MBB: NESCAC

ephoops · January 22, 2010, 10:16:20 PM

Good win for the Ephs tonight vs. a scrappy Wes team. 79-63.

I watched the last 15 minutes on the internet. At one point in the broadcast, an announcer noted that Joe G. got hurt. He did not provide any details.

Does anyone know Joe G's status and the extent / severity of his injury?

nescac1 · January 22, 2010, 10:25:24 PM

Nice job on spreads Walzy, nearly nailed Williams-Wes, as for Colby-Tufts, Tufts is just so bad that you never know when they are going to get blown out at this point ...

As for Joe G., it appeared like he got cut on a hard foul -- didn't seem like a serious injury and I would think he'll likely play tomorrow. Whittington had a huge day stepping up in his absence in the second half, for the second game in a row, he dominated on both ends, altered a lot of shots in addition to the three he blocked. Rubin and Wang also had big days for the Ephs, both hitting key shots whenever Wesleyan threatened to close the gap. Williams really struggled with Sha Brown's quickness in the first half but the defense improved overall in the second half. Good defensive effort in general by the Ephs. Robertson had a great overall game, he does all the little things, gets key steals and rebounds, moves the ball well, hits free throws. Only negative for the Ephs is that Wes was more aggressive rebounding despite being a much smaller team. Ephs could really struggle on the class when they play big physical teams like Middlebury.

Crazy story out of UMD hoops, for those who missed it (now it is apparent why UMD has not met expectations this year ...). The story is crazy, and the comments are crazier:

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100113/NEWS/1130336/-1/rss17

Old Guy · January 22, 2010, 11:31:10 PM

Fabulous game at Bates tonight in that frenzied atmosphere: Bowdoin pulls it out in OT 74-70. Hauser hit 4 fts in the last 8 seconds to seal the win. Bates was ahead twice in the OT. O'Connell for Bowdoin hit a big 3 and Bates had to foul.

Bates really suffers from the lack of an outside scorer (3-17 from 3) and Bowdoin's size gave them real problems (Phillips had 23, Hanley 16). Hanley was brilliant at times. Bates' bulky soph, Weston 6'6", 250) came in after Phillips had scored 5 or 6 hoops in a row at the beginning of the second half and played great defense from then on out on the big guy.

For Bates, Ellis played his usual tough game (19 pts) and frosh pg Brust was very good (17), protecting the ball and slashing to the hoop, occasionally pulling up for a quick little jumper. Bates blew a good chance for the win - they had the ball with the game tied in regulation and 18 seconds left - and could only manage a desperation 3: the Bates player (Squires, I believe) just stood at mid court and let the clock run to four seconds before heading to the hoop. Incomprehensible.

Bates is a hard luck team, having lost to Colby earlier in OT. They get the Mules again tomorrow.

Bowdoin was coached by their Assistant, Preston Beverly. Coach Gilbride, according to Bowdoin fans at the game, had a (mild) heart attack this week. Maybe someone from Bowdoin has the real scoop.

Bates students really turn out, but the relentless "Bowdoin Sucks" is tiresome at best.

toooldtoplay · January 22, 2010, 11:32:47 PM

Yes, that story has been around for a week or so. It is tough to figure out what happened or at least to what extent. Probably like most there is more to it than appears at first blush.

walzy31 · January 23, 2010, 12:19:49 AM

Quote from: walzy31 on January 22, 2010, 03:09:35 PM
NESCAC Spreads - 1/22/2010

Williams -17.5 @ Wesleyan
Over/Under: 174.0

Bowdoin -8.0 @ Bates
Over/Under: 138.0

Colby -11.5 @ Tufts
Over/Under: 121.5

Middlebury -15.5 @ Conn College
Over/Under: 152.0

All home teams are dogs.

Williams 79 - Wesleyan 63
Williams -17.5 @ Wesleyan (Wesleyan Covers +1.5)
Over/Under: 174.0 (Under by a lot)

Bowdoin 74 - Bates 70
Bowdoin -8.0 @ Bates (Bates Covers +4.0)
Over/Under: 138.0 (Over +6.0)

Colby 91 - Tufts 68
Colby -11.5 @ Tufts (Colby Covers +11.5)
Over/Under: 121.5 (Over by a lot)

Middlebury 74 - Conn College 55
Middlebury -15.5 @ Conn College (Middlebury Covers +3.5)
Over/Under: 152.0 (Under +23.0)

The spreads have been solid and the totals have been shotty. Saturday's spreads will be posted in the morning.
Old Guy, nice bet on the Bobcats. I think their gym (I've been once) is the biggest home court advantage in the conference.

