MBB: NESCAC

Old Guy · February 11, 2009, 08:46:00 PM

"Porter is deserving of at least Co-ROY with Mendell" (CCsalive). Along with Sharry from Middlebury, right?

Williams-Amherst Friday night? Pretty quiet here. Used-to-be lots of "comparative analysis."

eclinchy · February 12, 2009, 12:19:12 AM

Quote from: topoftheworld on February 11, 2009, 01:55:34 PMeclinchy - would you say tufts lack of success is more to due with galvins injury, the strength of the team in general, or a little of both? galvin got hurt in the first tufts conference game, and they've been 2-8 since. With Galvin they were 7-6 but they only had 2 wins against teams that now are above .500. They only had 2 wins against teams above .500 teams all season and they were west conn and cal lutheran. So I wonder if losing Galvin really was the difference and I wanted the information from a tufts source.

Definitely a little of both.

Losing Galvin hurt in the sense that he's a really smart passer -- he made great decisions with the ball, at least compared to the rest of his teammates. (There are ZERO Jumbos besides Galvin with an assist/turnover ratio above 1 this season.) He also didn't take bad shots -- with Galvin on the floor, they made the extra pass when they needed to rather than putting up an ill-advised jumper. Quezada, on the other hand, was 1-for-11 this weekend... and it's not that he's a bad player (I actually think he's a really talented scorer, when he's on), but he didn't make the smartest decisions at times, and his bad shots killed them against Trinity. Galvin is definitely the better floor leader.

But the biggest problems were a) defense; and b) having more scoring threats not named Jon Pierce. Since Galvin himself isn't much of a scorer and isn't anything special defensively, it seems like Tufts had problems beyond just Galvin.

CCsalive · February 12, 2009, 09:53:26 AM

Gentleman and Ladies:

It's Thursday and we're one win away from the NESCAC finale. Only me and the Old Guy give a sh*t. Have any of you ever read the Sports Illustrated NESCAC article from way back when? I think it arrived when I was in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade and it sealed my fate. Every one of these schools is special. I've spent a good amount of time on every NESCAC campus except for the Maine schools. I truly wish I could travel to every single one of Conn's NESCAC games.

I've never understood folks who so proudly endorse the Red Sox, or the Yankees (just as examples) when they could support (both in spirit and in merchandise or philanthropy) the teams of their town, their alma mater, or even their local bar. I've been to all kinds of professional sporting events and major college contests, and I'll watch the stuff on tv, read the papers, and I've even called WFAN to chat about the Knicks, but its the Connecticut College Camels that really light my fire.

I'm choosing to rant partly because no one else does. I cannot believe that Old Guy is the only Midd fan on this page. Is it really that Hockey Crazy up there? Can we get an update on the Amherst Five in Germany preferably NOT from one of them! What is their level of play? There's Pro Ball in Europe and then there's pro ball in Europe; just like there's D-III hoops and D-III hoops. You follow?

CCsalive · February 12, 2009, 09:54:07 AM

Sorry, I meant one day away, not one 'win' away.

dman · February 12, 2009, 11:04:44 AM

Quote from: Old Guy on February 11, 2009, 08:46:00 PM

Williams-Amherst Friday night? Pretty quiet here. Used-to-be lots of "comparative analysis."

i'm making the trip to amherst again, but i'm really not very optimistic. after the bowdoin loss, i feel this year's version of the ephs is flawed with or without big joe.....

ephoops · February 12, 2009, 11:17:13 AM

Quote from: dman on February 12, 2009, 11:04:44 AM
Quote from: Old Guy on February 11, 2009, 08:46:00 PM

Williams-Amherst Friday night? Pretty quiet here. Used-to-be lots of "comparative analysis."

i'm making the trip to amherst again, but i'm really not very optimistic. after the bowdoin loss, i feel this year's version of the ephs is flawed with or without big joe.....

I gotta agree with dman to some extent...

I think Joe G.'s injury took a little bit of the wind out of the Ephs sails.

The game at the 'Herst on Friday will be very tough. I'd love to see Maker get his first win in the rivary and win the Little Three in his first year.

The Ephs have a cahnce to get a win at Trinity oin Saturday. It will be senior day there and the 'Roost can be a tough place to play, especially when the students come out en masse and support the Bantams.

The Franchise · February 12, 2009, 11:57:18 AM

CCsalive, I appreciate the fiery posts, because it has encouraged me to speak up in support of my beloved alma mater. As an Old Guy disciple (literally) I too share his passion for Midd hoops. Unfortunately attempting to manage post-college life has limited my fandom to a preseason conversation with an assistant coach during homecoming and checking box scores throughout the season. Having said all that, I do have a few comments that may be able to provide some insight.

