MBB: NESCAC

[walzy31]

Even game yesterday. Both teams had 7-10 pt leads (trinity in the first half, Amherst in the 2nd). Pat Martin and Kino Clarke came up very big for Trin down the stretch. Martin's three was quite impressive and very tough to defend. Both fan sections were roudy, but the national anthem yelling was amhersts problem.
I thought it was an even game...obviously was not expecting it to be. Hats off to Trinity. Big win for them that should solidify them into the dance.
Olson with 11A 7Pts, Martin with 10A 18 pts.
Olson saved the make of the buzzer beater shot for the sweet 16.

Whoarewebobcats,

You're bet paid you nicely. Well done.

[Sticks11]

eclinchy-

I checked the Colby website and the statistical booklet they give to the players and former players following the season that has all the records and there is no mention of blocks.  From what I hear from the their longtime coaches and alums, there hasn't been someone who blocks shots the way he does.  So, I'm pretty sure Cohen holds all the blocks records (single game, season, career). 

As far as the Colby-Tufts game yesterday, I thought Colby's bench played well - Cutrone and Simpson in particular.  Farrell made big shots down the stretch and made a huge play forcing a turnover on Shepherd that led to Colby taking the lead.  Cohen had a near quadruple double with 25 pts, 11 rebs, 8 blocks and 7 assists.  Choice played a good inside and outside game and looks to be a player in the next few years.

Is Weitzen hurt? He didn't seem to be involved too much in the game (24 mins, 8 pts, 6 rebs, 4 assists)

Also, does anyone know the status of Pierce regarding the incident at the end of the game?  A Colby player who was standing there told me he called one of the refs a "c*cks*cker" and that he might not be playing next week - any truth to that?

[booyakasha]

Amherst's strength will prove to be their weakness. Their depth is undeniably the best in the land, but the problem is only five can play at a time. They remind me of the Suns, running over teams in the regular season, but when it comes down to crunch time, their lack of a clearly defined goto guy could prove to be their downfall. That being said, I doubt any team will keep the game close enough at Lefrak to actually see any resemblence of a crunch time scenario. In order to win games in the later rounds of the NCAA's, the Jeffs will need to take control early and don't let anyone sniff the possibility of the game coming down to the final seconds, which is not out of the realm of possibility given their depth. See, strength and weakness.

As far as next weekend goes, Amherst should handle their business against an Bates team who is clearly not as good as they were advertised at the beginning of the season. Their poor performance in the Nescac season does not surprise me one bit. I don't see how anyone can expect much from this team with such a pathetic out of conference schedule.

Tufts caught a big break with the Williams draw. Size gives Tufts trouble, and Williams has young and unexperienced big men. I see the Jumbos pulling away with too much firepower for the Ephs.

Colby and Middlebury's seasons have gone in decidedly different directions since they met early in conference play. Cohen is peaking and the senior leadership for the mules will be too much to handle for a surprisingly solid Middlebury team. They gained some of that crunchtime experience the Jeffs desperately need with a couple of victories in the final moments this weekend.

I don't see Bowdoin knocking off Trinity in Hartford. The guardplay for the Bants should overwhelm a team with a mediocre backcourt. The Polar Bears shot 30-52, and held the Bants to 28-65 in their first meeting. They would need a similar effort in order to knock off Trinity, which I doubt will happen.

It will be hard to decide which of the four matchups to attend.

[booyakasha]

As far as Tufts relationship with the officials is concerned, every exchange should include a "thank you sir", because they continually draw stripes with more bias towards the Jumbos than any other team in the Nescac.

[nescac hoops]

sounds like a great all-around weekend for the jeffs down in hartford. i enjoy it for no other reason that it has already limited the number of obnoxious posts here by the jeff faithful.

Tufts caught a big break with the Williams draw. Size gives Tufts trouble, and Williams has young and unexperienced big men. I see the Jumbos pulling away with too much firepower for the Ephs.

i couldn't agree more. i think the ephs would have been better off finishing 4th (or even 5th and having an away game) and playing against midd or colby. i don't think the ephs matchup particularly well against the jumbos and caught a bad break with their draw. i think this scenario explains the whole nescac season in regards to how teams matchup and the number of "upsets" that have taken place. i also think rose and shalvoy should be receiving more consideration for conference awards - those two have pretty much carried their team to a 3rd place finish. it would be hard to say that stockwell and ray have done more for their team this year. i think rose is a borderline 1st teamer and shalvoy should at least be mentioned as a 2nd team contender.

i think with a win next weekend, trinity secures themselves a spot in the ncaa tourny. we'll see.

[ajsnc13]

Booy- 
You said Bowdoin has a mediocre backcourt?  Granted Trinity's backcourt is great, I would have to say Bradley and Hippert are right up there with Martin and Clarke.  The first time these two teams played Bradley ran circles around Clarke and Hippert outplayed Martin.

Clarke...4-11, 10 pts, 1 assist, 5 steals
Martin...5-14, 12 points, 2 assists, 2 steals
Hippert...5-8, 17 points, 2 assists
Bradley...4-11, 13 points, 9 assists

Granted Im a huge fan of all four players and bias towards Bowdoin I see the backcourt of these two teams as a push.  Trinity will be tough to beat in CT, but I think the Polar Bears will battle with them and the game will be very similiar to the first time the teams played.  Kyle Jackson or Robert Taylor could be the guys that make the difference that decides which team wins.

