MBB: NESCAC

[magicman]

Clearly I have no life.  Too old to care.  As proof I offer this.
Last week I spent hours watching the Midd hoop players unofficially playing together.  Happiest I've been since March.
While I'd like to share some comments, my admittance to the facility would no doubt be curtailed.  Tomorrow, I hope to drag Vandy74 along.
Young Guy was there.  His knowledge of the players (their whole lives, not just their game) is beyond impressive.  Old Guy done real good.  Kid's a keeper.

I'm worse off than you. I was in the Plattsburgh State gym 4 weeks ago on August 31st watching the returnees and new arrivals playing 5 on 5. Met most of the new players and was happy to see our 3 (for sure) starters all in good health. Big transition year for the Cardinals with a large group of new arrivals to take the place of so many graduating seniors. Coach Curle has his work cut out for him but I sure he's up to the task. Hope we can go into Pepin this year and return the favor the Panthers laid on us last year here in Plattsburgh. Will be an uphill battle I fear. But it will be good to see you and Vandy once again even if the outcome is less than I hope for. Always enjoy our visit to Middlebury. 

[nescac1]

Early recruiting news for Williams and Amherst, as each nab a Massachusetts big man:

@NE_Playaz: '16 F Matt Karpowicz (@MattKarpowicz24) is off the board! Matt has committed to Williams College!
#NESCAC #ephs

@masspreps: Excited for Concord-Carlisle's Eric Sellew '16 @Absellewtly on his hoops commitment to Amherst College. Huge Sr. Season awaits. @BHallESPN

NERR ranks the 6'7 Karpowicz as the number 52 recruit in New England. 

[JustAFan]

Amazing how you find this stuff, nescac1!

Based on the clips available on line, which I admit are of limited utility, Karpowicz appears to be a bit of a project but he's 6-8 and 240 and hopefully will fill out and add some muscle.  He appears to be 3-5 inches bigger than everyone he competes against for St. Sebastians, so it's hard to get a feel for how he will fair against bigger, stronger guys. He played with some bigs on his AAU team but I didn't find any video on him from those games. He looks like he will end up as a center or strong forward.

On the other hand, I drooled watching the clips of 6-7 Mr. Sellew. He's a 4 who looks like he can play the 3 as well and has a pretty good handle for a big guy as well as a good outside shot.  Best of all he's very long and athletic and can run and finish with his left as well as his right and he may have some more growing to do.  He could make an impact early on in his career at Amherst. Amherst is lucky to lock him up early since he strikes me as a kid who, if he did a PG prep year, probably would get some of Ivy/Patriot league interest. More here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0XHuIawsiQ

[Old Guy]

Sure hope Williams and Amherst don't get all of 'em

[nescac1]

Old Guy, I wouldn't sweat it, plenty of talent to go around!

JustAFan, I find it very hard to judge guys accurately from highlight clips, especially big guys (I remember thinking MIT's big guy from Greece, Lampros something or other, would absolutely dominate D3 based on his highlight reel, but he's been very quiet).  It's hard to compare Sellew and Karpowicz but I think both look like very good prospects.  I'm rosier on Karpowicz than you, who looks bigger and more interior-oriented, albeit raw in certain aspects as you'd expect from a young big guy.  He seems to have an increasingly rare skill -- actual post moves -- for such a young interior player, and he looks physical, relentless, and like he has a bit of "nasty" in him, although as you note, he did dominate against mostly smaller competition.  He also seems to dunk the ball with authority, including some nice alley-oops.  No indication of an outside game though.  Sellew looks like more of a slashing wing with a strong perimeter game for his size, better ball-handling and outside shooting.  Sellew also didn't face elite competition, however. 

I will disagree with you on one thing: there is virtually no chance Sellew makes an immediate impact on the Amherst program since next year they will have McCarthy, Nabatoff, Riopel, Racy (among others, including this year's frosh) returning as veterans who can play the 3/4.  Amherst's young players and incoming recruits, other than Joe Schneider who seems like he such an immense talent that he may steal some PT from George and Conklin inside, will likely have to wait a bit given how underclassmen-heavy the Amherst rotation was this year. 

Speaking of Sellew, it appears he attended Midd's elite camp.  He is mentioned in this article, which has a LOT of interesting details (something you rarely read about NESCAC recruiting) about the recruiting of star incoming Midd frosh Zach Baines, who the Midd coaches obviously worked very hard to get as a potential difference-maker for the program:

http://recruitthebronx.com/App/TeamIndex/m/?org=recruitthebronx.com&teamid=514229

[P'bearfan]

Clearly I have no life.  Too old to care.  As proof I offer this.
Last week I spent hours watching the Midd hoop players unofficially playing together.  Happiest I've been since March.
While I'd like to share some comments, my admittance to the facility would no doubt be curtailed.  Tomorrow, I hope to drag Vandy74 along.
Young Guy was there.  His knowledge of the players (their whole lives, not just their game) is beyond impressive.  Old Guy done real good.  Kid's a keeper.

Great post Middhoops! +K to you.  Wish I had the same opportunity to sit and watch the Bowdoin team play pick up.  There something pure about watching pickup and you learn a great deal about who the players; how they really like to play.

Can't wait for the bball season to start.

[ronk]

Old Guy, I wouldn't sweat it, plenty of talent to go around!

