MBB: NESCAC

[duffer]

Beyel needs to be taking 15-18 shots @ game. Last year he averaged 45-50% and only got about 25 min.@ game playing time while averaging 14ppg. Rolled his ankle in the first 2 min. of opening game and is still feeling the effects. Regarding Pierce not shooting, he is being double & triple teamed and Sheldon will have to figure a way out of that. Beyel will figure his stroke out and be a major contributor. Good point about the freshmen. Rest of the seniors are not producing (and really never have) so someone needs to step up.

[division3]

for tufts it does not seem like the future is bright. after this year they are left with a bunch of guys that can't create for themselves.their guards are not quick and have trouble defending, though one can run the point okay and the other is fairly good at catch and shoot. hopefully sheldon has something up his sleeve for next year or times will get tougher for him.

[speedy]

... Next up for the Mules is UNE, a team that Colby struggled with last year but with a week to prepare for the home game, the Mules are in good shape. . . .

Bowdoin didn't have any real trouble last night with UNE due in part to an overwhelming size advantage. But UNE did hang around until fairly late in the game and I did see that UNE upset the nationally ranked UMass-Dartmouth team in the past week. UNE uses an aggressive trap (that Bowdoin was eventually able to crack rather easily) and does a lot of long-range shooting.

[tuftsalumni]

Huge nerd, I am guessing it has to do with the fact that (a) Tufts has three starters who can't get their own shot (one is a three point specialist, one is a pass-first PG, the other a defensive and rebounding minded center) and (b) any coach is gonna probably double Pierce whenever possible.  So that leaves a lot of responsibility to Beyel. 


Nescac1 - Very well put about the 5 Jumbo starters. Which is why I am perplexed Sheldonator doesn't draw up more plays for a guy like Dan Cook. The kid can flat out shoot from what i remember. instill some confidence in him and tell him to take at least 8 shots a game because he is going to get a chance to do that with the way teams are doubling Piercey. DAN COOK SHOOT THE BALL - are you going to wait until you have graduated and studying in Med School to shoot? SHOOT THE FRIGGEN 3 and don't stop until you have reached Dave Beyel status.

As for Tom Selby - Does anybody know why his minutes are so short these days? I looked at the box score and I thought it might be foul trouble but it wasn't..... anybody have the scoop?

What about Sam Mason, is the kid finally getting a chance to display his athletism or does confidence issues still plauge him?


Thanks Guys

[Old Guy]

I got my first look at the Panthers last night in a one-sided win against a lesser opponent.  I know not to generalize on the basis of a game like that but it's hard not be excited about this team.

The frontcoourt is unlike any I have ever seen here (and that's a long time). Sharry (6'8") is a year older, bigger, and more confident. His first bucket last night was a three - and he played most of the night on the block with his back to the hoop. Locke (6'10") played 17 minutes, blocked 4 shots and altered countless others. He's bigger, filling out. Davis (6'5") is a nice all-round player, agile, quick, a good rebounder, and Wholey (6'4") is a versatile scorer ready to break out this year. The highlight of the night was a hard dunk by Bill Greven, a 6'5" bulky (230 lbs) football player who's a good athlete and will get his minutes in a reserve role. They all love to play defense. This a very talented group.

It was fun to see the three frosh guards: Thompson is a lithe 6'3" defender with a nice jumper; Alvarez also plays the two and is a scorer, and Wolfin runs the offense, made some nice long passes on the break, and showed a quick release on the three. Again, the quality of the opposition demands a measured response, but they're getting minutes in game-time.

Two more in-state teams in the next week, then Union, St, Lawrence, and RPI before the holiday break - they will provide a test.  Hamilton and Plattsburgh the week we get back from the break.

[magicman]

In case there were any doubts, Wesleyan's frosh backcourt is obviously for real, combining for 26-4-3 with 3 steals in the first half.  Only a ridiculous half by Schultz (23 points on only 10 fga) and strong play from Whittington has given the Ephs a slim lead.   Transfer Kevin Scura (former Eph) hits a big three for Wesleyan.

In other NESCAC action, Eastern Conn knocks off its second straight NESCAC squad at home, in OT, in both games (Bowdoin and Trinity).  Wow. 

