MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Great win for the Ephs, down 15 early as Clark was playing very fast, the Ephs were very-slow footed at the outset, and Clark was hitting absolutely everything.  Ephs obviously turned it around, winning the rest of the game by 32.  After Clark scored 44 in the first half, they only managed 25 in the second, as the quality of shots were generally much tougher -- contested shots off the dribble instead of in-rhythm jumpers off the drive-and-dish.  Clark has a lot of speed and is relentless, but struggled once the pace of the game slowed a bit. 

For Williams, Cole Prowitt-Smith was clearly feeling it in the second half, finishing with 19 on very efficient shooting.  Spencer Spivy was excellent inside and out on offense, matching Cole's 19.  Hudson Hansen was huge with 12 points, 6 boards, and a lot of energy and disruption on both ends.  Hansen had the play of a game with a vicious follow-up dunk late in the second half that seemed to completely shift the momentum (which had already been shifting a bit towards Williams).  From that point on, it was all Williams.  Evan Glatzer also had a nice game off the bench with 6 points, 4 assists, and some excellent D, including one of the Ephs' trademark blocks of a three point shot.  The Ephs were getting hounded on the interior but Roughley, Karren and Arnold did a nice job finding open shooters, combining for 13 assists.  Clark picked its poison and gave up the outside shots, and when the Ephs are hitting like that, it's big trouble for a defense. 

Kekoa McArdle had a very nice game inside for Clark, mostly on layups off the drive-and-dish. The Ephs need to defend that play better both at the point of the attack and the back end.  The Ephs also did have some trouble initially finding guys off the double teams down low before seemingly figuring that out later in the game.  Nate seemed to be getting the ball a bit too close to the baseline, leaving less room for guys to maneuver off the ball. 

[jumpshot]

EPHS win over Clark by 17, 86-69 after being down by 18 in the first half. Impressive performance with 4 players in double figures, including Hudson Hansen whose quickness, athleticism, and skill have earned him minutes. Team shooting 55% overall and from three-point land (12/22) helps, along with focusing on defense against a Clark squad that had an excellent first-half. EPHS had twice as many assists (23) as turnovers (11). Really like the unselfishness and confidence of this EPH team ...Keep playing together, fellas, at both ends ....

[ThumannsOwn]

When was the last time an Amherst team went 4-6 against a schedule with teams that were a combined 50-65? 

Will be interesting to see if Coach Sears is still around in a few years to see his freshman/sophomore classes through Amherst. Still a very tough act to follow in Coach Hixon, who was actually just nominated again as an eligibile candidate for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023 - https://www.nba.com/news/hall-of-fame-announces-eligible-2023-candidates.

[Old Guy]

Amherst 4-6. I don't believe it. I'll believe it when I see it in person. I think they're laying in wait. Sears is figuring out who can play and what combinations work. I fear they will be different in NESCAC play, as Sears has taken a different approach to the early season from Hixon, preparing for NESCAC play. Midd plays Amherst a week from tomorrow in LeFrak, a house of horrors. I will not be sucked into taking them lightly.

Midd had a good win last night, though something of a strange game. Game started at 5:00 and I had a dinnertime social obligation that i couldn't get out of so I missed the second half telecast, but followed on live stats — and died 1000 deaths. Midd had a 20 point halftime lead, 49-29, with Osher, Stevens, and Flaks(!) shooting the ball very well. The team shot 65% from the floor. New Paltz cut the lead to two with four and a half minutes to go, 61-59. Midd righted the ship and Sobel made three hoops in a row and Midd finished on a 16-2 run, making the final score 77-61.

Sobel had quite a line, nearly a triple double: 16 points (8-11), 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks, one foul, a nice night's work! Stevens had a good game (19 points: 6-11, 2-4, 5-5), Osher had 15 first half points. The Panthers get the hosts, Eastern CT, this afternoon. Next weekend, NESCAC play — Hamilton first up there, then the Mammoths (it'll take a while to get used to calling them that)

[JEFFFAN]

Amherst 4-6. I don't believe it. I'll believe it when I see it in person. I think they're laying in wait. Sears is figuring out who can play and what combinations work. I fear they will be different in NESCAC play, as Sears has taken a different approach to the early season from Hixon, preparing for NESCAC play. Midd plays Amherst a week from tomorrow in LeFrak, a house of horrors. I will not be sucked into taking them lightly.

