MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Well, Williams could not have ended the semester on a higher note, absolutely dominating Springfield on the road.  Ephs win by 15, but were up by more than 25 before Springfield went on a late garbage-time run. 

For Williams, Epley and Klemm were absolutely unconscious: combined ot hit 12-17 from 3, for 49 combined points total.  Michael Mayer had yet another big game, putting up 20-10 including two dimes, and adding 3 blocks, despite drawing a lot of defensive attention that opened things up for other guys.  Nate Robertson dished a season high 8 dimes, one of which went to Weinheimer on a beautiful back-door cut followed by a emphatic one handed slam.  Ephs as a team shot a scorching 15-23 from deep.  Ephs did a great job on Berthiaume, holding him to 5-18 shooting overall and no first-half points. 

A big win for Williams, and hopefully enough to get them back into the Top 25, since Amherst and MIT will both surely be exiting the poll next week.  Now there is a long break for Williams heading into a west coast trip and then the start of NESCAC play.  Other than one bad half vs. Stevens, about as good a first semester as you could ask for for the Ephs.  Williams' top 6 is as good as anyone I believe, but the question is can they develop enough quality depth as the season goes along to compete with the deeper teams they will face, most notably Midd. 

[madzillagd]

Starters were definitely firing on all cylinders today and it was nice to see when the defense came out in the 2nd half and focused on Klemm, the Ephs just adjusted and Epley and Mayer took over.  Like you said n1, not much coming out of the bench today so obviously that is still a concern going forward but with 3 weeks to rest and nobody in foul trouble, I think Maker was happy to ride the momentum of the starters into the break. 

The best part, the next 2 games the Ephs play I'll actually get to see in person as they visit my alma mater out here - Cal Lutheran.  Looking forward to it.   

[walzy31]

I love Amherst with that spread.

+1

We needed that win

[walzy31]

Amherst and over.

1-1 down 0.1 units (no change to your karma)

[jayhawk]

Nice win for Amherst. It has been a learning experience on the ground as Amherst lost 3 starters from last year ( Kaasila split duty wth Jeff Holmes). Road has been complicated by injury to starter Allen Williamson (out for loss to Springfield) and injury to starter Tom Killian (out for loss to Babson and today)- also big man Logan Buckner and guard Ray Barry have been out with injury. Playing two freshman Ben Pollack and Connor Green significant minutes is always a learning experience . Today Amherst had best game of year. Big scoring games from Peter Kaasila and Allen Williamson. Nice leadership from Aaron Toomey and David Kalema--
Today Peter Kaasila demonstrated an impressive amibdextrous arsenal of shoots. Still have not seen any Nescac center stop Peter's shot. Hopefully Amherst will keep setting Peter and he will be work for position
Good learning experience for Amherst to play through all of these injuries. I think Amherst has more potential than I thought this year. Be interesting to watch further development.

[amh63]

Well, Amherst starts a new win streak this afternoon with a strong win over Brandeis 76-64.  Aaron Toomey needed just 4 points to reach the 1000 point mark...he scored the first 5 points and the game was stopped for pictures...the crowd cheered along with the Brandeis players and coaches clapping....nice!  The game went well for Amherst as their outside shots started to go in early.  It was Amherst by 8 at the half.  The game was at times very physical and towards the end, IMO, the foul calls were going Brandeis' way.  Still, Amherst's overall defense was way up with Workman and others making blocks and steals.  Brandeis came in with a record of shooting 35% from outside and Amherst in general was preventing the outside shot.  Brandeis is a  strong team and has a good inside presence.  In the last 5 minutes, Amherst stopped the inside play and Brandeis got most of its points on the foul line.  On the other hand, Amherst was feeding Big Pete inside and he made his shots.  He responded well.....when do you see a 6'9" player get stuffed by another 6'9" player.  When the box comes out later, look for Pete Kaasila's stats and that will tell you the story.  Oh yes, Allen Williamson played a great offensive and defensive game TOO!  Coach Hixon got his points across it seems.  Hixon rotated 8 players based on fouls and match-ups today.
Checked the box and Big Pete is NOT credited with a block.  Guess the refs missed it at their level.  He did have another block but was called for a foul.....Coach Hixon questioned the call emotionally in his quiet manner...as you would expect from an Amherst grad.

[pick and roll]

amh63 - you have a lot of Tommy Heinsohn in you when discussing the referees and their calls against your Lord Jeffs IMHO!

[madzillagd]

amh63 - you have a lot of Tommy Heinsohn in you when discussing the referees and their calls against your Lord Jeffs IMHO!

Well stated.

[amh63]

Pick and Roll.....Call it as I see it...and hear it.  The announcers pointed out that there was a quiet discussion going on across the way between the coach and a ref....so my attention was therefore directed.  Tommy H. was both a good player and coach....so I take that comment as a positive thing.  Did you get to see the game?

