MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Three more notes: great effort by the Eph fans.  They were louder and more boisterous than the home crowd.  I hope they show up like that for NCAA games.  Also, I am not sure why folks are getting on the Amherst announcers.  Yes, they are unabashedly pro-Amherst and think every call that doesn't go Amherst's way is a bad call, but hey, they are college students.  At least they are having fun out there, know who all the players are, and understand basketball.  Third and finally, Walzy, congrats on the lady, I hope it goes well for you. 

[grabtherim]

Took one game to prove me wrong as despite some clutch late free throws, Amherst squeaks by as Workman had a very tough afternoon shooting the basketball.  Toomey stepped up and played great in the 2nd half.  Williamson with the play of a lifetime making a clean block on Epley to end it. 

[old_hooper]

ALLEN WILLIAMSON will go down in history as making one of great blocks in NESCAC history!  The player of the game and the MVP of the tournament.  Great game, Williams offense was clicking and if they play like this in the big dance they will be in any game.  It is fun to watch a Maker team when they play well.  Congrats to The Lord Jeff's doing it back to back and undefeated, not easy to do!

[nescac1]

Now that the season is officially over, after mulling it over, my all-conference picks:

First Team: Toomey, Workman, Mayer, Kizell, Thompson
Second Team: Epley, Robertson, Kaasila, Ferris, Lynch, Sha Brown (tie for the sixth spot between Lynch and Brown, Vadas is toughest to leave off but just can't find a spot for a guy from a team that won zero NESCAC games)

ROY: Palleschi and Hart (honorable mention to Green, Boornazian, Shill)
POY: Workman (runners-up Mayer, Toomey, Kizell)
DPOY: Thompson (runner-up Workman)
COY: Hixon (runner-up Maker)

[amh63]

Some comments of a sidenote nature.
The game start on a Sunday and at 12 noon...found the student section a little thin and quiet...but it filled in nicely.  Amherst's Prez's presence may have held the Amherst students down a little....especially in response to the Ephs' student section chants.
The game had a feel of a "heavyweight" boxing match....a period of feeling each other out and seeing what the opponents will do and cant do. 
It was a afternoon when both teams had lesser known players take the lead at critical times.  For Amherst, it was Killian's 5 quick points, Green's two 3's in the first half, and Pollack's post play in relief of Kaasilla.
It is ironic in a way that foul shooting in this game was the difference...at least one way to look at it.  In the two games before, Amherst did not shoot well from the foul line and won big.  Today, Amherst went 11 for 12 and surprise, the miss was by Aaron with 20 some seconds to go.  In the last few minutes, Kalema, Williamson and yes Workman went to the line and hit both their foul shots...criticial points at critical times late in the game.  It was Williams poor foul shooting that hurt their effort, in a game that Williams played great.
Also in the last minute of the game, both teams got tie ups that got the ball back.....one after a Killian rebound and later, in the Amherst front court that gave Amherst the ball with a point lead and 25 seconds to go in the game.  Great defensive efforts by both teams.
Workman was in and out of the game.....I believe that Willy, my favorite, still was under the weather and Coach Hixon was giving him rest time.  Still in the last few minutes of the game, Amherst's starters were all back in the game to take and give "punches".   I think both coaches were "masterful" in their rotation of players.
Workman's scoring was down but his boards and assist numbers were typical Workman.  Same for Toomey....5 boards, 7 assists, 2 steals and a tie-up.
In the end, for me, Amherst's seniors came through.  Big Pete needed 12 points to become a member of the 1000 points club....he got 14 today. Yesterday he led the team with 20 points.  I am happy for him and join many to congratulate him for the goal reached.

[middhoops]

If anyone is interested in watching #1 in a good battle against Augsburg, check this out:

http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/augsburg.portal#

[madzillagd]

Had to rush out right after the game to make the church service, quite a nice way to relax and digest the loss.  May have been a bit tougher to sit still had they won. 

Well this being my first year watching these two schools battle it was nice to finally have a game play out how I would expect these to be played.  Fun game to watch and nice to have it come down to the  end.  I agree that FTs and offensive rebounds were the killer for Williams.  I said it to NESCAC1 before the game, if we only beat Amherst once this year I'd want that to be in the NCAAs, so we'll see if they end up against each other again. 

