MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

A few random thoughts:

(1) Huge changes to the New England rankings in just one week.  Heading into the break, I'd say that the rankings should pretty clearly go: (1) Midd, (2) Albertus Magnus (still not sold on them this high, but they may well finish undefeated other than vs. Yale), (3) WPI (every year, regardless of who graduates, they manage to reload, great coach), (4) Williams [all four deserve to be Top-25 teams in my view], followed by a bit of gap, then (5) Amherst, (6) RIC, (7) MIT, (8) Westfield State, (9) Brandeis, (10) Springfield. 

(2) NESCAC, after a rough week, bounced back in a big way yesterday, in particular with the big wins over Springfield and Brandeis. 

(3) Wesleyan is easily the most disappointing team of the first semester.  Tufts also performed below expectations but I wouldn't sleep on the Jumbos.  They are a young team that seems to be finding its groove since frosh Palleschi became the starting center, and they will benefit from such a brutal first-semester schedule, which of course does not get easier with the next two games vs. hot Midd and Williams teams.  Since frosh Thomas Palleschi became the starting center, he's been averaging  around 13 ppg -- 6 rpg -- 3 bpg and shooting around 70 percent from the field, and Tufts has blown out three teams.  Tufts relies heavily on four first year or sophomore players, so they could continue to improve, a lot of talent and depth there. 

(4) Speaking of Palleschi, he is one of two Jumbos who looks like they will be candidates for ROY, the other being Haldyana.  Connor Green from Amherst and in particular Matt Hart from Hamilton look like the other top contenders.  Trinity, Colby, and Conn are all so loaded with rookies that many will put up good stats, but no one rookie seems to be emerging from any of the three, and the uninspiring team results won't help. 

(5) Curry looks to be the class of the CCC.  Another team with a brutal early schedule with losses to MIT, Amherst, Williams, and WPI.  They seem to be playing at least some semblance of D now (although still need work) and have an explosive enough offense to dominate most teams in the conference. 

(6) The NEWMAC seems up overall from last year, the LEC way down and NESCAC a little down, but several NESCAC teams do seem to be rounding into form.

(7) Break-out player in NESCAC so far is Keegan Pieri of Bowdoin.  A highly-regarded recruit who made a light impact last year (less than 4 ppg on poor shooting numbers), this year is averaging 14-7-2 and shooting great (53-43-80).  Seems to be replacing Hanley as the new go-to guy on the Polar Bears, with Madlinger replacing O'Connell's role as designated sniper.  Still, as amh63 noted, the Bears will need more out of the big guys, especially Swords, to scare any of the top teams in NESCAC.  Former high school teammates Hunter Merryman (his shooting numbers are simply insane so far) and Daniel Wohl (who is rounding back into form after missing a game and then being limited for a few) are the other break-out sophs. 

Amherst, strangely, has no sophomore players in its rotation right now, which may explain the Jeffs' (relative to the last two years) struggles ... usually you count on rising sophs to step in and replace a strong departing senior class.  Ray Barry, who is supposed to be the impact guy from that class, missed most of his last two seasons with injuries and hasn't played this year, so that's now 2.5 years of basically no game action.  Tough luck for him, as whenever he comes back, he will likely be pretty rusty. 

[Ashley Parker Angel]

Tough three point loss for Wesleyan yesterday at Curry College (a team that has shown their grit in close losses against WPI, MIT, and Williams). The game came down to the wire and it seems (from live stats albeit) that Curry just made the last big play – or that Wes DIDN'T make the play, as Curry's offensive rebound off a missed free-throw led to their go-ahead layup with 25 seconds left.

Again, the Cards seem to be missing a key player – Junior starter Julian Harris was absent from yesterday's lineup. Looks like the midseason break is coming at a good time for Wesleyan, as they will look to recoup physically and get back on track come January when they kickoff NESCAC play against Amherst on the 4th of the new year. Their game at Cabrini should also serve as a good warmup on December 30th. Hopefully (and I wish this for every team – New Year's resolutions?) the boys can stay healthy and perform to potential.

[nescac1]

Article confirms that CT H.S. senior Jeff Racy will be playing at Amherst next year:

http://www.theridgefieldpress.com/12217/rhs-boys-hoop-team-third-in-preseason-ranking/

It will be interesting to see this week's Top 25.  I believe that Williams is clearly a top 25 team (in fact I'd put them somewhere in the 10-20 range), but rising 13 places in one week, even one featuring three wins, two of which were quality road wins and two of which were blow-outs, may be a lot to ask.  Amherst will almost surely drop out of the Top 25.  If Williams can't squeeze its way in, it would be the first week in, I believe, a VERY long time that NESCAC has only one Top 25 team in the poll. 

[jayhawk]

More  committments to come as official early decision notification
Jeff Racy is a serious dead eye, knockdown shooter who will help immediately when he comes in

[howardjp]

Congrats to Amherst. Bad timing for Brandeis to be out there after 2 losses.

