MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

Middhoops...you Vermonters are tough guys....running the courts at that age.  I  could not and stuck to half court games only...then played with those 22 year dudes if they were related to me.  At least you were smart in playing with better players.  Old rule of thumb in pick up games...less injuries playing with better players...here in the South...on city black top courts

[toad22]

Of course I'm totally biased, but playing the last few games with three freshmen leading the way, makes me feel really good about Williams' chances coming down to the finish of regular season play and into the postseason. The loss of 2 top upperclassmen starters, Rooke-Ley and Epley, could have messed the Ephs up badly, but instead, they have responded by playing their best basketball of the season. Aronowitz and Greenman are all likely to be stars in the coming years. Robinson already is one. Williams needs to take care of business against two dangerous opponents, Conn and Wesleyan, and the hope Middlebury catches lightning in a bottle, and beats Amherst, at Amherst, on senior day -- a tall order. In any case, two wins by Williams this weekend will wrap up a 9-1 regular season, and at least a tie for the regular season  title. 

[AmherstStudent05]

Am05-  It didn't hurt Midd any last year, why should it hurt Bowdoin this year? I think it's a reach to think Midd is going to creep ahead of Bowdoin if the PBears win the rest of their games. Midd dropped 3 games to Will/Am last year and didn't have a difficult nonconference schedule but there was never a doubt they would make the tournament.  KnightSlappy has his predicted regional rankings over in the Pool C topic and he's got Bow @ 7th and Midd @ 10. Regardless of Midd winning this weekend, they still have the only loss to Bates in the conference. I can't imagine the committee seeing that loss and a loss to Ham (if Bowdoin beats them both) and thinking they deserve a spot over Bowdoin. Midd knows they need to win the tournament and they are now playing like they know that.

Fair point, as per usual, madz.  However, if you recall, there was a fair amount of chatter about Midd's schedule last year.  While it was prior to my time here as a poster, I was in the camp that had its fair share of concerns.

Recall that the 2013 Middlebury team had quite in interesting profile heading into last year's tournament.  On the one hand they had (1) a phenomenal overall record, (2) a group of talented, proven, battle-tested upperclassmen leaders, (3) a well earned reputation -- spanning several years -- of being a regional powerhouse, and (4) played three games against two of the best teams in D3 (including the very best!) and literally could have won any one of those three games on the change of just a single play.

On the other hand, heading into last year's NCAA Tournament, Midd's most notable performances were almost certainly their three losses.  The "quality wins" portion of the resume was strikingly bare.  The win at Plattsburgh was easily their best.  I have no idea what their second best was.

Now, with all due respect to this year's Bowdoin squad, last year's Middlebury team was easily in a different class of ability.  However, had last year's Middlebury team accumulated a third regular season conference loss (particularly if that loss came against Tufts), as Bowdoin has already done this year, I think Midd's Pool C chances last year would have been in serious jeopardy. (Lest we forget, while last year's Midd team was a Willy Workman put-back away from claiming a share of the NESCAC regular season title -- subject to a coin flip -- they were also a James Jensen block away from finishing fourth in a conference whose 5th thru 11th teams weren't particularly noteworthy.)

To be clear, I am not arguing the general merits of either Bowdoin's or Midd's chances of getting a Pool C bid this year.  My only point is that IF Midd sweeps this weekend's slate -- something I am counting on my Jeffs to prevent -- and IF all else is equal in the Conference Tournament, you would have a hard time convincing me that Bowdoin is more worthy of an at-large bid than Middlebury is.  I think the teams likely to do the most damage in the Tournament are those that have proven that they can beat tough competition (particularly on the road), even if they have also suffered some bumps along the way.

I have a larger concern as well.  I would hate for Coach Brown (or other coaches) after the season is over to conclude that the best course of action for his program is to ignore the phone the next time Dave McHugh calls (or Pat Coleman, or the coach of any other top program).  Look, I am not trying to romanticize Midd's season to date.  We all know that their (relative) struggles this year extend beyond their 0-2 showing at the Hoopsville Classic.  But I worry that the message to coaches is nonetheless clear: the best way to make the tournament is to schedule as many weak D3 teams in Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts as you can possibly find and then hope to kind of hold your own in conference play.  Maybe that is the right way yo go, but I appreciate when these programs challenge themselves a bit, just as I admired Coach Brown's decision to participate in the Hoopsville Classic.