[ECSUalum]

Some comments of a sidenote nature.
The game start on a Sunday and at 12 noon...found the student section a little thin and quiet...but it filled in nicely.  Amherst's Prez's presence may have held the Amherst students down a little....especially in response to the Ephs' student section chants.
The game had a feel of a "heavyweight" boxing match....a period of feeling each other out and seeing what the opponents will do and cant do. 
It was a afternoon when both teams had lesser known players take the lead at critical times.  For Amherst, it was Killian's 5 quick points, Green's two 3's in the first half, and Pollack's post play in relief of Kaasilla.
It is ironic in a way that foul shooting in this game was the difference...at least one way to look at it.  In the two games before, Amherst did not shoot well from the foul line and won big.  Today, Amherst went 11 for 12 and surprise, the miss was by Aaron with 20 some seconds to go.  In the last few minutes, Kalema, Williamson and yes Workman went to the line and hit both their foul shots...criticial points at critical times late in the game.  It was Williams poor foul shooting that hurt their effort, in a game that Williams played great.
Also in the last minute of the game, both teams got tie ups that got the ball back.....one after a Killian rebound and later, in the Amherst front court that gave Amherst the ball with a point lead and 25 seconds to go in the game.  Great defensive efforts by both teams.
Workman was in and out of the game.....I believe that Willy, my favorite, still was under the weather and Coach Hixon was giving him rest time.  Still in the last few minutes of the game, Amherst's starters were all back in the game to take and give "punches".   I think both coaches were "masterful" in their rotation of players.
Workman's scoring was down but his boards and assist numbers were typical Workman.  Same for Toomey....5 boards, 7 assists, 2 steals and a tie-up.
In the end, for me, Amherst's seniors came through.  Big Pete needed 12 points to become a member of the 1000 points club....he got 14 today. Yesterday he led the team with 20 points.  I am happy for him and join many to congratulate him for the goal reached.

COngrats to the LJs on another glorious season and NESCAC Tournament Championship, good luck in the NCAA's and bring the trophy back to New England

[Panthernation]

Latest post , projecting tournament field: http://blogs.middlebury.edu/panthernation/2013/02/24/projecting-the-ncaa-tournament-teams/

[Bantams1]

Wow, enjoyed watching the webcast of the NESCAC MBB Tournament this weekend. I really enjoyed listening to the Amherst announcers, sounds like there having a good time and understand the game. They actually had me out of my chair for the Allen Williamson "Dunk & Block" party. Glad to say goodbye to the 3 Amherst Seniors - Kaasilla, Workman, Williamson - now Trinity will have a shot at them next year.

Also, let's thank the Middlebury players for not winning the NESCAC.  There will be no webcast from Canada.

[Old Guy]

Watched the game today, despite misgivings. Rooted for the Ephs - that hasn't happened often. It's like when the Yanks & Mets played in the WS: I rooted for rain. Listened to the audio for a while, then found the exuberance more than I could endure (okay with them, I'm sure) and went to the soundless presentation, and was happier, though I often didn't know the time situation. Was I that confident and clever as an undergraduate? Probably.

It's okay with me that Williamson is the hero for his game-saving block. He was fabulous today throughout. He certainly waited his turn and is a terrific player. At Midd for the three OT game I had a chance to say hello to his parents. They were on the Midd side of the gym, garbed in Amherst gear. I asked, "do you have a son on the team." Dad said, "Willie Workman." I said "Great player." He acknowledged that they were Allen Williamson parents - and their son went out and played a great game, without any emotional embellishments.

Third defeat for the Ephs against the Jeffs this year - hard to take, I'm sure. Some vindication today, though, by the margin of defeat.

Responding to my disappointment with Midd's tough loss to the Ephs yesterday, my friend pointed out that Midd has lost only three games this year and by by one point, in regulation, against great teams. That's not bad, regardless of SOS considerations.

Highlight of the weekend for me: introducing Walzy to half of PantherNation.

[toad22]

I was very pleased with Williams' weekend play. Sure, I would have loved to have won - and we almost did, but more important was that the team played well. From a Williams perspective, the difference between the Midd win and the Amherst loss was Daniel Wohl's energy level. He is  rapidly becoming a top player. I expect his development to continue. Good luck to the NESCAC teams in the NCAAs.

[Panthernation]

Highlight of the weekend for me: introducing Walzy to half of PantherNation.

The second half of Panther Nation awaits his opportunity to meet the venerable Walzy.

[lefrakenstein]

Please, it's not that hard to be good student announcers. The two of us who run this account broadcast the Middlebury games on the radio and do a good job. Wish we had an opportunity like these guys do on the telecast with a large audience. And they are making a mockery of that opportunity.

Haha, if you don't say so yourselves. I for one really like the Amherst announcers.

[Panthernation]

Please, it's not that hard to be good student announcers. The two of us who run this account broadcast the Middlebury games on the radio and do a good job. Wish we had an opportunity like these guys do on the telecast with a large audience. And they are making a mockery of that opportunity.

Haha, if you don't say so yourselves. I for one really like the Amherst announcers.

Yeah, we say so ourselves. A "good job." Really flattering.