MBB: NESCAC

[Mr. Ypsi]

Marty Peretz, for this year only, there ARE no pods.  First three weekends are one game only, then final 8 in Salem, then two weeks later, title game in Atlanta.  So separating top teams should be easier than ever.

[Panthernation]

By the way, there's an obvious reason Toomey was "ice cold." Thompson played him most of the game. You think that had anything to do with it. You think? Thompson picked up Workman with 5:25 left in regulation as that was where he was needed.

Thanks, was trying to get the minute mark to compile this stat: Nolan Thompson played about 35 minutes on Aaron Toomey, and about 20 minutes on Willy Workman. In those time spans:

Toomey: 3-11, 7 points.
Workman: 2-3, 10* points.
*6 of those 10 points: 4 points off rebounding fouls by Peter Lynch, 1 point on FT after intentional foul, 2 points on FT put-back.

In other words, Nolan Thompson held Aaron Toomey and Willy Workman to a combined 11 points in 55 minutes on 5-14 shooting. In those 55 minutes, in a game in which there were 43 fouls called and 3 Middlebury starters fouled out, while guarding the best players on the floor, Nolan committed one personal foul; it was intentional. Nolan was also the only player on either team to never go to the bench for all 55.

Think about this: What percent of the NESCAC first + second team has been shut down by Nolan Thompson this season? Vadas, Ferris, Epley, Shasha (watch the tape), Toomey, and Workman all come to mind right away. Those are probably the top six players in the league who aren't either 1) his teammate, 2) a center, or 3) Nolan himself.

Adding to this, lost in the shuffle was how important Nolan was offensively to the comeback. From the 18:24 mark in the second half until the 14:15 mark, Thompson scored 10 straight points for Middlebury, outscoring Amherst 10-2 over that time and cutting the Lord Jeffs lead to 6 (47-41) before Amherst went on a mini-run of their own. His play on both ends of the floor was simply spectacular.

Nolan is just doing something that really deserves to be appreciated. Congratulations to Amherst on an amazing win.

[walzy31]

Colby made it in the NESCAC tournament?!

Hats off to Middlebury. That game was amazing and by the start of the 3rd overtime no team deserved to lose. No one even mentioned, but Kizel's 55 footer at the buzzer was dead on and hit the rim. I was sure that was going in just like it made sense that in 2OT when Midd fouled Amherst the first time (Toomey not Workman which led to a strange miss then make situation while trailing by 3...both unintentional), Toomey tossed the ball up from just over half court where the half court line bisects the sideline and it was nothing but net. Can't make one jump shot and then hits that.

One of the OTs Wolfin had the first 10 pts for Midd (it may have been all 10 of their points?). Unbelievable game.

Other good news: The All-Crazy Team will be out soon.

[7express]

According to the NESCAC site they did.  I think they beat Hamilton and since they finished tied at 3-7 of course head to head is the first tiebreaker.

[walzy31]

By the way, there's an obvious reason Toomey was "ice cold." Thompson played him most of the game. You think that had anything to do with it. You think? Thompson picked up Workman with 5:25 left in regulation as that was where he was needed.

Thanks, was trying to get the minute mark to compile this stat: Nolan Thompson played about 35 minutes on Aaron Toomey, and about 20 minutes on Willy Workman. In those time spans:

Toomey: 3-11, 7 points.
Workman: 2-3, 10* points.
*6 of those 10 points: 4 points off rebounding fouls by Peter Lynch, 1 point on FT after intentional foul, 2 points on FT put-back.

In other words, Nolan Thompson held Aaron Toomey and Willy Workman to a combined 11 points in 55 minutes on 5-14 shooting. In those 55 minutes, in a game in which there were 43 fouls called and 3 Middlebury starters fouled out, while guarding the best players on the floor, Nolan committed one personal foul; it was intentional. Nolan was also the only player on either team to never go to the bench for all 55.

Think about this: What percent of the NESCAC first + second team has been shut down by Nolan Thompson this season? Vadas, Ferris, Epley, Shasha (watch the tape), Toomey, and Workman all come to mind right away. Those are probably the top six players in the league who aren't either 1) his teammate, 2) a center, or 3) Nolan himself.

Nolan is just doing something that really deserves to be appreciated. Congratulations to Amherst on an amazing win.

You had me at "Thompson played 55 minutes."
The games that Thompson, Kizel, Wolfin, Workman, Kaasila, and Williamson and Toomey's last shot (and A/TO ratio) had were unreal.

[Panthernation]

We'll have more coming as we keep breaking down some of the stats, but this one also jumped out: the game featured 16 lead changes (6 in the second overtime alone) and 9 ties. As well as a 14 point second-half comeback. Just another attempt to explain the ridiculousness of this game.

And Walzy, great point about Toomey's half court diagonal heave after getting fouled. At that point that "make" equaled the number of threes he had made in the game that far.

[Pat Coleman]

Here's more from this game -- We compiled the best tweets, posts and Instagram photos from this game on the Daily Dose, using Storify.

