MBB: NESCAC

[MENESCACFAN]

Don't see anything wrong with Amh63's post.  Seems to me a fan upset his team lost venting to let off steam.  Surly that is what these boards are for?  Nothing disrespectful there.

[maineman]

Just wondering?   I believe Dylan Sinnickson, although a senior, has one year of eligibility left because of injuries during his sophomore year.  Will he come back and play that final year at Middlebury?  Will he walk away from competitive basketball?  Or since he is a graduating senior, could he or would he possibly go to a D1 school, like a Patriot league team or something and begin work on his masters there?  Is this possible in basketball like we have seen in football with Steven Hauschka.  Would any team say in a mid major even be interested?  Wouldn't it be a risky move since he might just ride the pine with such a team as opposed to starting at Middlebury.

[P'bearfan]

Another thing about Keegan Pieri's injury is that it leaves John Swords as the ONLY remaining starter for Bowdoin from last season's tournament team. Incredible to think about how reliant that team was on its starting five for most of last year and yet Bowdoin is still right there. The loss of Pieri is going to be very hard to overcome but the one thing about this Bowdoin team is their great resilience.

Agreed.  Also I think HBC Gilbride and his staff deserve a great deal of credit for adapting his lineup and rotations.  Not only did he have to replace 3 very strong seniors from last year's squad, he has only had his starting 5 healthy and playing together for 3 games this season.

This week Bowdoin will host Husson who I don't follow but they are 13-3 and 9-1 in their conference.  After that the P'bears will travel to Trinity and Amherst.  All three could be challenging games given Bowdoins depleted front court.  Here's hoping the team continues it's great play and resilience.

[MENESCACFAN]

Planning to attend Bowdoin v Husson, but wondering if it even gets played with the snow storm closing in.

[Bucket]

Just wondering?   I believe Dylan Sinnickson, although a senior, has one year of eligibility left because of injuries during his sophomore year.  Will he come back and play that final year at Middlebury?  Will he walk away from competitive basketball?  Or since he is a graduating senior, could he or would he possibly go to a D1 school, like a Patriot league team or something and begin work on his masters there?  Is this possible in basketball like we have seen in football with Steven Hauschka.  Would any team say in a mid major even be interested?  Wouldn't it be a risky move since he might just ride the pine with such a team as opposed to starting at Middlebury.

You are correct, maineman. Dylan does have another year of eligibility to exercise if he chooses to do so. (He sat out the entirety of his sophomore year with a broken wrist.) I have no idea what his plans are, however.

[polbear73]

Agree with with all posters about Bowdoin's grittiness and persistence. In addition to the aforementioned losses,, they have also accomplished this record without the expected or hoped for dominance of John Swords. It's not he has played poorly and I suspect his mere presence on the court forces changes in game plans and brings an intimidation factor, but he hasn't statistically picked up the slack resulting from these lost players, particularly in scoring. Any more injuries and one wonders how they will have enough players to practice or scrimmage. Hopefully a big recruiting class is on the way.

[Old Guy]

Just wondering?   I believe Dylan Sinnickson, although a senior, has one year of eligibility left because of injuries during his sophomore year.  Will he come back and play that final year at Middlebury?  Will he walk away from competitive basketball?  Or since he is a graduating senior, could he or would he possibly go to a D1 school, like a Patriot league team or something and begin work on his masters there?  Is this possible in basketball like we have seen in football with Steven Hauschka.  Would any team say in a mid major even be interested?  Wouldn't it be a risky move since he might just ride the pine with such a team as opposed to starting at Middlebury.

You are correct, maineman. Dylan does have another year of eligibility to exercise if he chooses to do so. (He sat out the entirety of his sophomore year with a broken wrist.) I have no idea what his plans are, however.

Dylan is an extraordinary athlete. I'm not sure I have seen a better one in my four decades at Middlebury. He played baseball his sophomore year at Midd: the center fielder, he batted leadoff and led the team in hitting. The coach, 25 years+, said he was the fastest going from home to first he's ever coached. You'd love watching him chase down fly balls in center. People said, "that big kid is your leadoff hitter?! Remarkable.