Midd had a good win last night, though something of a strange game. Game started at 5:00 and I had a dinnertime social obligation that i couldn't get out of so I missed the second half telecast, but followed on live stats — and died 1000 deaths. Midd had a 20 point halftime lead, 49-29, with Osher, Stevens, and Flaks(!) shooting the ball very well. The team shot 65% from the floor. New Paltz cut the lead to two with four and a half minutes to go, 61-59. Midd righted the ship and Sobel made three hoops in a row and Midd finished on a 16-2 run, making the final score 77-61.

Sobel had quite a line, nearly a triple double: 16 points (8-11), 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks, one foul, a nice night's work! Stevens had a good game (19 points: 6-11, 2-4, 5-5), Osher had 15 first half points. The Panthers get the hosts, Eastern CT, this afternoon. Next weekend, NESCAC play — Hamilton first up there, then the Mammoths (it'll take a while to get used to calling them that)

I sure hope that you are right, Old Guy, but after watching things since Hixon left I am pretty sure that you are worried about "ghosts" of Amherst past!   The coach has brought in tall marginally athletic players - never great at the NESCAC level - and guards who are mediocre to average shooters.   Again - I hope that I am wrong ...

Sears will be here through his contract, of course, as the Biddyification of the coaching staff works its way through the athletic program ...

[nescac1]

As for Amherst, it's do or die time -- just a brutal six game stretch ahead with Wesleyan, Williams x2, Midd, Tufts and Bates, with four of those games on the road, and the only two at home the never-fun Williams/Midd back-to-back.  It simply does not get more difficult than that, nearly all games with rivalry intensity. 

[toad22]

As for Amherst, it's do or die time -- just a brutal six game stretch ahead with Wesleyan, Williams x2, Midd, Tufts and Bates, with four of those games on the road, and the only two at home the never-fun Williams/Midd back-to-back.  It simply does not get more difficult than that, nearly all games with rivalry intensity.

I don't think that I have ever been more curious to watch Williams play Amherst. Playing Amherst ususally just makes me nervous. This year is different. Coach Sears has recruited a very unusual team, and has utilized them in a most unusual way in the early season, producing the worst team record I can ever remember Amherst having after 10 games. However, maybe coach Sears has a grand scheme that he intends to spring on the NESCAC. It should be fun to find out.

[Homer]

It is going to be a long dismal year for the Mammoths. Last year, Marlon recruited a freshman class with potential and lead an inherited team to an 18-8 season last year. The 7-5 Nascac record was a bit disappointing, but the Mammoths did beat Williams before losing to Colby in the tournament. It was difficult to understand Marlon's coaching strategy. It seemed to be everyone plays with everyone. This year, Marlon's strength is clear. He has recruited another strong freshman class. His weakness seems to be x's and o's. It looks as if there is one set play - dribble, pass, and shot. Their height inside is not an advantage when they can't get the ball inside. At times, they rely on three-point shots. At times, it looks like every man for himself. That's not the player's fault, it's the coaching staff. It's a difficult game to watch. If you saw the games against Yeshiva, Springfield College, or the University of California, Santa Cruz (their name, Banana Slugs, and gym are so chill), you'll understand.

[Bucket]

Amherst 4-6. I don't believe it. I'll believe it when I see it in person. I think they're laying in wait. Sears is figuring out who can play and what combinations work. I fear they will be different in NESCAC play, as Sears has taken a different approach to the early season from Hixon, preparing for NESCAC play. Midd plays Amherst a week from tomorrow in LeFrak, a house of horrors. I will not be sucked into taking them lightly.

Midd had a good win last night, though something of a strange game. Game started at 5:00 and I had a dinnertime social obligation that i couldn't get out of so I missed the second half telecast, but followed on live stats — and died 1000 deaths. Midd had a 20 point halftime lead, 49-29, with Osher, Stevens, and Flaks(!) shooting the ball very well. The team shot 65% from the floor. New Paltz cut the lead to two with four and a half minutes to go, 61-59. Midd righted the ship and Sobel made three hoops in a row and Midd finished on a 16-2 run, making the final score 77-61.

