MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

Amherst won the game........Amherst 82, Anna Maria 68.    Amherst had a steady 18-20 point lead most of the second half, but the final score was due to a late burst of points by Anna M.  Anna Maria's had better shooting average than Amherst, and shot 50% from the 3-point line.  They were also better than Amherst on the foul line.   They outscored Amherst in the second half.  It was a good game for Amherst in that they had a tough time with smaller more aggressive players.  Their outside shots were not dropping and they had too many turnovers......though less than A. M.  
The coach will have something for the team to work on.    
Anna Maria played well against Wes. in the Middletown tournament and lost by around 6 points.  It was early in the season.
Next game will be in Florida.......for Amherst.

[lefrakenstein]

After holding Anna Maria to 19 points and under 30% shooting in the first half, Amherst surrendered 47 points on nearly 70% shooting in the second half. Amh63, you saw the game, do you think the effort/interest level was really there in the second half with a 20 point cushion, or was this a team thinking about studying for finals and winter break?

Also, 29 and 8 from Hanley trumps 27 and 8 from Van Loenen as Bowdoin beats Colby at home despite being badly out-rebounded and committing more turnovers. The defense was the key as per usual for the bears, as colby shot at around 35%, compared to 55% for Bowdoin. DeFeo for Bowdoin was perfect from the field and from the line in scoring an efficient 16 points. Looks like Colby will be at the bottom of the CBB this year, provided bates gets healthy.

[amh63]

Lefrakenstein......Interesting comments.  I did not see the Anna Maria game.  Was on the Anna M. website and hit the live stats button and lo and behold, there was live stats of the game...though it had problems...just like Amherst's webcasts.  I deduced my comments from the live stats.   You do have a point that Amherst's "passive defensive" play in the second half was caused in part by lost of focus and concerns about finals, etc.  However it is no excuse for letting a team shoot 70%.  I rather contribute Anna Maria's offensive ability to their talented guards.....one scoring over 1000 pts in his play to date.
Amherst will need to learn to stay focus for the entire game, regardless of the opponent.  The team will face bigger and better players in conference play.
I am aware that you like Holmes.  I too believe that Holmes is a valuable and talented player.  However, Holmes has a "flaw" ,IMO, that needs fixing if he is to get more playing time.  I have noticed this problem over the years.  Holmes doesn't want to play the 5 position and maybe not the 4 position in Hixon's game plan.  When Holmes comes into a game, in general to replace Kassila, he will often go outside and take 3-point shots.  He can shoot from outside, but on this team, with many outside shooters, I believe he needs to rebound, block shots and score well inside, etc.  At times, Holmes does just that.  When Amherst is well ahead,  and he is in the game, he loses focus on this team role.
Yesterday, Kassila was 1-7 and 0-2 from outside in 14 minutes.  The live stats showed that he was removed from the game soon after he attempted a 3-point shot in the second half.
Another "observation" to support my belief that players must learn to know their roles in a particular game situation.
Late in the game, Toomey picked up his 4th foul.  Rookie Kamela entered.  Hopefully, to guard his man, run some time off and set up his teammates.  In his last possession, he came down and quickly took a 3-point shot.  He was quickly removed and Toomey soon returned.  I believe, there are several players that has the green light to take the three point shot when it becomes available....Meehan, Barrise and Toomey.  Kalema does not have the coach's confidence yet, especially late in the game.
I maybe speculating too much at this time.  The season is still young and there is time to learn and improve.  I would really like to see both Holmes and Kassila together in a game....especially against Midd. and Williams.

[leelowlang]

NESCAC First Semester All-Conference Team
Just one basketball junkie's opinion...

Player of the Semester:
Troy Whittington - 6'6", Sr., C, Williams - 18.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 68% FG, 77% FT, 2.7 bpg

Coach of the Semester:
David Hixon, Amherst

Newcomer of the Semester:
Matt Vadas - 6'3", Fr., G, Connecticut College - 17.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 45% FG, 32% 3FG, 87% FT

First Team:
Brian Ellis - 6'5", Sr., F, Bates - 19.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 70% FG, 39% 3FG, 87% FT, 1.5 spg
Connor Meehan - 6'4", Sr., G, Amherst - 14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 49% FG, 36% 3FG, 83% FT, 1.6 spg
Ryan Sharry - 6'8", Jr., F, Middlebury - 13.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 58% FG, 74% FT, 2.7 bpg
James Wang - 6'0", Jr., G, Williams - 18.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 57% FG, 51% 3FG, 87% FT, 1.4 spg
Troy Whittington - 6'6", Sr., C, Williams - 18.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 68% FG, 77% FT, 2.7 bpg


Second Team:
Sha Brown - 6'0", So., G, Wesleyan - 19.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 45% FG, 76% FT, 1.9 spg
Will Hanley - 6'7", Jr., G/F, Bowdoin - 19.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 55% FG, 1.5 bpg, 1.1 spg
Peter Kaasila - 6'9", So., C, Amherst - 11.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 68% FG, 1.3 bpg
Andrew Locke - 6'10", Sr., C, Middlebury - 13.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 68% FG, 4.3 bpg
Mike Russell - 6'4", Sr., F, Colby - 16.0 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 55% FG, 1.3 spg

[nescac1]

leelowlang, that looks pretty solid.  I would replace Kaasila with either Workman (def. Amherst's second best player to date) or Gallant, but otherwise, I agree with you.  As we get into NESCAC play, I think Toomey or maybe even Rooke-Ley or Kizel will ultimately displace Vadas, but for now, hard to argue against his numbers.  Nice group of frosh guards in NESCAC this year. 