[madzillagd]

A few games left on the schedule next week but at the break Bowdoin has quietly slipped into fourth place among the NESCAC teams at 5-2.  Haven't played the competition Wesleyan has but they got the job done against Bates and Colby.  After a 1-2 start they've reeled off 4 wins in a row.  Be interesting to see if they can challenge the top 3 in league play or if they end up battling for the #4 seed.

After dropping 3 in a row Tufts has responded with 3 wins row.  However their next two games after the break will be Williams and Midd.  Tough under normal circumstances but even tougher when you factor in that it will be their first two games after 3+ weeks off.  Williams and Midd on the other hand will have already played a couple games a few days before and will no doubt be in better rhythm.  There's a good chance Tufts starts out 0-2 and has to battle their way back right from the start.   Meanwhile Wesleyan has to match up against Amherst that opening weekend.  Looks like things might be lining up for Bowdoin to get off to a good start in league, it will be interesting to watch if they can take advantage of it.   

[Old Guy]

Terrific game today with Skidmore at Middlebury, 74-53 Midd. The Panthers were down by ten early, but came back like a house afire in the last couple minutes of the first half to take a five point halftime lead (Merryman hit a three from 4 feet behind the arc at the buzzer). Very exciting basketball - nice crowd enjoying it.

The second half Midd dominated, with a suffocating defense. Skidmore played Lynch very tough, really banged him - he will be icing his whole body tonight, but he responded with 16 points (5-9 from the floor, 6-6 from the line). Five Panthers in double figures: Thompson -15, Kizel - 15 (and a terrific floor game, both ends); Wolfin 12 (coming back from a deep leg bruise), and Merryman - 15 (off the bench). Pretty nice shot distribution: no Midd player took more than ten shots. Despite missing their first 3 or 4, the Panthers went 7-14 from three - and 16-16 from the line.

Skidmore will be heard from. They're young and tough. They have a frosh point guard, Aldin Mendunjanin, 6'4", 200, who goes hard to the hoop and finishes or dishes. He's good. Skidmore played today without their second high scorer (I found out at the end of the game), Tanner Brooks (16/game) who was sick. They will give people trouble.

Local VT boy, Connor Merill is Skimore's high scorer with nearly 19 a game. He went to the next high school over from us, prepped a year at VT Academy, and is now playing great basketball for the Thoroughbreds. There was a large contingent of his former h.s. teammates and fans at the game. He had 15 tonight.

His play, along with ROY from Tufts last year, Ben Ferris, speaks well of VT basketball, not often confused with Indiana or Kentucky.

Speaking of Tufts, they get Midd and Williams in the new year at their place. They'll be tough.

[Middfan]

Thanks for the recap Old Guy.  Having read the discussion of Midd's weak schedule to date, coupled with my concerns over a lack of intensity and defense in some of their prior games, it was great to see the Panthers find themselves today.  It's really two seasons with the one that counts now in their sights.  They seemed to wake up to that fact more and more as the game went on. Stiffling defense, opportunistic scoring and high energy play on the edge.  No doubt that a Midd team without Ryan Sharry will need to put a more balanced effort forward, but they showed 4 or 5 kids that could be high scorer on any given night.  Not sure I can wait 3 weeks.

[toad22]

I was able to get to the Springfield/Williams game this afternoon. It was great fun for Williams fans. Rarely have I seen Williams play, and especially shoot, any better. I'm hoping this is a trend. Most of Williams' top players have been playing decently well in the first 9 games, but not really their best. Today, Epley and Klemm were at their best, and Mayer wasn't far behind. I'm beginning to think that the Ephs could be quite a good team as the season moves into January and beyond. Of course, I'm really hoping that the Ephs can get back to the NCAAs this year. Today was a great step in that direction, as I think that a win over Springfield on the road is going to look quite good by mid February.

[amh63]

Saw part of the Midd. game on the nice video feed.....the part when Midd. was breaking away from Skidmore in the 2nd half.  The local VT player does play a nice floor game.  When he missed a two handed dunk and held on the rim a bit, there was a noise from the crowd.  Old Guy's pointing out that he had a big following may explain the crowd noise.
Did catch about a quarter of the Bowdoin vs. Colby game the other night.  Colby was ahead in the 2nd half for the longest time before a late rally from the Polar Bears.  Bowdoin's "big" men should NOT be a problem to Williams, Midd, Amherst and even Tufts or Wes.  The two "7-footers" contributes little to the offense and IMO, little to the defensive side.  I believe the box scores of the Polar Bears games to date will support what I saw the other night.  I watch a little of the first half and came back to the game in the 2nd half.  The video feed was such that it was hard for me to watch.....the players' movement were often blurred when there was quick action/movement.  There is a technical term to the "problem" I believe other than a refreshing rate.
Anyway, I believe that when the Polar Bears enter the non Maine schools part of their conference games, they will have a tough time....unless there is great improvement in the play of their front line.  Stop their guards and you shut down the offense. 

[Panthernation]

Pretty impressive stat: Middlebury held Skidmore to 4 field goals in the 2nd half today.