MBB: NESCAC

[D3HforLife]

Hey Everyone, I am new to the Message board. Just wanted to quickly say hello before I start posting my personal opinions on team's going into the season (which will be meant to be insightful and honest from my point of view, but also satirical so please don't take personal). Im an avid D3 fan, particularly love the NESCAC, and have long enjoyed the opinions shared on this board. Extremely excited for another season of hoops in the best conference in college basketball

[middhoops]

And it's their prerogative not to.

I know when I was compiling the panel it was hard to find a third, reliable, knowledgeable voter in that region. We have lots of schools there that don't participate in terms of providing scores or info. It made it hard for me to reward them with a Top 25 ballot when I couldn't even get the basic cooperation.

All you had to do was ask me! I'm reliable, knowledgeable and retired.   And I would have gotten those schools to participate more.

Actually Pat, magicman absolutely would whip those programs into shape.  He is indefatigable.  You and Dave must know that by now.

[Pat Coleman]

I don't doubt that!

[P'bearfan]

Hey Everyone, I am new to the Message board. Just wanted to quickly say hello before I start posting my personal opinions on team's going into the season (which will be meant to be insightful and honest from my point of view, but also satirical so please don't take personal). Im an avid D3 fan, particularly love the NESCAC, and have long enjoyed the opinions shared on this board. Extremely excited for another season of hoops in the best conference in college basketball

D3HforLIfe - welcome to the board!!  Glad to have you.

You'll find that this is a knowledgeable, passionate group.  You'll read some deep thoughtful analysis alongside outright school pride.

Look forward to having you join the conversation.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Pat,
Why is the East Region the one region that sometimes only has 2 voters? Doesn't that create less of a chance for an East Region team to be receiving votes? If you are going to borrow a voter to give to the Northeast Region I would think that the smallest region would be the one you took the voter from. The East has 47 teams, the West has 48 teams and the Atlantic has 49 teams. Not much of a difference between those regions. The Middle Atlantic Region only has 38 teams which is at least a full conference shy of all the other regions. I'm wondering why they always have 3 voters (and really 4, since Dave is located in that region as well). I know Dave is your "National perspective" 25th voter but he could also be the 3rd voter for that region when you give the Northeast 4 voters. I just think the East is getting shortchanged, and of course, you know I'm going to defend my region.

By the theory that I should count as a Mid-Atlantic voter to add a fourth NE voter is flawed that you will never find a 25th voter in a place you couldn't subtract a voter unless they were in the Northeast.

Being the national perspective guy, I assure you that the Mid-Atlantic does not get an advantage or disadvantage with me being physically located here. My perspective over the years of voting has shifted obviously as I have been more national anyway.

The idea is to give each region a fair balance in terms of numbers and have a 25th voter who has more of a national scope than the others (though, a vast majority have a very national scope, I have found). Despite a national scope, people tend to vote on what they see in front of them. For every Ryan who sees more weaknesses and doesn't favor his region there is another who over-weighs their region rightly or wrongly. To have at least one person not do either - which is probably why I take the longest to break down my ballot each week - is worth having over a fourth NE voter.

Thanks for the reply Pat. So, I think you're saying that the East now has 3 voters all the time? Oops you're unaware of the makeup of the panel. Dave or Gordon will need to answer that question I guess.

I'm not necessarily giving that info out. Gordon can if he wants, but I don't think it helps anyone. Best I can tell you is that from what I know of the voting block... it is very fair with very good voters who know what they are looking at and considering each week.

For a long time, I only knew a handful of voters. They have either presented themselves to me, I have been able to figure them out, or I was told for a variety of reasons. I certainly now know nearly all of them, but only converse with about ten or so. They can name themselves if they want, but as Pat has said in the past... releasing any kind of info is maybe a line too far for the organization. I would hate to hear a voter decline because they are being harassed or lobbied too much.

