MBB: NESCAC

[Pat Coleman]

I am not saying not to talk about it! Just saying it won't influence my vote.

[nescac1]

Just voicing an opinion, is all.  No expectation that it will influence you, or anyone else, to support him -- all I ask is that it doesn't influence you in the other direction, either. 

[grabtherim]

Nescac1's comments are called called opinion and debate the latter of which you are clearly not suited for or capable of.  The only mention of "trying to influence your vote" came from YOU when you raised it. 
Even worse it was accompanied by a not too subtle warning:
"You are more likely to see Robinson get national rookie of the year if you stop trying to influence me." 
As nescac1 properly noted, a retraction was warranted.  To the contrary, further juvenile explanations, puts your foot even further in your mouth than it already was, and removes the unquestioned lack of bias a voter of an award is supposed to have.
To be clear, it is my opinion that Robinson should not only have been ROY in our league but also 1st team.  He was that good this past season.  Painful for a big Midd supporter to say, but it is what it is.  You should note that this is opinion which invites debate, not the impetus for a warning to possibly alter someone's vote.       

[toad22]

I am so happy that Williams will get a third trip to Virginia this year. The team seems to finally be playing closer to their collective abilities.  I really couldn't care less which of the teams we play first. All three are really tough, so they will need to play even closer to their best to win and have a chance at winning it all. In Mike Maker's six seasons, this team has been second only to the 2012 team in terms of problems, injuries, and difficulties. They have overcome them and made it back to Salem. I am very pleased for all of the players, and the coaching staff. All elements of their game has come around except their 3 point shooting, which has lagged in the last 2-3 weeks. If they can get that going, they will be every other team's nightmare at the final four.

I don't care about individual awards, so I'll make no comments, except to state that I would never trade Robinson for Flannery, plus a player to be named later!

[grabtherim]

Congrats to both the LJs and Ephs.  I'm happy that a NESCAC team will be in this year's Championship Game.  The coaching in the league with a few glaring exceptions is fantastic.
 

I am so happy that Williams will get a third trip to Virginia this year. The team seems to finally be playing closer to their collective abilities.  I really couldn't care less which of the teams we play first. All three are really tough, so they will need to play even closer to their best to win and have a chance at winning it all. In Mike Maker's sex seasons, this team has been second only to the 2012 team in therms of problems, injuries, and difficulties. They have overcome them and made it back to Salem. I am very pleased for all of the players, and the coaching staff. All elements of their game has come around except their 3 point shooting, which has lagged in the last 2-3 weeks. If they can get that going, they will be every other team's nightmare at the final four.

I don't care about individual awards, so I'll make no comments, except to state that I would never trade Robinson for Flannery, plus a player to be named later!

[AmherstStudent05]

You are more likely to see Robinson get national rookie of the year if you stop trying to influence me.

I don't want to pile on here, but I must say that, like nescac1, I found this sentence to be off-putting.

I for one really enjoy the d3hoops.com awards.  I don't get to watch much d3 basketball outside the NESCAC, so I rely on the tireless d3hoops guys to act as my eyes and ears and to give me a sense of the talent that exists in the rest of the country/region and how that talent stacks up against my favorite Lord Jeff players and coaches.

I know that all of these postseason awards are more art than science -- but I also appreciate how much work can go into doing them justice.  My expectation has always been that they have always been determined "on the merits" based on what has transpired on the hardwood  The above quotation from Pat strongly implies that lobbying for a certain player on these might actually be held against that player.  I really hope that this is not the case and has never been the case with the d3hoops awards.

[gratefulfred15]

Should be a great weekend of basketball all around. With regards to the all region selections, Killian has been getting snubbed all year (nescac team included) in what appears to be a popularity contest. No way does kizel deserve these accolades over Killian this season. Only explanation is that midd hoops fans go crazy over Joey and the selection committee listens for some reason. At the end of the day though, Killian will be going for his second ring which means a lot more than individual awards. Can't wait til Friday, anyone know of any good steak houses in Salem?

[old_hooper]

Hats off to both Amherst and Williams for FF appearance again.  This will make 7 of 11 years that either The LJ/Ephs have been in the championship game.  Both have made 3 appearances and the winner of Friday will be making their 4th to the championship game.  That is most impressive!

