MBB: NESCAC

[lefrakenstein]

Nice to see Amherst turn up the D in the second half to run away from Colby.

After Colby shot a scorching 65% in the first half, Amherst limited the Mules to just 4 field goals and 19% shooting in the second half. I hope that momentum carries over into tomorrow.

Really tough loss for Wesleyan at Bates. They fall to 1-4. Granted, three of those were A-W-M, so they still have a shot to get the 4th seed and host a game. They really need to get a win in Medford tomorrow though.

Speaking of which, the Jumbos coughed up a 10-point half time advantage to fall to Conn College. Would have never happened if Bob Sheldon were still alive. Seriously, I used to think he was one of the best coaches in the league. After that run to the sweet 16 when they got offed by 'the shot' it's been all downhill.

And of course the best game of the day must have been the Bowdoin-Trinity matchup that went to OT. Was anyone there? Sounds like O'Connell had a monster game and really came through in the clutch. It will be interesting to see what he and Hanley can do against Amherst.

[walzy31]

January 29th Lines
2:00 PM Tip Offs

Bowdoin @ Amherst
Amherst - 13.5
O/U: 151.5

Middlebury @ Williams
Williams -8.0
O/U: 142.0

Colby @ Trinity
Colby -3.0
O/U: 143.0

Conn College @ Bates
Bates -4.5
O/U: 129.5

Wesleyan @ Tufts
Wesleyan -2.0
O/U 158.0

[Colby Hoops]

I really can't fathom how Sharry would be considered the same to Midd as Whittington to Williams. Whittington is a first-team All-American, while Sharry might be the second most important player on his team (Locke's shot blocking presence just changes games).  Sharry is an efficient offensive player and a very good defensive player, but he's not a dominating presence in the way Whittington is.   I'm not trying to take anything away from Sharry, he's a very good player, but Whittington is just a level above everyone else.

Went to the Colby-Amherst game.  Colby played well in the first half but everyone knew they were in trouble when they shot 65% in the first half and were down 8 at the break.  Toomey played very efficiently.  I was a bit dissapointed because COlby played zone pretty much the whole game, so it was kind of hard to tell anything about him other than that he can really shoot it.  Finally, Allen Williamson had one of the best dunks I've seen in person, taking off from a few feet outside the lane on the baseline and throwing it down on a Colby defender.

[walzy31]

Finally, Allen Williamson had one of the best dunks I've seen in person, taking off from a few feet outside the lane on the baseline and throwing it down on a Colby defender.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDUQMSSwy8I&feature=feedu

[amh63]

The Colby Amherst game is well covered on the Amherst website so I will again just state my impressions.  After three straight defeats by Colby over Amherst, one would expect Amherst to be up for the game at home.  I agree with the announcers.....that Amherst played without energy most of the first half.  Workman and Waller, both got in foul trouble early.  Amherst played the perimeter....but Colby hit the outside shots and kept taking them further and further out.  Little attempt to go inside.  Didn't know Russell of Colby was leading the league in rebounds with 13 plus/game and team in points.  Colby's captains led their team during the game, one in the first half and the other in the second half.
It seems to me that Colby's coach was slowing down the game, especially in the first half.  When Toomey entered the game, he gave the team more intensity and his teammates responded.  When Williamson and Toomey were both in the game,  Amherst blew the game open.  
I actually missed Williamson's dunk on the left side of the basket....but the crowd didn't.  The team seemed to become energized.
I see that his dunk was not missed by Walzy.  Now I can see it.  Williamson's overall play seems to be overtaken by his dunk.  He is becoming a strong player in the Amherst's rotation.
The coach must have chewed the team out wrt to their defensive play during the half.  Amherst almost shot 60% in the first half and shot 50% plus in the second half, while holding Colby down in the second half.
To say that Toomey was effecient....is putting it mildly.  Toomey in his 19 minutes, scored a team high 18 points.....going 5-5 overall, not missing from outside and only missing one foul shot.  He took two charges and after he clearly beat his man and assisted on a Kaasilla layup, Colby's coach called a time out.  I actually think his play caused Colby to take 2 timeouts.
Colby put three different players on him and it did not matter.

