MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

By the way, speaking of Landon Gamble, I was pretty shocked that he made the first team while Paul Reynolds made only the fourth team.  Paul Reynolds had a career day vs. Williams, but man, that was the best individual effort I've seen vs. an Eph team, maybe ever, certainly in several years, and his skill set was undeniable.  And it was hardly a one-time event (other than him being unusually hot from three in that game), his stats are pretty awesome (21 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 asp, 2 spg, 56 % shooting), especially considering that he had a lot less help than Gamble and presumably was the focus of every defense.  The rare guy whose advance billing -- the Charles Barkley of D-3 -- was precisely accurate. 

The Ephs tried a box-and-one, doubling, and had their most physical guy (Epley) on him and nothing worked.  He had a similar physique (even stronger, possibly) and interior game to Gamble but from what I saw substantially better footwork and even more post moves, and certainly a lot more range and perimeter game.  A very smart player who either scored or set up basically every bucket Wesley had in the half court.  Had he played for a higher-profile team, I have to think he would have been a first-team all-American.   The Ephs played vs. many all-American guys this year (Chris Kearney, Toomey, Workman, Kizell, Tommy Hannon) but Reynolds to me was the best of that bunch, with Kearney and Toomey close behind. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

It seems like the d3hoops all americans are weighted pretty heavily to regular season (or at least the post-season games are treated no differently than any others).

I was surprised to see Mitchell Kates completely absent, but there are a lot of great guards this year.

I'd love to see them at least do a first team all-freshman team.  It would be interesting to know who they're considering for ROY as it's often tough to really be aware of newcomers across the country.

[Pat Coleman]

Hoops Fan -- the regional rookies of the year would give you a good indication of whom we're considering.

[P'bearfan]

Some additional NESCAC recruits (still very quiet for Bowdoin and Colby, and it's a big year for both as Bowdoin could be a dark-horse NESCAC contender if they add 1-2 guys who can play off the bench right away and a few key players -- mainly Swords -- make some strides in the off-season, and Colby needs to continue the momentum from last year's loaded recruiting class):

As far as I know Bowdoin has two recruits:  a SG from Chicago and a PF from Atlanta.  A small class but hopefully they're the players the P'Bears need.

[amh63]

Took a break and watched the games being held in DC last night.  The ACC team lost to a mid-west school and a Big East Team beat IU. Enjoyed the match ups of playing styles and defensive sets between well coached teams....like I saw recently in the D3 post season games.  Two former team mates in high school ( Dematha, a local powerhouse) battled it out...one IU starter against an Orangeman starter.   Thought about being treated to future battles in the "CAC" between the  Williams and Middlebury recruits that were AAU teammates.

[amh63]

Vandy74...welcome back...missed your inputs.  Share your puzzlement over your "special friend"....considering your posts.  Anyway..a brownie to you.   

[gordonmann]

+K to Panther nation for identifying my mystery recruit.

I also heard from an occassional poster who remembered Carter and his video. I'd give him +K if I could.

[Charles]

By the way, speaking of Landon Gamble, I was pretty shocked that he made the first team while Paul Reynolds made only the fourth team.  Paul Reynolds had a career day vs. Williams, but man, that was the best individual effort I've seen vs. an Eph team, maybe ever, certainly in several years, and his skill set was undeniable.  And it was hardly a one-time event (other than him being unusually hot from three in that game), his stats are pretty awesome (21 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 asp, 2 spg, 56 % shooting), especially considering that he had a lot less help than Gamble and presumably was the focus of every defense.  The rare guy whose advance billing -- the Charles Barkley of D-3 -- was precisely accurate. 

The Ephs tried a box-and-one, doubling, and had their most physical guy (Epley) on him and nothing worked.  He had a similar physique (even stronger, possibly) and interior game to Gamble but from what I saw substantially better footwork and even more post moves, and certainly a lot more range and perimeter game.  A very smart player who either scored or set up basically every bucket Wesley had in the half court.  Had he played for a higher-profile team, I have to think he would have been a first-team all-American.   The Ephs played vs. many all-American guys this year (Chris Kearney, Toomey, Workman, Kizell, Tommy Hannon) but Reynolds to me was the best of that bunch, with Kearney and Toomey close behind.

should have put Robertson on him.

[madzillagd]

It's a few days early for April Fool's but apparently the voters decided to pull one over on Mike Mayer.  First of all, congrats to all those that were recognized out of the thousands of men that are playing at this level.  It truly is an honor to even be a part of the conversation when you consider how many players there are across the nation.  That being said, I couldn't let it go that Mayer is your 3rd team All American behind a 1st team All American that on paper and watching just isn't as good of a player.  They both are fantastic and deserve to be rewarded, but it would have made far more sense if they had switched places.  The watching part is subjective, but here are the objective #s. 

Gamble:

32 Gms, Pts  463  Rebs  184,  Asts  58,   Tos  69, Blks  11,  Stls  17,  PF  110   2 pt Fg %,  .579,  3pt % .00  FT  .665

Mayer 

31 Gms, Pts  548  Rebs  273,  Asts  72,   Tos  62, Blks  36,  Stls  19,  PF  64  Fg %,  .601,  3pt  .373  FT  .760

In one less game, Mayer had:  85 more pts, 89 more rebs, 14 more asts, 25 more blks, 2 more stls and had 7 less turnovers, 46 less fouls. 

Of course these guys play in different leagues and I really don't want to go down that path again so let's not.   What I will throw out though is their tournament performances because that's where we start seeing better competition and All Americans can step up their games.  Mayer actually played against the 2nd team All American center and Gamble played against 2 teams that Mayer played against during league.  Here's the comparison:

Gamble Avgs (5 games):   15 pts, 5 rebs, 1.6 asts  1.8 tos
Mayer Avgs (4 games):  19.8 pts, 8 rebs, 3.3 asts, 2 tos

Just to show what that looks like in the totals:

Gamble:  5 games, 75 pts, 25 rebs, 8 asts, 9 tvrs
Mayer:   4 games, 79 pts,  32 rebs,  13 asts,  8 tvrs   

Any voting is subjective but just based on the numbers I'm not sure how Gamble gets 1st team and Mayer gets 3rd team.  (NESCAC folks - yes I know WHY it came out the way it did but let's not say it because I'm enjoying not having that conversation anymore).  Maybe it's just me but if you are going to be the best center in the country, I'd expect you to be better than 11th in your own league in rebounding especially when there are 8 teams in your league. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Gamble is listed as a forward and Mayer is listed as a center...

[madzillagd]

Gamble is listed as a forward and Mayer is listed as a center...

Yes, but NCC doesn't list a single player on their roster as a center.  This is the Tim Duncan debate. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

When the SIDs submit a player they list his position... that is the information we go on. There is no debate... Gamble is listed as a forward and Mayer as a center... we aren't going to change the positions from what the SIDs submit (and the SIDs are most likely told by the coaches what the positions are for each player).

[Pat Coleman]

Actually, I wouldn't let the labeling difference between Gamble and Mayer make a difference in this process, by the way. Not afraid to put two post players on the same team, as a coach would definitely do the same.

[Panthernation]

Another Middlebury recruit, via Twitter: Jake Brown, G, nephew of Jeff Brown.

[survive and advance]

Panthernation is on another level