Sobel had quite a line, nearly a triple double: 16 points (8-11), 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks, one foul, a nice night's work! Stevens had a good game (19 points: 6-11, 2-4, 5-5), Osher had 15 first half points. The Panthers get the hosts, Eastern CT, this afternoon. Next weekend, NESCAC play — Hamilton first up there, then the Mammoths (it'll take a while to get used to calling them that)

I sure hope that you are right, Old Guy, but after watching things since Hixon left I am pretty sure that you are worried about "ghosts" of Amherst past!   The coach has brought in tall marginally athletic players - never great at the NESCAC level - and guards who are mediocre to average shooters.   Again - I hope that I am wrong ...

Sears will be here through his contract, of course, as the Biddyification of the coaching staff works its way through the athletic program ...

Just imagine what Mike Maker could have done had he been hired . . .

[toad22]

Amherst 4-6. I don't believe it. I'll believe it when I see it in person. I think they're laying in wait. Sears is figuring out who can play and what combinations work. I fear they will be different in NESCAC play, as Sears has taken a different approach to the early season from Hixon, preparing for NESCAC play. Midd plays Amherst a week from tomorrow in LeFrak, a house of horrors. I will not be sucked into taking them lightly.

Midd had a good win last night, though something of a strange game. Game started at 5:00 and I had a dinnertime social obligation that i couldn't get out of so I missed the second half telecast, but followed on live stats — and died 1000 deaths. Midd had a 20 point halftime lead, 49-29, with Osher, Stevens, and Flaks(!) shooting the ball very well. The team shot 65% from the floor. New Paltz cut the lead to two with four and a half minutes to go, 61-59. Midd righted the ship and Sobel made three hoops in a row and Midd finished on a 16-2 run, making the final score 77-61.

Sobel had quite a line, nearly a triple double: 16 points (8-11), 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks, one foul, a nice night's work! Stevens had a good game (19 points: 6-11, 2-4, 5-5), Osher had 15 first half points. The Panthers get the hosts, Eastern CT, this afternoon. Next weekend, NESCAC play — Hamilton first up there, then the Mammoths (it'll take a while to get used to calling them that)

I sure hope that you are right, Old Guy, but after watching things since Hixon left I am pretty sure that you are worried about "ghosts" of Amherst past!   The coach has brought in tall marginally athletic players - never great at the NESCAC level - and guards who are mediocre to average shooters.   Again - I hope that I am wrong ...

Sears will be here through his contract, of course, as the Biddyification of the coaching staff works its way through the athletic program ...

Just imagine what Mike Maker could have done had he been hired . . .

It would have been great for Mike, great for Amherst, but terrible for Williams and the rest of the NESCAC. I could get nightmare thinking about it!

[ThumannsOwn]

It is going to be a long dismal year for the Mammoths. Last year, Marlon recruited a freshman class with potential and lead an inherited team to an 18-8 season last year. The 7-5 Nascac record was a bit disappointing, but the Mammoths did beat Williams before losing to Colby in the tournament. It was difficult to understand Marlon's coaching strategy. It seemed to be everyone plays with everyone. This year, Marlon's strength is clear. He has recruited another strong freshman class. His weakness seems to be x's and o's. It looks as if there is one set play - dribble, pass, and shot. Their height inside is not an advantage when they can't get the ball inside. At times, they rely on three-point shots. At times, it looks like every man for himself. That's not the player's fault, it's the coaching staff. It's a difficult game to watch. If you saw the games against Yeshiva, Springfield College, or the University of California, Santa Cruz (their name, Banana Slugs, and gym are so chill), you'll understand.

15-9/5-5 NESCAC for Amherst last year, but do agree with most of your assertions, Homer.

[ThumannsOwn]

Amherst 4-6. I don't believe it. I'll believe it when I see it in person. I think they're laying in wait. Sears is figuring out who can play and what combinations work. I fear they will be different in NESCAC play, as Sears has taken a different approach to the early season from Hixon, preparing for NESCAC play. Midd plays Amherst a week from tomorrow in LeFrak, a house of horrors. I will not be sucked into taking them lightly.

Midd had a good win last night, though something of a strange game. Game started at 5:00 and I had a dinnertime social obligation that i couldn't get out of so I missed the second half telecast, but followed on live stats — and died 1000 deaths. Midd had a 20 point halftime lead, 49-29, with Osher, Stevens, and Flaks(!) shooting the ball very well. The team shot 65% from the floor. New Paltz cut the lead to two with four and a half minutes to go, 61-59. Midd righted the ship and Sobel made three hoops in a row and Midd finished on a 16-2 run, making the final score 77-61.



