MBB: NESCAC

Pat Coleman · September 23, 2013, 02:35:14 PM

I think the difference is, if you took the trip with UWSP to St. John's, or to North Central, you'd drive past about 8-10 non-conference teams to get there. And two of the schools UWSP would drive past on those trips are teams they're already playing: St. Thomas and Edgewood.

If you drove five hours south or west from Williamstown you'd pass a lot more than that. There just aren't as many teams in the Midwest.

amh63 · September 23, 2013, 06:35:55 PM

Pat C. and others...all of you bring interesting points and correct ones. There are others, that have impacted the scheduling "game" over the years. One, is the changes made to the criteria in post season selection...SOS, in region wins, and the weighting factors applied to such. Local historic rivarly and relationships between coaches developed over the years. Coach Hixon, mentioned that playing a game in Brooklyn in a different environment was a positive learning experience for many of his players. However, IMHO, there is always the biggest factor in the conference wrt schedules. Academic schedules! Not all conference schools are on the same schedules. Amherst's class schedules are at times linked to the other four schools in the area. Given such factors, it is best to schedule shorter trips and more games with local in region schools....considering the number of schools in NE.

toad22 · September 23, 2013, 07:11:51 PM

I believe that Williams' travel is quite constrained by their budget. That may seem silly at a school with a nearly $2 billion endowment, but that is reality at Williams. I'm sure that we're not unique. Having so many d3 rivals in close proximity, allows this tight budgeting, and Williams takes advantage of it. Also, missing classes is really frowned on, so this policy works in favor of the college's central mission.

Vandy74 · September 24, 2013, 03:59:03 AM

Quote from: Middfan on September 11, 2013, 07:56:12 PM
Not sure if this has been previously reported, but the word is...

One of the expected key members of this year's Panther team, Dylan Sinnickson, is out for the football team as a wide receiver. I have no doubt that he will excel. Still, the possibility of injury combined with hours on the field rather than in the gym, must be on the minds of the coaching staff. He joins that small handful of 3 sport athletes.

Herein demonstrates the beauty and priorities of D3, more relatively, NESCAC sports. It is about the experience.

May he have a guardian angel!

Bad news and good news, hopefully. A local sportswriter we both know told me tonight that Sinnickson has a labrum related injury and won't be playing football. Middhoops had already emailed me that he was no longer listed on the roster and asked if I knew why. The word is he should be ready when the hoop season begins. Was that guardian angel sleeping on the job or just a basketball fan sending a Divine message.

amh63 · September 24, 2013, 04:34:48 PM

Good grief Vandy...what hours are you keeping ?

. Planning to fill a little of the void left by Old Guy?

Panthernation · September 24, 2013, 07:53:40 PM

Quote from: Vandy74 on September 24, 2013, 03:59:03 AM
Bad news and good news, hopefully. A local sportswriter we both know told me tonight that Sinnickson has a labrum related injury and won't be playing football. Middhoops had already emailed me that he was no longer listed on the roster and asked if I knew why. The word is he should be ready when the hoop season begins. Was that guardian angel sleeping on the job or just a basketball fan sending a Divine message.

Sorry, forgot to post this when we tweeted it (https://twitter.com/MiddPantherBlog/status/378662345888657408). He will be full speed with the basketball team in a couple weeks.

Vandy74 · September 25, 2013, 08:45:21 AM

Quote from: amh63 on September 24, 2013, 04:34:48 PM
Good grief Vandy...what hours are you keeping ? . Planning to fill a little of the void left by Old Guy?

I'm an insomniac. Always have been. It makes for some very long days at times. BTW, I just got home from spending the night at Middhoops' camp on Lake Champlain. We talked a lot of NESCAC Hoop. Mostly he talked, I listened. He played an interview PN did with the Middlebury frosh. Very interesting. Have they posted it here? I hadn't heard it before. Assume it's on their blog.

