MBB: NESCAC

[MeOak21]

Speaking of Statistics, I think they should keep a statistic for Charging Fouls Taken.  Let's face it, it is a direct change of possession like a steal, yet even more valuable as it tags an opposing player with a foul and a team foul.... I wonder how much the game would change if records were kept of Charging Fouls Taken, meaning players would work more on getting good at it.  I think it would improve High School defense a lot.

Good thought. Being that the defensive side of the game doesn't get as much attention from the casual basketball fan, recording charges taken as a stat might also help increase the awareness of defensive importance. I like where your head is at.

[daoustian]

FYI, offensive fouls are counted as turnovers in the stats.  Not the precise issue here, but one of those fun things that people sometimes don't appreciate.  So a player who commits a charge gets a TO added to his stat line. 

[fpc85]

An increasing number of coaches chart charges taken (I do!). Taken a few of them early in a game discourages dribble penetration. Most fans/commentators don't talk about its importance.

[NY hoopster]

Re Point  Guard discussion:

I agree that "you know a great point guard when you see one" (see Andrew Olsen) and that you can't boil down the necessary skills to stat lines.

I think the following attributes are the skills that you look for, and that very few guys in the league are above average in all the categories;

1) Take care of the ball
2) See the whole floor
3) Distribute the ball not only to the open men, but to get as many players as possible involved in the offense
4) Penetrate to create
5) Be able to hit the 3 for high percentage when D slacks off them
6) Defend against the opponents' break

[formerbant10]

Personally, I like a point guard who creates a mismatch at his position. 

I'd amend #6 to say Defend.

[JustAFan]

Put aside the physical skills for a moment. What differentiates good from great point guards are the intangibles, starting with leadership, followed by mental toughness and then sprinkled with a healthy dose of confidence/cockiness  in his own abilities as well as his ability to make everyone else better.  At the end of the game, in whose hands do you want the ball? Who do you want on the line with the game on the line? Who do you want taking the kick-out jumper, or see penetrating to dish or take the floater? If your team has a great point guard, more often than not that's the kid you want to have the ball in each of these situations.  My favorite combination of leadership/toughness and confidence: Jimmy Frew of Williams.  My favorite combination of leadership/toughness and cockiness: Mike Crotty.  But Olson is right there with both of them, and the best thing is that each of these three players gets it done in his own way, with his own style.

[Old Guy]

Foul Shooting.

A great point guard controls the game in its crucial final minutes. With the game on the line, he's the player with the ball and he's money from the line. He has the ball: foul him and it's game over.

Foul shooting. Ice water.

[ILive4This]

So what is the spread on tomorrow's big game.

I am saying on a neutral court this is a very close game, I have to give the edge to Amherst because of the home court advantage. I will say Amherst is giving Williams 3 (three) in this game.

[eclinchy]

We should all vote on the "Vaguest Sentence Written In The Past 24 Hours" Award.  Very stiff competition tonight.

Scoring and defense are factors as well.

I think watching a pg and looking at his stats is the best way to judge them.

I agree the skill of players is important.

On another note, I think it's close, but I'll take Amherst to cover the three-point spread.  That's the deeper team, and home court can't hurt.  Jeffs 72, Ephs 67.

[fpc85]

Vague is my middle name.

[walzy31]

Amherst -4.5 Vs. Williams

FINAL Lines:

Amherst -6.0
O/U: 126.5

[daoustian]

12:34 timeout. Amherst up 18-10.

[daoustian]

41-28 at the half. Amherst led by 16 with four to play but Williams had a 6-0 run during an Olson breather. Good job on the glass by Williams but their shots aren't falling. Brandon Jones is enfuego with at least 14 pts. Lots of Williams kids here - maybe half and half in the bleachers.

[daoustian]

60-45 with 12 to play. Hopkins has four fouls but Jones has been huge with back to back threes after Williams cut it to seven

[daoustian]

69-55 with 530 to go. 16-1 run by amherst to open up a 22-point lead half way through.