MBB: NESCAC

walzy31 · December 15, 2009, 09:59:34 AM

Quote from: walzy31 on December 11, 2009, 01:19:23 PM
Amherst -22 @ Lasell Lasers
Over/Under: 166.0

Amherst 94
Lasell 70

Amherst -22 @ Lasell Lasers (Amherst Covers -2)
Over/Under: 166.0 (Under +2)

Vegas was fun.
Amh63, see you at the Stevenson game.

muletrain · December 15, 2009, 02:40:49 PM

Quote from: speedy on December 12, 2009, 09:27:57 PM
Where's our Colby woofer?

Bowdoin 69 Colby 56 [at Colby]

I guess these types of comments will continue after every Colby loss. If you look back at my posts I was only showing some enthusiasm about my team, not saying that they would be undefeated. Also, my concerns over the top 25 have been explained by others on this post. Through this explanation it should be clear that, since the top 25 does not play any factor in who makes the tournament, it should be taken with a grain of salt.

In regards to the Bowdoin game, nothing can be said other than that the Polar Bears played a great game. Bowdoin will not beat themselves this year, and Colby certaintly did not play the type of game that could overcome Bowdoin's mistake-free type of play. Considering this, Colby was within 6 points with 3 minutes to go....not bad considering how badly they played for large portions of the game. Even with this loss, the mules still look like they will end up with a really good non-conference record, putting them in a great place to start the conference season. Also, this loss doesn't discount them as a serious contender in the league.

speedy · December 15, 2009, 04:01:26 PM

Quote from: muletrain on December 15, 2009, 02:40:49 PM
Quote from: speedy on December 12, 2009, 09:27:57 PM
Where's our Colby woofer?

Bowdoin 69 Colby 56 [at Colby]

I guess these types of comments will continue after every Colby loss. If you look back at my posts I was only showing some enthusiasm about my team, not saying that they would be undefeated. . .

I was just teasing - I like your enthusiam for the Mules even though I'm a Bowdoin fan.

fpc85 · December 16, 2009, 11:43:41 AM

Not sure if this was posted earlier:
https://www.amherst.edu/athletics/teams/winter/basketball-m/articles/09-10/1214_bennett

Pat Coleman · December 16, 2009, 11:45:14 AM

Quote from: muletrain on December 15, 2009, 02:40:49 PM
since the top 25 does not play any factor in who makes the tournament

Yes, like any Top 25, it does not affect the NCAA selection committee.

Old Guy · December 16, 2009, 11:17:28 PM

Bowdoin will not beat themselves this year,

Looks like they did against Colby-Sawyer, giving up a 16 point lead (with 8 minutes left) at home.

Last year, all three Maine NESCAC schools went 1-1 head to head. All games are pitched battles, conference games or not. Great rivalries. Upsets abound (I grew up in Lewiston, at Bates). It has ever been thus.

Hugenerd · December 18, 2009, 10:50:21 PM

Thought some of you would be interested in this:

NCSA Collegiate Power Rankings

http://www.mitathletics.com/genrel/2009-10/NCSARankings_121809

1. Williams
2. Amherst
3. Middlebury

9. Tufts

senatorfrost · December 18, 2009, 11:24:42 PM

Am going to sleep but before I get under the covers I'll tell you Glen Miller former Conn. Coll. coach was just fired/replaced by Penn. I don't think early season firings/replacements are common but--
Might serve as a lesson of sorts to successful d3 coaches to think twice before leaping. Yes I know Bo Ryan has done very well. (last I heard)

toooldtoplay · December 18, 2009, 11:48:09 PM

Re: Miller - It is difficult to coach and recruit non scholarship player if they do not like your style and the word gets out unless you win....enough said.

Hugenerd · December 18, 2009, 11:51:02 PM

Quote from: senatorfrost on December 18, 2009, 11:24:42 PM
Am going to sleep but before I get under the covers I'll tell you Glen Miller former Conn. Coll. coach was just fired/replaced by Penn. I don't think early season firings/replacements are common but--
Might serve as a lesson of sorts to successful d3 coaches to think twice before leaping. Yes I know Bo Ryan has done very well. (last I heard)

I guess it is tough to get past an 0-7 start even in the Ivy League. When your team has at least shared the Ivy League title 11 of the last 16 years, I guess the expectations are a little higher than what has happened over the past few years.

