MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

The Williams-Bowdoin cover and over has to be one of the least probable of the Walzy spread era.  I'm not sure what the odds were of Williams covering -9 and also the game hitting the over with the Ephs down 61-58 with two minutes left in the game, but it had to have been incredibly small.  The other interesting stat for Williams was the dramatic turnaround for Daniel Wohl from a very rough game through 40 minutes to an absolutely spectacular OT session.  Through 40 minutes, Wohl was 1-5 for the field, 1-4 from the line, 3 total points.  In the OT session, he put up a crazy impressive five minute stretch: 8 points, 4-4 from the line, 2-2 from the field, 3 boards, 2 steals.  Quite a rebound ... as you'd expect from a soph, he is still a bit inconsistent, but he is capable of great things.  I really can't wait to see what this extremely gifted Eph front court group can do next year, with another year together and the addition of Duncan Robinson off the bench. 

The Ephs on the one hand have to be happy with a three road-win week.  Never easy, especially with the long Maine road trip, and coming up clutch down the stretch twice in a row.  And the Ephs are still undefeated in NESCAC conference play.  But at the same time, over the past few weeks, I agree with Madzilla that right now Amherst is playing the best ball in NESCAC, followed by Midd, and Williams third (sorry, but Wesleyan, while certainly playing better, is not even in this conversation).  If I had to predict who wins the regular season crown, though, it's pretty much a toss-up, because Williams is playing the worst but has the win over Midd, and Amherst is playing the best but has the brutal Midd-Williams away weekend. 

The Ephs simply HAVE to get more production either from the guards, the bench, or both.  Right now, the Wohl-Epley-Mayer frontcourt has been playing at a consistently high level and really carrying the team, but that is not going to be enough vs. Amherst and Midd, especially when each has a defender who can give Epley fits.  Either Klemm has to start lighting it up from deep, Nate Robertson has to pick up his scoring, or 1-2 bench guys needs to be able to produce a bit more for the Ephs to return to the very high level of efficiency they were displaying prior to the last few weeks.  Still, with a full week to prepare and a likely very fired-up home crowd on Friday in Chandler, I expect the Ephs to be a tough team to beat.  Somehow, they need to figure out a way to slow down Aaron Toomey who is I'd agree the prohibitive favorite for NESCAC POY.  The only way I see Toomey failing to win the award is if Williams wins the NESCAC tourney behind several consecutive enormous games from Mayer. 

No matter what, next weekend should feature two really fun games.  Williams-Amherst is always a blast, and Thompson vs. Toomey is going to be very, very interesting as an individual battle. 

[Old Guy]

Re: the lack of any on-line presence for Colby. I trust they are in the process of putting together a first-class operation. I watched the Bowdoin-Colby game on-line last year, and no feed this year is better than what they had last year. The student announcers were infantile (called the Polar Bears the Black Bears the whole game - so much for the State Series).

I was at Colby today. Middlebury did what it had to do after Colby's stout performance the night before against the Ephs - took the Mules out of the game early. Middlebury is playing very well. Today, Coach Brown had a chance to play a number of interesting combinations. Daley (6'8" frosh) got some serious minutes. Roberts (3-3, 2-2, 8 boards) played well against Hudnut. Brierly is back from his shoulder injury; Bulluck will be available next weekend.

As Bucket observed from the box score, the regulars all played their games, really fun to watch. Jake Wolfin is three away from 1000, and playing again with confidence and elan. I sat with Colby friends, and told them after the game how much fun it is to watch Thompson (3-5, 2-3, 2-2, 4 assists). They said, "which one was he?" I told them #25 and described him - and they still couldn't remember him. That's Nolan - the quietest great player around. (I wasn't at Bowdoin - their fans might dispute that assessment.)

Colby is young and will be heard from. Hudnut is a nice player, can score in close, and step outside and show a nice touch. He doesn't impress you at the outset as a physical force - kinda shaggy hair, black socks and sneakers, but he has quite a complete game and will get better, like Mayer perhaps. Colby played 11 players double-digit minutes. They can shoot. Could use some bulk up front. If they get a player to complement Hudnut in the frontcourt, watch out. They're on the move. The cupboard was really bare, but it's getting stocked. That's good for the league - they have a long history of hoop excellence.

[toad22]

I agree with Old Guy about the bright future of Colby. They certainly gave Williams all they could handle.

[grabtherim]

Charles is the leader in the clubhouse for the All Crazy Team.  Not saying the Joe Reillys will not be heard from before the season is over, but c'mon saying Middlebury has a lack of senior leadership?  The trio of Thompson, Wolfin and Lynch are key contributors to a four year run that has gone 98-11.  I dont think Joe's guys have won 98 games of HORSE over the same time frame. What exactly did you see to back up this quote: "just saw some things by Midd seniors that I didn't like in recent games." 

