MBB: NESCAC

[senatorfrost]

 I pretty much agree with ephoops. I have heard that Amherst, Williams and probably most of the other nine give out a lot of aid. On the other hand a couple of years ago I heard that Washington and Lee gives out very little, or at least far less than even the stingiest NESCAC school.
  I think I read something about it, that W+L had chosen to go the way of little aid. Anyway that was  a while ago.

[frank uible]

I'm waiting for evidence.

[ephoops]

Evidence will take time.

Williams announced its no loan program in November 2007 -- too late for the early decision pool of applicants for high school seniors graduating this past spring (early decision has become an important factor with athletes at the upper end D3 and Ivies) -- but it was public for those students applying non early decision.  It will take a few years to see the impact on recruiting for the no loan program.  I do know that it had an impact on one basketball recruit for Williams this spring.

[fpc85]

socioeconomically( is that one word?) speaking, it is a great way t increase diversity w/in a school. btw, we chose amherst anyway but it would have certainly made the decision in my house easier.

[ralamar]

I'd like to hear your predictions for this year.
How do you see the teams finishing?
Who will win:
MVP
Newcomer of the year
First and Second Team All NESCAC
which freshman will have the biggest impacts?

[fpc85]

amherst- still the best
baskaukas
An amherst freshmen- sounds like a talented bunch

geohegan- will
baskauskas-AC
Choice-Colby
Pierce- Tufts
smith- Midd
hasuik-trin
Ellis-bates
Rudin-will
Wes- Grayson
Cutrone-Colby

amherst freshmen

[formerbant10]

Hasiuk graduated last year.....I highly doubt he will be on the floor for the Bants this year.  I'd slide Paul Rowe in his spot.

[fpc85]

Thanks.

[nescac1]

Agree on top players.  First teams pre-season looks pretty solid with Baskauskas, Geoghegan, Choice, Pierce, Bernier, second team, Wheeler, Jackson, Smith, Rudin, Ellis, possible breakthrough / honorable mention, Cutrone, Schultz, Whittington, Meehan, Rowe, Beyel.   

DPY: (1) Westbrooks  (2) Edwards (Middlebury) not sure anyone else warrants a mention here. 

Impact rookies: (1) Abdo, Trinity  (2) Waller, Amherst  (3) Yanulis / Pike, Trinity  (4) O'Connell, Bowdoin  (5) Wells/Wang/Emerson, Williams (hard to say with new coach, but for sure one and possible two of those three could crack rotation -- of the three point guards Paulsen recruited, two are matriculating -- one decided to go D-I instead once Paulsen left -- and there is a very good chance one of the remaining two could be the starter), (6) one of Zaitz/Prowitt/Holmes from Amherst. 

Very, very hard to predict pre-season favorites.  Middlebury (most returning talent) and Amherst likely the top contenders, followed by Williams, Trinity (great frosh / sophomore classes, but very inexperienced), Bowdoin (lost a lot from last season), Bates, and Colby (likely most improved team in the conference) all closely bunched  fighting for a third NCAA spot.  Tufts, Conn, and Wesleyan should bring up the rear ...

[ephoops]

NESCAC1:

You said:

"of the three point guards Paulsen recruited, two are matriculating -- one decided to go D-I instead once Paulsen left"

Which recruit decided not to attend Williams?

[nescac1]

Delaney will not be at Williams. 

[eclinchy]

Agree on top players.  First teams pre-season looks pretty solid with Baskauskas, Geoghegan, Choice, Pierce, Bernier, second team, Wheeler, Jackson, Smith, Rudin, Ellis, possible breakthrough / honorable mention, Cutrone, Schultz, Whittington, Meehan, Rowe, Beyel.   

DPY: (1) Westbrooks  (2) Edwards (Middlebury) not sure anyone else warrants a mention here.

Excellent list. I agree with every single one of your top 10 -- the only thing I'd change is the order. The two Midd guys should be higher (you named Smith eighth?  he's more like second or third), and I think Pierce is a solid POY favorite, not a No. 4.  I love Beyel, but I still think that with Weitzen/O'Keefe/Black gone, you could see Pierce dropping 25 a night. He's going to be an absolute monster.

DPOY, Westbrooks is a clear favorite.  But Smith and Geoghegan are both solid defensive big men, so they both have a shot.

As far as freshmen go, I haven't seen them play, but if it's a question of who has the biggest impact, I'd lean toward Wells if he gets the starting job right off the bat. Plenty of people have pointed out that Crotty and Shalvoy are the only two starting PGs Paulsen ever had... Williams obviously expects big things from its point guards.

I disagree that Amherst is the early favorite... not until those young guys prove it.  Gotta go with the best pair of seniors in the league -- it's Middlebury's No. 1 spot to lose.

[ephoops]

NESCAC1:

Where is Deaney going?  Does he have a scholarship at the D-1 school or does he plan to walk on?

[nescac1]

I heard Delaney is going to Lafayette, I assume as a walk-on. 

And I should mention, those lists of players were in no particular order ... I think Smith will have a big year but Middlebury is very balanced, and I imagine not only Pierce but also the rest of the top five will have HUGE statistical years, based on last year's stats, expected normal improvement, and who those teams graduated ...

[toad22]

I heard today from a very well-place Amherst official that the feeling is that the incoming class may be the best one they have ever admitted. Time will till, but that is scary given the talent in past classes.