Still ok w/Deis at 7-2 given close road loss to RIC and this game.


quote author=amh63 link=topic=4491.msg1477191#msg1477191 date=1355004050]
Well, Amherst starts a new win streak this afternoon with a strong win over Brandeis 76-64.  Aaron Toomey needed just 4 points to reach the 1000 point mark...he scored the first 5 points and the game was stopped for pictures...the crowd cheered along with the Brandeis players and coaches clapping....nice!  The game went well for Amherst as their outside shots started to go in early.  It was Amherst by 8 at the half.  The game was at times very physical and towards the end, IMO, the foul calls were going Brandeis' way.  Still, Amherst's overall defense was way up with Workman and others making blocks and steals.  Brandeis came in with a record of shooting 35% from outside and Amherst in general was preventing the outside shot.  Brandeis is a  strong team and has a good inside presence.  In the last 5 minutes, Amherst stopped the inside play and Brandeis got most of its points on the foul line.  On the other hand, Amherst was feeding Big Pete inside and he made his shots.  He responded well.....when do you see a 6'9" player get stuffed by another 6'9" player.  When the box comes out later, look for Pete Kaasila's stats and that will tell you the story.  Oh yes, Allen Williamson played a great offensive and defensive game TOO!  Coach Hixon got his points across it seems.  Hixon rotated 8 players based on fouls and match-ups today.
Checked the box and Big Pete is NOT credited with a block.  Guess the refs missed it at their level.  He did have another block but was called for a foul.....Coach Hixon questioned the call emotionally in his quiet manner...as you would expect from an Amherst grad.
[/quote]

[Bantams1]

Congratulations to Aaron Toomey, Amherst on 1000 pts as a Jr., but the real deal on the floor was 6'2 Gabriel Moton from Brandeis. A transfer from Boston College could be one of the best D3 guards in New England. Coach Meehan subbed a Frosh guard at the point and it cost them. Watch out for the Bantams in 2 years, Trinity has 1 senior on the team, no juniors. What's up Coach?

[amh63]

Some random comments as I await the last Amherst game on Tues....before exams and holiday break.
The new recruit pointed out by nescac 1 confirms the commitment.  He was mentioned near the beginning of the semester by WPI89.  The 6'5" player has nice size and from the H.S. that WPI89's twins attend, I believe....Ridgefield H.S.  The senior has a younger brother on the team that is a soph. and bigger.  Interesting.
Bantam 1....thanks for mentioning Moton from Brandeis.....for awhile he was the primary offense for his team...at least the most effective against Amherst.  Several larger players switched off on him including Gach, Workman and maybe Williamson.
I was interested in seeing how Aaron was running his team during the last few games.  His outside shots have not been falling and he has not been trying to be the primary scorer except when he is needed to control the game by getting fouled and going to the foul line...near the end of the Brandeis game.  He is often doubled teamed to prevent his driving and distributing the ball.  It is good that Amherst has had other players take the lead in scoring...even in the lost to Babson.....like Kalema.  Williamson, Kaasila and Green along with others have contributed when Workman and Toomey have been slowed down in games.  Workman and Toomey have contributed in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.  It is good that the scoring load is being shared by all the starters... and the reserves....  Other teams may slow down Aaron and Willy by good defense but that allows the other Amherst players on the floor score big.
Nescac 1, I will see on Tuesday how your "lobbying" efforts for Williams comes out in the ranking polls.  Maybe you do work on K Street in D.C. along with the other lobbyists/media manipulators

[Panthernation]

It will be interesting to see this week's Top 25.  I believe that Williams is clearly a top 25 team (in fact I'd put them somewhere in the 10-20 range), but rising 13 places in one week, even one featuring three wins, two of which were quality road wins and two of which were blow-outs, may be a lot to ask.  Amherst will almost surely drop out of the Top 25.  If Williams can't squeeze its way in, it would be the first week in, I believe, a VERY long time that NESCAC has only one Top 25 team in the poll.

There was some stickiness in the polls this week, apparently. Amherst managed to stay in the top 25 (22) and Williams did not make the expected jump and actually fell considerably short (T-29). The most surprising, however, is that RIC also remained in the top 25 (24) after two losses — albeit against quality opponents — this week. Only MIT and Stevens fell out of the top 25 and MIT was close to hanging on as well.

In other top 25 news, St. Thomas needed overtime to beat Bethany Lutheran (2-5), hardly a convincing win for the Tommies. And perhaps the game of the early season is taking place tonight as #2 UW Whitewater and #7 Stevens Point play for the first time this season. Stevens Point swept the season series last year though UWW obviously got the last laugh. Pretty incredible when you realize that neither of these teams won their conference tournament last year either...

[nescac1]

Stickiness is the right word for it as there is simply no justification for Amherst to be ranked above Williams, or to be ranked at all, based on relative performances to-date this season.  I posted at great length about it on the Top 25 board, so won't repeat myself here.  I am sure Maker doesn't care because the only poll that really matters (other than for fans, since it's fun to argue about) comes at the end of the season, but it's a pretty laughable ranking. 

