MBB: NESCAC

NEhoops · November 14, 2012, 11:11:02 AM

Interesting to note that Bowdoin and Colby are the only two teams in the league that do not return a player that averaged 10ppg or more last season. They have some players capable of doing it, but they'll need some of them to step up quickly.

Playing an exhibition game or scrimmaging an opposing school doesnt violate league rules, but it does count as a regular season game. Each team has 24 game slots, thus the scrimmage takes away one of those slots. Clearly all of the NESCAC schools would schedule a scrimmage or two if this was not the case. I'm sure Middlebury was aware of this, maybe they felt that it was best for their team.

nescac1 · November 14, 2012, 11:38:07 AM

NEhoops, did not know that, interesting. Midd probably felt it needed a game (even one that didn't count) vs. strong competition, as the Panthers have perhaps the weakest non-conference schedule I've ever seen out of a NESCAC school. Williams, Amherst, and Wesleyan all play each other twice, so all have the benefit of two extra very tough rivalry games. Midd, which doesn't have that advantage, plays Green Mountain, Southern Vermont, Johnson & Wales, Castleton State, St. Joseph's, and Lyndon State, which are all games that will be of little value other than to provide Midd's deep bench with lots of playing time. Midd's opening tournament is tough and Keene State and Plattsburgh could be pretty good, but Skidmore and RPI are also not likely to be world-beaters. Midd has a disadvantage in that most of its local rivals are simply not in its class, and again, really won't provide any sort of test.

(Williams also plays its weakest schedule in terms of non-conference opponents in recent memory this year, only Salem State, Luther, and possibly Springfield could be tough, but having to play Wes and Amherst twice, plus having a huge number of road games, makes it a bit more demanding).

madzillagd · November 14, 2012, 12:20:11 PM

Two more days until tipoff. Let's just hope we don't see any FY so confused that they do this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rlGIIysx05g

Not the first player to get confused and shoot at your own basketball but this has to be the all-time worst.

7express · November 14, 2012, 01:28:35 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on November 14, 2012, 11:38:07 AM
NEhoops, did not know that, interesting. Midd probably felt it needed a game (even one that didn't count) vs. strong competition, as the Panthers have perhaps the weakest non-conference schedule I've ever seen out of a NESCAC school. Williams, Amherst, and Wesleyan all play each other twice, so all have the benefit of two extra very tough rivalry games. Midd, which doesn't have that advantage, plays Green Mountain, Southern Vermont, Johnson & Wales, Castleton State, St. Joseph's, and Lyndon State, which are all games that will be of little value other than to provide Midd's deep bench with lots of playing time. Midd's opening tournament is tough and Keene State and Plattsburgh could be pretty good, but Skidmore and RPI are also not likely to be world-beaters. Midd has a disadvantage in that most of its local rivals are simply not in its class, and again, really won't provide any sort of test.

(Williams also plays its weakest schedule in terms of non-conference opponents in recent memory this year, only Salem State, Luther, and possibly Springfield could be tough, but having to play Wes and Amherst twice, plus having a huge number of road games, makes it a bit more demanding).

Keene state has the best player in the LEC this year. He's not quite as good as DaQuan Brooks of Western is, but he can still put up 30 to 40 easily on given night. I also wouldn't sleep on St. Joseph (unless its the USCAA school of Vermont and not the Maine variety) & Skidmore who could be a contender in the Liberty League. That team plays great defense.

nescac1 · November 14, 2012, 01:33:46 PM

Amherst has its season preview posted:

https://www.amherst.edu/athletics/teams/winter/basketball-m/2012.13pre

No major surprised in terms of the guys who are highlighted. Amherst will once again be very big / strong, and the most athletic team in NESCAC, the big question for the Jeffs is, outside of Toomey, who will provide perimeter scoring.

madzillagd · November 14, 2012, 04:02:13 PM

Williams Record has their preview posted as well...

http://williamsrecord.com/2012/11/14/mens-hoops-to-ride-experience/

The schedule has now been updated with video links as well... http://athletics.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2012-13/schedule

Not listed on there yet is the Wes game next Tuesday which is one of only 3 men's games Wes will be webcasting this year per the release they put out today.

amh63 · November 15, 2012, 10:11:59 AM

Finally, the Amherst roster is posted. Pix's of this year's FY players to come later. There are 16 players listed.
While I was watching the practice session last Sunday, there were some questions on who on the football team would be coming out for the team. Thus the late posting of the roster.

nescac1 · November 15, 2012, 12:01:10 PM

Williams preview is posted:

http://williams.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20121115ttc60q

So long as they stay healthy, I'm confident that Epley, Klemm, Mayer and Robertson can match up with the top four of any team in NESCAC, are arguably, nationally. The rest of the team, while talented, is relatively untested and has played few meaningful varsity minutes for Williams, so how they develop and what kind of support they provide will prove to be the key to the season season.

Amherst should really be interesting this year. Given their size and athleticism inside, only one star perimeter guy, and the almost total lack (barring big improvements in this department from guys like Workman, Williamson, Kalema, and Killian) of outside shooting, I wonder if some teams will be inclined to try zones to pack the interior and to dare them to shoot, or maybe even go box-and-one at times to make someone besides Toomey beat them ...

amh63 · November 15, 2012, 12:58:12 PM

Well.....we will see as the first game is on Friday and will be webcasted....go to the Amherst website.
There maybe some surprises.

