MBB: NESCAC

formerbant10 · February 27, 2012, 06:46:56 PM

I don't see Kaasila being close enough to hit him. Watching it live, from the side of the court that the play happened, Thompson's reaction was to a hit to the body...not a bump on the arm. The flight path of the ball was normal, just way left...which is what happens when a body gets turned as another player runs into you.

Sometimes the mind makes the eyes believe something different...especially when the heart is involved

Bucket · February 27, 2012, 06:49:27 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on February 27, 2012, 05:41:15 PM

As for the NCAA bracket, even though Amherst has a bye, Midd's path to Salem looks substantially easier to me.

http://www.nhnotebook.com/2012/02/joseph-and-green-both-impress-in-prep.html

Not to me. A potential match-up with Albertus Magnus in the second round has got to be the toughest second round match-up for any high seed. Yes, AM played a weak schedule, but they are for real. Big, athletic, quick. A strong post player, a very quick PG, a legit high-flying scorer, and a deadly shooter.

walzy31 · February 27, 2012, 08:43:35 PM

Agree with Bucket. Both teams will be tested in the Round of 32.

As for MIT...I really hope that is the Elite 8 match up! Is Hollingsworth better than Sharry? Nope, he's not.

pjunito · February 27, 2012, 09:08:44 PM

Albertus will face a team that will hear they don't deserve a to be in the tournament all week (in St. joe's); if Albertus can win that game. I think they will give Midd a very good test. Just like Bucket said, they have some talent and have a senior that doesn't want to lose early like in 2010. But, Midd is well coached, excute very well, they don't panic, and have two very good players; with strong support from role players. I think it would be a fun game.

walzy31 · February 27, 2012, 10:56:20 PM

Quote from: Bucket on February 27, 2012, 06:49:27 PM
Not to me. A potential match-up with Albertus Magnus in the second round has got to be the toughest second round match-up for any high seed. Yes, AM played a weak schedule, but they are for real. Big, athletic, quick. A strong post player, a very quick PG, a legit high-flying scorer, and a deadly shooter.

Hope has a pretty challenging 2nd round game too...

amh63 · February 27, 2012, 11:35:48 PM

Finally back to my computer and see that the time away from this board hasn't brought any definitive resolution on the last two seconds of the game! Might as well jump right in and give it another twist.
I like the highlight video....primarily for the fact that the on-line feed went bad in the last 30 seconds. I get to see what I missed!
Actually, the shots are better than one sees at floor level at times when fans jump in your way and your sight lines are partially blocked.
Often I have to ask a fan next to me to confirm what I think I saw. His version is not exactly my version, etc., etc.
The game is over....both teams are hosting in the post season.
With respect to the easiest path.....the next opponent is the hardest..IMO...play hard and win and advance..one game at a time.
I remember when I watched Amherst play a favorite F&M in "Dutch Country" (2004)and then made plans to go to Salem soon after.
I hope Amherst moves on to meet F&M in the sectionals. I will go watch live and then make my plans for Salem.
I would have liked to see Wes. get into the tournament.....just like hundreds of fans would like to have their school receive a "Dance card".
I know, traveling makes me weary and boorish. Time for me to go to bed. Tuesday is another day to worry about the next game.

amh63 · February 28, 2012, 03:54:09 PM

Need to give a BIG congratulation to Big Ryan Sharry for being a finalist for the Jostens Trophy!! He is the the only conf. player on the men's list. Amherst's finalist is Caroline Stedman on the WBB side. Sweet to see Amherst and Middlebury represented by such great student athletes.

lefrakenstein · February 28, 2012, 08:44:58 PM

Question: I was under the impression that Amherst's men's and women's teams could not both host sectionals the same year... But they are both hosting opening rounds. Does that mean they could each host sectionals as well, provided they both advance that far?

Pat Coleman · February 28, 2012, 08:49:51 PM

Quote from: lefrakenstein on February 28, 2012, 08:44:58 PM
Question: I was under the impression that Amherst's men's and women's teams could not both host sectionals the same year... But they are both hosting opening rounds. Does that mean they could each host sectionals as well, provided they both advance that far?

No, they can't, because that requires four games on Friday. The only reason Amherst is able to host both this weekend is because the men's hosting is just one game total.

nescac1 · February 29, 2012, 02:30:26 PM

All-NESCAC team posted, no huge surprises on the two all-NESCAC teams. Workman for DPOY over Thompson slightly surprising, but Workman is certainly worthy and Amherst beat Midd twice. Ferris and Sharry were no-brainers. Could make a case for Toomey, but he has two more years to contend,

http://www.nescac.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/honors/allconference

As an Eph I'm no huge fan of Coach Hixon, but how can he NOT be voted coach of the year???