[nescac1]

Welcome, D3HforLife!  Great to have another Williams supporter here, and what a great first post!  I'm not sure I recall folks calling for the App coaching experience to end after the Hamilton game (at least none that I can recall), but no doubt you are right that the Hamilton game was a low point and fans were discouraged based on the disparity between results, and the obvious talent on the roster, at that point in the season.  And the turnaround for the team was, indeed, epic from that point forward ... lots of things played a role, including the sophomore class (especially Scadlock, but also Kempton and Heskett) starting to come into their own as players, Greenman's return to health after an understandably very rusty first half of the season, and the emergence of Karpowicz as a weapon in a few games down the stretch.  I think all of your analysis of this year's team is right on point.  The upside potential depends upon whether the junior frontcourt players, plus Karpowicz, can make another big leap forward this year and start dominating on the inside, which in turn will create ample open shots for the sharpshooters on the perimeter.  All of those big guys go from being the babies of NESCAC the last two years to the big bullies on the block the next two years.  They are bigger, stronger, more experienced, and should be more confident ... but at this point it's all theoretical and they need to show it on the floor, of course.  Still, the depth of talent up front for Williams is the best since, I'd say, the national title year when the Ephs also had waves of playable big men at their disposal ... and they still have two seasons together to keep improving.   

NESCAC rosters starting to trickle in:

Tufts: http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/roster

Middlebury: http://athletics.middlebury.edu/sports/mbkb/2017-18/roster

Bates: http://athletics.bates.edu/sports/mbkb/2017-18/roster

Colby: http://gocolbymules.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/roster

No huge surprises in terms of incoming or missing players ...

Colby, after bringing in a massive class last year, has a tiny (in all respects) frosh group: two first-years no bigger than 5'10.  Colby will need massive collective improvement from their sophomores to contend for a top-8 spot this year. 

Tufts brings in two big guys, but I'm not sure either will play, or at least play much this year, based on high school pedigree.  The Jumbos are going to be playing a lot of really small lineups this year, but they remain very deep in wing/guard talent and seem to have brought in a few more potential stars. 

Middlebury with its biggest group of incoming frosh in quite some time ... with only five full-time rotation guys back, several are sure to play big roles. 

Bates has a massive hole inside after the graduation of the Delpeche brothers and it's not clear at all who is going to fill it -- best bet is probably Nick Lynch, but he missed almost all of last year with an injury.  The Bobcats are, however, very deep in perimeter talent (Gilpin, Coyne, Strickland, Spellman, Humel plus some interesting frosh), and their guards will need to carry the load rather than be supporting players like last season.  I imagine that Bates, like Tufts, is going to be playing four perimeter guys together this year, but the Bobcat guards are much smaller than Tufts' so they will have to deal with some serious mismatches. 

In an odd roster quirk, Middlebury, Tufts, and Colby have only four juniors between the three of them ... only one of whom seems likely to play a major role. 

[D3HforLife]

I will be posting my 1st-11th rankings once a day as we continue to work our way towards the season...First up:

(1) Williams - To understand just how far these guys have come in just about one calendar year, we have to flashback to Friday, January 20th, 2017. On that night, the Purple Cows lost at Hamilton College, 94-76, to fall to 12-5 overall and 1-4 in NESCAC play, and were suddenly staring down the reality that they might miss the NCAA tournament for a third straight year, something that hadn't happened in Williamstown since the school began participating in Division III March Madness in 1993. Dick Quinn, Williams' Sports Information Director, bluntly called the game a "drubbing" and didn't even see it necessary to think of a catchy title for the recap like SID's usually do. Angry, predictably impatient, Williams basketball alums were enraged and were calling for the Kevin App coaching experience to end. 0 for 3 making the NCAA Tournament would have been bad enough, but this team was in serious danger of not even making the NESCAC Tournament.

There must have been some serious soul searching on the three hour bus ride back from Clinton, New York that night. Particularly for the two four-year seniors -- Dan Aronowitz and Mike Greenman -- it must have felt like a far cry from what they expected their college careers to be after the buzzer beating loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater that capped their freshman season in the national championship game. After all, at that point in time, they had an overqualified D3 coach and were running alongside a lanky freshman doing things never before done at these ranks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoHz2SS4wIw). Despite the heartbreaking defeat, the future was bright as the Ephs were better prepared than anyone to return to Salem over the next three years. That is until both key pieces packed up and left, and suddenly Aronowitz and Greenman were left in the Berkshires with nothing but a rich basketball tradition to live up to and a young, rookie head coach somehow trying to lead the way.

