MBB: NESCAC

nescac1 · January 28, 2013, 03:02:08 PM

Sinnickson really impressed me last year. He would be the missing ingredient for Midd right now, an athletic perimeter guy with length who can create his own shot and convert. I thought that, along with Wohl, he would be the break-out sophomore in NESCAC this year had he played. Losing him (plus the other guys, but he seemed to be the key guy, and for Williams, losing Rooke-Ley) was apparent in the lack of a perimeter scorer off the bench for either team on Saturday. Both teams wore down a bit and as the defense tightened each way, there was no one to provide a boost.

Hard to imagine that Sinnickson can have time now to come back, get into hoops shape, and make a big contribution in the next month, but if he could, it would be a big plus for the Panthers. Next year, I expect him if fully recovered to form a very dynamic scoring duo with Kizell and the core of the Panthers will be those two plus Jensen.

The top NESCAC teams right now all have several elite players and are very strong overall 1-6. But the NESCAC teams that won titles -- 2003 Williams and 2007 Amherst -- each had several elite players, PLUS a deep roster with 4-5 (at least) very talented bench players. They were deep enough to survive an injury or illness from game to game. That is the biggest difference between those squads and their 2013 counterparts. Because every team will of course suffer some bad breaks during the course of a long season, it's almost inevitable.

madzillagd · January 28, 2013, 03:23:50 PM

A little surprised that Mayer got NESCAC player of the week. He did look fantastic this week but of course Williams went 1-1 versus Amherst's 2-0.

Mayer
45 pts, 11 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls

Toomey
36 pts, 9 rebs, 12 asts, 5 stls

Bucket · January 28, 2013, 03:34:55 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on January 28, 2013, 03:02:08 PM
Sinnickson really impressed me last year. He would be the missing ingredient for Midd right now, an athletic perimeter guy with length who can create his own shot and convert. I thought that, along with Wohl, he would be the break-out sophomore in NESCAC this year had he played. Losing him (plus the other guys, but he seemed to be the key guy, and for Williams, losing Rooke-Ley) was apparent in the lack of a perimeter scorer off the bench for either team on Saturday. Both teams wore down a bit and as the defense tightened each way, there was no one to provide a boost.

Hard to imagine that Sinnickson can have time now to come back, get into hoops shape, and make a big contribution in the next month, but if he could, it would be a big plus for the Panthers. Next year, I expect him if fully recovered to form a very dynamic scoring duo with Kizell and the core of the Panthers will be those two plus Jensen.

It's my understanding that Sinnickson will not play this year. A big loss, though an equally big addition when he comes back healthy next year.

I posted this video a week or so ago, but post again in case folks missed it:
http://vimeo.com/57383233

I believe this was taped in the pre-season before Dylan was injured.

Panthernation · January 28, 2013, 03:58:41 PM

Quote from: Bucket on January 28, 2013, 03:34:55 PM
Quote from: nescac1 on January 28, 2013, 03:02:08 PM
Sinnickson really impressed me last year. He would be the missing ingredient for Midd right now, an athletic perimeter guy with length who can create his own shot and convert. I thought that, along with Wohl, he would be the break-out sophomore in NESCAC this year had he played. Losing him (plus the other guys, but he seemed to be the key guy, and for Williams, losing Rooke-Ley) was apparent in the lack of a perimeter scorer off the bench for either team on Saturday. Both teams wore down a bit and as the defense tightened each way, there was no one to provide a boost.

Hard to imagine that Sinnickson can have time now to come back, get into hoops shape, and make a big contribution in the next month, but if he could, it would be a big plus for the Panthers. Next year, I expect him if fully recovered to form a very dynamic scoring duo with Kizell and the core of the Panthers will be those two plus Jensen.

It's my understanding that Sinnickson will not play this year. A big loss, though an equally big addition when he comes back healthy next year.

This is what we have heard as well. He is now focused on getting back for baseball season. Really disappointing, such a fun player to watch.

walzy31 · January 28, 2013, 04:54:29 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on January 28, 2013, 03:02:08 PM
The top NESCAC teams right now all have several elite players and are very strong overall 1-6. But the NESCAC teams that won titles -- 2003 Williams and 2007 Amherst -- each had several elite players, PLUS a deep roster with 4-5 (at least) very talented bench players. They were deep enough to survive an injury or illness from game to game. That is the biggest difference between those squads and their 2013 counterparts. Because every team will of course suffer some bad breaks during the course of a long season, it's almost inevitable.

