MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

Panthernation....it seems that you wii argue with a rock if you thought it  might lower your high opinion of your  "blogs".   Accept the basic fact that intelligent people have different opinions...see things differently.  IMHO , you guys...saw you'll working in Salem...need to take a break!   Go to classes maybe....forgot midd's academic schedule is different.  Go watch some Div 1 games.  The WSJ reported the other day that the RPI used in this season"s selection/ranking of teams in the brackets is under attack....due to all the "upsets" so far.....especially from a western conference that sent eight teams to "march madness".   Maybe you guys can critique  the method of team selections and can come back to this board and we can have a discussion.  Div 3 tourney selection process always brings out the best in posters, across many BB boards.

[Gregory Sager]

Bringing the recruits list forward with the updates I caught...

AMHERST RECRUITS
Jacob Nabatoff---6'8 C, Charlotte Latin HS,  Charlotte, NC
Reid Berman---  PG, New Trier, MN
Jeff Racy---6'4 G, Ridgefield HS, Ridgefield, CT

Reid Berman isn't from Minnesota. He's a native of Wilmette, IL, one of the upscale "North Shore" suburbs of Chicago, and he attends New Trier High School in neighboring Winnetka. He's a very solid player; I think that he's now New Trier's all-time assists leader. He also stands 6'0, if you want to fill in that info as well.

[jumpshot]

Chris Collins, Duke assistant, gets Northwestern men's basketball head coaching position.

[lefrakenstein]

You'll notice that we haven't made the same case for Nolan's candidacy as an All-American or Regional Player of the Year. While his regular season performance was still worthy of NESCAC Player of the Year in our eyes, we don't feel his case for Regional Player of the Year or as First-Team All-American is anywhere as strong.

With respect to MIT, WPI, Brandeis, RIC maybe one or two others that cycle through, I'm not sure that there are so many strong non-NESCAC contenders that winning the Regional Player of the Year is significantly more impressive than winning the NESCAC POY. I would have to check, but I imagine that the overlap in the awards is considerable.

Update: the NESCAC has won 6 of the 8 D3hoops Northeast Regional POY awards. Only D'Auria and Jimmy B of MIT have broken the run. Hard to argue with those guys. It was pleasure to get to see Bartolotta play Amherst, although he had a scary moment at the end of that one and I think he missed some time afterwards. In any case, it's too bad we don't play them every year.

Double Update: Just went back and looked at the D3hoops.com all-decade team again. Hilarious. 7 of the 20 players named played in the CCIW, which didn't win a single title in that time frame. If you're ever unsure if this site has a midwestern bias...look no further.

[Old Guy]

More on St. Amour.  I realize Vermont has some pretty weak hoops competition, but still, those stats are insane!  I imagine he will have the opportunity to contribute off the bench as a frosh given Midd's two big losses on the perimeter:

St. Amour is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior guard averaged 30.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.4 steals per game this past season, leading the Thunderbirds (13-9) to the Division I quarterfinals. The state's returning Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year, St. Amour was also named the Burlington Free Press and Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year as a junior. He finished his prep career with 2,064 points, third in state history.

St. Amour has maintained a 4.13 GPA in the classroom. Also a soccer standout, he has volunteered locally on behalf of youth sports programs, blood-donation drives and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. nescac1

I have been on a plane most of the day; now I'm here in Tucson, tired (I got up at 3:30 a.m. to get to the airport this a.m.) - and I found out on this board that St. Amour is coming to Midd and not UVM (as a "preferred walk-on") or Tufts where he had also shown interest. Made my day! Madzillagd & nescac1 - are you sure? Source?

I have a boy on the Middlebury High team, so I have seen St. Amour play many times. He's the real deal. Great range, quick release, also loves to go to the basket, can really handle the ball. You'll love to watch him play, a snake-like 6'2", finds many ways to get the ball in the basket. Had no supporting cast, saw nothing but junk defenses, double and triple-teams. He's animated but never complains to refs when he's manhandled. Serious student, seems like a great kid. The player I might compare his game to is, hush my mouth, Aaron Toomey, though I believe he projects to being a 2 in college.

Vermont sports is decidedly small-time, not many basketball players go on to play at college. But Tufts' Ben Ferris (last year's ROY) is a Vermonter, and Middlebury has had some great Vermont players over the years: 1000 point scorers Jason Prenevost, Mike Baumann, and Paul Righi (albeit some years ago) and more recently, Andrew Harris, just short of 1000, but about the best outside shooter I've seen at Midd. No one on this year's team is from VT. St. Amour also loves to play other sports, soccer and baseball. I've met him and his parents (no illegal visits - just said hello). PantherNation has seen him play - and I'm sure that they are preparing a 1000 word exegesis on St. Amour and his abilities. 

amh63: I agree that PantherNation may be beating a dead horse with their endless analysis of Toomey's limitations. Did I know that Toomey, having a night like Kmiec's Amherst game, would hit the winning shot in the 3OT thriller? Absolutely. But you have to admit their analysis is provocative, based on their actual presence at games (eyeball test) and strenuous, laborious  statistical analysis. They may not be right, but they motivate Lafrakenstein and AmherstStudent05 to come back with their best shot (I recall when I first came on the board and the back and forth was occasionally of the "your team sucks" and "your team sucks worse!" variety).

