MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Yet another nailbiting win for Trinity last night -- they have played tough games against a quality schedule, which should serve them well in league games.

Williams-WPI (the likely match-up Saturday) should be very interesting.  For once, Williams will play a team that is has a big size advantage over -- WPI starts no one over 6'4.  Especially now that Weisbrot is back in the rotation, giving the Ephs two experienced big guys off the bench.  On paper, seems like a pretty even match-up -- both teams are fairly small, with tons of shooters.  This is the first real test for Williams' perimeter defenders, dealing with Cain (and Yvon on the horizon).  In the past guys like Abba and Cole could just lock down an opponent's star, but now it will need to be more of a team effort.  If Williams can exploit its advantage inside by establishing Newton early and control Cain, they will have a very good shot of knocking off WPI and cracking the top 25.

Meanwhile, the other NESCAC contenders (Tufts, Bates, Bowdoin) have rebounded from early losses and all seem solid.  Tufts, in particular, who beat Springfield and whose only loss was to national power Wittinburg.   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Williams had better beat WPI, but regardless it should be quite the match-up.

Bowdoin hosts Colby-Sawyer tomorrow, another good one.  CSC lost to Keene last night on a last second three, but neither team really played up to par and CSC has been slacking on defense so far.  I'm not sure what to expect, but a good number of CSC players hail from Maine, so they might travel decent.

Good win for Trinity.  That EConn game seems odd considering the way the Bants have played.  They have Curry next and its a shame this game has to come in the first semester.  Raheim Lamb (formerly of UMass-Amherst) won't be on the floor until January, but the match-up between Lamb and Rhoten would be a great one to see.  I guess there is always a chance for the post-season (although highly unlikely).

Springfield is probably the only non-conference opponent with a chance at Amherst.  If I could make it to any game this weekend, that would be the one.

[formerbant10]

Is it me or is Lamb only been eligible in the 2nd semester of every year he's played at Curry???

[walzy31]

I'm with Formerbant on Lamb's eligibility.

Is it me or is Tyler Rhoten being groomed for NESCAC poty and 1st team all america just 4 games in?

He was named to D3hoops.com's week one fab 5. And on today's front page it has a link "Tyler Rhoten recorded a team high 28 and 10." He is getting D3 Lebron like media attention. If Trinity wins Nescac, makes a deep ncaa run, or Rhoten avgs 30 and 10 a game I can see him getting all the fame. Little early yet in my opinion.

[formerbant10]

Walzy, agree with u on Rhoten's publicity.

But I believe he is deserving of it.  He is just about to break the all time Trinity record for scoring...just about 50 points shy.  One could argue that he was the POY last year, but I don't disagree with Schiel winning it.  Most important player on the best team.

So far this year, Rhoten has been overshadowed by the little guy on the team Kino Clarke.  We'll see what happens though, no All Americans are made in November..that's for sure.

[senatorfrost]

  When I was talking about bench strength I probably should not have put down any specific numbers. The point was that I hope Amherst has 2-3 players who can come in off the bench  v any team and contribute in whatever way. Last year Wheeler stepped up in the last couple games when Casnocha's minutes were shortened.(for whatever reason) and pretty much everything was on the line. This year I would like to see two or three players do the same thing. I think McLaughlin's last game was extremely encouraging.
Former Bant-We could argue until the cows came home about Schiel v Bedford last year. You were on the floor, I was in the stands. I saw more games. I thought it was Bedford Amherst MVP-hands down. Schiel had that 'Je ne sais quoi" which caused him to receive a little more adoration than was actually appropriate. Many games would open and there would be the Six Foot Seven guy with the Blond Hair and the almost beautiful stroke-and the ref would raise two hands to indicate a 3 and the crowd would wail and woooooooo and ahhhh.
Bedford appeared relatively scruffy and dogged. Image helps and last year's POY vote proved it, in my opinion.

[formerbant10]

We could argue about this forever, you're right on that.  I don't disagree with Bedford being their best player last year.  Personally, I love the way Bedford plays....just an all out competitor.  Both players were very tough and either one could beat you by himself.  Two very different style of players, but both very effective in Amherst's system.  Bedford always seemed to have very good games against Trinity, and every Trin-Amherst game was an absolute war.  I don't necessarily agree that Schiel's POY was strickly do to image, he certainly had some substance to go along with it.  Could Bedford have been POY?  Sure, but Rhoten has as good an argument as anyone.  I'd even throw Stovell into the conversation, he was the heart and soul of the overachieving (in everyone's minds but their own) Tufts team.  The NESCAC does like to give the POY to seniors if there is one deserving.  Last year's was a similar situation to when Tabb from Trinity was a junior and did not get the award.  But he did the next year as a senior, maybe the easiest pick for the award since Nogelo (I've only heard stories of him, but from very good sources). 
McLaughlin seems like he can fit the role of Amherst's bench player/sparkplug this year.  Solid defender and rebounder, if he makes a few open jumpers he's really going to help them.
I'm heading up to Hartford tonight to see the Bants play, I'll have a better grab on them afterwards.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Yeah, Lamb only had one year left when he came to Curry, he wasn't eligible academically until second semester last year (because of grades at UMASS, which he left for "personal reasons"); I can't blame him for only playing second semester this year; it would have been pointless to come back just for the fall.


