MBB: NESCAC

[Hugenerd]

Only in the NBA is it an automatic intentional foul if the foul occurs before the ball is inbounded.

[nescac1]

Thanks for the insight, guys.  Here, fouling the same player, a center and the lowest foul shooter by percentage on the floor (although still good from the line, that is one of the Ephs' strengths), twice in a row prior to the inbounds pass seems obviously strategic / intentional, and you'd think the refs would call it as such at least the second time.  It ended up not being an issue since Williams won, but if Amherst had hit a three to tie, it definitely would have been discussed more. 

The Amherst and RMC runs were similar -- both times, teams adjusted strategy and used more defensive pressure and aggressive play on the offensive boards to gain momentum against an Eph team that previously seemed to be in control.  Whether it was learning from RMC, the difference vs. a home crowd and a hostile road environment, or just RMC being a bit better than Amherst, good to see the Ephs  able to regain their composure and go on a big run of their own this time around. 

[walzy31]

Amherst -19.5 @ Babson
Over/Under: 139.5

[nescac1]

That is a tough line to predict; Amherst is definitely 20 points better than Babson, but that is a lot of travel over a three day stretch, plus add in the emotional let down from the Williams game -- will the team be more motivated, or will there be a hangover? 

[walzy31]

Amherst -19.5 @ Babson
Over/Under: 139.5

LINE CHANGE (not in response to nescac1's posting)

Amherst -16.0 @ Babson
Over/Under: 126.6

[toad22]

The refs screwed up those two intentional foul calls. Maker was obviously furious about it, especially because that same called was called on Williams (1st time it happened) in one of the Amherst games last year. I am told that (and observed) an official who was in the stands rating the officials on Saturday approached Maker after the game and told him that the officials were wrong. I am afraid that we as D3 fans have to put up with a lot of bad officiating. The better officials in New England are working games in Providence, Storrs, or BC. They certainly arn't making the long drive out to Williamstown for short money. That said, I wouldn't wish their job on my worst enemy. Almost never do you get any respect.

[amh63]

The bad call on Williams must have been the at Williams last year.  Though one of my pet peeves has been the quality of the officials  in D3 games and I have been known to question calls at live games, enough said about the officiating in what was a well fought Amherst/Williams game.
Note that even announcers question calls in D1 BB games and even in the NFL playoff games this past weekend.
The upcoming Babson/Amherst game has a number of areas of interest for me.  Babson is a relative small team wrt Amherst...though they are a strong team up front it has been noted.  It will be interesting to see how Amherst has adjusted to playing against a smaller, quicker? team.  How well they have progressed.  Did Amherst players run laps for their poor foul shooting? 
It is good to have a game so soon after a tough game.  Preparation for back to back tournament games.
Also, one can gauge where Amherst is as a team at this time of the season...relative to a possible future opponent.  MIT is a big young team that just blew out Babson on the road, I believe.  They may be the NEWMAC champs and a possible NCAA opponent for Amherst.
Walzy...I see you changed your numbers down.  That may be smart.  I noticed that in many of the Div! games posted in my neck of the woods, the scores of games have dropped overall.  As conference games are being played, the games have become tighter and the scores are in the mid 70's, even for the winners.  The headlines stress the word DEFENSES.
Because of my belief that defense wins games, I believe that the biggest hurdle for Amherst in the NESCAC is Middlebury.  Middlebury is big and always plays a good defensive game.  The William posters are correct in that Williams needs to improve on the defensive side. 
If all goes to plan, I will be watching Amherst live this weekend.  Trying to figure out why Waller has not got his offensive game going, etc....and yes, yelling at the officials.   

[Hugenerd]

As of last week, Middlebury was 1st in the nation in FG% defense (33%) and points allowed (53 ppg).  That may have changed though, after giving up 86 to CSC (42% FG), 75 to Plattsburgh (40% FG), 69 to Lyndon State (38% FG) and 67 Skidmore (35% FG) - all above their previous season averages.  The percentages themselves arent bad, but the points given up to CSC and Plattsbugh tells more about their defense against pretty good teams.  I think they will need to continue to improve in order to get wins over Willams and Amherst.

[duffer]

"...Though one of my pet peeves has been the quality of the officials  in D3 games and I have been known to question calls at live games, enough said about the officiating in what was a well fought Amherst/Williams game.
Note that even announcers question calls in D1 BB games..."

Must be my imagination that many, if not, most DIII refs are out of touch with rules, amount of contact allowed, bench behavior, fan behavior, etc. There are rules for all of those issues, but most don't even pay attention. They don't work as a team either. I'm not a Bob Knight fan, however, he made a great point on ESPN at the beginning of the season - To paraphrase - referees no longer have control of college basketball games. They are not the least bit consistent, nor do they follow their own guidelines.

[walzy31]

Amherst -19.5 @ Babson
Over/Under: 139.5

LINE CHANGE (not in response to nescac1's posting)

Amherst -16.0 @ Babson
Over/Under: 126.5

LINE CHANGE

Amherst -11.5 @ Babson
Over/Under: 126.5

Meehan not playing. Tip in 5 minutes.

[nescac1]

What's up with Meehan?  You really think as the only true point and top scoring and passing threat, plus top perimeter defender, he's only worth five points? 

[walzy31]

Meehan is worth closer to 8 pts in the Babson game....however, it is 36-26 Babson at the break so maybe that is under-capped.

I think Amherst will come back and eek out the victory. Tough first half though. Surprised to see Johnson start the second half.

[Hugenerd]

Amherst falls to Babson 65-59.

[walzy31]

Babson 65
Amherst 59

Big upset. Babson played their game and it was good enough to win. Braithwaite is a good player and had 13 and 6 but it seemed like more. Amherst continued its poor 3pt and FT shooting going 1-11 from deep and 16-26 from the line.

Williamson with a breakout game scoring 17 and 5 in 10 minutes (mostly second half minutes).
Wheeler with a tough 0-7 game shooting.
Workman with another solid overall effort.
Amherst missed Meehan's play making a lot.

[senatorfrost]

  Walzy:
    Do you have any idea what's wrong with Meehan. Is he out for just this game? If he doesn't play v Conn and Wes. the games will be more interesting I suppose, but who needs interesting?