MBB: NESCAC

[eclinchy]

I'd have to go with Zak Ray as the best defensive PG.  He's been at the top of the conference in steals every year.

I love watching Ray play -- he's an electrifying player.  But just to play devil's advocate...

The only reason Black's numbers aren't as impressive is his limited PT.  Shepherd is the Jumbos' workhorse (he might lead the league in minutes played, but I'm not sure about that stat), so Black doesn't get to play much at PG.  But in terms of per-minute averages, here are Ray and Black's steal totals last season:

Black:
58 steals
727 minutes
0.0798 steals per minute

Ray:
65 steals
895 minutes
0.0726 steals per minute

...and Black, despite coming off the bench (and keep in mind, this was his first season, he sat out his entire freshman year with a torn ACL) has the edge.  Surprised?

[formerbant10]

I had heard a lot about Black when he was sitting out with the torn ACL.  I didn't realize, however, how many steals he ended up with.  Anything over 50 in a year is outstanding.  And when you get a first look at him, one wouldn't think he'd be a great defender....so yes I am surprised, but in a good way.

I'm in accord with your reasoning for Black's numbers.  But having seen both play, I'd still give an edge to Zak Ray.  He's impressed me since his rookie year and has always played well in big games.  His 2nd half of the regular season matchup against Trinity was one of the better performances I've seen in a while.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when Black does have to play the bulk of the minutes.  Some players are great coming off the bench to provide some firepower, but when given the starting nod take on a different role and are not as successful.

[old_hooper]

My bad, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor beats Va Wes 63-62!

[walzy31]

I would never want to be put in a category of people with the choir boys.
Amherst takes Trin (Tex) and they go to #1? They probably will but early season rankings are silly.

WAR Texting from Hawaii to San Antonio
WAR Pierce Brosnan

[nescac1]

Baller10:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/sports/ci_4901285

But I'm sure when Crotty is hanging out with Paul Pierce, your low opinion of his social skills weighs heavily on his mind.   

Ephs beat Caltech (horrible team) by only 20, which is not a great sign.  They will have to step it up against Occidental and Amherst to have a chance.   The way I see it, if Williams can hang within 30 of Amherst, we're still ahead, on the balance, after the 37-7 trashing in football .  Even that's no sure thing unless the Ephs' shooting comes around ... both Occidental and Amherst have inside presences the Ephs can't match at this point, so they'll have to nail at least 40 percent from 3  to be competitive in either game, and closer to 50 to have any chance of pulling an upset. 

[Friar T]

Until Black becomes a starter/mainstream player you can't compare him to Ray. Ray is a two-time All-NESCAC caliber player and nominee for defensive player of the year, while Black, definitely a good player, hasn't even been on the ballot. Also, that averages per minute stuff doesn't fly with me. Think about some of the numbers I could be posting for Amherst with that stuff... I won't waste your time cause it's not realistic. 

Let me be clear about this, I'm not knocking Black as a player. He was tough as nails in all of the Amherst vs. Tufts matchups. I just can't see putting him in discussion with the other elite PGs of the conference yet. However, the Amherst crowd's chant of "Swamp Ass" was one of the greatest I've heard in my NESCAC tenure... He gets bonus points for that.

Nescac1, I'm sure Crotty and Pierce are best friends. They probably picnic in the Commons together and enjoy tea and crumpets twice a week while listening to Mozart...

Rankings aside, HUGE game for the Jeffs! Walters and Baskauskas come up big for the 'Herst and Hixon brings them back to the Valley ready for some NESCAC scrap. The Alamo has nothing on Dolph the Legend...

Aloha Walzy.

Happy New Year all.

Amen.

[frank uible]

An age-old and green-eyed rationalization by the less accomplished often is that they have superior social skills to the more accomplished.

[feces monkey]

With your post being Exhibit A as to why this maxim is true.

[Booker T]

Baller10, Don't hate the Player, hate the game!  all you Amherst haters keep hating until You win a title!  Your all hilarious!

[dman]

.....and i'd be willing to bet...(or am i merely stating the obvious???)... that bawler1.0 is an amherst guy???.....

[fpc85]

16-14 jeffs 9:04 in 1st half

[fpc85]

30-25 Jeffs at the half

[fpc85]

41-40 Jeffs 11 to go

[mrmike88]

Amherst wins 66-54 at Trinity.  Sophomore Brian Baskauskas goes for 22 and 6, according to the Trinity website.  Olson scores 15 with 4 assists, McLaughlin chips in with 11.  Let the debate begin...

[walzy31]

Baskauskis 8-10 from the floor and 5 for 6 from deep. Pretty close/ugly game.

WAR #1 rankings and winning on road trips. : )