MBB: NESCAC

Old Guy · February 27, 2016, 10:08:23 PM

Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 27, 2016, 10:02:16 PM

Kudos to Ripeil (sp?) for a great performance off the bench including a clutch three at the end. Give credit to Hixon for keeping a nice cold Green on the bench. And a special note of applause to David George for a terrific switch-out at the end to keep a red hot Pace from even trying a three. NcCarthy got picked on a good play by Tufts but George switched to Pace - who had a super game - and wouldn't let him even jack up a three. Very heady play by George who was demonstrably happy after the game ended.

I agree. Any chance that was designed? I thought at the time, "what a good idea, George on Pace on the arc."

JEFFFAN · February 27, 2016, 10:27:17 PM

Quote from: Old Guy on February 27, 2016, 10:08:23 PM
Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 27, 2016, 10:02:16 PM

Kudos to Ripeil (sp?) for a great performance off the bench including a clutch three at the end. Give credit to Hixon for keeping a nice cold Green on the bench. And a special note of applause to David George for a terrific switch-out at the end to keep a red hot Pace from even trying a three. NcCarthy got picked on a good play by Tufts but George switched to Pace - who had a super game - and wouldn't let him even jack up a three. Very heady play by George who was demonstrably happy after the game ended.

I agree. Any chance that was designed? I thought at the time, "what a good idea, George on Pace on the arc."

Since it was a switch off, George didn't have primary responsibility for Pace. But he clearly had been told to switch off and not worry if his original cover responsibility went to the basket. It was just a very heady play by a guy who has generated more derision than praise over the years. Great play.

AmherstStudent05 · February 28, 2016, 07:20:42 AM

Very nice win for Amherst yesterday, avenging a regular season loss to Tufts for the second consecutive season. Also, of course, a very impressive win by Midd, completely shutting down a potent Bantam offense that they seemingly had no answers for just two weeks ago.

I am really looking forward to today's championship game, although, unfortunately, I am not sure I will get to watch any of it. One statistic I will be very interested in, however, is the number of threes Midd makes by a player not named MSA. If Midd is to survive a shoot out with Amherst, I think they need to do a better job keeping Amherst's D honest. Of course, if Midd's D plays like it did yesterday (or if Amherst is just off -- at the very least I am not sure we can expect another 6-6 effort from Jeff Racy), then there might not even be a shoot out.

We know Midd will come out fired up as they are playing for their NCAA Tournament lives, but, frankly, I expect the same effort and intensity out of my Jeffs. It is time to bring back another NESCAC Championship to LeFrak! Anyway, should be a fun game today.

polbear73 · February 28, 2016, 09:15:39 AM

Congratulations to both teams for reaching the NESCAC finals and best of luck today. It is amazing in that Middlebury was given up for dead by many after a very slow start and what can be described as a mediocre non conference season. It is a real credit to the players and coaches that they turned their season around to get here. While I don't have a dog in the hunt, I'm looking forward to a very interesting final. A fine end to a great NESCAC season.

P'bearfan · February 28, 2016, 11:17:17 AM

QuoteCongratulations to both teams for reaching the NESCAC finals and best of luck today. It is amazing in that Middlebury was given up for dead by many after a very slow start and what can be described as a mediocre non conference season. It is a real credit to the players and coaches that they turned their season around to get here. While I don't have a dog in the hunt, I'm looking forward to a very interesting final. A fine end to a great NESCAC season.

Completely agree. The Midd coaching staff and players have worked together to achieve what few (including myself) would have predicted even a few weeks ago.

warriorcat · February 28, 2016, 11:35:10 AM

This is one of the reasons why a conference tournament provides new life and a great ending for a team that takes longer to gell/mature or rebuild after graduation or injury.

I am going to Willimantic to see Keene and UMASS Dartmouth play for the LEC AQ. One of these teams will have positive memories because there was a conference tournament.

7express · February 28, 2016, 11:38:50 AM

Quote from: warriorcat on February 28, 2016, 11:35:10 AM
This is one of the reasons why a conference tournament provides new life and a great ending for a team that takes longer to gell/mature or rebuild after graduation or injury.

I am going to Willimantic to see Keene and UMASS Dartmouth play for the LEC AQ. One of these teams will have positive memories because there was a conference tournament.

I'll be there today too Warriorcat, finally get to see a college game this year, LOL

middhoops · February 28, 2016, 12:36:08 PM

Middlebury weathers some sloppy play and a flurry of 3s from the long Amherst guards in the first half.
Amherst could be leading by up to double figures rather than only a point, 36-35.

As a Panther fan I can't help but be all kinds of envious of Racy/Riopel/McCarthy/Green on the perimeter. Those guys are scary.

AmherstStudent05 · February 28, 2016, 12:43:36 PM

I am trying to "watch" this game via live stats on my blackberry here at the airport. Very frustrating way to follow a game but what can you do?

By my count Amherst committed at least three offensive fouls in the first half. We're they charges or moving screens? Either way, we obviously need to get that cleaned up. Also, on live stats they changed Racy's first made bucket from a 3 to a 2. Again, the pain of following a game on live stats!

As well as we seem to have been shooting, it is frustrating to only be up 1. Wonder if I will take off before this game ends.

Vandy74 · February 28, 2016, 12:46:49 PM

I'm fighting my first real bad head cold in a few years this weekend but thank goodness for Panther basketball to alleviate the symptoms for a few precious hours. Btw Old Guy, I've been telling anyone who would listen that this team is much better than the early season results indicated for a couple months now, and we talked about this coming out of a Panther women's hockey game a while back. But it's unimportant if anyone heard me. The team is showing it to be true now. Great to see senior Matt Daley playing well after fighting injury and illness throughout most of his time wearing Middlebury Blue.

gordonmann · February 28, 2016, 01:20:39 PM

I tried to watch both games on NSN and got audio with no video. Am I doing something wrong?

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · February 28, 2016, 01:24:14 PM

Quote from: gordonmann on February 28, 2016, 01:20:39 PM
I tried to watch both games on NSN and got audio with no video. Am I doing something wrong?

The game today is working fine for me.

gordonmann · February 28, 2016, 01:27:28 PM

Okay. It's me then. Wish I knew what I was doing wrong.

magicman · February 28, 2016, 01:37:00 PM

Great championship game. Congratulations to the Panthers on winning the NESCAC championship. A short while ago they were just as afterthought in the league pecking order and the question was whether it would be Amherst, Tufts, or Trinity that would win the automatic bid. If there was a 4th team it was Wesleyan not the Panthers.

middhoops · February 28, 2016, 01:38:17 PM

Yes, Al Michaels, I do believe in miracles.