MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

gordonmann, true enough.  Not the case with Duncan (he was just a guy who grew and developed late, and he did turn down some D1 opportunities -- none at the Michigan level, of course -- to attend Williams).  But two of the best Ephs ever, Mike Nogelo and Michael Mayer, both were injured for most or all of their senior years, which certainly didn't hurt Williams' chances with either.  Amherst's Willy Workman is another guy who I'm sure would have had higher-level looks but for injuries in his last few years of high school.  I'm hopeful that another yet-to-be-announced Eph may turn out to be another injury-related steal ...

[amh63]

Several bits of info of general interest.   Trinity is having a banner post season year.  First it was Basketball; now its men's hockey....the Bantams..Glucks accordingly to Gordonmann...won its first men's hockey national title.!  I posted on the hockey board.  Amherst lost in the semi- finals.  Still, the CAC did well.....beat the top three ranked teams to the Title....go CAC!
Maybe some more MBB recruit news will pop up soon?  Amherst has just sent out its acceptance letters yesterday.  I personally do not think there will be any news on the Amherst front until late October..if any.

[toad22]

Regarding Duncan Robinson, I believe there was an element of injury good fortune as well. Between high school and prep school, I believe he hurt his ankle, which meant he missed some AAU games, and then he was too old to play anymore, so he didn't get a lot of exposure. I know Mike Make flew to a big AAU tournament in Orlando primarily to be sure that Duncan saw him sitting in the stands, while Duncan cheered his teammates from the bench. Maker really wanted Duncan. He recruited him like it was D1.

[middhoops]

Regarding Duncan Robinson, I believe there was an element of injury good fortune as well. Between high school and prep school, I believe he hurt his ankle, which meant he missed some AAU games, and then he was too old to play anymore, so he didn't get a lot of exposure. I know Mike Make flew to a big AAU tournament in Orlando primarily to be sure that Duncan saw him sitting in the stands, while Duncan cheered his teammates from the bench. Maker really wanted Duncan. He recruited him like it was D1.

Does Williams' basketball budget pay for a trip like that?  I kind of doubt it.  But it shows why the Ephs were so good and why Maker is a D1 coach. 

[toad22]

I believe there is a very small travel budget, but most of the money came out of the coach's pocket.

[nescac1]

Another strong-looking recruit for Amherst, PG Victor Sinopoli:

http://www.d3bballrecruits.com/2015/03/amherst.html?m=1

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=au-sCQbfUIs

[NEhoops]

I find it hard to believe that Maker left DI and came to Williams without some type of assurance that his travel budget would allow him to make trips like the one mentioned.

[nescac1]

From what I understand Williams does, indeed, have a VERY limited budget (comically low) for coaches in general to make recruiting trips.  Remember, Maker had never been a head men's coach at any level prior to Williams, so it's not like "leaving D1" as an assistant coach for one of the premier head coaching jobs in all of Division 3 (one which is now established as a pipeline to higher-level jobs) took much convincing, regardless of the lack of financial resources at a coach's disposal.  As we've seen from four successive coaches now (at least based on early returns for App's first recruiting class), it's possible to attract high-level talent, from all over the country, to come to Williams, even without much of a recruiting budget. 

In addition to the Amherst point guard recruit, who looks to me like he could challenge for early playing time (although won't be easy to beat out Berman, Barry, and Dawson, all of whom return and all of whom have a lot of ability and now a lot of experience), a few more NESCAC recruits recently added here (Trinity and Bowdoin):

http://www.d3bballrecruits.com/

Bowdoin has five recruits listed, an atypically large (and badly-needed, given how thin the returning roster is) infusion of players for the Polar Bears.   

[polbear73]

From what I understand Williams does, indeed, have a VERY limited budget (comically low) for coaches in general to make recruiting trips.  Remember, Maker had never been a head men's coach at any level prior to Williams, so it's not like "leaving D1" as an assistant coach for one of the premier head coaching jobs in all of Division 3 (one which is now established as a pipeline to higher-level jobs) took much convincing, regardless of the lack of financial resources at a coach's disposal.  As we've seen from four successive coaches now (at least based on early returns for App's first recruiting class), it's possible to attract high-level talent, from all over the country, to come to Williams, even without much of a recruiting budget. 

