MBB: NESCAC

[toad22]

Williams pulled out a very competitive game at Conn today. There wasn't much separating these teams. Conn had the better of the action for most of the game, but could never get far ahead. Dan Aronowitz took off in the second half, after a really slow first half. He hit some key 3s, and drove hard to the basket on several occasions. He ended with 27 points and 9 rebounds. After Williams missed a lot of free throws throughout the game Aronowitz and Cole Theal hit 6 big ones down the stretch to give Williams the victory. I should also mention James Heskett, who came off the bench, to make three big 3s in the second half to help keep the game close. He ended with 14 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes of action. I thought Conn played very well, and the Ephs feel very fortunate to come out with a win.

[nescac1]

Unfortunately I missed the Dan Aronowitz show in the second half.  What a half: 9-11 from the floor, 3-4 from three, 4-5 from the line, 25 points (!), 4 boards, 2 steals, only 1 turnover.  He barely edges out Johnny McCarthy (20-10, 2 TOs, 8-10 and 4-5) for most impressive half of the weekend (and probably the year, although Hausman has had a few scorching halves as well) in NESCAC this year.  Good to see James Heskett with a break-out game as well.  He's been looking better and better of late, clearly more comfortable than early in the season, in limited minutes but I'd like to see him move into the 15-20 minute category for the rest of this season ... between his length, ability to take the ball to the rim, and three-point shot, he's a tough match-up off the bench. 

The Ephs have too many good shooters to keep missing front-end of one-and-ones, they are giving up 4-6 potential points per game on those.  The defensive rebounding continues to be an issue too, especially off missed foul shots.  If they can improve that at the margins that is also the difference in about 4-6 points per game on the other end.  Williams has been very, very good this season at stopping teams in the half court on their first possession -- I don't know what the shooting percentage is, but I bet in those situations it is extraordinarily low.  They've gotten hurt by two things: points off turnovers and easy looks at the baskets following offensive boards.   At least they had a low turnover game vs. Conn, which is very good to see. 

The Ephs are leading NESCAC in lowest points allowed -- a remarkable statistic for such a young team especially considering their struggles at times on the boards.  They are very disciplined, typically, in the half-court D and their length can give teams problems.  Unfortunately, they are also last in the NESCAC in scoring.  They just can't ever really seem to get into a good rhythm for more than around 10 minutes at a time.  And other than Aronowitz, no other player is consistent enough right now in terms of contributions.  Casey, Teal, Scadlock, Heskett and Flynn will all have a few good games, and then a few games where they are non-factors.  Since those are really the only six individual scoring threats on the team right now, the Ephs need at least 5/6 to be making contributions to beat the better teams on the schedule.  That has rarely happened in the big games.  Just a small margin for error on offense.  Of course, doesn't help that three of those guys are frosh who are still adjusting in various ways, some physically, some mentally, to the college game. 

Heading into the last weekend of conference play, it looks like an all-out war between Trinity, Amherst and Midd for the top seed.  Tufts and Wesleyan will likely be the 4-5 game.  Williams is very likely going to end up in sixth, although could be anywhere from 4 through out of the playoffs entirely (very unlikely since they've beaten everyone behind them they've played so far).  And another all-out war for the seventh and eight seeds between everyone left.  Hard to remember so much uncertainty, ever, heading into the final NESCAC weekend.  And whoever the round one match-ups, they will be hard to predict: would you really want to play a senior-heavy Colby team in round one as the top seed?  Or have to go against Hausman in possibly his last game? 

A few individual player notes.  I'd say that Hausman is a lock for POY, and Simonds for ROY (when was the last time a team swept those two awards?), and St. Amour, Davis, and Aronowitz are near-locks for first team all-league.  Palleschi, Ogundeko and Pace are probably fighting for the last spot.  Second team I'm guessing will be two of those guys, McCarthy, Ajayi and Hudnut.  Though Green could still sneak on with a big final weekend. 

