MBB: NESCAC

nescac1 · January 23, 2010, 06:14:37 PM

Indeed. Although had I know about Meehan I would have done a LITTLE better ... is this another one game injury?

Seemed like on the bright side for Amherst Noon may be emerging as a credible back-up PG. And Waller has been lighting it up of late, playing at the very high level expected of him. I think if healthy a line-up of Holmes, Waller, Wheeler, Meehan, and Workman will be very difficult to match up against, athletic, big, and quick to the basket. Next year, put in Barrise for Wheeler as designated shooter (or go even more athletic with Williamson), and with another year of experience, they will be scary good.

Ephs look to win 18 games for the first time since 2004 (!) Tuesday against Hamilton ... and then next Saturday is showdown Saturday in NESCAC, with Williams at Midd and Amherst at Colby ... (two pick ems' perhaps?)

ephoops · January 23, 2010, 06:28:10 PM

Huge weekend for Troy W. for Williams.

In two games:

Minutes = 41
Points - 38
FG % = 15 for 20 (75%)
Rebs= 15
FT % = 6 of 8 (75%)

'CAC Player of the Week...

Old Guy · January 23, 2010, 08:11:48 PM

Another overtime barnburner at Bates - and the Bobcats got their hearts broken again. Colby was good from the line in the OT and punctuated with a last second Choice slam to end the game. Don't ever worry about second day complacency in that gym.

With a minute to go, it was 53 all. Bates was down 6 with 18 seconds to go in regulation (59-53), and their designated 3 pt shooter, Hatch, hit two threes, the second to tie a falling down heave, after missing two badly.

Bates did a great job on Choice (12 pts, 5-15), doubling on the block. The officials let a lot go and Choice let the officiating get to him. Whitmore was well-behaved - he has mellowed. Russell is a tough 6'4" under the hoop, big rebounds in this game (22 points, 10 rebounds) - and Haylon gives the Mules an outside threat: he's tall, gets the shot off quickly, and has great range (15 points (4 threes, 3-3 fts). Van Loenen went 4-4 from the line in the last minute of regulation. Colby was fortunate to win - Bates was ahead for the first 39 minutes.

Schmiemann had 19 for Bates - he did a nice job on Choice. Ellis just works hard. Bates is a hard-luck club. Two OT losses to Colby. You might say coaching is a factor in close losses, but I wouldn't blame Bates' young coach. Bates doesn't really match up in talent with Bowdoin and Colby. They miss Wilson but Brust is coming fast - he's a skinny little guy, but then so was Crotty. They're young. They play hard. I hope Middlebury doesn't draw them in the tourney.

Bucket · January 23, 2010, 08:16:16 PM

Looks like Midd's Sharry didn't play against Wes, one game after going for 22 against Conn. Anyone know why?

Old Guy · January 23, 2010, 08:24:35 PM

Interesting box scores from CT for Midd: Wolfin hit 5 threes today for all of his points; Thompson had 21 points. Pretty good outlay for two frosh.

Sharry had 26 last night (3-3 from three), 8 rebounds. Didn't play today against Wes. I don't know why. Edwards had 9 rebounds today.

Bucket · January 23, 2010, 09:06:45 PM

Word is that Sharry was in street clothes and on crutches today. Hope it's not serious. Would be a huge loss for the Panthers.

senatorfrost · January 23, 2010, 09:25:03 PM

It can't hurt to ask if anyone knows how bad Meehan's (laceration?)injury is. I watched the end of the Women's game with no problem, but then the basket on the left became very dark and there was no sound. Also, they never showed the scoreboard so I gave up for the most part.
Trinity hasn't been that impressive this year so I can't get all worked up about the win even though Meehan didn't play. A win is nice of course but facing Trinity is not like facing Middlebury or Williams. Then there's Colby away. Bates without Meehan is not a cakewalk either and who knows what got into Bowdoin today.
Anyway Spencer Noon looked promising. I wonder if he'll forget about that other sport and concentrate on basketball next year. Americans haven't taken to soccer like the rest of the world has taken to basketball. I wonder why.

Old Guy · January 23, 2010, 09:56:36 PM

Middlebury has a mid-week game vs SoVT, then the meat of the schedule - Williams, Bowdoin, Colby, @Trinity, @Amherst, all in a row.

nescac1 · January 23, 2010, 10:40:03 PM

Sharry's injury could be big for Middlebury heading into the Williams game. Guys like him (tough, physical 4's who can shoot) have absolutely killed Williams this year -- Danny Jones from RMC is probably the guy most similar to Sharry the Ephs have faced, and he torched the Ephs. Ellis and Schmieman from Bates also had success, as did Chaloux from CSC. Maker has been going more and more to a four guard line-up in crunch time, and I don't think that would be possible with Locke and Sharry out there together. Even still, the Ephs don't really have a true bruiser (at least not one who gets any PT) to lock down a physical force at that position.

Sharry and Meehan have been two of the top five guys in the conference so far this year, so their injury situations definitely bear close scrutiny, especially with big games coming up soon.

walzy31 · January 25, 2010, 09:24:44 PM

Amherst -24.0 Vs. Vassar
Over/Under: 134.0

muletrain · January 26, 2010, 01:33:29 AM

I couldn't agree more with "old guy" regarding the improving depth of the Colby team. Earlier in the season I pointed to Russell and Woodwards emergence. This has continued with Russell being a double double machine. What I may have underscored has been the combination of Sherman and Haylon on the wings. Both of these players have provided consistent scoring from the 2/3 position and may posses the key to this team. Haylon in particular has been almost impossible to guard for long stretches of every game. Most teams have now begun to face guard him because he is so lethal from three. The fact that Haylon is getting attention combined with constant double teams on Choice has really opened everything up for everyone else on the floor.

The mules now go into the most important weekend of the season coming up. Last year a disappointing friday loss to trinity ruined an upset of Amherst the next afternoon. If Colby can get through the weekend 2-0 this time around they are looking very good for a top three finish.

walzy31 · January 26, 2010, 03:48:25 PM

Quote from: walzy31 on January 25, 2010, 09:24:44 PM
Amherst -24.0 Vs. Vassar
Over/Under: 134.0

Amherst -19.5 Vs. Vassar
Over/Under: 128.0

amh63 · January 26, 2010, 04:11:20 PM

Walzy..... I accept your ability/genius for setting the spreads. However, your changes recently on the spreads recently raised my interest. Insight....new info?
I noted on the women's BB board that when Amherst played Trinity, both the men and women teams competed and won their games without their starting point guards. On the women side the coach has less risk in a lineup change. Hixon would be taking a greater risk to get game experience for his younger players.
Do you hear anything about Meehan? Discussion on the NEWMAC board indicated that several top conference team play was due in part with sickness. Guess I will have to watch the game tonight.

walzy31 · January 26, 2010, 07:52:54 PM

amh63,

All of my NESCAC spreads take into account the same sort of information that Vegas oddsmakers take into account when they make their lines.

For instance:
If one of Bates' best players is no longer on the team, that will affect the Bates lines.
If Meehan isn't playing in the Babson or Trinity games, that will affect the Amherst lines.
If Joe Goheghan got hit by a snowball on a Saturday night, that will affect Williams lines.
If Coach Reilly told Sha Brown in practice to get 26 shots up, that will affect Wesleyan totals.
If Gil Haylon and Chas Woodward got in a tussle at practice on Wednesday, that will affect Colby lines.
Etc

walzy31 · January 26, 2010, 08:10:21 PM

Also, if someone were to make a large enough bet to move the line (which has never happened), then the spread would of course change due to supply and demand.