MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Normally I would not come to the defense of Amherst , but you guys are way off base.

First, there is no such thing as a guarantee.  Remember, Amherst's national title team lost two games to vastly inferior opponents last year (Babson at HOME, and Springfield). 

Second, this schedule is not awful or anything (certainly much stronger than the typical Midd schedule, for example).  Williams x2 plus Midd are three games vs. top-ten teams.  Brandeis, Eastern Conn, and RIC are likely to be among the top dozen teams in New England.  As are Tufts and Bowdoin.  Yeah, there are some patsies mixed in, but it's hard to build a schedule heavy with regional rivals without a few of those.  That's at least eight legitimately tough games, plus some other credible opponents like Babson and the rest of the NESCAC schedule. 

And the January 11 through February 4 stretch is actually kind of brutal, in fact, I bet no one has a tougher ten-game stretch anywhere in D3: EIGHT road games over a three week period, including two absolutely brutal weekend trips (the never-fun Maine trip vs. likely-to-be-improved Bowdoin and Colby teams, ANOTHER Maine trip to play in Bates' gym which is NEVER fun and vs. a top-25 caliber Tufts team, two rivalry games vs. top-10 caliber Williams, another road rivalry game at Wesleyan, and home vs RIC which is another top-25 type squad).  Again, that is brutal.  A lot of games that will take a physical toll and a ton of travel in between.  If Amherst escapes that exhausting stretch with fewer than two or three losses, I'd be very surprised, actually. 

It would be nice to see Amherst challenge itself with a tough out-of-region game once in awhile rather their perennial New Year trip vs. overmatched opponents, the way Williams typically tries to schedule (like at Hampden-Sydney and W&L this year for the Ephs), but then again, they did win the title, so can't really say their approach is not working for them ..

[old_hooper]

It is not like everyone in the Northeast wants to play Amherst.  With a few exceptions they are playing the better teams in the Northeast every year.  Outside the NESCAC, RIC and Brandeis are consistently good programs.  MIT and WPI are not on the schedule but there is probably stories to go along with this.  MIT was on Amherst schedule consecutive years.   If teams like Amherst, Williams and Midd really wanted to upgrade their schedules they would.  It is simple, Midd adds Amherst and Williams to their schedule for a second game, of course they must all agree.  It has been mentioned before but apparently it is a bad idea.  When you have arguably one of the best games in college basketball last year (Amherst and Midd), why not a second game?  It is great for fans, teams and schools!

[John Gleich]

Normally I would not come to the defense of Amherst , but you guys are way off base.

First, there is no such thing as a guarantee.  Remember, Amherst's national title team lost two games to vastly inferior opponents last year (Babson at HOME, and Springfield). 

Second, this schedule is not awful or anything (certainly much stronger than the typical Midd schedule, for example).  Williams x2 plus Midd are three games vs. top-ten teams.  Brandeis, Eastern Conn, and RIC are likely to be among the top dozen teams in New England.  As are Tufts and Bowdoin.  Yeah, there are some patsies mixed in, but it's hard to build a schedule heavy with regional rivals without a few of those.  That's at least eight legitimately tough games, plus some other credible opponents like Babson and the rest of the NESCAC schedule. 

And the January 11 through February 4 stretch is actually kind of brutal, in fact, I bet no one has a tougher ten-game stretch anywhere in D3: EIGHT road games over a three week period, including two absolutely brutal weekend trips (the never-fun Maine trip vs. likely-to-be-improved Bowdoin and Colby teams, ANOTHER Maine trip to play in Bates' gym which is NEVER fun and vs. a top-25 caliber Tufts team, two rivalry games vs. top-10 caliber Williams, another road rivalry game at Wesleyan, and home vs RIC which is another top-25 type squad).  Again, that is brutal.  A lot of games that will take a physical toll and a ton of travel in between.  If Amherst escapes that exhausting stretch with fewer than two or three losses, I'd be very surprised, actually. 

It would be nice to see Amherst challenge itself with a tough out-of-region game once in awhile rather their perennial New Year trip vs. overmatched opponents, the way Williams typically tries to schedule (like at Hampden-Sydney and W&L this year for the Ephs), but then again, they did win the title, so can't really say their approach is not working for them ..

