MBB: NESCAC

nescac1 · February 12, 2013, 03:04:29 PM

Panthernation, I hope you aspire to be a sports journalist, great stuff as always!

middhoops · February 12, 2013, 03:13:49 PM

Outstanding analysis.

WPI89 · February 12, 2013, 04:10:57 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on February 12, 2013, 02:28:16 PM
Very nice. Achilles heel, by the way -- maybe we aren't teaching mythology these days.

He nailed the mythology - it was the physiology part that was his misstep. +1 Panther - love your passion

7express · February 12, 2013, 07:02:44 PM

Let the game begin...

walzy31 · February 12, 2013, 07:39:22 PM

Amherst puts up a 22-2 run to erase a 7 pt deficit in the first half.

Halftime Amherst up 43-29

nescac1 · February 12, 2013, 08:49:38 PM

Very nice win for a depleted Eph squad. If you told me that Williams, playing without its three most talented wing players (Rooke-Ley out for year of course, Wohl still out sick, Klemm out with a leg injury suffered during the Amherst game) and without Epley or Mayer having really strong games would beat any NESCAC team by 21, I'd be pretty delighted. The Ephs' three point woes continues, not terribly surprisingly given the perimeter firepower sitting in street clothes. But a combination of fantastic defense (can't recall the last time the Ephs got a combined 16 steals and blocks vs. a NESCAC opponent, created a ton of turnovers) and, frankly, inept and disorganized offense by Trinity, was the key.

For Williams, GREAT to see the supporting players have big games. Hopefully once Klemm and Wohl return, Weinheimer, McCreary, and Hoffmann can make the same sort of contributions in a bench role. McCreary had a very nice all-around game with 10 points, four boards, 2 blocks, 2 steals, his best game as an Eph. Weinheimer had his second straight excellent all-around performance, with 8 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, and some beautiful cutting to the basket. Taylor Epley and Michael Mayer were fairly quiet, with Mayer in particular playing more of a facilitator role with 4 assists (could have been 8 but for Trinity consistently fouling cutters to the basket). Nate Robertson was the top player on both ends for the Ephs, finishing with 19 points despite only 7 FGA, 5 steals, and 1 block. Sean Hoffmann added four big blocks in limited minutes. Williams for the first time in a long time played great TEAM basketball in the second half, getting a lot of points out of the offense off cuts and nice ball movement. They didn't have the outside snipers to make Trinity pay, but still managed to score efficiently in that half. Of course, Trinity does not play with a ton of discipline, as you would expect from a young team. They do have some talented young players, in particular Ayaji and Papadeas, but they are a LONG way from being a good TEAM.

The Ephs can do some damage in the NESCAC tourney if Wohl and Klemm can come back healthy. This weekend was great for McCreary and Weinheimer to get some experience playing big minutes, which hopefully will pay off in the future. Without Wohl and Klemm, though, Williams just does not have the outside shooting to beat a very good team, so fingers crossed that they are back soon. I realize that Mayer was effective as a facilitator today, but I'd also like to see the Ephs get him the ball more closer ot the basket, especially versus a team which is as outsized as trinity. The Ephs' defense has been very, very impressive of late. Fingers crossed that as the squad gets healthier, they can find their shooting touch again and start scoring in the 80's, instead of the high 60's.

nescac1 · February 12, 2013, 09:02:20 PM

Wow. What a game at Midd. Double OT, Midd up one, at free throw line, 10 seconds left. Absolutely CLUTCH three by Nolan Thompson to give Midd the lead. He is a guy you can really go to war with.

nescac1 · February 12, 2013, 09:10:30 PM

Sweet Lord. Midd victimized for the second time this year by the intentional free throw miss. Up three, foul Workman, who hits the first free throw, then scores off his own miss to send it to OT number three. Midd twice in a row fouled Amherst players up three. I ABSOLUTELY endorse that strategy even if it didn't work out. The odds of hitting a three are higher than the odds of hitting a free throw, missing, getting a board, and hitting a bucket. Simply incredible athletic play by Workman by the way. Amherst somehow takes it to OT three despite Toomey shooting (so far) 4-20 from the field and 2-5 (!) from the line ...

nescac1 · February 12, 2013, 09:27:59 PM

That has to be the best regular season NESCAC game, ever. Tough, heartbreakingly loss for Midd. Panthers somehow almost pulled it out despite having THREE starters foul out. Huge NBA-range three from Kizell to cut a four point lead down, then a free throw by Jensen tied it. Then Toomey, despite being ice-cold all game, just absolutely drained without hesitation the game-winning three. I have to admit I was skeptical that Midd could win this game but once again you can never count the Panthers out. Amherst was just one shot better. I'm sure Coach Brown will be focusing on boxing the shooter on free throws over the next few days. But really, Workman right now has raised his game to a whole different level. Might even be the most valuable player on Amherst with his combination of offensive and defensive skills. Very, very tough player, was simply awesome the last two games vs. Williams and Midd.

pick and roll · February 12, 2013, 09:29:01 PM

Great game but what a bummer.

walzy31 · February 12, 2013, 09:30:37 PM

104-101 Amherst in 3OT...that was a ridiculous game.

Toomey hits a three with 2 seconds left to win for Amherst after the worst shooting performance of his career.
Midd battled back like everyone said they would and closed a double digit lead in the 2nd half. The first OT Amherst was up 4 with the ball and 1:05 left before Midd forced 2OT. Double OT was all Middlebury and they absolutely deserved to win those five minutes. Triple OT was a toss up.

Incredible game

amh63 · February 12, 2013, 09:32:05 PM

Amherst wins at the buzzer on a Toomey 3!....score? I. It was by 3. Great game by both teams.
Amherst's three seniors were the story here....Workman and Kaasila both had career highs in points and double double night. On a night Aaron misses 3 foul shots...front end of one and one...he takes the last shot for the win.
Old Guy...a thriller script!

Mr. Ypsi · February 12, 2013, 09:32:46 PM

Basketball can be a cruel game!

Aaron Toomey had a miserable night (5-24, including 2-11 from downtown), but made the game-winning triple with 2 seconds to go. He goes home deliriously happy.

Joey Kizel had a wonderful night (30 points on 8-17 overall and 5-10 from deep), but missed the tying triple at the buzzer. He goes home totally distraught.

7express · February 12, 2013, 09:37:51 PM

Damn stats home work missed pretty much this whole game with the exception of the opening tipoff. What a game! Hopefully there's a rematch in 2 weeks in LeFrak, but I'm sure Williams will have something to say.

old_hooper · February 12, 2013, 09:39:15 PM

Congratulations to both Amherst and Midd for playing one of the hardest fought games that one could witness. Terrific effort from both teams. This will go down as one of the classic games of all time in the CAC. Kassila was having his way toward the end of the game and Workman deserves POY consideration for his performance tonight. Toomey is a gamer, he really tried to do to much tonight when his shot was not falling but he nailed the shot that made the difference to end the game. Killian (I think it was him) might get nominated for the "all crazy team" throwing the ball to half court when the Jeff's were up by three and the Panthers steal it and score to extend the game. The backcourt of Kizell, Woffin and Thompson are tougher than nails! WHAT A GAME!