MBB: NESCAC

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · September 24, 2016, 08:40:43 AM

So, who do you guys think takes over the leadership mantle at Amherst? I know they've got plenty of upper classmen with experience, but from my viewpoint in Salem is really felt like they had to have Green on the floor to make anything happen. No one else seemed to step into the big moment and they really relied on him moving the ball, either off the dribble or getting the offense going with timely passing. He seemed to comprise a larger percentage of the team's performance than his talent might dictate.

My big question about Amherst going in is how long it will take them to replace the on court leadership Green provided. Maybe some of it is simply not having him there changing the dynamics and making other players more comfortable leading, but I'd appreciate some insight from those closer to the program.

amh63 · September 25, 2016, 05:34:39 PM

Hoops Fan.....interesting question. In the past, during the past Final Four title runs, there seem to always be a leader...most cases a starter that wanted to take the critical shot needed to win. In the two National Title runs, it was the point guard...the ball handler. Both Olsen and Toomey had that role and both were two time D3 Player of the Year winners.
On the present team, the projected point guards presently do NOT fit that role. The top assist guard is not a scorer and vice versa....both share that position. The co- captain and staring center is a player that has been put into a leadership role and IMO plays better without that role. It is possible that a junior...Johnny Mac...maybe the person if he is given it. He is most likely to be on the floor at the end of a given game and wants the ball in his hand at a critical junction. There maybe an underclass man...a ball handler that might rise up. There are several freshmen that could fill the role....as they did in HS. The GatorAde POY in Mass maybe one. Remember Conner Green was also a Gatorade POY in HS...NH.

nescac1 · September 26, 2016, 10:57:05 AM

I don't see any one Amherst guy dominating the scoring for the Jeffs this year. My sense is that Jayde Dawson is chomping at the bit to be the man at Amherst -- I think he will be the leading scorer this year (but only by a small amount) and the go-to guy with the ball in his hands in big situations. He certainly has the talent to be effective in that role but it remains to be seen just how effective he will be. McCarthy is an excellent all-around player with a knack for hitting clutch shots, but I'm not sure that is a really a dynamic enough creator off the dribble to serve in that role. Plus he has to expend a lot of energy always locking down the best opposing offensive player every game. He is perfect as a second-option type, really. Racy shooting from 3 is the best play in Amherst's arsenal, but that requires someone else to set him up. Of course there is always the chance that David George fulfills his immense potential and becomes a force in the low post who is unguardable one-on-one. If that happens, you can just hand Amherst the NESCAC crown.

Amherst is clearly the best team in NESCAC heading into the season. But it's also clear they don't have one of the best five-six players in the league (I'd say that in some order that's Palleschi, Aronowitz, St. Amour, Ogundeko, Simonds -- and Pace is in the mix too if healthy). So the Jeffs will need to win with balance while other teams are more reliant on individual leadership.

Canvas Hightops · September 27, 2016, 03:04:39 PM

Hello.
I've been following this board for a long time and decided to jump in.
As my name implies, I played a long time ago. Two sons also played at different NESCAC schools. Spirited sports stories, we have. All moderate exploits seem to get better with time.
We all follow the football and basketball boards and agree that the quality of conversation here is enviably high.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the NESCAC boards is the knowledge posters have about schools other than their own. (Immediate previous post being a terrific example.)
Looking forward to comparing notes with some of the well known characters here.

magicman · September 29, 2016, 05:55:31 AM

Looks like Matt Hart is back at George Washington despite the firing of Mike Lonergan, the coach that recruited him, as they have posted their 2016-17 roster. He had 5, 10, and 15 points in 3 games over in Japan in August.

middhoops · September 29, 2016, 06:01:39 PM

The interim head coach at GW is Maurice Joseph. Mojo played two years at UVM after transferring from Mich. St. It's interesting that he leapfrogged Hajj Turner, who had been Lonergan's associate head coach at Vermont and GW. Anyway, Mojo is a character guy. Very solid young man with wisdom beyond his years.
One important difference between Lonergan and Joseph (excluding temperament) is that Mojo was a D1 player, and a decent one. His expectations may be higher simply due to athletic experience. I'm betting he gives Matt Hart the same shot Lonergan would have.
For those who don't know: Mike Lonergan was fired for verbally abusing players. He was accused of this at Vermont during his 5 year stint there, as well.
It might also be noted that he created winning programs from the ashes left to him at both places. He may not get another D1 coaching opportunity. No one to blame but himself.

