MBB: NESCAC

[P'bearfan]

Anyway, Western is athletic and pretty fast but not great in running an offense.

Ironic but this is how I would have described Western two years ago.  They pressed Bowdoin on every single possession; they were much more athletic than skilled.  Given the loss of Hurley (and two years ago Mathias) this may be a challenge for Bowdoin.

If Bowdoin can handle the press and limit turnovers, I think we'll be in good shape.

GoUBears!!

[Old Guy]

pinseeking1, great video ... although the downside is that they will never host deep into the NCAA tourney (I believe) due to capacity issues, I hope Bates never changes that gym -- one of the few truly old-school gym atmospheres left, just a fantastic, energized environment.  I saw a few impressive dunks there by (I believe) Bates first-year Lynch, who looks to be about the same size, but significantly more athletic, than his brother who had a great career at Midd.  Bates is going to have a very deep, big, and athletic group up front this year, which will need to carry them early I imagine while the backcourt learns on the job. 

That gym and no hockey at Bates leads to the best home hoops atmosphere in the NESCAC hands down.

I grew up in that gym, 100s of hours. It's a shrine - Fenway, D3's Hinkle Fieldhouse. I hope they never add hockey: small school with a long indoor track tradition. Leave it alone: schools don't have to do everything. They have an excellent ice rink, a club team. Great, great hoop atmosphere. So glad they have a good team. Nothing like going to Alumni Gym on a wintry night for some intense hoop action. Fond memories.

[7express]

Anyone want to put their bets down on Bowdoin vs. Western Connecticut??

Bowdoin (-4.5) vs. Western Connecticut (@ Roger Williams)
Over/under 148

[P'bearfan]

If the PBears take care of the ball they'll be OK.

I think that is exactly Bowdoin's main challenge.

[amh63]

Old Guy....think I understand a little of your views wrt Bates' gym.  It is like Duke and their place on campus.  Historic, yet it was renovated to allow more fans to gain their memories.  It is an advantage at times to have passionate fans voice their opinions at players...in a positive way.
When the Tar Heels down the street moved from Carmichael to the huge building known as the Dean Dome, something was lost.  I have been in both places in NC as well as watched a game in Indiana's palace wher Mr. knight put on a show.   I do like smaller venues....a theater in the round say over a place like Kennedy Center's  main theater.   Yes, I guess I see basketball games as shows.
To my point...is it possible that the Bates "theater" be renovated/enlarged".?...it does has a stage on one side.

[grabtherim]

Bates gym should not be touched.  Sometimes things should be left as is.   

[lumbercat]

The Bates gym is the second oldest varsity venue in the NCAA- only Fordham is older. When Alumni Gym and the Field House complex were built in the mid to late 1920's it was one of the finest facilities in New England.

The idea of renovations and expansion have been floated in the past but I beleive structural limitations and engineering issues rendered this not a feasible option.

There is a Bates Master development plan which calls for construction of a new facility but bears no specific timeframe at last check.

The imposition of revised fire code regulations in the past few years has taken away the balcony at the opposite end of the gym from the stage. This was a great spot high above courtside which is now closed due to insufficient fire egress. With the new fire laws they are not able to really pack the place as in the past.

The downside of all this is the fact that students and others can be shut out of big games with the Alumni capacity being around 750. Additionally I beleive the small capacity precludes Bates from hosting an NCAA men's or women's event.

At the end of the day, hopefully they will find a way of expanding it without losing the great atmosphere.

The Bates administration has been tradionally frugal when it comes to spending on athletic facilities but maybe new President Spencer will have some influence. She tells the story of her youth as the daughter of the Presdent of Davidson College and fondly remembers listening to every Davidson game on AM radio. Gotta love her enthusiasm for sports and her support of Bates Athletics. Bobcats are thrilled to have her at the helm as the future of Alumni Gym is being considered.

Another older venue with a lot of character is the Tufts gym which was updated a few years ago. The entire court was totally repositioned from North-South to East-West along with other renovations yet they seem to have maintained the traditional feel. Maybe Bates can find a similar solution.

[ronk]

The Bates gym is the second oldest varsity venue in the NCAA- only Fordham is older. When Alumni Gym and the Field House complex were built in the mid to late 1920's it was one of the finest facilities in New England.

The idea of renovations and expansion have been floated in the past but I beleive structural limitations and engineering issues rendered this not a feasible option.

There is a Bates Master development plan which calls for construction of a new facility but bears no specific timeframe at last check.

The imposition of revised fire code regulations in the past few years has taken away the balcony at the opposite end of the gym from the stage. This was a great spot high above courtside which is now closed due to insufficient fire egress. With they new fire laws they are not able to really pack the place as in the past.

The downside of all this is the fact that students and others can be shut out of big games with the Alumni capacity being around 750. Additionally I beleive the small capacity precludes Bates from hosting an NCAA men's or women's event.

At the end of the day, hopefully they will find a way of expanding it without losing the great atmosphere.

The Bates administration has been tradionally frugal when it comes to spending on athletic facilities but maybe new President Spencer will have some influence. She tells the story of her youth as the daughter of the Presdent of Davidson College and fondly remembers listening to every Davidson game on AM radio. Gotta love her enthusiasm for sports and her support of Bates Athletics. Bobcats are thrilled to have her at the helm as the future of Alumni Gym is being considered.

Another older venue with a lot of character is the Tufts gym which was updated a few years ago. The entire court was totally repositioned from North-South to East-West along with other renovations yet they seem to have maintained the traditional feel. Maybe Bates can find a similar solution.

Only in the sectional round is there a minimum capacity requirement; they could host the preceding regional weekend which has no capacity requirement.

