MBB: NESCAC

[Bombers798891]

Figured I'd give you guys the lowdown on Ithaca's team and season.

Travis Warech-- Right now, Ithaca's best player, and a great player on both ends of the court. It took Warech a while to get comfortable, as he was averaging just 10.7 PPG and 6.6 RPG in his first 10 games. Since then, he's topped 20 points eight times, and posted five double-doubles. I know the arbitrary endpoints game can be a cop-out, but for a player coming into a new system as a senior, I think it's fair to judge him more on his recent play. A very good, physical defender, to me, he embodies the team's style of play.

Sean Rossi-- You may already know about the assists record, but he's not just a passer. Against Rochester, the Bombers trailed by 58-50 with 11 minutes to go. Rossi scored eight points in the next five minutes. Don't sleep on him offensively. He picks his spots, but he's a threat to take it to the hole, and can hit the three at times, though that's not really his game.

Frank Mitchell-- Before the emergence of Travis Warech, Ithaca's best player. That's not a slight on Mitchell. He's capable of dominating games—he's topped 20 points eight times this season, and did it nine times as a sophomore. In a way, he's similar to Warech, though not as physical defensively. That might explain the slight drop in his numbers this season, but he's still very good

Andrei Oztemel— Ithaca's designated three-point ace. He's capable of carrying a team for brief stretches from outside. Not a great defender, which may also be why he's seeing less playing time in the playoffs. If the game is tight late, Ithaca often has him and another player do an offense-defense swap

Tom Sweeney— He is the team's X-Factor. He struggles to stay out of foul trouble, and that's hurt him. An example of the sort of puzzle he presents would be a game against Nazareth earlier this season: 21 points in 20 minutes on 9-of-14 shooting, five fouls. But as his 22-6 against Rochester shows, he has the skills. But he's got to stay out of foul trouble

Eli Maravich— The hero of the Rochester game, he's got three-point shooting ability, though he's not the volume shooter Oztemel is. Good defensively

Jordan Healey— A very good defender and rebounder, but not much of a threat offensively. Team leader in steals (38)

As a whole, this IC team is very good. There have been some confounding losses (Elmira, Utica) but the team battled major chemistry issues early according he report I got from a Guy Who Knows Things after the team's "dreadful" blowout loss to Cortland. The GWKT said it could sink the season if not sorted out. Since the team has gone 20-6 since then and won four straight postseason elimination games on the road, including two over ranked opponents, I think it's safe to say those issues have been ironed out.

The dream scenario for Ithaca is this: Sweeney stays out of foul trouble and gives the Bombers three inside scoring threats. Oztemel gets hot and gives the Bombers a needed scoring boost which allows them the luxury of not having to play him a ton of minutes defensively. Rossi's able to pick his spots and sneakily score 8-10 points. Ithaca plays good defense and hits their free throws down the stretch (The team has gone 41-of-46 from the line during the NCAAs) Bombers eke out a 78-73 win

That's not likely to happen, but I think it will be a good game.Good luck!

[DeWayneCarter]

Back to hoops.  Here is the box score from the last time Williams and VWU met, in the Sweet 16 of the 2011 tourney:

http://athletics.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2010-11/files/ncaa5.htm

Troy Whittington single-handedly won that game, basically, as he frequently did late in that season.  That also happens to be the last full game Troy Whittington played before breaking his hand part way through the Elite 8 match-up vs. Amherst.  Ahhh, what could have been ...

Only three Ephs who played significant roles in that game are on this year's roster: James Klemm, Nate Robertson, and Taylor Epley.  Epley of course has improved immensely since then, and Mayer (who barely played as a frosh) and Wohl are added to the mix.  The Ephs will need Mayer to play the Whittington role of owning the paint to win this game.  That's not to say Mayer is right now at the level of senior-year Whittington, but he does have the capability of dominating on the interior vs. a smaller team like VWU (see the last game vs. Catholic, for example). 

Meanwhile, the Ephs should be very familiar with VWU as the four top players from that game are still starting ... Ford, Woodmore, Teasley, and Astorga.  Presumably those four have improved, which is pretty scary considering that I (among others) felt that VWU squad was probably the most talented team Williams faced that year, and at least three of those four, arguably all four, are all-NESCAC caliber talents.  On the bright side, it does seem like VWU hasn't added a lot of major pieces around them, mainly role players and depth guys.

Troy Whittington was a MAN that game. So glad he isn't suiting up this year lol I remember we did a pretty good job of containing James Wang until he got hot late in the game. If memory serves me correctly VWC had the lead until the last few minutes of the ball game. I'm sure VWC remembers letting the game slip away so I expect them to give Williams a ball game. May be the best team win!

[2RMCFans]

For those interested, the Amherst website has posted a preview of the RMC vs. Amherst game. 
Would be interested to hear from the RMC postor on the preview and to know if the RMC announcers go to all the away games.

Man up now.

Since you invited us so nicely, here we are to respond.  (We did not mess with your karma; we have our own karma to worry about & we drink Coke not Pepsi but don't care what signs you have in your own gyms.)

We did not mean to imply that R-MC announcers are actual professional broadcasters.  They both have day jobs, but we meant that they always act professionally while broadcasting for the Jackets (& no doubt, everywhere else).  They are present at almost every road game & R-MC is very proud of them since we were all educated at the same small, old, liberal arts college in Virginia - home of the oldest permanent settlement in the United States. 

These 2 guys would simply never be termed "homers" -- even though they are.  Their broadcasts are unbiased & stick to the actual game rather than their value judgments on the parties, which all the Moms & Dads appreciate. 

We plan to read the Amherst v. R-MC preview & thanks for pointing it out to us!  Whether we agree or disagree with it, we'll probably keep our big mouths shut about that.

