MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

While NESCAC lost a boatload of talent in the off-season to graduation, transfers and folks leaving programs, early indications are that the current crop of frosh are very, very good.  Consider that eight programs have at least TWO frosh in their early-season rotations:

Colby has an all-frosh starting backcourt (Matt Hannah and Wallace Tucker), who are its two leading scorers
Wesleyan starts one frosh (Austin Hutcherson) and has two others (Antone Walker and Jordan James) playing big minutes and putting up impressive stats
Amherst is still figuring out its rotation, clearly, but right now the Jeffs have a frosh starting point guard (Grant Robinson), with three others earning regular playing time (Tim McCarthy, Fru Che, Garrett Day)
Tufts has four frosh in its rotation (Will Brady, Brennan Morris, Justin Kouyoumdjian, and Luke Rogers)
Middlebury is playing three frosh regularly (Jack Farrell, who is a starter, Max Bosco, and Ryan Cahill, and that excludes high-profile recruit Griffin Kornaker, who has been injured)
Bowdoin has one frosh starter (Zavier Rucker) plus its top big man off the bench (Sam Grad)
Conn is starting one frosh, Dan Draffan, who has eye-popping numbers so far (14.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg in only 21 mpg, 54/50/77) and has two others playing big minutes (Austin Nwafor and Jack Zimmerman)
Hamilton's Tyler Washington is playing a big role off the bench, and Spencer Kendall is also in the back end of the rotation. 

Really, only Trinity, Williams and Bates have not been relying on frosh to a significant degree.  And it's not like, other than Conn and Colby, we are talking about rebuilding teams -- Midd is in the top five, Tufts, Amherst, and Bowdoin have already appeared in the top 25, and Wesleyan and Hamilton are both on the cusp with a few more wins. 

I can't recall a time when there have been so many frosh, making such significant impacts, at so many different schools, so early in their careers league-wide.  I'd say a combination of a very deep class and more opportunities than usual due to all the players who departed ...

[Colby Hoops]

Colby has an all-frosh starting backcourt (Matt Hannah and Wallace Tucker), who are its two leading scorers

I believe Sam Jefferson (a sophomore) is actually Colby's leading scorer, but your point is well taken. Colby's young backcourt is a bright spot early in the season in what is definitely a rebuilding year. 

[quicksilver]

While NESCAC lost a boatload of talent in the off-season to graduation, transfers and folks leaving programs, early indications are that the current crop of frosh are very, very good.  Consider that eight programs have at least TWO frosh in their early-season rotations:

Colby has an all-frosh starting backcourt (Matt Hannah and Wallace Tucker), who are its two leading scorers
Wesleyan starts one frosh (Austin Hutcherson) and has two others (Antone Walker and Jordan James) playing big minutes and putting up impressive stats
Amherst is still figuring out its rotation, clearly, but right now the Jeffs have a frosh starting point guard (Grant Robinson), with three others earning regular playing time (Tim McCarthy, Fru Che, Garrett Day)
Tufts has four frosh in its rotation (Will Brady, Brennan Morris, Justin Kouyoumdjian, and Luke Rogers)
Middlebury is playing three frosh regularly (Jack Farrell, who is a starter, Max Bosco, and Ryan Cahill, and that excludes high-profile recruit Griffin Kornaker, who has been injured)
Bowdoin has one frosh starter (Zavier Rucker) plus its top big man off the bench (Sam Grad)
Conn is starting one frosh, Dan Draffan, who has eye-popping numbers so far (14.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg in only 21 mpg, 54/50/77) and has two others playing big minutes (Austin Nwafor and Jack Zimmerman)
Hamilton's Tyler Washington is playing a big role off the bench, and Spencer Kendall is also in the back end of the rotation. 

Really, only Trinity, Williams and Bates have not been relying on frosh to a significant degree.  And it's not like, other than Conn and Colby, we are talking about rebuilding teams -- Midd is in the top five, Tufts, Amherst, and Bowdoin have already appeared in the top 25, and Wesleyan and Hamilton are both on the cusp with a few more wins. 

I can't recall a time when there have been so many frosh, making such significant impacts, at so many different schools, so early in their careers league-wide.  I'd say a combination of a very deep class and more opportunities than usual due to all the players who departed ...

