics.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2012-13/Roster

Small roster of only 14 guys.  Rooke-Ley not listed due to his injury year off I'm sure.  Only two frosh on the team, I guess football player Darrias Sime decided to forego hoops.  Another football player, Greg Payton (who was banged up, I believe, much of this football season) is new to the team, should hopefully add a physical / athletic presence off the bench.  Williams is deep, big, and experienced up front, the key is who will emerge from the various young guards on the roster to back up Robertson and Klemm in the backcourt.  Reallllly need Nate to stay healthy this year ...

[frank uible]

Dave Paulsen's Bucknell team opened the season with a 5 point win over Purdue.

[madzillagd]

http://athletics.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20121113iiyq2d

Very nice story on James Wang and his play overseas.  Worth reading for the translation of Chinese sportswriting alone.

[amh63]

Back home from Homecoming and now ready for some posting on this board.
The special NESN show broadcasted before the Amherst vs. Williams surprised me in that it had two Amherst basketball alums talking about the football traditions.....HBC Hixon and Ken Howard of the "White Shadow" tv fame.  I do not believe that neither Howard and Hixon ever played football for Amherst.
Old Guy......I did say hello to Ken Howard at the football game for you.  Stated that you bumped him around in the front court in the Midd. vs. Amherst games on the hardwood.  I may have stated your name incorrectly, but Ken was gracious enough to respond with a positive recall of the encounters.
Did watch some of the Amherst teams practices over the weekend and was even allowed to sit on the sidelines.  Did get to see some of the FY players go through some of the drills.   Not much to add at this time other than the returning players that were on the floor on Sunday seemed to be in shape and running hard and well. 
A Coach Hixon remark in passing maybe worthy for discussion here.  He remarked that this year the practice session period is shorter. 
I am aware that in the "CAC", the start of practice is later than almost all of D3 in general and even for the New England D3 schools that will play against conference schools.  The question here is this year a special year?....other than being a leap year.  I may have not heard the comment correctly....or as Coach Hixon often reminds me that my knowledge is limited and was just educating me.

[Old Guy]

Old Guy......I did say hello to Ken Howard at the football game for you.  Stated that you bumped him around in the front court in the Midd. vs. Amherst games on the hardwood.  I may have stated your name incorrectly, but Ken was gracious enough to respond with a positive recall of the encounters.amh63

He's lying. He was a good player on a pretty good team, as I recall (can't find records on Jeff teams that far back). I was a sub on an historically bad team. He remembers me if he remembers every player that ever put a hand in his face when he shot a corner jumper. He had a nice shot.

Opening weekend. Midd goes up against Ursinus, whose best player is 6'10. We should have an advantage in the backcourt. If we get by Ursinus, we could have a good test against the College of Staten Island. I don't know if this first game will be available to view on-line: doesn't matter, wife has me going to the fall Shakespeare production, As You Like It, Friday night. Can't tell her that I don't like it. I'll check the score at the intermission.

[P'bearfan]

http://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/mbkb/2012-13/roster

Bowdoin released its roster for this season.  The've added three FY players: two 6'-2"  guards and a 6'-5" forward who is pretty solid at 237lbs.  Only 14 guys on the roster - that's a 1 fewer than last year but 2 more than in 2010-11 and 2009-10.

[frank uible]

A typical Columbus or Tuscaloosa sports fan in watching NESN's "Williams-Amherst: the Biggest Little Rivalry" might say, if being charitable, "how quaint".

[Rimseeking1]

I heard that Middlebury played two 20 minute exhibition "mini-games" at Division 2 St. Michael's College last week.  Midd "won" the first game by a few points and St. Mike's won the second by about 10.  Good to see a D3 team holding its own against a D2 team...

St. Michael's is coached by a former Bowdoin player.

[frank uible]

Isn't St. Michael's D3? Doesn't playing against an opposing institution this early violate NESCAC rules?

[Rimseeking1]

No, they play in the Northeast-10 league, which is a D2 league with has 16 members.  Go figure...

Here's a link:  http://www.northeast10.org