MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Nice first post, wrm238.  I think that your all-NESCAC teams are pretty much spot-on and I agree with Workman as POY.  I'll reserve my final picks until the NESCAC tourney.  I could see Nate Robertson, Kaasila, or Callaghan sliding on to the second team, depending on how things turn out there.  I think this year there is a very clear top four, but 5-15 (the aforementioned group plus Lynch and Pieri) are very, very close / tough to distinguish. 

As for rookies, I think Hart has to be ROY.  Conor Green, possibly, over Hudnut, but otherwise your all-rookie team also looks spot-on. 

[7express]

Saturday February 16, 2013 NESCAC Quarter-Final Spreads & Props

#8 Colby @ #1 Amherst
Amherst -20.0
O/U: 148.0

#7 Bates @ #2 Williams
Williams -8.5
O/U: 128.5

#6 Wesleyan @ #3 Middlebury
Middlebury -11.5
O/U: 133.0

#5 Bowdoin @ #4 Tufts
Tufts -6.0
O/U: 152.5

Will a home team and top 4 seed lose?
Yes +120
No -140

Amherst over
Williams over
Wesleyan over
Tufts under
No to the home team/top 4 losing, but Wesleyan has the best chance, imo.

[Panthernation]

New blog post: Revisiting preseason predictions

http://blogs.middlebury.edu/panthernation/2013/02/15/revisiting-preseason-predictions/

I appreciate the accuracy of those top 4 predictions more than most. Impressive and well done.

Spreads for tomorrow forthcoming.

Thanks for reading.

Nice All-Crazy team; wanted to let you know that one of your guys from last year's team, Carter Trent, then of Trinity, is averaging 1.4 ppg at Dallas Baptist University of the NCCAA (National Christian Colleges Athletic Association), after averaging 7.1 ppg at Trinity last season. Crazy.

[Charles]

With the first pick of the 2013 All-NESCAC All-Crazy team draft...I select, Sha Brown from Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

1st Pick – Sha Brown (Wesleyan University)
Clearly this is a mistake and I meant to select Greg St. Jean (inducted into the HOF this year) or Tim Gallivan. Maybe even drafting a Blake Curry hologram that also raps would be a better pick.

Sha is no stranger to All-NESCAC accolades. Rookie of the year in the 2009-2010 season (and high point earner of the lone NESCAC fantasy basketball league I participated in that year), he has been first or second team All-NESCAC every season and will likely earn post season plaudits again this year.

He also is not a new comer to the crazy team. In 2010, he was the 8th pick for his over dribbling and over cross overing. In 2011, he slipped a spot for listing his height as 6'0" on the roster. Last season he wasn't that crazy at all (perhaps overshadowed by "The Mean" St. Jean). But this year I got not one, not two, but three submissions for inclusion of Sha Brown to the crazy team. THREE separate submissions for why one of the hardest players to guard belongs in elite company as a top pick.

1)   The story came to me right after I had posted the team in February of 2012, but I immediately opened up a word document and saved the file "All-NESCAC All-Crazy 2013" because you gotta report the news when the news comes to you. Apparently/allegedly/probably/definitely, 6'4" Sha Brown got into an actual fight with two recruits while they were visiting Wesleyan in the fall of 2011. Now let's just dissect the craziness of this for a minute: A recruiting trip's purpose is a two-way tryout. It lets the players and coaches know whether the player is good enough to play on the squad, and is one of the most important touch points of the university for the kid visiting the school. Those trips are usually pretty easy to figure out: either the kid is good enough and the players welcome him to the school, the kid is not good enough and the players don't hang out with them so they end up getting pizza with their parents, or the players get in brawls with starters on the team...

2)   Again, a late submission that makes me feel like Sha flew under the crazy radar for the better part of his career. Apparently/allegedly/probably/definitely he has told dozens of people that he is a D1 talent. I do not disagree...he is very good at basketball. The craziness comes from his bragging that "Columbia recruited me when they were good."
When they were good? Like your junior year of high school when they were a good 12-16? Or like your senior year of high school when they were a good 12-16 again? I think you're crazy.

3)   Big Pete has the nickname because he is 6'9" 270 pounds and plays like a man. I've seen video evidence of Sha investigating other reasons as to why he may have that nickname...

I am sorry that the Crazy team overlooked your talents throughout your career, and just think, you never would have been the #1 pick on a crazy team if you had gone Ivy! The 'CAC and the Crazy Team are happy to have you!

This draft pick fulfills the 2011 caveat that a Wesleyan baller must be a first-team selection.

Wonder if Sha Brown or his family might find your post libelous or offensive? Certainly it isn't funny.

[Panthernation]

Wonder if Sha Brown or his family might find your post libelous or offensive? Certainly it isn't funny.

Yeah and imagine if the Lynches, Wolfins, and Thompsons read your comment that Middlebury's senior leadership was worse than Wesleyan's. Talk about offensive.