[Colby Hoops]

amh63, completely agree on Williamson, he's a very good player who can get to a good look on a pull-up jumper almost anytime he wants.  He provides great energy off the bench for the team.  And you were right on about Colby slowing the game down.  They took the shot clock under ten nearly every possesion.  The game got out of hand at the end when both team's bench players were in. 

I disagree a bit on your take on Toomey's performance.  The drive and dish to Kaasila was actually tipped and a bit of a loose ball that Kaasila picked up and put in.  I think Whitmore called the timeout because he was upset that a Colby player didn't grab the ball.  Toomey knocked down every open look he had and made smart passes against the zone.  But he didn't have to penetrate at all against the zone.  So maybe efficient was a bit of an understatement, but I'm not sure he was causing Colby timeouts left and right.

[nescac1]

Heck of a dunk, that one was nasty, kind of had a second gear of elevation in mid-air.  Reminds me a bit of myself ... (if only)

Well-played half of basketball after a choppy start in the big Middlebury-Williams game.  Refs called the game very tight, especially in early going, several touch fouls on both teams, but then the game settled into a nice rhythm.  Middlebury got off to an 8-2 start, but the Ephs were in total control the rest of the way, moving the ball really well on offense, and ultimately leading by 9 at the half.  Williams was pretty surgical with its offense, playing beautiful team ball.  Most of the Ephs' baskets seemed to be off open threes or layups set up by great passing and ball movement.  Robertson 4-4, each one a layup after a blow-by, Midd could not stop him.  Tremendous balance for Williams as Wang and Whittington (who Midd did a good job on) were relatively quiet, but Emerson, Klemm, and Robertson all had big halves.  Emerson and Whittington played together for a bit and were very effective in tandem.  I expect Midd will adjust its defense to prevent so many barely contested layups in the second half.  

Midd really struggled shooting, with all of their long-range misses seeming to be nowhere close to going in, several bricks and air-balls, very good perimeter D by Williams.  Midd in the game thanks to excellent foul shooting (8-8), a bunch of second chance points (an area where I figured they would have an edge) and a great half by Davis, who often seems to give the Ephs fits.  

If Ephs can do a little better job on the glass, and keep moving the ball well, they should be able to take this one home.  Midd definitely misses Sharry as they don't really have a go-to guy on offense right now.  

[nescac1]

So much for the Eph lead -- 10-0 run by Midd, featuring two threes from Wolfin set up by offensive boards, and featuring two wide-open threes missed for the Ephs.  Quite a rapid turnaround, ugghhh. 

[nescac1]

Wow, gutty win for the Ephs, barely holding on for a five point win down the stretch.  Phew, huge victory and now they have the leg up for home court in NESCAC.  Midd is very, very tough, mentally and physically. 

Midd's defense was night and day in the second half, just nothing at all came easy for the Williams offense in the second half after they seemed to score at will in the first, they really adjusted to clog off the driving lanes.  Klemm hit a few big threes and Whittington also had some great baskets, saving the Ephs.  Wang had the rare off night, which didn't help, partially because of tremendous defense by Midd's Thompson, partially just one of those days where nothing seemed to bounce his way.  Ephs really struggled at the line, which kept Midd in it, but hit a few down the stretch to clinch the victory.  I feel like Williams could have played better and they really lost focus at the start of the second half, but Midd was of course without its star -- at even strength, on a neutral court, I think these teams are dead even.  If the teams meet again, the Ephs need to do a better job on the defensive glass and at the line, and you figure Wang would have to have a more typical day to beat Midd at full strength.  I'd like to see more of the Whittington-Emerson combo against big physical teams like this. 

For Midd, Kizel was absolutely fantastic in the second half.  Quite a group of frosh guards in NESCAC this year, and Kizel is right up there based on what I saw.  Thompson also was solid on both ends. 

Scary moment in the second half when Whittington and Locke collided hard (Troy somehow made the basket anyway despite getting clocked in the head), both got bloodied up and Troy had to go to the locker room for awhile, but when he came back in it really sparked the team, nothing is easy against Locke but Troy still managed to have a strong game. 

