MBB: NESCAC

[Old Guy]

Keeping in mind I'm a Middlebury partisan, I would argue that maybe Colby did not play poorly against Middlebury. Middlebury played great, the best I've seen us play all year.

Middlebury played poorly against Williams in the first half. We missed a lot of open shots in the first 10-15 minutes. After the score was 17-12, we played pretty well against a really tough opponent.

We got beat.  It happens.

That's not to say we shouldn't show up at a rematch. With Sharry, and a little bit of marksmanship from the arc, I think we can give the Ephs a tussle.

First we play Trinity down there - a hard-earned OT win last year. And who really believes the Jeffs are this compromised. Not me.  A wounded lion. Amherst in their gym the last game of the season . . . What's the line on that one, Walzy?

[scout]

Bates drop a 78-64 decision to Gordon College in Bangor tonight.

Brian Ellis went 10-15 for 24 points and was the only Bobcats player to reach double-digits.

Gordon seniors Aaron Trigg and Brady Bajema combined for 49 points on a combined 16-28 shooting (6-11 3 pt), as the Fighting Scots pulled away late after trailing at the half by two points.

Gordon continues to outrebound opponents as the Fighting Scots pulled down 12 more boards than the Bobcats.

Bates proves, once again, to be an unpredictable team. After drubbing the Lord Jeffs by 29 last Saturday, they lose to Gordon by 14.

The Bobcats can help secure a home game in the upcoming tournament with an important win against Tufts on Saturday.

[walzy31]

First we play Trinity down there - a hard-earned OT win last year. And who really believes the Jeffs are this compromised. Not me.  A wounded lion. Amherst in their gym the last game of the season . . . What's the line on that one, Walzy?

No Saturday lines ready yet other than Tufts/Bates. The Amherst lion certainly is wounded and the jaw-dropping line for the Williams game tomorrow is proof. I still think the emotion in the rivalry is a wild card (we are one of three teams that lost to Williams by less than ten this year)...but it doesn't look pretty when running the numbers.

Are you making the trip down to MA?

[walzy31]

NESCAC Spreads - 2/12/2010

Williams -21.0 @ Amherst
Over/Under: 139.0

Conn College +15.5 @ Colby
Over/Under: 131.5

Middlebury -14.5 @ Trinity
Over/Under: 130.5

Wesleyan +4.0 @ Bowdoin
Over/Under: 133.0

Amherst, Conn and Trinity all score 58 points.
Wesleyan is the hardest team to handicap in the conference.
I will be in Lefrak this weekend, hoping that Williams' Wang doesn't perform.

[Agent_Zero]

nice article on Pierce on the front page of today's sports section in the Globe


http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_basketball/articles/2010/02/12/starting_forward/

[mainehoops]

MuleT – Good to see your swagger is back!  I sensed some doubt going into Williams last weekend and I'm not sure if it rubbed off on the players or not.  But I can tell you see big things for this Mules this upcoming weekend.  SO DO I.  Is Wadsworth ready to rock?

As for the Russell debate, he is a 2nd teamer no doubt, barring any crazy quadruple double / buzzer beater performances this weekend.  But he is only a JR and he will have his chance to contend for 1st team / POY next year when he must carry this team.  After this past weekend, I personally would not want to face the fury of Mike Russell tonight/tomorrow.  He seems especially angry after "the collission in Williamstown", and I've heard that he is finally back to 100%.

As for Amherst, I can GUARENTEE none of the top 4 teams want to draw them in the 1st round, even Bates who just smoked them.  Now that I've said this, you can just pencil in #6 AMH @ #3 Colby on Feb. 20. 

Walzy – I too am hoping for an underwhelming Wang this weekend.  Although, it is Valentine's day weekend.  Love your spreads.  Colby is 3-4 ATS this year.  WIN BIG THIS WEEKEND MULES!

Agent-Zero – That article is very interesting, a must-read I'd even say.  Shout out to Jon for a great career. 

[frank uible]

Walzy: For tonight I'll take a pantload of Amherst plus 21.

[Old Guy]

Are you making the trip down to MA?

I hope to. We did last year. It depends a bit on last minute domestic circumstances. Last year was a beautiful Valentine's Day and I convinced my wife and kids that a family drive down the Connecticut Valley would be just the thing. There's some weather in the forecast (30% chance of precip, flurries) but not enough to inhibit. I think my teen-aged kids need a Saturday diversion. Nothing they like better than a three hour drive in the car with dad.