Not to be an Amherst homer, but I do think that Coach Hixon has done a fantastic job with our schedule in recent years.  We certainly don't only play a murderer's row of competition.  We have our fair share of "cupcakes" -- particularly early in the season, which I think is critical to help the team find its sea legs, especially in light of the reduced preseason in the NESCAC.  However, whenever the regional rankings are published, it is usually the case that Amherst is at or near the top of the teams in region to have played other regionally ranked opponents (not quite sure how this will work out this year.  Traditional powers Brandeis and RIC are down a bit this year, and we didn't play Springfield this year for some reason, though we did add Eastern Conn.).

Usually, Amherst finishes the season with a good understanding of what it takes to be among the top teams in the region, and the key decision makers should have a better sense of where we stand in the Northeast pecking order. 

[AmherstStudent05]

Of course I'm totally biased, but playing the last few games with three freshmen leading the way, makes me feel really good about Williams' chances coming down to the finish of regular season play and into the postseason. The loss of 2 top upperclassmen starters, Rooke-Ley and Epley, could have messed the Ephs up badly, but instead, they have responded by playing their best basketball of the season. Aronowitz and Greenman are all likely to be stars in the coming years. Robinson already is one. Williams needs to take care of business against two dangerous opponents, Conn and Wesleyan, and the hope Middlebury catches lightning in a bottle, and beats Amherst, at Amherst, on senior day -- a tall order. In any case, two wins by Williams this weekend will wrap up a 9-1 regular season, and at least a tie for the regular season  title.

Unfortunately, I am reluctantly forced to agree with you.  I think we can, at this point, safely describe Bates and Tufts as "underwhelming" this season, winning a mid-week game at Stevens down basically two starters was impressive indeed.  Particularly since depth was a major concern for Williams entering in the season.  We were down two starters at Emerson and did not handle that situation nearly as well as we needed to.

Any word on the status of Rooke-Ley or Epley?

[grabtherim]

Unfortunately, I am reluctantly forced to agree with you.  I think we can, at this point, safely describe Bates and Tufts as "underwhelming" this season

I think that's being kind.  Even if both have strong sweep filled closing weekends, their seasons have to be looked at as huge disappointments.  While the loss of Palleschi and Ferris not being 100% are huge, Shelden's teams given the talent they have had over the years, have under performed season after season.  Hard to figure what went wrong for Bates.  They seem to have the goods to win much more than they did this season.  It will be interesting to see if they turn things around next year.     

[nescac1]

re: Bates and Tufts, I felt like Williams played extremely efficient offense this weekend, the best the Ephs have played all season.  But they still were down two key scorers, starting three frosh, and playing a few defensive-oriented players in the rotation, and given that, it is not exactly a testament to the strength of the Tufts and Bates defenses that Williams was able to score over 90 points each game, despite struggling from the foul line (shooting less than 60 percent on the weekend). 

Bates is really small overall, and the young big guys are still learning how to defend inside.  Plus, the Bobcats seem far too often to just totally lose track of guys cutting to the basket, either with the ball or off the ball.  Bates is usually a tougher team defensively, perhaps it was just an off game, but the results of late seem to demonstrate that the Bates defense is faltering right now, giving up an average of 88 points to Conn, Hamilton and Williams in the last three conference games.

I can't remember the last time Tufts had a really good defensive team -- when Tufts is good, it is typically because they outscore opposing teams, but rarely can they shut down really good offensive teams.  And this year, Tufts misses the physical presence of Palleschi.  Remember, Tufts lost two physical interior players to graduation, so once Palleschi got hurt, the Jumbos had no returning guys who could defend on the inside.  Sabety is a major presence, but picks up a ton of fouls so has to frequently sit for long stretches, and Tufts has no one else with the size or strength to stop opposing players from scoring inside.  Ferris's injury clearly hurts the team on both ends, as well, since his movement is compromised.   

