MBB: NESCAC

[middhoops]

Dickensian.
It was the best of times. (first half).
It was the worst of times. (2nd half)
It was a tale of two spankings.
Midd took it to the Ephs 41-25 then Williams stuck it back to the Panthers 39-20.
Taylor Epley clearly (from my hugely biased view) picked the wrong game to find his long ball stroke.  He hit a few back breakers down the stretch.  Clutch player.
At 57-45 Midd, I looked at Vandy and said I didn't think it was enough (lead).  Sad to have been right, for once.

Give Williams all the credit in the world.  Their defense late in the game took the Panthers out of their flow.  Kizel was effectively covered by Daniel Wohl and lack of movement off the ball provided few good opportunities.
It should be said, however, that Jack Roberts played perhaps his finest game for Middlebury.  He was tenacious on defense and on the boards.  He moved well without the ball and stayed out of foul trouble.  For him more than anyone, I was saddened by the final score.

With Amherst losing, the sting is that much worse.

Congrats to coach Maker and his players.

[nescac1]

Sorry for the misspelling on Kizel.  I should know better given his many great games against Williams over the years.  Tonight was for once not his night, but Wohl had a lot to do with that.  For Midd's future Jake Brown was a bright spot.  He made some very difficult shots and also plays ball hawking defense.  He has improved from earlier in the year when last I saw him.  He and Sinnickson are both great athletes. 

[P'bearfan]

What a night in the NESCAC!  Bowdoin survived a real slugfest with Trinity 46-39.  It was one of the most physical games I've seen this season - neither team had much offensive rythm especially in the first half. 

Bowdoin will need shoot mch better if they are to beat Amherst tomorrow.  I was hoping that the P'bears might be able to catch Amherst napping but there's no chance of that happening now.  I think the LJ's are going to come out to prove that tonight was a fluke.

Should be a good game!

[frank uible]

Does NESCAC represent high quality parity or just inconsistent mediocrity?

[Old Guy]

I watched (Midd-Wms). No problem with the video feed. Now I'll have to do it for the Colby game next week and and Trinity the week after. The afternoon games there's no hope of getting. No rest of the Panthers with Hamilton away, Colby and Bowdoin at home, Trinity and Amherst in their gyms. Colby, I figured, might be the least challenging. Amending that view now, big-time. A win in any of those games will be a big win. The game ended at just before 4:00 am here. My 16 year-old daughter stayed up with me - she heard some bad words (not like she hasn't heard them before). Hard to go back to sleep, and me, out of JD.

I knew the halftime lead wouldn't hold up, but it was a nice cushion and I was hoping we could beat back the comeback effort and maintain a hot hand. I too credit the tenacious Williams defense (tell me again why they don't play more man-to-man), but I think the gremlins have also invaded Pepin. Couldn't believe Merryman's open three from the corner to take back the lead in the last half minute rimmed out, nor Sinnickson's final shot.

I watched the final two minutes of the Wesleyan-Bates game in CT. Bates came roaring back in the last couple minutes (Boornazian, Philpot) to tie, but Wes took command in the OT, looked good. Davis was very tough (22 points, 5-5 from the line down the stretch). I'd be inclined to go with "high quality parity," this year.

It will be interesting indeed to see if Bowdoin's suffocating zone can shut down Amherst too (39 points for Trinity - did the teams play the full 40 minutes?). Hurley had an interesting line last night: didn't require the statistician to make a single mark, zeroes across the board, in 13 minutes.

I did as Panther Nation suggested, and listened to the college radio feed while watching the video, as much as I appreciate Bruce Bosly on MSN. Damon has a gift for play-by-play, stays right on top of the action; Jeff's insights are to the point and not pretentious. Generally, I can't listen to the student announcers (I know, amh63, it's a student job) because I find often their comments immature and inane and partisan in the extreme (like they're doing the broadcast for their buddies, not for the rest of the world - like I said, I'm "Old Guy"). I hate that they know so much more than the coaches. Damon's and Jeff's objectivity down the stretch last night killed me - I would have been in full Johnny Most/Ron Santo. Great job.