[amh63]

Sat in the real student section today.  Son picked the seating arrangement.  Fun watching a run and gun game with friends and family members who also liked it.  Back and forth...not boring and intense with good defensive play too....in a game that ended Amherst 100, Tufts 89.  Strange.
Tufts FY center impressed...Amherst FY center inserted to counter...and give Big Pete rest.  Pete Kaasila scores 26 points for a career night as Amherst went inside early and often.  Tufts had 4 players in double figure but Amherst had 5 players...C. Green, W. Workman, Williamson, Kalema and Toomey.  Explains the big scores.  Physical play and tight defense seen on both sides when needed.  Amherst went on a run...and scored well in transition....leading to two dunks...Kalema and Williamson and a Tufts time out.  Refer to the writeups at both schools' websites for the particulars and more objective recaps.  Amherst shot over 60% from the field and 50% from outside and out-rebounds Tufts a little.  Final weekend coming up...Amherst seems ready for the road trip.

[lumbercat]

Another nice post by Old Guy----at the end of the day if we could send OG out to every NESCAC game we would get the most reliable/eloquent account of all NESCAC matchups- ...OG seems to exude "duende", a termed coined by an old  Boston journalist who would not be recognized on this board ....Maybe there is a retirement assignment as NESCAC correspondent for the Old Guy.......we think he may still choose a bold Garnet tie with his Middlebury blue suit when he needs to go formal up in snow country.

[Charles]

Charles is the leader in the clubhouse for the All Crazy Team.  Not saying the Joe Reillys will not be heard from before the season is over, but c'mon saying Middlebury has a lack of senior leadership?  The trio of Thompson, Wolfin and Lynch are key contributors to a four year run that has gone 98-11.  I dont think Joe's guys have won 98 games of HORSE over the same time frame. What exactly did you see to back up this quote: "just saw some things by Midd seniors that I didn't like in recent games."

my comment was meant that late in a close game, I want the ball in the hands of a a player like Toomey or Sha.

[grabtherim]

Charles is the leader in the clubhouse for the All Crazy Team.  Not saying the Joe Reillys will not be heard from before the season is over, but c'mon saying Middlebury has a lack of senior leadership?  The trio of Thompson, Wolfin and Lynch are key contributors to a four year run that has gone 98-11.  I dont think Joe's guys have won 98 games of HORSE over the same time frame. What exactly did you see to back up this quote: "just saw some things by Midd seniors that I didn't like in recent games."

my comment was meant that late in a close game, I want the ball in the hands of a a player like Toomey or Sha.

With all due respect to both of those guys, the Middlebury senior trio have been there and done that in the biggest of games on the biggest of stages.  Lynch, Thompson and Wolfin have all played huge down the stretch in big games which you might have heard of: an NCAA Regional Final and Final Four.  In case I missed it thru no fault of his own the next NCAA game Sha plays in will be his 1st.  Check out what one of the guys you diss did in the Elite 8 game two years ago as a soph.
http://www.middlebury.edu/athletics/sports/mensbasketball/archive/2010-2011/news/node/273394


Take off the Cardinal colored glasses and wake up to reality.   

[Maine-Man]

Williams somehow manages to win 2 in Maine this weekend but I'm still not 100% sure how.  For the second day (week?) in a row the Ephs struggled to score points and nearly let the win slip away.  Total bench points for Williams today: 1.  Overall bench scoring vs their opponents this weekend:  11-46.  Outscored by 35 points off the bench in two games yet they managed to pull it out.  Nice to get the wins but doesn't leave me with much confidence going into the Amherst matchup on Friday. 

Probably more than any other team this year Bowdoin really took advantage of the Ephs zone.  They seemed to get whatever shots they wanted against it in the first half.  Despite, Epley's 19 first half points, none of the other Ephs were hitting shots consistently and they couldn't build any type of lead.  In the 2nd half, Williams came out and play man to man exclusively for the first 8 minutes and it worked.  Bowdoin began to get frustrated, force shots and Williams was able to build a 9 point lead.  Then around the 12 minute mark, Williams brought in the subs and switched to the zone.  Poof! In just over a minute the lead was down to 1 and Maker was forced to put the starters back in with just over 10 minutes to go - they never came out again.  Back and forth until the end of regulation with Bowdoin getting the last shot, but a deep 3 wasn't close.

In OT, experience really took over and Williams took control of the game in about a minute.  Bowdoin hit a 3 but after that Williams put the clamps down on defense, rebounded and pushed the ball up the floor.  Once Bowdoin was down by 4, they started taking bad shots and it was over quickly.  Sort of a let down after the hard fought game. 

