MBB: NESCAC

[BullShark09]

In the lull between posts, its a perfect time to jump in the fray as a first time poster after reading the board for so long.  I figure that now that Wesleyan is on the road to recovery they could use some representation.  Any news from around the league about first practices?

Wesleyan's official roster is up (http://www.wesleyan.edu/athletics/mbasketball/mbbroster0910.html), no surprises there with a bumper crop of freshmen.  I think it will be interesting to see how Wes' run and gun will fit in to the league, as they brought in a ton of talent, but really didn't bring in much height.  I feel like the lack of size won't be punished as much as in past years, with only Midd, Bowdoin, Williams and Amherst (and maybe Trinity) having real impact bigs, and only Williams having significant (experienced) depth at the 4 and 5.

[amh63]

nice to see a Wes poster joining the fun!  As a newbie myself, welcome aboard.   Many schools have not even posted their rosters yet; do not think they will until mid-Nov.   There is an interesting thought to consider if the Amherst men's soccer team is not invited to the post-season games on this coming Monday.
Before the start of school there was noted on this board about a talented Ct. BB player named Noon coming to Amherst.  More astute observers pointed out that he would be playing soccer at Amherst.  There was some discussion that he may play BB also, etc.  Mr. Noon is a very talented soccer player and for awhile led the team in goals, etc.  If Amherst is not invited to the NCAA as an at large team, the Amherst BB team, in Mr. Noon, may have a talented guard (6'2") competing for a spot.

[speedy]

Bowdoin roster up. Three interesting new bigs - one a German kid, who has been living in New Jersey and who is 6-10.

[muletrain]

I am a die hard Colby basketball fan and think that they could be the surprise team in the league. Last year the mules lost three games in the league with one of them being to a Trinity team which they were better than. Colby also beat Amherst and Rhode Island College.

This years team should be in the conversation for top 3 team in the league. They have potential POY in Choice and another all league caliber big in Russell. they also have a really good core of experienced players in Sherman, Haylon, Van Loenen, Woodward, Donovan all of which can play solid defense and make shots.

I haven't heard much about Colby on this board. Other than Williams is there a team in the leauge which is more talented?

[BankShotCharlie]

FYI,

With the 14th pick in the 7th round of the NBA dleague draft the Springfield Armor select from Amherst College, Brandon Jones!!!

[ac08]

Bowdoin roster up. Three interesting new bigs - one a German kid, who has been living in New Jersey and who is 6-10.

He's an athletic big, too. 

[nescac1]

The kid from Oregon sounds like he could be a sleeper too, sounds like a bit of a late bloomer.  But as Locke at Midd shows, a 6'10 guy in NESCAC with any kind of skill can be a really potent force, especially at the defensive end. 

Bowdoin may really surprise some people -- they are always well-coached, have one of the best centers in the conference in Phillips, two steady, experienced point guards to lead the show, two guys who are going to have break-out sophomore years in O'Connell and Hanley, and now a lot of serious depth up front to boot.  I think that there are six legit possible NCAA teams in NESCAC this year, and even the teams that probably aren't (Bates, Conn, Tufts, Wesleyan) will all end up at or above .500 overall.  Wesleyan should be especially fun to watch, but due to a lack of size, strength, and experience, will probably have to wait another year, at least, to contend.  There is serious depth in the conference this year ... anything can happen in any league game. 

[walzy31]

nice to see a Wes poster joining the fun!  As a newbie myself, welcome aboard.   Many schools have not even posted their rosters yet; do not think they will until mid-Nov.   There is an interesting thought to consider if the Amherst men's soccer team is not invited to the post-season games on this coming Monday.
Before the start of school there was noted on this board about a talented Ct. BB player named Noon coming to Amherst.  More astute observers pointed out that he would be playing soccer at Amherst.  There was some discussion that he may play BB also, etc.  Mr. Noon is a very talented soccer player and for awhile led the team in goals, etc.  If Amherst is not invited to the NCAA as an at large team, the Amherst BB team, in Mr. Noon, may have a talented guard (6'2") competing for a spot.

Noon is 3rd in NESCAC in Points (21) and tied for 2nd in Goals (8, which leads Amherst). Clearly a soccer player first, basketball player second.

I think regardless of the soccer team's post season fate (cross your fingers for no upsets this weekend) that Coach Hixon will want to keep an athlete like that in the program (assuming he shoot, dribble and pass). Franklin Perry '04 was an All-American soccer player who played on the basketball team for four years so it can be done.

[fpc85]

Bowdoin roster up. Three interesting new bigs - one a German kid, who has been living in New Jersey and who is 6-10.

I know the german kid well he playe din the same conf. I coach in.

[ephoops]

Bowdoin roster up. Three interesting new bigs - one a German kid, who has been living in New Jersey and who is 6-10.

I know the german kid well he playe din the same conf. I coach in.

Can he play?  How about a scouting report...

[fpc85]

Max is a tall, thin player who runs the floor well. He like to post and shoot a turn around jumper, he has showed some 3 pt range, defensively he has good timing and should be a decent shot blocker...his issues will be strength. he can be banged around.

[division3]

I don't know any of the players at Trinity, but I do know that freshman Cameron Sutton has a good chance of wreaking havoc as a freshman guard. he is a very talented quick, fast offensive guars and a lock down defender. keep your eyes open for him as being one of the better guards in the league as a rookie.

[BullShark09]

I am a die hard Colby basketball fan and think that they could be the surprise team in the league. Last year the mules lost three games in the league with one of them being to a Trinity team which they were better than. Colby also beat Amherst and Rhode Island College.

This years team should be in the conversation for top 3 team in the league. They have potential POY in Choice and another all league caliber big in Russell. they also have a really good core of experienced players in Sherman, Haylon, Van Loenen, Woodward, Donovan all of which can play solid defense and make shots.

I haven't heard much about Colby on this board. Other than Williams is there a team in the leauge which is more talented?

In terms of Colby's success last year, they also did lose to a mediocre and undersized Bates team (and lost 5 games against NESCAC teams).  I see Colby more as a potential Tufts of 2006-07.  Having a singular big scorer hasn't necessarily led to success in NESCAC recently, its been the more complete teams and I don't think the Colby supporting cast is as good as you make it out to be.  They don't have enough at the PG position to be in the creme of the crop of the league.  Olson, Rudin and even Cutrone were the engines that kept their teams going, and Colby just doesn't have one this year in Sherman (he can score enough, but his a/t ratio last year was .7).

That being said, anything can happen this year in the CAC, Whitmore knows how to get the most out of his guys and Choice can certainly put the ball in the basket (I'll be interested to see Walzy's over unders on Choice and Pierce scoring when they go head to head).

[lefrakenstein]

Just over a week until the season starts, does anyone have any info on how the new freshman look or other info from pre-season practices?

[muletrain]

Colby beat a semi-pro team class act tonight by 20 points. This team had multiple former DI players as well as a player recently drafted by the NBDL. Although this team was not as disciplined as Colby, the size of the win was pretty impressive. The most encouraging sign was that the offense was extremely balanced with Choice, Russell, Sherman, and Haylon all scoring in double figures. It was also nice to see Van Loenen run the show extremely well.