He's an independent spirit: as you know he took a bit of an in-season sabbatical last year. This year, he has been the soul of consistency, averaging nearly nearly a double-double, 18.6 points per game (3rd) and 11 rebounds (1st), while playing 29 minutes a game because of the one-sidedness of a number of Panther games. He goes to the hoop and he shoots the three. He plays defense and skies for the ball on the glass.  He has to be a front-runner for POY at this point. I love to watch him play.

[AmherstStudent05]

He has to be a front-runner for POY at this point. I love to watch him play.

Sinnickson should definitely be in the mix for PoY at this point.  Funnily enough though, I am not even sure he would currently be a favorite to make the first team. Such is the craziness of the NESCAC this year. 

While there is still plenty of basketball yet to play, since we are about half way through the regular season, I decided to give a little thought to the all conference teams.

My sense is that Wohl, Hudnut and Sinnickson are the "conventional" front runners for PoY. They were favorites heading into the year and all have had strong seasons thus far. My personal take is that Wohl is the best of this bunch, but Hudnut probably has the best numbers so far (with a lot of tough games yet to come) and Sinnickson is right there as well.  Hausman and Lin have (from my perspective at least) come out of nowhere to have monster starts to the conference season. Both have to be in the mix as well (though Lin needs his team to step up to help his cause).

That's a strong 5 right there.  But, IF (supposed to be a big if) Tufts and Trinity continue their fine play can both these schools be shut out of the first team? This is a tough one, particularly since depth and balanced play seem to be a calling card of both squads.  Starks is a very good player but is he a first teamer?  Sabety is a great player but so far has just 3 conference games to his credit -- posting solid but unspectacular numbers. Tarik Smith, who doesn't even start, probably deserves some all conference consideration at this point as well.

One final thought to throw out there.  Last year, when discussing  Matt Vadas, I said that I personally would not be inclined to give all conference recognition to any player whose team did not qualify for the conference tournament. Obviously, at least a good number of coaches disagreed with that view.  But, I wonder, at what point does team performance affect PoY consideration? If Williams finishes with a below 500 record, for instance, should Wohl still be a strong candidate? I don't believe the PoY should necessarily be the best player on the best team of course, but can it go to the best player on the fifth or sixth best team?

[Old Guy]

He has to be a front-runner for POY at this point. I love to watch him play.

Sinnickson should definitely be in the mix for PoY at this point.  Funnily enough though, I am not even sure he would currently be a favorite to make the first team. Such is the craziness of the NESCAC this year. 

While there is still plenty of basketball yet to play, since we are about half way through the regular season, I decided to give a little thought to the all conference teams.

My sense is that Wohl, Hudnut and Sinnickson are the "conventional" front runners for PoY. They were favorites heading into the year and all have had strong seasons thus far. My personal take is that Wohl is the best of this bunch, but Hudnut probably has the best numbers so far (with a lot of tough games yet to come) and Sinnickson is right there as well.  Hausman and Lin have (from my perspective at least) come out of nowhere to have monster starts to the conference season. Both have to be in the mix as well (though Lin needs his team to step up to help his cause).

That's a strong 5 right there.  But, IF (supposed to be a big if) Tufts and Trinity continue their fine play can both these schools be shut out of the first team? This is a tough one, particularly since depth and balanced play seem to be a calling card of both squads.  Starks is a very good player but is he a first teamer?  Sabety is a great player but so far has just 3 conference games to his credit -- posting solid but unspectacular numbers. Tarik Smith, who doesn't even start, probably deserves some all conference consideration at this point as well.

One final thought to throw out there.  Last year, when discussing  Matt Vadas, I said that I personally would not be inclined to give all conference recognition to any player whose team did not qualify for the conference tournament. Obviously, at least a good number of coaches disagreed with that view.  But, I wonder, at what point does team performance affect PoY consideration? If Williams finishes with a below 500 record, for instance, should Wohl still be a strong candidate? I don't believe the PoY should necessarily be the best player on the best team of course, but can it go to the best player on the fifth or sixth best team?

