MBB: NESCAC

[Gregory Sager]

Greg was, of course, on his never-ending quest to prevent people from confusing 'pre-season' with 'non-conference', but tripped himself TWICE.  Aside from the NESCAC not even starting practice yet, I dare say a majority of schools have not yet had a scrimmage (except, perhaps, intra-squad); such scrimmages (and exhibitions) are the actual 'pre-season' 'games'!

No, he said "preseason," not "preseason games." Official practices subsequent to October 15 are part of the preseason.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg was, of course, on his never-ending quest to prevent people from confusing 'pre-season' with 'non-conference', but tripped himself TWICE.  Aside from the NESCAC not even starting practice yet, I dare say a majority of schools have not yet had a scrimmage (except, perhaps, intra-squad); such scrimmages (and exhibitions) are the actual 'pre-season' 'games'!

No, he said "preseason," not "preseason games." Official practices subsequent to October 15 are part of the preseason.

Technically, you got me.  But I think that may have been nit-picky even for you!

[Gregory Sager]

No, not really. I'm simply stating my original intent. I use "preseason" as an inclusive chronological term that refers to the post-October-15 period that includes both practices and scrimmages. I've never confined it strictly to scrimmages.

[Rick Vaughn]

However, I consider this as "fantasy BB" time.

Anyone down for some Fantasy NESCAC Hoops?  I am winning my NESCAC Football Fantasy league (Hartwell and Dwyer were late round steals).  First pick overall is likely Wang, but Sharry could sneak into the top spot.  Not a fantasy hoops vet, so Wang's turnovers scare me.

[sumfun]

Interesting stuff on the EphBlog, but there isn't a DIII coach that doesn't go after a few DI type players.  If they don't get them, they stay in touch, watch their minutes played, and along the way ask if they might want to transfer.  Rarely do I think DIII schools swoop down and take DI players. Usually DI players make an inquiry or originally talked to the DIII school during the college hunt.   I love the story of the Amherst football player....Atlanta Braves paying for an Amherst education....so cool.

[jumpshot]

Thanks, Sumfun, for your comments on the EphBlog story of Amherst's escalation of athletics. Perhaps Amh63 and others will offer their insights and explanations to what many find an interesting story.

[nescac1]

Williams eighth, Midd ninth, Amherst also receives votes in preseason poll:

http://www.d3hoops.com/top25/

Sounds about right.  I do think Williams, Midd and Amherst will ultimately be very closely bunched this year, somewhere in the 10-20 type range with Williams dropping off slightly, Midd about the same, and Amherst much improved from last year's level, but Amherst needs to prove last year was an aberration before they deserve to be ranked.  Looking at early season schedules, I'd be stunned if Amherst or Midd lost in calendar year 2010.  Williams has a few potentially tough early season games, on the road vs. what should be a much-improved Wesleyan team and vs. North Park and at Salem State in Salem's tourney. 

Wesleyan has its pre-season preview out.  They only added two frosh, but fill a big need with two very bulky, physical front-court players:

http://www.wesleyan.edu/athletics/news/2010/10/mbbpreview201011.html

Interesting that St. Jean is, as a sophomore, is already a co-captain.  I guess he learned something in leadership from his Dad!  He is the heir to Tim Edwards' throne as the perimeter defender most likely to get under an opponent's skin in NESCAC. 

[Pat Coleman]

Interesting stuff on the EphBlog, but there isn't a DIII coach that doesn't go after a few DI type players.  If they don't get them, they stay in touch, watch their minutes played, and along the way ask if they might want to transfer. 

Uhm, this would be considered tampering.

[sumfun]

I agree with that point, but would be interesting to see when there are D1 or D2 transfers to D3 schools if that D3 school was orginially on the student's list or the student was being recruited by the D3 school.  Somehow the avenue of communication stays open.  Could be through the parents calling the school to inquire about the school's interest?  It doesn't happen tons of times or there would be rules about sitting out a year if you transfer to a lower division.

Thanks for the clarification, Pat.

[nescac1]

Sumfun, if you google the junior transfer to Tufts from Lafayette, it appears at least in his case to be just such a case -- he was originally committed to attend Tufts before Lafayette swooped in with a D-1 opportunity at the last second.  But I am also sure that is not ALWAYS the case.  Some schools seem to be more transfer-friendly than others, for whatever reason.   

[Old Guy]

Middlebury hoopers playing overseas: Tim Edwards is playing for SB DJK Rosenheim -Germany. Don't know what the level is - maybe some Jeff fans do. Evan Thompson '07 has been playing for a couple years in Denmark; I don't have much detail, except he likes it there. Ben Rudin is in Israel, according to teammates still here, studying for an MBA in Tel Aviv, but not evidently playing pro hoops (though you know he's playing basketball somewhere).

I'm unaccustomed to this preseason situation - Middlebury is loaded: six of the top seven back from last year: the frosh backcourt (Wolfin, Thompson) a year older, terrific senior leadership (Locke, Davis, Wholey), Sharry.

Schedule is tougher - two Maine trips (the "dreaded Maine trip"), tougher opening games (the UMass Dartmouth tourney with Baruch in the opener), who knows who will step up in NESCAC (Bates probably; I fear Trinity).

Can't wait.

[amh63]

Nice to hear from you, Old Guy, during this time.  It won't be long now before the preseason starts and the previews are posted and speculations accelerate/increase.
Nice try, Jump Shot, but as I posted earlier, the topic on the unofficial Williams website maybe of interest to you but not worthy of the time to clarify the many bias points raised.  The key points one must consider are that it is on the ephblog site and the inference that Amherst is "escalating" something.  Going to the website,  you can even find a recent topic on the comparison of the financial state of Amherst vs. Williams the past FY year.  That topic got 42 comments.   To the William bloggers that need to make such comparisons, I simply ask, get a life.
I am always amazed, the amount of "inside" info and insight found on this board about the conference teams and players, etc.
I DID not know that there was even a "Fantasy NESCAC football" event in play.  I have yet to comprehend the reason for  fantasy games going parallel to actual seasons.   

[jumpshot]

Amh63 must be from the Washington, D.C. area where the standard tactics include attacking the messenger, changing the topic, etc. Seems that putting a spotlight on an obvious shift at Amherst strikes a sensitive nerve! Look for a backlash at Amherst in the near future.

[Old Guy]

More information on Edwards in Germany from the Middlebury athletics home page: http://www.middlebury.edu/athletics/sports/mensbasketball/archive/2009-2010/news/node/268576

[Pat Coleman]

I agree with that point, but would be interesting to see when there are D1 or D2 transfers to D3 schools if that D3 school was orginially on the student's list or the student was being recruited by the D3 school.  Somehow the avenue of communication stays open.  Could be through the parents calling the school to inquire about the school's interest?  It doesn't happen tons of times or there would be rules about sitting out a year if you transfer to a lower division.

Thanks for the clarification, Pat.

You can continue to communicate. It was the bold part that would be problematic. And players and coaches definitely keep in touch. But the player has to be the one to bring up transferring, basically.