MBB: NESCAC

[PeterEscobar]

Interesting update from Bates (excerpt taken from the recap of last nights game) - the final 10 minutes of the game featured the collegiate debut of first-year guard Jeff Spellman (Boston, Mass.), who had missed Bates' first nine games with an injury. The 6-foot-2 Spellman scored the first of his nine points with a breakaway dunk on a feed from Frater, and he later cashed in on a spectacular up-and-under layup to finish off a drive down the lane.

Spellman will be one to watch. Reportedly, he had multiple DI offers as a high school sophomore and junior, playing with the Taylor brothers at Beaver Country Day in NESCAC Class C basketball. Summer going into his senior year at Beaver, he bounced around a few different AAU teams and his recruitment dried up. He then did a post-graduate year at Worcester Academy, from which he committed to Stonehill College as a preferred walk-on. Spellman then spent a week in September of last year at Stonehill before leaving the school, having never practiced with the Skyhawks. After taking last year off from school & hoops, he committed to Bates and missed most of first semester with an ankle injury. Will be curious to see how he continues to progress thru the remainder of this season and beyond. Talent-wise he obviously has tools, but that is a background you do not often see in the NESCAC.

[P'bearfan]

A disappointing loss two nights ago as Bowdoin fell to St. Joe's 88-91 in OT. 

Bowdoin had a 7 point lead with about 45 seconds left in the game but couldn't close it out as a turnover and poor defense by the Polar Bears combined with some good shooting by the Monks took the game to OT.

On the bright side for Bowdoin:

-4 players scored in double figures: Simonds (35; "only" 14 in the first half); Reynolds (17); O'Neill (12); Gordon (10).  Great to see that many players in double figures. 

-Very good offensive ball movement to start the game;

-Overall shooting was very good: 47.8% from the floor and 45.8% from long range;

Despite these bright spots the Polar Bears need to address some key areas:

-While there is quite a bit of individual effort and hustle on defense, their team defense is not where it needs to be.  The Polar Bears need to play more together as a unit on defense - with reliable and consistent help rotations.  This is a young team and learning to play this type of defense can take time but hopefully the Polar Bears can accelerate their learning.  At the end of last year, Bowdoin really started playing much better and the single biggest improvement was in their team defense.  They'll need to regain that focus if they want to be competitive in the NESCAC.

-Bowdoin was out-rebounded 29-44 by a St. Joe's team with whom they match up well on paper.   While Bowdoin allowed 12 OREBs, the big problem was that St. Joe's pulled down 32 DREBs.

-The rebounding issue wasn't the result of poor shooting but the fact that Bowdoin has become primarily a perimeter offense.  That's probably due to a combination of factors: scheme; a stable of good perimeter shooters; and how opponents are defending them.  The P'bears will need to balance out their attack so they get more shots in the paint (and more bodies in there to rebound).

-At the start of the last few games, Bowdoin has moved the ball very well and created some good open shots.  However, as the game goes on, the ball movement can slow quite a bit and they rely more on isolation plays.  To create a more balanced attack (and by this I mean inside / outside) they'll need to keep up the ball movement.

What's exciting about this year's squad is that they have all the pieces they need to be competitive. Here's hoping they can work out these kinks.

GoUBears!!

[P'bearfan]

Also - congrats to Brunswick native Blake Gordon for getting his first start at Bowdoin.  Can't imagine what a thrill it is to be starting for the team that you grew up admiring and dreamed about playing for.

[Middfan]

Always fun seeing these NESCAC "kids" being interviewed - so well spoken.  The link below takes you to the College of Staten Island Athletics website for a story on the Tournament of Heroes championship game claimed by Middlebury and an interview with tournament MVP, Matt St Armour.

http://www.csidolphins.com/news/2016/12/30/mens-basketball-red-hot-middlebury-surges-past-dolphins-70-59-to-win-first-tournament-of-heroes-championship.aspx

Looking forward to hosting Wesleyan and Conn this weekend!

[Gregory Sager]

Any updates on the status of Middlebury's Zach Baines?

