MBB: NESCAC

[pick and roll]

As we search for a little more defense and rebounding up here in Vermont took a trip down memory lane and was thinking back to the '09-'10 team when Midd trotted out a lineup of Locke, Edwards, Thompson, Sharry, Wolfin, Davis and Wholey.  Three NESCAC defensive players of the year all on one team.

[grabtherim]

As we search for a little more defense and rebounding up here in Vermont took a trip down memory lane and was thinking back to the '09-'10 team when Midd trotted out a lineup of Locke, Edwards, Thompson, Sharry, Wolfin, Davis and Wholey.  Three NESCAC defensive players of the year all on one team.

I watched both games Midd games this weekend.  I don't think it's a time to panic, but a rather to remember what has been the hallmark of recent Midd teams.  There is no question this Midd team needs to step up the defensive effort to be successful.  While Midd had the great defensive players you mention, much of their success over the past five years came from a "team" commitment to D.  How many times did we hear the Midd bench urging on teammates late in defensive possessions in the last five seasons, and then going a bit crazy on the bench when a stop was made?  There was a pride taken in it.  This team has to find that. Laguerre is a heck of a player, but when he beat a Panther off the dribble (which he did often) there was no one stepping in to put a body in his way.  Other than shot blocking, defense is more effort and teamwork than a skill.  This team, especially if Sinnickson comes back and Jensen gets healthy, has the talent to score enough to win in the league, but like other Panther teams of recent vintage, they will have to make other teams work hard on every possession to be successful.  The commitment to get that done comes from leadership not just from coaches, but from players pushing each other.  I think they have it in them and will get better as the season rolls on.  The time has come for Midd's Seniors and others who have been through the success of the past few years to remember the hard work and repeat it.  The younger guys will become a part of it just like they did a few years ago.       

[AmherstStudent05]

I have been following the recent "debate" about scheduling with great interest as it is a question I have also been thinking a bit about.

While I agree that it is good for fans and the game to have top teams battling against each other, I find myself in general agreement with Toad.  Personally, I like the fact that Amherst starts each year with the Ken Wright Tournament.  Save the tougher non-conference games (Williams, RIC) for the new year or at least mid to late December once the Team has had more time to find its identity.  I do think it is important for teams to challenge themselves though, and I do credit Midd for playing a very challenging slate early in the season.  My guess is that this will make them a better team in the long run.

I watched a good chunk of the game yesterday (including Kizel's predictably clutch game-tying 3), and I don't think any less of Midd for having, by their standards, a relatively subpar record of 3-2 at the moment.  Of course, the conference regular season, conference tournament, and ncaa tournament are clearly the prizes that count and they are still all to play for.  But these games are not preseason.  As others have remarked, these early losses could come back to haunt Midd later on in the year.  ( I know that this was a real concern of mine for Amherst last year after our two early stumbles -- I knew we had a good team, our core had already proven that before, just as Williams's has this year -- because it does give you less margin for error).  In any event, there is still a lot of basketball to be played, and Midd (and Dave & Co, etc.) treated us to a fun weekend of d3hoops for which we should be grateful.

Speaking of being grateful, I, like everyone else, have been impressed by the remarkable depth and quality of this year's FY players.  It is obviously still very early, but if these guys can stay healthy and stay committed to their respective programs (no givens, unfortunately, has recent history has taught us all too well) then NESCAC hoops fans should be in for a real treat these next four years.  I am particularly impressed by how these budding stars seem to be spread though out the NESCAC rather than being concentrated among the usual contenders.

But I have been wondering what might account for this apparently dramatic increase in incoming talent.  Have NESCAC schools become more "aggressive" in their recruiting?  Have traditional feeders (the Northeast prep schools) gotten stronger, thereby strengthening the NESCAC pipeline?  Are more quality players now considering d3 as a legitimate option (perhaps thanks in part to the keepers of this blog)?  Are high school players simply better or more mature? Or is this just a random event that we shouldn't read too much into.  I would be curious to hear people's thoughts.

[D3HoopJunkie]

Hello NESCAC board posters, GNAC supporter here but all around D3 Hoops fan.

I have already proposed this question on the GNAC thread but I have no problem acknowledging the fact that you guys here on the NESCAC board are extremely knowledgeable and have a tremendous group of posters and with that I was hoping you can answer and explain a question that I have regarding a player on the GNAC team that I support in Albertus Magnus.