[nescac1]

P'Bearfan, did Mathias get hurt?  I noticed he played only 17 minutes, without being in any foul trouble.  If he couldn't go vs. Amherst that would be a huge loss, as Hurley I'm sure is still working his way back into shape.  I am frankly surprised Amherst hasn't lost previously during this brutal stretch of games ... at some point, the mental and physical exhaustion of having a target on your back and the constant long road trips plus multiple rivalry games over the past few weeks has to wear on you.  All it takes is an inspired team to really step up, and finally someone did.  Bowdoin of course can't be happy that the Jeffs' wake-up call came last night, but on the other hand it is going to be hard for Amherst to muster a ton of energy with such a quick turnaround.  Of course Bowdoin getting physically beaten around by Trinity won't help their legs today either.  In other words, expect two exhausted teams in a battle of wills -- it could be ugly out there. 

One problem for Amherst is that, with all the talk of Epley's tough shooting stretch (until last night, fortunately), Connor Green is in the middle of a similarly tough spell.  In his last six games, he's shot only 5-32 from 3.  Like Epley, the guy can absolutely light it up, so it's only a matter of time until some unlucky team is the victim of him finding his shooting touch.  Tom Killian and David Kalema have really stepped up to compensate, but certainly Amherst will need Green to return to form if they hope to go far this year.  I anticipate that he will, and soon. 

The top of NESCAC is shaping up to be a very interesting race.  A win by Amherst tomorrow and they are still a prohibitive favorite to win since they would have only one loss and own the tiebreaker vs. both Williams and Bowdoin, but of course they will now have less margin for error.  Likewise, a win by Bowdoin puts Williams in the driver's seat, although the Ephs would still have to take care of business in some tough upcoming league games. 

On the parity vs. mediocrity question, I feel like the top tier of NESCAC is slightly down from the past few years -- which is not a huge surprise considering that NESCAC had the national champion and two other elite eight teams last year; kind of hard to go anything BUT down from that level.  But the league is also definitely much, much deeper.  Almost anyone in NESCAC can give almost anyone else a game this year.  Almost every team has 1-2 really strong players capable of taking over a game.  Next year, when you consider the seniors who are going to be lost to graduation by the top four teams, and that teams like Colby, Bates, Trinity, and Wesleyan return all or virtually all of their key players, I think the league will be deeper and more balanced than it has been in many, many years.  This in my view is a very good thing for NESCAC, even if it hurts the conference in terms of teams putting up gaudy records and earning NCAA bids.  Colby in particular is obviously a team on the rise.  Their new coach has done a tremendous job. 

[AmherstStudent05]

Sounds like I missed another classic between Williams and Midd.  Unfortunately, I was obviously preoccupied by more pressing concerns.  Madz and I may have to have a viewing party on the NSN archive page.

I expected Williams to struggle on offense against Midd, but credit Williams's D for evidently making the significant improvement that nescac1 and toad have been asking for.  Out of curiousity, who did Greenman mark when they went man in the second half?  I assume Brown or St. Amour when either was on the floor (I see that Coach Brown and I were thinking along similar lines in terms of the best starting lineup to match up with Williams).

I normally try not to wade too deep into Midd on Williams crime, but I do think folks are being a bit too hard on nescac1's recap/analysis (which I, for one, greatly appreciated as usual).  I obviously didn't see the game in any form, but I found nothing whatsoever inappropriate about his comments.  He was hard on Midd's second half performance, but no harder than he was on Williams's first half showing and no harder than the box score would seem to warrant.  And of course nescac1's posts focus on Williams.  Bucket, at this stage of the game you should not be fooled by his handle! nescac1 is a Williams alum who obviously has a purple and gold perspective on things (and, for what its worth, he seems to have a consistent track record of being reasonably objective as far as these things go). 