[P'bearfan]

The Bates administration has been tradionally frugal when it comes to spending on athletic facilities but maybe new President Spencer will have some influence.

I'm a big fan of the look and feel of Alumni gym - it's a special place and I would hate to see it change.

However, regardless of my views, I'm not sure how much luck President Spencer will have making any renovations to Alumni Gym despite her full throated support of Athletics.  Bates has a relatively small endowment which limits how much money they can put into new facilities (Bates = $350 million vs more than $2 billion for Amherst and Williams).  If you assume the master plan prioritizes classrooms, labs etc it may be a while before they can put money towards the gym.

[7express]

You guys probably won't see this but any Bowdoin/CAC fans coming to Roger Williams tonight I'm sitting behind the visitors bench (far side of court) last row with a Nationals sweatshirt and a Christmas colored SD baseball cap.  Come say hello if you want!

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Bates administration has been tradionally frugal when it comes to spending on athletic facilities but maybe new President Spencer will have some influence.

I'm a big fan of the look and feel of Alumni gym - it's a special place and I would hate to see it change.

However, regardless of my views, I'm not sure how much luck President Spencer will have making any renovations to Alumni Gym despite her full throated support of Athletics. Bates has a relatively small endowment which limits how much money they can put into new facilities (Bates = $350 million vs more than $2 billion for Amherst and Williams).  If you assume the master plan prioritizes classrooms, labs etc it may be a while before they can put money towards the gym.

Man, life in the NESCAC is different; with the possible exception of Wheaton (I haven't seen endowment figures in several years) $350 M is double to ten times the endowment of schools in the CCIW!  And compared with many D3 conferences, the CCIW is upper-middle class!

[7express]

Western leads Bowdoin 43-23 at half.  Colonials red hit from 3, Polar Bears ice cold from 3.  Gotta think if Bowdoin keeps shooting, they'd eventually fall.  Have to keep pressure on them in the second half, but I still think this is coming down to the wire.

[Old Guy]

"Watched" Midd fall to Baldwin Wallace in Buffalo, 97-87. Major difficulties with the video - not sure the source (my problem or theirs; had to pay five bucks for crappy video). Very frustrating. St. Amour had 33 points, 16-20 from the line (why did the Yellow Jackets foul him with the game already decided?), 7-17 from the floor in only 24 minutes (3-6 from three). Midd shot 4-15 from three (BW 15-26). Could be an issue. Midd out rebounded BW 43-34 - not sure what that means. 

Really can't render any judgments. BW had two games under their belt (1-1 coming in). Obviously, Midd didn't defend very well, but played catch-up for the last third of the game and it seemed BW made every foul shot (80% from the line - 28-35). Better luck tomorrow against St. Lawrence, a 77-71 loser against Medaille, tournament host (NCAA qualifier last year).

Not exactly a couple of cupcakes for the Panthers to open the season.

[WPI89]

Colby.  Wow!  Watched into the second half.  they were up 29!!!!!

I bailed on the game - they were up 25 with 15 mins left.  Lost in OT. 

Staten Island is good.  But wow!

[nescac1]

I saw the Midd Hoops bloggers picked first team AA Hausman for the second team in NESCAC.  Whatttt??  As we saw tonight, he might put up 30 ppg this year.  It's not out of the question. 

Very nice first win for a VERY young Williams squad.  One thing we now know for sure -- Kevin App can recruit.  The odds of a Williams guy being ROY in NESCAC went way, way up after tonight.  The three top performers were all frosh.  I love Bobby Casey's game -- he is the best PG prospect to come into NESCAC since Toomey.  Beautiful shot, when he misses he does not miss by much and plays with a ton of poise and confidence already.  Clearly has onions.  A magician with his passes.  15 points including two dagger threes late, 3 assists, credited with one steal although I could have sworn he had more.  4-7 from three.  And can drive as well.  Not too shabby a debut.  Kyle Scadlock (14-10 and lots of highlight reel plays in 18 minutes) and James Heskett (11 points, 3-4 from deep in 14 minutes) were also both tremendous.  Scadlock reminds me a bit of Daniel Wohl in terms of length, athleticism, tenacity, ability to finish at the rim, and all-around game, but looks ahead of where Wohl was as a frosh.  Heskett is crazy tall and has a beautiful shot, a perfect stretch 4 for the Ephs system.  Can move without the ball too.  Also playing well was Marcos Soto, looks like a tough, athletic albeit a bit undersized center who can defend, board, and has nice touch.  6'10 Michael Kempton also played substantial minutes.  He is BIG, coordinated, and runs the floor well.  Still a work in progress on offense however, but just give him some time.   

The Eph returning players were overshadowed by the frosh as none had a particularly memorable game.  Galvin and Teal both had some nice moments on both ends.  Greenman struggled a bit with his shot but will surely be fine.  Aronowitz only played 13 minutes -- not sure if it was a physical issue, but I found that really odd.  As good as the frosh looked, he needs to be a go-to guy on the wing.  Edward Flynn did a good job clearing the glass and on defense.  Had several VERY nice moves to the basket, just had some trouble finishing.  IF those bunnies drop he will be an asset. 

Salem State has a lot of individual talent but MAN I've rarely seen a team play such individual basketball.  Almost every shot attempt came off of a one-on-one move it seemed like.  They did hit a lot of high degree of difficulty shots but didn't really help themselves much.  I thought, especially considering how many frosh were out there, the Ephs did a great job of moving without the ball and sharing and getting clean looks.  They missed some bunnies inside, some makeable 3's and some foul shots, but that is to be expected in only the first game of the season.  Ephs played OK on defense but let too many guys blow by them.  The frosh will surely improve over time on that end.

Great effort for a young team!  Casey, Scadlock, and Heskett are going to be very fun to watch for the next four years!