[amh63]

Well the Amherst-Bowdoin game ended in a shoot fest.....Amherst 103-Bowdoin 85.  Bowdoin was down 57-41 at the half.  Amherst was on fire from outside in the first half with Barrise leading the way with 5 threes and 19 points.  Barrise got into foul trouble and sat out much of the second half.  Waller again hit his first two threes.....as in the Colby game...but picked up fouls and sat down.  Williamson played outstanding and had a big dunk that pleased the crowd.  He made a mistake in the second half...missed a easy layup for a missed dunk that led to a Bowdoin three......was sat down for awhile.  In the second half, Amherst scored primarily inside with P. Kaasila leading the way with 4 easy layups.  However Bowdoin stayed with Amherst led by Hanley who led the game with 26 points and 12 rebounds.  Amherst rebounds were spread around with three or 4 guards getting the bulk.  Toomey let Amherst off the bench with 20 points and 5 rebounds and mucho assists.  Meehan came on strong in the second half and joined Workman, Holmes, Williamson in double figures.  Waller was near double figures as was Kaasila.  Amherst shot over 50% overall and from 3-point land.  I believe they had 6 players in double figures.  
Give Bowdoin credit.  Even when they were behind 24 points....they fought back to cut it to 14 once.....and Amherst didn't go above 8 players in the game.  
As you can guess.....I do not have the stats. Have now corrected some numbers after seeing the stats
It was a fun game to watch.   Oh yes, Toomey started to miss late in the game when he drove inside.  

[nescac1]

Colby Hoops, having watched Toomey play a few times now, he is totally legit and will be an all-American without any doubt by his junior year at the latest, so long as he stays healthy.  Toomey has really been killing it in conference play, leading NESCAC in three point percentage and assist/TO ratio, and among the leaders in scoring, assists, steals, and FT percent.  At this pace, he is deserving of being on the all-conference team (second team at a minimum), which I think might be a first for a NESCAC frosh (correct me if I'm wrong, maybe Rhoten from Trinity?).  He also has to be among the favorites, if not the favorite, for national rookie of the year.  And he is overshadowing some VERY strong play from other first-year guards across the conference (Vadas, Rooke-Ley, Kizel, a few of the Tufts frosh guards, etc.).    

http://www.nescac.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/stats/CONFONLY.HTM

NESCAC seems to be sorting itself out now.  I'd be surprised if Midd, Williams, or Amherst lose to anyone but each other, they are just at a different level and are as even as three teams can be.  Colby, Conn and, surprisingly, Wesleyan will fight it out for the last sport in the tourney, whereas teams 4-7 seem to be a interchangeable toss-up.  Barring something really crazy, NESCAC should have exactly three teams in the NCAA -- and hopefully they will be split up between two different regionals, as all are true Final Four contenders at this point.  

[toad22]

The Williams/Midd game was a war. Very fisical and tough. Wang was a little off today, as he didn't practice all week due to the flu. It was questionable up to game time how much (if any) he would play. Troy and Emerson were very good in tandem today. It was a good team victory. Midd is very tough. Troy ended up with ten staples in his head. On a side note, I hated the officiating today. There are really very few decent D3 officials.

[nescac1]

Agreed re: officiating, and both sides had reason to complain.  For Williams, the three most egregious calls, in my view (and admittedly the video quality is not ideal), were the play in which Troy got injured, how ten staples= no foul I have no idea, looked like he was killed on that one, the phantom travel on Wang negating a huge three pointer in the second half, and a phantom offensive foul on Whittington.  Midd seemed to be upset at a few calls as well, and they were hampered by a touch foul or two called on Locke early that seemed to be pretty questionable. 

Pretty gutty effort by Williams' stars, Wang playing nearly the whole game through the illness and Troy returning after bleeding profusely and getting stapled up.  Those two guys are true leaders out there, even when not 100 percent. 

