MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Thanks for the scouting report on Husson, Colby Fan.  That is a game the Ephs really should win handily, but of course anything is possible as all teams are good teams at this point.  Has anyone seen Becker or Scranton play?  Scranton seems to have at least one stellar player, a two-time conference player of the year at guard who sounds tough.  

Great feature on Troy Whittington:  http://athletics.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2010-11/releases/20110228k4vsfc

He really has been incredibly fun to watch the last few years, Eph hoops won't be quite the same without him.  I was at the game in NYC where he suffered the injury as a frosh, and it was the scariest thing I've ever seen as a hoops fan in person.  He truly has improved to an immense degree each year, and is very deserving of first-team all-American honors.  

Lots of common opponents for Skidmore and Amherst -- Amherst should be able to handle them without too much trouble, but they aren't horrible ... they beat Trinity and stayed within 12 of Middlebury, although Williams did beat them by 23 on the road.  I would guess RIC is the biggest potential obstacle for Amherst to make the Elite Eight, they do seem to be playing very well of late, and Amherst can struggle a bit to defend very quick perimeter players, which RIC seems to have in abundance.  Still, I'd much rather play them then VWU or F&M.  

On Hoopsville last night the commentators were noting the weakness of the group of teams in Amherst's portion of the bracket.  The top seed in that group is probably the SUNY team, but although they had a good record (in a weak conference / region), they had a LOT of close wins, and their statistics are anything but overwhelming -- they only shoot 30 percent from three as a team! 

When you consider how much tourney success the ODAC has had, the committee really seems to have under-seeded them, with VWU effectively a four seed, Randolph Macon on the road in the early rounds, and Eastern Mennonite out of the tourney entirely!  Those are three teams that NO ONE wants to go up against. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not sure if it's been brought up yet.  But if Randolph Macon makes the Sweet Sixteen (quite likely), Middlebury won't be hosting.  The distance is too far.

[nescac1]

Where did you hear that Hoops Fan? I don't think that is accurate.  Midd is clearly the top seed in that quarter, and RMC isn't even hosting a pod.  All of the teams in the Ithaca pod are a LOT closer to Midd than to RMC, etc.   The teams in the Ramapo pod are mostly closer to Midd as well.  I don't see the NCAA sending THREE teams on long trips so that a lower seeded team can host, to spare that lower seeded team a long trip.  This quarter seems clearly arranged to allow Midd to host if it advances. 

[Major Hoople]

   It is incredible that the #3 ranked team, Middlebury, in the space of two days, on a visitor's court, beats the #7 ranked team and then the #1 ranked team yet does not get this week's #1 ranking.  Taking nothing away from the #1 ranked team, is there any explanation for this, or are the D3 rankings nothing more than the subjective opinions of the voters.

[amh63]

nescac1.......read your remarks wrt Hoopsville and Amherst being in a soft bracket.  Listen to the broadcast again and missed the remarks again.  Only remarks wrt Amherst going ahead dealt with the WBB team.  Oh well, it matters little at this time of the year.  Just have to let the teams play and take the outcomes as they come.....hoping that the coaches prepare for their next opponent.  Fantasy BB is over.  Reality TV is here!

[nescac1]

Amh63, I forget the exact words but needless to say Pat Coleman (who I think was commenting) felt that Amherst had a very easy sectional, and I agree.   They basically thought that it would have made more sense to switch the VWU pod with the SUNY pod and, again, I agree.  But at least the Ephs should be at home ...

Major Hoople, of course, ALL rankings are nothing more than the subjective opinion of voters.  But I think it is ridiculous, looking at Midd's last few weeks (two wins over top-ten Amherst, and a win at number one Williams) vs. Whitworth's (which included a loss to an unranked team) to put Midd behind Whitworth, when they have the same record, but Whitworth has zero wins over top 25 teams, while Midd has three wins over top ten teams.  I really hope Midd can make the final four this year, they may be being penalized for past tourney struggles, but this is a different team and I think they are built to make a deep run. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Where did you hear that Hoops Fan? I don't think that is accurate.  Midd is clearly the top seed in that quarter, and RMC isn't even hosting a pod.  All of the teams in the Ithaca pod are a LOT closer to Midd than to RMC, etc.   The teams in the Ramapo pod are mostly closer to Midd as well.  I don't see the NCAA sending THREE teams on long trips so that a lower seeded team can host, to spare that lower seeded team a long trip.  This quarter seems clearly arranged to allow Midd to host if it advances. 

Randolph-Macon is more than 500 miles from Middlebury, which means, if Middlebury hosts, the NCAA has to fly RMC up.  That won't happen.  If Middlebury and RMC both make the Sweet Sixteen one of the other two schools will be hosting.

[JustAFan]

News on another Trinity recruit (a 6'4" shooting guard) here:

http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.com/news/article/1847/Trinity-Scores-Again.php

[booyakasha]

Anyone know what Whittington's plans are after graduation? Obviously he would be a good candidate to continue his playing career, but may be limited due to his height.

I wonder if he has considered making a run at playing football. I don't know if he played in high school or anything, but I think I recall some former d3 hoopers getting a chance to try and break into the NFL as tight ends. He would make a monster TE, think Antonio Gates.

[Hugenerd]

Anyone know what Whittington's plans are after graduation? Obviously he would be a good candidate to continue his playing career, but may be limited due to his height.

I wonder if he has considered making a run at playing football. I don't know if he played in high school or anything, but I think I recall some former d3 hoopers getting a chance to try and break into the NFL as tight ends. He would make a monster TE, think Antonio Gates.

I wouldnt worry about the height too much.  Former NYU standout Jason Boone (2006 graduate), who was also a 6'6" post player, has done quite well for himself in the German Bundesliga (1st Division, highest league in Germany).  Both Boone and Whittington are generally similar-type players: athletic, explosive, strong, and slightly under-sized.

[amh63]

The distance from R-M to Midd. is around 530 plus.  The topic with respect to possible hosting in the sectional was discussed in the Monday Hoopsville broadcast....late in the show....last 5 minutes or so?  Pat and Dave brought up the possibility of where R-M would play.  It seems that Midd and Williams are seeded i and 2 and R-M and VCU are seeded i and 2 so a decision has to be made when the time comes of who goes where and who hosts, etc.  Of course, it depends on who survives the early rounds.
At this time, it is only a topic of discussion for this board.....is it not?

[TheHerst2and4]

I wouldnt worry about the height too much.  Former NYU standout Jason Boone (2006 graduate), who was also a 6'6" post player, has done quite well for himself in the German Bundesliga (1st Division, highest league in Germany).  Both Boone and Whittington are generally similar-type players: athletic, explosive, strong, and slightly under-sized.

Jason was also 6'6 257 and currently built like a mack truck, not taking anything away from Whittington as I'm sure he could continue his playing career after college, but just pointing out the rarity of Boone's athleticism for his size

[booyakasha]

I wasn't implying that he wouldn't be successful, just that he would reach a ceiling in the basketball world, whereas he has the physical tools to reach the top in football.

[TheHerst2and4]

Basketball skills and athleticism doesn't always translate to football skills ala Antonio Gates and at 215 he would need to bulk up considerably to get a look for TE, but who knows
back to basketball,
can someone explain to me (who admittedly has no idea how it all works) how McMurry at 21-7 got a bye over teams such as Williams, UWSP and Wooster? Does winning your conference factor in?

[CCC Talk]

McMurray bye = Geography