[amh63]

Have been on a "busman " holiday of sorts over the Holidays.  Family in town and watching some sports on the "tube".  Sports watched were football games and D1 level basketball..both men and women.  Most interesting comment heard in D1 MBB.  Other than Kentucky, few Head Coaches can expect to build a title contender with just FYs..those one year and gone..players.  Most top coaches need at least two top recruiting classes to build a team. 
Avoided D3 level basketball games in general but did watch Amherst WBB games recently online.  Even caught a little of the great OCC wins by Midd.  Congrats to the Williams' wins too...did not watch since it required a fee to get the games.  Getting spoiled these days with free top games to watch .
Missed the Amherst win over out- manned Keystone College on Sat.  Did like the rotation of players by Amherst in the game...post game reports.  Glad to see Riopel back and effective.  Concerned about the play of George lately.  Oops...made a judgement type remark.
I will post on Amherst's play after this Tuesday's away game with ECSU in Ct.  EConn has had a 1-4 start, but is on a six game win streak with a win over Trinity in the Bantams' Tourny for the title.  Last season, EConn gave Amherst a battle in the post- season in LeFrak.  An experienced Warrior team awaits the Jeffs.  The game will provide me a gauge of where Amherst is at.  It may show me if the Amherst coaches have figured out the best PG for this team going forward and the best rotation of players.  IMO, the defensive play by players and the team to date have been good and improving.  It is on the offensive side that I see needs working...ball distribution to players inside and out being a key one. 
January is here and the CAC battles will soon start!

[ECSUalum]

Have been on a "busman " holiday of sorts over the Holidays.  Family in town and watching some sports on the "tube".  Sports watched were football games and D1 level basketball..both men and women.  Most interesting comment heard in D1 MBB.  Other than Kentucky, few Head Coaches can expect to build a title contender with just FYs..those one year and gone..players.  Most top coaches need at least two top recruiting classes to build a team. 
Avoided D3 level basketball games in general but did watch Amherst WBB games recently online.  Even caught a little of the great OCC wins by Midd.  Congrats to the Williams' wins too...did not watch since it required a fee to get the games.  Getting spoiled these days with free top games to watch .
Missed the Amherst win over out- manned Keystone College on Sat.  Did like the rotation of players by Amherst in the game...post game reports.  Glad to see Riopel back and effective.  Concerned about the play of George lately.  Oops...made a judgement type remark.
I will post on Amherst's play after this Tuesday's away game with ECSU in Ct.  EConn has had a 1-4 start, but is on a six game win streak with a win over Trinity in the Bantams' Tourny for the title.  Last season, EConn gave Amherst a battle in the post- season in LeFrak.  An experienced Warrior team awaits the Jeffs.  The game will provide me a gauge of where Amherst is at.  It may show me if the Amherst coaches have figured out the best PG for this team going forward and the best rotation of players.  IMO, the defensive play by players and the team to date have been good and improving.  It is on the offensive side that I see needs working...ball distribution to players inside and out being a key one. 
January is here and the CAC battles will soon start!

amh63,
Coach Geitner  has the Warriors playing pretty good D thus far in the season, and of course has Hugh Lindo who is about to achieve 1000 pts just after obtaining 1000 rebounds...no other player in ECSU history has done this.  He is the emotional heart of team and if he gets a couple of dunks, Geissler can get loud, assuming the students are back, however, I think are still on break.  If Tarchee Brown and Carlos Gonzales are hitting 3s and Lindo and Arnum contribute their 10-12 pts, (Lindo has 8 or 9 double doubles this year), it should be a good game!  However, Amherst's D will be a factor and from their stats look to be a dominating rebounding team.  Geissler Gym is always an advantage to ECSU.  However, if I were to bet my hard earned money, I would take Amherst!!  Should be fun to watch!!  Happy New Year!!!

[P'bearfan]

Getting spoiled these days with free top games to watch .

amh63 - I know what you mean.  Tomorrow, Bowdoin will travel to Bridgewater State for a 6 pm game.  It looks like there is no webcast available (free or pay).  I was dumbstruck when I saw that.  I'm simply used to all the games being webcast (for free). 

Perhaps we're just spoiled.

GoUBears!!

[PeterEscobar]

Getting spoiled these days with free top games to watch .

amh63 - I know what you mean.  Tomorrow, Bowdoin will travel to Bridgewater State for a 6 pm game.  It looks like there is no webcast available (free or pay).  I was dumbstruck when I saw that.  I'm simply used to all the games being webcast (for free). 

Perhaps we're just spoiled.

GoUBears!!

Video link is here: https://boxcast.tv/view/bsu-mens-basketball-vs-bowdoin-college-883362

Sometimes you just have to go to the home schools page... Because different schools use different web services (Presto, CBS Sports, etc.) to host their pages, sometimes links do not auto share from school to school on their schedule pages.

