MBB: NESCAC

[frank uible]

One does not sharpen one's skills by beating up on drunks and old men.

[ephoops]

Frank:

Are you referring to Wiliams' trip to Italy or Amherst's trip to the West Coast in December to play Cal Tech and Pomona?   

[walzy31]

A few points worth mentioning regarding the Amherst schedule:

It is highly probable that Amherst ends up facing Pomona and Occidental on their trip to LA rather than Pomona and Cal Tech (although I would love to see them play Cal Tech).

The beginning of the season appears easier than the end, but don't forget that Curry and Lassell were NCAA teams last year, and that Lasell smoked Williams by 20 two seasons ago. Anything can happen.

The Brandeis game is usually played before break, but this game is always difficult to lock up due to both schools having late starts and short first semesters. Amherst was probably faced with the decision of playing the Judges, at Deis, in the midst of a conference road trip section of the schedule, or dropping them completely.
Keeping them was a good move, even if the outcome is the same as last season's matchup.

[frank uible]

But CalTech's mean SAT score  for its student body and most probably for its basketball team are light years ahead of those of any NESCAC college.

[formerbant10]

Those west coast games are not easy.  Pomona has been good, as has Occidental.  Cal Tech has smart players.  From what I hear.

[eclinchy]

Pomona is a solid team and a perennial contender to make NCAAs. Cal Tech, on the other hand... you could write a book about how awful they are.

Or, gee, I dunno... maybe a movie.

[emoryeagle]

Looks to me like Brandeis will be the team to beat in the northeast next year, with the Jeffs depleted and Hollins and Deluca coming back. Anyone else in the NESCAC really pose a threat to the Judges? How would you rank the NESCAC teams this year?

[ephoops]

It appears that Williams had a successful trip in Italy.  They finished 3-1, with the only loss coming to an A League pro team.  Geoghegan sprained an ankle in the loss -- hopefully it's not serious and he'll be good to go when preseason practice starts.

It's also interesting to note that junior Alex Rubin had a breakout game in the Ephs 96-95 victory over a B League team, scoring 23 points on 7-9 shooting.

[nescac1]

Emory Eagle, Brandeis also lost quite a bit, especially at the guard positions.  But as you note Deluca if healthy would be a huge addition.  Assuming no one left the program (this happens at times at RIC), RIC will be right there to challenge Brandeis for the pre-season favorite role -- they had no seniors last year, tons of new players, the rotation was constantly changing, yet they still made a lot of noise.  Very veteran squad, deepest and most athletic team in the northeast, although no true go-to guy.  MIT could also be a dark horse to watch, the best player in the region (Bartolotta) and also the biggest front-line in the region with a 6'10 frosh added to two 6'8 seniors.  Some other usual suspects, like Keene, Coast Guard, WPI, lost a heck of a lot to graduation. 

NESCAC looks a little down next year after graduating a stellar group of seniors.  Amherst will always be a final four threat -- supposedly they are bringing in their best ever group of frosh, so they should reload rather than rebuild -- but without Olson and the senior bigs it would be very surprising if they are quite as imposing.  Middlebury will be the co pre-season favorite, they bring most of the key parts back from a very deep and talented NCAA team.  Best group of seniors in NESCAC.  Williams could be a dark horse -- Geoghegan if healthy could be a dominant force, Schultz, Snyder, and Rubin provide shooters with great size on the wings, and they have tons of options at the four -- all they need is one or two from the group of Whittington / Meyer / Dodson / Timmins / Emerson to emerge.  If they adjust quickly to the new system and figure out the point guard situation, they could challenge for a top two spot in the conference.  Trinity is the big question mark: they lose their top three scorers, but bring in a ridiculous recruiting class, three of the top recruits in the region including one D-I transfer.  Finally, Colby, though undersized, could surprise led by Choice, one of the best players in the region, and a very experienced backcourt.  Bowdoin, last year's cinderella, may take a step back after losing its top three players. 

[hoya73]

Nice article about the Amherst boys--not ready to join the workforce yet but off the payroll, right FPC?


https://www.amherst.edu/athletics/teams/winter/basketball-m/articles/2008-09/0826_professional

[fpc85]

You talk to my mom and she would say I am still on the payroll  . Obviously the '08 class will have a special place in my heart. The guys are doing well and having a lot of fun. It is a great experience for them.  I am still gonna get up to Amhert to watch the Jeffs get it done this year. It should be a fun season.

[emoryeagle]

Thanks Nescac1, that was a really good post. I didn't realize that there were often challengers to the northeast crown outside of the NESCAC and Brandeis. Sounds like it should be an interesting year in the 'CAC.

[ephoops]

It's only a matter of time for Williams to add Daniel Webster to it ooc schedule.  It will be a mini-Dartmouth reunion for Maker and Faucher.

http://www.d3hoops.com/

[frank uible]

A looong time.

[ephoops]

Any reports regarding on-campus pick up games now that school has started? 

How do the freshmen at Amherst and Trin look? What about Williams?