MBB: NESCAC

[frank uible]

Maybe Maker can find tuba players who also can bounce basketballs.

[fpc85]

At Williams an applicant who plays extremely well a musical instrument for which there exists a need in the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra receives a bump at the Admission Office if needed.

Paulsen's still upset that Nesbitt accepted the tuba player and wouldn't even give Olsen's application a sniff when he wanted to apply early after Crotty graduated... 

Williams missed out on Olson..they never considered him...i don't think Paulsen knew about him.

[ephoops]

At Williams an applicant who plays extremely well a musical instrument for which there exists a need in the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra receives a bump at the Admission Office if needed.

Paulsen's still upset that Nesbitt accepted the tuba player and wouldn't even give Olsen's application a sniff when he wanted to apply early after Crotty graduated... 

Williams missed out on Olson..they never considered him...i don't think Paulsen knew about him.

Trust me...Paulsen was very familiar with Olsen...There was a Williams connection at his school in San Diego...

[fpc85]

If that's true then I am surprised he didn't extend an invitation for Andrew to attend Williams...maybe because Shalvoy was an early admit?

[ephoops]

If that's true then I am surprised he didn't extend an invitation for Andrew to attend Williams...maybe because Shalvoy was an early admit?

It wasn't Paulsen's call to admit him...

[Rick Vaughn]

Good what if for ya...If Shalvoy and Olson had switched places for the last four years, would Williams have dominated Amherst eight of the last nine games?

[nescac1]

First, I really, really hate public discussions of admissions decisions on individual players, no one here is ever fully informed, and even if we were, I just feel like it's inappropriate especially at the D-III level.

That being said, Williams would not have dominated Amherst, although the record might have been a little closer.  Shalvoy was hardly the problem for Williams during that stretch, in fact the NESCAC championship was pretty much a result of his play in the 2007 tournament.  Olson is obviously a unique talent who would help any team, but the real difference was in terms of post players -- from the classes of 2005-2009, Williams had exactly one interior offensive force of note (Andrew Newton) and a severe knee injury really derailed his career.  During the same stretch, Amherst had a large group of very effective 4's and 5's.  Shalvoy would have been a fine point guard to lead that group, even if not an all-american like Olson.  Now Williams has as strong and deep a group of bigs on the roster as Amherst does; if they get healthy, I expect the games over the next two years to be far more competitive. 

[topoftheworld]

nescac1

while amherst has has better post play than williams for sure, i wouldn't say that was the difference.  we quickly forget how great of an offensive player chris rose was for williams up until his last year.  williams certainly wasn't dominated by amherst throughout the past 4 years, mostly playing close games with williams winning a few big ones especially one big one at lefrak.  shalvoy was an extremely talented player, as was olsen.  with a chris rose that played to his normal standards, williams could have been a force again last year.

the difference with amherst is certainly their depth and size.  amherst has guys coming off the bench with similar size and skill to most of their starters.  when you bring goldsmith off the bench to replace hopkins there isn't much of a drop off (i think they improved) at probably the weakest position in d3 basketball. 

anyway bottom line i don't think exchanging olsen for shalvoy would have made too much of a difference.  both extremely talented pgs, olsen just had the better team.

[frank uible]

What would have happened if Ditka had been in the conference?

[ephoops]

First, I really, really hate public discussions of admissions decisions on individual players, no one here is ever fully informed, and even if we were, I just feel like it's inappropriate especially at the D-III level.

NESCAC1:

You're right...mea culpa...

[ephoops]

What would have happened if Ditka had been in the conference?

Ditka...helluva rebounder...not much of an outside shot beyond 10 feet...couldn't go to his left...It would have been fun to see him match up with Weitzen...

[lefrakenstein]

williams certainly wasn't dominated by amherst throughout the past 4 years, mostly playing close games with williams winning a few big ones especially one big one at lefrak. 

I'm sorry? A few big ones? Williams is 1-8 over the last 4 years against Amherst, with the one win coming by a margin of one point. Admittedly it was a big game, but I think it's pretty accurate to say that Amherst has dominated the rivalry for the last four years.

[topoftheworld]

yea, i must admit i didn't check the records on that one.

[fpc85]

First, I really, really hate public discussions of admissions decisions on individual players, no one here is ever fully informed, and even if we were, I just feel like it's inappropriate especially at the D-III level.

NESCAC1:

You're right...mea culpa...

I agree...it started as a recruitment comment and evolved in a direction that we shouldn't go.

[walzy31]

I agree with the National Rankings from a NE perspective. Amherst will ascend into the top 5 after they start 14-0.

I also agree that Deis should be pre-season ranked higher than the Jeffs.

Over/Under on the combined 3pt fg% for Amherst's senior class for the 08/09 season: 44.5%
Baskauskas (.483 career)
Bradley (.516 career)
Holsey (0-2 career)
Kaplan (.385 career)
Wong (.205 career)

With the lack of contests to discuss, I would like to update all on the progress of the above prop bet through the first 7 games of the season:
Baskauskas (.519 14-27)
Bradley (.400 6-15)
Holsey (n/a)
Kaplan (.000 0-1)
Wong (.625 10-16)

Cumulative 30-59 50.8%
I'll go out on a limb and predict that this percentage increases after the Cal Tech game on 12/31...

Amherst -47.5 @ Cal Tech