Due to the NESCAC set-up for which has one team each season that doesn't have a travel partner, Williams had a day in between their abysmal performance at Hamilton and their next game on Sunday against none other than the reigning league champion and nationally ranked Middlebury Panthers. No one but the guys on the team really know what transpired during those 40 hours between games but something certainly changed. The Ephs came out and trampled the #15 Panthers, 89-65. They went on to win eleven out of their next fourteen on their way to a NESCAC Championship game appearance and the school's 8th Final Four. Kevin App won the National Coach of the Year Award, and suddenly things seemed back to order in Ephville. 

That momentum has certainly carried them into the 2017-2018 campaign quite pleasantly. The loss of last year's senior captain Aronowitz is a big one (2x 1st Team All-CAC), but this team still returns a lot of firepower. Kyle Scadlock is obviously at the forefront of that, and has a chance to be NESCAC POY after emerging as a star during last season's late run. I also think James Heskett has a serious chance to break out and be an All-NESCAC level player as well. Both of those guys, who operate primarily on the perimeter, hover around 6'8" and give the Ephs a level of versatility seldom seen at this level. I think when you combine that with the usually steady guard play from Cole Teal, Chris Galvin, Bobby Casey, and elder statesman Mike Greenman (who is back for a fifth year after missing his original junior campaign with a foot injury) and you are looking at a perimeter unit that can hold their own against anyone.

The purple and gold are also well equipped with 5-men who have been well groomed to operate around the elbow and on the perimeter like bigs in this spin off of the Princeton offense commonly do. I think Matt Karpowicz has a ton of potential, and we saw just a quick glimpse of that in Williams' euphoric Elite 8 victory at Middlebury. Karpowicz was irritatingly inconsistent during his rookie season, but has the physical build and skill set to be a problem going forward. However, if he doesn't, I think they will be alright with the combination of Michael Kempton, a 6'10" big body who is the son of former NBA player and current Suns TV color commentator Tim Kempton, and Marcos Soto, a step out center who loves to jack threes in typical Williams fashion.

   On the recruiting trail, I like Marc Taylor from Francis W. Parker School in Chicago. A 6'7" wing/forward, Taylor is long and athletic (https://www.instagram.com/p/BGaePOOMWuw/?taken-by=majuta88), and adds to the Ephs already impressive depth along the frontline. I'm not sure if he will be able to play much this year, more so because this team is already well-equipped at his position(s), but I think he could be a great piece for the future.

   All in all, it is once again a good time to be an Ephs fan. They have a load of talented players, a great coach in App, and a historic tradition that they will continue to build upon. I think they are the favorite to capture the NESCAC Crown this year.

(Most will not be this long, sorry, felt need to expand on my number 1 pick though.)

[Bucket]

In an odd roster quirk, Middlebury, Tufts, and Colby have only four juniors between the three of them ... only one of whom seems likely to play a major role.

If Dahleh is healthy, he will join classmate Eric McCord in playing a big role for Middlebury. He was in the rotation as a first-year, before missing all of last year with a back injury.

[Old Guy]

I will be posting my 1st-11th rankings once a day as we continue to work our way towards the season...First up:

(1) Williams - To understand just how far these guys have come in just about one calendar year, we have to flashback to Friday, January 20th, 2017. On that night, the Purple Cows lost at Hamilton College, 94-76, to fall to 12-5 overall and 1-4 in NESCAC play, and were suddenly staring down the reality that they might miss the NCAA tournament for a third straight year, something that hadn't happened in Williamstown since the school began participating in Division III March Madness in 1993. Dick Quinn, Williams' Sports Information Director, bluntly called the game a "drubbing" and didn't even see it necessary to think of a catchy title for the recap like SID's usually do. Angry, predictably impatient, Williams basketball alums were enraged and were calling for the Kevin App coaching experience to end. 0 for 3 making the NCAA Tournament would have been bad enough, but this team was in serious danger of not even making the NESCAC Tournament.