You're right in every respect: I said "Sinnickson should be A front runner AT THIS POINT." It's way too premature to start anticipating awards. The next few weeks will tell the story. Every game is a fresh start; a season is a lifetime.

[pinseeking1]

I saw that Coach Maker, formerly of Williams, is receiving a bit of a harsh introduction to Division 1 basketball. The Marist team won its second game of the year, beating Fairfield last night. I'm not sure what type of team he inherited as he got the job only last June, which was well past the recruiting season, so it wouldn't be fair to blame their 2-18 record on him. He had such incredible success at Williams, that I'm sure he'll make progress each year as he builds his own team with his own recruits.

[P'bearfan]

Planning to attend Bowdoin v Husson, but wondering if it even gets played with the snow storm closing in.

From what I understand, there's a real possibility that the game will be canceled due to the storm. At least that idea is be considered / discussed.

[Bucket]

I saw that Coach Maker, formerly of Williams, is receiving a bit of a harsh introduction to Division 1 basketball. The Marist team won its second game of the year, beating Fairfield last night. I'm not sure what type of team he inherited as he got the job only last June, which was well past the recruiting season, so it wouldn't be fair to blame their 2-18 record on him. He had such incredible success at Williams, that I'm sure he'll make progress each year as he builds his own team with his own recruits.

The team he inherited was picked to finish last in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference—and then after the opening game (a 75-72 loss to Bucknell), he lost his best player, Khallid Hart (33 pts against Bucknell), who was the conference rookie of the year the previous season. Hart has not returned from his injury.

I think this Marist team, as it is currently constituted, would be blown out by the 2013-14 Williams squad.

[P'bearfan]

One final thought to throw out there.  Last year, when discussing  Matt Vadas, I said that I personally would not be inclined to give all conference recognition to any player whose team did not qualify for the conference tournament. Obviously, at least a good number of coaches disagreed with that view.  But, I wonder, at what point does team performance affect PoY consideration? If Williams finishes with a below 500 record, for instance, should Wohl still be a strong candidate? I don't believe the PoY should necessarily be the best player on the best team of course, but can it go to the best player on the fifth or sixth best team?

Your comment gets the fundamental problem with PoY awards in a team sport like basketball.  Just look at the Atlanta Hawks - they are the best team in the east, one of the better ones in the league but few if any of their players lead statistical categories.  Very few all star votes either.

It's why Bill Russell only focusd on winning championships.  Highlight reels are nice but so much of the game is subtle - the pass, that set up the pass that lead to the shot....

[amh63]

Good stuff being posted here....as the storm...a possible winter hurricane to hit the northeast?
Great point P'Bear..plus K.
Some random comments while watching the light snow outside falling.
Sinnickson, a.k.a. DK to me, gets my vote for POY.   He is so quick to the basket..for RB...reaction time to the ball so valuable in both baseball and basketball.  Michael Riopel, a 6'5" freshman guard at Amherst has some traits of DK in his play, and other areas.  Announcers and others refer to him as Rio..me too...as they have trouble pronouncing his name.  Rio has long floppy hair presently.  More important, his energy and play on the hardwood resemble that of DK.  He reaction to the ball, defensive traits..blocks...good outside shot and hops  are also like DK. Slowed a bit by injuries to date...including a conclusion and overshadowed by his fellow freshman Johnny MaCarthy..JMAc, he is a budding star for the LJs.
Amherst plays on Tuesday at home against a winnable opponent.  Fear the game maybe cancelled. Several years ago, there was a a game against RIC that was cancelled and never rescheduled. Cancelled games can become a problem if not rescheduled...wrt to regional rankings....shorter schedule in a conference with a short schedule of games to begin with, I believe.

[amh63]

Forgot....for the Midd fans traveling to Willytown later in the week...take care and please sit on the side behind the team benches.  I maybe can get a group pix of you'll...you think?  Hear there is a good Pizza place nearby on "Main Street"...the one with the commercial stores.  Believe there is a famous barber shop there.  Hope the fine sandwich place with "named sandwiches" still exists...right around the corner to the gym entrance.