We had a senior who sustained a season ending ACL injury in the second game of the season. My question is this, is it possible for him to come back and have the NCAA grant him another year of eligibility? I know the season has already started but with only two games played I thought there was a circumstance that if only "X" amount of games are played he can be granted another year. This is also assuming he would want to even come back and play another year but let's just say for arguments sake he does. Does this differ from D1 to D3?

As I mentioned on the GNAC board Albertus new Athletic Director is Jim Abromaetis whose son Tim played for Notre Dame for what seemed to be a lifetime. He unfortunately dealt with numerous injuries his whole career and I believe on two separate occasions was granted by the NCAA another year of eligibility. His situation is what initially kick started this conundrum I am having here.

I just hate to see a kid's college career end this way and any information would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck to all NESCAC teams as your seasons progress.

[nescac1]

Vandy74, as a lifelong Giants fans (and a season-ticket holder), I share your pain.  I can't remember or even imagine a worse fall as a football fan than suffering through this year's combined Giants-Williams effort.  But hard to compain considering I've been able to enjoy four SB victories and two decades of fairly consistent excellence by Williams.  Oddly, the same issues plagued both squads: a rash of crucial interceptions combined with generally poor offensive line play.  I guess the other shoe had to drop at some point ...

Agree 100 percent with AmherstStudent05 about the caliber of this year's frosh.  I think the impressive influx of talent is just a bit of an aberration, as opposed to reflecting any sort of sea-change in recruiting for NESCAC -- George chose Amherst over multiple D-1 scholarship offers, that is pretty rare, St. Amour and Brown may have been overlooked due to playing at very small schools in rural areas (and of course Brown had the family connection), Rafferty and Robinson are both products of the Middlesex Magic AAU team which is a huge NESCAC feeder (and which is led by a NESCAC alum).  I'm not sure what the story is what Sabety, seems like he is a guy who definitely could have played at a higher level as well.  It also can't hurt that three NESCAC teams made the Elite Eight last year and one won the national championship. 

This is going to be the best NESCAC ROY race I can ever recall.  After the first week plus of play, my NESCAC rookie power rankings:

(1) Duncan Robinson, Williams, 14.5 ppg, 4.2 rbg, 1.5 apg, 1.7 bpg, 58/39/90 shooting: as advertised, a great shooter, but much more than that, as he has scored in a wide variety of ways -- off of drives to the hoops, offensive rebounds, and astute cuts off the ball.  He has also demonstrated very good passing ability while averaging fewer than 1 TO per game.  He hasn't really had a monster game shooting from deep yet, but that will come sooner rather than later, as he is the latest in a long line of truly elite Williams shooters. He has also looked surprisingly competent on defense, making a number of impressive blocks on the wing.   Could be the best overall frosh NESCAC has seen in a long time if he continues to improve. 

(2) Hunter Sabety, Tufts, 15.8 ppg, 7.6 rbpg, .3 apg, 1.8 bpg 76/00/63 shooting: another guy who has been as good as advertised or better.  Off to a stronger start than Palleschi had last year.  His efficiency numbers are off the charts as he has dominated in very limited minutes.  Running neck-and-neck with Robinson.  Only negative has been a tendency to quickly pick up fouls.  His numbers are slightly better than Robinson's, but have come vs. slightly lesser competition.  Could be the best frosh center NESCAC has seen in many years if this type of production continues -- although that could end up being the next guy. 

(3) David George, Amherst, 11.3 ppg, 8 rbg, 0 apg, 2.1 bpg, 53/00/62 shooting: his numbers on a per-minute basis are basically dead-even with Sabety, likewise ridiculously productive on a per-minute basis, but Sabety gets the edge due to his superior shooting percentage.  Like Sabety, he has dominated against overmatched competition and it will be interesting to see how he performs in, presumably, more minutes vs. better teams. 

(4) Harry Rafferty, Wesleyan, 15.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1 spg, 45/41/85 shooting: in any other year he'd be the early favorite for NESCAC ROY, but this year there are at least four elite frosh in the league and he appears like he may be the fourth-best, although you could make a convincing case for any of them to be listed first.  He has less help than any of the other three, so his number are particularly impressive in light of that.  His assists will eventually go up as he builds chemistry with his teammates. 