High 80s today in Tucson. Took off my sweater and socks.

[Pat Coleman]

You'll notice that we haven't made the same case for Nolan's candidacy as an All-American or Regional Player of the Year. While his regular season performance was still worthy of NESCAC Player of the Year in our eyes, we don't feel his case for Regional Player of the Year or as First-Team All-American is anywhere as strong.

With respect to MIT, WPI, Brandeis, RIC maybe one or two others that cycle through, I'm not sure that there are so many strong non-NESCAC contenders that winning the Regional Player of the Year is significantly more impressive than winning the NESCAC POY. I would have to check, but I imagine that the overlap in the awards is considerable.

Update: the NESCAC has won 6 of the 8 D3hoops Northeast Regional POY awards. Only D'Auria and Jimmy B of MIT have broken the run. Hard to argue with those guys. It was pleasure to get to see Bartolotta play Amherst, although he had a scary moment at the end of that one and I think he missed some time afterwards. In any case, it's too bad we don't play them every year.

Double Update: Just went back and looked at the D3hoops.com all-decade team again. Hilarious. 7 of the 20 players named played in the CCIW, which didn't win a single title in that time frame. If you're ever unsure if this site has a midwestern bias...look no further.

Based on something we released six years ago? Funny. With our staff that, at the time, consisted of a guy in Connecticut, one in Philly, one in Baltimore and one in D.C.

During the span 1998-2007, I feel confident those were the best players.

[Panthernation]

More on St. Amour.  I realize Vermont has some pretty weak hoops competition, but still, those stats are insane!  I imagine he will have the opportunity to contribute off the bench as a frosh given Midd's two big losses on the perimeter:

St. Amour is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior guard averaged 30.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.4 steals per game this past season, leading the Thunderbirds (13-9) to the Division I quarterfinals. The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year, St. Amour was also named the Burlington Free Press and Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year as a junior. He finished his prep career with 2,064 points, third in state history.

St. Amour has maintained a 4.13 GPA in the classroom. Also a soccer standout, he has volunteered locally on behalf of youth sports programs, blood-donation drives and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. nescac1

I have been on a plane most of the day; now I'm here in Tucson, tired (I got up at 3:30 a.m. to get to the airport this a.m.) - and I found out on this board that St. Amour is coming to Midd and not UVM (as a "preferred walk-on") or Tufts where he had also shown interest. Made my day! Madzillagd & nescac1 - are you sure? Source?

I have a boy on the Middlebury High team, so I have seen St. Amour play many times. He's the real deal. Great range, quick release, also loves to go to the basket, can really handle the ball. You'll love to watch him play, a snake-like 6'2", finds many ways to get the ball in the basket. Had no supporting cast, saw nothing but junk defenses, double and triple-teams. He's animated but never complains to refs when he's manhandled. Serious student, seems like a great kid. The player I might compare his game to is, hush my mouth, Aaron Toomey, though I believe he projects to being a 2 in college.

Vermont sports is decidedly small-time, not many basketball players go on to play at college. But Tufts' Ben Ferris (last year's ROY) is a Vermonter, and Middlebury has had some great Vermont players over the years: 1000 point scorers Jason Prenevost, Mike Baumann, and Paul Righi (albeit some years ago) and more recently, Andrew Harris, just short of 1000, but about the best outside shooter I've seen at Midd. No one on this year's team is from VT. St. Amour also loves to play other sports, soccer and baseball. I've met him and his parents (no illegal visits - just said hello). PantherNation has seen him play - and I'm sure that they are preparing a 1000 word exegesis on St. Amour and his abilities. 

amh63: I agree that PantherNation may be beating a dead horse with their endless analysis of Toomey's limitations. Did I know that Toomey, having a night like Kmiec's Amherst game, would hit the winning shot in the 3OT thriller? Absolutely. But you have to admit their analysis is provocative, based on their actual presence at games (eyeball test) and strenuous, laborious  statistical analysis. They may not be right, but they motivate Lafrakenstein and AmherstStudent05 to come back with their best shot (I recall when I first came on the board and the back and forth was occasionally of the "your team sucks" and "your team sucks worse!" variety).

High 80s today in Tucson. Took off my sweater and socks.