walzy31 · January 23, 2010, 11:23:37 AM

NESCAC Spreads - 1/23/2010

Amherst -5.0 @ Trinity
Over/Under: 153.0

Williams -16.0 @ Conn College
Over/Under: 152.0

Bowdoin -14.5 @ Tufts
Over/Under: 138.5

Middlebury -15.5 @ Wesleyan
Over/Under: 145.5

Colby -7.5 @ Bates
Over/Under: 123.5

duffer · January 23, 2010, 02:35:40 PM

Tried to get online stream for Colby @ Tufts last night with no success. Can't get Bowdoin @ Tufts today. Anyone else have a problem? Womens' game is on now but no stream. I do have online connection so that is not the issue.

tuftsalumni · January 23, 2010, 03:26:25 PM

C'mon Jumbos you are 16 point underdogs at Cousen's? What happened to we don't lose at home? I haven't been following but if we don't get this win against Bowdoin at home we might not win a game in the Nescac.......

walzy31 · January 23, 2010, 03:38:08 PM

Amherst down 39-29 at half. Meehan out with a laceration on his hand.

nescac1 · January 23, 2010, 03:43:32 PM

I'll go with Amherst, Williams, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Bates. But those spreads all look good to me ... Amherst I think is the best bet. I like the over in both the Williams and Colby games.

MIT goes down today, so Amherst and Midd could pick up some Top 25 votes with wins today. A win by Colby, I would think, might get them on the radar for top 25 consideration ...

nescac1 · January 23, 2010, 04:42:01 PM

Man, forgot to account for how tough those back-to-backs are, afternoon after evening plus travel. Road teams all struggling. Could see some upsets. No Meehan for Amherst and they are struggling without him (I would have picked Trinity with that spread had I known Meehan was out!). Williams, Midd, and Colby all struggling a bit offensively against teams they should handle. Lethargic from evening games plus travel?

walzy31 · January 23, 2010, 05:42:21 PM

Final
Amherst 67
Trinity 65
Love it.

Tufts also upsets Bowdoin.
Midd wins but doesnt cover.
Colby and Bates a point apart with 1 minute left.
Williams is struggling with Conn.

nescac1 · January 23, 2010, 05:49:25 PM

The word of the day for the four contenders survival, with all the road teams save Bowdoin (wow!) gutting out close wins. Ephs win by 12 but didn't pull away until very late, thanks to big threes from Rubin and Wang.

It wasn't always pretty, but Ephs have to be happy with three road wins in one week. Whittington the overwhelming MVP of the week, averaging over 18 ppg in only 21 mpg, and shooting over 75 percent from the field (he's now shooting close to 70 percent on the season). He has emerged as another go-to guy on offense. Ephs played a small line-up much of the time, with Robertson getting more and more time as the season goes along. They can afford that against Conn, but in the big showdown against Midd, the big guys will play more and have to come up huge on both ends.

Impressive comeback for Amherst without Meehan ...

walzy31 · January 23, 2010, 05:57:44 PM

Quote from: walzy31 on January 23, 2010, 11:23:37 AM
NESCAC Spreads - 1/23/2010

Amherst -5.0 @ Trinity
Over/Under: 153.0

Williams -16.0 @ Conn College
Over/Under: 152.0

Bowdoin -14.5 @ Tufts
Over/Under: 138.5

Middlebury -15.5 @ Wesleyan
Over/Under: 145.5

Colby -7.5 @ Bates
Over/Under: 123.5

Amherst 67 - Trinity 65
Amherst -5.0 @ Trinity (Trinity Covers +3.0)
Over/Under: 153.0 (Under +21.0)

Williams 69 - Conn College 57
Williams -16.0 @ Conn College (Conn College Covers +4.0)
Over/Under: 152.0 (Under by a lot)

Tufts 58 - Bowdoin 53
Bowdoin -14.5 @ Tufts (Tufts Covers +19.5)
Over/Under: 138.5 (Under by a lot)

Middlebury 77 - Weslean 69
Middlebury -15.5 @ Wesleyan (Wesleyan Covers +7.5)
Over/Under: 145.5 (Over +0.5)

Colby 73 - Bates 66
Colby -7.5 @ Bates (Bates Covers +0.5)
Over/Under: 123.5 (Over +15.5)

Tufts with the only game going differently than Vegas expected.

walzy31 · January 23, 2010, 05:59:37 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on January 23, 2010, 03:43:32 PM
I'll go with Amherst, Williams, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Bates. But those spreads all look good to me ... Amherst I think is the best bet. I like the over in both the Williams and Colby games.

MIT goes down today, so Amherst and Midd could pick up some Top 25 votes with wins today. A win by Colby, I would think, might get them on the radar for top 25 consideration ...

One out of five of the spreads right and one out of two of the totals right. Sports betting is hard, that's why I prefer to set the spreads.