MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

Finished reading the posts.  Replayed the game in my mind overnight...tough sleeping.
With a clear head?  I like to remember the game as follows...
The three senior front court Amherst players...Captains all...battling the three outstanding Panther backcourt leaders throughout the game.  The stats...seen through such a lens jumps out at you and allows me to understand the flow of the game clearer.
Willy Workman, Allen Williamson and Peter (yes, Big Pete) Kaasila combined for.76 points, 32 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 blocks.  Jake Wolfin, Joey Kizel, and Nolan Thompson combined for 64 points, 10 assists, 5 steals.    The value of the players cited  in their roles is clear.

Willy and Big Pete both hit new highs in points scored....Willy tied his high in boards again.  Kaasila had foul trouble in the second half and finished the game with 4 fouls.....his 29 points and 11 boards was achieved in the shortest time on the floor of all the starters of both teams.  I like Peter...he stepped up!

Much has been said of Aaron'S woes, etc.   To me, his play in the game still was critical, still worried Midd.,IMO.  Toomey had 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 16 pts. and 1 TO.

[walzy31]

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 ...

You're right...make him win 30 NESCAC games in a row before he wins COY (20 is child's play).

Also, thank goodness Hixon did yell "box out" as Jensen was preparing to shoot. If he didn't, Jensen might have made that shot and then Middlebury would have won. Right? That's what we are saying, that a coach telling his team to box out in 3OT caused the free throw shooter to miss his free throw and that act was classless and deserving of costing the coach a postseason accolade. Logical.

When Hixon doesn't win COY this year, I won't be surprised since I set the line as such. Sheldon's price has decreased dramatically. Would be surprised if he doesn't pull in the hardware.

[middhoops]

I heard someone from the Amherst bench yell "Block Out" when Jensen shot.  The whole Middlebury student section was chanting "air ball" at Toomey.  Big deal.  In the scheme of a monumental game played with class by some very intense young men, it was trivial.
Beating Williams and Middlebury back to back on the road gets Hixon the coy award.  Unpopular or not.
Naturally, I'd vote for Jeff Brown for what he did without Ryan Sharry this season.  No one at that game, not even a die hard like me, could think those teams were evenly matched, talent wise.  Switch coaches and Amherst wins by 25.  (okay, that was hyperbole but I'm still smarting...)

[toad22]

I know every coach has a different take on fouling at the end of a game to prevent a 3-point attempt. I don't particularly like it because it brings in the chance of losing the game. In this case Workman's remarkable play only brought another overtime. A strategy sometimes employed is to make the first and tap the rebound out to a teammate for a 3. I'd prefer to force the player to make a tough 3 for a tie.

On another topic, I really do think that Nolan Thompson is a once in a generation defender. He seems to be able to humble any guard/small forward at our level. He is a very special player. In some different ways, Willy Workman is also quite spectacular. Right now, I'd vote for Willy as the POY.

Last night, after the Williams game was finished a hundred or so players, coaches, fans, and student fans were clumped around computer screens watching that magnificent game going on up Rt 7. There were screams, sobs, cheers and boos ringing out all over our gym. I have never seen anything like it. Eventually, we all formed up in one big crowd. What fun.   

[nescac1]

re: Hixon, I am far from a huge fan of the guy, yet I would have voted him COY last year and I thought he was robbed.  I'm just saying, this is one example (out of plenty of others) of why he's not particularly beloved by his peers; he rubs people the wrong way in a way that Maker and Brown do not, even when they are equally successful.  But that shouldn't really matter in determining who deserves a COY honor.   He should win this year, and I can't imagine if Amherst wins the NESCAC tourney that he'd be denied again. 

That is unreal re: the story Toad shared of the Williams folks huddled around watching the game.  I'm guessing that folks were cheering for Midd for the 1/3 shot of hosting NESCACs, and also due to the rivalry

... middhoops, this may be an unspoken rule, but I do think there is a difference between whatever distraction a crowd can provide (anything short of flashing lights and such seems to be kosher) and what opposing players and coaches are permitted to do.  For example, if while Jensen was shooting, an Amherst player on the court had done something to distract him during the shot, I believe that is illegal (or at least, taboo).  In the end, Toomey hit a three so it didn't affect the outcome, anyway. 

I wonder if anyone has ever done any statistical analysis of fouling the shooter up three?  Seems like this should be a question that would have an answer based on the numbers.  Amherst has three guys who can hit NBA-range threes (not sure if all were out there) with regularity in Toomey, Workman, and Green.  In that situation, it seems like the 35-40 percent chance of hitting a deep three are higher than whatever the odds are of hitting the first free throw, missing the second, snagging the rebound, and scoring a bucket.  To me, it's the right move to foul every time at the college level.  NBA is different due to continuation rule.  Heck, Toomey's ridiculous three pointer on the prior possession might have even counted under NBA continuation rules. 

