MBB: NESCAC

[magicman]

Middlebury pulling away from Wesleyan as they now lead 68-46 with 6:30 to play in the game. 

[maineman]

Midd advances 74-52 over Wesleyan.  The Cardinals came out flying in the second half scoring the first 9 points, but could get no closer.  Midd systematically built their large lead back.  Nate Bullock was huge in the second half.  Wesleyan fans are a tough crowd.

[OchoLoko41]

Mid gets the win 74-52 over Wesleyan.  Cardinals fought hard throughout the game, outplaying the Panthers through a fair portion of the game but the barrage of three pointers to close the first half opened up a deficit that Wesleyan could never quite close.

Some REAL questionable calls from the refs, to a certain extent it really felt like the upstart Cardinals needed to prove themselves to the refs against the established Panthers, particularly half way through the second half when Middlebury made its push.  There was a 3 or 4 minute stretch where Wesleyan couldnt buy a basket or a call on either end (Middlebury on the other hand, benefits from call such as "kneeing"? what the holy heck is that?!?!).  Thomas getting the 4th pretty quickly took out arguably Wesleyans most productive player at the time.

Gotta give Wesleyan a tip of the cap for the hard work theyve displayed night in and night out.  Im still hoping they somehow get a chance to prove themselves and keep the dream alive with an at large.  Reilly has got to be the favorite for Coach of the year after the single season turnaround the program has experienced.

So now we get Amherst vs Middlebury... aka the white bread of the NESCAC tournament. While I know we can count on a quality game to be played, I gotta say that I was hoping for a rematch of the Reilly Classic   

[Bucket]

First time I have ever heard of a team that lost by 22 be described as "outplaying the [team that beat them] through a fair portion of the game." If Walzy hadn't already handed out All-Crazies, this statement would have put OchoLoko in the running.

That certainly wasn't the game I saw. Midd thoroughly dominated and outclassed Wesleyan in all facets of the game. Nate Bullock, who hasn't seen a lot of minutes this year, almost single-handily put away Wes in the second half; it must have been the chants of "scrub" directed at him by the shirtless Cardinal fans. Those chants didn't last long, though.

Thomas got off to a good start for Wesleyan, Callahan impressed, and Brown showed sparks, but other than that, Wes really showed nothing.

Midd got another great game from Sharry, solid contributions from is trio of guards, and a lot of spark off the bench from the aforementioned Bulluck, as well as Jack Roberts, James Jensen, and Dylan Sinnickson. Bruiser Peter Lynch did a lot of damage around the basket, too.

Call it the "white bread" championship if you want. I'll call it what it is: the Class of the NESCAC, going head to head.

[toad22]

I made the trip over the mountain to see the games today. The most obvious thing today was that Amherst and Middlebury are easily the two best teams this year. Both were bigger and stronger than their opponents today. Wesleyan had a good run at the beginning of the second half to close to within 6, but that was it. Regardless of the officiating, Wesleyan wasn't going to beat Middlebury today. Amherst/ Bates was a mismatch. Bates tried really hard, and except for a very slow start, played pretty well, but were outclassed by Amherst. If both teams play well tomorrow, it should be a classic.

[amh63]

Bucket...Toad22.....Amen to the game ahead!

[maineman]

The loser of the final is pretty much assured a Pool C bid to the NCAAs.......no?

[LarryBasketball33]

Mid gets the win 74-52 over Wesleyan.  Cardinals fought hard throughout the game, outplaying the Panthers through a fair portion of the game but the barrage of three pointers to close the first half opened up a deficit that Wesleyan could never quite close.

Some REAL questionable calls from the refs, to a certain extent it really felt like the upstart Cardinals needed to prove themselves to the refs against the established Panthers, particularly half way through the second half when Middlebury made its push.  There was a 3 or 4 minute stretch where Wesleyan couldnt buy a basket or a call on either end (Middlebury on the other hand, benefits from call such as "kneeing"? what the holy heck is that?!?!).  Thomas getting the 4th pretty quickly took out arguably Wesleyans most productive player at the time.

Gotta give Wesleyan a tip of the cap for the hard work theyve displayed night in and night out.  Im still hoping they somehow get a chance to prove themselves and keep the dream alive with an at large.  Reilly has got to be the favorite for Coach of the year after the single season turnaround the program has experienced.

So now we get Amherst vs Middlebury... aka the white bread of the NESCAC tournament. While I know we can count on a quality game to be played, I gotta say that I was hoping for a rematch of the Reilly Classic   

Agree with Bucket, this comment qualifies him as a First Ballot lock for All Crazy for 2012.  Despite this silliness, Wesleyan will continue to be part of the NESCAC discussion in the years to come with Reilly running the show, and still has a reasonable shot at a bid this year.  Midd was simply too deep for Wesleyan last night.  Wesleyan did not have enough guys who were able to step up during key runs by Middlebury.  Their big guy can be a force and was early on, but he has to figure out how to do so without fouling.  Bring in a few more quality guys, run everything a bit less through Shasha on isolation and this league gets another team who will challenge big time next season.  Midd really showed poise and experience last night.  While I am a fan, I am also realistic, Amherst physically looks and last night played, albeit against an overmatched Bates team, like a D1 team.  Their size is impressive, but last night I saw a confident bunch who are deep and well rounded.  The boys from Middlebury have proven they are up to challenges over the past few seasons, and this is not a group who anyone expects to hand Amherst anything.  Shapes up as a great game.  Waltzy not in with his numbers yet, but my guess is he makes it 4-5 for Amherst.  Whatever the # is, give me the Panthers outright.  This is as much a heart as head bet.  Good luck to both teams. 