As for individual performances, as mentioned Epley had a big first half with 19 but was shut down the rest of the game and finished with 21.  Maker dominated the post most of the game and finished with 22 pts, 11 rbs, 3 asts.  I know there was a lot of hope that Swords would give him trouble but he just couldn't keep up, fouling out in 7 mins with 2 pts, 3 rbs.  Hurley was fantastic and ended the game with 14 assists but the Ephs did a great job of getting in his face so he didn't score too.  2-12 on the day for Hurley, 2-8 from 3.  Interesting thing to see was Epley spent a good portion of the day guarding Hurley as did Wohl occasionally which was an interesting choice.  I'm assuming it was to allow the Ephs to have a desired rotation on the pick and roll but the added height helped prevent Hurley from getting open shots.

It was Senior day at Bowdoin and the game had the makings of a major upset. However, typical Bowdoin, they got out scored 15-3 in overtime and lost another winnable game. Bowdoin has some talent, but can't seem to get it done when it counts again the top-tier teams in the league. Sitting at 3-5 in the conference the upcoming game against Wesleyan will be key and go a long way in determining whether the polar bears are for real, or just paper bears!

[P'bearfan]

Yes, two tough back to back losses for the Polar Bears but I'm optimistic.  While they didn't threaten Midd the game was never out of reach. And they went toe-to-toe with Williams the entire game.  The play of their bigs is improving and I'll keep my fingers crossed that they put together a strong run during the last few games and into the conference tournament.

[Bucket]

Wesleyan loses to Hamilton and will enter the last week of the season playing for a berth in the . . . NESCAC tournament.

Sha Brown, after being outplayed by frosh Matt Hart, turned the ball over at the :20 mark with the Cards down 3. He then missed a lay-up with :12 left that would have cut a 4-point margin in half. Hamilton wins by 5.

The freshman Hart finishes with 23 points on 8-13 shooting (4-7 from three). The senior Brown scores 17, but was woeful from the field: 3-12. He also turned the ball over 5 times.

[nescac1]

Hopefully this will end the ridiculous Wesleyan is better than Midd "argument" ...

Matt Hart is going to be a heck of a player (he is already, actually).  He torched Williams too.  A lock for NESCAC ROY I'd say, in a very strong year for NESCAC rookies. 

Speaking of all-crazy, it's been quiet on the all-crazy front.  Walzy, are you gathering nominations?  Williams has, sadly, been short on all-crazy contenders since the graduation of perennial team member Harlan Dodson.  Peter Kazickas from Hamilton could be a contender, though.  He's got the name and he's got the style, at least:

http://www.hamilton.edu/assets/mmlibrary/images/460x/2012-13Kazickas1.jpg 

The Ethan Hawke of NESCAC ...

[Maine-Man]

Yes, two tough back to back losses for the Polar Bears but I'm optimistic.  While they didn't threaten Midd the game was never out of reach. And they went toe-to-toe with Williams the entire game.  The play of their bigs is improving and I'll keep my fingers crossed that they put together a strong run during the last few games and into the conference tournament.

Unfortunately Bowdoin has a habit over the years of playing good teams close then losing in the end! Not convinced that Gilbride is as good of a coach - especially in tight games - as people make him out to be.  I hope you are right about the polar bears putting together a strong run. I am a bit more pessimistic, - Wesleyan is desperate and needs a sweep this coming weekend. If past history is an indicator it is more likely that Bowdoin will split their two games and lose in the first round of the conference tournament.

[Ashley Parker Angel]

Missed this one but a big win for Hamilton over Wesleyan today, putting both teams at 3-5 in conference play. I'm not sure if the Cardinals went up there expecting to come away with another easy W like last weekend but I was expecting better from a Wesleyan team that seemed to be getting on a hot streak as of late. Wesleyan played from just slightly behind for the entire game and was never able to reel in the Continental squad. Hopefully Reilly can fire up his guys for the final regular season weekend coming up – hopefully this loss will serve as a wake-up call.

[amh63]

Something must be missing on the Cardinals play......how about defense.  We have seen S. Brown and others go out and shoot the lights out...great offensive talents.   How does a coach NOT plan for checking Mr. Hart of Hamilton.  It is not easy but some effort must be made.  Has anyone seen Wes. play team defense throughout a game?  IMO, I for one have always worry about the seniors on the team exploding on offense....contributing to the offense.  Never have thought about the top players playing good defense....except for steals.
Just a thought to consider when one tries to figure out why the Cardinals are so up and down with all that talent.