[amh63]

Toad...thanks for your post.   Assume the sobs were for the Panthers.
Loose end remarks.....
What is the story behind the penguins cheerleaders in Pepin?......did I just answered my question?
Great announcer for the game....even commented on the S. Brown play before Willy's play.
Third straight critical game where refs stopped the game to check video for time corrections and fouls ..Amherst games.....RIC, Ephs and Middlebury.

[Bucket]

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.

No, it was Hixon. Bush league. And that's why there was such a strong reaction from the crowd.

And I'm sorry, Middhoops, but there is a big difference between the student fan section chanting "air ball" at Aaron Toomey and a school's head coach yelling out "box out" just as the opponent's free throw shooter is shooting the first of a two-shot foul--i.e., the only rebound is a dead-ball rebound.

Did it decide the game? Of course not. Not remotely. But it's classless, it's unsportsmanlike, it's beneath the dignity of a school like Amherst. (Or any school, for that matter.) And it was on-par with his commentary the entire game. Yes, every coach works officials, some more aggressively than others. But Dave Hixon's complaints were not just about fouls--they were always couched in a language of entitled superiority, i.e. he can't guard him without grabbing, you're stealing the game from us, etc etc.

I didn't post any of this last night because I wanted to get some distance from the game, but since it has been brought up here, I thought I'd add my opinion. I honestly don't mean this to be seen as sour grapes. I have the utmost respect for the Amherst players' talents and effort. They are a tremendous team.

[Bucket]

The games that Thompson, Kizel, Wolfin, Workman, Kaasila, and Williamson and Toomey's last shot (and A/TO ratio) had were unreal.

Yes, no question. Unreal is the best way to describe it. I mean, you take any one of these efforts individually,  you are talking about a once-in-a-blue moon occurrence, something to marvel at and appreciated. The fact that they all took place collectively, in the same game, a game that was decided on a last-second shot in triple overtime between the #2 and #3 ranked teams in the country, and it is not an exaggeration or hyperbole to suggest this is one of the greatest games anyone has witnessed. (The only thing more dramatic would if it had been an NCAA tournament elimination game. Heaven forbid.)

Or, simply, unreal.

[nescac1]

Hadn't even considered the dead ball aspect.  Good point, Bucket ...

[Panthernation]

I wonder if anyone has ever done any statistical analysis of fouling the shooter up three?  Seems like this should be a question that would have an answer based on the numbers.  Amherst has three guys who can hit NBA-range threes (not sure if all were out there) with regularity in Toomey, Workman, and Green.  In that situation, it seems like the 35-40 percent chance of hitting a deep three are higher than whatever the odds are of hitting the first free throw, missing the second, snagging the rebound, and scoring a bucket.  To me, it's the right move to foul every time at the college level.  NBA is different due to continuation rule.  Heck, Toomey's ridiculous three pointer on the prior possession might have even counted under NBA continuation rules.

nescac1, this should do the trick: http://hoopscoach.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/foul-or-defend-rest-in-peace/

As you can see, this study would disagree toad22's belief that fouling is the wrong way to go. Of course he's right in the sense that it does, in theory, put the leading team in a situation where they could lose the game, but such risk averse thinking would drastically lower your team's expected win percentage, assuming (and I think we can) that the finding of this study holds over a larger sample.

P.S. Old Guy, pass this on to your son... this should end the argument. A coach's job is always to give his or her team the best chance to win the game. If you also subscribe to that idea, then any discussion of the tap-out-three scenario is irrelevant, given what the study shows.

[nescac1]

Great find, Panthernation! 

[middhoops]

Yo, Panthernation; are you applying to law schools yet?  Great digging.
Also, your blog is exceptionally well run.

