MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Condolences Old Guy, and that is a great tribute to you Dad.  I know my love for sports started at age six when I began going to New York Giants games with my Dad.  I will definitely follow your advice. 

Hope to see your guys from Midd in the Elite Eight ... it would be great to have a NESCAC team in the Final Four for the sixth time in eight years. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

What a ****ing sham. Hopefully the NCAA committee gave Colby a kiss before they ****ed them. Two NESCAC teams? With this strong of a third team? Really NCAA? Really? What planet am I on?

I had Colby in, but they did play a pretty poor schedule.  Their only win of note was in the first game of the reason against RIC.  It seems like the committee gave more weight this year to wins against regionally ranked opponents (which is the rarely spoken of third primary criteria).

Anderson is obviously the team which got in at Colby's expense.  Anderson had a better winning percentage overall and an extra win vs regionally ranked opponents.

I think Colby and Calvin both had better credentials than Anderson.

[nescac1]

I don't think Colby not making it is a travesty ... ultimately, their schedule was very weak, and they got trounced by the good teams they played (except for RIC, but considering that Amherst blew RIC out w/out Meehan, I am skeptical about how good RIC really is).  At the same time, Wesley's schedule was no better from what I can see, and their results were worse than Colby's.  Ultimately, MIT losing probably killed Colby.  Four out of 19 Pool C bids would have been a lot from a New England region that, outside of a few very good teams, was fairly weak this year.  I think they probably deserved to squeeze in in the end, but again, it's a close call either way.  

I would be absolutely SHOCKED if St. John Fisher makes the final four out of that region.  If I was handicapping it, I'd say Williams, Midd, Plattsburgh State, Brandeis, and only then SJF.  Better SJF teams than this one have flamed out in the tourney in the past.  Plattsburgh seems balanced and athletic and could have the quickness to give Williams some problems.  Brandeis beat Wash U. at Wash U. (I think) which means they can beat anyone on any given night ... they have been pretty inconsistent this year so who knows.  

On another note, interesting article (scroll down to the end) about former Eph Brandt Johnson's one-man play about hoops. Sounds ... interesting:

http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/03/01/chasing-march-top-teams-get-rocked/  

[walzy31]

How did the NESCAC get five in on the Women's side? That is unheard of for the 'CAC men or women! Can Colby trade their Women's team bid for their Men's team snub?

[wbbhoopsfan]

Sure, if you can find a way to replace wins over 2-23 Southern Maine and two NAIA schools with credible wins.  Colby's situation is paradoxical.  They were 19-6 but lost 4 games late and had a bad SOS.  They also needed a buzzer-beater to beat Thomas and what was a quality win at the time (Amherst in the regular season) lost its luster as fast as AIG stock as the season progressed.  They needed OT each time to beat Bates and lost a non-conference game to what proved to be a bad Bowdoin team.  I wish it were as simple as top3 NESCAC's in the tournament, and it probably should be, but the committee unfortunately felt otherwise.  With four seniors in the starting lineup, I am sure it is a tough day in Muleville.  Does Whitmore return?

[scout]

I have posted a profile of Midd's first round opponent Gordon College.

Just an on-paper look at the Fighting Scots.

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=6817.msg1184052#msg1184052

[booyakasha]

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=6817.msg1184169#msg1184169

I just posted a profile too

[division3]

OLD GUY
Sorry about the loss of your dad. best to you in your grieving/mourning period.

[booyakasha]

I'm disappointed the mules didn't get in, but life goes on.

I am curious for the opinion of the Amherst posters in a situation like this year. Do you guys pull for Williams to go deep into the tourney? Obviously you would prefer Midd over Williams, but hypothetically say Midd gets bounced early, do you root for or against Williams? Being a Colby guy, I've never really run into this situation as Bates or Bowdoin haven't really made any noise in the tourny since I've been around, but its an interesting dynamic. I would think you would prefer the Ephs to go deep as it builds up the reputation of the conference, but not win a title to break the tie between the two schools. Nescac1, how did you feel when Amherst was winning their title?

