MBB: NESCAC

[Old Guy]

Nice to see some Middlebury action on the board. Don't neglect Aaron Smith (6'6", 230), a junior, as good a big man as we've had in a looong time. If you pay too much attention to the perimeter (Harris, et al) Smith can hurt you. He's strong, active, smart. Middlebury has some depth. Too early to tell about the frosh, but there's reason for optimism.

I think the home court advantage is bigger in NESCAC than the sentiments expressed here, especially for schools (Middlebury) not on the Boston-CT. Valley axis, whose trips are far. That Sat afternoon game is tough for the road team. NESCAC athletes have academic obligations which can affect their preparation. Calendar has some impact too. Schools with Winter Terms may have some advantage  because of the generally lighter academic  load. My sense is the league is tighter, top to bottom, than in the past, even last year. More close games this year: advantage - home team.

[walzy31]

5:48am - Hartford, CT

The Amherst Lord Jeffs Basketball team (seemingly 37 of them), the Director of Sports Medicine - Stan Zieja, and the NESCAC forum's favorite SID - Alex Kantor  assembled together at Bradley International Airport for a trip South to play Florida Memorial University. The last time the team flew South out of BDL, they returned wearing National Championship hats.

The early line has Amherst as an under dog for the first time in over two years.
Amherst +3.0 @ FMU

[nescac1]

ON what basis can you come up with any kind of spread against an NAIA team? 

[formerbant10]

He's Walzy, never underestimate his powers.

[Caz Bombers]

NESCAC fans, any thoughts on Colby this year?  I am going to see the Ithaca-Colby game down here in Daytona Beach tomorrow and wanted to get a fan's scouting report on IC's opposition.

[frank uible]

Attendance ought to be about 6 - 2 Ithaca rooters, 2 Colby rooters and 2 homeless who are getting out of the weather.

[Caz Bombers]

Attendance ought to be about 6 - 2 Ithaca rooters, 2 Colby rooters and 2 homeless who are getting out of the weather.

Well, it'll be nice weather at least for the homeless...and I think I was one of exactly 4 people at the SUNYIT-Oswego ECAC Semifinal last season, so I've been in smaller crowds

[nescac1]

Scary moment at the Lehman / Williams game.   Williams was up by 7 with a minute left when frosh Troy Whittington hit his head and had a severe seizure on the court.  It was without a doubt the scariest moment I have ever experienced at a live sporting event.  After about 20-30 minutes or so he seemed to recover somewhat and was taken to the hospital, I heard he was responsive when he left the court, but he was pretty out of it for some time.  Troy played his heart out all game (in his first significant minutes all season), including two dunks (one of which was the best I have ever seen at a NESCAC game, spun around in the post, elevated, and slammed it one handed over two guys), an incredible block, and some great defense on a guy no one else on Williams could stop.  Showed athleticism you don't offen see at Div III level and played his heart out there, just a freak, unfortunate injury.  Hopefully Troy will be OK and be back at full health (whether it will be safe to play hoops is of course secondary, but hopefully he can return to basketball at some point as well), I am sure we will hear more soon.  Good luck, Troy.

[lemonjello]

Wow, that's terrifying.  I hope everything is ok with Troy.

In other news, Amherst was defeated by NAIA opponent Florida Memorial University, 86-79.  Steve Wheeler was the lead scorer with 15 points, but the other stats haven't been posted yet.  I don't know much about Florida Memorial or the quality of NAIA basketball, but I'm impressed that the Jeffs certainly held their own.

[frank uible]

lemon: It is suspected that you would be impressed should the Jeffs wake in the morning and scratch themselves.

[eclinchy]

I'd love to stick around and post my thoughts on the upcoming second half of hoops season, but I'm busy.  Gotta go back in time two months and bet my life savings that Amherst will have twice as many losses as Conn. College by the end of '07.

Later, everyone...

[daoustian]

Info on an Amherst recruit for the class of 2012:
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071230/SPORTS02/712300332/1048

David Zaitz had several opportunities to play Division I basketball in the Ivy League. But his college selection process boiled down to one principle.

"I felt the idea of playing for a national championship was better than just trying to make the tournament," the Scarsdale senior said.

Zaitz, a 6-foot-5 wing, has opted to play next season at Division III power Amherst, turning down nearly 90 offers, including Division I schools such as Toledo, Longwood and several in the Ivy League.

Amherst is ranked fourth in the Division III rankings and is coached by Dave Hixon, who in 30 seasons with the program has guided it to 557 wins, 10 NCAA tournaments, including Final Four appearances in 2004 and 2006.

[frank uible]

Zaitz' primary point should be that the undergraduate education at Amherst is significantly better than that at Toledo, Longwood or any of the Ivy Leagues.

[formerbant10]

If you know Zaitz, you'd know that goes without saying.  Don't think he ever really planned on going sub-NESCAC academically. 

[frank uible]

Then the article is misleading.