This is all to be expected.  For instance, the latest installment of The Road to Salem series -- which I agree was truly superb -- could have focused on (or even mentioned) the clutch play of Bates or it could have called attention to Midd's early January slump/shooting woes.  Obviously, the creators chose the latter option -- and RIGHTLY so.  It is a show about Middlebury! (and a brilliant one at that).  nescac1 is just doing his own version of Williams's Road to Salem on the pages of d3boards.com.  I wish his production values were better, but I am enjoying it all the same.

Speaking of nescac1, I generally agree with his take on the parity/mediocrity question.  Again, last year was obviously a banner year for "non-parity" in the NESCAC.  The bottom 7 teams had a combined 0 wins against the top 4 teams.  Can't imagine that happens too many times.  The top 3 teams were unusually strong last year, and many of the "bottom" teams were very green.  Obviously, this is a new year.  But I must come back to my one caveat:  speaking just for Amherst, while I certainly have my own personal views about the potential of this team based on the proceedings thus far, I must remind myself that there are still a lot of games AND PRACTICES still to come.  That means that, tempting as it is to jump to conclusions now, many more chapters may still be written.  I am sure the other posters feel the same way about their own teams.

nescac1, can't argue with the recent numbers on Green.  Since the first Williams game, he hasn't been the offensive force he is capable of being.  Like Old Guy, I worry about everything, but I have lots of confidence in Green's game.

Speaking of which, amh63, I completely understand your frustration with Toomey not being a little more selfish in the second half last night, but I think I have to disagree a little bit.  With a couple of exceptions, the only problem I had with the shots that Green/Kalema/Killian took is that they didn't go in!  Each of those three have earned my complete confidence in taking any crunch time shot that they think they can make.  They are all battle tested.  And, in light of the tough defense we have to give Colby credit for, I think, for the most part, those three were getting the best looks we could have hoped for (as you said, a few were even layups).

In fact, I continue to be impressed by how well Aaron manages the game for us.  For three years, he has been our primary scorer and ball handler.  I thought that was a lot to ask of a sophomore (even one of Aaron's caliber), but for the last two years (or so) he has really blossomed in that role.  At this point, I think I have Olsonesque confidence that he will invariably put us in the best situations.  Did not think any Amherst player would ever even come close to matching Andrew in that regard.

Anyway, time now to turn the page to a tough Bowdoin team.  I don't remember the last time Amherst had to play a game the day after a loss (and thus without an intervening practice).  Will be interested to see how the troops bounce back.  The Polar Bears will obviously pose a stern test.  Can't wait. 

[amh63]

The sun is shinning here in MD.  My wife gave me oatmeal for breakfest as she heard it is a cheer me up, comfort dish.
Amused myself looking at mansions elsewhere that I cannot afford and cars that are TOO racy for me to drive.
Talked to my daughter in the Ithaca area...there is a high outbreak of illness/flu sweeping schools in the area.  Wondered if Conner Green's flat play recently....low energy level....was due to illness.   Remembered this game I follow is played by 18-22 young men as an outside activity really...when you think about it.  What "right" is it for me to rant at them when they do not play for my enjoyment.

Thought about my earlier post.....gave no credit to Colby's players....in part because I do not know them...their names.  Do know they are young and that bench players stepped up.  My congrats to Colby and their team.  They put a whipping on Amherst.....still 23 assists

One of my favorite writers here that is now on ESPN....Tony Kornh...wrote a column about the Redskins, the NFL team in D.C.  In it he had a "bandwagon" for fans as the prof. football marched towards a hopeful title.  Yes, my disappointment with Amherst is mine personal bandwagon for the team's march to the Title game this year.  Thinking in that manner, it seems that the Amherst team has gotten some flat tires recently.  Killian has carried the team recently and his game was not there last night.  There was also a change in rotation last night.  George did not start.  When he came in, his playing level...energy level seemed down.  Therefore, I wonder if the flu bug has hit the team as it did last year when Amherst went to Hamilton.  Will never know...no excuses here. 
I understand that one's shooting can drop, but it should not affect one's defensive effort.  Colby picked apart Amherst down low.  Players went by Green for layups, etc.  That maybe what bothered me the most.....where was Amherst's defense?  It was "flat", IMO,

Another game...two games ahead.  At least the WBB team showed up to play.  Both teams meet tough ranked Polar Bear teams in their winter caves.  Bowdoin scored only in the 40's last night.  Heck, if Green, Killian get their game play back, they can match that score   Feeling better now...got my oatmeal.

