MBB: NESCAC

[Bucket]

Impressive win for Colby over Hamilton in a close one, 78-74. The big news is that Sam Jefferson missed the last 14 minutes of the game with an injury after a really hard fall. He came back to the bench, so hopefully not too serious. But with Jefferson out and Matt Hanna in foul trouble for basically the entire game, Colby hung in there to overcome a ridiculous Kena Gilmour performance. Gilmour finished with 39 and was just unguardable for stretches. Colby kept getting 5 or 6 point leads in the second half, but Gilmour would bring the Conts right back. Colby switches everything on defense, forcing teams to create 1 on 1, and Gilmour certainly took advantage.

Matt Hanna was awesome. Scored 20 points in just 20 minutes because of foul trouble on 6-7 shooting, including some really difficult contested shots down the stretch. Dean Weiner also had his best game of the season with 14 pts, 6 boards and 3 blocks. Wallace Tucker also made his return for the Mules, great news as he works himself back into game shape.

For Hamilton, Gilmour didn't get much help. Eric Anderson was solid, but the rest of the Conts had trouble finding the basket, especially from deep.

Looks like everyone is back healthy for Amherst, so tomorrow is going to be a really tough one, especially if Jefferson can't play. But that's a good win for Colby given Jefferson's injury and Hanna's foul trouble.

I was worried about an injury for Jefferson when I saw that he only played 20 minutes. Hope he's ok.

[ronk]

Dropped in online at a number of games.  Last night I switched between the Amherst battles with Bowdoin.  For the record, Amherst won both....the WBB game was between the 3rd ranked Polar Bears and the top ten ranked Amherst....cannot keep up with the rankings these days.
Yes, glad to see both Robinson and Sellew played welli in the Amherst win.  My peeks into the game in Maine....missed the previous announcer with his "Bang" shouts after a Bowdoin basket...was while both former starters were on the bench.  Read today that Robinson was a non starter....G. Day, the point guard,  continued his Scoring spree, but saw he had a head band in the second half. An injury protection?
Today, I will focus on the Colby men's game......expecting a defensive focus by Amherst to slow down the Colby scoring machine.  Will start with the Women's game in LeFrak as Amherst's three seniors will be honored...Senior Day Game!

Amh63,
   Could have been 4 - Natalie Nardella was a reserve big on the 2 NCAA championship teams as a frosh & soph, but hasn't played the last 2 years.

[Colby Hoops]

No Sam Jefferson for Colby today and it shows as Amherst leads 45-32 at half. Amherst dominating thus far -- picking on Colby down low and making everything from deep. Jefferson is not only the hub of Colby's offense, but also one of it's strongest post defenders. Nevertheless, not sure he would make much of a difference with the way Amherst is shooting the ball. Amherst looks very good -- not a team anyone is looking forward to facing in the conference tourney.

A growing trend over the last several games is Colby's inability to get good looks early in the shot clock. They haven't been able to push the pace as much as they'd like and they're ending up with a lot more 1 on 1 play.

[Colby Hoops]

A nice effort cut the lead to 6 midway through the second half, but Amherst was by far the better team today, winning 87-69.

No Sam Jefferson obviously impacted Colby, but Amherst played very well and I think it would've been a touch matchup even if he played. Colby again was left playing a lot of 1 on 1 basketball. They had stretches where it worked, but they just aren't creating the open looks that were so plentiful early in the year. They shot just 37% from the floor, a season low -- but it was mostly on tough looks. Obviously. Amherst is an excellent defensive team and played a large role in that. Amherst used their size well and really dominated the boards -- the two losses for Colby this year have been the two games they've been badly beat on the boards.

For Amherst, they're bringing Robinson off the bench as he returns from injury, but it's working well. Day is playing really well and very under control. Sellew looks to be back to his early season form. And defensively, the Mammoths are stout -- Chery and Allen in particular are excellent. Allen ended up with every loose ball today -- he's a tough player.

Hopefully Jefferson gets healthy soon, it's clearly a different team without him. He was on the bench today, so my guess is that it's not a long-term injury, but that's just a guess.

Tufts is in the driver's seat for the #1 seed now, and it looks fairly likely that it will be Amherst #2, Colby #3 and Midd #4. Those teams have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the league. Wesleyan is looking fairly likely to be the third team out of the conference tournament. They have the talent to upset Midd or Colby, but they probably need to win both, which is a tall task.

[Bucket]

Holy cow, what an offensive stat line for Trinity against Bates:

114 points on 54/54/93 shooting, with the 93 percent ft makes on 29 shots, 27-29!