There must have been some serious soul searching on the three hour bus ride back from Clinton, New York that night. Particularly for the two four-year seniors -- Dan Aronowitz and Mike Greenman -- it must have felt like a far cry from what they expected their college careers to be after the buzzer beating loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater that capped their freshman season in the national championship game. After all, at that point in time, they had an overqualified D3 coach and were running alongside a lanky freshman doing things never before done at these ranks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoHz2SS4wIw). Despite the heartbreaking defeat, the future was bright as the Ephs were better prepared than anyone to return to Salem over the next three years. That is until both key pieces packed up and left, and suddenly Aronowitz and Greenman were left in the Berkshires with nothing but a rich basketball tradition to live up to and a young, rookie head coach somehow trying to lead the way.

Due to the NESCAC set-up for which has one team each season that doesn't have a travel partner, Williams had a day in between their abysmal performance at Hamilton and their next game on Sunday against none other than the reigning league champion and nationally ranked Middlebury Panthers. No one but the guys on the team really know what transpired during those 40 hours between games but something certainly changed. The Ephs came out and trampled the #15 Panthers, 89-65. They went on to win eleven out of their next fourteen on their way to a NESCAC Championship game appearance and the school's 8th Final Four. Kevin App won the National Coach of the Year Award, and suddenly things seemed back to order in Ephville. 

That momentum has certainly carried them into the 2017-2018 campaign quite pleasantly. The loss of last year's senior captain Aronowitz is a big one (2x 1st Team All-CAC), but this team still returns a lot of firepower. Kyle Scadlock is obviously at the forefront of that, and has a chance to be NESCAC POY after emerging as a star during last season's late run. I also think James Heskett has a serious chance to break out and be an All-NESCAC level player as well. Both of those guys, who operate primarily on the perimeter, hover around 6'8" and give the Ephs a level of versatility seldom seen at this level. I think when you combine that with the usually steady guard play from Cole Teal, Chris Galvin, Bobby Casey, and elder statesman Mike Greenman (who is back for a fifth year after missing his original junior campaign with a foot injury) and you are looking at a perimeter unit that can hold their own against anyone.

The purple and gold are also well equipped with 5-men who have been well groomed to operate around the elbow and on the perimeter like bigs in this spin off of the Princeton offense commonly do. I think Matt Karpowicz has a ton of potential, and we saw just a quick glimpse of that in Williams' euphoric Elite 8 victory at Middlebury. Karpowicz was irritatingly inconsistent during his rookie season, but has the physical build and skill set to be a problem going forward. However, if he doesn't, I think they will be alright with the combination of Michael Kempton, a 6'10" big body who is the son of former NBA player and current Suns TV color commentator Tim Kempton, and Marcos Soto, a step out center who loves to jack threes in typical Williams fashion.

   On the recruiting trail, I like Marc Taylor from Francis W. Parker School in Chicago. A 6'7" wing/forward, Taylor is long and athletic (https://www.instagram.com/p/BGaePOOMWuw/?taken-by=majuta88), and adds to the Ephs already impressive depth along the frontline. I'm not sure if he will be able to play much this year, more so because this team is already well-equipped at his position(s), but I think he could be a great piece for the future.

   All in all, it is once again a good time to be an Ephs fan. They have a load of talented players, a great coach in App, and a historic tradition that they will continue to build upon. I think they are the favorite to capture the NESCAC Crown this year.

(Most will not be this long, sorry, felt need to expand on my number 1 pick though.)

I look forward to similarly comprehensive reports on NESCAC teams 2-11. (Another loquacious Eph. Sheesh. We need some Camels and Bobcats and Cardinals and Jumbos, etc.)

I look forward to the preseason hoop rankings at Nothing But Nescac. Anybody besides me been reading their fall season reports? Young Guy is editor this year; a fellow named Karpowicz is writing for NBN (rites good too).

[nescac1]

Good point on Dahleh.

I originally assumed D3HforLife was an Eph guy based on the detailed post, but I think he just has a lot of knowlege of the team.  Look forward to similarly comprehensive previews of the rest of the league!

[D3HforLife]

NESCAC1 is correct - Not an Ephs fan (even though I do prefer them over Amherst or Midd). Just trying to give respect where it is due...

