MBB: NESCAC

[Hugenerd]

Also, it is possible to play two guards at the same time.  If the player they are recruiting is better than other guards on their current roster, they could just play both together and move one off the ball or have either one bring it up, depending on the set.

[jayhawk]

See this article about Mussachia who will be attending Amherst in Boston Herald
http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/football/view/20101223hot_shots_joe_mussachia_learns_to_cope_with_diabetes/srvc=home&position=4

[eph partisan]

Happy holidays, everyone. 

Midd, Amherst, Tufts, Wes and Bowdoin seem to have gotten some strong players. Any word on the other recruiting classes in the conference?

Also, it is possible to play two guards at the same time.  If the player they are recruiting is better than other guards on their current roster, they could just play both together and move one off the ball or have either one bring it up, depending on the set.

Williams does this all the time - Brown could easily play like Wang does with Robertson if the other PG is good. Having more guys on the floor that can handle the ball is never a bad thing, as long as that is not their only skill.

[JustAFan]

Middlebury lands a 6-5 forward from Hotchkiss via Chaminade HS:

http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.com/news/article/1770/Kilcullen-Makes-Decision.php

[nescac1]

More on Mussachia:

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/sports/x636374431/Running-the-Floor-Hornets-star-headed-to-Amherst-College-this-fall

The Williams games vs. North Park and Salem State were each moved back a day due to the inclement weather.  The Salem web site says the games involving Salem will be webcast.  Too bad if the Williams-NPU game will not, as that should be an interesting match-up vs. an experienced mid-tier CCIW team. 

It's hard to judge just how good Williams/Amherst/Middlebury right now, but that should change in the next two weeks, with the Ephs facing NPU and then playing at Amherst (plus playing three other teams in a busy stretch of five games in eleven days), Amherst hosting Wesleyan and Williams, and Middlebury playing four games including a big road test at number 20 SUNY-Plattsburgh. 

[Bengalsrule]

Middlebury playing four games including a big road test at number 20 SUNY-Plattsburgh. 

I predict an upset in this 1. Plattsburgh over Middlebury!!!

[grabtherim]

Maybe, but it would not be a real upset.  After all, D3 rankings for the most part are a total crap shoot. I think the rankings mean little except when picking the field for the NCAAs and the seeding for it.  As a matter of fact, I would argue that good teams not mentioned in the rankings or ranked worse than they think they should be,  would play with a major chip on their shoulder.  As a coach I would use that to get the kids jacked up.  Let's see what happens.   

[John Gleich]

FWIW, the Massey Ratings predicts that it will be 73-64.  That's including results through last Tuesday (probably will update sometime today or tonight?) so it might change a bit... but Middlebury is (was) 12th...  Plattsburgh is (was) 129th.  This would be a pretty significant upset.

By no means am I saying that Massey is spot on... no rating is spot on (and they really CAN'T be), but just interesting, in terms of placement, where these teams match up on the spectrum that is DIII Men's basketball.

[toad22]

Even at this stage of the season, it is very difficult to know how good your team is unless you have a completely experienced team. When two teams are competent, outcomes are nearly unknowable. It is only later in the season that we can discern who the really talented teams are. In the NESCAC, we are fairly certain that Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, and possibly Bates are teams to be reckoned with. Several others (esp. Trinity) are certainly dangerous. Beyond that, I don't think we know very much. My team, Williams, certainly has some talent, but are we a big time team? Only the development of some underclassmen will reveal the extent of our capabilities. All I know at this point is that it will be a really exciting 2nd semester.

[jumpshot]

What was the result of the Williams-North Park game tonight?

[Hugenerd]

Williams 85 - North Park 54

http://williams.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/files/npark.htm

[jumpshot]

Thanks, Huge. I just found the box score on the North Park web site.

[nescac1]

Nice blow-out win for the Ephs over a decent CCIW team.  Did anyone see the game?  Although anything can happen between now and then, it's looking more and more likely that Amherst and Williams are headed for a double-undefeated men's and women's showdown in early January.  Should be quite a scene in Lefrak.  What is the story on the team Amherst is playing today?  Are they supposed to be any good (I assume they are an NAIA team or something?). 

I'm impressed by 6'9 frosh Mayer's production in limited minutes: 8 ppg and 3.6 rpg in less than 9 mpg (albeit generally in garbage time, but still, a point a minute is nothing to sneeze at).  I guess as a five he is stuck behind Whittington and Emerson, but that bodes well for the future for the Ephs, especially considering that big guys are usually slower to develop.  The two frosh currently in the regular rotation, Rooke-Ley and Epley, both seem to be finding their shooting groove after taking a few games to get acclimated to the college game; the Ephs need them to be the two primary scorers off the bench, so that is a good sign.   

[toad22]

Williams played a very weak first half, but came back with solid play and shooting in the second. North Park is big, but doesn't have much offense. Wang warmed up early and then played like like an All American for much of the game. Mayer is potentially a star. His scoring ability is very high -- he is a kid who moves like he is 6'4" but is 6'9". He is pretty skinny now, but I expect that he will get a lot stronger. Whittington was doubled and even trippled much of the night. The refs let the boys play, so Troy got tag-team beaten up all night with few calls. He did a good job of not turning the ball over and finding open teammates. A solid win for the Ephs.

[nescac1]

Williams up 12 vs. Salem at the half.  Of concern for the Ephs, Whittington is not playing and I believe was on the bench in street clothes.  Hopefully it is nothing serious.  With Whittington out, Robertson in foul trouble, and Wang a bit off with his shooting, James Klemm did a tremendous job carrying the Ephs' offense, with 20 points in the first half.  The frosh all received extended playing time, and while they struggled with shooting, they did have some nice assists and played solid D.   Brian Emerson played very well as the starting center, with a few nice pick and roll finishes. 

The Ephs are definitely a very different team, both offensively and defensively, without the big guy.  Still, nice to see them with a double digit lead on the road despite his absence and a quiet half from Wang (who usually picks it up in the second half, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him go off early).