Agree 100%

walzy31 · January 28, 2013, 04:58:23 PM

New Top 25 poll out. I think I made a prediction three years ago that Coach Flockerzi would lead Rochester to a Final Four by the end of his 4th season. Let's see if he can get it done.

Not surprised by the stickiness near the top. Middlebury deserves the highest NESCAC ranking with only one loss (by one possession on the road against a ranked team). Williams stayed idle but assuredly had some mid-week volatility. Amherst jumped into the Top 10. I would have liked to see Amherst 9 and Williams 10 due to the head-to-head but I'm not going to sweat it (and we didn't beat an undefeated Middlebury). Dialed into tomorrow's #10 Vs. #18 game...I think we will be okay.

Looking way ahead, I hope Amherst can make the NCAAs and somehow draw MIT. I want that game to happen for many reasons.

walzy31 · January 28, 2013, 05:01:21 PM

In any case, three NESCAC in the Top 10 is something to be proud of!

madzillagd · January 28, 2013, 05:13:24 PM

Quote from: walzy31 on January 28, 2013, 04:58:23 PM
I would have liked to see Amherst 9 and Williams 10 due to the head-to-head but I'm not going to sweat it (and we didn't beat an undefeated Middlebury).

Payback for when Williams was one below Amherst after Amherst lost to Springfield and Williams beat Springfield?

I would be very surprised if Amherst doesn't move ahead of Williams next week if they both win all of their games. Not just because of the RIC game but also because people will likely vote the head-to-head matchup now that they are next to each other in the polls. Williams still has a better SOS than Amherst according to Massey but that is going to take a dip this week with games against Southern Vermont & Colby.

nescac1 · January 28, 2013, 05:17:35 PM

Agreed that three top-ten NESCAC teams is pretty darn impressive. Is that a first for NESCAC? I'm thinking it probably happened at some point in 2011, but not 100 percent certain ...

And yeah, Amherst probably deserved to be ranked ahead of Williams, and Williams ahead of Middlebury, but basically all three are interchangeable at this point and their resumes are roughly equal. The last weekend of the regular season will of course provide a heck of a lot more insight.

The Sinnickson video is very impressive. Of course, you know what the Sports Guy would say about judging players based on dominating a group of chairs ...

. But from watching him in games, yeah, he is the real deal.

grabtherim · January 28, 2013, 05:19:55 PM

Quote from: walzy31 on January 28, 2013, 05:01:21 PM
In any case, three NESCAC in the Top 10 is something to be proud of!

Despite Pat Coleman's wiseacre out of conference comments to the contrary, the totality of the voters see 3 NESCAC teams in the Top 10 and Middlebury not moved too much after a hard fought 1 point loss vs a quality "in conference" team. Damn proud to have 3 teams in the Top 10.

Panthernation · January 28, 2013, 05:29:01 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on January 28, 2013, 05:17:35 PM
Agreed that three top-ten NESCAC teams is pretty darn impressive. Is that a first for NESCAC? I'm thinking it probably happened at some point in 2011, but not 100 percent certain ...

Actually, more impressive: all three were ranked in the top 5 in the pre-season rankings last year. It was not until late December that one (Williams) fell out of the top 10.

walzy31 · January 28, 2013, 05:29:48 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on January 28, 2013, 05:17:35 PM
Agreed that three top-ten NESCAC teams is pretty darn impressive. Is that a first for NESCAC? I'm thinking it probably happened at some point in 2011, but not 100 percent certain ...

It has happened a lot. Definitely in the past couple of years with the same three teams. I believe back in the mid 2000s there was a few weeks when Amherst and Williams were 1-2 for a while and Trinity climbed into the top 10 with one or two losses before having to play both teams the final weekend of the season.

Pat Coleman · January 28, 2013, 05:30:49 PM

You guys are funny. Hope to see you in LeFrak on Saturday.

walzy31 · January 28, 2013, 05:31:22 PM

I just looked at John DiBartolomeo's season stats and my jaw is still hanging open.
http://www.uofrathletics.com/cumestats.aspx?path=mbball&year=2012

nescac1 · January 28, 2013, 05:38:00 PM

The DiBartolomeo stats are insane. For a guy playing vs. legit competition, that has to be the best D-3 stat line since at LEAST the NBA guys (Jenkins, Panko, George) were eviscerating their opponents, but maybe even better when you consider the efficiency. For a high-volume shooter who is no doubt the focus of every opposing defense to shoot 55 percent from 3 is simply absurd. He's gotta be a lock for national player of the year.

I would LOVE to see a Rochester-Midd match up in the NCAA's to see what he could do vs. Nolan Thompson. The immovable object vs. the irresistable force ...