MBB: NESCAC

[formerbant10]

My favorite part was when the announcers stated they'd never seen a game with 20 fouls called in the 2nd half....classic.

Let's all relax on the officials...they did not (opposed to what the announcers said) change the outcome of the game.  Some calls were made, some were not.  Half the people watching are mad at every call.

And sometimes as a coach, when you've already set up what you want to do offensively after the free throw, you leave it to your players.  Wang hit that shot last year in LeFrak (only affecting the $ in Vegas) and it wasn't a bad look.

[LarryBasketball33]

My favorite part was when the announcers stated they'd never seen a game with 20 fouls called in the 2nd half....classic.

Let's all relax on the officials...they did not (opposed to what the announcers said) change the outcome of the game.  Some calls were made, some were not.  Half the people watching are mad at every call.

And sometimes as a coach, when you've already set up what you want to do offensively after the free throw, you leave it to your players.  Wang hit that shot last year in LeFrak (only affecting the $ in Vegas) and it wasn't a bad look.

I am new to the board, but not to NESCAC basketball.  I agree with your take on the refs.  This was a very difficult game to officiate.  The kids were really going at each other. Both teams had stretches when they looked great and others when they were lost.  What really impressed me was the crowd in the gym.  It looked packed, and it seemed as though the fans (many in face paint and crazy wigs) were having a great time.  Regarding the announcers, you have to remember we are dealing with students, not Bob Costas and Jim Nance.  Of course they have a home team slant.  Not unexpected or a big deal. This overall level of play in this league is really impressive.  The next few weeks should be a great watch.         

[amh63]

Some after the game comments/observations.  First, watching games like the one last night is like riding a roller coaster....and I no longer ride them.  Up and down and anticipating what is going to happen....and when it is over, thinking that the thrill maybe worth another ride.  Just finished booking by flight/car/room for the games on the 10/ll of Feb. at Amherst.  Plan to be in the crowd and make my feelings known.
Anyway, interesting coverage on line.  Had some "replays" even since it was done by a TV station.  One play did show an elbow knock down of an Amherst player.  Announcer did state it was a good call , even though it was not a strong foul.   
Nice shot of the Williams Prez in the audience enjoying the game.  Having been raised in the Chapel Hill NC area, he enjoys BB at its best.
Announcers, one in particular, for the MBB game was confusing Workman and Toomey throughout the game.  Just like the WBB game, when the announcers were confusing players on the Amherst side.  Would be tough to follow such games on audio feed only and/or  livestats.
The announced attendance was 1250 or so.  Interesting since it seemed to be a full house with observers on the walkways.  Last year in two games in Chandler, one a tourney game, the attendance was over 1500.  Must be that it was reduced due to TV coverage....fire code and all.
Some one posted that it was tight perimeter defense that was the reason for the poor 3-pt. shooting.  Maybe...Kalema of Amherst had several unguarded outside shots that did not go down.  The tight outside defense did open up the open layup for Williams as Nate Roberson made some passes to Williams big men left unguarded.
To LeFrakenstein....Amherst would like the transition game to be part of the game plan.  You have to have the big men run the floor and the other team must allow it.  Lately, like Williams last night, the quick pass to the point guard who throws it up court, etc. was not there.  Teams, including Amherst, are now setting up defensively to prevent the transition game more....especially if you have quick players.  That is my take for now.

[OchoLoko41]

Thought I'd throw my two cents into the hot topic of Williams v Amherst.

This game really highlighted the need for a quality "traditional" big man in order to be successful at the highest level in the CAC.  While this does not necessarily need to be a center, a team needs to be able to dump it down to the post and know that they are going to either get a quality shot or a pass out for an open look.

While this has often been a guard focused league, the great teams that I can remember always had a quality big to pair with their guards to do the dirty work - clog the lane, pick up rebounds, and give consistent good looks at the basket (even the great Andrew Olson had Hopkins)

While Williams is certainly a quality team, with their current model I cant see them advancing deep into the playoffs - against good defenses teams can get hot for a game or two but rarely more.

On the other hand, for the first time in quite some time I find myself rooting for the Ephs in their next contest against Amherst.  A Williams win will give Wesleyan a piece of the Little Three title

[frank uible]

Once upon a time "traditional" big men were called goons.

[walzy31]

Saturday January 28th NESCAC Spreads

Conn College @ Wesleyan
Wesleyan -11.5
O/U: 127.5

Williams @ Middlebury
Middlebury -16.0
O/U: 126.5

Bates @ Tufts
Tufts -7.5
O/U: 149.5

Amherst @ Trinity
Amherst -17.0
O/U: 144.5

Colby @ Bowdoin
Bowdoin -18.0
O/U: 151.5

[grabtherim]

Saturday January 28th NESCAC Spreads

Conn College @ Wesleyan
Wesleyan -11.5
O/U: 127.5

Williams @ Middlebury
Middlebury -16.0
O/U: 126.5

Bates @ Tufts
Tufts -7.5
O/U: 149.5

Amherst @ Trinity
Amherst -17.0
O/U: 144.5

Colby @ Bowdoin
Bowdoin -18.0
O/U: 151.5

Midd laying 16 to Williams?  I think you are way off, way too high a number.  That being said, I have been wrong on lines for years, just ask my bookie and his really nice Porsche I contributed to.  Let's see what happens.