On another note, nice article on future Eph Luke Thoreson:
http://m.cdapress.com/mobile/news/sports/article_71779582-8547-5bb0-9141-ea30806e0047.html

frank uible · February 29, 2012, 03:51:41 PM

nescac1: In many athletic conferences not infrequently there is one head coach who has especially incurred the antipathy of his fellow coaches for reasons of style. Could Mr. Hixon be one of those coaches so disfavored, resulting in his receiving the short end of the stick when it comes to COY voting by the NESCAC coaches?

walzy31 · February 29, 2012, 04:02:08 PM

Quote from: frank uible on February 29, 2012, 03:51:41 PM
nescac1: In many athletic conferences not infrequently there is one head coach who has especially incurred the antipathy of his fellow coaches for reasons of style. Could Mr. Hixon be one of those coaches so disfavored, resulting in his receiving the short end of the stick when it comes to COY voting by the NESCAC coaches?

I am not privy to the inner politics of the NESCAC men's hoop coaching committee (and I generally try to not reply to your posts because they often are written in Old English), but if what you hypothesize is the case, then it takes away some of the legitimacy of the award when the coach who clearly deserves it doesn't win. I think Coach Brown is a fantastic coach and has done wonders with the Middlebury program in the past five years. He has won 2 of the last 3 COY awards and multiple conference championships (both postseason and regular season). However, this year he didn't win either and lost head-to-head to Hixon twice. I acknowledge the argument other posters have made for Reilly's case this year, but it is very surprising it is not Coach Hixon or Coach Reilly on that list.

nescac1 · February 29, 2012, 04:07:11 PM

I have no idea, Frank, but it seems like the most likely explanation. I mean, Jeff Brown is a great coach and all, but hardly so great that he warrants three out of the last four COY accolades, especially when Middlebury did not win the NESCAC title in two of those four seasons. Hixon hasn't won COY since 2005!! Since that time, Amherst has won a national title and now a NESCAC title. Yes, he always has great talent to work with, but part of coaching is recruiting. Not sure what else he has to do to prove himself, so I'm guessing it HAS to be a personality issue (which wouldn't shock me based on things I've heard he has said over the years). If they were going to shaft Hixon, I think the fellow coaches should have considered the coaches from Bates, Tufts, or Wesleyan, all of whom had impressive seasons and have yet to be recognized. Again, this is no shot at Jeff Brown, who deserves all the accolades, just seems like they could spread the wealth, especially in a year when Midd fell a bit short of Amherst.

LarryBasketball33 · February 29, 2012, 04:46:34 PM

Quote from: walzy31 on February 29, 2012, 04:02:08 PM
Quote from: frank uible on February 29, 2012, 03:51:41 PM
nescac1: In many athletic conferences not infrequently there is one head coach who has especially incurred the antipathy of his fellow coaches for reasons of style. Could Mr. Hixon be one of those coaches so disfavored, resulting in his receiving the short end of the stick when it comes to COY voting by the NESCAC coaches?

I am not privy to the inner politics of the NESCAC men's hoop coaching committee (and I generally try to not reply to your posts because they often are written in Old English), but if what you hypothesize is the case, then it takes away some of the legitimacy of the award when the coach who clearly deserves it doesn't win. I think Coach Brown is a fantastic coach and has done wonders with the Middlebury program in the past five years. He has won 2 of the last 3 COY awards and multiple conference championships (both postseason and regular season). However, this year he didn't win either and lost head-to-head to Hixon twice. I acknowledge the argument other posters have made for Reilly's case this year, but it is very surprising it is not Coach Hixon or Coach Reilly on that list.

As a fan of Middlebury, I am happy for Jeff Brown, but puzzled as to why Hixon did not win COY, especially given Amherst's two wins over the Panthers. Who votes for this and the other NESCAC awards?

ac08 · February 29, 2012, 05:17:06 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on February 28, 2012, 08:49:51 PM
No, they can't, because that requires four games on Friday. The only reason Amherst is able to host both this weekend is because the men's hosting is just one game total.

Forgive me if someone has already addressed this issue, but why can't one school host 4 games on a Friday? Games would have to be started too early on a school day? Are the rules posted anywhere publicly?