MBB: NESCAC

[lefrakenstein]

Massey ratings lines:

Amherst -2 hosting Randolph-Macon (60% chance of winning)
Midd -8 hosting Ithaca (80% chance of winning)
Williams -1 hosting Va Wes. (53% chance of winning)

I didn't realize R-M was such a strong team. Looks like there were 3 good ones from the ODAC this year, with two of them facing NESCAC teams next weekend. Hopefully the Jeffs and Ephs can pull it out.

Midd caught a nice break with Ithaca winning. At the very least it saves them a trip to Rochester. Ithaca looks to be one of the easier remaining outs, but there really are no easy outs left.

[old_hooper]

As expected, all 3 teams host next weekend.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

What are you doing tonight? How about watching Hoopsville?

Williams head coach Mike Maker joins us to talk about his teams victor over Catholic and their upcoming game with Randolph-Macon while not leaving the northwestern corner of Massachusetts. Show hits the air at 7 PM EST and here is how you can follow us:

Website: www.d3hoopsville.com
Tonight's Show: www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2012-13/march10
Twitter: @d3hoopsville or #hoopsville
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hoopsville
Email: hoopsville@d3hoops.com

[jayhawk]

Is Amherst playing Randolph-Macon?

[amh63]

Jayhawk.....yes
RMC traveled to WPI and beat them.....therefore they will visit LeFrak.

[Panthernation]

(I was asked recently to explain the difference between a charge and a block and I said it all depends on whether or not Middlebury has the ball).

This is particularly good, Old Guy. I'm sure it applies to similarly "subjective" calls like holding and balls and strikes, too.

[Panthernation]

Sean Rossi of Ithaca is the all-time leader in assists in Division III history. Should be a very fun guy to watch:

http://www.empire8.com/news/2013/2/22/MBB_0222131146.aspx

[frank uible]

Is Ithaca's player personnel as good as it reads? If so, then WOW.

[nescac1]

I'm sure Ithaca will be a tough test for Midd, Frank.  One other player of note: while not one of their stars, G Eli Maravich is the nephew of Pete.  Interesting. 

But then again, they did lose eight games this year despite playing in a mediocre (at best) conference, including losses to Utica, Nazareth, Scranton, Elmira, Oswego, none of whom made the tourney.  Their only win vs. a top 25 team all year was last weekend vs. a Rochester team that completely fell apart late in the season (based on stats from the last few weeks, teams either figured out how to stop Dibartolomeo, or he was injured).  Ithaca also has the misfortune of relying on a star who plays the same position as Nolan Thompson.

Overall, I think Midd has the best draw, Amherst faces a significantly tougher foe but I think the Jeffs just have too much firepower for an at-times offensively-challenged RMC team.  Virginia Wesleyan is probably most likely to topple one of the three squads, the Ephs barely scraped by them two years ago thanks to a monster game from long-departed Troy Whittington, and VWU has the three key players back from that team.  It helps to be at home, of course.  The Ephs have been playing really well offensive the last few weeks, but VWU is a team with superior team speed so it will be a challenge to stop them. 

If any of the three advances to Salem, the road gets significantly tougher.  Williams would likely have to play vs. number one St. Thomas, who if they are anything like the title squad from two years ago will throw waves of super quick, athletic, talented players who pressure the ball all over the court.  Amherst would have to play Cabrini, which advanced to last year's title game and is one of the few teams out there even more athletic than Amherst, or Wooster, a perennial power featuring a very dynamic / quick back-court, and Midd would be up against one of the two teams that dominated the always-tough CCIW this year.  But first things first, saturday looms!

[middhoops]

Massey calls the Amherst a pick 'em, Williams  a 2 point underdog and Midd a strong favorite.  Cortland was a strong favorite last week.....

[grabtherim]

Just read Dave's article on broadcasts out of Williams and Amherst.  For the most part I agree regarding the technical quality. That being said, while the Amherst announcers are prone to the best and worst of homerism, as a Middlebury fan their back and forth does'nt bother me.  I chuckle at many of their comments, but I have never heard them be personal or over the line on opposing players and coaches.  Sure some student announcers are far more prepared and "professional" (they should get a tape of a Syracuse student broadcast), but not too big a deal.  Dave is spot on in saying that the schools should be much more concerned and proactive in improving the technical quality of these broadcasts.   

[nescac1]

Where is the article that you are referring to, grabtherim?

[grabtherim]

Where is the article that you are referring to, grabtherim?

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2013/03/10/an-open-letter-to-amherst-williams/

[frank uible]

nescac1: Ithaca did defeat Stevens Institute twice (once when Stevens was a top 25 team) although it also lost to Stevens one time. Ithaca's 8 losses appear to be inconsistent with the aggregated resumes of its players, perhaps the whole of the team being less than the sum of its parts.

[amh63]

Thanks posters for pointing out the Dave M. article.  Read it and put it in the trash bin where it should go.  Not even up to the level of "yellow journalism", IMO.  I'm sure the schools in question will take donations from D3hoops.....at least Amherst...to further improvement.  Enough said here on a "rant" by  self promoting individual.  Sad.