MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

Hope those posters up North have dug out today.  According to announcers at the UMass MBB game, Amherst was predicted to get a foot of snow yesterday.  Anyway, to the "post" at hand.  Having been refreshed a bit by watching the Army-Navy football game in a snowstorm and watching some MBB games, I thought I was ready to post my comment about the Amherst team at this point of the season.  However, humbled a little by posts on conference teams and players and the rating of the players by others, I have decided to post now on some comments of others and put off my Amherst team post to a later time...later today maybe.
Rational....In a preview of this season/schedule.....Coach Hixon mention that his title team was great. However, this year's team is a NEW team and that he and his coaches have the job of developing a team for this season.  I will add, a team with the players available and under the new areas of emphasis of rules....giving the injuries to players and the uneven calls of refs that have resulted in a need for a larger rotation of players.
Also, I have to clear my mind of looking at the roles of returning players in the memories of their roles they played last season....Williamson, Big Pete and Willy are gone.  Killian's talents do not match Williamson's.  Pollack and/or George cannot and should not replace Kaasilla's role at the 5 position.  Mussachia and Green cannot just be slotted to replace Willy who is a somewhat unique player.  You get the picture, I hope. 
Anyway, for the post now.
AmherstStudent05....the one with the long handle and great memory.....you brought up two names from the past, Folan and O'Shea that I must add comments on.  OG, please don't edit my grammer!
I watched Folan play in a critical BB game at his HS Gonzaga in D.C. in his senior year.  You reminded me of his outside shooting that beat Amherst in a key game.  I will point out that he had a team mate in that HS game that really hurt Amherst.  His team mate took a prep year somewhere and then played QB at Williams....starting, I believe for three years on fine Williams football teams/seasons.
O'Shea....a 6'7/8" player at the 5 position that was a star on a MA state championship team.  He and Wheeler (the first Wheeler)  two front court players that. to me, were great friends and classmates.  Always saw them together around campus, it seems.  The Hopkins you mentioned is the same Hopkins, now an assistant coach at Amherst..all 6'11". who ran the floor well and was the recipiant of PG Olsen's long passes down the floor on a fast break.  However, in the Title game in Salem in '07 against defending champion, Va. Wesleyan, Amherst was having big troubles stopping the scoring of an All-American center...a shorter but bulkier and strong low post player.  It was only O'Shea who was put in in the 2nd half...partly because other players were not successful and partly because O'Shea asked for the job, IMO, that was successful.  His experience and size prevented the VWU player to bump his way to his desired place on the court and prevented any quick moves/shots.  That was how I saw it.
On Friday and Sat, I did watch several D3 games.....Bowdoin play a Maine team at Bowdoin...North Central (Ill.) vs Bridgewaters (Va) in a Bridgewaters' Tourny.  That was the North Central school that beat Midd. in Salem and the one that Amherst had problems with in Salem.  This season's team has two starters from last season's team....All-American Landon Gamble and Vince Kmiec and maybe so key reserves.  North Central won their two games over the weekend but not by much....after being rated a top 5 team in the pre-season polls, they are struggling  and are not rated at present, I believe.  My point here is that by looking at North Central and Bowdoin on Friday, I would not rate either team as very good....considering the opponents and locations.  To judge players and teams early in the season after only watching a few games can be deceiving, imo.  I actually went back to the game in Salem, available on video, and watched the play of Gamble and Kmiec, and of course some Amherst players.  My future post will reflect some of that re-look.

[P'bearfan]

Very late and brief thoughts on the Bowdoin - UMF game from Friday night.  It wasn't pretty but it was a win.

Bowdoin shot very poorly (37%) but was able to hold on for the win with a late 13-2 run.  A couple of statistics stand out:

-UMF outrebounded Bowdoin 37-30 which I didn't expect
-Bowdoin only turned the ball over 4 times while UMF had 15 turnovers leading to 19 points for the P'bears
-Swords has 7 blocks to go with his 13 points and 6 rebounds

Give all the credit in the world to UMF for pushing Bowdoin hard.  Hopefully this was just a case of the P'bears not being fully focused with finals coming up.

Best to all the NESCAC players as they head into their final exams.  Hope everyone comes back from the holiday break healthy and ready for conference play.