Whitewater and Stevens Point should be a fun one.  As a Williams fan (Williams has been knocked out of the NCAA Final Four four times by WIAC teams, including two agonizingly tight losses in title games to Stevens Point) I can certainly testify that the talent and depth in that conference is easily the best in D-3, virtually every year, and it looks like this year is no exception.  Whitewater lost its star from last year's title team, but brought everyone else back, and also added a superstar frosh.  Stevens has had a lot of turnover in recent years, but does feature (among other talents) a 6'8 D-1 transfer who is currently lighting it up. 

[frank uible]

nescac1: Don't worry - be happy. The injustices in the polls (if any) will be rectified in the fullness of time - actually in the short term fullness of time.

[walzy31]

December 11th Spread

Amherst -12.0 @ Anna Maria
O/U: 137.5

[7express]

Amherst and Over.

[madzillagd]

It's with considerable hesitation that I come forward and post this.  I'm concerned for my own safety and the safety of my family but I think the truth needs to get out.  NESCAC1, you do not need to be upset about the new Top 25 rankings and specifically the inclusion of Amherst and the exclusion of Williams.  I know this defies all logic pertaining to how basketball teams are ranked: Wins/Losses, Strength of Schedule, Common Opponents, Point Differential, etc.  However, what I'm here to tell you is that in this case there is something more devious afoot that goes far beyond the basketball court.

Yesterday, the D3Hoops agent pictured below was captured and in his possession was hard evidence of a far reaching conspiracy.  This evidence came in the form of a hardcopy letter sent from Pat Coleman, aka The Don, to the voters of D3Hoops Top 25.  The contents of the letter explain it all:




From the Desk of the Don...

Dear Minions,

It has come to my attention that after the success of Operation Nerd and Operation 138, that our site traffic has started to lag and as you know this directly impacts the steady flow of riches to my lair.  As you recall, our preseason ranking of MIT at #1 was simply a ploy to pull people in to the site and start the site hits early.  We all knew MIT did not possess Weapons of Mass Execution but by downplaying our knowledge of the team we worked the rankings to perfection.  Furthermore, our sleeper cell Jack Taylor did a tremendous job with Operation 138 and the national media hits were at an all-time high as a result. 

Alas, the early season success has started to lag and we need to continue to look for new ways to boost the site.  Although it may be going to the well once to often, as your fearless leader I propose we use the Top 25 gag one more time to drive traffic.  Ranking a new #1 that can't maintain that spot is too obvious and would easily be spotted the users so I've come up with something a bit more complex. 

This week I would like you all to rank Amherst above Williams in the polls.  If you look at the results of the two clubs it's clear that Williams has outperformed Amherst at this point in the season but that is the beauty of this plan.  The key is - the Williams fans KNOW they deserve to be ranked above Amherst, their arch rival, and that knowledge will drive them to the site.  They'll post the records, the common opponents, how the teams played.  All that will accomplish is stirring up the angst of other teams that feel they too are deserving.  They in turn will post about their team, giving the reasons why they should be in the Top 25.  The traffic will grow exponentially while we sit back and count our money.  It's perfect. 

From this point forward we will refer to this poll mischief as: Operation Troll.

Sincerely,
Pat Coleman
The Don



I for one am not going to take the bait and I suggest you follow suit.  If you do not hear from me again soon you know what happened.

[amh63]

Madz......hope to see you back.  The board needs your sharp wit and analytical mind......and nescac 1 needs a fellow supporter of what will be a fine Williams team by the end of the season.
My take of the polls to date.....remember it is still early in the season....a period of team building etc.....is that the pollsters are themselves evaluating their perceptions of the early season and putting values to the win/lost data that is flooding in.  I believe that it now based primarily on wins.  For example...Franklin & Mar. won two very close games at home against Gettysburg and Haverford....less than 3 points, I believe.  Not big wins against schools of strong recent records.....and yet F & M rose in the polls.  Yet Wash U. lost and rose and RIC lost two and remained.  Amherst dropped 12 spots after their 2nd lost....so it hard to see Williams rise 13 spots for their recent fine wins.  Deeper consideration of the wins and loses by ranked teams against opponents have not reached the level of the strong   evaluation of such factors as injuries, home or away games, or the quality of the wins and maybe even the point spreads.
The pollsters are human and need time to sift through the new data against their ranking factors...or whatever.  I'm sure the polls will settle in and be more "reasonable to all after the semester break and when conference games begin.

In any case, before I forget.....Seasons Greetings to ALL!....and thanks to Ms. Parker for her remarks.

[toad22]

I'm with Frank on this one. Time will tell how good Amherst, RIC, Williams, etc. really are. It is clear in my mind that none of the NESCAC teams are great this year. Midd is probably very good, just based on the team they returned. I am less certain about Amherst, simply because they lost so much. Williams has a great deal of promise, but must develop some more depth, and get more consistent. Wesleyan and Tufts are a bit of a negative surprise. They seemed better on paper.

It isn't as much about the NESCAC this year anyway. A good many of the best regional teams are in other leagues. I think it is going to be tough to get at large bids this year - it is best to win a lot, and hopefully win the league championship.