[amh63]

Interesting remark about Wang having the flu.  Reminded me about something the announcers stated in the Amherst game.  They were surprised about the level of Toomey's play this weekend......seems he was sick and did not practice all week.
Since I have a different outlook on conference games......that illnesses and injuries to players almost always occur on teams....often at the wrong times it seems...one just accept it as part of the season/game.  Coaches must plan for injuries and develop depth and to have players ready to step up.
Now with that out of the way....Found out that Waller was out because of an ankle injury.
During the Amherst road trip to Conn and Wes games, the short bench was because of illnesses on the team.  Holmes did not make the trip.....and I am assuming others were left behind.  Heard that Meehan was fighting a bug also.
In the game with Curry and Trinity, Connor Johnson was in street clothes on the bench.  He was dressed for this weekends game.  I found out at the Trinity game, my favorite back-up point guard....Noon was not dressed.  His father stated that his son was recovering from a hip flexor injury that happened during the soccer post season (Noon was a star this year).  This is Noon who was put in the Midd. game last year for significant time  and scored 14 points and played the point well. Thank goodness A. Toomey arrived and is playing well.

[lefrakenstein]

Lot of talk about who's the best in the league, and obviously for good reason.

But I also think the race for the 'best of the rest' and the last remaining spot to host a nescac playoff game is really interesting.

The standings are a little muddled, but they get clearer if you take out all losses against the top three and assume all future games against the top three will be loses.

Tufts:       3-1, Max Wins 5, Games Remaining: Trinity, Bates
Bates:      3-1, Max Wins 5, Games Remaining: Trinity, Tufts
Bowdoin:  2-2, Max Wins 4, Games Remaining: Conn, Wes
Trinity:      2-2, Max Wins 4, Games Remaining: Tufts, Bates
Wes:        1-2, Max Wins 4, Games Remaining: Conn, Colby, Bowdoin
Conn:       1-2, Max Wins 4, Games Remaining: Wes, Bowdoin, Colby
Colby:       1-3, Max Wins 3, Games Remaining: Wes, Conn

Bates, Tufts and Trinity are definitely in the race and I think Wes and Bowdoin still have very slim hope. Here are the 7 scenarios:

1) Tufts and Bates both take care of Trinity on the road. The game between Bates and Tufts on the final saturday will decide who gets the four spot.

2) Trinity beats Tufts and loses to Bates, and then Tufts beats Bates in Lewiston on the final day. Conn loses a game.  Tufts advances.

3) Trinity beats Tufts and loses to Bates, and then Tufts beats Bates in Lewiston on the final day. Conn wins out.  Bates advances.

Tufts, Bates and Conn will tie at 4 wins, creating a 3-way tie with all three teams having a 1-1 record against each other. However, in this scenario, Bates would win the tie breaker by being the only team of the three to beat Trinity, who would definitely finish at least tied for 7th with 3 wins. Bowdoin or Wes could also tie for 7th, but they would have each lost to all three teams in question, so they would be no help to Conn or Tufts. Conn would finish 5th and Tufts 6th because of the head-to-head.

Note: Bowdoin and Wes could also finish with 4 wins and tie with both Bates and Tufts, but again, Bowdoin and Wes have each lost to both Tufts and Bates, so even in this scenario they would still end up being 6th and Tufts would take 4th.

4) Trinity beats Bates and loses to Tufts. Bates beats Tufts. Bates advances.

Bates has beaten Tufts and each of the other three teams that could potentially reach four wins in this scenario. (Conn, Wes, Bowdoin). They win the tie-breaker.

5) Trinity wins out. Bowdoin wins out. Conn and Wes both beat Colby. Wes beats Conn. Winner Tufts/Bates advances, by virtue of being 2-0 against loser Tufts/Bates and Wes. Bowdoin is 5th, Trin is 6th.

6) Trinity wins out. Wes wins out. Bowdoin beats Conn. Winner Tufts/Bates advances, by virtue of being 2-0 against loser Tufts/Bates and Bowdoin. Wes is 5th, Trin is 6th.

7) Trinity wins out. Neither scenario 5 nor 6 occurs. Trinity advances


Ok, so it's still really muddled.