[Bucket]

Part II of Middlebury hoops documentary has been released:

http://vimeo.com/81975058

Fun stuff.

[middhoops]

Part II of Middlebury hoops documentary has been released:

http://vimeo.com/81975058

Fun stuff.

Coach Jeff Brown has a key quote at the very end.

[AmherstStudent05]

Part II of Middlebury hoops documentary has been released:

http://vimeo.com/81975058

Fun stuff.

Excellent work on the video, Bucket & Co.  Fun stuff indeed.  I am obviously no expert, but I thought that the video work and editing was particularly impressive/professional looking.

[Bucket]

Part II of Middlebury hoops documentary has been released:

http://vimeo.com/81975058

Fun stuff.

Excellent work on the video, Bucket & Co.  Fun stuff indeed.  I am obviously no expert, but I thought that the video work and editing was particularly impressive/professional looking.

With the exception of the narrator, ahem, the series is entirely student-produced, and these kids are quite something.

[ECSUalum]

Congrats to those who produced, directed this video!  excellent, excellent 

[amh63]

It's snowing everywhere up North! Exams are ending.  Travelers, be careful this Holiday Season and best wishes to all posters.  Need your posts in the new year when conference teams battle and we find out how bad or good were our projections.  First must make my "projections" .
When the practice started this year and I got to talk to some players on campus, I looked forward to seeing how Amherst's coaches blend/build this season's team....a team that I believe has the talent to return to Salem and compete for another Title.  The posts about the FY players excited me with their potential.  I repeat, potential!  FY players have many hurdles...adjusting to College in general and the play on the floor in particular.  In addition, to adjusting to the pace, the  physicality  of the college game, there was learning how to play the Amherst defense...team defense.  This year there was also the additional adjustment that ALL the players had to make....new emphasis of selected rules that may require changes of one's play, both defensive and offensive play. Still, I looked forward to see how the FYs would make the adjustments.  In particular....David George!  I admit here, that I saw David as a player that would contribute the most.  I saw him in a part time role to get blocks and rebounds down low and allow Pollack to get rest.  I saw George like a Bill Russell of the Celtics that got rebounds and blocks against the likes of a taller Wilt C.  I know, I am a dreamer.  The injuries to both Pollack and Nabatoff does have a positive side to date.  It allowed George to realize that he has to adjust his HS defensive moves to the college level under the new rules...just standing still with one's arms up to avoid fouls makes it hard to get blocks and rebounds and even block off his man.  It is interesting that in the Babson game, his blocks were more from behind...even when Babson had TWO "big men" down low to block him late in the game.  In addition, Levine, got more PT and experience against good front court players when George got tired.  In short,  Amherst has found out that George can play a critical role this season and is a reliable relief player for Pollack.  Foul shooting by George....it is interesting that George went 10-12 in his second game when he played 11 minutes...on the foul lane.  This year, I was concerned about the rebounding of the team.  Last season, Williamson, and Workman and even Toomey provided timely and critical rebounds.  In the early games, Green and Killian showed that they can be the needed rebounders.  With Killian not playing, Emerson had too many offensive boards and tap in baskets.  In the Brandeis and Babson games, Green and Killian showed that together they can do the job of the graduated stars of last season down low.
When the season started, the starting lineup did not surprise me....especially with Kalema and Toomey in the back court together.  Both have their unique strengths.  Kalema, a "local player" from a small private northern Va. school has gotten better and stronger each season.  He is indeed the quickest player into the lane and can finish with a dunk.
