MBB: NESCAC

[bbfan44]

re: Schneider, I can recall four Amherst players hyped above all others before they arrived on campus: Andrew Olson and Aaron Toomey, who went on to become two of the best point guards in D3 history, Kurt Bennett, a center from California who ended up as a rotation player, and Schneider.  Schneider is 6'10, extremely athletic, was very highly ranked as a recruit, and came late to hoops so he has a huge upside.  On the other hand, he went to a national powerhouse high school where he barely saw the floor, followed by two years stuck behind quality veteran centers at Amherst.  So no one really knows, at this point, what he can do when finally given a chance.  Amherst has enormous unknowns at point guard and center next year, as no one returning has played any meaningful time at either position -- if Schneider can be an above-average NESCAC center as a junior, that would do a lot to keep Amherst in the NESCAC contention picture by reducing those unknowns to one position.  He certainly has the physical tools and looks the part, but how much will he be ready to contribute as the (presumptive) starter after being, essentially, a practice player for the last six years?  And will he even beat out CJ Bachmann, who Hixon has also spoken highly of?  It's the biggest "x-factor" question I can recall in NESCAC in many years. 

By the way, I can recall four Williams players being especially hyped during the recruiting process as well: Mike Nogelo, Manny Benjamin (who never reached his potential due to a series of unfortunate injuries), Mike Crotty, and of course Duncan Robinson.

If this were Facebook, I'd just hit "like" as a thanks for your response.

[NEhoops]

It's tricky when it comes to recruiting big men, particularly at the D3 level. In most cases if a big man, coming out of HS, has good strength and skill they're going to get some type of interest from the D1 and/or D2 level. The NESCAC is fortunate to steal some of those quality big men because of the opportunity to play right away, strong academics, and the student-athlete balance. While those big men might come to the NESCAC, in most cases, it takes them sometime to get used to the speed of the game (among other things) before they can make an impact.

Taking a look at winners of the ROY and its mostly guards/wings. Palleschi won it in 12-13, but he was highly recruited and didn't necessarily surprise anyone that he was able to play at a high level as a first year. Take for example, Andrew Locke (MID) and more recently, John Swords (BOW). Both players had great careers at their respective schools, making positive contributions, particularly on the defensive end. As first years, they both played limited minutes on teams that didn't have overwhelming depth in the front court. 
 
Regarding Schneider, he'll be a junior and the minutes will be there. It won't take too many games to see if he has what it takes to start or be a rotation guy for AMH.

[nescac1]

NEhoops, agreed 100 percent.  Never judge a big man in NESCAC until their junior year -- that is when many blossom / break out.  Williams for example has had four all-American centers in my time as a fan: Geoff Chapin, Ben Coffin, Michael Mayer, and Troy Whittington.  None of them played much of a role at all as frosh, and all were still basically promising role players as sophomores.  Only as juniors did each of them erupt into all-American talents.  There have been counter-examples, of course: I recall Ryan Sharry being a force early in his Midd career.  But typically, it takes big guys a bit longer to figure things out.  If a center has a very high upside, the odds are, a D1 school is gonna snag them unless they are VERY, very far from realizing that potential as a high school senior.   

[grabtherim]

To your point, McCord from Midd seems on that track.  He has been getting better and better, and the Locke example is correct.  Andrew became perhaps the best shot blocker and shot affect-er the league has seen in recent memory from countless hours with Russ Reilly.  Another Midd example from a few seasons back is interesting for a different reason.  Peter Lynch was stuck behind some strong upperclassmen, never griped, worked his butt off to make those guys better, and then stepped up big time when his chance came.  Peter wasn't as big as some of the big men he went up against, but his strength and savvy more than made up for that.     

[amh63]

For Ephs fans in the D.C. Area, the Big Ten Tourny is in Downtown D.C...started today.  It was announced on TV that the UMich team will be delayed.  Their plane crashed on the runway in tough weather.  Fortunately the team and other passengers are OK.  Looking for the best way to D.C. Now.
Some choices to be made this weekend...maybe

[AllStar]

For Ephs fans in the D.C. Area, the Big Ten Tourny is in Downtown D.C...started today.  It was announced on TV that the UMich team will be delayed.  Their plane crashed on the runway in tough weather.  Fortunately the team and other passengers are OK.  Looking for the best way to D.C. Now.
Some choices to be made this weekend...maybe

Yikes!  That's scary.  Glad to hear they are OK!

[nescac1]

Glad the team is O.K.  To think, Duncan could be playing this weekend in Middlebury, Vermont instead of slumming it in D.C. for the Big Ten tourney.  I'm sure he has many regrets! 

[Middfan]

I see that all tickets are now sold for Friday and Saturday in Middlebury.  Sure hope you got yours Old Guy!  I can't imagine Pepin without you.