No one replaces Old Guy.

amh63 · September 25, 2013, 10:11:54 AM

Vandy...that is the truth! Old Guy is unique in many ways. Hoping to hear from Young Guy

Also hoping PN will include the interviews here in the near future.

nescac1 · September 25, 2013, 10:19:15 AM

Here is the link: http://sites.middlebury.edu/panthernation/2013/09/22/middlebury-basketball-class-of-2017-radio-interview/

Panther Nation continue doing a great job with their blog, more comprehensive than anything we've ever seen in NESCAC, certainly!

middhoops · September 25, 2013, 10:44:05 AM

PN's interview with the four freshmen was nicely done. Vandy and I noted that their early consensus was that Jake Brown was the best defender and had a very impressive all round game. Defense is what gets you on the court for Jake's uncle. But then, shooters like St. Amour don't come around very often.
Kizel, Brierley, Bulluck, Pendergast, Alvarez, Nacimento, St. Amour, Naughton, Brown and Jones.... playing time will be hard to come by in the Panther back court for a few years.

grabtherim · September 25, 2013, 04:25:36 PM

Quote from: middhoops on September 25, 2013, 10:44:05 AM
PN's interview with the four freshmen was nicely done. Vandy and I noted that their early consensus was that Jake Brown was the best defender and had a very impressive all round game. Defense is what gets you on the court for Jake's uncle. But then, shooters like St. Amour don't come around very often.
Kizel, Brierley, Bulluck, Pendergast, Alvarez, Nacimento, St. Amour, Naughton, Brown and Jones.... playing time will be hard to come by in the Panther back court for a few years.

Very nice job by Panther Nation. The new guys sound like they get along well. I agree, defense is where Midd has excelled, and willingness to commit to D is what will earn a Panther, new or returning, minutes. The most pressing question for Midd this season is, where will the scoring come from? The team averaged 78 ppg last year with 36 of those coming from Lynch, Thompson and Wolfin. Kizel should be at, near or above his 14 ppg unless Midd does not get a big contribution from returnees, freshman or a combo of both. Without that, he will be a lot easier to key on than he was with the 2013 grads on the floor. Over Midd's recent run, scorers like Rudin and Sharry, defenders like Edwards and Locke, and intangibles like Davis and Wholey have been missed when they departed, but the slack was picked up. With the departure of two four year starters (Thompson and Wolfin) and a later blooming scorer in the middle (Lynch), will the 2013-14 Panthers do the same and continue the run? I believe they will, but as always in a NESCAC brimming with talent their play will tell the tale.

P'bearfan · September 26, 2013, 12:08:09 AM

QuoteHere is the link: http://sites.middlebury.edu/panthernation/2013/09/22/middlebury-basketball-class-of-2017-radio-interview/

Panther Nation continue doing a great job with their blog, more comprehensive than anything we've ever seen in NESCAC, certainly!

I agree - a great interview! One of the things that struck me is how comfortable they seem with each other already. Will be intersting to see how they develop over the next four years.

P'bearfan · September 26, 2013, 12:16:37 AM

http://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/mbkb/coaches/gilbride_tim/#/sports/mbkb/coaches/index

Bowdoin has posted short videos of each of their head coaches describing their program. It's a nice touch for recruiting and gives prospective student athletes an easy way to get an initial feel for the program and the coach. One of the things I like about all the NESCAC schools is their emphasis on academics and Coach Gilbride reinforces that. A class act.

amh63 · September 26, 2013, 03:49:00 PM

SE..Fan...thanks for the info. Saw the BB video. The HBC citing importance of academics is really pointing out a conference basis requirement...you have to meet the school's academic standards to get in and play. The coach does do it in a personal and nice way

. I do disagree with a particular comment. The one that the conference teams are very close, competitively , from top to bottom.

P'bearfan · September 26, 2013, 09:16:01 PM

QuoteSE..Fan...thanks for the info. Saw the BB video. The HBC citing importance of academics is really pointing out a conference basis requirement...you have to meet the school's academic standards to get in and play. The coach does do it in a personal and nice way . I do disagree with a particular comment. The one that the conference teams are very close, competitively , from top to bottom.

Yes that comment stood out to me as well. I would say the top tier of NESCAC is very, very tight; 2nd tier...on any given night they could beat you; 3rd tier...well not so much.