JustAFan, I find it very hard to judge guys accurately from highlight clips, especially big guys (I remember thinking MIT's big guy from Greece, Lampros something or other, would absolutely dominate D3 based on his highlight reel, but he's been very quiet).  It's hard to compare Sellew and Karpowicz but I think both look like very good prospects.  I'm rosier on Karpowicz than you, who looks bigger and more interior-oriented, albeit raw in certain aspects as you'd expect from a young big guy.  He seems to have an increasingly rare skill -- actual post moves -- for such a young interior player, and he looks physical, relentless, and like he has a bit of "nasty" in him, although as you note, he did dominate against mostly smaller competition.  He also seems to dunk the ball with authority, including some nice alley-oops.  No indication of an outside game though.  Sellew looks like more of a slashing wing with a strong perimeter game for his size, better ball-handling and outside shooting.  Sellew also didn't face elite competition, however. 

I will disagree with you on one thing: there is virtually no chance Sellew makes an immediate impact on the Amherst program since next year they will have McCarthy, Nabatoff, Riopel, Racy (among others, including this year's frosh) returning as veterans who can play the 3/4.  Amherst's young players and incoming recruits, other than Joe Schneider who seems like he such an immense talent that he may steal some PT from George and Conklin inside, will likely have to wait a bit given how underclassmen-heavy the Amherst rotation was this year. 

Speaking of Sellew, it appears he attended Midd's elite camp.  He is mentioned in this article, which has a LOT of interesting details (something you rarely read about NESCAC recruiting) about the recruiting of star incoming Midd frosh Zach Baines, who the Midd coaches obviously worked very hard to get as a potential difference-maker for the program:

http://recruitthebronx.com/App/TeamIndex/m/?org=recruitthebronx.com&teamid=514229

Nescac,
  thanks for the link; I'll probably run into amh63 checking out Ben Stern, since he plays locally to us.

[nescac1]

More on the Karpowicz commitment, including a few recent highlights from this summer.  Sounds like his game is continuing to grow, and he looks like he will be a strong interior presence at the next level:

http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.com/news/karpowicz-calls-it

[JustAFan]

Nescac1, I liked Mr. Karpowicz a lot better after viewing the NERR clips, and it was good to see him play well against kids his own height.  It's hard to get size at the DIII level so his decision to attend Williams will be a plus for the Ephs over the next 4 years in any event.

You are probably right about Sellew having to wait his turn at Amherst given the upperclass talent already on the roster at the wing spot, but I would not be surprised to see him find some time in the rotation by the end of the year. I think he is ready to contribute offensively, but the issue, as it is with most freshmen, is whether his defensive skills are ready for the speed and physicality of college ball, or instead will take a year or two to develop.

[amh63]

ronk.....Ben from Flint Hill sounds almost to good from the writeup.....historically Flint Hill players are looking for Div1 scholarships.  Am sure if he has any interest in the IVies or CAC....based on going to the Midd Elite camp that Amherst has him on its list...down the road.
With respect to good eating places for lunch in Williamstown....there is a nice lunchplace very near the entrance to the Williams BB court...around the corner so to speak.  Used to have sandwiches named after celebrities that visited Willytown.  Is it still in operation Nescac1?  Any suggestions for ronk who plans a visit.
If you can get directions to UMass Amherst.....home to Dr. J....and other celebrities like the present coach of Kentucky...you will find Amherst, the town of, and home to Amherst College.

[lumbercat]

Are the admissions staffs at Wiliiams and Amherst aware that these 2 prospects have "committed" during the first semester of their senior year in high school, before the start of their season? Have they even applied to Amherst and Williams yet?
That happens in the Ivies but don't remember seeing early commitments like this in the NESCAC- maybe I am missing something.

[toad22]

I only know about Williams, but student athletes aren't accepted until admissions says they are. Coaches and student athletes must submit all relevant information to admissions, which gives a thumbs up, or a thumbs down. Official letters of admission will come much later.

[Pat Coleman]

I suppose the students can commit to Williams and Amherst, but nothing in writing says the schools commit back to the students.

[quicksilver]

Are the admissions staffs at Wiliiams and Amherst aware that these 2 prospects have "committed" during the first semester of their senior year in high school, before the start of their season? Have they even applied to Amherst and Williams yet?
That happens in the Ivies but don't remember seeing early commitments like this in the NESCAC- maybe I am missing something.

Their applications likely went through an early read, which provides a high level of assurance that you will be admitted if you apply early decision and keep your grades up.  Early reads can be completed by the admissions department as early as July 1 -- the student then "commits" to submit an ED application once he receives a favorable early read determination.

[amh63]

Hey guys/ladies.....we are talking Nescac here; Not Div 1 where players are scouted coming out of middle school. . I think that all the " gates" or proper "hoops" have been taken. 
Still, it is good to inquire...to check on info and how new rules/game is affecting the Div3 BB we all enjoy.   At the elite Camps held at Amherst.....there is an Instagram of Coach Hixon talking to parents and others about the admission process, etc.  there was another one of a white board which listed the colleges that previous attendees enrolled .....number of higher level schools.
One change that is happening these days in the world of recruiting....the appearance  of Elite camps that caters to juniors and seniors in HS...at CAC schools.