MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

As for Wheaton, they managed to finish above .500 while starting 3-4 (very highly regarded) frosh and with lots of other very young players, and their big star was also a frosh (and arguably the top frosh in the entire region).  With basically everyone back, and considering that players tend to make a huge leap from frosh to sophomore years, they will certainly improve tremendously, the only question is how much.  Lots of other teams ahead of them in the standings (Springfield, Babson, Coast Guard, WPI) lost a lot of senior firepower, so I think if the frosh only make the average improvements you'd expect, they could do really well.

As for MIT, they add a big-time 6'10 recruit to what was already the biggest by far front-line in the conference, and they return by far the best player in the conference (and probably the region) in Bartolotta, who was hurt for most of the games they lost.   

I don't know much about Clark but I will defer to you, it sounds like they have a strong nucleus returning as well. 

[nescac1]

A few former Ephs in the news (first two, Mike Crotty, third Casey Gibbons):

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/06/the_signs_and_t.html

http://www.advocateweekly.com/ci_9692988

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2008/06/25/sports/3345936.txt

[nescac1]

Update on Williams coaching search:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/localsports/ci_9761532

We can eliminate a few names discussed, including Flockerzi and anyone else who has ever coached in NESCAC:

While Sheehy would not disclose names, he did say that none of the three finalists bring NESCAC conference experience to the table. One candidate has "very good" Division III experience and the other two have some Ivy League pedigree on their resumes.

[frank uible]

No surprises so far.

[walzy31]

Update on Williams coaching search:

We can eliminate a few names discussed, including Flockerzi and anyone else who has ever coached in NESCAC:

It would have even been more impressive had Flockerzi been named a finalist considering the fact that he didn't apply for the position.

[nescac1]

Hey, I have no clue whatsoever who did or didn't apply, just he was one name that a few people had thrown out.  Whoever it is, it sounds like it is likely to be someone who has not been specifically contemplated by anyone on this board ... hopefully the dude can hit the ground running because the D-III prospect camp season is already in full swing, and I hear the Ephs may have a trip to Italy scheduled, which hopefully will still be happening despite the coaching change ...

[gordonmann]

Incidentally (and it is very incidental), the selection committee includes Williams men's squash coach Zafi Levy.  Zafrir (as I knew him) and I were in the same political science class during his time at Trinity. 

It's a small world, at least when it comes to NESCAC athletics.  Though not so small that the Eph's next coach will come from the conference's ranks.

[formerbant10]

There may be some type of connection to the 'CAC, if not as direct as one would think. 

I hope that Poli Sci class was taught by the legendary Clyde McKee.

[nescac1]

Williams makes its hire:

http://williams.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2008-09/news/0708_Mike_Maker_named_head_coach_of_the_Ephs

Interesting choice.  No head coaching experience but big-time D-I assistant positions, sounds like a great hire.  He has apprenticed under some of the best -- the Beilin W.V.U. teams were among my favorite of all time to watch, and Creighton's success speaks for itself. 

[frank uible]

Did Maker apply for the Bucknell job? If so, who rejected whom and why? The public probably will never know.

[gordonmann]

FormerBant:

Ha, no Professor McKie didn't teach that class but I did have him.  In fact, his class on American National Government helped shape my eventual full-time career path.

[nescac1]

A few more links on Maker:

He is apparently a "people person" who is well versed in several variants of the "Princeton offense" (which basically involves having a lot of good shooters on the floor to spread the floor, with lots of motion, precise passes and back door cuts to penalize an over aggressive defense):

http://biggreenalertblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/princeton-basketball-stunner.html

What is interesting is what he will do with this group of Ephs -- many of the past rosters would be perfect for this offense, but Williams has a large group of talented post players returning who are not really outside shooters, but few proven pure shooters on the roster. 

He was a finalist last year for the Princeton head coaching opening:

http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2007/04/18/news/18136.shtml

as someone who spent many years as recruiting coordinator at Dartmouth, he will be looking to a very similar pool of players when attempting to lure recruits to Williamstown.   Sounds like a good fit. 

[speedy]

Looks like a superb hire for Williams. I don't know much about Creighton but saw WVU quite a few times in Big East play when Beilien was the coach and Maker one of his assistants. The WVU offense under Beilien was a sophisticated variation on the Princeton offense with lots of motion and big men popping out for the three - it was a fun team to watch. So he should be a great x's and o's guy and a good teacher (the Princeton's tough to teach) plus he no doubt has a tremendous recruiting background due to the 11 years at Dartmouth  . . 

[Pat Coleman]

Sounds like the Italy trip, and the practices that go with it, are going to be a great benefit for getting that offense installed, then.

[feces monkey]

http://williams.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/index

This guy's CV makes Paulsen look like a savant. At least Riley will have a leg up on somebody...