If you look at the top teams in NESCAC year to year, what is clear is that, in the games that matter, they can lock down opposing teams defensively.  This year is no exception.  I was worried that Williams did not have that ability this season, but the Ephs seem to have made massive strides on the defensive end of the court since mid-season, especially with the zone defense, although the Ephs' calling card is still offense.  Amherst, Midd (after some early struggles), and Bowdoin are clearly all very tough defensive teams right now.  As is Trinity ...

[nescac1]

AmherstStudent05, sorry, no word on Epley/Rooke-Ley.  Fingers crossed they can at least make it back for the NESCAC tourney, because without them there is so much pressure on Mayer/Robinson/Wohl to carry the load on offense (which they have been doing quite well, but the level of competition will obviously be much tougher going forward).  Speaking of injuries, is Pollack going to be OK? 

[toad22]

I have no idea about Rooke-Ley or Epley. My impression is that both will be back this season, but when is the question. Starting three freshmen is scary, so I hope they can make it back sooner, rather than later.

[AmherstStudent05]

I have no idea about Rooke-Ley or Epley. My impression is that both will be back this season, but when is the question. Starting three freshmen is scary, so I hope they can make it back sooner, rather than later.

Why don't you ask Coach Maker to play Weiheimer or McCreary over Duncan Robinson?  Maybe then all of us could sleep better, toad.

I have no idea about Pollack.  Jayhawk, do you have any inside info?  All I know is that it looked pretty bad on the webcast.  Obviously hoping that that is not the case.

[amh63]

Trinity won it's game over Fisher last night by 14 or more in a warmup to Friday's game with Middlebury.  Conn College has a game tonight but there is no video/webcast of the game at this time shown.
There are some interesting games going on....primarily in the LEC....tonight.  Some of the games maybe of interest here since the teams involved maybe opponents in the first round of the NCAA....like ECSU who holds a two game lead in its conference.  I may take a look....to see if their star guard is back in the lineup.  Their FY front court rebound leader was back in the last game.  Both were out in the lost to Wesleyan in Middletown.
Forgot to mention that Colby has an in state game tonight.  Live stats available for the Conn and Colby games.

[middhoops]

OG, nice touch.
You don't remember but I played in the men's league when you were a ref.  I'm not going to say you got most of your calls right, but you were absolutely fair in doling out confusion to all.  I was on a team that was based solely on your ability to drink beer after games or pay for those who could drink two dozen Buds at Mr. Ups.  Being 47 when I was recruited, you can guess which group I was in. 
Still, you ol' SOB, I never got a charging call from you when those 22 year olds ran me down like bulldozers over a three toed sloth.
Anyway, nice reasoning with YG.

Humble pie.
Old Guy contacted me.  Described my uniform, my game, my team mates in specifics.  His memory borders on freakish.

He also made the point that he was, indeed, a great ref.    +k

[jayhawk]

Amherst05  I am uncomfortable divulging "inside information"  about a player's health

[madzillagd]

Amherst05  I am uncomfortable divulging "inside information"  about a player's health

Yes but would you say that uncomfortableness you are feeling is like a bruise discomfort, a sprain discomfort, or even worse a tear discomfort?   




(and before anybody gets bent out of shape in any way, I'm joking with Jayhawk and NOT making light of anybody's injury)

[amh63]

On Thursday, a reception with Amherst President Biddy Martin is to be held in Wash. D.C. Trustees Meeting in town, since Amherst is also the Trustee of the Floger Shakespere Library on Capital Hill.
Local alumni was just sent an e-mail that the evening reception has been cancelled due to weather.
Shucks, I was going to ask the Prez about the status of Ben Pollack! 
Just kidding.  However knowing "Biddy" ....as she is known to the college community...she probably checked on Pollack.  I also would expect her if she did know  not to reveal the info without restrictions...truly!

[NCF]

Amherst05  I am uncomfortable divulging "inside information"  about a player's health

Yes but would you say that uncomfortableness you are feeling is like a bruise discomfort, a sprain discomfort, or even worse a tear discomfort?   
(and before anybody gets bent out of shape in any way, I'm joking with Jayhawk and NOT making light of anybody's injury)

Hahaha K+