The impact that Ben Rudin has had on the basketball program (namely making it relevant in a school where hockey is king) can't be emphasized enough. The funny thing is that during his freshman year, the starting job fell into his lap. Some off the court issues left him as the only PG on the roster at the start of the season, so Midd didn't really have much of a choice but to play him. By the end of the year, he was the NESCAC ROY and developed into the emotional/vocal leader of the team. In my opinion, Rudin's early success had an even greater impact on the program as it gave Coach Brown more confidence in playing his talented young frosh over less talented seniors (which was one of my major criticisms of Brown to that point). Guys like Dudley, Smith, and Edwards have been able to develop into impact players, and we're seeing the same happen with Locke and hopefully Sharry.

As for this weekend, I think Midd will be as focused as ever. The '09 class was 1-8 in the league during their freshman year, so they know that it takes your best ball to win NESCAC games. This group of seniors started as the NESCAC doormat, but plan on leave with a winning legacy.

The only thing that worries me is end of game execution. In my years following Midd hoops, closing teams out has always been the team's Achilles heel. In so many years past, we've had just about everybody on the ropes only to become undone in the last 5 minutes. Hopefully things have changed. I'll be at Amherst to watch them play Saturday, in what is probably the most important Midd hoops game to date.

In keeping up with some NESCAC basketball alums, Charles Stone is playing basketball in Denmark (as is Evan Thompson, Midd class of '07). The level of competition out there varies from D1 college ball, to some of the worst D3 teams in the country (I've seen examples of both in person). But, at any rate, congrats to each of them for keeping their hoop dreams alive.

Bucket · February 12, 2009, 12:31:09 PM

I, too, an a Midd guy, but more of a lurker than poster--evidenced by this, my inaugural post.

formerbant10 · February 12, 2009, 01:27:48 PM

To check on the Amherst guys and other Euro players, go to eurobasket.com they have the rosters of pretty much every team in every league you could think of.

CCsalive · February 12, 2009, 02:53:51 PM

I feel like our special little group has made a breakthrough!
The Franchise-Thank You(!) for your awesome post. I was at the CC vs Midd game Rudin's frosh year when Conn escaped with a last second victory. So, I can appreciate both Rudin and Midd's rise, though I haven't see them since. I've previously cited Rudin's "motor." It was evident to me on that night that the kid was a great PG. Ironically, I live in Westchester, but missed his high school career because I was in New London.
Does Amherst's Scarsdale grad see any playing time?
Bucket, stop lurking and start talking. A big part of this page is trying to stick-it to all the Ephs and Jeffs, not just for the their pathetic nicknames, but also because they win all the f-ing time.
FormerBant- Quality...you grow finer with age...how's your J? Let's play some ball some time...I'll show you my Hamilton JV skills!

Bucket · February 12, 2009, 03:32:57 PM

Ok, I'll try to be more of a posting presence, though I'm probably the rare Midd guy who won't be needling the Ephs--Coach Maker is a good friend of mine.

Can't stress enough how much fun it has been to watch the Panthers evolve the past couple of years, and this year, well, they're having one of those dream seasons where all the pieces have fallen into place.

And I echo CCs sentiments about how special DIII athletics can be. In my mind, it all comes back to the kids. My little boy, age 2, runs around the house dribbling a ball and calling himself Ben Rudin; if he doesn't want to eat his vegetables at dinner, all my wife and I have to say is that Ben eats all his vegetables and boom, down the hatch they go. And my boy idolizes Ben Rudin not because Rudin is the best player on the court (though you should see my kid's eyes light up every time #24 hits a shot) but because after each game, Rudin--and other Panthers--take the time to hang out and get to know the kids who are among their most vocal supporters.

eclinchy · February 12, 2009, 03:50:49 PM

Wow. Best post ever. +k

walzy31 · February 13, 2009, 01:38:13 AM

Agree except for the part about a Middlebury fan who likes Williams. That made me vomit in my mouth a little bit.

Bucket · February 13, 2009, 09:35:25 AM

Didn't say that I like Williams, I just don't want to badmouth my friend's team. A fine line, I know....

nescac1 · February 13, 2009, 09:42:02 AM

Bucket, any insights from Coach Maker on his decision to coach Williams in particular / in NESCAC in general?

As for tonight's game, certainly will be tough for the Ephs after already losing, with Joe G., to Amherst at home. To have any sort of chance, the Ephs have to find a way to rebound better than they have recently and certainly than they did against Amherst. I won't predict an overall outcome, but if Dodson, Whittingon, and Timmins can combine for at least 15 boards, the Ephs have a shot. If that happens AND Rubin, Schultz and Snyder can combine for at least 10 threes, I think the Ephs win. Otherwise ... could be rough. I think Maker needs to start running some of those Tom Izzo style boarding drills ...