Pat Coleman · September 29, 2016, 06:07:29 PM

Stating the GW AD's party line as fact kind of ignores the response to the accusations. There will be a lawsuit or settlement out of that. It's pretty trumped-up.

middhoops · September 29, 2016, 06:34:45 PM

There are plenty of people who feel that Lonergan's firing is an example of coddling players. Having been to more than one of his practices at Vermont, I can attest that the coach could be really demeaning. However, he seemed to get over his anger quickly.
Some players are far more sensitive than others. Not every kid can play for a guy like Lonergan. Not every coach can recruit like him, either.

Mike Lonergan won a D3 championship at Catholic in or around 2000. He played there, too.
It's possible he could return to D3 in the right situation. What do you think, Pat?

Pat Coleman · September 29, 2016, 06:41:59 PM

Quote from: middhoops on September 29, 2016, 06:34:45 PM
There are plenty of people who feel that Lonergan's firing is an example of coddling players. Having been to more than one of his practices at Vermont, I can attest that the coach could be really demeaning. However, he seemed to get over his anger quickly.
Some players are far more sensitive than others. Not every kid can play for a guy like Lonergan. Not every coach can recruit like him, either.

Mike Lonergan won a D3 championship at Catholic in or around 2000. He played there, too.
It's possible he could return to D3 in the right situation. What do you think, Pat?

It was 2001, yep. I'm no longer in a great position to ruminate on Mike Lonergan's future plans with any sense of authority, but I would be surprised if he wanted to go back to coaching at this level. I would think he will apply for lower-level D-I coaching jobs but probably also D-III athletic director positions.

amh63 · October 03, 2016, 06:18:52 PM

Will put my two cents wrt GWU. It is a true city university with hopes of high profile for its schools. It dropped football many decades ago and its baseball team plays on public land. Much of its income comes from real estate, etc. Had an rep for the most expensive school in the USA. Believe it has put Basketball as the featured sport and seeks a National rep. A Former UConn star player was the Coach there as well as UTexas...AD? In any case, there may have been an underlying reason to get a new coach...one to raise the program to a higher level and faster...someone like the former VCU HC and/or the present UMiami HC who took a local Va. University to the Final 4.

middhoops · October 03, 2016, 07:30:26 PM

Oddly, amh63, Lonergan was steadily raising the GW basketball program in terms of wins and losses. When he got there the cupboard was bare. He may scream awful epithets at players, but he can recruit.
The interim coach is a former Vermont player who is a rare find as a coach. Highly personable and a leader. He will be a quality D1 coach someplace.
Your background info on the greater GW situation is appreciated.

Keep your eyes pealed for Vandy74 and me at the big game on Saturday. We're the old guys.

30 for 30 · October 03, 2016, 10:41:23 PM

Lonergan's eye for talent and relationships from his D III days led to his recruiting of Hart upon his release. Hart proved his worth last year with season long contributions including some big moments in the NIT Championship game. Recent GW trip to Japan portends the upcoming season outlook for Hart. Look for him to triple last years PT and performance under MOJO. He will be a double figure scorer and will play a strong floor game as a combo guard.

nescac1 · October 04, 2016, 02:48:32 PM

A bit of interesting national news -- elsewhere on these boards it's been reported that there are no longer any byes in the D3 tourney, so there will be two additional Pool C teams added. Good news for any NESCAC teams on the bubble (I don't think many NESCAC teams have been on the bubble and been denied, perhaps one Colby team a few years back comes to mind, but you never know when that extra bid will allow another team to squeeze in!).

My over-under for number of NESCAC teams in the NCAA tourney this coming year: 3.5.

amh63 · October 04, 2016, 07:06:13 PM

Yelp....read somewhere...here on another board that the D3 has reached the 64 full house limit!

P'bearfan · October 05, 2016, 08:45:42 AM

QuoteA bit of interesting national news -- elsewhere on these boards it's been reported that there are no longer any byes in the D3 tourney, so there will be two additional Pool C teams added. Good news for any NESCAC teams on the bubble (I don't think many NESCAC teams have been on the bubble and been denied, perhaps one Colby team a few years back comes to mind, but you never know when that extra bid will allow another team to squeeze in!).

My over-under for number of NESCAC teams in the NCAA tourney this coming year: 3.5.

Actually 2 seasons ago, Bowdoin was a bubble team that did not get a bid (that was Hausman's junior year and Sword's senior year). This was a big disappointment as Bowdoin beat Bates by 28 in one the last regular season games. That year Bates made it to the Section Semifinals where they fell to Trinity. So...by the transitive property of barroom sports argument....Bowdoin would have made a decent run in the tournament.

Looking forward to this season!!

GoUBears!