From an unsure player at PG in the Brandeis game of two seasons ago when Aaron was out..hurt, to the confident player at PG against North Central when Toomey had to go to the bench with 2 fouls.  Toomey's outside shoot was missing in the first half of that game.  Here comes Kalema in and left alone, he takes and makes a 3-point shot and North Central has to adjust for him.  I believe that Kalema has had the hardest time, among the starters, adjusting to the calls by the refs this season.  His quick drives to the basket has gotten him charging fouls and his quick hands has gotten him fouls on the defensive side.  Kalema, like Killian and Toomey is a captain. Kalema is pressing a bit, IMO, to find his role on this team.  This has led to mental mistakes and TOs.  Liked when Hixon put him back into the Babson game with 4 fouls late in the game.  Babson was pressing.....to get TOs and even fouling to get the ball back.  Kalema was to bring the ball up against the full court press...with his speed and his quickness got him thru the double teams.  Kalema made his foul shots, etc.  Last season, he came in to give relief for Toomey and as others have pointed out to change the pace of the game.  As a starter this year, his role is changing,IMO.  That is why  FY Reid Berman's growth is critical.  Reid Berman provides rest time for both Kalema and Toomey and will need to continue to play that role in the future.
I also believe that at the start of the season, Amherst has been targeted by teams...being the D3 Champs...and Aaron Toomey has been targeted in particular..often doubled teamed and given special attention.  When Berman comes into the game, he now gets to play PG, as Aaron goes to the off-guard position...in part to draw the defense away..to him.  Berman's role is to distribute the ball.  He will drive but does not need to shoot from the outside.  Amherst has enough outside shooters...Killian, Green, Kalema and Toomey  for that at any time in the game.  In the post-game interview after the Babson game, it was revealing to me to hear and see some fustration in the Babson's Coach's face and response.  It was evident that he had scouted Amherst and his team was prepared for Amherst.  What he was not prepare for was Killian and Killian's improved outside game.  Killian had missed 2 games and his play in the earlier games had been inside.  When Toomey passed to an open Killian outside and 4 straight 3's went in, it can be and was a game changer.  The Babson Coach had prepared for the drives of Kalema and Toomey and even Green.  Once, Killian had the ball outside, and drove to the basket and made a layup.  The announcer was surprised that he was unguarded.  Guess, the scouting report did not have Killian as a driver to the basket.  He is very quick to the basket and can finish with a dunk like Williamson at times.
In reviewing the North Central game in Salem, I was struck by the defensive effort by Amherst.  I was in the stands and did not see as well, the defensive team effort by Amherst.  The blocks by Williamson and Workman and the blockouts of Gamble down low, etc.  I also was reminded that Workman often brought up the ball when Toomey was double teamed.  That team defense by this year's team is what needs to improve by everyone.  Amherst has shown it can score points.  Can it stop very good offensive teams, teams that get up to play a National Champ.  Amherst did not in the Emerson game, with the players on hand.  It did against good Brandeis and Babson teams.  Not good enough,IMO for the likes of Middlebury, Williams and even Bowdoin at times. 
The other major area that needs work...has been touched upon by others.....the Bench and the rotation of players, especially for Killian and Green. The return of Pollack and Nabatoff helps as with the growth of Berman and Mussachia.  I'm hoping Gach, Wright and other FY's can help.  The problem ahead is that there are fewer games to blend the bench players in and Toomey cannot continue to play 40 minutes and take charges down low.  Aaron does not need the stress of carrying his team on his shoulders...his captaincy...IMO.   Hey, now I can understand the trip to Florida....nice weather and time to get the team ready for ECSU and the CAC!

