MBB: NESCAC

[eph partisan]

Only two thoughts to add

Williams up 15 if refs were objective

Were you there?  On what do you base this ridiculous comment?

I think that the only way that the fouls really would have affected the game in the end is if Whittington fouled out and Sanborn went nuts for the last 4 minutes, but that didn't happen - but the refereeing wasn't very good. The Ephs literally weren't allowed to play post defense on Sanborn or they were called for a foul. I saw the refs call three fouls on Geoghegan where his hands were literally straight up in the air and Sanborn was leaning on him. This perplexed me. The Ephs definitely played a more physical game - and it showed in the fouls called, as it should have - but the referees were not very good. I think that the way the game was refereed on both ends was actually consistently bad. I do not see how it can be claimed they were.

Special kudos to frosh Nate Robertson who seems to play his best in Virginia.  He had a hell of a game finishing inside, dishing, playing good D, even hitting a three.  He is going to be a special player as he gets more aggressive shooting and bulks up a bit.  Very, very poised for a frosh, or for anyone, for that matter.

Nate Robertson really won the game for the Ephs. He steadied them, hits a big three at the top of the key, draws a few fouls - just wonderful. I know I said he was the only one that couldn't really score - but I was clearly wrong. His second half performance was something special to watch - his poise, as you said nescac1, is remarkable. I remember a poster saying he looked like an 8th grader earlier this year. I don't think anyone could say that after tonight. Good for you, Nate.

Now... GO EPHS

[Pat Coleman]

This unbiased eye didn't have any problem with the officiating.

[nescac1]

Hasanova, this is the last thing I'll say about the reffing since I don't want to detract from incredible performances by two very, very tough teams who represented their institutions with class and passion.  I was there, I posted the comment you quoted from Salem, in a moment of extreme frustration, around the time Big Joe was fouling out in only 16 minutes, and 3-4 of those fouls were basically phantom off the ball calls as eph partisan noted.  I rarely, rarely bitch about refs, as I have reffed hoops myself and know how tough it is, but it was just crazy and very, very frustrating to the Eph fans in attendance.  I mean, Sanborn is nearly unstoppable to begin with -- the best post the Ephs have played since probably Jason Kalsow or maybe even Bryan Nelson (that guy was sick).  But when you don't allow a guy to essentially stand in place and basically just not allow himself to be dragged to the basket by Sanborn, he then becomes unguardable.  It's as if the refs had just called a foul for the heck of it on the rare occasions in which Williams missed from three.  That being said, Sanborn is a monster and he would have killed the Ephs inside either way.  

Three things I forgot to mention (I realize, seems impossible given the length of my prior opus ).:

The Eph guards were incredibly clutch from the line to close the game out once Guilford was forced to foul -- Wang, Robertson, Schultz went 8-8, and three of those duals makes were in high-pressure one-and-one situations.  Just flat-out cold blooded.  Second, great to see Coach Paulsen and about half of the guys from the 03-04 teams there supporting the current players and coaches.  Classy move.  I am sure they will be there again pulling for redemption against the Pointers later today.  It sure won't be easy.

Finally, it is absolutely incredible that NESCAC has had representatives in the title game five of the last eight years.  Of course I recognize, as others have repeatedly pointed out, that NESCAC teams have sometimes had much easier paths to Salem than the midwest schools, but the fact is, when they get to Salem, they always prove that they absolutely belong there.  Certainly a testament to the strength of the conference, in which even the teams that don't make it to the tourney help prepare their colleagues for tough tourney battles.  For example, no way Williams is as good on offense as they are if they didn't have to twice face Middlebury's insanely stingy D.  Still the best defense I've seen the Ephs confront this year, although that could change tomorrow based on what I saw of WSP yesterday.  Go Ephs!

[frank uible]

If one whines when he wins, what does he do when he loses?

[division3]

with all due respect, paulen was there for the right reasons and also for his own redemption.

[ephoops]

Second, great to see Coach Paulsen and about half of the guys from the 03-04 teams there supporting the current players and coaches.  Classy move.  I am sure they will be there again pulling for redemption against the Pointers later today.  It sure won't be easy.

Great to hear that Paulsen and several former players are in attendance in Salem. 

DP recruited a large majority of the players on this team and I'm sure he's proud of all they've accomplished this year playing for Coach Maker.

[nescac1]

division 3, not exactly sure what you mean by that, and I have no idea about Paulsen's motivation (I assumed he just wants to support his former players, his former mentor Sheehy, and his alma mater), but certainly, he does not require any redemption ... three NESCAC titles, a national title, nearly a second, and he recruited most of the current roster, his legacy speaks for itself!  And I was happy to see him turn things around at Bucknell late in the year.  3/5 guys on the Patriot all-frosh team were Bucknell players from Paulsen's first recruiting class, so the future looks bright there.  I just really, really, really hope Maker doesn't follow Paulsen to D-I anytime soon.  Heck of a coach and by all accounts a great guy to boot.  

Random prediction: Pittman and Robertson will be guarding each other again at some point in a future NCAA tourney.  Both of those guys will be out of the shadows when they are starters next season. 

Looking forward to the all star game today; especially curious to see Djurikovich.  Of course, much more excited for the main event!

[fpc85]

is there a link for the video feed of the game?

[eph partisan]

is there a link for the video feed of the game?

http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=ncaa&media=174106

that should work - at least I am hoping it is

[fanfromct]

Here in CT, Cablevision has it on HD channel 793 CBSCS at 1PM.

[magicman]

Ephs grab the early lead but Stevens Point comes back to take the lead 16-14 with a 3 pointer with 9:24 left in the 1st half. Point now up 18-16 with 8:24 to go.

[magicman]

9-0 run by the Ephs as they regain the lead 27-24 with 4:30 to go. Whittington doing it at both ends of the floor.

[magicman]

Williams up 30-26 with 1:35 to go in the half.

[magicman]

Teams head to the break with Williams up 32-30.

Williams shot 54% in the half. Schultz and Whittington with 9 pts each to lead Williams.

Moses leads the Pointers with 12 pts. Pointers shot 44% for the period.

[eph partisan]

Ephs need to stop turning the ball over - the 9 tos is a killer. They did the same thing last night - let's hope they settle in again as they did yesterday.