MBB: NESCAC

[P'bearfan]

Why on earth would Bowdoin want a time out at that point anyway?

I don't know.  I would assume you would either let Middlebury try to inbound the ball and run out the clock or force them to take a time out.

[quicksilver]

All I can say is that I hope this was the correct call because it would be terrible to lose the game on a mistaken call.  From the webcast it didn't look like anyone on Bowdoin called from a timeout but I really couldn't see all that well.  Can anyone who was actually there confirm that Bowdoin tried to call a time out?  I know that Middlebury had several time outs left at this point so I hope the refs didn't mix up the players.

Yes, I was sitting at the scorer's table, and it was the correct call. The Bowdoin coaching staff jumped off the bench on the made three, screaming for a timeout. The official was right in front of them, the coach was right there yelling for a timeout and making the T signal with his hands. Whistle blows. Almost immediately, based on the reaction in the gym I suppose, the coach realized his mistake. Head in hands. The official comes over to the table, the table informs him that Bowdoin was out of timeouts, which he had realized by that point, too, and he had no choice by to call the technical.

It appeared to me that it was the older assistant who was yelling for the timeout but the head coach was right there, too. After the game, Coach Gilbride took responsibility, saying that he called it, and he didn't realize that they didn't have any left. I think he was taking the fall for his assistant, but I could be wrong. Whoever it was, a Bowdoin coach leaped off the bench, stepped onto the court, and yelled for a time out on the made three.

I'll have more to say on this game later, though I wanted to offer my first-hand experience to the ending in response to P'bearfan's question.

The "older assistant" would be former Bowdoin great Bobo McFarland . .

[Bucket]

The announcer was questioning the number of time outs about the middle of the 2nd half for Bowdoin.  An offiical goes over to confer with the desk to make sure the board had it correct.  Coaching staff of Bowdoin should have been alerted then. 

You're exactly right. No excuse not being aware how many timeouts you have, especially when there is a stoppage in play to confirm what the book has. And the question at around the 10:00 minute mark was actually whether Bowdoin had one time out too many remaining. That is, the webcast announcer, Bruce Bosley, seemed to think that Bowdoin had one fewer time out than the scoreboard—and ultimately the book—showed the team having. So Bowdoin may have had the benefit of an extra timeout, even before the call for a timeout that didn't exist.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Why on earth would Bowdoin want a time out at that point anyway?

I don't know.  I would assume you would either let Middlebury try to inbound the ball and run out the clock or force them to take a time out.

Ironically, according to magicman, the Midd coach was simultaneously calling for time.  But either the refs heard the P'bears first, or it would be a T even if the other coach was also calling for time.  (One of the many 'technicalities' in the rules that I have no idea about - just doesn't happen often enough.)

[Bucket]

Why on earth would Bowdoin want a time out at that point anyway?

I don't know.  I would assume you would either let Middlebury try to inbound the ball and run out the clock or force them to take a time out.

Ironically, according to magicman, the Midd coach was simultaneously calling for time.  But either the refs heard the P'bears first, or it would be a T even if the other coach was also calling for time.  (One of the many 'technicalities' in the rules that I have no idea about - just doesn't happen often enough.)

Bowdoin's made three was on the baseline, right in front of the Bowdoin bench, and so there was an official standing directly in front of the Bowdoin coaching staff, almost close enough to touch, so when they jumped up to call timeout the official was only a couple of feet away. Jeff was down at the other end of the court. So even if he was calling for a time out also, the Bowdoin coach was definitely heard first. (And, as you say, even simultaneous TOs would result in a technical if one coach was out.)

[old_hooper]

The coaching staff should never allow this to happen.  An assistant on the bench should be keeping track of this and confirming with the scorers table.  The first thing you always do on your last timeout is mention to the players you are out of them.  Certainly no assurance that the PBs go on to win in OT but this loss will be one that will haunt them in seedlings and potentially hosting in first round of CAC tourney.

[P'bearfan]

Tough to know what to make of the Polar Bears.  They still have a gaudy record, and they absolutely went toe-to-toe with Amherst, Williams, and Midd (with two of those games on the road), but they seem to be lacking in the quality wins department.  They do have a very nice win over Babson earlier in the year, but that seems to be it.

Fair assessment.  There's no question that Bowdoin's non-conference schedule is not as strong as Amherst's (and probably Williams' and Midd's).  However, even with my admittedly biased view - I do think they're a very strong team. 

I'm not making any excuses - you've got to go on the road and win tough games and Midd earned the win today.  But one way to look at the Midd game today is despite a pretty poor shooting day (44.2% from the field and 52% from the line) Bowdoin almost sent the game to OT.  Not many teams can shoot that poorly and still tie it up with 2.2 seconds to go.

[middhoops]

PBear fan is right.
Two teams played great defense, shot poorly from the line when it counted and it was decided on a VERY unfortunate technical foul on the Bowdoin coaching staff. I'd be happier if it had gone to OT because the live drama was worth extending.  Bowdoin, going on the road and playing dead even with a Panther squad that has found its rhythm says a lot about them.  Grant White was a scary beast.
Roberts was great, Jensen played his best and Nidenberg gave up nothing, yet John Swords got his points, a ton of rebounds and played great nonetheless.  The PBs deserve to retain their ranking after a battle royale.
We Midd fans are still left to ponder how Bates could look so much like Duke on our first home conference weekend.  On to Amherst/Trinity!

Nicely done, Polar Bears.