Jeff Racy is human after all, it seems, but what is incredible is that despite a recent cold streak (6-26 over his last six games, only one game with over 5 points in that stretch), he is STILL shooting 49 percent from three on a very high volume of shots.  Amazing.  Not sure if teams are paying more attention to him or if he's just in a rut.  But he is such a big weapon for Amherst that they will need to get him right to win the NESCAC.  It's no coincidence that in Amherst's three losses to NESCAC foes, he is a collective 4-24 from the field ... when he is spacing the floor with deep 3's, the Jeffs are almost impossible to beat because so many other guys can beat you off the dribble and kick to him. 

[nescac1]

Oh, and I checked -- 2005 (Schiel/Olson) was the last time any school had a POY and ROY.  What's crazy is that Bowdoin may do so and still miss the NESCAC playoffs. 

[polbear73]

Oh, and I checked -- 2005 (Schiel/Olson) was the last time any school had a POY and ROY.  What's crazy is that Bowdoin may do so and still miss the NESCAC playoffs.

In fact, nescac1, I would agree that Bowdoin, even at home, should be the underdog against Conn College and Wesleyan this last weekend, unless they get help from inside, something of which there hasn't been this season.  While I have not given up on the Polar Bears making the playoffs, I do feel that it's a shame that Lucas Hausman may go out this way.  He's been a special player.

[P'bearfan]

Oh, and I checked -- 2005 (Schiel/Olson) was the last time any school had a POY and ROY.  What's crazy is that Bowdoin may do so and still miss the NESCAC playoffs.

And last year Bowdoin had the POY and DPOY and still missed the NCAA tournament - although to be fair that team over-achieved given how decimated it was with injuries

[P'bearfan]

Oh, and I checked -- 2005 (Schiel/Olson) was the last time any school had a POY and ROY.  What's crazy is that Bowdoin may do so and still miss the NESCAC playoffs.

In fact, nescac1, I would agree that Bowdoin, even at home, should be the underdog against Conn College and Wesleyan this last weekend, unless they get help from inside, something of which there hasn't been this season.  While I have not given up on the Polar Bears making the playoffs, I do feel that it's a shame that Lucas Hausman may go out this way.  He's been a special player.

polarbear73 - I agree and am hoping the team will rally this weekend.  They have the pieces they need and against Midd showed what they're capable of.  Hopefully all those pieces will come together next weekend.

[booyakasha]

I'd have to say that all of these four teams will be underdogs in all of their remaining games next weekend, so the question is, what happens if they all end up with 2 wins? Does anyone know the tiebreaker used? If it's games against the other three teams in this group, Bates is 2-1, losing only to Bowdoin. Bowdoin is 2-1, losing to Hamilton. Colby is 1-2, losing to Bowdoin and Bates. And Hamilton is 1-2, losing to Colby and Bates. Then, if the next tie-breaker is head-to-head matchups, I guess it would be Bates vs Bowdoin, and Bowdoin would win that tie-breaker and advance to the 8th spot.

Not sure about the other three teams, but I don't think I'd have Colby as an underdog to Conn in Waterville. Despite the Mules 2-6 record, they have only one bad conference loss this year @ Tufts when a number of players were sick with Norovirus.

They have put themselves in a difficult position by not closing out games (@Bates, @Bowdoin, vs. Trin, @Midd were all down to the wire, and @Williams was tied with about 5 mins left with Colby playing without Hudnut and Stewart).

Winning two games this weekend would nearly guarantee the Mules a spot. I hope they handle CC, and have historically played well against a tough Wesleyan team (won at Wes last year). I like that the Wes match-up is the second game on the trip.

[amh63]

Now that the Super Bowl has passed, the sports world is turning to NCAA basketball and the Big Dance picks.  Like our recent posts here in D3, the D1 picks are getting complicated as top ranked teams are getting knocked off....UNC lost again...Okies too, I believe.
If weather conditions are good, I maybe up in Amherst this weekend for the last weekend of the regular season.  Hope to be up in NE again in the post season.
Family has me going South for awhile.  My first live game in March will be in Greensboro..ACC semis.
I hope Amherst's weekend games will be such that Amherst freshman players get in.  I feel that Big Joe Schneider should be put in earlier to match up with the other young guns in the CAC.