[Mr. Ypsi]

For Ephs fans in the D.C. Area, the Big Ten Tourny is in Downtown D.C...started today.  It was announced on TV that the UMich team will be delayed.  Their plane crashed on the runway in tough weather.  Fortunately the team and other passengers are OK.  Looking for the best way to D.C. Now.
Some choices to be made this weekend...maybe

Nearly all of Michigan had some of the strongest winds ever today - sustained wind speeds of 45+ with guts into the upper 60s.  Apparently one of those gusts hit just as the plane was taking off.  The pilot aborted the takeoff, but was unable to brake before running out of runway.  Some passengers slightly banged up (and no doubt fully shaken up!), but no reports of serious injuries.  As of the last report I've seen, they're still exploring options for getting there (fortunately, the wind is rapidly calming after the sun set, so flying is still the likely way, though it won't be in THAT plane!)

Blessedly, former player Austin Hatch was safely in class.  In 2011, he was a passenger in a small plane which crashed, killing his father and step-mother and leaving him in an 8-week coma.  UM still offered him a scholarship 3 years later.  He played (sparingly) his freshman season, but by mutual agreement his athletic scholarship was switched to a medical scholarship after the season.  He is still part of the program, but unable to play, and was not accompanying the team to DC.

[Mr. Ypsi]

UM still scrambling for a flight, but reportedly will fly out tomorrow morning (the chartered plane is damaged; takes awhile to get a new plane and crew).  Last I heard, the B1G has not re-scheduled their noon starting time, though surely they will.

The plane had 109 UM personnel (and 7 crew), including the team and coaches, cheerleaders, band members, family members of coaches, and UM administrators.  Still no word on whether the 'banged up' passengers included any of the ballplayers.

I'm still somewhat mystified that the pilot (and air traffic controllers) would even attempt a take-off under those conditions.  Willow Run airport was immediately shutdown, though things have now calmed significantly and it is probably now re-opened (though I haven't heard for sure).  In terms of power outages, this was the second worst windstorm in Michigan history.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Unfreakin'believable.   The B1G refuses to change the game time!  UM is now scheduled to meet at 6am, bus to Detroit Metro, fly in to DC arriving c. 8:45, then bus straight to the arena.  And still play at noon.

After all that 'consideration' by the B1G, I hope UM wins by 50, and then sweeps the tourney!   ("Yeah, yeah, so you coulda died.  Suck it up and play at noon or forfeit." )

[amh63]

Mr. Ypsi...good points...agreed.  Part of the delay I heard was the FAA debriefing needs.  Think the players are being pushed....the UM party on the plane included the traveling band, etc.
I went thru a quick review of possible switches of games on Thursday to accommodate UMich.  The Verizon center was not crowded for Wednesday  games.  It shouldn't be a major effort to move seating around for fans. 
Some interesting moves by the Big conferences this year to new venues...chasing the big media markets, I hear.  The ACC went to Brooklyn this year and the BIG to D.C. to accommodate newer member schools like UMD as well as the bigger Media markets.

[nescac1]

Disgraceful re: Michigan.  While the problems with D3 typically come down to lack of resources (travel-related in particular), the far more serious problems with D1 all come down to too MANY resources, and television revenues will always drive D1 above all else.  It's certainly not about the welfare of the players, or basic fairness, or maintaining historic / geographically-sensible rivalries; it's all about the benjamins.  While it may be frustrating that bracketing in the D3 tourney is in some ways driven by cost consdierations, at least we need not fear our conferences being torn apart, terrific rivalries destroyed, or student-athletes mistreated, all in service of the almighty dollar! 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Disgraceful re: Michigan.  While the problems with D3 typically come down to lack of resources (travel-related in particular), the far more serious problems with D1 all come down to too MANY resources, and television revenues will always drive D1 above all else.  It's certainly not about the welfare of the players, or basic fairness, or maintaining historic / geographically-sensible rivalries; it's all about the benjamins.  While it may be frustrating that bracketing in the D3 tourney is in some ways driven by cost consdierations, at least we need not fear our conferences being torn apart, terrific rivalries destroyed, or student-athletes mistreated, all in service of the almighty dollar!

Interestingly... the men's title game and entire Championship Weekend for Division III is dictated by television. At least CBS Sports wants to "profile" the title game this year at 6pm on Saturday night unlike the 3PM (?) game last year. The key being, the title game time dictates the semifinals as well (don't want teams playing on too little rest. Progress? LOL

[JustAFan]

Michigan is playing today's game in their practice gear because their uniforms and all of their other cargo are on the plane and the FAA is holding the plane for further investigation according to Andy Katz of ESPN.  Katz also reports that both the Big10 and several of the teams scheduled to play later today were willing to reschedule their games to accommodate Michigan but Michigan said it wanted to move forward with game as originally scheduled. Michigan leads Illinois by 11 with 6 minutes to go.