MBB: NESCAC

[AmherstStudent05]

Wow, what a game in LeFrak.  Amherst pulls out a 74-72 win over Husson in a game that, frankly, they may not have deserved to win.  So many thoughts on this one so I will do my best to be somewhat coherent.

First, huge props to Husson for playing Amherst really tough -- certainly as tough as anyone who has played us in LeFrak this season.  Anderson and Butler are both fearless and really tough covers.

Husson had a 4 point lead heading in to halftime and maintained that advantage for most of the second half.  Our biggest lead of the second half came when Johnny Mac hit a three to put us up four with about 5 minutes to play. The game was tight throughout but we seemed to have a chance to put the game away when we had two chances to build on our two point advantage with under 90 seconds to go.  We didn't do it and then Husson came back to hit a huge 3 to go up one with just 30 seconds remaining.  Hixon calls timeout and appears to have drawn up a beautiful play giving Racy a clean look from 3 near the top of the key.  Racy buries it.  On the way back Butler was absolutely determined to take the final shot -- can't say as I blame him -- but we had two, maybe even 3, guys on him and he turns the ball over to effectively end the game.

Great to win but a lot went wrong for us today.  We had 13 turnovers and frankly were lucky not to have had several more.  Especially early in the game we seemed super nervous with the ball treating it almost as a hot potato.  That part was uncharacteristic for us.  Also, and sadly not uncharacteristic of our recent past, our free throw shooting continues to be abysmal. We shot 61.5% today (although Husson only shot 62.5%).  Also, I don't like mentioning it, but after a fine first half, Connor Green had an absolutely dreadful second half.  He just could not catch a break at all. He went 0-6 from the field including missing a point blank, totally uncontested, layup.  He also committed a critical charge late in the game at which point Hix had decided he had seen enough for one evening.  We are counting on Connor to bounce back in a big way tomorrow.  Finally, while it is always tough to judge from the webcast, I actually thought that the officials gave Amherst several generous calls this evening.  If so, we needed every one of them.  But again, not a pretty night, and certainly a tough loss for a game Husson team.

Still it was not all bad news.  Johnny Mac was outstanding for us, finishing with 21 points -- including several clutch shots (many of which I thought were ill advised until they went in) -- and playing some outstanding defense in Butler down the stretch.  Also, George had a double double and a huge layup for us late.  And, of course, Racy hit that monster 3 at the end.

Anyway, glad to still be alive and very happy to be taking on Cortland tomorrow! 

[AmherstStudent05]

Looking over Cortland's schedule is it true that the Dragons hadn't played a game outside of the State of New York this season until this evening.  I remember the same thing was true of our first round opponent last year (Sage).  I know there are a lot of good d3 teams in New York (so it is obviously not the same as confining yourself to, say, Rhode Island), but still I would think these teams should get out more.  This is why I am really opposed to the idea of the NESCAC doing a double round robin.  I heard Coach Brown advocating for this yesterday on Hoopsville.  I really don't like it.  I don't know if Coach Brown reads these boards, but I will suggest again an idea I have supported for a while now: Midd should form a basketball Little 3 with Tufts and Trinity.  That would give Midd some tougher games and more consistent home opportunities that coach Brown said he was looking for.

Anyway, back to more pressing and important matters.  Congrats to Midd on a great win today.  I wasn't able to watch any of the game but I tried to follow live stats from my office.  Why I am not surprised that even after a brief absence, Midd has not lost its NCAA touch?  I am sure the bean counters at the NCAA are thrilled Midd is back.  Every game is sure to be a thrilling nail biter -- a true ratings bonanza I am sure.  Also, I see that Midd is continuing to spite me by continuing to win despite just relying on MSA for long distance shooting. 

With Tufts winning as well i think we can say it was another impressive evening for the NESCAC.  Here is hoping we can keep it up tomorrow! 

[middhoops]

Keene St., while completely gassed late in the game, pulled out a gusty game at host Stockton in OT.
Envy is overwhelming me.  Vandy74 and I had hotel reservations for the tourney at Stockton but family duties took me 3,000 miles away today.  Had we been there, we'd have seen two fairy book endings in less than 4 hours.
Got to say, neither Salisbury or Stockton players deserved to be on the losing end today.....although I am completely thrilled for our VT/NH survivors.

