MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Agreed, Walzy, re: Epley, he has really been dominant much of this year and plays with a lot of confidence and aggression, but he won't back down from anyone, including Thompson, who will be another very tough match-up (smaller than Workman, but even a bit quicker). 

It's a very close call between Thompson and Workman for DPOY, both are deserving and both are among the elite NESCAC perimeter defenders over the past decade.  And Amh63, I'd agree that Workman was the best player on the floor in the Williams-Amherst game.  He was great on both ends, so kudos to him.  I'll be glad when he graduates as he has made life difficult for Williams for some time now (although last night was his best game that I've seen him play).

For Williams, I'd say the keys to the Midd game are giving up fewer open outside looks than Amherst got (especially have to mark Merryman off the bench, and make Thompson and Wolfin score off the bounce rather than set and shoot).  If they play too much zone Midd will have too many open threes in my view.  Lynch will have to guard Epley, Wohl, or Mayer, all of whom have a quickness advantage, so I'd try to make him into a perimeter defender and maybe get him in foul trouble -- he seems to be the primary interior scorer for Midd.  Williams also needs to be a bit more patient on offense, if they can't score on the fast break, really work the offense and make Midd work on defense throughout the whole possession, don't settle for the first shot, too many rushed shots early in the shot clock in the second half vs. Amherst.  And of course hope the shots fall a bit better in Chandler!     

[toad22]

I was very impressed with Amherst last night. Willy Workman, in particular, played a game worthy of "All Williams opponent in the last 15 years". Rarely does anybody torch Williams from as many angles as Workman did last night. As is normally the case, Williams can't hope to play Amherst head-on and win. Amherst is, again this year, too good to do that. Williams needs to shoot the ball better than Amherst to win. Last night, they didn't. Also, Amherst took more foul shots than Williams did -- that almost never happens to a Mike Maker team. Those two facts sealed their fate. I thought that Williams turned the ball over a lot as well. Having said all that, a normal shooting night would have turned the game into a classic. I did think that Williams had plenty of quality shots, they just didn't hit enough. Congratulations to Amherst, on to the Middlebury game!

[Old Guy]

Panthers-Ephs Saturday: Wolfin/Thompson/Kizel (one "l")/Lynch are tough, battle-tested veterans. They won't be intimidated. With the Panthers, there's never a concern about effort or preparation. I remember those games with the Jeffs last year (I wish we could have won one of them), that came down to the last possession, and our poise and courage, after being down early, was truly impressive. Wonderful, memorable battles.

I worry about Williams (I worry about everyone). They have real balance - Robertson, Klemm, Mayer, Epley, Wohl - strong ball-handling, an inside presence, outside shooting. It's an outstanding, experienced team. Amherst notwithstanding, they won't beat themselves.

A key will be the play for Midd at the 5 position. Roberts (6'8")/Churchill (6'10") have played better of late but I note the ("Winston") Churchill did not play last night in the one-sided tilt against St. Joe's. Don't know why. He was slowed earlier by mono. 12 players for Midd had double-digit minutes last night, a nice tune-up for the Ephs.

Middlebury's depth, a possible advantage over the Ephs and Jeffs, has taken a beating of late. Dean Brierly, Nate Bulluck, important players off the bench, are out with injuries, and Dylan Sinnickkson, a genuine loss, has missed every game with a broken arm.

Middlebury is 16-0, Williams has a couple of losses, yet I suspect Walzy will make the Ephs a 4-6 point favorite at home. A big game, counts in the standings (unlike the Ephs-Jeffs game the other night). I won't be there but I know our guys will give a good account. 

[WPI89]

I guess I am not "regular" enough over here on NESCAC but I think you owe me 6 K's at this point Walzy?

PS - WPI escapes last night to go to 19-0  Would love to win a first round game and then get a shot at maybe the lesser of the big NESCAC 3 at Harrington in the second round?

There is some honor code when it comes to the K payments and deductions. I'll get you up to 15 (from 12) barring this weekend's performance.

I was driving between NYC and home in CT today and I all of the sudden felt better - I knew it must have been some Karma coming my way.............you're the man Walzy.