Sobel had quite a line, nearly a triple double: 16 points (8-11), 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks, one foul, a nice night's work! Stevens had a good game (19 points: 6-11, 2-4, 5-5), Osher had 15 first half points. The Panthers get the hosts, Eastern CT, this afternoon. Next weekend, NESCAC play — Hamilton first up there, then the Mammoths (it'll take a while to get used to calling them that)

I sure hope that you are right, Old Guy, but after watching things since Hixon left I am pretty sure that you are worried about "ghosts" of Amherst past!   The coach has brought in tall marginally athletic players - never great at the NESCAC level - and guards who are mediocre to average shooters.   Again - I hope that I am wrong ...

Sears will be here through his contract, of course, as the Biddyification of the coaching staff works its way through the athletic program ...

Just imagine what Mike Maker could have done had he been hired . . .

Or Aaron Toomey...

[Old Guy]

Amherst 4-6. I don't believe it. I'll believe it when I see it in person. I think they're lying in wait. Sears is figuring out who can play and what combinations work. I fear they will be different in NESCAC play, as Sears has taken a different approach to the early season from Hixon, preparing for NESCAC play. Midd plays Amherst a week from tomorrow in LeFrak, a house of horrors. I will not be sucked into taking them lightly.

I sure hope that you are right, Old Guy, but after watching things since Hixon left I am pretty sure that you are worried about "ghosts" of Amherst past!   The coach has brought in tall marginally athletic players - never great at the NESCAC level - and guards who are mediocre to average shooters.   Again - I hope that I am wrong ...

The Amherst "ghosts" don't worry me, they haunt me! My wife has to wake me when I cry out in my sleep, "Willie Workman, Willie Workman, you're killin' me!" Best game I ever saw was the 104-101 Amherst triple OT win in 2013 in our gym when Toomey hit a three with little time left and Workman executed the impossible intentional miss on a free throw and scored the hoop with just a few seconds on the clock to tie and send the game into OT (better than Doncic's the other night). Two really good teams playing at a very high level (Midd 25-4, Elite 8; Amherst Nat'l champs).

Midd won the Eastern CT Holiday Tournament today with a 67-62 win. This was a tough game! I don't know how Eastern CT is 4-8. They're quick, they're tough on defense, they have shooters. This was back and forth the whole game, 28-27 at the half, 50-50 with about 6 minutes left. I know it's 's a broken record, but Sobel was again huge down the stretch. He ended up with 26 points (8-9 FG, 10-15 FT) 10 rebounds, 4 blocks. He had only one foul at the half, but picked up two quick ones at the beginning of the second, went to the bench, but not for long as Midd fell behind. He played most of the last 12+ minutes with three fouls and never picked up his fourth — great restraint. He was the tourney MVP and Stevens and Flaks (9 pts today to go with 13 yesterday) also made the all tourney team. As is usually the case, Midd had a significant rebounding edge (42-32). Brennan only had two buckets but pulled down his customary ten rebounds. He plays so hard.

The team gets a week to prepare for NESCAC play. 10-1 (and the one a two point loss to a top ten team), but now they're all tough. Well done, Boys!

[Painter66]

As "Old Guy" said, it was a brutal game for Midd at EC today. They got beat up, did not play great, and still got on the bus with a win. So far, they have played 2 home games and only have 5 more to look forward to. 6 of their 10 NESCAC games are on the road. So, today was huge, and losing to a lower level Regional team could have really hurt at team that was the last team out of the NCAA last year and does not figure to win the NESCAC. Sobel is a great player, always the best player on the court at a very important position. Stevens, Osher, and others are also really good, so they will hang in there. Like last year, they need others to score, and Flaks looks like that guy. It will be a fun month of January. As a former player who was part of a very different era, it has been, and is, a great ride.

[toad22]

I'm sure that most non-Eph posters are sick of hearing about Duncan Robinson. I still need to note that Duncan just broke the all time 3-point shooting record of the Miami Heat. A record set by Tim Hardaway some 20 years ago. He has now made 800+ threes. He has so many fans in Williamstown because he is such a wonderful guy. Congratulations Duncan!