Bates loses to Endicott last night.  It seems both teams played really good defense and EC got lucky in the last second.  Probably disappointing for Bates, but a decent showing for both teams early in the season.

[rufus]

Hoops Fan - With all due respect, it wasn't a good night for the Bobcats.  It was a repeat of the USM game, where nothing would fall with any consistency.  30% from the floor overall is not going to allow them to successfully compete with the other NESCAC teams.  Some heroics at the end from Ray, but a lot of missed shots, and 10-18 from the foul line.  Yes, good defense on both sides and some well earned respect for a very well coached EC team.  Once again, the Bobcat big men worked very hard to keep the team in the game.  What doesn't compute, and I understand the defense of EC plays a large role in this, was going from 46% shooting to 30% in 2 days.  The shots were there, they just didn't fall.  The Bobcats had the opportunity to win it in the last 6 seconds, but the layup was short.  (Live by the 3, die by the 3).

[ChesterGreen]

FormerBant- I actually did see the Trinity v Wes game and Curry was the only one who could guard
Rhoten and he gave him problems (got under his skin a little as well).  With Kelly being in foul trouble, Holland having a off night, and Ashe being less than 100%, shots had to come from somewhere although their were one or two untimly ones in particular.

Bedford in my opinion was Amherst's best player, Schiel would disappear against dominant post players and tough to have your top forward rebound so poorly.  Bedford is a competitor and I saw him and Lee beat many teams in the last five minutes of games.

Don't look now, but the Wes Cards made a statement last night, knocking off a solid Eastern Conn team that did beat trinity.  'Gimme 3' Jimmy Sheppard once again led in points coming off the bench and is leading the cards in scoring even though he's about 5th in minutes.  Curry once again had a great defensive effort, he's going to take his shots as only he can take them but he must play for Wes to continue to be successful.  One thing for sure its not going to be a cakewalk coming through Middletown. 

[formerbant10]

Chester, I saw the game as well and Curry didn't do a thing with Rhoten.  Rhoten actually broke a bone in his foot when he landed awkwardly in the first half, that's what slowed him down.  Kelly in foul trouble did not help them at all.  I will give you that Curry does play harder than pretty much everyone, but to say that he's a difference maker might be going a little too far.
Kudos to the Cards for beating Eastern, and Middletown won't ever be a cakewalk.  Even two years ago when Wes was down a little, they took Williams to OT, lost by a couple of points to Amherst and beat Trinity by 3 all at the old fieldhouse.  They play well at home, that's for sure.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I wasn't trying to say Bates was beaten.  Certainly they were off their game, but EC wasn't quite up to par either.  I think all-in-all both teams did the best with what they had and somehow EC hit that bucket at the end.  As much as I like to root against them, Endicott does have quite a tradition of keeping opponent's shooting percentages really low... it's their 'thing.'  After playing Amherst pretty tough, this is a good sign for the gulls and the new coach.

[rufus]

Hoops Fan - Thanks for clearing that up.  I am happy to know that the Gulls are known for their good defense.  Thanks

[senatorfrost]

Curry V Trinity?? Am curious to hear how Curry was able to beat them.

[nescac1]

Well, it's still early but the conventional wisdom appears to be a little off so far.  Two losses to medicore/bad teams apiece for Trinity and Bates is a rough start, if either is going to be a NCAA contender, they can't lose many more out of conference.  Bates has either hit really bad patches at the wrong times, or just isn't that accurate a shooting team, there are only so many games you can chalk up to "bad shooting" before you can no longer claim shooting as a forte.  As for Trinity, I too am curious to hear what happened.  It sounds like on offense they are essentially a two-man gang, and if either Rhoten or Clark are off, they are in trouble.  They do have a lot of talent on the roster, but losing both Hasiuk and Taylor seems to really have hurt their depth.  Playing two frosh in the top seven guys is generally not a great sign unless they are truly superstars; without the unexpected upperclass losses, those guys would be the last guys in the rotation rather than starter / sixth man.   

Martin does not seem to be dominating D-3 competition so far, I imagine he will end up as a solid starter but the first team all league predictions may have been premature.  Yes, tough to come in as a transfer point, but it didn't take Olson at Amherst long to find his groove as a frosh point last year. 

Meanwhile, some teams are surprising.  Middlebury in particular is a shocking 4-0.  Granted, not against the best competition, but losing all their starters from the worst team in the league generally does not auger well.  Curious to see if they can be competitive in league this year.  Conn College also looks much improved, now that they have three classes worth of recruits on the team.  They may be pnly a year away from contention given the kind of talent and depth they are stockpiling.  Still, with most of their key guys frosh and sophomores, they will likely be very inconsistent.  One thing for sure, if Trinity and Bates can lose to teams like Curry and Southern Maine, other than Amherst, no team can really take any in-league game for granted this year.  Tufts may well end up second or third in the league as they have played well against a pretty tough schedule. 

Hopefully Williams can upset WPI this weekend and get a second Nescac team in the top 25.  That game, plus Amherst vs. Springfield, are the big games this weekend in the NEWMAC/NESCAC challenge.   Overall, New England looks pretty unpredictable this year -- Trinity, Bates, Colby-Sawyer, Salem State and Springfield were pretty much five of the top ten going in, and all already have multiple losses.