[amh63]

Nescac1...forget the six pack...my opening comment was a lead in sort of remark.  I would expect positive comments from players and coaches in such a situation...a tongue in cheek comment..sort of....besides, beer makes my face turns red...genetic thing

Middhoops...respect your views but must point out several things.  A counterpoint post to my earlier post on Williams' opponents...to build up Amherst's opponents last weekend.
All three of Amherst's opponents are tough teams with quick athletic players and good coaches.  They all have been flying under the radar by many for most of the season...not highly ranked, etc.  they are good...have to be to get into the post season from regions that have not gotten "national" attention...much..IMO.  Plattsburgh had some setbacks due to injuries in the season...but was at full strength, I believe for the sectionals.  They gave Amherst troubles last season.  Toomey and Kalema both had high TOs last year.  Morrisville State beat Richard Stockton...a ranked team who had just beaten Cabrini at Cabrini with its all everything player and very high ranking..4th in the nation.?  Morrisville has overlooked front court players in K. Alter and "man mountain" Wilkes ....label by another Amherst  poster.  Mr Wilks who is listed at 6'8" and 280 lbs takes a lot of space under the boards...like Amherst's  "Big Pete" Kaasila ...had 15 points and 7 rebounds in less than 20 minutes of play.  I remember him making hooks and short shots and medium shots to help  cut the Jeff's' lead in the second half.  Amherst's was trying to get fouls on him to keep him out of the game.   He was not that much of an offensive factor in the RS game, I believe.  Now Alter is a player...he is bigger than listed and even hit a 3-point shot...and helped Morrisville control the boards.   Last point is on conditioning.  The announcers  did point out that Morrisville do only play their 5 starters for games...forty minutes..  Connor Green played well after an injury that kept him out of the York game in the Cardinals game.  The announcers in that game mentioned that the Coaches were more concerned about Green's conditioning than about his ankle.  For the Morrisville game he was tired and the coaches were not happy when he came out for a drink and rushed him back in.  The Amherst coaches were not happy with their players not getting back on defense after making a basket....Morrisville players were in better condition for back to back games it seems.  I am sure that is something the Amherst coaches will be working on.  The team leaves for Salem on Wednesday.  There are events to attend to on Thursday...hope all are well on Friday.  Levine's ankle sprain does not look good...do not expect him to be dressed on Friday.

[Bucket]

I am not saying not to talk about it! Just saying it won't influence my vote.

Actually, that's not what you said, Pat. You specifically spoke of retribution. You did not say, "you won't influence my vote." You said "You are more likely to see Robinson get national rookie of the year if you stop trying to influence me." I.E., "if you keep it up, I may very well hold it against Robinson" or Well, I was going to vote for him, but not with all of this lobbying."

So, actually, you did say don't talk about!

[Bucket]

Only explanation is that midd hoops fans go crazy over Joey and the selection committee listens for some reason.

Yes Fred. Only Middlebury fans go crazy over Joey. No one else who cheers for other teams has ever recognized him for being one of the best players in the conference/region/country.....

[grabtherim]

Med School can wait.
http://www.middlebury.edu/athletics/sports/football/archive/2013-2014/news/node/471505

[gratefulfred15]

@bucket

Obviously kizel is a good player, there's just no way I take him over Killian this season. And even though Killian had a better season people seem to take kizel's side because of what he's done in the past. It's like voting for kobe Bryant for the ASG over Damien lillard because of Kobe's past accomplishments rather than his season numbers.

Doesn't mean anything at this point though, Jeff's making their second consecutive final four appearance which is all that matters.

[gratefulfred15]

Toomey= Tom Brady

Kizel= Joe Flacco

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I am not saying not to talk about it! Just saying it won't influence my vote.

Actually, that's not what you said, Pat. You specifically spoke of retribution. You did not say, "you won't influence my vote." You said "You are more likely to see Robinson get national rookie of the year if you stop trying to influence me." I.E., "if you keep it up, I may very well hold it against Robinson" or Well, I was going to vote for him, but not with all of this lobbying."

So, actually, you did say don't talk about!

Or maybe Pat recognized his penchant for unconscious bias and is warning that it tends to reward the sleeper rather than the favorite?  It doesn't have to be malicious to have an impact.