[lefrakenstein]

As an avid NESCAC basketball fan, I seem to have some questions and comments regarding the All-CAC teams. The crazy team is spot on, good job Walzy. However, problems arise with the 1st and 2nd all NESCAC teams. I think there will be five kids on the first team: Toomey, Workman, Mayer, Kizel, Thompson. Second teams should be as follows: Anderson, Ferris, Sha, Epley, Vadas. Player of year has to go to Workman. He does it all, offense and defense and defensive player of year should go to Thompson. In an outstanding year for first years, there seems to be a bunch of deserving players. My order looks like: Paleschi, Shill, Hart, Halydyna, Hudnut. I think Paleschi edges out Shill and Hart because his team has made the NESCAC playoffs and he was a big reason why. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Hart or Shill won the award either, as both had good first year seasons. Coach of the year has got to go to Hixon. Undefeated in NESCAC play is just a tremendous job. Any disagreements with my post season accolades???

Nice list. I would add Patrick Stewart of Colby to the list of excellent freshman. I kind of doubt that there will be two first team panthers, but I think they're both deserving.

[walzy31]

Hart will be ROY and deserves it over Green.
I love Workman and think he has had a phenomenal season. He is a lock for 1st team all conference and will either win or lose a very tight race regarding his reigning DPOY award. However, Toomey will be POY and it really isn't close. Sheldon gets COY for getting a top 4 seed and only losing to the big 3.

[Charles]

Wonder if Sha Brown or his family might find your post libelous or offensive? Certainly it isn't funny.

Yeah and imagine if the Lynches, Wolfins, and Thompsons read your comment that Middlebury's senior leadership was worse than Wesleyan's. Talk about offensive.

all I did was compare senior leadership at the end of a game. I never libeled a kid or mentioned anyone's name. I'm sure the Pollack family won't appreciate the comments that were made about their son as well. Perhaps Mr. Quinn won't appreciate your behavior either?

[walzy31]

Wonder if Sha Brown or his family might find your post libelous or offensive? Certainly it isn't funny.

Yeah and imagine if the Lynches, Wolfins, and Thompsons read your comment that Middlebury's senior leadership was worse than Wesleyan's. Talk about offensive.

all I did was compare senior leadership at the end of a game. I never libeled a kid or mentioned anyone's name. I'm sure the Pollack family won't appreciate the comments that were made about their son as well.

You are missing the spirit of the crazy team. It's like the ESPN Sportscenter Not Top 10...funny and amusing for entertainment purposes. Nate Robertson never spoke to a Williamstown townie and called Parker "Token" (at least not that I know of). 

This stuff is more fiction than fact.

Also, I'll go introduce myself to the Pollacks and laugh with them about that Williams game and how fast their son fouled out. I'm guessing their beef will be with the refs that game and not me.

[Charles]

Wonder if Sha Brown or his family might find your post libelous or offensive? Certainly it isn't funny.

Yeah and imagine if the Lynches, Wolfins, and Thompsons read your comment that Middlebury's senior leadership was worse than Wesleyan's. Talk about offensive.

all I did was compare senior leadership at the end of a game. I never libeled a kid or mentioned anyone's name. I'm sure the Pollack family won't appreciate the comments that were made about their son as well.

You are missing the spirit of the crazy team. It's like the ESPN Sportscenter Not Top 10...funny and amusing for entertainment purposes. Nate Robertson never spoke to a Williamstown townie and called Parker "Token" (at least not that I know of). 

This stuff is more fiction than fact.

Also, I'll go introduce myself to the Pollacks and laugh with them about that Williams game and how fast their son fouled out. I'm guessing their beef will be with the refs that game and not me.

Thought the comments about Sha Brown were unnecessary. Remember that these are kids. There are some over the top "fans" on this board (almost creepy over the top) but to post rumors is just in bad taste.

[wrm238]

Nice first post, wrm238.  I think that your all-NESCAC teams are pretty much spot-on and I agree with Workman as POY.  I'll reserve my final picks until the NESCAC tourney.  I could see Nate Robertson, Kaasila, or Callaghan sliding on to the second team, depending on how things turn out there.  I think this year there is a very clear top four, but 5-15 (the aforementioned group plus Lynch and Pieri) are very, very close / tough to distinguish. 

As for rookies, I think Hart has to be ROY.  Conor Green, possibly, over Hudnut, but otherwise your all-rookie team also looks spot-on.

Thanks Nescac1. Trying to get more involved on this board. I couldnt agree more with you that 5-15 in this league is very hard to distinguish. I feel that 2 teams in the big 3 could get a 3rd member on an all league team depending on how the playoffs turn out. As for Middlebury getting a two on 1st team I feel that Thompson slightly edges Kaasila and Epley in terms of performance this year so I feel he is most deserving. Still very tough to come up with a POY because Workman and Toomey are both so deserving. I agree that this postseason will determine a lot towards post season accolades.