In addition to the Amherst point guard recruit, who looks to me like he could challenge for early playing time (although won't be easy to beat out Berman, Barry, and Dawson, all of whom return and all of whom have a lot of ability and now a lot of experience), a few more NESCAC recruits recently added here (Trinity and Bowdoin):

http://www.d3bballrecruits.com/

Bowdoin has five recruits listed, an atypically large (and badly-needed, given how thin the returning roster is) infusion of players for the Polar Bears.

Especially with the restrictions imposed by NESCAC in general on coach visitation, etc.  The fact that there has been an incredible array of talent over the years is a testament to the reputation of league members. 

As for Bowdoin, it will be interesting to see what style of play to which they adapt as they won't have a big man at 6'11" or 7' for the first time in 6 years or so. 

[amh63]

nescac1......thanks for the info on the latest "recruit" for Amherst.  Several comments.  The timing of the info and an earlier Jayhawk post suggest that Vic may have been a regular acceptance recruit...from Florida no less.  I had thought about the future needs for the LJs, and one was at the PG position.....never can have enough talented PGs, especially looking at the recent March Madness games in both the women and men's brackets.
Viewed the highlight  videos of Vic in his school's championship run games.  Caught a comment that Dick Vitale was at the Championship game and asked Vic what schools he was interested in.....thought Vic was a Mid to High Div1 talent...interested in following his progress.  Projecting forward ahead....can you picture Dicky V. at a NESCAC game between Williams vs Amherst game in LeFrak.  I cannot!
On the subject of recruiting and travel budget for such.....have several personnel notes.  HBC Hixon has in a number of interviews and conversations wrt alums often referred to his "network"...my label here....around the country of knowledgeable contacts/friends/alums/coaches built over the years that provide leads to possible recruits for Amherst.  Helps when you have been around for decades and have built a top notch D3 program.  Anyway, this saves on the travel budget...whatever the size.  There is also the Alumni connection....wrt legacy.  I remarked in a post early in the season after a game at the Hoopsville/ Stevenson tourny that I spoke to the Un. of Chicago HBC.  He remarked that he had interest in Reid Berman....being from the Chicago area and such.  I mentioned that Berman's grandfather was an Amherst Alum and his followed on remarks indicated to me that explained to him why Reid arrived at Amherst...maybe the reason he lost a talented PG.
One also must remember that the conference ROY...Johnny Mac.....has a strong connection to Amherst.  His father is an Alum and may have played at Amherst.

[NEhoops]

polbear73, good question about who is going to be the inside presence for Bowdoin next year. Overall we know it will be Hausman's show, but Palecki will be asked to fill the role of top interior scorer. Although not all 7-footers, the list of players that have been able to score consistently form the block/mid post, goes back well beyond six years.

Based on the national reach of the NESCAC, all of the coaches have a network that stretches across the country, some more extensive than others. However, at the end of the day there is not substitute for a head coach being in person to watch a recruit play. 

[polbear73]

polbear73, good question about who is going to be the inside presence for Bowdoin next year. Overall we know it will be Hausman's show, but Palecki will be asked to fill the role of top interior scorer. Although not all 7-footers, the list of players that have been able to score consistently form the block/mid post, goes back well beyond six years.

Based on the national reach of the NESCAC, all of the coaches have a network that stretches across the country, some more extensive than others. However, at the end of the day there is not substitute for a head coach being in person to watch a recruit play.

Good points, NEHoops.  I like Palecki's toughness underneath and he brings a strong work ethic as he improved significantly this year.  The Bears will also look to Neil Fuller to stay healthy and for continued development from Jack Hewitt.  It will definitely be Hausman's show, but the rest of the cupboard isn't entirely bare. 

[madzillagd]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA  4m4 minutes ago
George Mason is finalizing deal to hire Bucknell coach Dave Paulsen, sources tell Yahoo.

[nescac1]

Wow, that's a nice step up for Paulsen, Patriot to mid-major.  Much different recruiting profile, etc., and a school that was very recently in the Final Four. 

[amh63]

Yep....The U's HBC in Miami/Coral Gables now in the ACC was the Coach that took GMU to the Final 4.  GMU....a Northern Va. commuter school rose rapidly up in the Div1 ranks in MBB and became more than a commuter school, academically.....much like VCU in Richmond.  If the deal is made, it should be interesting in the recruiting battles for the local talent....a very rich pool of talent from Elgin Baylor to Kevin Durant and a host of greats in between.  Expect the likes of Nescac1 to be commuting to GMU games on the Metro .