MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

IF accurate, this is, to put it mildly, discouraging news for Hamilton fans:  https://twitter.com/centercourt42/status/463313145822724097

"Former CHS & current Hamilton standout, Matt Hart, will make the move to D1 after considering multiple offers that continue to roll in."

Other tweets have reported that he has an offer from Hartford and is also considering Niagra, among others. 

If Hart is really gone, that turns Hamilton from a team who could scare anyone on any given night next year to a team that will be fighting Conn College for last place in the league.  Tough blow. 

I'd be curious to see how Hart does at D1.  I can't think of any NESCAC player who has ever transferred up before, other than guys who were walk-ons (like Varun Ram at Maryland).  Presumably, Hart would get a scholarship, which means he would have a year to sit, get stronger, and grow his game.  If, as no better than the fourth-best player in NESCAC last season, he can succeed at a D1 school, that would speak volumes of the talent in NESCAC.  I have no doubt, by the way, that Toomey, Mayer, and Robinson all could have started for many D1 teams last year.  Hart is a trickier case because he is not a point guard, is not terribly quick or athletic, and he is undersized for a D1 two.  On the plus size, he certainly has the skill set (in particular, ability to get his shot off in tight spaces and very quick release) of a very good D1 two-guard.  He will really need to get stronger though to help compensate for his height and lack of elite athleticism. 

[middhoops]

If Matt Hart gets D1 offers, imagine what Duncan Robinson's mail bag would look like it he decided to move up.

[nescac1]

Don't even joke about that middhoops !!!

[30 for 30]

Totally agree NESCAC1. Hart not very quick or athletic.Excellent scouting.  Hard to believe he scored almost 900 points in two seasons. Especially good against NESCAC top 3 Amherst Williams Middlebury over two seasons. Hart must be really sneaky eh?

[nescac1]

If you think that Hart is as quick or athletic as the average D1 guard, you don't watch much D1 basketball. His shooting and skill are certainly good enough.  But he is going to be facing bigger and faster players almost every time he takes the floor.  He will have to compensate with his crafty play, great ball skills, and ability to get his excellent shot off in tight spaces.  But he was far from the best athlete in NESCAC, which is not a particularly athletic league even in D3.  Thats just reality.

[amh63]

The "dark"/sad view to the Hart story, from my viewpoint, is why a player after two years of play with conference recognition ...would make a move up a level or two.  To get offers, bites from Div 1 schools, one has to make it known that one wants to transfer...like a video of your highlights cited on this board earlier.  Unhappy with Hamilton?...Money matters to attend college in general?  Sad situation, IMO.  It is not based on any thoughts to go professional, considering his abilities presently.

[30 for 30]

Well NESCAC1 we could accept the opinion of the DI coaches that are recruiting and offering Hart, you know the guys that are recruiting and coaching for their livelihoods, or we could defer to the opinion of bloggers

[30 for 30]

This looks like a 20 year old chasing his dreams. You're right amh63 this certainly is a "dark" sad story, we'll have none of that dream chasing stuff goin on here.

[nescac1]

I didn't say he couldn't play D1.  I said he would have to compensate for his lack of typical D1 speed, size and overall athleticism via his other attributes, and it will still be a much bigger challenge dealing with the kind of big, quick wings you just don't see in NESCAC. I'd be pretty stunned if you can find a coach, even among those recruiting him, who says he is above the tenth percentile for athleticism among D1 guards.  What he does have is a smoother and more accurate outside shot, better off the ball movement, and definitely a better mid-range game than many d1 guards. 

[30 for 30]

pretty athletic stuff here, FAR from the best athlete in NESCAC, really? I assume all the better athletes in the league would have drawn his assignment in league play, correct? Wasn't a whole lot of Hart stopping goin on the last two years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq18AkofT1g


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODWM9R64Mkk


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veP1Mk377cA

[middhoops]

Before going to much further into this, do we know if Hart is being offered athletic scholarships or "invited walk on" status with a later review?  Hartford plays in the America East conference.  I'm a season ticket holder to Vermont games.  No one has written much more glowingly of Hart than I have on this board.  Honestly, I can't picture him getting a shot off even in that lowest of D1 leagues.  The bigs aren't very athletic but the guards are.  Most of them have a flaw, usually shooting, but they can play nasty D and run the court like gazelles.  All low level D1 leagues are guard oriented because none of them can recruit high quality big guys once the majors and mid majors are done.
So, do we know that there are scholly offers for certain?

[jayhawk]

web is not always true but here is a twitter note

Alex Kline @TheRecruitScoop  ·  May 1
Hartford has offered Hamilton College (D3) guard Matt Hart, who will visit Niagara on Friday.

[nescac1]

What Middhoops said. 30 for 30, your bias here obviously clouds your ability to be even remotely objective.  Like Middhoops I've long been a Hart booster here, and I wish him nothing but good fortune if he moves up.  But the plays you posted are plays many NESCAC perimeter guys could make.  From Amherst alone, David Kalema, Tom Killian, and Green are all easily more athletic than Hart.  Watch Amherst in warm ups sometime half the squad is throwing down filthy stuff.   Other guys in the league like Sinnickson, Firepong, and Wohl were more athletic too.  None of them were as skilled as basketball players, but that is a different metric.  I think Hart would have had a time dealing with the athleticism of elite D3 defenders like Quadrell Young.  And those are the sorts of guys he will be facing every day.  I think he can be an effective player at a higher level but he is going to need the next year to work on his overall strength and quickness to get there.  Skills are not the issue as he has those in abundance but skills only take you so far against a guy who is ridiculously tall, quick and strong as the majority of d1 perimeter players outside of Ivies and Patriot schools tend to be. 

[middhoops]

Lest I be discounted as a doubter; NO ONE would be happier to see Mr. Hart go to D1 and kick ass.
We have so much time to overthink during the endless offseason. 
I, for one, hope that this venture is successful. 
As for Continental fans, you have a huge entering class.  Hart was probably in some part responsible for that, even if those kids may be disappointed. 
Now, about Robinson.....

[30 for 30]

NESCAC1 "Honestly, I can't picture him getting a shot off even in that lowest of D1 leagues". Love the hyperbole! Hart played his best vs all those athletic players mentioned. Watch the film again, gave Killian and Wohl fits. In addition he was the focus of the opposition D all season. Your opinion is noted. Player and some coaches at the next level disagree. 18 months from now he takes the court for his first DI game. That is a long time to get bigger and better. And on most nights he will be the best shooter in the gym. A good place to start. Root against him or cheer for him...whatever. In three years the answer to this debate will be known.