Old Guy,

The source is Matt St. Amour himself. On Tuesday he tweeted: "I am taking my talents to Middlebury. I can't be any more excited!!! It's been the toughest decision of my life."

He also spoke about his decision to go to Middlebury on ESPN 101.3 today. Said that the potential to play right away was a big factor in his decision to come to Middlebury and that he was attracted to the "feel" of the school. Undoubtedly the best part of the interview, however, was when he was asked what his goal at Middlebury was. He said when told the Middlebury coaches he was coming to play here, he asked them if they were ready to win a national championship.

After consideration, your Toomey comparison is a good one. St. Amour is bigger, and will most likely play the 2, as you said, but he has similar range (seemingly endless) and is great at getting around the edge and inside.

[Charles]

More on St. Amour.  I realize Vermont has some pretty weak hoops competition, but still, those stats are insane!  I imagine he will have the opportunity to contribute off the bench as a frosh given Midd's two big losses on the perimeter:

St. Amour is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior guard averaged 30.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.4 steals per game this past season, leading the Thunderbirds (13-9) to the Division I quarterfinals. The state's returning Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year, St. Amour was also named the Burlington Free Press and Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year as a junior. He finished his prep career with 2,064 points, third in state history.

St. Amour has maintained a 4.13 GPA in the classroom. Also a soccer standout, he has volunteered locally on behalf of youth sports programs, blood-donation drives and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. nescac1

I have been on a plane most of the day; now I'm here in Tucson, tired (I got up at 3:30 a.m. to get to the airport this a.m.) - and I found out on this board that St. Amour is coming to Midd and not UVM (as a "preferred walk-on") or Tufts where he had also shown interest. Made my day! Madzillagd & nescac1 - are you sure? Source?

I have a boy on the Middlebury High team, so I have seen St. Amour play many times. He's the real deal. Great range, quick release, also loves to go to the basket, can really handle the ball. You'll love to watch him play, a snake-like 6'2", finds many ways to get the ball in the basket. Had no supporting cast, saw nothing but junk defenses, double and triple-teams. He's animated but never complains to refs when he's manhandled. Serious student, seems like a great kid. The player I might compare his game to is, hush my mouth, Aaron Toomey, though I believe he projects to being a 2 in college.

Vermont sports is decidedly small-time, not many basketball players go on to play at college. But Tufts' Ben Ferris (last year's ROY) is a Vermonter, and Middlebury has had some great Vermont players over the years: 1000 point scorers Jason Prenevost, Mike Baumann, and Paul Righi (albeit some years ago) and more recently, Andrew Harris, just short of 1000, but about the best outside shooter I've seen at Midd. No one on this year's team is from VT. St. Amour also loves to play other sports, soccer and baseball. I've met him and his parents (no illegal visits - just said hello). PantherNation has seen him play - and I'm sure that they are preparing a 1000 word exegesis on St. Amour and his abilities. 

amh63: I agree that PantherNation may be beating a dead horse with their endless analysis of Toomey's limitations. Did I know that Toomey, having a night like Kmiec's Amherst game, would hit the winning shot in the 3OT thriller? Absolutely. But you have to admit their analysis is provocative, based on their actual presence at games (eyeball test) and strenuous, laborious  statistical analysis. They may not be right, but they motivate Lafrakenstein and AmherstStudent05 to come back with their best shot (I recall when I first came on the board and the back and forth was occasionally of the "your team sucks" and "your team sucks worse!" variety).

High 80s today in Tucson. Took off my sweater and socks.

Old Guy,

The source is Matt St. Amour himself. On Tuesday he tweeted: "I am taking my talents to Middlebury. I can't be any more excited!!! It's been the toughest decision of my life." He also spoke about his decision to go to Middlebury on ESPN 101.3 today. Said that the potential to play right away was a big factor in his decision to come to Middlebury and that he was attracted to the "feel" of the school. Undoubtedly the best part of the interview, however, was when he was asked what his goal at Middlebury was. He said when told the Middlebury coaches he was coming to play here, he asked them if they were ready to win a national championship.
After consideration, your Toomey comparison is a good one. St. Amour is bigger, and will most likely play the 2, as you said, but he has similar range (seemingly endless) and is great at getting around the edge and inside.

He is in for a rude awakening. Freshman carry the rest of teams gym bags.

[jumpshot]

Bucknell has signed Dave Paulson to a five-year contract extension.

[maineman]

Vermont sports is decidedly small-time, not many basketball players go on to play at college. But Tufts' Ben Ferris (last year's ROY) is a Vermonter, and Middlebury has had some great Vermont players over the years: 1000 point scorers Jason Prenevost, Mike Baumann, and Paul Righi (albeit some years ago) and more recently, Andrew Harris, just short of 1000, but about the best outside shooter I've seen at Midd. No one on this year's team is from VT.