(5) Ed Ogundeko, Trinity, 12.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 0.0 apg, .8 bpg, 60/0/60 shooting: another highly-touted frosh who has lived up to the hype, starting from day one and providing an interior presence for the Bants.  The only downside so far: zero assists vs. ten turnovers in four games.  Ouch. 

(6) Jake Brown, Middlebury, 7.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 56/33/67 shooting: has provided an immediate spark for Midd and has had to so vs. by far the best competition of any other frosh.  Already an elite playmaker off the dribble, but needs to work on limiting turnovers.  Although Ogundeko gets the edge based on early production Brown will likely break into the top five very soon, as his PT and comfort level increase.   

Other guys to watch: Matt St. Amour, Midd, Malcolm and Marcus Delpeche, Bates, Tarik Smith, Tufts.  But that group is substantially behind the top six right now, any of whom may be able to make an argument for ROY when all is said and done. 

[jayhawk]

Here are recent comments from the Amherst College Newspaper by Hixon on two players after their first game of the year and hopes for the coming year

Near the end of the first half, Toomey displayed particular tenacity and athleticism when he hit a three despite a hard foul and went on to complete a four-point play. Earlier in the half, he also assisted first-year forward David George on a dazzling alley-oop.
George himself, who had been touted as the Jeffs' most dynamic first-year player, certainly lived up to expectations with a 14-point performance.
"We think George [also] had seven or eight blocks, even though they [credited] him only two," coach Dave Hixon said. "In 22 minutes, he had 12 boards, six of them offensive. For a first-year, that's a pretty amazing start. He's a good player."
After a solid junior year, Tom Killian '14 immediately re-established himself as a legitimate threat in all aspects of the game. Killian contriuted a double-double of his own with 17 points and 11 rebounds in 35 minutes.
Amherst also received 16 points from Connor Green '16 and 11 from Joseph Mussachia '15 — the latter of which particularly impressed Hixon.
"Joe did a great job for us — he impacted the game," Hixon said. "He's been playing well all fall, and he's probably been the surprise of the year, even more so than the first-years. He's a great kid, so enthusiastic, and now he's figuring out how to mesh with four other guys on the floor. I'm so happy for him."

[amh63]

It's Monday and the cold weather is here...before, I forget...take care all over the holidays as the wet and snowy weather comes into the north east in time for holiday traveling.  Sensitive since family and friends are on the road soon.
Actually watched some more BB last night.  UMass at Amherst was giving Clemson of the ACC a battle in Charleston...and UVT...yes Vermont...was taking it to Duke in Cameron...only to lose by a few.  Saw Coach K spend some time with several of the VT players...holding up the handshake line after the game.  What is up with the New England "patsies " standing up to the ACC powers?  Seems the good players are going to lesser brand conference schools.  It also seems that top tier Coaches..other than Kentucky of course, are starting FY players.  Sound a little like what is happening in the "CAC " this season.  My opinion on all the young talent arriving in the conference is...the kids are getting better at an earlier age as they play for club and AAU teams.  It is happening in all sports.  Kids are getting more help in school work and coaching, etc.  they are more prepared for the next level.  The biggest adjustment is to work within the team system and blend their talents with their teammates.
Having spent a great deal of resources, parents want their kids to get a good education and also play sports they enjoy at a high level of competition...therefore the NESAC  schools are getting more and better student- athletes.
On the subject of scheduling...Amherst's schedule is strange...posted this before.  Do not like this traveling " partner " change.  Why ?  Enjoyed the Williams/Middlebury  weekend games that often determine who gets to host the conf. Tournament. 
Last comment...in football, there is the "Little Three " title and the "CBB" title that has excluded the Panthers.  In the recent past, in BB, there is a threesome battle for the title that I have come to enjoy.
Amherst-Middlebury-Williams...listed in alphabetical order .  I know that Tufts, Bowdoin will challenge for the title this year with the new talent et al...but I like to think that there is a "Big Three" title to shoot for in basketball...usually ending in the conf. Title.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Hello NESCAC board posters, GNAC supporter here but all around D3 Hoops fan.

I have already proposed this question on the GNAC thread but I have no problem acknowledging the fact that you guys here on the NESCAC board are extremely knowledgeable and have a tremendous group of posters and with that I was hoping you can answer and explain a question that I have regarding a player on the GNAC team that I support in Albertus Magnus.