Up next:

(2) Tufts - The Jumbos ascension to the top of the 'CAC continues, and this year it is all about their backcourt. Vinny Pace gets a lot of love, deservedly so, due to his shooting ability, ball handling and overall skillset at 6'5". Prior to his knee injury, he proved himself to be a top caliber player in the league, and I expect him to get back to form come snowfall for a big senior season. It doesn't stop there though. I think fellow senior Everett Dayton is the most underrated player in the NESCAC and the driver that makes this team go. He put up some very good numbers on their Sweet 16 team a year ago, and it appears he spent his summer in the gym (https://www.instagram.com/p/BX6nV7tD_e8/?hl=en&taken-by=puresweat) and is ready to emerge as an All-NESCAC guy. Down low for the Jumbos, there is some new uncertainty. 'CAC grandpa Tom Palleschi is finally gone after 11 years on the Jumbo's roster, Grandpa Tom's reliable back-up Drew Madsen has graduated, and the quick pit stop of Hunter Sabety has now been forgotten. I think Bob Sheldon would be wise to play small ball with some combination of Racy, Engvall, and whatever other versatile forwards find their way onto the roster.

On the recruiting trail, 6'4" wing Brennan Morris (http://www.hudl.com/profile/8820154/brennan-morris) adds some more shooting ability and guards Will Brady - from basketball powerhouse Vermont Academy (https://newenglandrecruitingreport.com/news/brady-nescac-bound) - and Justin Kouyoumdjian (what a name!) look to fill some of the gap that is left by the graduation of Tarik Smith. The Jumbos, true to form, also brought in two big bodies in Max Oppenheim and Luke Rogers, but neither seem to have resumes that would make one believe they will play meaningful minutes right off the bat. The real interesting story to follow will be the arrival of Seton Hall transfer Manny Anderson. While other NESCAC schools have begun to dip into the over-occupied Division I transfer portal as well over the past half decade, no one has done it like Tufts. Outside of an obvious commitment from their coaching staff to do so, I think their awe-inspiring facilities paired with a location unmatched by any other school in the league (Colby, for the last time Waterville is NOT a metropolitan area) allows for the Jumbos to be a desired destination for student-athletes looking to transfer down to play, but not be stranded in the typically,smaller, Division III campus settings. However, transferring down, particularly to upper-tier Division III conferences like the NESCAC, UAA, or WIAC, does not ensure success and it will be fun to watch how Anderson adjusts. 

This leads me nicely into the last piece to Tufts that I want to discuss, and it may be the most important in determining their success: that is the curious case of KJ Garrett. I think I agree with Bill Walton on KJ Garrett (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMlFla0UWmU), but he hasn't quite proved it to me yet. Last season, the University of Washington transfer came in with a lot of preseason hype, and initially was a bit disappointing. His season ended up having a bit of a bell curve in production with him finding his groove towards the middle before falling off a bit down the stretch. There is no denying Garrett is one of the best athletes in the league, and has the potential to develop into a big time contributor. However, his jump shot is concerning and I'm not sure if Sheldon's free wheeling offense is doing him any favors in terms of putting him in a position to succeed either. I also don't know what position he really is. Garrett isn't quite big enough to be a natural four-man, but lacks the shooting ability to really thrive as a NESCAC wing. Maybe his athletic ability can transcend the need for a real position in a game that is growing further and further away from prototypical positions. I don't know. All I do know is that if he can emerge as a third wheel to Pace and Dayton that would be big for Sheldon, Co-Head Coach Matt Malone, and the boys of Medfawd in their quest for their long overdue first league championship. 

[nescac1]

Between D3HforLife and NothingButNescac, lots of Tufts analysis today!

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=5329

No mention of Engvall in that NBN preview which is interesting.

It's been years since we've had a Tufts poster, so all the insight is welcome. 