I'll see your January and raise you a December...

UWSP's December:

http://athletics.uwsp.edu/mobile/index.aspx?story=4246

Yes. Very nice schedule with Whitworth, St. Thomas, Hope and North Central. I hope to see a few more games this year and if I'm good, trying to convince mommy to let me go to Vegas. As always looking forward to the new season.

Lawrence, St. John's, St. Olaf, Edgewood and Whitman (Vegas) round out the non-conference schedule. I do like the busy holiday portion of the schedule with two conference games (@ EC, WW) sandwiching a bye and then games Dec. 14, 21, 28, 29 and 31, being @ St. John's, St. Thomas, the two Vegas games (Whitworth and Whitman) and then a quick turn around at North Central on New Year's eve. Non of this 10-day break stuff!

Great schedule... but a brutally tough December. There's a realistic chance that March wouldn't be as tough...

Date	2013 ranking	Opponent	2013 record
12/4/2013	NR	@ UW-Eau Claire	10-15
12/11/2013	#10	Vs. UW-Whitewater	24-5
12/14/2013	NR	@ Saint John's	12-14
12/21/2013	#4	Vs. St. Thomas	30-2
12/28/2013	#11	Vs. Whitworth (LV)	26-4
12/29/2013	NR	Vs. Whitman (LV)	19-8
12/31/2013	#3	@ North Central (Ill.)	28-4

                     
4 NCAA opponents and an average of over 21 wins.

Add to that another matchup at Whitewater, and 13 other WIAC games...

[madzillagd]

This one time at band camp...

[amh63]

Nescac1...thanks for the effort.  The season will settle itself.  Amherst opened its season several years ago with W&L from the strong ODAC.  The coach is an Amherst grad.  It was nice to see in Atlanta the number of former Amherst assistants, many now head coaches, sitting just behind the team.  Yes, with a target on its back, this year's squad will find its way.  Emphasis here on " this ".  Like last year's team, leadership will need to come forward to build NEW team!
WPI89 ....nice to hear from you.  My invitation to this year's homecoming football game is there.  Will be watching your "recruit"

[nescac1]

That is a brutal schedule, John.  No doubt that Stevens Point (which if I'm not mistaken brings every key guy including its injured star back, so they will be stacked) plays the toughest overall schedule in D-3 next year. If they don't win the WIAC they could even play themselves out of the tourney just by virtue of such a tough roster of opponents.  It's a close call but I'd still rather play that seven game stretch (which features slightly, but only slightly, stronger caliber of opponents) than Amherst's ten game stretch, just because UWSP only has one really tough road game in that stretch, while Amherst has eight road games, including three really, really tough road trips (Williams, Tufts/Bates, Colby/Bowdoin) all within a really compressed period, and it also includes three emotionally and physically taxing rivalry games (at Wesleyan and Williams x2).  The remainder of Amherst's schedule, though, is a cakewalk compared to what Stevens Point has to endure.  If they survive that, they will be beyond battle-tested for the post-season. 

[John Gleich]

That is a brutal schedule, John.  No doubt that Stevens Point (which if I'm not mistaken brings every key guy including its injured star back, so they will be stacked) plays the toughest overall schedule in D-3 next year. If they don't win the WIAC they could even play themselves out of the tourney just by virtue of such a tough roster of opponents.  It's a close call but I'd still rather play that seven game stretch (which features slightly, but only slightly, stronger caliber of opponents) than Amherst's ten game stretch, just because UWSP only has one really tough road game in that stretch, while Amherst has eight road games, including three really, really tough road trips (Williams, Tufts/Bates, Colby/Bowdoin) all within a really compressed period, and it also includes three emotionally and physically taxing rivalry games (at Wesleyan and Williams x2).  The remainder of Amherst's schedule, though, is a cakewalk compared to what Stevens Point has to endure.  If they survive that, they will be beyond battle-tested for the post-season.

True. 8 out of 10 on the road is a bear...  It's amazing how different a team can play if it's got to ride on a bus for a few hours instead of playing at home sweet home.

Yeah, Point graduated one guy, and a freshman (who was hurt much of the year but could have contributed) transferred to UW Milwaukee to try to walk on there. Other than that Point's got everybody back, including Tyler Tillema, who got hurt in the 8th game of the year, and they added a transfer from Northern Michigan who should contribute this year and fill the gap (or exceed it) left by the lone senior.