In response to walzy for ROY honors, Hart has had a tremendous season. However, IMO I think that Pasleschi edges him out because he has had a more statistically well-rounded season compared to Hart. He also was a major factor for gaining the 4th seed in the playoffs. If we were to stay on the statistics aspect, Shill has had the most well-rounded statistical averages of any frosh, but Conn did go defeated in conference play, making it tough for the coaches to identify him as the top frosh. If it is worth anything, the box scores for both the Conn-Hamilton game and Tufts-Hamilton game have Shill and Paleschi having better statistical numbers than Hart. Nonetheless, Hart has had some very good games vs some top teams in the CAC this year. All 3 are very deserving and cases can be made for all 3. Looking forward to the announcements of POY, ALL-CAC teams, and ROY. Cant remember a year in the CAC with this many good frosh. Bright future ahead. Any more thoughts?

[lefrakenstein]

Nice first post, wrm238.  I think that your all-NESCAC teams are pretty much spot-on and I agree with Workman as POY.  I'll reserve my final picks until the NESCAC tourney.  I could see Nate Robertson, Kaasila, or Callaghan sliding on to the second team, depending on how things turn out there.  I think this year there is a very clear top four, but 5-15 (the aforementioned group plus Lynch and Pieri) are very, very close / tough to distinguish. 

As for rookies, I think Hart has to be ROY.  Conor Green, possibly, over Hudnut, but otherwise your all-rookie team also looks spot-on.

Thanks Nescac1. Trying to get more involved on this board. I couldnt agree more with you that 5-15 in this league is very hard to distinguish. I feel that 2 teams in the big 3 could get a 3rd member on an all league team depending on how the playoffs turn out. As for Middlebury getting a two on 1st team I feel that Thompson slightly edges Kaasila and Epley in terms of performance this year so I feel he is most deserving. Still very tough to come up with a POY because Workman and Toomey are both so deserving. I agree that this postseason will determine a lot towards post season accolades.

In response to walzy for ROY honors, Hart has had a tremendous season. However, IMO I think that Pasleschi edges him out because he has had a more statistically well-rounded season compared to Hart. He also was a major factor for gaining the 4th seed in the playoffs. If we were to stay on the statistics aspect, Shill has had the most well-rounded statistical averages of any frosh, but Conn did go defeated in conference play, making it tough for the coaches to identify him as the top frosh. If it is worth anything, the box scores for both the Conn-Hamilton game and Tufts-Hamilton game have Shill and Paleschi having better statistical numbers than Hart. Nonetheless, Hart has had some very good games vs some top teams in the CAC this year. All 3 are very deserving and cases can be made for all 3. Looking forward to the announcements of POY, ALL-CAC teams, and ROY. Cant remember a year in the CAC with this many good frosh. Bright future ahead. Any more thoughts?

Pretty strong argument to be made that Paleschi was not the top freshman on his own team. He and Haladyna had almost exactly the same FG%, but Haladyna was better from the line, and was also a good 3 pt shooter (48% in conference). As a little guy, Haladyna got significantly fewer rebounds, but also turned the ball over much less. Haladyna also scored a little more per 40 minutes. They played comparable minutes.

you also say that Thompson edges Kaasila, but Kaasila wasn't in your second team. In any case, I do think both Kizel and Thompson should be first teamers, I just doubt that they will be. Seems unlikely that 80% of the first team will be Midd/Amherst.

[7express]

Wonder if Sha Brown or his family might find your post libelous or offensive? Certainly it isn't funny.

Yeah and imagine if the Lynches, Wolfins, and Thompsons read your comment that Middlebury's senior leadership was worse than Wesleyan's. Talk about offensive.

j
all I did was compare senior leadership at the end of a game. I never libeled a kid or mentioned anyone's name. I'm sure the Pollack family won't appreciate the comments that were made about their son as well.

You are missing the spirit of the crazy team. It's like the ESPN Sportscenter Not Top 10...funny and amusing for entertainment purposes. Nate Robertson never spoke to a Williamstown townie and called Parker "Token" (at least not that I know of). 

This stuff is more fiction than fact.

Also, I'll go introduce myself to the Pollacks and laugh with them about that Williams game and how fast their son fouled out. I'm guessing their beef will be with the refs that game and not me.

Thought the comments about Sha Brown were unnecessary. Remember that these are kids. There are some over the top "fans" on this board (almost creepy over the top) but to post rumors is just in bad taste.

I don't have a dog in the NESCAC (Western Connecticut student), but even I know Walzy's all crazy team is in good spirit and fun.  You think Sportscenter would continue to air a not top 10 every week if everyone of the families on that complained to ESPN??

[toad22]

One needs to get into the spirit of the All Crazy team. It is kind of an honor to be named. It is a mistake to take anything that is said at all seriously, as it is all in good fun. Walzy does a great job putting it together. That is a hard thing for me to write, since he abhors Williams, but in this limited context, I admire and apreciate his efforts.

[Pat Coleman]

Charles ... clearly this is your first All-Crazy Team, but it's fine by us.