MBB: NESCAC

[formerbant10]

Trinity has traveled out to Cali in previous years and come back 1-1 both times after beating Occidental and losing to Pomona-Pitzer on both occasisons.  It is not easy to play out there, the 2nd game especially.  Both Oxy and PP are very solid programs, especially lately and as mentioned in previous posts, the loss does not get noticed by the NCAA. 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Amherst come out firing the next few games.  Most of the great teams will be beaten at some point during the season, how they respond from those losses shows how great of a team they will be.

Another close win for the Bants down at Ursinus, but like Amherst's games, out of region makes it mean nothing for the tourney.  22 points for Rhoten in the first half, seemed like he was doubled before he could even catch the ball in the 2nd half.  3 other starters in double figures with Pat Martin playing very well despite 1st half foul trouble.  Hopefully this will be the start of a good stretch for them.

[gordonmann]

Most of the great teams will be beaten at some point during the season

Foreshadow alert!  Four Top 25 teams lose tonight, including No. 1 IWU at home.

Fwiw I agree with Formerbant10 on the Amherst game.  Long ways to go and Occidental is a good team who's tough at home.

[Amherstknowitall]

Back in Business...

The 29 regular season winning streak snapped the very same day they lost last year to The College of New Jersey (Talk about full circle).  But like last year, and like nescachoopsfan comments, it's only a wake up call.  The next game they play is against Williams at home.  Last year they bounced back and beat them at their own place (something that hadn't been done in god knows how many years).  So I say it's a wake up call and a jump start to set a blazing trail through the NESCAC.

BUT.. in retrospect it's a very good wake up call.
Shooting 7 for 20 in 3's while giving up 11 more rebounds (with their two big men both getting double doubles with 30/10 and 16/12) will make sure they focus on improving those two areas.  We can't fall back into those habits or we'll have our season shortened (siiiighs).

See ya Friday Walzy,
HIYOOOOOO

[Amherstknowitall]

any predictions on the Amherst Williams game?

[nescac1]

Prediction, to quote Clubber Lang: pain.   (Notice I didn't specify for which team).  I will predict with confidence that Williams women's team will win and win easily -- it's been many years since Amherst women could compete with Williams, and that looks no different this year.

As for the men's game, I am not so bold as to predict a Williams win, especially on the road, after what happened last year.  Amherst's loss in some ways is comforting, because the team looks a little mortal, but on the other hand, they will be that much more motivated for the game.  I think Williams will, at the very least, put up a much better fight than last year.  Williams was pretty disorganized at the point at this point in last season, with no real established leader, and that made things very difficult once the going got rough and the team got a little rattled.  Shalvoy is much improved and a steady floor leader, which will help.  The team seems to really understand its strengths -- they are fit, they can run, and they can shoot the lights out when in a rhythm -- as well as its limitations -- only one guy who can post-up and few if any perimeter guys who can create their own shots off the dribble, plus they will always struggle to defend strong interior scorers -- and plays to those strengths.  Newton has been rounding into form, it sounds like, which is key.  He'll have to play at least even with the Hopkins/O'Shea combination at center.  Before the season started, I figured Williams wouldn't have a shot.  Now I think they have a credible chance of beating Amherst, and a good chance of keeping it close even on the road.  Still, there is no doubt that Amherst has more depth, size and talent overall.

Speaking of depth, seems like Amherst may be playing a little TOO deep this year.  Hixon is consistently giving 10-11 guys lots of minutes, which, I would think, might cause some continuity problems.  But, then again, when their 10th guy is a Division I transfer, kind of hard to keep him on the bench. 

Go Ephs!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'll go with Williams, just because it would make things interesting.

[ephoops]

As much as i would like to see Williams pull off the upset, AmHerst is just too deep and too talented for Williams.   I predict a double digit victort for Amherst...79-64.

Congrats to Hixon on his 500th win...Although I'm still waiting for him to admit that the Williams national championship and national runner up teams was better than his Amherst teams.

[formerbant10]

True competitors will never admit that a team is better than them....maybe better on a given day.  But not better than. 

To be honest, I don't know if Amherst will blow them out.  I think they have the ability to, but if Williams can get hot, they can stay in any game.  If they can keep it close I wouldn't be surprised to see Chris Rose hit a big shot at the end of the game. 

Amherst needs to get off to a good start to frustrate the less experienced guards of Williams.  As KNOWITALL said, they have to control the boards better, limit Williams to one shot per possession.  If they do that, they should run away with it.

But anything goes in games like this....that's why they play 'em.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Is that the same thinking that led Matt Linehart to call Texas "lucky" after they beat his team the other night.

[formerbant10]

Absolutely Hoops Fan.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Well, I think that was pretty poor of him.  Texas was better than USC all year; he should have at least said something respectful, even if he was unwilling to admit they were superior.  You gotta keep things in perspective.

[formerbant10]

I agree with you on that...after winning so many games, he may have forgotten how to lose graciously.

But I don't think anyone from Amherst or Williams would ever like to admit that the other is better than they are.  And I think that attitude is part of why those teams have been successful. 

You can't go into a game scared of the other team, you'll get blown out. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I don't know, I've always found more joy in beating my rivals when I knew they were better than me.   I guess its hard to know that joy when you lose to them though.



Did anyone else find it funny that Lineart seemed to forget the word 'loss' entirely, calling it a win first.  He really must have been out of touch with reality.  I can't imagine what a win streak like that would do to somebody.

[frank uible]

He may have been suffering from a concussion.

[Amherstknowitall]

it was so unreal in his eyes i'd say, he was jacked in the matrix for 3 years, and it wasn't until he took the "red pill" of defeat did he realize how the real world really was......
ok sorry you guys had to endure such a play on movies

Amherst will repeat what they did last year.. maybe not half court three's.. but they will dominate.  They're motivated, and I don't think the Williams fans are as optimistic.  Most probably won't show up to the game at all.  Amherst's defensive intensity should get the best of Shalvoy and company.  

Alrighty I'm on my way up there to see my boys for the first time.  Toodle-loo!
P.S. Walzy is a legend