[nescac1]

Sounds like Point will be a legit contender for pre-season number one along with Illinois Wesleyan, Amherst, Williams, and maybe Cabrini (I'd say St. Thomas as well but they do seem to lose several key players) ... a lot of loaded teams coming back next year. 

[John Gleich]

Sounds like Point will be a legit contender for pre-season number one along with Illinois Wesleyan, Amherst, Williams, and maybe Cabrini (I'd say St. Thomas as well but they do seem to lose several key players) ... a lot of loaded teams coming back next year.

I think IWU has to get the nod ahead of Point... and SP needs to redeem themselves from last year a bit before they get anything that high.

IWU got two D-I transfers, plus they beat UWSP in the tournament last year.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

St. Mary's should be pretty good as well.  They looked great in the tournament, were missing their best player, and aren't losing much from last year.  There's also rumors of a strong incoming class.

I don't know that they're #1 material, but they're very good.  I think they play Cabrini is the Hoopsville tournament in November, so we should get a good show.

[Titan Q]

I think IWU has to get the nod ahead of Point... and SP needs to redeem themselves from last year a bit before they get anything that high.

IWU got two D-I transfers, plus they beat UWSP in the tournament last year.

I do think IWU has a strong case for the preseason #1.  On paper, the case for the Titans is basically...

* Won 23 games last year
* Went 13-1 in the CCIW (only loss on the road to Final Four team North Central in OT)
* Advanced to the Sweet 16 (beat Transylvania, won @ Wash U, lost at North Central)
* Return 10 of top 11 players (lost 6-7 center Kevin Reed, 9.6 ppg/7.0 rpg)
* Added two Division I transfers - Jordan Nelson (5-11 G, Evansville) and Alex Rossi (6-6 G/F, Valparaiso, formerly Cal)

I think without considering the transfers, the Titans have a strong case...then you add in the wildcard factor of these two new players and it probably creates separation (on paper) from the other #1 preseason candidates.

[lefrakenstein]

I think IWU has to get the nod ahead of Point... and SP needs to redeem themselves from last year a bit before they get anything that high.

IWU got two D-I transfers, plus they beat UWSP in the tournament last year.

I do think IWU has a strong case for the preseason #1.  On paper, the case for the Titans is basically...

* Won 23 games last year
* Went 13-1 in the CCIW (only loss on the road to Final Four team North Central in OT)
* Advanced to the Sweet 16 (beat Transylvania, won @ Wash U, lost at North Central)
* Return 10 of top 11 players (lost 6-7 center Kevin Reed, 9.6 ppg/7.0 rpg)
* Added two Division I transfers - Jordan Nelson (5-11 G, Evansville) and Alex Rossi (6-6 G/F, Valparaiso, formerly Cal)

I think without considering the transfers, the Titans have a strong case...then you add in the wildcard factor of these two new players and it probably creates separation (on paper) from the other #1 preseason candidates.

Yeah but CCIW teams never make it to the finals. Maybe if IWU played in a stronger conference like the NESCAC they would be a better candidate for #1.

(Just giving you guys a hard time)

[madzillagd]

Definitely a tough UWSP schedule...and something I don't think you would ever see from Williams.  With just those 3 road games listed for SP - that's nearly 1,300 round trip miles (that doesn't include the Vegas trip).  Compare that to Williams this year - their 4 non-holiday/non-league games are just under 700 miles with over half of that being the one game at Stevens.  I have a feeling if Coach Maker suggested a schedule twice as much mileage/time for road trips he'd be laughed out of the building.  I doubt you are ever going to see 3 long road trip games in one season for Williams in addition to the holiday games let alone 2 in most years.

[Pat Coleman]

Obviously scheduling in New England is different than scheduling in the Midwest but that hasn't precluded Williams from going to W&L this year or to California in the past when it suits them as well.

[madzillagd]

I've only been paying attention the last couple of years so someone with more history could probably confirm or deny this, but I think they've pretty consistent that they do one big trip a year over the holidays and that's the bulk of their travel in terms of distance.  But when school is in session they don't seem to go very far.