MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

I see that both Haladyna and Ferris are back for Tufts, although Spadaford missed last night's game.  Surprised Ferris is back already given the description of his injury.  If Tufts can get its top seven guys all healthy (all of whom are double-digit scorers) they could absolutely make some noise in NESCAC once they mesh -- a lot of offensive firepower there, with Sabety in the middle surrounded by six capable perimeter scorers. 

[7express]

Has Walzy been around this year??  I'm looking forward to his NESCAC lines this year.

[amh63]

7express......Walzy has not posted to date on this board.  Hope to see him on Sat.  Walzy may have finished at at the Sloan school at MIT and started a new career/life for the moment.  Last seen online in Atlanta....in person in Salem.
As expected....CAC games in LeFrak are to be webcasted.....a link via Amherst website.
Interesting predictions.....Middhoops.  Hope you are wrong.

[grabtherim]

Walzy needs to come back.  Overall, his lines were incredibly accurate.  Someone has to reach out to him. 

[TheHerst2and4]

For a while Walzy got caught up in a weird online dating addiction to the detriment of his job and line-setting ability. He was too busy swiping right on "Tinder"
He'll bounce back though.

[nescac1]

Nice attempt to bait Walzy there, TheHerst2and4, but it seems like he is, unfortunately, long-gone from these parts.  More than the lines, I weep for the demise of the all-crazy team. 

I'll take a shot at some NESCAC lines, with the caveat that I lack Walzy's gambling panache:

Friday:
Williams -7 at Trinity
Bates +4 at Middlebury
Hamilton +15 at Amherst
Wesleyan +4 at Colby
Conn College +14 at Bowdoin

Saturday:
Williams +3 at Amherst
Hamilton +5 at Trinity
Wesleyan +10 at Bowdoin
Conn College +7 at Colby

Sunday:
Tufts +4 at Middlebury

I think the road teams are likely to struggle overall this weekend, especially if Trinity can pull an upset over Williams.  Midd faces a tough pair of home games against two teams that are both returning key players at the right time, but I expect that the Panthers will be playing with desperation in both games. 

[Panthernation]

Our diagnosis of Middlebury's struggles and a look at what it means for tonight's game against Bates and beyond.

http://sites.middlebury.edu/panthernation/2014/01/10/nothing-nescac-play-cant-solve/

[gordonmann]

Colby gave up 53 points in the second half in their 8 point road loss, 82-74, to Maine neighbor, Husson, (Husson is 10-0 in the Castleton, Colby-Sawyer, UMaine Farmington league: remember the great battle they gave an outstanding Williams team in the opening round of the NCAAs a few years ago. Can't tell you exactly when, or the score, as I can't find Eph archives on their webpage

Williams defeated Husson 86-83 in overtime of the first round of the 2011 NCAA tournament.

That said, the NAC is 2-11 in the last 10 NCAA tournaments with wins over Bridgewater State and Scranton.  Last season the NAC teams posted a 17-45 non-confererence record (0.274), which was 40th out of 43 conferences. 

http://static.psbin.com/7/2/v1n673ytkk4sy5/2013_Conference_Guidebook_-_Comparison.pdf

Husson is the only team in that conference with a winning record out of conference this year.  That doesn't mean Husson isn't good, but they are hard to guage coming out of the NAC.

[7express]

Williams -7 at Trinity
Bates +4 at Middlebury
Hamilton +15 at Amherst
Wesleyan +4 at Colby
Conn College +14 at Bowdoin
------------------------

Willims
Mid
Amherst
Colby
Bowdoin

Think all games didn't start until 8 so I should've just made it.  Even if it didn't I haven't seen the scores of any games anyways.

For rest of the weekend:
Williams
Hamilton
Bowdoin
Conn College
Middlebury

[AmherstStudent05]

Nice attempt to bait Walzy there, TheHerst2and4, but it seems like he is, unfortunately, long-gone from these parts.  More than the lines, I weep for the demise of the all-crazy team. 

I'll take a shot at some NESCAC lines, with the caveat that I lack Walzy's gambling panache:

Friday:
Williams -7 at Trinity
Bates +4 at Middlebury
Hamilton +15 at Amherst
Wesleyan +4 at Colby
Conn College +14 at Bowdoin

Saturday:
Williams +3 at Amherst
Hamilton +5 at Trinity
Wesleyan +10 at Bowdoin
Conn College +7 at Colby

Sunday:
Tufts +4 at Middlebury

I think the road teams are likely to struggle overall this weekend, especially if Trinity can pull an upset over Williams.  Midd faces a tough pair of home games against two teams that are both returning key players at the right time, but I expect that the Panthers will be playing with desperation in both games.

I really like Williams laying only 7 points to the Bantams. I would take that action.

Initially I also loved Midd only giving up 4 to Bates in Pepin, but upon sober reflection I think it is probably best to lay off Midd entirely for the time being.  They seem capable of anything at the moment.

(I think it was a very prudent move to lay off the totals)

[Old Guy]

Thrilla at Midd:tie game with 2:00 to go.

[nescac1]

Took a break from the Williams-Trinity game to watch the last minute of Bates-Midd.  Another tough one for the Panthers.  Today's onions award goes to Graham Safford, who, despite being 0-7 from 3 on the game, pulled up for an NBA-range three without hesitation which he nailed to win the game.  Wow. 

[Old Guy]

Safford hits a three, his first of the game, with nine seconds to play. Kizel misses an off-balance three at the buzzer. Bates wins by three, 64-61. Exciting game. Well-played. I'm home in West Africa, it's 4:38 a.m., internet is strong this time of day, caught the whole game.

[Old Guy]

Incidentally, Safford's three was a major-league three, deep. The boy can play.

[pick and roll]

Be careful Old Guy - don't be too effusive!