We had a senior who sustained a season ending ACL injury in the second game of the season. My question is this, is it possible for him to come back and have the NCAA grant him another year of eligibility? I know the season has already started but with only two games played I thought there was a circumstance that if only "X" amount of games are played he can be granted another year. This is also assuming he would want to even come back and play another year but let's just say for arguments sake he does. Does this differ from D1 to D3?

As I mentioned on the GNAC board Albertus new Athletic Director is Jim Abromaetis whose son Tim played for Notre Dame for what seemed to be a lifetime. He unfortunately dealt with numerous injuries his whole career and I believe on two separate occasions was granted by the NCAA another year of eligibility. His situation is what initially kick started this conundrum I am having here.

I just hate to see a kid's college career end this way and any information would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck to all NESCAC teams as your seasons progress.

Yes... two games is well under the limit of games a player would be eligible to apply and be granted a medical exemption so he can play another season. There have been other student-athletes who have gotten two years back as a result as well.

[lefrakenstein]

(4) Harry Rafferty, Hamilton, 15.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1 spg, 45/41/85 shooting: in any other year he'd be the early favorite for NESCAC ROY, but this year there are at least four elite frosh in the league and he appears like he may be the fourth-best, although you could make a convincing case for any of them to be listed first.  He has less help than any of the other three, so his number are particularly impressive in light of that.  His assists will eventually go up as he builds chemistry with his teammates. 

Rafferty actually plays for Wesleyan.

Great post. I hadn't really seen all the numbers for these freshman yet. Pretty remarkable. It sort of parallels what's going on in the D-I world right now with all of the highly-hyped NBA prospects living up to the pre-season buzz.

[survive and advance]

Saw Tufts squeak out a win on Saturday against a surprisingly decent Wentworth squad. Wentworth built a huge first-half lead, but eventually fell to a deeper and more talented Jumbo group. The real reason for my post, though, is really just to point out how impressed I was by the play of FY Center Hunter Sabety. Barring injury, it looks like he will be the best Tufts player to come along in a long, long time (or at least the best since Jon "AgentZero" Pierce).

Sabety has "Future All-American" written all over him. A real throwback of a big man: doesn't shy away from physical play (in fact, he excelled as the game became more physical in the second half (although it was admittedly against a relatively weaker opponent)), takes what the defense gives him, runs the floor hard in transition.

The highlights of the game for me were his flashes of potential-- showing off an array of post moves and over-the-rim finishes. He impressed in half-court sets from the block and was equally impressive running the floor in transition. He has a big, sturdy frame with plenty of room to add weight to (although he is already bigger than most big men his height, or close to it, at this level), and shows a bit of a mean streak when battling for rebounds/positioning.. which you just love to see as a coach and is a rarity in a FY big man. His size and length coupled with that high motor will soon make him one of the best D3 big men in the country, IMO, I think sooner rather than later.

If I was a gambling man, I'd say he is your CAC ROY this season and a First Team All-NESCAC guy by next year. Looking forward to league play to see how he stacks up against some other guys his size, but for me, based on first impressions, this kid lives up to the hype, and then some.

[nescac1]

Woops, will fix that on Rafferty.  He's now been attributed to three different teams here over the past few days, it must be catching ...

I am really curious to see Sabety v. George.  I have a feeling that after Mayer graduates, they are going to be battling for the title of best NESCAC center for the next three years ... also curious to see how they do vs. Mayer this year, both are seemingly stronger and far more athletic, but far less skilled / polished. 

[hoya73]

"We think George [also] had seven or eight blocks, even though they [credited] him only two," coach Dave Hixon said. "In 22 minutes, he had 12 boards, six of them offensive. For a first-year, that's a pretty amazing start. He's a good player."

I was at the first game in Brooklyn.  I had him at 7 as well.  Can't wait to see how he matches up with Sabety and the league talent in general

[AmherstStudent05]

Happy to know that despite our differences within the NESCAC, we can all bond over a shared love of the New York Football Giants.  I too am a lifelong fan and a season ticket holder.  In fact, the reason I had to miss overtime in the Midd game on Sunday is because I had to head out to the Meadowlands so I could stand outside in the freezing cold only to get my heart trampled on and broken!  How I hate those Cowboys (almost as much as I hate the Ephs!).  Oh well, hopefully Coughlin and Co. can finish strong.

[Old Guy]

Middlebury might have made a mistake playing very good opponents, when they weren't really ready. Middlebury's old method of booking only "cupcakes" for the first few weeks makes a lot more sense to me. Toad

"Cupcakes"? That's kind of "damned if you do," "damned if you don't," isn't it?

