MBB: NESCAC

lefrakenstein · January 25, 2014, 10:03:59 AM

Quote from: Old Guy on January 25, 2014, 08:15:21 AM
We are talking about the winningest active coach in college basketball in his 5+ year tenure. He's 132-30 at Williams, for an 87% winning %. Madzillagd

Hard to believe I'm the only one who had some difficulty with this assertion. Mike Maker is without question an outstanding coach, but can we dispense of this "winningest active coach in college basketball" nonsense. That is based the following phrase "in his 5+ year tenure" at Williams. If the statement is technically true, it is at best

More importantly to many NESCAC fans, Maker is 5-10 against Hixon and 5-4 against Brown.

jayhawk · January 25, 2014, 11:31:20 AM

Not cool to harp on recored against Middlebury and Amherst. All 3 teams have fine coaches . All have made marks in national tournament.

madzillagd · January 25, 2014, 11:42:24 AM

Just for clarification, the NCAA publishes stats on the coaches each year those include just a few categories: total wins, winning %, and they do so for active and retired coaches. The one requirement is that the coach has had minimum 5 years experience as a head coach at that level. So I'm not cherry picking a particular length of time to make Maker look good I'm just referencing that he now qualifies for that statustical category. And yes, with UWSP having another great year he's falling ever so slightly behind again. The point was that it is difficult to look at a coach who is one of the most successful in college basketball and believe that he's not coach in the proper manner. And he should change his ways.

As for the tips comment, hadn't even crossed my mind at all. I was just pointing out that Williams has been losing to quality teams and rarely drop games to non-tournament teams.

jumpshot · January 25, 2014, 12:38:08 PM

Toad and others,

Don't be misled by amh63's artificial manufacturing of a false issue of end-of-game behavior. We've seen similar previous attempts to "paint" opposing NESCAC schools, players, coaches, even posters and site originators, leaving the falsely accused with having to prove a negative.

Can be a common tactic emanating from the Washington, D.C. area.The truthful responses by bucket, Nescac1, and toad quickly extinguished obviously phony comments directed toward a person of character and standing.

amh63 · January 25, 2014, 12:41:11 PM

Looked over today's schedule. If I had to choose another game to watch, other than the Amherst games, the Bates versus Tufts game in Melford would be the one. Matchup of young quality front court players...what team will show up aspect to the contest.
Hope other posters will check out the shoes of the players

. Did not see Merryman's standout pair in a recent game. Will Lin wear his in Willy town? Though it does not really matter, Matt Hart's height seems "oversized". He really is a scorer...an all conference guard, first team level if his play continues. Unfortunately he has two All - American guards playing well in the conference.
Speaking of guards, it is good news to hear of Hurly's return to the team. Thanks P'Bear for the update! Always prefer to have Amherst meet teams at full strength.
Read an sports article and thought of Old Guy in West Africa. Seems that there is a 7 footer from Cameroon, a freshman on the Un of Kansas team that is playing so well that he is projected to be a NBA first round pick this year. Has played only 4 years of BB...played Soccer in his native land.
He has been noticed even when his teammate Wiggins was the top HS player last year and is also playing well. Cannot teach height as they say. Player has natural post moves and foot work. Must be from "football". Hope 0ld Guy visits the soccer fields. As a 17 year old, everyone overlooked him, even when he played in Florida in the shadows of the U of Florida while in HS.

middhoops · January 25, 2014, 01:08:51 PM

Embiid wasn't exactly overlooked. He was the #6 high school player in the nation last year and the #1 rated center. He is relatively new to the game which only means that talent, NOT getting your kids started when they're 5 years old, really matters.

amh63 · January 25, 2014, 01:18:51 PM

Middhoops...thanks for the info. Blame my sports info source..the wsj...notice the lc..not so though as you

Must have lunch and watch my games!

Old Guy · January 25, 2014, 03:56:40 PM

Embiid wasn't exactly overlooked. He was the #6 high school player in the nation last year and the #1 rated center. He is relatively new to the game which only means that talent, NOT getting your kids started when they're 5 years old, really matters. Middhoops

My column last week in the local (VT) paper was on Embiid, and his Cameroonian roots. I don't know how to get it to you all: you have to subscribe to the paper (which I suspect you might not want to do) and I don't know how to attach a word document here without copying the whole thing (850 words) in this space, which is an affront to those not interested.