[nescac1]

Nice NYTimes story on Duncan Robinson, discussing time at Williams and Michigan.  While I can easily believe that Duncan is one of the better shooter currently in college hoops, Mike Crotty might be guilty of just a little bit of hyperbole in this article ... he might need to spend a bit more time watching the Warriors, for starters . 

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/sports/ncaabasketball/duncan-robinson-michigan-williams.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share

[magicman]

Have been on a "busman " holiday of sorts over the Holidays.
     
I will post on Amherst's play after this Tuesday's away game with ECSU in Ct.  EConn has had a 1-4 start, but is on a six game win streak with a win over Trinity in the Bantams' Tourny for the title.  Last season, EConn gave Amherst a battle in the post- season in LeFrak.  An experienced Warrior team awaits the Jeffs.   

Except for that 76-68 loss to Buffalo State right smack in the middle of that 6 game winning streak.

I know you were on a busman's holiday. Perhaps that's why you missed that game. Too much celebrating the holidays.

Happy New Year, my friend. You didn't think I'd let you get away with that one now, did you?   

[P'bearfan]

Quote
Getting spoiled these days with free top games to watch .

amh63 - I know what you mean.  Tomorrow, Bowdoin will travel to Bridgewater State for a 6 pm game.  It looks like there is no webcast available (free or pay).  I was dumbstruck when I saw that.  I'm simply used to all the games being webcast (for free). 

Perhaps we're just spoiled.

GoUBears!!
Video link is here: https://boxcast.tv/view/bsu-mens-basketball-vs-bowdoin-college-883362

Sometimes you just have to go to the home schools page... Because different schools use different web services (Presto, CBS Sports, etc.) to host their pages, sometimes links do not auto share from school to school on their schedule pages.

Many thanks!! I had looked at the BSU men's basketball website but didn't see this link.  Really appreciate you posting it.

+K to you.

[P'bearfan]

Nice NYTimes story on Duncan Robinson, discussing time at Williams and Michigan.  While I can easily believe that Duncan is one of the better shooter currently in college hoops, Mike Crotty might be guilty of just a little bit of hyperbole in this article ... he might need to spend a bit more time watching the Warriors, for starters . 

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/sports/ncaabasketball/duncan-robinson-michigan-williams.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share

Nice article - thanks for posting.  +k to you.

I watched a good bit of the Michigan v Iowa game the other day.  Robinson looked relaxed and played well overall.  He wound up guarding several different players and held his own against them.  I suspect his ability to guard elite 3's will be what determines whether he gets into the starting rotation.

[nescac1]

Thanks P'Bearfan, that's good to hear ... interesting bunch of non-conference games for NESCAC tonight before conference play begins with a major bang on Friday (Wes-Midd, Williams-Amherst, two top 25 matchups on one night, in each case with the home team as the underdog, wow).  The two most interesting match-ups are NESCAC squads facing off with strong SUNYAC squads.  Trinity, which has been a bit of an enigma this year, hosts a strong Plattsburgh team, and Williams hosts a very hot Oneonta team, which is on a five-game winning streak, the last three by double-digits. 

Oneonta, on paper, looks very similar to the Mount Union team that Williams barely beat last week: small but athletic, with two top-notch players in McElroy and Coleman.  Kyle Scadlock will likely cover one of McElroy or Coleman, and I'd like to see him bring the same sort of in-your-face, shutdown mentality he exhibited in the second half against JJ Kukura of Mount Union.  Aronowitz will probably get the other, and his D is an underappreciated part of his game.  Cole Teal will probably be breathing a sigh of relief not to have to chase an extraordinarily quick guard this game, which may allow him to expend more energy on offense.  On the other end, Oneonta gives up an enormous amount of size to the Ephs -- no one in the rotation is over 6'4 210 -- so I'd expect Williams to pound the ball into the post early and often and try to establish Kempton and Scadlock in the paint.  If the defense collapses, hopefully that opens up the three point game, an area where the Ephs struggled in their last two outings. 

RIC is not the RIC of old and Wesleyan should have an easy time of it heading into the Midd showdown.  It will be interesting to see if Wesleyan's injured players return for this one ...

[gordonmann]

So what's the likely finish for my beloved Bantams based on what everyone has seen so far?  It's something like a seventh or eight seed and then getting squished by Amherst, Tufts or Wesleyan, isn't it?