[Bucket]

The loser of the final is pretty much assured a Pool C bid to the NCAAs.......no?

In fact, the loser of the game will be the first Pool C selected.

Both Midd and Amherst will be hosting NCAA games next weekend.

[Old Guy]

Fans.

We claim the Cameron Crazies are a positive, cute even. I root against Duke because of them. I didn't go to Amherst last night, but I did go to a game - the NAC championship game between Castleton (VT) and Colby-Sawyer. My cousin's boy, Will Bardaglio, good player, played in his last game (Colby-Sawyer lost). Lots of negative cheering by the victors. Par for the course.

Every game starts with an announcement about sportsmanship and positive cheering - which is then ignored. In big games, home team fans which usually outnumber visitors, spend most of their time baiting and gloating. I'm told the Wesleyan fans yesterday brought little credit to their school.

After watching an epic, the Amherst fans last week serenaded the Panthers as they left the court, 2 point losers in overtime, with "Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye." The victor's prerogative, I guess. Me, I just said, "Thank you, boys."

My son plays on the high school team here. He came back last week fulminating about the fans in the opposing gym. "Screw the fans," I told him. "Don't take the bait. Play for yourself and your teammates. You're in an empty gym. And don't be one of those fans in college."

I know. I'm hopelessly old. I'm Old Guy. Trash-talking is cool.

[maineman]

The loser of the final is pretty much assured a Pool C bid to the NCAAs.......no?

In fact, the loser of the game will be the first Pool C selected.

Both Midd and Amherst will be hosting NCAA games next weekend.

Chances are one or both teams will host 3 team opening rounds with a bye to the final game?

[Bucket]

Winner will get a 1st round bye and will then host second round game.

I expect the loser to host a 4-team, first and second round pod.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Winner will get a 1st round bye and will then host second round game.

I expect the loser to host a 4-team, first and second round pod.

Since there are only two byes for the whole tourney, no guarantee on the winner getting one.  More likely they will be used for geographic (saving flights) reasons - perhaps UMHB and Whitworth?

[NEhoops]

Impressive win for Amherst. Good effort by Bates, but they were overmatched from the tip. Barrise might be one of the most under-rated players in the league. Toomey was impressive again (26/6) and Squires didnt go quietly (22/6). Two trips to the final four in the last three years by Coach Furbush and they'll be in the discussion next year with a good group coming back (Matarazzo/Brust/Bogdanovich), but its Amherst's time now.

Middlebury was equally solid in their win over Wesleyan. Middlebury put the clamps down and held Wesleyan to 32% shooting for the game. Sharry still looking like the POY (18/14). Wesleyan will be back as well (Callaghan/Brown/Beresford). 

Should make for an exciting championship. Great to see that these two teams will be representing the league in the NCAA tournament. Hopefully Wesleyan can get a bid (the more teams from the NESCAC the better), but alot will have to go right for that to happen.

[Card + Bear Fan]

Some REAL questionable calls from the refs, 

Wesleyan did not have enough guys who were able to step up during key runs by Middlebury.   

"Loko" was correct about the impact the refs had in key parts of the game.  I was filming under the Wes hoop during each half.  It was clear that substantial contact was being allowed by the Panthers in the paint.   The 24 fouls against the Cards indicates the refs did not miss much on the other end of the floor.   The fouls dampened the run in the 2nd half when Wes cut the lead to 6 points for a 4 minute period.
 
I think "Larry" called it about right that the depth of Middlebury was the key element last night.   The bench kept providing the Panthers more and more support in the 2nd half.  The depth of Midd and the run of 3-point shots late in 1H that set the outcome.  The speed that Midd got down the floor and got off the 3-point shots was impressive.

Wesleyan has had a fantastic year and I am holding out hope for an at large bid to keep the season going.  Their improvement from 9th in 2011 to 3rd in 2012 speaks to not only of a strong set of veterans + new recruits, but equally important was superior leadership.  I see Reilly as the clear COY.

One final comment for Amh63.   It seems to be politically incorrect if you DON'T hold a monolithic view on "fanhood".  Well maybe I am the one who is off base (would not be the first time).   Chocolate was my favorite ice cream growing up (even when I went to Middlebury),   but thank God for Ben & Jerry.  Today I am a big "Chunky Monkey" fan, but a few years ago it was "Cherry Garcia".   But one thing I know for sure;  today I am going to have a large bowl of Vermont made chocolate.