[grabtherim]

One word for you amh:  brevity.  Interested in reading your thoughts but I have an appointment to keep for next Thursday. 

 

It's snowing everywhere up North! Exams are ending.  Travelers, be careful this Holiday Season and best wishes to all posters.  Need your posts in the new year when conference teams battle and we find out how bad or good were our projections.  First must make my "projections" .
When the practice started this year and I got to talk to some players on campus, I looked forward to seeing how Amherst's coaches blend/build this season's team....a team that I believe has the talent to return to Salem and compete for another Title.  The posts about the FY players excited me with their potential.  I repeat, potential!  FY players have many hurdles...adjusting to College in general and the play on the floor in particular.  In addition, to adjusting to the pace, the  physicality  of the college game, there was learning how to play the Amherst defense...team defense.  This year there was also the additional adjustment that ALL the players had to make....new emphasis of selected rules that may require changes of one's play, both defensive and offensive play. Still, I looked forward to see how the FYs would make the adjustments.  In particular....David George!  I admit here, that I saw David as a player that would contribute the most.  I saw him in a part time role to get blocks and rebounds down low and allow Pollack to get rest.  I saw George like a Bill Russell of the Celtics that got rebounds and blocks against the likes of a taller Wilt C.  I know, I am a dreamer.  The injuries to both Pollack and Nabatoff does have a positive side to date.  It allowed George to realize that he has to adjust his HS defensive moves to the college level under the new rules...just standing still with one's arms up to avoid fouls makes it hard to get blocks and rebounds and even block off his man.  It is interesting that in the Babson game, his blocks were more from behind...even when Babson had TWO "big men" down low to block him late in the game.  In addition, Levine, got more PT and experience against good front court players when George got tired.  In short,  Amherst has found out that George can play a critical role this season and is a reliable relief player for Pollack.  Foul shooting by George....it is interesting that George went 10-12 in his second game when he played 11 minutes...on the foul lane.  This year, I was concerned about the rebounding of the team.  Last season, Williamson, and Workman and even Toomey provided timely and critical rebounds.  In the early games, Green and Killian showed that they can be the needed rebounders.  With Killian not playing, Emerson had too many offensive boards and tap in baskets.  In the Brandeis and Babson games, Green and Killian showed that together they can do the job of the graduated stars of last season down low.
When the season started, the starting lineup did not surprise me....especially with Kalema and Toomey in the back court together.  Both have their unique strengths.  Kalema, a "local player" from a small private northern Va. school has gotten better and stronger each season.  He is indeed the quickest player into the lane and can finish with a dunk.
From an unsure player at PG in the Brandeis game of two seasons ago when Aaron was out..hurt, to the confident player at PG against North Central when Toomey had to go to the bench with 2 fouls.  Toomey's outside shoot was missing in the first half of that game.  Here comes Kalema in and left alone, he takes and makes a 3-point shot and North Central has to adjust for him.  I believe that Kalema has had the hardest time, among the starters, adjusting to the calls by the refs this season.  His quick drives to the basket has gotten him charging fouls and his quick hands has gotten him fouls on the defensive side.  Kalema, like Killian and Toomey is a captain. Kalema is pressing a bit, IMO, to fine his role on this team.  This has led to mental mistakes and TOs.  Liked when Hixon put him back into the Babson game with 4 fouls late in the game.  Babson was pressing.....to get TOs and even fouling to get the ball back.  Kalema was to bring the ball up against the full court press...with his speed and his quickness got him thru the double teams.  Kalema made his foul shots, etc.  Last season, he came in to give relief for Toomey and as others have pointed out to change the pace of the game.  As a starter this year, his role is changing,IMO.  That is why  FY Reid Berman's growth is critical.  Reid Berman provides rest time for both Kalema and Toomey and will need to continue to play that role in the future.
I also believe that at the start of the season, Amherst has been targeted by teams...being the D3 Champs...and Aaron Toomey has been targeted in particular..often doubled teamed and given special attention.  When Berman comes into the game, he now gets to play PG, as Aaron goes to the off-guard position...in part to draw the defense away..to him.  Berman's role is to distribute the ball.  He will drive but does not need to shoot from the outside.  Amherst has enough outside shooters...Killian, Green, Kalema and Toomey  for that at any time in the game.  In the post-game interview after the Babson game, it was revealing to me to hear and see some fustration in the Babson's Coach's face and response.  It was evident that he had scouted Amherst and his team was prepared for Amherst.  What he was not prepare for was Killian and Killian's improved outside game.  Killian had missed 2 games and his play in the earlier games had been inside.  When Toomey passed to an open Killian outside and 4 straight 3's went in, it can be and was a game changer.  The Babson Coach had prepared for the drives of Kalema and Toomey and even Green.  Once, Killian had the ball outside, and drove to the basket and made a layup.  The announcer was surprised that he was unguarded.  Guess, the scouting report did not have Killian as a driver to the basket.  He is very quick to the basket and can finish with a dunk like Williamson at times.
In reviewing the North Central game in Salem, I was struck by the defensive effort by Amherst.  I was in the stands and did not see as well, the defensive team effort by Amherst.  The blocks by Williamson and Workman and the blockouts of Gamble down low, etc.  I also was reminded that Workman often brought up the ball when Toomey was double teamed.  That team defense by this year's team is what needs to improve by everyone.  Amherst has shown it can score points.  Can it stop very good offensive teams, teams that get up to play a National Champ.  Amherst did not in the Emerson game, with the players on hand.  It did against good Brandeis and Babson teams.  Not good enough,IMO for the likes of Middlebury, Williams and even Bowdoin at times. 
The other major area that needs work...has been touched upon by others.....the Bench and the rotation of players, especially for Killian and Green. The return of Pollack and Nabatoff helps as with the growth of Berman and Mussachia.  I'm hoping Gach, Wright and other FY's can help.  The problem ahead is that there are fewer games to blend the bench players in and Toomey cannot continue to play 40 minutes and take charges down low.  Aaron does not need the stress of having to put the game on his shoulders...his captaincy...IMO.   Hey, now I can understand the trip to Florida....nice weather and time to get the team ready for ECSU and the CAC!

