MBB: NESCAC

[mrmike88]

I'll throw this one out because I'm bored and the blanket reference got me thinking...

What is the best mascot in the NESCAC?  The worst?

[Pat Coleman]

Walzy,

I have no idea.

Off to see Bates -- tonight's my only night off work this week and they're the  ranked team playing closest to Norwalk, Conn.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Ok, I'll break them down like this:


Most Outrageous: Ephs and Lord Jeffs - while they are certainly unique and original, c'mon they're pretty odd.

Most Predictable: Cardinals and Panthers - the one thing the NESCAC has going for it (besides the snooty academic reputation) is creative mascots and these two just don't fit the bill.

A for Effort: Jumbos and Bantams - these schools obviously tried hard, but came up short in the cool mascot race.  I'm not even sure what a Bantam is.

This leaves me with four contenders for best mascot, ranked as follows:

#4 - Camels - At once creative and original while not being too presumptuous.  While camels aren't the world's scariest creature, they certainly have some ferocity to them.

#3 - White Mules - They took an obviously bad choice, mules, and added a color to it.  I'm making no statements about racial overtones here, but the "white" adds just enough mystery to make the name intriguing and effective.

#2 - Bobcats - Bobcats are cool; I've always liked Bobcats.

#1 - Polar Bears - Ditto + 1.

[frank uible]

Colby no longer calls itself the White Mules - only the Mules - probably because it's PC. Since it can't make up its mind on this one. It is suggested that Irresolute Mules be used. Williams might fare better in this rating if one considers Purple Cows as its mascot rather than Ephs.

[formerbant10]

Bantams are similar to Gamecocks.  Just more of a country club name to it.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not really sure what a Gamecock is either.  Is that a rooster you hunt for sport?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Now that the natural habitat of the Polar Bear is disappearing at an alarming rate due to global warming, how long do you think it will be before Bowdoin rescues a live animal to serve as its official mascot a la LSU?

[feces monkey]

The retention of a live polar bear will come shortly after the NESCAC presidents announce the annexation of the Commonwealth Coast Conference and the formation of a new breed of super-conference...

[formerbant10]

A Bantam/Gamecock is a fighting fowl.....they are more the hunter than hunted

[eclinchy]

Originality should have its limits.  I'm sorry, but Jeffs, Ephs, Jumbos, and Bantams are all just plain lame.

Camels, Mules, Polar Bears and Bobcats are terrible choices for an animal.  None of them are very intimidating/menacing/clever... they've got nothing going for them.

I think the top two are Panthers and Cardinals.  Not particularly original, but at least you can tell they're sports teams rather than country clubs.

[mrmike88]

I've always been partial to the Polar Bears.

[Col. Partridge]

Most Predictable: Cardinals and Panthers - the one thing the NESCAC has going for it (besides the snooty academic reputation) is creative mascots and these two just don't fit the bill.

I agree.  Wesleyan should revert to its original nickname:  The Methodists

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

We'll see what you have to say about ferocity when you come face to face with Bowdoins new ten foot giant bear.



Nothing says NESCAC pomposity like passing a polar bear enclosure on your way to class!

[nescac1]

Brief mention of a kid playing hoops and football at Trinity next year:

http://sports.bostonherald.com/highSchool/view.bg?articleid=174204&format=&page=2

sounds like quite an athlete.  I imagine Trinity will be stocking up on guards with no guards in the current frosh class and guys like Clark, Hasiuk and Martin all seniors (although perhaps Hasiuk and Martin will be back as they still have eligibility?).  Sounds like a good start on that front. 

I see that Tufts had a tough loss last night.  Looks like Bates may be the only team to really pose much of a threat to Amherst this year in conference play.  Bates has the advantage of playing the Jeffs in that very tough gym, after three straight emotional rivalry road games for Amherst, following a long trip from Boston the night before.  Bates, meanwhile, should be well-rested with a series of home games and only one tough game (Trinity) to test them this week.  If Bates can't take the Jeffs under those circumstances, I'm not sure anyone in NESCAC can.  I think Amherst will probably lose one of the next four, but if they don't, I think they'll be undefeated until the NESCAC tourney.   

I'd like to think the Ephs have a shot at home tomorrow, but realistically, it would take a miracle.  Sounds like the Ephs, with Newton's graduation, have no one who can really force a double  team down low, and you can bet they won't get a lot of great looks from 3 against a team as big and athletic as Amherst.  To beat Amherst it seems like a burly post scorer is required, and that is one thing the Ephs are missing right now.  Stockwell is one of the few guys in the league who really qualifies, which is why Bates probably has the best shot. 

[Pat Coleman]

Bates leads Elms at the half 42-27. Bobcats 18-for-32 from the floor, 4-for-9 from downtown. Rob Stockwell 10 points, nine boards; Bryan Wholey eight points, John Lattimer 7.