[amh63]

After the Amherst win by 2 points, I said to myself...do that sometimes...how appropriate as Midd won by 2 points and Trinity lost by 2 points....all the teams scoring in the low 70's.
Surprised by the Cortland win over a solid WPI team in the early game in LeFrak.
Some nice video shots in the Tufts game.  Floor view of the gym looking up reminds me of a Greek Church...in D.C.

[JustAFan]

The NESCAC goes 3-1 in the opening round, with all 4 games decided by 2 points--Wow! No easy 20 point opening round blowout wins any more. Has the rest of DIII in the Northeast caught up with the NESCAC or has the NESCAC come back to the pack? Hard to draw many conclusions from the opening round games, but good for the league to come out with 3 wins tonight, and according to the game report Ajayi had a great look on Trinity's last possession in its game as well but the shot rimmed out. 

I give a lot of credit to Tufts for coming together and hanging on for the win without Pace.  Everyone stepped up, and the big crowd in Cousins certainly helped as well.  No time for the Jumbo to rest on their laurels, however, as Skidmore will be an even tougher opponent tomorrow and with Pace on the sidelines in a full leg brace and on crutches I would not expect that he will be available.

Babson is the sole remaining NEWMAC team as WPI's late season swoon continued with a 19 point loss to Cortland St. Cortland will be a very tough opponent for Amherst tomorrow.

[Vandy74]

He grabbed it w/ two hands, and once he did that, with .2, the game was over.

That's how it was explained by the refs as they waved off.

That's how the two guys covering the game online described it as well.  Obviously unless it was a clean tip in off the inbounds pass it couldn't have been done before time expired.  I don't trust my eye-to-brain connection to communicate things clearly anymore so I wasn't sure what had happened.  I thought there were a few shaky calls that went against both teams in the final minute and a half so I'm glad they got this one right.

[Old Guy]

A very exciting game today – Middlebury played well, led the whole way but the lead never felt secure. Matt St Amour was terrific (7-13 from the floor, 11-11 from the line, so important), 27 points: I think his best game of the season. He had a couple of dagger threes late in the game. It's so much fun to watch him play - he looks like he just loves to play, such exuberance.

Matt Daley hit five of six from the line in the last few minutes, swishes, unexpected and needed. Baines was good – 14 points in 31 minutes! - no longer a rookie. Daly had 11 rebounds ("how does he do that, children, with his modest size?" "Hustle, boys and girls, sheer effort").

We get another look at Keene State, I sure hope with the same result (a nine point win at Keene St).  Go Panthers.

[amh63]

Vandy74....Think the little -K buddy has hit me hard too., especially in the last day or so.  Hope it is not because of me...your problem of late.

A friend has related that Cortland State has more outside shooters than Amherst. Husson's two shooters were scaring me.  Did not catch the Cortland win over WPI.  Am sure Amherst has done some scouting of the Red Dragons.

[JEFFFAN]

What a Saturday in the NESCAC!  Four games decided by two points - unheard of. The three girls games were not as close. But 6 wins out of 7 isn't too bad. Re the boys, I do not think that this is a great year for the NESCAC. The only truly dominant senior - Hausman - isn't in the playoffs. Hard to be dominant nationally without some more dominant seniors.

[OldCardinal]

Watched Tufts game last night in person.  They lost Pace in the first 30 seconds.  Huge loss by itself but especially for team with a short bench.  I was incredibly impressed with how hard they fought.  Poor free throw shooting down the stretch made it closer than it had to be but a great win for the Jumbos over a very competitive So. Vt. team.  Haladyna had a huge game on both ends.  Spadaford had 14! rebounds.  Palleschi had 8! blocks.  Great response to the loss of Pace who must be crushed.  Smith was really solid against a lot of pressure.  Nice contributions from bench too - especially Envall, Dayton and Feldman.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The NESCAC goes 3-1 in the opening round, with all 4 games decided by 2 points--Wow! No easy 20 point opening round blowout wins any more. Has the rest of DIII in the Northeast caught up with the NESCAC or has the NESCAC come back to the pack? Hard to draw many conclusions from the opening round games, but good for the league to come out with 3 wins tonight, and according to the game report Ajayi had a great look on Trinity's last possession in its game as well but the shot rimmed out. 