How about Dave Pentkowski....I think from Springfield, VT?

[amh63]

Nice touch Old Guy....closing with the temperature.   Avoiding my chores today...doing my taxes...also have a trip ahead...to upstate NY, land of endless snow! Might have to visit some wineries to compensate.
Thought I will add some random comments on the Panthers' new recruit.   Gatorade award does have some meaning....Amherst has a FY player that won the same award from a "small" NE state...Conner Green.  The often commented on Green did get key playing time in tournament games.
Playing other sports does have both an up side and a down side in D3.  Playing several sports is often hard on a person's body.  Amherst has seen in the recent past, a number of FY BB players lost to other sports, mainly to injuries, IMO.  I have posted here about Spencer Noon, one of Amherst's BB announcers.  He came to Amherst as a soccer and bb talent.  A two time all state BB from Ct.and a 1500 point player....ahead of even John DiBartoloma in HS.  Spencer was injured his FY. Playing soccer but joined the BB team as a member of the fine senior class.  He played a little. In his second year he again joined the team with an injury from soccer.  Spencer played only soccer the past two years...made captain and first-team all American.  Long post to suggest that Middlebury fans may have some interesting years ahead with a great talented student athlete.

Close for now with another Salem positive experience.  I have often stated here that Willy W. is my favorite player.  It has been mentioned...by Noon...that Willy is somehow related to Ben Pollack the FY Amherst Center....who Noon guided around campus as a HS senior (out of the same HS). Anyway, had an enjoyable chat with Ben.'s mother last Sat....Ben's birthday.  She concluded that my wife and she are related!  Guess Willy and I are somehow "family".  Small world

[Old Guy]

He also spoke about his decision to go to Middlebury on ESPN 101.3 today. Said that the potential to play right away was a big factor in his decision to come to Middlebury and that he was attracted to the "feel" of the school. Undoubtedly the best part of the interview, however, was when he was asked what his goal at Middlebury was. He said when told the Middlebury coaches he was coming to play here, he asked them if they were ready to win a national championship. PantherNation

That's not exactly a Nolan Thompson-like quotation. He tweeted? I guess I'm going to have to tweet myself. I'm all a-twitter.

It'll be fun to watch the preseason pick-up with Kizel, Brierly, and Pendergast playing him. They will be motivated.

[madzillagd]

OG - I was amused by his comments when I saw the level of competition he was playing against in that video.  He may end up being a great player but I hope he realizes he isn't going to be playing against JV level kids in the NESCAC.  Sounds like the folks that saw him in person liked what they saw but I'll have to wait until I see him play some real players. 

[Old Guy]

How about Dave Pentkowski....I think from Springfield, VT? maineman

Good catch, maineman. Dave Pentkowski '75 - great player. He played during what we call, historically speaking, "the Hiatus," that is, after I graduated and before I came back to Middlebury. I also forgot Nate Anderson '04. PantherNation will get after me for sloppy research.

[Old Guy]

OG - I was amused by his comments when I saw the level of competition he was playing against in that video.  He may end up being a great player but I hope he realizes he isn't going to be playing against JV level kids in the NESCAC.  Sounds like the folks that saw him in person liked what they saw but I'll have to wait until I see him play some real players. madzillagd

Well-put, Madz - "amused." One might be put off by the cockiness of his statements, or pleased with the obvious delight he is taking in his school choice. Coach Brown is good at both exploiting ego (Rudin) and deflating it. As has been often pointed out, his gift is his even-handedness and solid presence which in turn reassures and gives confidence to players.

In fairness, St. Amour has played in the summer on select AAU teams against good-out-of-state competition. I think coaches have had an opportunity to see him outside of his VT high school play. Quality of competition is not high in VT, true, but good players can come from anywhere. We all have our favorites, I bet, who came from tiny schools in rural circumstances and did well in college.

I'm impressed that St. Amour stayed in VT to play his high school hoop (he had 1000 points in his junior year). The prep schools, even the high-powered ones (Exeter, Northfield-Mt. Herman, many others) have become effective finishing schools for precocious athletic talents, both with post-graduates and students who come earlier. In VT, most talented hockey players leave, that's my impression. With two kids in high school myself who play on the teams here, I'm glad I didn't have to make the decision about whether to send them off to boarding schools that play at a higher competitive level. They go away soon enough (speaking from experience, I have two older children too). No doubt this discussion took place in the St. Amour home.

We have a freshman on the local team here, 6'3 at 15 with a beautiful stroke from the outside who is already one of the better players in the state: his mom is a coach at the college, his dad was a varsity (women's) basketball and baseball coach at Colby. My sense is that they enjoy living in the town of Middlebury and are satisfied with the basketball situation at the high school, a very positive scene. What the family will do in the best interests of this precocious boy is a matter of conjecture in the town.