MBB: NESCAC

SpringSt7 · February 20, 2020, 01:22:54 PM

Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 20, 2020, 01:02:45 PM

So what does the assemblage believe Amherst and Williams need to do in order to get an NCAA playoff bid?

Williams needs to win the NESCAC to get in, despite the incredibly strong SOS the selection committee's history and this week's regional rankings show the importance placed on WP% and double digit losses just isn't going to cut it.

Amherst I think also probably needs to win the NESCAC tournament following their loss to Trinity, but if they were to make it to the championship game and teams like Colby and/or Middlebury lost on Saturday, it might get interesting. Amherst fans should also be rooting for teams like St. Joe's and Springfield to win their conference tournaments, and against teams like Albertus Magnus, Babson, and maybe even WPI, although I think WPI is ultimately safe with one more win.

Colby Hoops · February 20, 2020, 01:28:03 PM

Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 20, 2020, 01:02:45 PM

So what does the assemblage believe Amherst and Williams need to do in order to get an NCAA playoff bid?

Win the NESCAC tournament.

If Amherst wins two games and loses in the finals, and there are very few upsets elsewhere, maybe they sneak in.

Right now D3Bubble on Twitter has Midd as a Pool C lock, Colby as very safe, Tufts as safe and Amherst as the 9th team out.

nescac1 · February 20, 2020, 01:32:18 PM

This is, I believe, the first time Williams and Amherst have played in the league tourney in which the loser is most likely eliminated from post-season play. (2017 was a close call, since Williams needed a win to survive, but Amherst snuck into Pool C despite losing to Williams). Williams is 5-0 in prior true elimination games between the rivals, all previously occurring in NCAA tournament play (1997, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2014). Between that, and two losses in toss-up games this year, I fear that Amherst is due to pull one of these out ... but really, who knows.

The keys for Williams in this one are (1) take care of the ball in the open court and on passes around the perimeter to prevent Amherst from getting easy points in transition, (2) hit at least a reasonable number of open treys if Amherst decides (as I imagine they will) to send doubles at Karp, (3) stick like glue to Day on the perimeter, especially on the high pick and rolls, and (4) also on the pick and rolls, don't over-help on Sellew because he can be deadly as a secondary playmaker. Also, hope that Grant Robinson despite another week of rest still isn't in condition to take over the game going to the rim (that one is entirely out of Williams' hands, because if he is, the Ephs don't really have a counter).

maineman · February 20, 2020, 02:01:24 PM

Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 20, 2020, 01:02:45 PM

So what does the assemblage believe Amherst and Williams need to do in order to get an NCAA playoff bid?

Williams needs to win the NESCAC tournament and probably so does Amherst, but the latter has in slim chance of getting in if they win two games and get to the final game. Amherst's route to the final would have to include winning a game against a ranked opponent such as Midd or Colby so the Mammoths would have to hope for the those teams to advance.

toad22 · February 20, 2020, 02:24:19 PM

Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 20, 2020, 01:02:45 PM

So what does the assemblage believe Amherst and Williams need to do in order to get an NCAA playoff bid?

I think that Williams needs to win the tournament, and Amherst likely needs two more wins (needs to get to the conference finals).

nescac1 · February 21, 2020, 10:13:22 AM

Only one NESCAC recruit listed so far in the NERR Class of 2020 top 100, Williams' Brandon Roughley just cracking the list at number 100.

https://newenglandrecruitingreport.com/rankings/new-england-class-of-2020

While, based on past precedent, a few more players from the bottom half this list will likely end up at NESCAC programs, it does seem, so far, to be a fairly quiet recruiting year across the NESCAC. Especially compared with this year's absolutely loaded first-year class.

JEFFFAN · February 21, 2020, 12:10:29 PM

I have heard rumblings - nothing more, nothing less - of some directional changes on the part of NESCAC leadership toward less aggressive recruiting. NESCAC wide, not just Amherst wide.

toad22 · February 21, 2020, 02:05:28 PM

Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 21, 2020, 12:10:29 PM

I have heard rumblings - nothing more, nothing less - of some directional changes on the part of NESCAC leadership toward less aggressive recruiting. NESCAC wide, not just Amherst wide.

Practically, what do you think that might mean? Preferential treatment has already been cut back a lot, at least at Williams.

middhoops · February 21, 2020, 04:31:04 PM

Planning to travel to Trinity tomorrow but just realized I don't know where to get tickets. Can't find it on either team's website or nescac.com

Anyone?

Pat Coleman · February 21, 2020, 04:57:31 PM

Quote from: middhoops on February 21, 2020, 04:31:04 PM
Planning to travel to Trinity tomorrow but just realized I don't know where to get tickets. Can't find it on either team's website or nescac.com

Anyone?

Do NESCAC quarterfinals typically sell out? Trinity's gym is a pretty decent size.

Bucket · February 21, 2020, 05:06:04 PM

No worries about a sell out at Trinity. Tickets will be on sale at the door.

Prompted by the question, I did go check out the Trinity events calendar. No ticket info, but for the event posting, they list a primary contact: James Cosgrove, with his email address.

Made me laugh. Middhoops, I will buy your ticket for you, if you email Cosgrove asking about where to purchase tickets.

middhoops · February 21, 2020, 05:40:14 PM

And I'll buy yours...in reverse. See ya there.

WPI89 · February 21, 2020, 11:04:58 PM

+1 bucket.

Colby Hoops · February 22, 2020, 03:41:52 PM

Big crowd in Waterville as Colby fought back from a 14 point deficit to cut it to 4 at the half. Everyone on Colby trying to do to much to start the game, lots of turnovers, hero plays and missed shots, but Will King steadied the ship in the last five minutes as Colby got back in the game. Three fouls for Tyson and Tucker. Second half will be interesting. Sarr, Spellman and Iwowo all playing well for the Bobcats who really controlled the game for the first 15 minutes.

Big news is that Sam Jefferson played a couple of minutes off the bench. The bad news is that he is not moving well -- announcer indicated he's coming off a bad ankle sprain.

nescac1 · February 22, 2020, 03:47:48 PM

Maybe he's just improved a lot late in the year, and admittedly I haven't seen much of him, but man, I don't understand why Iwowo doesn't get more minutes. He looks like he is going to be a two-way monster.

Kudos to Jefferson for trying to gut it out. Clearly he is desperate to play in this one, because he does not look like a guy who should be playing hoops right now.