[walzy31]

Saturday January 26th NESCAC Spreads

Bowdoin @ Colby
Bowdoin -12.0
O/U: 124.0


Middlebury @ Williams
Middlebury -3.0
O/U: 142.5


Wesleyan @ Conn College
Wesleyan -7.0
O/U: 134.5


Trinity @ Amherst
Amherst -14.0
O/U: 141.5


Tufts @ Bates
Tufts -13.0
O/U: 134.5

[lumbercat]

A great asset to this board is Old Guy--he bleeds Middlebury blue yet his account of the big Middlebury-Ephs clash this weekend is balanced, eloquent and fair.
In the era of big mouth, gloating, egocentric athletes the Old Guy approach, to me, is admirable......I call it Class !
Good Luck to Middlebury, wish I could attend the game.,

[7express]

Saturday January 26th NESCAC Spreads

Bowdoin @ Colby
Bowdoin -12.0
O/U: 124.0


Middlebury @ Williams
Middlebury -3.0
O/U: 142.5


Wesleyan @ Conn College
Wesleyan -7.0
O/U: 134.5


Trinity @ Amherst
Amherst -14.0
O/U: 141.5


Tufts @ Bates
Tufts -13.0
O/U: 134.5

Colby over
Williams under
Wesleyan over
Amherst under
Bates over.

[frank uible]

lumbercat: you omitted narcissist.

[grabtherim]

lumbercat: you omitted narcissist.

This is your take on Old Guy?
nar·cis·sist/ˈnɑrsəsɪst/ Show Spelled [nahr-suh-sist] Show IPA
noun
1. a person who is overly self-involved, and often vain and selfish.

I would say to you, if the shoe fits, wear it.

[WPI89]

Middlebury/Over
Amherst/over

No feel for others......

[nescac1]

If Frank is really calling Old Guy a narcissist, I really have no idea where that could be coming from, that's way off.  Bizarre.

On to the spreads:

Colby (tough one but I like the big spread in a rivalry game at home) and over, Williams and over, Wesleyan and over, Amherst and under, Bates and under. 

[amh63]

Another day to wait for meaningful conference games.  Since my blood pressure does not allow me to wager on Walzy's spreads...too much stress when you have a "bet" down.  When younger did bet on the horses, even pig races,,,never on dogs.  I know...talk about this board.....first, it is pass Jan. 19th.....shouldn't the "poll" above be removed.  Who put it up?  Put up too early in the season and each passing day becomes more meaningless....more a poll of school supporters.    Hope I did not arouse the hornets'.

Lumbercat....agreed with your comments on Old Guy....must remember he teaches English though.  Does your use of the word Class infer Classic... to imply he is OLD?

There was a conference school game last night.  Husson beat Colby at Colby last night...quite soundly.  I know, Amherst had its way with Colby recently....but do not understand what is going on with Colby.  Any comments from followers of the Maine schools?
Did look up Husson....learned it is in the same town/city as Bowdoin and has two players that transferred in from Maryland community colleges...interesting.

On a more serious note....I also have a question on why Williams employs the zone defense so much.  Saw Williams use it against Hamilton and it surprised me.  When the flu/illness reports of the Williams' players appeared, I figured the zone was used to conserve energy of recovering players and maybe the "short" bench.  Thinking back, I remember that the Cardinals of Wesleyan used a bit of zone against Amherst.  Is it because of match-up problems?  Other than Nescac1, there has been few comments of match-up situations  between teams to date.  The season is half over and we shoud know the players of the teams better???...backup a bit here.  One poster did comment/opin on how Amherst matchs-up well across the conference.
"Balls" thrown into the court......any takers/players? 

[grabtherim]

Saturday January 26th NESCAC Spreads

Bowdoin @ Colby
Bowdoin -12.0
O/U: 124.0



Middlebury @ Williams
Middlebury -3.0
O/U: 142.5



Wesleyan @ Conn College
Wesleyan -7.0
O/U: 134.5


Trinity @ Amherst
Amherst -14.0
O/U: 141.5


Tufts @ Bates
Tufts -13.0
O/U: 134.5

Colby, Middlebury, Conn College, Amherst and Bates.  Not feeling too comfortable with one of my picks, but have to go with heart over head.  Crunch time in the 'CAC.  Great time of year.   

[hoya73]

In Lumbercat's defense, he may have been describing the narcissistic athletes, not Old Guy.

Saw the Jeffs last weekend.  Still giving up too many open looks, but team D is getting better and that makes them dangerous.

[hoya73]

Sorry--meant to say in Frank's defense (and he doesn't need one from me)