MBB: NESCAC

formerbant10 · January 23, 2006, 08:29:48 PM

Rufus, they are definitely at a disadvantage playing the final weekend on the road as Trinity was last year. But no matter what, good teams don't lose back to back games at any level. Also, you're saying that Joe Reilly is doing an excellent job this year....does that mean he hasn't in the past few? I've thought that he has done a great job his entire tenure at Bates. It can't be easy recruiting kids to Maine and he does a great job with that. And if that isn't enough, he had to deal with the loss of his father at the beginning of last year. I'm a huge fan of his and what he has done with the program.

And as for their games with Trinity, 3 of the last 4 have been decided at the buzzer or in OT. The other game saw Bates leading at the half till Trinity pulled the game away from them. Regardless of where the game is played, it will be an absolute battle.

formerbant10 · January 23, 2006, 08:31:22 PM

New top 25

Amherst at #10, Trinity and Bates both receiving votes. Trinity merely 5 points out of the top 25.

rufus · January 24, 2006, 12:15:01 PM

Formerbant - Like yourself, I am a Reilly fan and have been for a long time. But I think that he put way too much pressure on himself last year, with the passing of his dad - to whom he dedicated the season.

For the most part I agree with your statement about Joe. He has always been on top of his game - whether coaching or playing. What I was trying to say - obviously not well - is that he has stepped it up a notch this year. He has discovered some strengths from his bench that he might not have recognized, without injuries. But I guess you can say that for a lot of coaches. It's the way that he uses his bench strength that amazes me. He is constantly shuffling players onto the floor to meet various situations. The best part about it is they are producing.

My comment referred mainly to past Bates days. 2,3,4 years ago, when they would walk into the NESCAC league games with a great record, only to win 4 or maybe 5 of the last nine, and drop a few they should have had in-between. I guess I wanted more. And with the "guns" like CJ Neely, Gerrity, Furbush, Wilson, and many others, the fans had a right to believe that they would be more than just average. But bench strength was not exceptional.

He is using his players better and I think that he has "matured" as a coach. As a representative of the Bates educational community, he is exceptional, a real class act. So, I guess it's the maturity and growth as a coach that I am reacting to - if that makes sense.

You have a good memory of the Trinity/Bates battles. I was there for all of them, and they were all "knock down, drag outs". Thanks for asking and letting me clear that up.

formerbant10 · January 24, 2006, 04:34:57 PM

Rufus,

Thanks for clearing that up about Reilly. I haven't seen them play this year, I'm hoping to against Trinity in Hartford. Should be a great game.

And you're absolutely right about the Garcia, Neely, Furbush/Gerrity years. They could've done better, but I think that the NESCAC was as its absolute best those years so it would've been tough for them to break through.

And yes all of the Trin/Bates games were battles, I was at the last four as well. The last two in Maine came down to the buzzer with Gerrity hitting a 30 footer as time expired and then Zak Ray making a great pass to Linsley who hit a 15 footer to win. Great great games.

rufus · January 24, 2006, 09:56:09 PM

For those of you who have interest - Bates beat UME Farmington tonight 82-64. Stockwell had 31 I think and he might have had the double double with rebounds, not certain. I think that this game illustrates my earlier point with Formerbant. Last year, with a similar record, Bates lost 66-65. While the Bobcats didn't play their best game of the season, it was enough to win, and probably closer than the score indicates. Now they can focus on Conn and Wesleyan this weekend.

nokomisad · January 25, 2006, 10:59:04 AM

I, also am a big fan of Joe Reilley, he does an outstanding job with his team and this years team is probably his most talented defensively. They have outstanding leadership, very unselfish, and have a nice inside out game. I have had the opportunity to see them play a number of times and they are still improving. I really like their chances to win the nescac, what do others think.

nescac1 · January 25, 2006, 11:09:05 AM

Solid win for Williams last night, at Hamilton. Once again, tons of 3's were the key. Seems like the rotation is getting tighter and tighter for the Ephs, which worries me considering the pace they play at ... Wall didn't play last night (is he hurt?) and Kuntz, who I think has played well when I have seen him, seems to be getting fewer minutes as well. Middlebury this weekend is a must win going into the brutal Amherst/Trinity weekend; if they can beat Midd, Williams will have already equaled last year's win total, an impressive accomplishment considering the talent they lost from last year's squad and with a rotation that is half underclassmen.

As for Bates, they do seem to be, outside of Amherst, the team to beat in New England right now. WPI can only squeak out close wins for so long, at some point the final play won't go your way. Bates should cruise into its final three, very tough, road games, and by that point, I imagine they'll be a top 20 team and playing with a ton of confidence. What's scary is that they only play two seniors, and neither are the go-to guys on offense. Next year, Bates should be a legit final four contender if its young guys continue to progress.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · January 25, 2006, 11:19:36 AM

I noticed Bates has a date with Maine-Presque Isle coming up. Do you think its allowable for them to send an intramural team to that game?

walzy31 · January 25, 2006, 12:02:27 PM

Bates should play Maine-Presque Isle with three players on the court. 3 on 5 would work on their ball movement and help defense.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · January 25, 2006, 12:06:02 PM

That would only work if UMPI agreed to play zone the whole time. I think even Presque-Isle could contend with two of the three players double-teamed at all times.

...then again, maybe not.

rufus · January 25, 2006, 02:12:28 PM

nescac1 - I agree with you that the win against a fairly talented Hamilton team last night was a good sign for the ephs. I wasn't certain that they would take that game after all the emotions of the past weekend! So good for them. I've only seen Williams vs Bates this year, but I walked away with the firm conviction that this year's team surpasses last year. They are a disciplined group and very unselfish too. They will, no doubt, cause a great deal of problems for all their remaining games.

I also agree with your assessment of Bates. They only have two senior starters and they are not their "go to" guys, and next year will be interesting. The 2 seniors, however, have been, and are presently, providing a great deal of leadership for this young team. They are playing the season "one game at a time" - even Presque Isle! But they must not fall into the trap of looking beyond Conn and Wes, either of which could easily throw a wrench into their plans.

Red1 · January 25, 2006, 05:22:59 PM

A quick side note, Rob Stockwell is only 13 points short of 1000 for his career. He should pass that mark Friday evening against Conn. College.

Cheers,
Red1

dman · January 26, 2006, 08:37:15 AM

conn college has played its last four games without two of its starters, stone and young. are they injured or what?? if they are out for a while, that certainly changes their chances in the league.....

demonizzy · January 26, 2006, 12:06:02 PM

Quote from: Hoops Fan on January 25, 2006, 12:06:02 PM
That would only work if UMPI agreed to play zone the whole time. I think even Presque-Isle could contend with two of the three players double-teamed at all times.

...then again, maybe not.

Hahaha. lets hope that the men's game doesn't turn out like the women's game against them last year, where the Bates women's team beat UMPI 109-18. Or i guess that could be pretty entertaining to watch... Go Bates!

rufus · January 26, 2006, 02:43:56 PM

dman - I seriously hope that somebody from Conn answers that question. That is big news, and will have a significant result on the camels level of play.