I hope the curtain is drawn at the entrance end of Lafrak. How anyone shoots against that cavernous background (anyone who doesn't practice there every day) is beyond me. Great weekend of hoop. Big games.

[nescac hoops]

NESCAC Spreads - 2/12/2010
Williams -21.0 @ Amherst
Over/Under: 139.0

Walzy, I would never doubt your talents but that spread is quite generous. Ill take Williams by 8 and two thunderous dunks from T. Whittington that will not compare to the ones Russell will have tonight.


http://williams.prestosports.com/images/mbkb/2009-2010/Southern_Vermont/Gallery

http://williams.prestosports.com/images/mbkb/2009-2010/Springfield1212/Gallery

http://williams.prestosports.com/images/mbkb/2009-2010/Vassar125/Gallery

http://williams.prestosports.com/images/mbkb/2009-2010/Cortland1121/Gallery

[ephoops]

Does Amherst archive the men's bball telecasts?

[nescac1]

Amherst has to be happy as they are only down two at the half.  William Hardy, as usual, comes up with a big play at a huge time, tipping in an offensive rebound at the buzzer.  Williams playing poor defense and Amherst has looked very smooth on offense, getting LOTS of open looks off drives, and generally hitting them.  Highlights for Amherst a few great plays by Williamson (man he looks impressive, scary athletic and strong) including a monster dunk and a two-handed follow-up jam by Workman.  Waller playing great overall.  Williams has been saved by its big man tandem who have 18 on 8-9 from the field, plus two big three's from Alex Rubin.  Big Joe having his best game of the year.  Schultz and Wang 0-6 from three including a few that rimmed out.  They have to start hitting for the Ephs to hold on.   Wang still has ten points all on driving layups.  Ephs really need to play smarter defense as they are giving up way too many open looks.

I realize Amherst plays much better at home, but I just can't understand how they lost to Tufts and Bowdoin and got blown out by Bates, three teams that Williams absolutely manhandled.  Amherst looks WAY better than all three, even sans Meehan.  They are very, very talented and athletic.  This could go down to the wire unless the Ephs' starting hitting from deep.  

Bennett and Kaasila both had gorgeous post moves inside, each 1-1, but each struggled on D against the Eph bigs. 

[nescac1]

Okay, maybe I spoke too soon.  Amherst just completed dominated in every facet in the second half.  Schultz came alive in a HUGE way with a dominant half.  Williams' D was the story as they just totally shut Amherst down, played with a tremendous amount of energy and intensity, their best defensive half of the year after a first half when they were maybe a bit overconfident.  Amherst's offense, which looked great in the first half, was abominable this half.  Big Joe also had a huge game, and Whittington dominated on the defensive end.  The Eph seniors were the story as whenever the Ephs' needed a big bucket, Schultz, Rubin, Big Joe or in one case, Hardy came through.   Although Amherst did manage to tie the spread in garbage time after being down about 30.  Walzy, what can I say?  Impressive stuff.   Congrats to the Ephs for their first Amherst sweep since 1996!

On another note, what a difference shooting at the normal basket, Ephs' simply could not miss in the second half ... may really be something to that depth perception issue.

[Bucket]

So Middlebury rolls Trinity, 71-57 (was a 20-point game until the last minute).

Ryan Sharry appears to be returning to full strength, netting 15 points and 6 boards in 17 minutes of action. With Williams and Midd winning, the top two seeds in the tourney are locked in.

A lot of great action ahead of us!

[Old Guy]

Midd-Trinity - very close game until Midd rolls in second half of second half. Midd's balance: Wholey 15 pts; Sharry - 15 (17 minutes); Wolfin - 13; Davis - 8. Edwards - 8 (with 8 assists and no turnovers).

Wholey is important, perhaps our only natural #3. He's versatile, plays good D, but is a talented offensive player, who is heating up here in the last part of the season. Nice to see.

Watching "live stats" is an interesting experience, a diimension beyond radio, trying to imagine the action.

[BullShark09]

tech wins at Bowdoin.  Loving seeing the young cards on the road to redemption for Wes.  Big game tomorrow against one of the top teams in the league.