[Cards Fan]

There's a decent shot Bates, Bowdoin, Wesleyan and Hamilton all finish 3-7.

[SpringSt7]

Bowdoin comes roaring back from a 23 point deficit to beat Hamilton in overtime. The bottom of the NESCAC standings are now absolute chaos at spots 7-10:

Bates (3-5)
Bowdoin (3-6)
Wesleyan (2-5)
Hamilton (2-6)


I don't even want to start with the tiebreakers because they are all over the place: Bowdoin has wins over Bates and Hamilton which puts them in a great spot, but Bates beat Wesleyan, although they still have to go on the road to Williams and Middlebury, Wesleyan has Middlebury on the road tomorrow, but Hamilton has probably the most favorable schedule with Trinity and Conn next weekend, and a win over Wesleyan, but losses to Bates and Bowdoin. Also, in what could be absolutely fascinating---the final game of the season, next Sunday---Wesleyan @ Bowdoin.

[Bucket]

A nice effort cut the lead to 6 midway through the second half, but Amherst was by far the better team today, winning 87-69.

No Sam Jefferson obviously impacted Colby, but Amherst played very well and I think it would've been a touch matchup even if he played. Colby again was left playing a lot of 1 on 1 basketball. They had stretches where it worked, but they just aren't creating the open looks that were so plentiful early in the year. They shot just 37% from the floor, a season low -- but it was mostly on tough looks. Obviously. Amherst is an excellent defensive team and played a large role in that. Amherst used their size well and really dominated the boards -- the two losses for Colby this year have been the two games they've been badly beat on the boards.

For Amherst, they're bringing Robinson off the bench as he returns from injury, but it's working well. Day is playing really well and very under control. Sellew looks to be back to his early season form. And defensively, the Mammoths are stout -- Chery and Allen in particular are excellent. Allen ended up with every loose ball today -- he's a tough player.

Hopefully Jefferson gets healthy soon, it's clearly a different team without him. He was on the bench today, so my guess is that it's not a long-term injury, but that's just a guess.

Tufts is in the driver's seat for the #1 seed now, and it looks fairly likely that it will be Amherst #2, Colby #3 and Midd #4. Those teams have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the league. Wesleyan is looking fairly likely to be the third team out of the conference tournament. They have the talent to upset Midd or Colby, but they probably need to win both, which is a tall task.

Tufts has actually clinched the #1 seed. Even if the Jumbos lose their last 2 and Colby and Amherst win out, leaving all three teams with 2 losses, Tufts has beaten both, so they win the tie-breaker in that scenario.

Congrats to the Jumbos on clinching the top seat before the final weekend of games. Quite an achievement considering the parity we've seen in the NESCAC this year.

[SpringSt7]

A nice effort cut the lead to 6 midway through the second half, but Amherst was by far the better team today, winning 87-69.

No Sam Jefferson obviously impacted Colby, but Amherst played very well and I think it would've been a touch matchup even if he played. Colby again was left playing a lot of 1 on 1 basketball. They had stretches where it worked, but they just aren't creating the open looks that were so plentiful early in the year. They shot just 37% from the floor, a season low -- but it was mostly on tough looks. Obviously. Amherst is an excellent defensive team and played a large role in that. Amherst used their size well and really dominated the boards -- the two losses for Colby this year have been the two games they've been badly beat on the boards.

For Amherst, they're bringing Robinson off the bench as he returns from injury, but it's working well. Day is playing really well and very under control. Sellew looks to be back to his early season form. And defensively, the Mammoths are stout -- Chery and Allen in particular are excellent. Allen ended up with every loose ball today -- he's a tough player.

Hopefully Jefferson gets healthy soon, it's clearly a different team without him. He was on the bench today, so my guess is that it's not a long-term injury, but that's just a guess.

Tufts is in the driver's seat for the #1 seed now, and it looks fairly likely that it will be Amherst #2, Colby #3 and Midd #4. Those teams have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the league. Wesleyan is looking fairly likely to be the third team out of the conference tournament. They have the talent to upset Midd or Colby, but they probably need to win both, which is a tall task.

Tufts has actually clinched the #1 seed. Even if the Jumbos lose their last 2 and Colby and Amherst win out, leaving all three teams with 2 losses, Tufts has beaten both, so they win the tie-breaker in that scenario.

Congrats to the Jumbos on clinching the top seat before the final weekend of games. Quite an achievement considering the parity we've seen in the NESCAC this year.