[grabtherim]

I wanted to let the adrenaline subside to less than heart attack levels before chiming in here.  First and foremost congratulations to the Lord Jeffs on the victory.  Actually both teams should be applauded for making this a game which no one who was lucky enough to be in Pepin will ever forget.  It was hard fought throughout and there were no real issues between players to minimize or scandalize the final result.  It was a great heart pounding game and as always someone had to win and someone had to lose. 
Some random thoughts on a few of the players, all positive (Coach Hixon take note).  Amherst first:
Workman played at a unique high level.  He was the best player in the best game he has ever played in.  He showed the ability to explode to the basket under full control.  If this is the way he has played in key games all season, I can't see how he is not part of the POY discussion.  Toomey showed big time guts on a night when he could not buy an outside shot and his foul shooting was also off.  Big players still want the ball in huge spots on nights like this and he sure as heck did as well, coming through with the game on the line for what seemed like the 100th time.  Williamson was a huge factor especially early when it appeared that not only would he not miss, but every shot was a swish.  His dunk in the 2nd half even for this Midd fan was something to behold. In all honesty he probably would have had another spectacular one but for a non-call on Midd.  Big Pete played the game of his life.  He took what he was given and always seemed under control.  To make this even more impressive many of his key plays came while he was playing with 4 fouls.  He is a load to box out and stop.  I know it is late in his career, but if he plays like this in the post season, he makes Amherst already a very tough out, a scary tough out. 
Middlebury:
Kizel as he has shown since his freshman year was up to the "big game".  He does so many things well and very efficiently.  I know he scored 30 and made so many other big plays, but the dive for the loose ball and the wherewithal to get a timeout while doing so keeps on instant replaying in my head.  Jensen gave bursts of energy and a huge late and one.  He keeps on getting better and better.  Lynch did what he could in the land of the Giant (Big Pete) but foul trouble limited him. Everyone who follows this team has to appreciate what Pete brings every night.  Wolfin had what has become the standard for him.  No matter how bad things go for Jake early on, he shakes it off and wants the ball when the lights are the brightest.  First half – no points which would have caused many to be unwilling to shoot.  Like Toomey, he seemingly was not bothered by it at all, and went on a rampage in the 2nd half hitting big basket one after another, even more so in OT.  Thompson is simply put a pleasure to watch.  Thankfully he gets the credit he's due him for his defense.  NO ONE should get a 1st place vote for DPOY over Nolan.  Combine that with his big basket mentality and you have a complete player who would stand out on any team.  Happy he is on the Panthers.

Finally, the only "negative" from last night's contest, that being the most blatant bush league action by a coach at D3 that I have ever been a witness to.  I am thankful that others on this forum have taken note of this as well.  From my vantage point it was crystal clear what Coach Hixon intended to do and did with Jensen about to release the ball.  Let me be clear, fans pay to cheer or boo or whatever, well maybe not in the NESCAC where the games are free.  As long as it is not personal or racial, almost everything else is expected if not liked.  Bench jockeying by players on the sidelines or on the floor falls into much the same category.  What Hixon did was not and is not against any rule.  No ref should admonish him for doing it.  That being said, I happened to be watching him just before he yelled "box out".  His timing was perfect and he clearly had designs on what blurting out at that very moment was designed to do.  Sadly, he tarnished this otherwise un-tarnishable "one for the ages" game.  Can anyone imagine Coach Maker, Brown or any other NESCAC coach doing the same?  Of course not.  Any rational and honest fan of this league knows that.  The irony is that his childish and boorish behavior probably did not matter as the Jensen in all likelihood was in such a zone that it's my guess he never really heard or was affected by it.  This man should NOT be considered as COY for this incident alone.  When many fans cat called Hixon as the game ended on this, he had the look of a kid who had just been caught stealing candy from a country store.  If you were there, close to it, saw it and heard it as I did, you will never forget this lesson on how not to be a leader of men under pressure.  I'm embarrassed for him, but I guess he is so self-indulgent that he does not get it.

Although this one stings as a Panther fan, I consider myself lucky to have been there for it, to see the incredible performances by so many young athletes and sadly the abhorrent behavior of one who was supposed to lead them by example.  On that front, Hixon failed both miserably and even worse memorably.                     

[Colby Hoops]

http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/entry/yet_another_study_about_fouling_when_up_3

Another study from a really smart guy that says fouling may not be the way to go.

[formerbant10]

I've seen coaches/players/fans/parents/security/ushers/popcorn vendors/etc...do way worse.

And there is a violation that could've been called.  Disconcertion of the shooter.  It wasn't called.

I remember another NESCAC coach standing on the court as players would run down the sideline...he provided one hell of a trap at home.  I've seen another coach come and stand next to the opposing teams bench while his team was shooting FTs so he could tell them what to do defensively.  These are all parts of the game.

Keep in mind that there was no call for when David Kalema was hit in the face (required 6 stitches, btw)...another part of the game apparently. 

Challenge the tactics, strategy, play-calling and what you want...personal attacks on chat boards are childish.  And I'm sure there will be people who write letters and the such complaining about his antics.  Clearly you guys do not know Dave Hixon.