[amh63]

Ocholoko.....Nice points, happy thoughts, Maybe next year!

[walzy31]

Midd laying 16 to Williams?  I think you are way off, way too high a number.  That being said, I have been wrong on lines for years, just ask my bookie and his really nice Porsche I contributed to.  Let's see what happens.

I am going to count this as you putting one Karma unit on the Ephs +16.0.
My formula tells me Middlebury wins by 16 so I wouldn't take either side, but I would be willing to bet a lot that Midd wins by 10+.

[grabtherim]

Midd laying 16 to Williams?  I think you are way off, way too high a number.  That being said, I have been wrong on lines for years, just ask my bookie and his really nice Porsche I contributed to.  Let's see what happens.

I am going to count this as you putting one Karma unit on the Ephs +16.0.
My formula tells me Middlebury wins by 16 so I wouldn't take either side, but I would be willing to bet a lot that Midd wins by 10+.

OK, but I'm a backer of the Panthers, so I'll hope for the imaginary middle.  Midd wins but by less than 16.  If you get this point spread correct or even close, I will be impressed big time.   

[7express]

Saturday January 28th NESCAC Spreads

Conn College @ Wesleyan
Wesleyan -11.5
O/U: 127.5

Williams @ Middlebury
Middlebury -16.0
O/U: 126.5

Bates @ Tufts
Tufts -7.5
O/U: 149.5

Amherst @ Trinity
Amherst -17.0
O/U: 144.5

Colby @ Bowdoin
Bowdoin -18.0
O/U: 151.5

Wesleyan and over
Williams and under.  Skip the triple down I posted earlier
Tufts and under
Trinity and under
Colby and under

[lefrakenstein]

I'll give this a shot.

Wesleyan and the under.
Williams and the over.
Bates and the under.
Trinity and the under.
Colby and the under.

[Old Guy]

Nobody at Middlebury is buying Walzy's 16 point spread. If the Ephs shoot the ball as well as they can, they can beat anyone.

Regarding James Wang's last second shot vs Amherst. I'd like to know what Coach Maker drew up in the time-out for an offensive scenario with four seconds on the clock the whole court to negotiate. I bet it wasn't a desperation mid-court three. Often players don't/can't run the preferred play for a variety of reasons, usually having something to do with the defense. In the semis last year at Salem, with 14 seconds left and down two, Middlebury hoped to get the ball to Sharry on the blocks. St. Thomas overplayed both the passer (Kizell as I recall) and Sharry. The result was a helter-skelter last few seconds and a long three attempt by Thompson. My disappointed son asked, "why didn't we just go for the two and the tie? Why did we attempt a three?"

[amh63]

Old Guy.....Good points, sad memories.  Last night on the Amherst Website, I was viewing....again.. the Amherst edited highlights of the MBB game at Williams.  The U-tube streaming....also led me to interviews of both BB coaches by noontime prod....after the game.  There are some remarks by Coach Hixon on his planning for the last 14 plus sec. in the Williams game and about the last 7 sec. in the Wes. lost.  Williams coach gives his take of the game...though less revealing about his thinking near the end of the game.
My take is put it in the hands of your key player...and pray.
Talk about the last few seconds of a game.  Last night, I watched the UAA game between Emory (ranked 4th) and U. of Chicago.  Surprisingly U. of Chicago was leading by 7-ll points.  The student announcers were excited, the Emory head coach was acting crazy and got a technical, etc.  Emory made a comeback with less than two minutes to go and went ahead...aided by three missed foul shots by Chicago players, including one by the star player.  I turned off the computer and went to bed with about 30 seconds to go.  I told my wife that Emory won the game...as if she cared.  Today, I find out that Chicago won on a buzzer beater...a long 3 pointer by the star player who scored 49 points. 

[amh63]

Old Guy and others that wish to see and hear coaches remarks about the end of the Amherst-Williams game.  I found the videos by luck and now realize it is a somewhat convoluted path.  Here goes...Go to the Amherst Athletic website.  Hit the YOU-Tube button.  Hit the Women's BB highlights.  At the completion of that video......one sees a number of related videos on the right.  Go to the one with the Amherst's WBB coach interview...it is not long.  When that completes there are several videos appearing on the right.  One is showing Coach Hixon features and contains his after the game interview as well as the Williams coach interview.  There is another one that simply labeled..the last seconds of the A-W game....no remarks but the play over the last 14 seconds.  You can make your own judgement.