[Old Guy]

Five NESCAC wins - that's quite a difference from earlier prognosticatians here. There was dancing in the street here in Middlebury on Saturday night after the two victories in CT. Of course, we're on break and I was the only one dancing and it was on Main Street (Rte 30) and not a single car went by.  Hoops in VT.

I hope for another barnburner with Colby. The earlier game (100-93, Midd) was one of the best games I have seen in Middlebury's gym (and I've seen a lot). Both teams played very well.

Colby's better now. Their two wins this weekend on the road were really impressive. Cohen was not great against us. He's back. What a great season Farrell is having, running the show from the point, scoring, playing the whole game (he must lead the league in minutes played), playing both ends with abandon. Their supporting cast is stepping up.

Last I looked Amherst is 23-1. They lost to the second best team in the league in the game's waning seconds, in their gym. Outside the CT Valley, up here in the hoop hinterlands, this doesn't look like a shocker. So they're not Magic's Lakers, still pretty damn good.

[walzy31]

walzy31:

>>You're bet paid you nicely. Well done.<<

Nice to see someone get your and you're mixed up in opposite fashion for a change. Well done.

OxyBob

Hah, wow that is embarrassing. I also woke up and wrote that post and then fell back asleep until now.

[Dr E. Spengler]

La Verdad, stop projecting...from the west coast no less!!!!

The screaming during the national anthem was two students in an entire section.  No one will defend their actions.

The singing long with the anthem was not meant to be mocking or whatever words came up on the thesaurus when you looked it up.  It is something that our students have been doing for quite some time, and I cant imagine why you would spread the actions of two particular students to an entire school.  (Other than your bizzare hatred and fascination with my school)

Medicalization had made it so Kevin Hopkins is longer considered to have the beast within...ask Jerome if you don't know what I'm talking about.  But something tells me this team is going to take this loss out on the rest of the country very, very soon. 

As the truth spoke to you earler...its a new season.  See you in lefrak...

[Pat Coleman]

Hmm -- kinda sounded mocking to me, but what do I know? Much like Amherst students were mocking the photographer on the baseline.

[nescac1]

Interesting, Pat.  Given the attitudes of some of the Amherst fans on posting up (Mr. Mike and Walzy being notable exceptions), I'm not inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.  Then again, I'd probably never be inclined to give the benefit of the doubt to anything or anyone associated with the Hurst . 

Anyone have any more info on Pierce's availability for the NESCAC tourney?  What's the story with Jeremy Black, I see he didn't play this weekend? 

Article on basketball/football player from Ohio "leaning towards" attending Williams:

http://www.thisweeknews.com/?sec=bexley&story=sites/thisweeknews/011807/Bexley/Sports/011807-Sports-292746.html

Given Williams' history with 6'5 Ohio kids (see Kain, Tucker) perhaps this guy can help provide depth at the 4 if he does indeed choose the Ephs.  The Ephs' biggest needs by far are a physical 4 who can provide toughness inside and a quick point guard who can help ease the burden on Shalvoy. 

[fpc85]

Hmm -- kinda sounded mocking to me, but what do I know? Much like Amherst students were mocking the photographer on the baseline.

The Amherst student body does it at most games and are usually sincere...not sure if that were the case on Saturday. I was a little annoyed at some of the student conduct......It reminded me of some games I attended in Williamstown in 03-04. Here is hoping that the lord Jeff nation will be better next game.

The Jeffs were a little lethargic and didnt have any offensive rhythm. At this level, if you score 59 points you usually lose. Trinity had a lot to do with how the Jeffs shot. Still, I wouldn't bet against the Jeffs if they should face Trinity again. I don't think 62 points will win the next game. The Jeffs have a lot of pride and are looking to ending seasons.

[hoopjunkie]

Tufts Update :
Pierce will probably be suspended for the next game which is luckily for the Jumbo this Thursday against
Umass Boston .
Jeremy Black will probably play Thursday sprained ankle from last weekend .

Tough loss yesterday against Colby . Farrell was pretty much stopped by great defense by
Tufts backcourt especially my favorite defender Aaron Gallant-sorry elclinchy but you should have realized
Gallant being a strong safety on the football team he is fearless, & he is not out there for his offense .
Cohen showed that he is the best big man in the Nescac he was great.
Williams - Tufts game should be a great one . I think 2 of the best forwards in the conference Rose - Weitzen will be a great matchup as well as Shavoy - Shepard at point . Good to see Trinity beat the suddenly beatable Jeffs . Can`t wait for Bates - Amherst . Wacky season that this has been- WHO KNOWS

[hoopjunkie]

Oh yea-- Trinity did`nt have Russ Martin ?? WOW!! What`s wrong with him ?

[formerbant10]

Russ Martin hurt his ankle and was questionable for the Amherst game.  Should be fine for next weekend.

i think with a win next weekend, trinity secures themselves a spot in the ncaa tourny. we'll see.

Pretty sure that with 20 wins, including the Amherst win.  Only 3 losses and a top 10 QOW, the Bants are pretty much in regardless of what happens this weekend.  But that's just me.