[amh63]

Lefrakenstein.......what happened to your last post ?  The one that you cited Workman's play and stats that prove Holmes is the better player, etc.
Anyway,  I will respond as if is still there.
It is good to have diverse opinions posted.  I am a fan of Workman.  Gald he is returning to form.  Suggest you check his numbers out for last year's game on 1/9/10.  It was the game at Williams that Amherst lost 72-69 shooting 4-10 on the foul line.  W. Workman had 14 points (7-11), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals in 31 minutes.....only Meehan had more minutes in that game.

 

[lefrakenstein]

Lefrakenstein.......what happened to your last post ?  The one that you cited Workman's play and stats that prove Holmes is the better player, etc.
Anyway,  I will respond as if is still there.
It is good to have diverse opinions posted.  I am a fan of Workman.  Gald he is returning to form.  Suggest you check his numbers out for last year's game on 1/9/10.  It was the game at Williams that Amherst lost 72-69 shooting 4-10 on the foul line.  W. Workman had 14 points (7-11), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals in 31 minutes.....only Meehan had more minutes in that game.

 

I took down a post b/c i want to stop talking about holmes, but in any case, it didnt compare Holmes to Workman at all.

I had said that I disagreed with your earlier suggestion that Hixon doesnt like to play 4s and 5s that shoot threes (Casnocha, Schiel, D.Wheeler, Walters, Waller, to name a few). Also, Holmes is a very strong rebounder (by the far the best on the team on a per minute basis) and about on par with Kaasila for blocked shots. So I dont think a lack of an interior presence  should explain his playing time situation.

As for Workman, I had said that he is playing really well lately, and that Amherst may not have a top three that are on par with Williams', but all seven of amherst's main rotation guys have been playing really well. Can't wait for the game (and all the nescac games for that matter)

[amh63]

In the midst of planning my trips north to see the team LIVE.  It will be late next month at the earliest.  My CT. host will be in Fla. and I need a warm weather break too.
   Oh Well........Have a great Holiday Season All!   See you in the new year.

[Old Guy]

[
First Team:
Brian Ellis - 6'5", Sr., F, Bates - 19.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 70% FG, 39% 3FG, 87% FT, 1.5 spg
Connor Meehan - 6'4", Sr., G, Amherst - 14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 49% FG, 36% 3FG, 83% FT, 1.6 spg
Ryan Sharry - 6'8", Jr., F, Middlebury - 13.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 58% FG, 74% FT, 2.7 bpg
James Wang - 6'0", Jr., G, Williams - 18.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 57% FG, 51% 3FG, 87% FT, 1.4 spg
Troy Whittington - 6'6", Sr., C, Williams - 18.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 68% FG, 77% FT, 2.7 bpg


Second Team:
Sha Brown - 6'0", So., G, Wesleyan - 19.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 45% FG, 76% FT, 1.9 spg
Will Hanley - 6'7", Jr., G/F, Bowdoin - 19.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 55% FG, 1.5 bpg, 1.1 spg
Peter Kaasila - 6'9", So., C, Amherst - 11.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 68% FG, 1.3 bpg
Andrew Locke - 6'10", Sr., C, Middlebury - 13.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 68% FG, 4.3 bpg
Mike Russell - 6'4", Sr., F, Colby - 16.0 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 55% FG, 1.3 spg

[/quote]

Look at the size on these teams. D3. Brave new world.

[Old Guy]

I can't do that quote in a box thing. I'll have to call tech support. Typical academic.

[jhawk]

Speaking of size
Check link
http://lincolnsudburyboysbasketball.vnsports.com/news/article.asp?id=296891

It appears Bowdoin will have a7ft Center next year !!

I have seen this kid play . He is a late bloommer .  Coming on fast in development
I thought definite  DIV II ,posible Div I  . Who doesn't want a 7' guy even sitting on the bench ! .
He is a good kid . I wish him well

[nescac1]

Swords sounds like a remarkable person who has had to overcome a lot at a young age:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/02/21/basketball_skills_are_small_part_of_what_makes_swords_siblings_special/

You can see the Bowdoin connection in that article.  Congrats to him on his admission.  It appears that he has a big upside as a basketball player as well, considering that he is an athletic kid who is new to the sport.  Bowdoin can next year play a 7'0, 6'10, 6'7 front line (although I figure it is more likely the two big guys will share time).  Bowdoin has only one senior on the roster, and will be either good or very good next year. 

Looks like Middlebury got an ED admit from Mass, Scott Watson:

http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.com/prospects/

[CCC Talk]

Watson is a good story too- He's an Australian who has overcome a lot of injuries. Talented guard.

[nescac1]

Look to the bottom of the article, notes Joe Mussachia turned down six scholarships for Amherst.  He sounds like a big time player:

http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/basketball/articles/2010/12/17/new_faces_lead_warehams_defense_of_title/

According to this ranking (no idea how accurate it is), Swords is the 24th best player in Mass, and Mussachia 3rd (!):

http://mass-nh-highschoolbasketballreport.blogspot.com/2010/01/mass-boys-player-rankings-2011.html

[booyakasha]

Maybe they meant Umass Amherst?