Technically Bowdoin's Stephen Ferraro is a sophomore but did not play at all as a freshman (due to injury, I believe) so a freshman in terms of experience. He has been coming off the bench but adds another dimension to the Bowdoin back court with his speed and quickness.

[Vandy74]

Panthers are now off until Tuesday, Dec 5, against Plattsburgh at home and then take on Skidmore there on Friday, Dec.8. We always have good games against those two teams. Skidmore is 3-0 with a 88-62 road win against Plattsburgh: their preseason All-American Edvinas Rupkus is off the a fast start (averaging 23+ ppt).

Wonder if Magicman will venture over the Champlain Bridge for the Cardinals-Panthers game.

Yes he will!  There is a pair of rabid Midd fans that owe me burgers, fries, and at least one drink at the local watering hole. 

Wish I could bring our best player with me but Middlebury gets lucky and he will miss that game. Still, looking forward to a good time with friends and hopefully a competitive game. It will be good to see Coach Brown again and say hello. One of the best coaches in the game, the Panthers are lucky to have him. The Cardinals are very athletic and explosive. If they bring their best game, the Panthers will be challenged. If the team that got off the bus against Skidmore shows up, I will be disappointed. The Cardinals looked good disposing of St. Lawrence last night by a 95-79 score. Hoping to see more of that this weekend as we begin conference play.

Hope to run into the "Old Guy" at the game.     

magicman......seeing as how you're the one with the road trip home, it's probably for the best that you don't bring the Patron.

I know you're high on Nick DeAngelis but you didn't bother to mention the young man's athletic pedigree.  DAMN!

[P'bearfan]

While NESCAC lost a boatload of talent in the off-season to graduation, transfers and folks leaving programs, early indications are that the current crop of frosh are very, very good.  Consider that eight programs have at least TWO frosh in their early-season rotations:

Colby has an all-frosh starting backcourt (Matt Hannah and Wallace Tucker), who are its two leading scorers
Wesleyan starts one frosh (Austin Hutcherson) and has two others (Antone Walker and Jordan James) playing big minutes and putting up impressive stats
Amherst is still figuring out its rotation, clearly, but right now the Jeffs have a frosh starting point guard (Grant Robinson), with three others earning regular playing time (Tim McCarthy, Fru Che, Garrett Day)
Tufts has four frosh in its rotation (Will Brady, Brennan Morris, Justin Kouyoumdjian, and Luke Rogers)
Middlebury is playing three frosh regularly (Jack Farrell, who is a starter, Max Bosco, and Ryan Cahill, and that excludes high-profile recruit Griffin Kornaker, who has been injured)
Bowdoin has one frosh starter (Zavier Rucker) plus its top big man off the bench (Sam Grad)
Conn is starting one frosh, Dan Draffan, who has eye-popping numbers so far (14.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg in only 21 mpg, 54/50/77) and has two others playing big minutes (Austin Nwafor and Jack Zimmerman)
Hamilton's Tyler Washington is playing a big role off the bench, and Spencer Kendall is also in the back end of the rotation. 

Really, only Trinity, Williams and Bates have not been relying on frosh to a significant degree.  And it's not like, other than Conn and Colby, we are talking about rebuilding teams -- Midd is in the top five, Tufts, Amherst, and Bowdoin have already appeared in the top 25, and Wesleyan and Hamilton are both on the cusp with a few more wins. 

I can't recall a time when there have been so many frosh, making such significant impacts, at so many different schools, so early in their careers league-wide.  I'd say a combination of a very deep class and more opportunities than usual due to all the players who departed ...

Technically Bowdoin's Stephen Ferraro is a sophomore but did not play at all as a freshman (due to injury, I believe) so a freshman in terms of experience. He has been coming off the bench but adds another dimension to the Bowdoin back court with his speed and quickness.

That's correct, Ferraro didn't even practice last year as he was recovering from a hand injury.  His play is all the more remarkable given a full year off from basketball.  Very happy for him.