A few thoughts on Tufts: it's interesting that both previews are so high on Dayton.  I've never really noticed him much, but he's had fairly quiet games against Williams, so I likely haven't seen him at his very best.  Meanwhile, KJ Garrett in his two games vs. the Ephs last year looked like a superstar, so I'm probably a bit TOO high on him (he lived up to Walton's nickname by shooting a scintillating 7-8 from deep in two games vs. the Ephs, but was a more pedestrian 12-33 vs. everyone else).  Still, I see Garrett as an x-factor for the Jumbos.  If he can play the four on defense, and he's strong enough and can jump high enough, I think, to compensate for his lack of stature, he is a speed mismatch on the other end.  Reminds me of Allen Williamson (not quite as talented of course) in terms of his build, sheer athletic talent and ablity to elevate over defenders with his shot.  I could see him having a big senior year. 

I do think the Jumbos will miss several guys.  Tarik Smith was electric, easily their quickest guard, and his ability to create will be missed. A bit under-appreciated in his time at Medford.   Ethan Feldman was an assassin in limited minutes, the most efficient scorer on the team, and that transfer stings a bit.  Still, with more minues from Eric Savage - who could be a big star this year - and Garrett, a fully-healthy Pace, and the addition of two talented frosh and one transfer guards, the Jumbos will be talented and deep on the perimeter yet again.  Whether they can make a deep NCAA run again comes down to how much they can get, particularly on defense and the boards, from Racy and their two frosh centers.  Those dudes don't need to be great, but they do need to collectively protect the rim, get 8-10 boards, and be enough of a threat to finish inside to keep defenses honest.  It was always an adventure going into the lane when Palleschi was around, and now Tufts lacks that safety net when guys are beat on the perimeter. 

[amh63]

Nescac1...Read that Williams will have a Willynet wrt coverage of BB games.  Fine.  I made a quick glance of the list, are the broadcast of some games require some fee? Hope I am mistaken.

[nescac1]

Amh63, where did you see that?  News to me. 

Conn College roster is out and, as usual, a ton of turnover for the Camels: 

http://www.camelathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/roster

The big news is that team MVP and potential all-NESCAC PG Tyler Rowe is no longer on the roster.  Starting two-guard Lee Messier, a very good shooter, is also gone.  Along with three graduated seniors, that means the Camels return only one part-time starter (David Labossier) and one other player who made a major last year off the bench (Isaiah Robinson).  Although the Camels seem to have a nice group of recruits, it could be a long year in New London with so little experience returning.   

The Camels seem to bring in strong recruiting classes almost every year, but seemingly half of each class doesn't last four years.  A team of the guys Conn has lost from the program in just the past five years (Rowe, Messier, Alex Tonhazy, Jared Shill, Aaron McBurnie, among a few others) would be a pretty solid NESCAC team.  It's odd. 

[BigMike33]

D3HforLife,    Impressive analysis....keep it up

Another Middlebury recruit that has been overlooked due to large incoming class, Griffin Kornaker from Suffield Academy.
2 years ago squared off against Folger's Williston team in a fabulous back & forth prep school finale.  Griff got game.

Griff also has pedigree. Dad is Rob Kornaker. 15 year head coach at St. John's Fisher. Rob retired this year to follow Griff.
Way to go Dad!!!

Griff is Jack Daly mold & hopefully his apprentice. Interesting to watch his development. His numbers at Suffield are modest because he was asked to lead and facilitate a la Jack Daly last 2 years.

With Middlebury's talent including his class, Griff is set to facilitate offense for 4 years. He will get his if you play pass, so watch out.
Griff, Bosco, Leighton, DeLorenzo (2/3). You can see the Panther backcourt redo.

Here's a little blurb on Griff's recruitment:    Kornaker saw recruitment at all three levels of college basketball, ranging from the Patriot League to the NESCAC, but ultimately he chose Middlebury because they "proved to be a great fit because of their combination of academic tradition and obviously how competitive they are within the national landscape of division III basketball."

He also credited head coach Jeff Brown and his staff with recruiting Kornaker the hardest in recent months, noting they've had a coach from the staff at almost every game Suffield has played so far this season.

This again connects to my earlier point of purposeful decision making by Coach Brown in all aspects of program.  Middlebury also leads NESCAC in attendance, testimony to program, atmosphere, local support.  Rob Kornaker knows exactly whose hands his sons' college basketball career is in. Special Coach of the Year hands.

Who has the details on Eric McCord's injury and return projection?   Much appreciated in advance