This Middlebury team is in transition, an exciting, interesting group, led by Kizel, a very dynamic player. Last weekend, they dropped two to good teams, played far from home, early in the season without much practice time, at a time in the academic calendar of considerable stress. I think I'll not worry myself much at this point with post-season scenarios. Seems a bit premature. Lots of basketball to be played.

I have been following the recent "debate" about scheduling with great interest Amherststudent05

At one time, schools took pride in the rigor of their schedules, used it as part of their recruiting pitch, before the heavy emphasis on the post-season (and overall record), and the proliferation of leagues, complicating scheduling. Now NESCAC teams struggle to get 25 games, playing teams based on proximity, and not necessarily propinquity. True, the "Little Three" play a second game with one another, so do CBB in Maine. For a long time, the State Series was a very big deal in VT (when I played, for example), when Midd played St. Michael's, UVM, and Norwich, two games each. Now D1 UVM and D2 St. Mike's can't/won't schedule D3opponents, and Norwich has dropped us.

I took a look at Midd's schedule from 20 years ago, 1993, when the team was 12-11, and we played Williams, Union, and Tufts twice, and St. Michael's and UVM. We often played Dartmouth in those years too. The only other VT schools we played were Norwich and Castleton. That 92-93 team would have had a much different w-l record with today's schedule. I hasten to say that's true of most NESCAC schools.

Happy to know that despite our differences within the NESCAC, we can all bond over a shared love of the New York Football Giants.

Count me out. I grew up in Maine, long ago, when only the Giants were on TV in New England, every week. I got so sick of Chris Schenkel and his "New York Football Giants," but I can name just about everyone on that team - some of the great sports names: Andy Robustelli, Emlen Tunnell, Harlan Svare, Sam Huff, Y.A, Tittle, Roosevelt Grier, Coach Jim Lee Howell. I was so happy when Boston got their team in the AFL with big Jim Nance, Gino Capelletti, Larry Eisenhauer, Babe Parilli, et al. SuperBowl '08 was hard for me.

[Vandy74]

Middlebury might have made a mistake playing very good opponents, when they weren't really ready. Middlebury's old method of booking only "cupcakes" for the first few weeks makes a lot more sense to me. Toad

"Cupcakes"? That's kind of "damned if you do," "damned if you don't," isn't it?

This Middlebury team is in transition, an exciting, interesting group, led by Kizel, a very dynamic player. Last weekend, they dropped two to good teams, played far from home, early in the season without much practice time, at a time in the academic calendar of considerable stress. I think I'll not worry myself much at this point with post-season scenarios. Seems a bit premature. Lots of basketball to be played.

I have been following the recent "debate" about scheduling with great interest Amherststudent05

At one time, schools took pride in the rigor of their schedules, used it as part of their recruiting pitch, before the heavy emphasis on the post-season (and overall record), and the proliferation of leagues, complicating scheduling. Now NESCAC teams struggle to get 25 games, playing teams based on proximity, and not necessarily propinquity. True, the "Little Three" play a second game with one another, so do CBB in Maine. For a long time, the State Series was a very big deal in VT (when I played, for example), when Midd played St. Michael's, UVM, and Norwich, two games each. Now D1 UVM and D2 St. Mike's can't/won't schedule D3opponents, and Norwich has dropped us.

I took a look at Midd's schedule from 20 years ago, 1993, when the team was 12-11, and we played Williams, Union, and Tufts twice, and St. Michael's and UVM. We often played Dartmouth in those years too. The only other VT schools we played were Norwich and Castleton. That 92-93 team would have had a much different w-l record with today's schedule. I hasten to say that's true of most NESCAC schools.

Happy to know that despite our differences within the NESCAC, we can all bond over a shared love of the New York Football Giants.

Count me out. I grew up in Maine, long ago, when only the Giants were on TV in New England, every week. I got so sick of Chris Schenkel and his "New York Football Giants," but I can name just about everyone on that team - some of the great sports names: Andy Robustelli, Emlen Tunnell, Harlan Svare, Sam Huff, Y.A, Tittle, Roosevelt Grier, Coach Jim Lee Howell. I was so happy when Boston got their team in the AFL with big Jim Nance, Gino Capelletti, Larry Eisenhauer, Babe Parilli, et al. SuperBowl '08 was hard for me.