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2013/02/13/inside-the-nescac-showdown/

[Panthernation]

While you're waiting for the video from NSN to upload, check out the timely video highlights from our esteemed fellow blogger, MiddBeat: http://69.195.124.79/~middbeat/blog/2013/02/13/nooooooooo-triple-overtime-heartbreaker-for-mens-basketball-team/

[nescac1]

Watching Workman's play again, it really was remarkable.  He shot the intentional-miss free throw immediately after receiving the ball, before any Midd player was set to rebound, and all in one motion took a step to the basket, corralled the ball in a crowd, and tossed it in the basket.  I just don't think many D-3 players are capable of that sort of play.  It's hard enough in that situation just to hit the rim in such a way as to allow for a long rebound.  I'm not sure what the odds of converting that play successfully are, but must be lower than 10 percent. 

Nolan Thompson's D is likewise remarkable.  He can shut down smaller, quicker all-American guards like James Wang (in past years) or Toomey, as well as bigger, stronger guys like Epley and Workman.  Best one-on-one perimeter defender NESCAC has likely ever seen.  It seems like he is absolutely tireless out there, both physically and mentally.  Midd is really going to miss him next year.  Any team that overly relies on one star player is in for a struggle vs. Midd solely because of Thompson. 

Interesting comment from MiddBeat's post:

"Key Panthers foul out, but nevertheless, they have a chance to take the lead with James Jenson '14′s two free throw shots. He missed the first (listen for Amherst's coach yelling  "box out!" when Jenson releases. What a jerk ass) but made the second to tie the game 101-101."

I heard massive booing after the missed free throw while watching the web cast, I was wondering what had happened.  When Amherst asks why Hixon fails to win coach of the year in some years when the Jeffs win NESCAC, well, that type of thing is the answer ...

[Panthernation]

Interesting comment from MiddBeat's post:

"Key Panthers foul out, but nevertheless, they have a chance to take the lead with James Jenson '14′s two free throw shots. He missed the first (listen for Amherst's coach yelling  "box out!" when Jenson releases. What a jerk ass) but made the second to tie the game 101-101."

I heard massive booing after the missed free throw while watching the web cast, I was wondering what had happened.  When Amherst asks why Hixon fails to win coach of the year in some years when the Jeffs win NESCAC, well, that type of thing is the answer ...

From our spot on the floor, you could hear someone yell "Box Out" as Jensen released his first free throw. From where I was it appeared to be a player on the bench, and not one of the coaches, although I could be wrong about that. A couple of Middlebury players on the floor and on the bench reacted angrily and spoke to the officials after the free throw was taken and the crowed booed them loudly, like you said. Not sure if any further steps were taken.

In all fairness, I saw/heard a Middlebury bench player do exactly the same thing late in the game at Williams while an Ephs player was taking a free throw. If Hixon or a member of his coaching staff was participating, that's a different story, but I can't say I saw it myself.

[AO]

Watching Workman's play again, it really was remarkable.  He shot the intentional-miss free throw immediately after receiving the ball, before any Midd player was set to rebound, and all in one motion took a step to the basket, corralled the ball in a crowd, and tossed it in the basket.  I just don't think many D-3 players are capable of that sort of play.  It's hard enough in that situation just to hit the rim in such a way as to allow for a long rebound.  I'm not sure what the odds of converting that play successfully are, but must be lower than 10 percent. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v9av7g4QKg

The real rare part of this play is how accurate his throw at the front of the rim was; what was a lower than 10% chance increases remarkably when you can get that kind of bounce.

If this ends up on ESPN, every coach in America is going to want their kids practicing the throw and the best way to defend it.  Is there any penalty for a lane violation in this instance that would result in anything other than another free throw attempt, if Middlebury had entered the lane early to assure themselves of the rebound?

[nescac1]

Very interesting point, AO.  I don't see any downside for, from a coaching perspective, instructing your kids to err on the side of stepping in to the lane to defend too quickly.  Of course, hard to remember any sort of strategy when your body and mind are already totally spent from 50 minutes of brutally competitive hoops. 

[WPI89]

Not sure how you enter the lane early on purpose - how many times would you do it....how would you know just when the shooter was going to hit the rim perfectly....................?  Now that I am thinking about it, I guess you could keep doing it until the shooter "accidentally" makes the shot?  I guess within the rules - maybe not within the spirit of the rule?

Congrats to all things NESCAC - what a celebration of all that is good in high end d3 sports.

Only hope MIT/WPI has 1/4 of the excitement tonight!

[AO]

Not sure how you enter the lane early on purpose - how many times would you do it....how would you know just when the shooter was going to hit the rim perfectly....................?  Now that I am thinking about it, I guess you could keep doing it until the shooter "accidentally" makes the shot?  I guess within the rules - maybe not within the spirit of the rule?

Congrats to all things NESCAC - what a celebration of all that is good in high end d3 sports.

Only hope MIT/WPI has 1/4 of the excitement tonight!

I'd argue that intentionally fouling someone to force them to shoot free throws is just as far outside the spirit of the rules.  You should never be able to gain an advantage by fouling/breaking the rules.  We ought to give teams the option to put time back on the clock and decline free throws if they choose.  In football you can decline the offsides and take the larger gain.  In Soccer/Hockey the penalty is delayed if you still have the advantage after being fouled.

[formerbant10]

Depspite tonight's game, Toomey is an absolute force on offense. However, Kizel was the best player on the court. He always plays huge in big games.

You are outside of your mind if you think anyone but Willy Workman was the best player on the court.  Not to take away from Kizel, Thompson or Kaasila who all played monster games.  Workman was the best.

Best Triple OT game I've seen in the CAC since '02 at Amherst.  This time the Lord Jeffs prevailed.