TheHerst2and4 · November 15, 2012, 01:35:18 PM

I wouldn't sleep on Amherst's outside shooting ability. Granted they graduated one of the best outside shooters in school history, but they have some guys who spent time on the bench that can really open up a zone. Looking forward to the tip off, should be a great year of basketball in the region.

amh63 · November 15, 2012, 03:18:53 PM

TheHerst2.....Missed you at the "mob" gathering last Sat. wrt to the coin flip. Did get to greet your father and his "large" dog.

Old Guy · November 16, 2012, 10:22:13 AM

Panthers have perhaps the weakest non-conference schedule I've ever seen out of a NESCAC school.

I don't know. Other than the games against one another that don't count in the conference standings, I don't see a lot of challenging "non-league" games for the Jeffs and Ephs (as has been pointed out). Their opening tournament competition is farcical. If I were a team in another good league in the country I would be upset with the records and rankings of NESCAC teams, given their schedules.

Imagine NESCAC with an annual home-and-home schedule of league games - unlikely that we would have these glittery 24-1 records but it would make for wonderful competition and more respect for the league generally. No chance, right?

nescac1 · November 16, 2012, 10:49:43 AM

Old Guy, while I agree that, outside of Amherst / Wesleyan, Williams has a weak non-conference schedule this year, Salem State, a very solid team that made the NCAAs last year and brings in a big-time transfer, is a tough opponent who the Ephs will likely face in their opening tournament. Southern Vermont, not so much ...

I don't see a double round robin ever happening in NESCAC play, since that would take up 20 out of 24 games. But I do think every school should double up on rivalry games, maybe play four home and home each year instead of the two that a few play. It could work something like:

Amherst/Williams/Wesleyan
Bates/Bowdoin/Colby
Wesleyan/Conn College/Trinity
Tufts/Midd/Hamilton

all play each other twice, plus Tufts/Amherst, Midd/Williams, Tufts/Bowdoin, and then for the rest, some combo of Bates/Colby/Hamilton/Midd/Trinity/Conn playing each other.

On another note, Trinity has its season preview posted. The big questions for the Bantams are in the interior, where they only have one true big guy on the roster, and at point guard, where they have two frosh competing for the starting role. Should be very strong on the wings, however, with Eric Dean, Mick Distasio, plenty of experienced depth, and D-1 transfer Hart Gliedman, who is certainly a name to watch in NESCAC:

http://athletics.trincoll.edu/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/Men-s_Basketball_21213

I imagine the Bants will usually go small with 3 wings on the floor together, considering the wealth of talent they have at that spot.

NEhoops · November 16, 2012, 12:01:23 PM

Besides Toomey there is definitely uncertainty about how effective Amherst will be from the perimeter. Barrise (44%) and Waller (43%) both shot the ball great from the perimeter last year in conference play. While the only returner with more than 10 attempts from three shot 21%. They'll have a great year and I'm sure teams will try to make everyone else besides Toomey beat them, but I think we can all agree that the shooting is a deficiency that they'll have to overcome.

I agree with OldGuy that the home and home in the NESCAC would be brutal. Being at the top of the league at the end of the season and taking care of business in non-conference games usually is a blueprint for making the tournament. I think it's too early to tell who has a tough/easy schedule. There is a lot of parity and uncertainty that some teams within the region that are projected to be there at the end of the year might not be as strong as we thought and vice versa. Having a challenging schedule does make a difference. I remember a few years ago Colby finished third in the league and had 19 wins, but failed to make the tournament. Most felt that it was their schedule that held them back.

There are clearly some questions at Trinity. Establishing a solid rotation will be a top priority, something Coach Cosgrove has seemed to struggle with in the past. I hope for the league and the Bantams sake that Gliedman plays well for them. Transfers are tricky, he didn't exactly light the world on fire at Liberty and we all know that the top talent in the NESCAC is very comparable to low DI. Either way it will take him some time to get comfortable. Any team without a veteran point guard is at a huge disadvantage in this league.

Pat Coleman · November 16, 2012, 03:10:16 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on November 16, 2012, 10:49:43 AM
Old Guy, while I agree that, outside of Amherst / Wesleyan, Williams has a weak non-conference schedule this year, Salem State, a very solid team that made the NCAAs last year and brings in a big-time transfer, is a tough opponent who the Ephs will likely face in their opening tournament. Southern Vermont, not so much ...

I don't see a double round robin ever happening in NESCAC play, since that would take up 20 out of 24 games. But I do think every school should double up on rivalry games, maybe play four home and home each year instead of the two that a few play. It could work something like:

Amherst/Williams/Wesleyan
Bates/Bowdoin/Colby
Wesleyan/Conn College/Trinity
Tufts/Midd/Hamilton

all play each other twice, plus Tufts/Amherst, Midd/Williams, Tufts/Bowdoin, and then for the rest, some combo of Bates/Colby/Hamilton/Midd/Trinity/Conn playing each other.

If you did something like this, plus put all 11 teams into the conference tournament, I think that would be interesting. You can't play an unbalanced schedule like that, though, and also restrict access to the conference tournament since not everyone will be playing the same level of competition as everyone else.