Damn I was typing up a summary as you posted.  Good analysis.

Might as well still post since I wrote it.

Halftime up in Williamstown, Cards down 52-46.  Bigs haven't had the huge impact i thought they would, beyond controlling the glass for Williams.  Its been all Shultz with 23 in the first half.  Geoghegan has been a non-factor, but Troy has 11 pts.

For Wes, the dynamic freshman duo is putting in work, with Shasha dropping 15 and Derick 11.  Kaminer is having a solid game, with 7pts.  I'm catching the livestats from a distance, so it's unknown as to who is getting worked by Shultz.  No doubt there will be big defensive changes by Coach Reilly at the half to slow him down.  The big difference right now for Wes has been their 17 pts off turnovers, looks like the quickness of the guards is getting to the Eph backcourt.

Looking forward to an exciting second half, I just wish Williams would spare some of their big endowment and not try to scam us out of $10 to listen to the audiocast.

I had the exact same thought last weekend when I went to the audio link for the Williams-Cortland St. game. First time I've ever had a D3 school (or any school for that matter) try and charge me a fee to listen to their broadcast. With a plethora of games on the air that night I just chose to listen to another one for free.

[duffer]

Well put Tuftsalumni. Cookie needs to shoot the ball. Jumbos definately need at least one more scorer they can count on. Sam Mason is working his butt off. He is a good defender and hustles all over the court. Look for him to get more time. As far as Selby is concerned, my feeling is that he has an awful lot on his plate during the off season...travels the world, a real free spirit. That doesn't leave much time for basketball or conditioning. He is out of shape and a non-factor right now.

[O-Boards10]

Tufts also needs to take care of the basketball better. They have only 26 assists and 54 turnovers.

Speaking of turnovers, Colby will need to take care of the ball against the aggressive trapping of UNE. Should be a good game. Against Bowdoin, UNE launched 41 threes only making 14. We'll see if Colby can force them into deep shots as well.

Bowdoin has looked good so far. They sit at 2-1 (and very well could be 3-0). What's been interesting has been their balance on offense. They have four players averaging double figures (Phillps, Hanley, Sellew, and O'Connell) which is impressive considering typically this is a team not known for its scoring.  If this continues, they will be a tough team to gameplan for.

[dman]

question of the day

should the head coach and staff be dressed in jacket and tie??

didn't care for the look that reilly from wes presented with dark slacks and polo/golf shirt.  looked like he was ready for a quick nine followed by beers....

[TheHerst2and4]

Good question. I've always thought jacket and tie was the way to go (although the jacket was lost immediately and the tie was inevitably loosened) I think some coaches can pull off the polo (Bobby Knight's signature polo with a sweater).
As long as they save the warm up suits for the AAU circuit they'll be alright.

And then there's  the Coach Huggins no color undershirt...

[nescac1]

Eastern Conn wins its THIRD OT game against NESCAC this year ... crazy. 

[nescac1]

Eph legend dies at age 101:

http://athletics.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2009-10/News/11-30_Former_Eph_Hoops_Coach_Al_Shaw_passes_away_at_age_101

[nescac1]

I believe that the Nets' current interim coach is the dad of Amherst's Taylor Barrise.  He is quoted in this article:

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-091129/nets-losing-streak-continues

[amh63]

nescac 1,
    T. Barrise's parents can see their son play at Amherst home games for free....just like all other player's parents/relatives. (your article cited appears to be incorrect.)
    Speaking of influence, the William's participants on the board should see about the "high charges" for audio and video webcasts on the Williams' site.  I wanted to see/hear the Wes/Williams BB game the other night but not for those prices.  How about a reduction in prices....like free!
    Seems the economy may have reduced the webcasts of both men's and women's BB games on the Amherst site.  Could be lack of equipment and/or student announcers.  The student announcers for the Bowdoin, Tufts and Wes. sites were great last year.  The Amherst announcers were not very good in my opinions.
    So far this year, the Webcasts at Amherst are for the Hockey teams.  They will have a "professional level" announcer who has volunteer for the job.  He does the UMASS men's hockey team broadcasts.

[walzy31]

Amherst -22.5 @ Westfield State
Over/Under: 151.0