After watching Midd and Williams over the weekend, I can't picture many d3 teams are better than that pair. Impressive.

[frank uible]

Sports fans like lovers tend to overestimate the virtues of the objects of their affections.

[magicman]

New Top 25 Poll is out

http://d3hoops.com/top25/

[amh63]

Just reviewed the final regional standings and D3hoops' latest top 25 teams.  Struck by the fall of MIT on the men's side and the high ranking of Williams on the women's side.  Who are the voters/evaluators on the NCAA regional rankings? 
Watched a number of web games available from other regions.  Tried to see the caliber of teams from other regions, etc.  Considering the number of surprising upsets, etc. in Div3 it is hard to judge the level of team play.  In any case, I believe both NESCAC teams should go deep if they play to their talent level.  I believe one can reach the final 4.  In the final 4, based on my observations over four sessions, one advances based more on match ups and depth of team (luck and health of players).  Oh yes, defense is the key.  All the teams have talent and key offensive players.  The ability to stop your opponent's top player and their plays are needed.  Therefore, I believe Midd has the best chance if they reach the Final Four.  In adverse times during a game, having other players step up when your key players have off days or an injury is needed.  Both Williams and Midd have had players do that during the season (Amherst did not).
When the Final four comes around and we have a rep in, I will relate an observation that I believe helped Amherst win the game over Virginia Wes. in 2007.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Just reviewed the final regional standings and D3hoops' latest top 25 teams.  Struck by the fall of MIT on the men's side and the high ranking of Williams on the women's side.  Who are the voters/evaluators on the NCAA regional rankings? 

The regional rankings are done by a regional advisory committee made up of representatives from conferences in the region (usually coaches).  The chairs of those regional committees make up the national committee.

The current list is available here.

[amh63]

Thanks Hoops Fan
Forgot to give a "shout out" to Williams for providing FREE webcasts of the NESCAC games this past weekend.  Will Williams do the same for the upcoming games they are hosting?  Did notice that the NCAA has raised the ticket prices for the regional games.  Have to pay for the officials, etc.
I have an friend, who played BB for Amherst in the days of short pants, etc.  At the 2007 Final Four, he introduced me to a Williams graduate who also attended the games.  My friend who I admire, stated that one of the best things one can do in life is to have a long time friendship with a Williams sports fan/ graduate.  Like many Amherst graduates, our dislike of Williams only occur a few times/year.
Old Guy,
Enjoyed and somewhat struck by your remark about the dislike of Maine schools for one another.  Bowdoin, the Dartmouth of NESCAC!  Could be, considering the low level of sports' success by Dartmouth in recent times.

[nescac1]

It seems Williams will again have a free webcast:

http://athletics.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2009-10/News/030210_NCAA_Advance_ticket_sale-webcast_info

Hopefully they will break the NESCAC BSU curse (assuming BSU wins Thursday).  BSU has only one starter over 6'3 (and he's only 6'5), so you'd think the Ephs would just pound it inside all night ... well, maybe it's not a curse YET, but if BSU can stun the Ephs, it certainly will be.  Speaking of ignominous history, worried a bit about a potential SUNYAC meeting in the Round of 16 ... the last two times the Ephs made the tourney and lost short of the Final Four, a SUNYAC team was responsible, and the Ephs' two closest games this year were both vs. SUNYAC teams ...

Congrats to Blake "Shultz" (see the front page) for being a Jostens finalist.  Schultz is an incredibly well-rounded guy and would definitely be a worthy recipient of the Ephs' first Jostens winner since Nogelo:

http://athletics.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2009-10/News/030210_Blake_Schultz_1_of_10_Finalists_for_Jostens_Trophy

Was there ever an announcement of a NESCAC all tourney team?  Wang would obviously have been the MVP, and I figure Geoghegan, Edwards, Locke, and maybe Van Loennen and Ellis would round it out, but hadn't heard anything ...