Suffice to say, Embiid (em-beed) is a player of unlimited potential with a 9'6" wingspan, and measures 9'5" inches from fingertips to toes with arms outstretched. He's been playing basketball for just three years, improving leaps and bounds (literally) every game. Many now think he'll go first overall in the draft, ahead of Wiggins and Parker.

He was born and raised here in Yaounde, the capitol of Cameroon (1.7 m pop.). His dad is a colonel in the army, so there's no primitive village to the NBA melodramatic storyline - the army is well-paid. His hero is Hakeem Olajuwon, from neighboring Nigeria, perhaps the most nimble big man in the history of the game. Embiid watches his tapes and then goes out and duplicates his moves. He played no basketball growing up but did play on organized volleyball and soccer teams ("I was good at headers"), which benefited enormously his shot-blocking and footwork in hoop. Until basketball came along, he aspired to a professional career in volleyball, perhaps in Europe.

There, now you don't have to read the article. I will be writing other pieces on hoop in Cameroon, my entree into the culture. There is one Cameroonian player now in the NBA, and it was his summer clinic in Yaounde that Embiid attended and attracted notice. Off the top of your head, can you identify him? This is his sixth year in the league. No, Joakim Noah doesn't count. His dad, Yannick, the tennis player, is Cameroonian (and spends time here, owns a tennis club, other business), but Joakim has a Swedish mom and was raised in Paris and New York.

Okay, that's your on-line international sports history lesson for today (and quiz). You can return to your regularly scheduled programming.

Today's 4:00pm NESCAC hoop tilts come on here in about ten minutes. I'm hope to get some video, but that's a long-shot at 10:00 pm here on Saturday night. Maybe everyone will be out drinking and I'll have the internet to myself. I think I'll start with Amherst-Trinity, then try Bowdoin-Colby. I'll probably end up "watching" live stats and be happy for that. I'm looking forward to the games.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · January 25, 2014, 05:14:18 PM

Mbah a Moute.

Isn't his dad a prince or something?

madzillagd · January 25, 2014, 05:24:10 PM

He is a prince.

nescac1 · January 25, 2014, 05:48:44 PM

Really, really nice win for the Ephs over Hamilton today. The Ephs had three perimeter players in street clothes, but the rest of the team stepped up well to compensate. In fact, the Ephs posted their best offensive performance in over a month as they scored 88 points. Stat of the game: on 30 made buckets, the Ephs had 22 assists -- they were far more composed on offense than they were vs. Amherst (of course, Hamilton's defenders are not as athletic, aggressive, or large, but Williams also simply played much better), exhibiting tremendous patience on offense.

Ephs led by Duncan Robinson's 24 points and 8 boards, including 6 treys. Good to see Robinson getting more and more aggressive on offense. The Ephs were able to consistently get him open for good looks from three, a shot that I'm happy to see launched routinely. Daniel Wohl and Michael Mayer also had big games for Williams, both look 100 percent recovered from early-season injury woes. Wohl is explosive going to the basket, and although Mayer only had 16 points he drew a ton of attention from the Hamilton defenders freeing up space for the other Ephs. Mike Greenman continues to get better and better for Williams, running the point today like a veteran with 8 points and 7 assists, against only 1 turnover. While Hayden is definitely missed, it's great to see Greenman show that he can run the point capably, and when Hayden returns they will have tremendous point guard depth. Also, Matt McCreary played very well off the bench today, adding 5 points and 2 steals and generally be a menace in passing lanes. The only negative for the Ephs is that Taylor Epley continues to struggle a bit with his shot, although he played very hard today and did manage to sink a couple of threes.

For Hamilton, Matt Hart is really fun to watch. His step back jumper is a shot you don't see in many guys' arsenals and he just nails it consistently. He doesn't have a ton of help, but what a player.

Speaking of fun to watch, I agree that Embiid is going to be a force in the NBA. His footwork is already better than most big men in the NBA, incredible considering how little hoops he has played. If I had to bet on two guys under 20 to eventually become perennial NBA all-stars, one would Embiid and the other, Giannis Antetokounmpo -- that dude is just an absolute freak of nature, never seen a player like him.