[Bucket]

Now that the Super Bowl has passed, the sports world is turning to NCAA basketball and the Big Dance picks.  Like our recent posts here in D3, the D1 picks are getting complicated as top ranked teams are getting knocked off....UNC lost again...Okies too, I believe.
If weather conditions are good, I maybe up in Amherst this weekend for the last weekend of the regular season.  Hope to be up in NE again in the post season.
Family has me going South for awhile.  My first live game in March will be in Greensboro..ACC semis.
I hope Amherst's weekend games will be such that Amherst freshman players get in.  I feel that Big Joe Schneider should be put in earlier to match up with the other young guns in the CAC.

The ACC tournament is in Washington this year, my friend. Maybe you're going to the women's tournament?

[amh63]

Bucket....Duh, you are correct!   My host...my best man who moved to the Chapel Hill area recently to be near his youngest daughter...my god daughter.. may have con me on my trip back North. Promised me NC BBQ too!
Oh well, maybe I will try for some men's tickets or the ACC legend event that will have A. Dantley in attendance..IF I am not attending an Amherst Tourny game in March.
Oh yes, alert the Midd posters that if they are at the game on Friiday, my offer for beer and food at the White Horse is still good .  Whatever the outcome of the game .

Seems the two following years, the men's Tourny will be in Brooklyn, NY...the changing schools in the ACC.  That is really tough.  My sons...who you know...are now living in Brooklyn with.views of the Brooklyn Bridge.and cars parked in a lot in DUMBO on J St.  They will be moving out by this time next year .o

[booyakasha]

Oh, and I checked -- 2005 (Schiel/Olson) was the last time any school had a POY and ROY.  What's crazy is that Bowdoin may do so and still miss the NESCAC playoffs.

In fact, nescac1, I would agree that Bowdoin, even at home, should be the underdog against Conn College and Wesleyan this last weekend, unless they get help from inside, something of which there hasn't been this season.  While I have not given up on the Polar Bears making the playoffs, I do feel that it's a shame that Lucas Hausman may go out this way.  He's been a special player.

I'm curious as to what happened in Hausman's development between his SO and JR seasons. His freshman and soph years, he averaged 17 mins a game but wasn't really on anyone's radar (maybe the 9PPG in 17mins his soph year was an indicator of what was to come). Any of you Bowdoin fans know anything about his development/practice habits? Is he a gym rat? Late bloomer?

[P'bearfan]

I'm curious as to what happened in Hausman's development between his SO and JR seasons. His freshman and soph years, he averaged 17 mins a game but wasn't really on anyone's radar (maybe the 9PPG in 17mins his soph year was an indicator of what was to come). Any of you Bowdoin fans know anything about his development/practice habits? Is he a gym rat? Late bloomer?

He looks remarkably similar to when he was a sophomore.  Hausman had many of the same moves back then (that year one player described Hausman to me "as basically instant offense").   Remember that year Bowdoin had a very talented senior class (Madlinger, Mathias, White) plus Swords roaming the paint and Pieri effortlessly driling mid-range jumpers.  Playing time was at a real premium that year. 

IMHO, the difference between his sophomore and junior seasons was just the confidence that comes from more playing time.   

[nescacobserver]

Besides scoring, what are the other strengths in Hausman's game?  Does he rebound well?  Does he pass well?  How about his defense?  Does he ever match up with the opposing team's best scorer?  I have not had a chance to watch any Bowdoin games online this year.

[JEFFFAN]

Shades of Willy Workman ...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ko0XET1g7ds&ebc=ANyPxKoCNsuqBGbk2WS9KcWwuiRFXywAQIj6Ghf5rbmf2wcCD2Uwh735KQ6RAxqTU2_N-j8TTvoQ5EuZGYyH7m97Yr2K7YQiwQ

[P'bearfan]

Shades of Willy Workman ...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ko0XET1g7ds&ebc=ANyPxKoCNsuqBGbk2WS9KcWwuiRFXywAQIj6Ghf5rbmf2wcCD2Uwh735KQ6RAxqTU2_N-j8TTvoQ5EuZGYyH7m97Yr2K7YQiwQ

Wow!  +K for finding this.  That Amherst Midd game was one for the ages and Workman's foul shot play was brilliant.