MBB: NESCAC

[formerbant10]

Rufus, to be honest all Conn can hope for now is to be the spoiler.  It's going to be tough for them to get into the tournament as anything but an 8 seed.  If they get hot in a game from 3, they might be able to upset someone though.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think they are still the prohibitive favorite for the eight seed.  Don't kill them off too fast.

[rufus]

I guess what I was saying is that without Stone and Young I wouldn't give them any chance for the playoffs, with them (and it appears they will  both play tonight at Bates) they have the ability to be "spoilers" and more.

[walzy31]

FRIDAY

Bowdoin 64 @ Amherst 78
Conn 57 @ Bates 74
Wesleyan 62 @ Tufts 73
Colby 47 @ Trinity 71

I have a feeling that the Wes Tufts game is a lot closer than it should be.

SATURDAY

Bowdoin 58 @ Trinity 69
Wesleyan 46 @ Bates 60
Colby 50 @ Amherst 84
Conn College 66 @ Tufts 85
Middlebury 65 @ Williams 75

My picks aren't exciting with all 9 home teams winning, but I will be interested to see how close my margins come. I am looking forward to watching the nation's leading shot blocker come to LeFrak on Saturday.

[ajsnc13]

the only possible upsets I see are the bowdoin games.  Bowdoin played amherst tight twice last year and if they win that game then who knows the momentum that they could carry in against trinity. 

[GinoFelino]

Don't sleep on big RC at the herst, i'm feeling a big weekend out of him. boo-man seems to be on the verge of living up to that pre-season hype...and casnocha...well, he's just not that good. This is the time of year where Amherst usually seems to really get it going and turn the potential to being great into league tournament and postseason W's. '06 Mets - Catch the Fever!

[rufus]

walzy - I think that you are correct with the "W's", but I raised an eyebrow over the scores.  I think that the Bates, Trinity and Tufts Friday games will be closer.

I smell an upset this weekend - I hope it is not in Lewiston!

[formerbant10]

Rufus, going on recent history the Trinity Colby game will be very close.  The last 3 meetings between the two have seen a tip in buzzer beater win for Trin @ Colby; an OT win for Trin @ Trin; and an OT win for Trin @ Colby last year. 

Great matchup between Drew "Treyball" Cohen and Tyler Rhoten.  But the guard play of the Bants seems to be better than the Mules.  I don't know if this game will be as close as the last 3, but it won't be a blow out either.

Walzy, your picks look pretty good.  This week does seem a little boring with most of the better teams having a home weekend.  I'd have to agree with you on them all.

[GinoFelino]

Don't know how this is going to play out, but Keith Zalaski has been said to have had a few "dominant practices" this week. This quirky southpaw, with little to no speed and sub-par ballhandling ability, may not look like much...but seems poised for an Ali-like performance this weekend. He's been quoted as daring teammates at practice to "come ge 'sum!" Bowdoin and Colby, look out! Ballz is on his game.

[Red1]

Conn's two starters were back today in Lewiston, but it still wasn't enough for the camels as they fell to the Bates College Bobcats 72-58 in Lewiston, ME this evening.  It was a close first half with the Bobcats taking  a much to narrow 5 point margin to the locker room.  The game stayed pretty close until Bates pulled away with about 5 minutes left in the game and never looked back.  Bates looks to remain in the top spot in Nescac, along with the Bantams of Trinity (Conn), with a win tomorrow over Wesleyan.  Go Bobcats!  Also, Congratulation to Rob Stockwell on surpassing the 1000 point mark for his career!!!

Cheers,
Red1

[walzy31]

FRIDAY previous predictions

Bowdoin 64 @ Amherst 78   Predicted Margin 14...Actual 14 (PERFECT)
Conn 57 @ Bates 74            Predicted Margin 17...Actual 14 (One Hoop)
Wesleyan 62 @ Tufts 73      Predicted Margin 11...Actual 25 (Way off - bad hunch)
Colby 47 @ Trinity 71           Predicted Margin 24...Actual 20 (2 Hoops)

4 for 4 with 3 of the 4 pretty much on the money. Learned a lesson not to think Wesleyan will outperform.

In the Amherst Bowdoin game:

Kyle Petrie is a great talent. Very tough to guard. Hits open shots. Racked up 21 against Amherst tonight. Wheeler's 80% on threes tonight was killing the PBears. Amherst had two 30 second stretches of the game that rank in my top five moments of the past 4 years.
To start the game the Jeffs were up 7-0 40 seconds into the game...time out Bowdoin.
But to top that, Olson threw an alley-oop to Coulibaly that was the best dunk I have seen since Corrigan to Fitzsimons for Fitzy's 1000 point. And on Bowdoin's next possession, they get a pass intercepted by McLaughlin, who takes it down the court and throws down as well. Two dunks that were much appreciated by the fairly crowded Amherst gym.
Olson also had a dirty no look bounce pass of 40 feet to Cas in the 2nd half.

Those Bowdoin boys have quite a temper...I expect some T's being dished out down in the Heartbeat tomorrow. Go Bowdoin though.

[paulie]

Wesleyan looked like the worst NESCAC team in years at Tufts last night. I'll be surprised if the margin at Bates today is less than 30.

[Red1]

Last year, almost to the day(1/29/05), Wesleyan met Bates (albeit in Middletown) after having played horribly for several games in a row.   Weslyan won that game 54-52.  It's very important that Bates not take this game lightly even if they should win with relative ease.

Cheers,
Red1

[walzy31]

The front page of d3hoops is hating on the NESCAC scheduling... boo

[formerbant10]

Every year there is always some mentioning of how the NESCAC only play each other one time.  It's getting a little old.  Anyone who follows the NESCAC knows this and also knows that it's not going to change anytime soon.  And why should it change if it gives the conference a distinct advantage over the others in regards to at large bids in the NCAA tournament.  Maybe the other conferences shouuld take a lesson from the NESCAC and not the other way around.

Walzy, great job with the predictions.