The entire Division across the country has far more parity, talent, and good teams than in the past. It isn't necessarily about the NESCAC which honestly hasn't been head and shoulders better than the NEWMAC or others for a few years despite what the top has done.

The middle and bottom of the NESCAC are better which shows you much of what is going on around the country. We have talked about parity a lot this season across the country and NESCAC struggling in the first round isn't that surprising to me. It isn't about the NESCAC in my mind... it is about everyone else. Sure, the top has regressed a little - no surprise - but it has been met with a huge surge with everyone else in Division III. It is great to watch to be honest.

[Bucket]

The NESCAC goes 3-1 in the opening round, with all 4 games decided by 2 points--Wow! No easy 20 point opening round blowout wins any more. Has the rest of DIII in the Northeast caught up with the NESCAC or has the NESCAC come back to the pack? Hard to draw many conclusions from the opening round games, but good for the league to come out with 3 wins tonight, and according to the game report Ajayi had a great look on Trinity's last possession in its game as well but the shot rimmed out. 

The entire Division across the country has far more parity, talent, and good teams than in the past. It isn't necessarily about the NESCAC which honestly hasn't been head and shoulders better than the NEWMAC or others for a few years despite what the top has done.

The middle and bottom of the NESCAC are better which shows you much of what is going on around the country. We have talked about parity a lot this season across the country and NESCAC struggling in the first round isn't that surprising to me. It isn't about the NESCAC in my mind... it is about everyone else. Sure, the top has regressed a little - no surprise - but it has been met with a huge surge with everyone else in Division III. It is great to watch to be honest.

Just on my limited sample size, I'd have to agree with this 100 percent. Among the four teams I watched in Stockton yesterday, they all appeared to be evenly matched, and I can't recall ever seeing that before in a first-round pod. If this is being replicated across the country, as it appears to be the case, then it makes for a very fun, highly competitive national tournament.

[maineman]

I tried pressing the stopwatch  on my phone on and then off in .2 seconds and I couldn't do it.  You can see Jeter grab the ball with 2 hands and cock it back a few inches before he shot.  That would take more than .2 seconds.  If he tipped it in with one hand it would have been legal.

[magicman]

The NESCAC goes 3-1 in the opening round, with all 4 games decided by 2 points--Wow! No easy 20 point opening round blowout wins any more. Has the rest of DIII in the Northeast caught up with the NESCAC or has the NESCAC come back to the pack? Hard to draw many conclusions from the opening round games, but good for the league to come out with 3 wins tonight, and according to the game report Ajayi had a great look on Trinity's last possession in its game as well but the shot rimmed out. 

The entire Division across the country has far more parity, talent, and good teams than in the past. It isn't necessarily about the NESCAC which honestly hasn't been head and shoulders better than the NEWMAC or others for a few years despite what the top has done.

The middle and bottom of the NESCAC are better which shows you much of what is going on around the country. We have talked about parity a lot this season across the country and NESCAC struggling in the first round isn't that surprising to me. It isn't about the NESCAC in my mind... it is about everyone else. Sure, the top has regressed a little - no surprise - but it has been met with a huge surge with everyone else in Division III. It is great to watch to be honest.

Just on my limited sample size, I'd have to agree with this 100 percent. Among the four teams I watched in Stockton yesterday, they all appeared to be evenly matched, and I can't recall ever seeing that before in a first-round pod. If this is being replicated across the country, as it appears to be the case, then it makes for a very fun, highly competitive national tournament.

The same held true in Plattsburgh where Johnson and Wales and Trinity were evenly matched in the first game which pitted the NESCAC conference, always highly ranked among conferences, with the GNAC conference, one that is usually ranked near the bottom of the conference pecking order. The 2nd game between Plattsburgh State and Fitchburg State was just as close as that game was a one possession final score as well. The SUNYAC conference is usually ranked in the top one third while the MASCAC conference is in the bottom one third. Both of the lower ranked conferences won their games.

Husson hanging with Amherst is just another example of the parity in D3 basketball. Husson's NAC conference is consistently ranked near the bottom of the conference ladder and this year Massey has them next to last.     

[maineman]

Am I the first to point out that Amherst has Connor Green in basketball and Connor Brown in hockey?  Both talented players!