After winning the Ivy League in Miller's first year at Penn (22-9, 13-1 Ivy), Penn dropped precipitously, to 13-18 (8-6 Ivy) in his second year, to 10-18 (6-8 Ivy) in his third year, to the 0-7 start this year.

leelowlang · December 21, 2009, 11:17:32 PM

NESCAC First Semester All-Conference Team
Sure this'll bug somebody...just one basketball junkie's opinion.

First Team:
Blake Schultz - 6'3", Sr., G/F, Williams – 22.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 53% FG, 84% FT, 1.3 spg, 49% 3FG
Adam Choice - 6'5", Sr., F, Colby – 18.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.3 bpg
Connor Meehan - 6'4", Jr., G, Amherst – 15 ppg, 5 rpg, 7 apg, 85% FT, 1.6 spg
James Wang - 6'0", So., G, Williams – 16.1 ppg, 67% FG, 4.5 apg, 76% FT, 64% 3FG
Ryan Sharry - 6'8", So., F/C, Middlebury – 13.9 ppg, 8 rpg, 61% FG, 90% FT, 1.4 spg, 2.4 bpg

Second Team:
Mike Russell – 6'4", Jr., F, Colby – 13.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 59% FG, 1 bpg
Shasha Brown - 6'0", Fr., G, Wesleyan – 21.1 ppg, 4.4 apg, 71% FT, 2.1 spg
Brian Ellis – 6'5", So., F, Bates – 16.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 54% FG, 70% FT
Will Hanley – 6'7", So., F, Bowdoin – 13 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Steven Wheeler – 6'6", Sr., G/F, Amherst – 17.7 ppg

Player of the Semester:
Blake Schultz, 6'3", Sr., G/F, Williams – 22.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 53% FG, 84% FT, 1.3 spg, 49% 3FG

Newcomer of the Semester:
Shasha Brown - 6'0", Fr., G, Wesleyan – 21.1 ppg, 4.4 apg, 71% FT, 2.1 spg

Coach of the Semester:
Jeff Brown, Middlebury

walzy31 · December 22, 2009, 01:01:14 AM

leelowlang,

I wouldn't change one thing in your All Semester selections. I could see Pierce/Bernier/Beyel edging out Ellis by the end of the year, but to date this season your selections are well done.

Who's your Defensive Player of the Year?
I guess I would go with Locke even though I have always preferred the Zak Ray and Adam Harper's of the defensive world. I'd be interested to see Shasha and Abdo play and see what their games are like.

leelowlang · December 22, 2009, 08:02:21 AM

Agree with Locke but agree even more with your Zak Ray reference...he has been one of my favorites over the last bunch of year's. Nice ball player.

Did see Brown (Wesleyan) once and was extremely impressed...well deserved hype.

leelowlang · December 22, 2009, 09:26:18 AM

...and not to show too much Panther love but if Tim Edwards were healthy at Mid I would imagine he'd be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

While there is obviously great value in the steals and blocks guys often those are high risk-high reward guys. Really like watching the guys who are good off the ball and are a bit more positionally suffocating.

I think Colby's team defense has been much improved over the last few seasons and a big reason why they continue climb the standings...well, and Mr. Choice.

Old Guy · December 22, 2009, 02:46:44 PM

The parochial view from Vermont:

Jeff Brown, despite the strength of schedule argument, really had a troublesome early season, with many injuries in the preseason (including Edwards, Lynch out for most of the season, Kelleher & Coghlan), the big guy spending the semester in South Africa, and having to meld an entire three player backcourt rotation of frosh with the more experienced front court.

As a defensive stopper, Edwards has some support in Jamal Davis (6'6" but can guard anyone on the court) and newcomer Nolan Thompson, who gets a lot of love from people who know the game best. Hoop alum who have returned to games in the past couple of years have been most impressed by the effort and energy of these Panther teams at the defensive end.

Wes's Brown is clearly a prodigy, but Midd's frosh pg, Jake Wolfin, has made an impression here: 11.6 ppg; 20-43 3pt, 4.3 apg; 2 spg.

It would be fun to see Leelow's first and second teams go at each other. Some talent there.