[toad22]

Though I hated the way the game ended, no game should end that way, the Middlebury win guarantees that Williams will finish no worse than second in the league regular season, so I'm thankful. It is usually one of the assistant coach's responsibilities to know, and inform the head coach, of how many time outs are left. That being said, the responsibility lies with the head coach. Tim Gilbride is such a good guy, such a fine coach, I feel terrible for him. This is a big win for Middlebury. They should now get a first round home game in the NESCACs. If Midd can get to the semis, who knows what might happen? The final segment of their story is not yet written.

[nescac1]

I second what Toad said.  That is a terrible mistake to make, no doubt about it, but we are all human, and players and coaches screw up at times.  Gilbride has, despite that mistake, done a tremendous job this year -- who among us saw Bowdoin losing only three games, with a great chance to win those three games, after losing its all-NESCAC caliber point guard for the entire year (and yes, after watching Hurley play, I still consider him "lost" since he can barely move out there -- I can't believe he is playing at all right now)?  Bowdoin has really maximized its potential this year and that is a credit to the coaching staff.  If Bowdoin beats Bates and Tufts next weekend, which I expect they will, I think they are basically a lock for the tourney, whatever happens in the NESCAC tournament -- some New England teams with far worse resumes, like Springfield last year, made it into the field. 

Middlebury meanwhile seems to have found its defensive identity at the right time, after uncharacteristically struggling a bit on that end early in the year.  If Matt Daley can get back in game shape and give them one more scorer up front, I think that no one is going to want to play them from here on out, as Kizel and Sinnickson are right now a tremendous dynamic duo and two of the top 6-7 guys in NESCAC.  At Trinity and Amherst is a brutal weekend so it will be interesting to see if Midd can keep the momentum going. 

How about these candidates for NESCAC player of the week: Kizel -- 25-3.3-6, Mayer -- 22-8-2.3, Toomey -- 25-8-7, all in 3-0 weeks for their teams.  Three pre-season all-Americans, all playing up to their billing.  Quite a spectacular week for those three! 

[new yorker1]

The Bates coach was given a Technical foul against Hamilton on Saturday that was a bit questionable at best in my mind. The Hamilton big drew two fouls in maybe ten seconds and on the second the Bates Coach yelled over to the ref why did you call that? The ref replied because it was a foul and the Coach came back with something like, "it wasn't because he yelled at you?" referring to I believe the Hamilton Coach looking for a call. Pretty sure that the Bates Coach was in the box at the time so I don't think it was that. It was pretty funny actually but certainly not something I thought deserved a T and had no effect on the game.

On a side note the Hamilton big has come on strong the last weeks with 5 of his last six games scoring in double figures while posting 6.3 rebounds a game during the same stretch. While he is not the primary reason Hamilton is 5-1 over that same stretch with two wins coming against non NESCAC opponents and the loss coming against Williams.

[30 for 30]

A review from Clinton NY.  Hamilton held serve this weekend winning both home games, perhaps a surprise for some based on oddsmakers lines. Continentals playing their best ball of the year have won 3 straight in conference to even their record. Hart was clearly not 100% this weekend, seemed to be battling a leg injury. His reduced minutes and shots opened the door for others to step up and they did. Newton playing very steady at the point, made consecutive game winning shots v Mid and Tufts. He's now playing as you'd expect from your senior point guard. Santos becoming a reliable post option averaging 13 and 7 the last 4 games while the rest of the rotation is contributing much more than earlier in the season. This team lacks the NESCAC championship pedigree but they are a hungry group. Next step would be one or two road victories this weekend in winnable games. With a healthy Matt Hart who scores in bunches and a rotation that is now providing much need support these guys will be a tough out in the first round. Credit to coach Stockwell who in three years has moved the program into the middle of the conference. Plenty of future upside for the Conts with only two seniors on the roster.

[Panthernation]

This is a big win for Middlebury. They should now get a first round home game in the NESCACs.

While it would look that way, it is more likely that Middlebury will be on the road for the quarterfinals. Below is the final rankings listed by record if favorites win each game game next weekend.

3. Bowdoin (5-3) at Tufts (W), at Bates (W) = 7-3
4. Hamilton (4-4) at Wesleyan (W), at Conn. College (W) = 6-4*
5. Middlebury (5-3) at Trinity (W), at Amherst (L) = 6-4

*holds tiebreaker

[John Gleich]

Not surprisingly, Hart Gliedman's miraculous shot at the end of regulation vs. Colby made the Sportscenter Top 10.

Worth another look.  Go to the 2:47 mark of this you tube clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E-kKZXOlfY

That's a pretty unique camera angle... really brings you into the action!

[Bucket]

This is a big win for Middlebury. They should now get a first round home game in the NESCACs.

While it would look that way, it is more likely that Middlebury will be on the road for the quarterfinals. Below is the final rankings listed by record if favorites win each game game next weekend.

3. Bowdoin (5-3) at Tufts (W), at Bates (W) = 7-3
4. Hamilton (4-4) at Wesleyan (W), at Conn. College (W) = 6-4*
5. Middlebury (5-3) at Trinity (W), at Amherst (L) = 6-4

*holds tiebreaker

I expect there to be a lot of surprises next weekend. Bowdoin could lose two next weekend, honestly. I expect the Tufts game to be a real battle, and the finale against Bates, at Bates, a traditional rivalry game, the last game of the year for the Bobcats. Throw the 1-7 record out the window. Of course Bowdoin could certainly win both, but I would not be surprised by 2-0, 1-1, or 0-2 for the Polar Bears.

You'd think that Hamilton would have the best shot at 2-0 next weekend, but again 2 road games  and Wes has shown they can pull off an upset.

And then Midd, as mentioned, two very tough road games next weekend. But the Panthers have shown they can play with anyone as well. Obviously, 2-0 would be huge. But 1-1 might still be enough for a top 4 finish.