Wishing everyone on this board great games and a good time in Massachusetts this weekend! 

GO JACKETS!!!!  GO MARLINS!!!!   

[2RMCFans]

At the risk of sounding like a sore loser and also of offending a couple of classy Randolph Macon posters over on the NEWMAC last week, I do not see any issues for Amherst this weekend.  I am trying hard to "identify" R-M's personality or strong points - albeit only watching them one time - and I can't find it (them).

Having actually been sore losers more than once, we don't think you are, at least not right now.

We think that maybe what R-MC has been doing of late is surprising their opponents.  (Even the ones who know our team well and see us often.) 

So, maybe that's all that happened last Sat.- the element of surprise unsettled your shooters & the balls just didn't drop.  Or, maybe it had to do with the rebounding?  The R-MC  FGA% of 59.2?  Who knows?  Can the Jackets repeat?  Who knows!  They will certainly try. 

Your team had a stellar season-- ending as the D-III #4.   Congratulations & best wishes for the team's future.

[Gregory Sager]

We did not mean to imply that R-MC announcers are actual professional broadcasters.  They both have day jobs, but we meant that they always act professionally while broadcasting for the Jackets (& no doubt, everywhere else).  They are present at almost every road game & R-MC is very proud of them since we were all educated at the same small, old, liberal arts college in Virginia - home of the oldest permanent settlement in the United States.

Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico is actually located in Virginia? Who knew?

[Mr. Ypsi]

We did not mean to imply that R-MC announcers are actual professional broadcasters.  They both have day jobs, but we meant that they always act professionally while broadcasting for the Jackets (& no doubt, everywhere else).  They are present at almost every road game & R-MC is very proud of them since we were all educated at the same small, old, liberal arts college in Virginia - home of the oldest permanent settlement in the United States.

Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico is actually located in Virginia? Who knew?

Even for the east coast, St. Augustine is 42 years older than Jamestown.  But, of course, we all know than if it ain't English, it doesn't count!

I haven't researched it, but something tells me there may be communities in Hawaii (and possibly even Alaska, though the Inuit tended to be nomadic) older than even Acoma Pueblo.

[Vandy74]

We did not mean to imply that R-MC announcers are actual professional broadcasters.  They both have day jobs, but we meant that they always act professionally while broadcasting for the Jackets (& no doubt, everywhere else).  They are present at almost every road game & R-MC is very proud of them since we were all educated at the same small, old, liberal arts college in Virginia - home of the oldest permanent settlement in the United States.

Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico is actually located in Virginia? Who knew?

Even for the east coast, St. Augustine is 42 years older than Jamestown.  But, of course, we all know than if it ain't English, it doesn't count!

I haven't researched it, but something tells me there may be communities in Hawaii (and possibly even Alaska, though the Inuit tended to be nomadic) older than even Acoma Pueblo.

OK guys.  Gold stars for both of you.  I'm sure what 2RMCFans meant to say was Jamestown is the oldest permanent settlement in what originated as the English colonies and became the United States.   The Mensa chat room is three doors down the hall and to your right.  I guess I'll go back to prepping for my upcoming fantasy baseball draft.  I thought we had gotten back to talking serious hoops here.  Nice keeper list Old Guy.  Here's wishing you a strong second place finish.

[Charles]

"pass the grey poupon please".
Randolph Macon? pffft. please.

[frank uible]

Are thinking and communicating accurately indicia of elitism?

[grabtherim]

Are thinking and communicating accurately indicia of elitism?

No, but using the word "indicia" when everyday language would be more appropriate is proof of it. 

[jayhawk]

Future Amherst College point guard Reid Berman shows well in Illinois High School playoffs. Berman averaged over 10 assists per game this year. Playing against Simeon High -6th ranked in USA with no 2 player of year headed to Duke and two guards to Illinoois Berman played well. Looks promising
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/simeon/ct-spt-0313-prep-bkb-4a-simeon-sider-20130312,0,5724158.story

[amh63]

Jay hawk.....thanks for the info.   Where do you get this data?   No matter....plus karma

[amh63]

Forgot...based on going to the "CAC" website, it seems the three games on Sat. are positioned such that I can catch a little of each game.  I think the 3pm. start of the Amherst game is such that allows alums to catch the women's game afterwards. 
Vandy74, Old Guy.....baseball fantasy?  Aware Amherst's team is in Florida or heading there...still.
Corrected the start time...can not read!

[madzillagd]

If this was a 'news' channel the headline today would be:

Maker boxes out Hixon for Regional Coach of the Year.

[nescac1]

amh63, I'm guessing that Jayhawk uses something called The Google to obtain his information ... Berman sounds like an impressive true point guard type, and he'd better be, because unless Ray Barry can recover from his unfortunate spate of injuries, Berman will be pretty much the lone candidate (barring other future recruits) to take over point guard duties at Amherst after Toomey and Kalema graduate.  For the second straight year, it seems like a very impressive group of frosh heading towards NESCAC, Williams, Tufts, Wesleyan and Amherst all with very strong classes already. 

Congrats to NESCAC for cleaning up in the all-region honors.  Maker COY, Toomey POY, Palleschi ROY, Workman and Mayer on the first team, Kizell and Epley on the second team, Thompson and Kaasila on the the third team, all well-deserved. 

I'd be suprised if Toomey, Mayer, and Workman were not all represented on the all-America teams as well ...

http://www.d3hoops.com/awards/all-region/2012-13/northeast-men

[Haha, I saw madzillagd's post after initially posting this ... Hixon had a bit more talent at his disposal this year as reflected in the all-region awards, so that could explain Maker edging him out, but some, errr, other factors may have played in as well]