P'bearfan · January 25, 2014, 05:49:29 PM

Bowdoin defeats Colby 64-59; the P'bears were led by Swords and Pieri who both had double doubles. Grant White also had 11 points and 5 rebounds. Bowdoin shot well from behind the arc (50%) but uncharacteristically didn't take that many attempts (3-6). Another interesting point - Bowdoin's bench (Hausman, Fuller, Palecki) only combined for 6 points today. Typically they can be counted on for 12-18 points in a game.

Colby got a big time game from their bench mainly from Shane Rogers who scored 15 points in 23 minutes - the most he's played this season. Hudnut had a relatively quiet game with just 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Good win for the Polar Bears and now they can get ready for 2 big games against Trinity and Amherst. Should be fun!!

middhoops · January 25, 2014, 06:19:10 PM

John Swords was fun to watch play. When he feels confident, there aren't many D3 players that can keep him from getting to the hoop. Immediately after picking up his third foul, he made a difficult block on a Hudnut shot that really energized him. Two individually improvised offensive plays culminated in dunks shortly thereafter. He's still improving.

Duncan Robinson was pure joy to watch today. He needs even more looks.
Michael Mayer WOULD round into his old game in time for Middlebury. Mayer, Robinson and Wohl are firing on all cylinders right now. Even with Epley not quite on his game and Rooke-Ley out; the Ephs are capable of huge offensive outbursts. Except against Amherst, but that's another story.

Matt Hart is one great basketball player. I love watching him play.

amh63 · January 25, 2014, 06:33:13 PM

Exhausted watching two games. WBB goes long due to Trinity coach extending game with fouls. Oh well, therefore the Amherst MBB game starts around/after 4:30. Did not matter as the game had no vocal and video was spotty. Technical problems on Trinity side....after a fine earlier webcast. Go figure. Amherst leads by 6 at the half and wins by 6 at the end...67-61. Low scoring game due to part to tough defense by both teams and sloppy play by both teams and yes poor shooting by both teams. Amherst shot a little better from the field, but lost the battle of the boards; but won with fewer TOs....more assists. Good game to get past. Trinity is not an easy win, imo, especially at home. Coach Hixon was not happy with some calls down the stretch....one with Aaron knocked to the floor...undercut it seems, based on Hixon's gestures...led to a TO...shot clock violation on Amherst. Give credit to the Tufts team. Played hard.

Did check in on several games around the league. Tufts led early but Bates almost caught up, only to fall to Tufts. Sabety had 3/4 blocks and 10 points at the half, I think. Saw Hamilton get under 10 points to Williams, but Williams soars ahead...see nescac1 write-up

Forgot...got video and audio about 9 minutes into the second half. Amherst had solid 9 point lead that went up to 14-15 for awhile...only to fall to six at the end. Toomey had 8 and George had 9. Green, Killian both had about a dozen apiece Kalema led the team with 18.

Old Guy · January 26, 2014, 04:29:52 AM

Mbah a Moute.

Isn't his dad a prince or something? Hoops fan

We have a winner! Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (BAH ah MOOT-ay) starred at UCLA, now with the Timberwolves. The other Cameroonian who played in the NBA was Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje (BOOM-ja BOOM-ja, fun to say), another seven footer, who played his college ball at Georgetown.

He is a prince. Madzillagd

A prince is not that uncommon in Cameroon. There are many princes. They are the sons of the Fon, who is like the king of a village or region, and has many administrative and judicial responsibilities. The central government understands the authority of this traditional structure and works closely with the Fons. There are many Fons, and a Fon has many wives, with whom he lives in a compound of sorts, in some places quite spectacular. All of the Fons' sons by all of his wives are princes, and one, whom he designates, will succeed him. I think I have that right.

Couldn't get any video last night, or live stats. Lousy internet night here. Had to be satisfied with recaps and box scores at the end of the games. Form held. I thought Colby might knock off Bowdoin in Waterville; thought Bates might get by Tufts in Medford; thought Trinity had a chance against the Jeffs. Not to be. Now we can anticipate the Ephs-Panthers at the end of the week.