Bus drivers across New England and Athletic Departments rejoice, assuming Tufts wins their quarterfinal matchup

[amh63]

Several comments wrt games I  watched.  Bowdoin was ahead in OT vs Hamilton.  Seems the local announcer is back...shouts out Bing Go vice Bang now .
Amherst's win over Colby was covered nicely by Colby Hoops.  Robinson had a tape-up on one shoulder.   
Did not impact his offensive game at Colby, IMO.  Amherst's overall size impacted the game.  Amherst built a big lead but went to a smaller lineup with more quickness that kept the lead in the last 4-5 minutes.  Amherst is playing well as the regular season comes to a close.  Defense and the three-ball are putting Amherst in the driver seat for post season play.

[SpringSt7]

Not only did Tufts clinch the #1 seed before the final weekend, but in the last two years the #1 seed has only won 7 games. Tufts already has 8, and if they win on the road against either Williams or Middlebury, they will be the first team to win 9 since Trinity's 2015-16 squad. Very impressive from Coach Sheldon's squad who have just quietly gone about their business all season.

[Colby Hoops]

There's a decent shot Bates, Bowdoin, Wesleyan and Hamilton all finish 3-7.

I posted thinking Hamilton had won, didn't check the score again! Wow, what a comeback for the Polar Bears.

[Old Guy]

Bowdoin comes roaring back from a 23 point deficit to beat Hamilton in overtime. The bottom of the NESCAC standings are now absolute chaos at spots 7-10:

Bates (3-5)
Bowdoin (3-6)
Wesleyan (2-5)
Hamilton (2-6)


I don't even want to start with the tiebreakers because they are all over the place: Bowdoin has wins over Bates and Hamilton which puts them in a great spot, but Bates beat Wesleyan, although they still have to go on the road to Williams and Middlebury, Wesleyan has Middlebury on the road tomorrow, but Hamilton has probably the most favorable schedule with Trinity and Conn next weekend, and a win over Wesleyan, but losses to Bates and Bowdoin. Also, in what could be absolutely fascinating---the final game of the season, next Sunday---Wesleyan @ Bowdoin.

Hamilton gets edged by Colby on Friday night and gets beaten by Bowdoin on Saturday. Bowdoin was not very good in our gym. Midd needs the win tomorrow against Wes, who have losses to Bates, Hamilton, and Williams and wins over Amherst (non-league) and Trinity. Hard to figure the Cards. Some Midd folks think Amherst is the best team we've played, the most talented, yet the Mammoths lost twice to ten-loss Williams (the explanation "rivalry games" only goes so far). Much is up in the air. Wild season.

[JEFFFAN]

Damn good weekend for the former and current Lord Jeff fans!   Didn't see that 2-0 weekend coming necessarily, with Jefferson's absence obviously a game changer.  But, nice to see Sellew back - they go nowhere without him - and the changed role for Grant Robinson.   Look closely at the box scores and Robinson and Garrett Day have switched roles since last year.   Day is the leading score in most of their victories, a change from last season.   Not a great NESCAC this year but nice to see the Jeffs crawling up the standings as the regular season comes to a close.  Also ... I was critical of the coaching earlier this season.  Not clear that my mind is totally changed, but if I am to be critical I need also to be complimentary.   Toomey has them on a very nice run.

[Cards Fan]

Bowdoin comes roaring back from a 23 point deficit to beat Hamilton in overtime. The bottom of the NESCAC standings are now absolute chaos at spots 7-10:

Bates (3-5)
Bowdoin (3-6)
Wesleyan (2-5)
Hamilton (2-6)


I don't even want to start with the tiebreakers because they are all over the place: Bowdoin has wins over Bates and Hamilton which puts them in a great spot, but Bates beat Wesleyan, although they still have to go on the road to Williams and Middlebury, Wesleyan has Middlebury on the road tomorrow, but Hamilton has probably the most favorable schedule with Trinity and Conn next weekend, and a win over Wesleyan, but losses to Bates and Bowdoin. Also, in what could be absolutely fascinating---the final game of the season, next Sunday---Wesleyan @ Bowdoin.

Not totally sure, but I believe head to head is too much to figure out for the bottom spots. I believe the next tiebreaker after head to head is record amongst tied teams.

Bates 2-1
Hamilton 1-2
Bowdoin 1-1
Wesleyan 0-2

That's how it sits right now Pending Wesleyan Bowdoin head to head if all three teams finished 3-7.