[amh63]

Grabtherim....hope you make your appointment.  Did edit my post to remove about a dozen words, etc......but I guess I am just a "War & Peace" type of writer.

[nescac1]

Paragraph breaks and such may also prove helpful . 

I'm surprised that Bowdoin is not getting a bit more love in the D3 hoops top 25.  Bowdoin has a few solid wins under its belt vs. Bates and Babson, and is one of a fairly small handful of undefeated teams left.  The Polar Bears have shown in the past that they have talent, and they are always well-coached.  I find particularly cryptic that the following teams are still ranked above Bowdoin: a two-loss Babson team that Bowdoin beat by double-digits, Albertus Magnus, which has feated on an extremely weak schedule and which always posts a gaudy record before falling vs. good teams, and a 5-3 St. Mary's team. 

[middhoops]

Good point, nescac1. You left Middlebury out of the group rated above Bowdoin with multiple defeats.  My guess is that the voters are waiting for Bowdoin to post upset wins in conference to show some love.  They aren't a familiar name to many voters because they haven't been in the NCAA tourney in the last few years. 
The PBs will probably be 12-0 when they play Williams on the 17th. 
A win against the Ephs would change EVERYTHING.  They'd rise like a rocket.

[nescac1]

If Bowdoin stays unranked and undefeated, and defeats Williams, at Williams, and Hamilton, at Hamilton to go to 14-0 (something of course I'd prefer did not transpire), I imagine they would be ranked in the top 10 -- would that be a first, for a team in the second semester of play to go from unranked to the top 10 in one week?  I wonder.  That is a lot of iffs, of course! 

[magicman]

Paragraph breaks and such may also prove helpful . 

I'm surprised that Bowdoin is not getting a bit more love in the D3 hoops top 25.  Bowdoin has a few solid wins under its belt vs. Bates and Babson, and is one of a fairly small handful of undefeated teams left.  The Polar Bears have shown in the past that they have talent, and they are always well-coached.  I find particularly cryptic that the following teams are still ranked above Bowdoin: a two-loss Babson team that Bowdoin beat by double-digits, Albertus Magnus, which has feated on an extremely weak schedule and which always posts a gaudy record before falling vs. good teams, and a 5-3 St. Mary's team.

nescac 1,
You're right about the Polar Bears they definitely should be ranked above Babson.  I think the fact that Bowdoin's last 2 wins have come against teams that are in the lower portion of the Massey Ratings didn't help them garner more support.( One of those teams is next to last in the country). I also think that the voters look at Amherst, Williams, and Middlebury all being ranked and subconsciously (or maybe not) hesitate to put another NESCAC team in the Top 25. As middhoops states, an upset of one of the big 3 would do the trick. And of course a win over Williams, a streak to 14-0, and a Top 10 ranking,  would have the fans salivating in Brunswick. 

The Bowdoin women on the other hand did manage to sneak into the Top 25. A local girl I know plays for them so now I have to follow that team as well. Especially as she's doing fairly well for a freshman.   

[P'bearfan]

I'm surprised that Bowdoin is not getting a bit more love in the D3 hoops top 25.

I have to agree completely.  It's really hard to understand how Babson can be ranked higher than Bowdoin at this point in the season. 

As for the other projections (e.g. 12-0 or 14-0), well we'll see.  One step at a time. 

My own feeling is that Bowdoin has just enough of the right pieces to be competitive with any team on any given night.  Hopefully they'll keep improving through the Holiday break.  Their January schedule is favorable as they play 3 games before taking on Williams - though I certainly don't think Wesleyan is a gimme.