[Cards2012]

FanOfNescac...there is a strong possibility that the HC of the Patriots may have adopted the "phrase" from Frank U. of old. Both former football players though one is a Wes alum and the other a Williams alum.
To the board topic at hand.  Lots of CAC teams have games tonight.  Curious to see if some of them play up to the latest rankings. 
Me, will be catching the Amherst WBB game.  Maybe, because of the game times, will peek at some mens' games.
FYI, the Amherst MBB roster today feature "mug" shots of the team... with new UA jerseys.

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought the Patriots HC played lacrosse at Wesleyan, not football. At least that's how my father, the alum, tells it.

Dave... BB was primarily a lacrosse player (although not a star) at Wesleyan, but he also was a member of the football team.

Belichick was actually a three sport athlete at Wesleyan. Football, lacrosse and squash in the winter.

[middhoops]

A few Midd fans going to the Williams/Wesleyan game today.
Williams we knew was going to be very, very good. 
Wesleyan we don't understand.  They annually seem to give Williams fits while never playing their "A" game against the Panthers.
Not rooting for a team in this game, just wanting to see some great NESCAC basketball without traveling too far.
nescac1:  feel free to check in.

[Colby Hoops]

Fun game in Waterville. Colby takes down Bowdoin 89-84. Came down to the wire after Colby let an 11 point lead with 5 minutes to go dwindle. Really nice game for Ethan Schlager who finished with 19 points -- scoring 10 of Colby's first 12 of the game. Matt Hanna and Wallace Tucker were both really good as well, going to be fun to have four years with them.

Hugh O'Neill and David Reynolds were great for Bowdoin. Simonds shot really poorly (5-20 from the floor and 1-9 from three) which was mostly the difference. A few more of those drop and Bowdoin might win, but credit Dean Weiner and Sam Jefferson for some solid D.  Been an oddly slow start to the season for Simonds. Once he gets it going Bowdoin will be in great shape because he's due to figure it out and the rest of the team is playing well.

Fun start to the season for the Mules. I'm sure there will be some tough sledding ahead with so many freshman and sophomores, but a great win today.

[JEFFFAN]

Amherst has found its new point guard in Grant Robinson.   He played a terrific game today, dishing the ball effectively while getting to the basket himself.   Not sure how good they will be this year, but the rebuild of the point guard position has commenced.

[BigMike33]

Midd Hoops,

Good call on the trip...

1st half observations...

Karpowitz lost weight in offseason, better stamina and footwork

Scadlock had his shot blocked 5 times in first half.  Not a good 3 point shooter.  Does not pass enough out of double team = shot blocked

Casey is only Eph who is comfortable shooting 3's.   Still making open 3's...Groundhog Day....Panther Fans

Ephs are LESS ATHLETIC, without Aronowitz at 3.   Wesleyan has young pieces and it's athleticism is only thing keeping them in game

Wesleyan offensive flow and ball protection were poor in first half

Very Entertaining  and Enlightening

[Bucket]

Will someone please take the caps lock key away from BigMke33?

[BigMike33]

Bucket,

Would you prefer italics or Bold for emphasis.

Content incredibly accurate

[BigMike33]

Oh for all those missed layups....Wesleyan fans....geesh

[Cards Fan]

Everyone knew this game was going to be close except for Williams entire team apparently, who entirely relied on the 3 throughout the game. Wesleyan could not make a shot outside to save their lives, but they outhustled and outfought Williams. The defense was stellar on both sides, and I cannot wait to watch Wesleyan play this season. I would be surprised to not see Wesleyan crack the top 20 this week.

Wow, I love beating Williams.

[BigMike33]

Aronowitz...

We saw it all today. Weakside Bonner rebound in OT and subsequent foul. Aronowitz boxes & rebounds that one.

Williams now has small guards without the ball in Aronowitz hand late in game.
That meant Aronowitz is not the one being fouled but others who had free throw difficulty today
Casey's shot was blocked late. Greenman is guardable late in game because you can play a step off and still block his shot.
Teal, Galvin, Feinberg are barely offensive threats.
Karpowitz has promise but did not play as much against more athletic Wesleyan.

Scadlock, Scadlock, Scadlock....    not a good passer or 3 point shooter.  Did not handle the late weakside double team well today.
Lots of baseline drives that went nowhere.

These guys all played off of Aronowitz last year...he made EVERYONE better.  Don't see that type of player on this roster.