[Bucket]

I normally try not to wade too deep into Midd on Williams crime, but I do think folks are being a bit too hard on nescac1's recap/analysis (which I, for one, greatly appreciated as usual).  I obviously didn't see the game in any form, but I found nothing whatsoever inappropriate about his comments.  He was hard on Midd's second half performance, but no harder than he was on Williams's first half showing and no harder than the box score would seem to warrant.  And of course nescac1's posts focus on Williams.  Bucket, at this stage of the game you should not be fooled by his handle! nescac1 is a Williams alum who obviously has a purple and gold perspective on things (and, for what its worth, he seems to have a consistent track record of being reasonably objective as far as these things go). 

This is all to be expected.  For instance, the latest installment of The Road to Salem series -- which I agree was truly superb -- could have focused on (or even mentioned) the clutch play of Bates or it could have called attention to Midd's early January slump/shooting woes.  Obviously, the creators chose the latter option -- and RIGHTLY so.  It is a show about Middlebury! (and a brilliant one at that).  nescac1 is just doing his own version of Williams's Road to Salem on the pages of d3boards.com.  I wish his production values were better, but I am enjoying it all the same.

I appreciate the opinion, AmherstStudent05. You raise some very good points which I'd like to address. Yes, I am in complete agreement that the basis of our  perspectives comes from what bench we sit on, so to speak. (Or from what floor we play on, to extend the metaphor, for those who saw more game time than I did back in my day.) The problem I have with nescac1's analysis is not that he brings a Williams perspective; as others have rightly commented, most of what we write concerns the teams we support. It was just the arrogant tone that I had issue with, as if it was Williams's game to win or lose. In the first half, they were losing because they were playing so poorly. In the second half, they eeked out a win because they were so clutch. Contrast that with Middhoops: "Midd took it to the Ephs 41-25 then Williams stuck it back to the Panthers 39-20." Was there any mention of Middlebury or what Middlebury was doing in nescac1's moan-and-groan halftime report?

I could have let it go, but the Midd "no show" comment really got to me. I try and be reasoned in my criticism on these boards, not writing anything that I would not say face-to-face to the person or people I was criticizing. And I'm trying to imagine saying such a thing to Joey Kizel or James Jensen or Dylan Sinnickson about the second-half of last night's game. (Or, if the role was reversed to Danny Wohl, Taylor Epley, etc.)  They would be the first to tell you that they need to play a complete 40 minutes, a complete game. But "no show"? That's insulting. If you were in the gym, you would understand how laughable such a scenario would seem. (That's why I'm curious about Toad's perspective.) Perhaps I'm too close to it. I know these kids well. I know their parents well. They're amazing role models for my seven-year-old son. Therefore, the D-I-ification or NBA-ification of these games and programs (obsessively following and speculating on recruiting classes, describing a losing effort as one in which the players didn't show up) leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Perhaps I'm being hypocritical, as I admit that I think about my beloved Virginia Cavaliers in those terms. ( They are college kids, too.) Perhaps its the distance—geographical, social. But I'd like to think it's something more.

[toad22]

I love driving to Middlebury to watch games. I go the back way, up 7a to route 30. Even in the winter, the scenery is worth the ride. I love coming away with wins even more. I have a father, an uncle, and a brother who are Middlebury grads. I can sing the old Middlebury songs. When I was a kid, on our way to camp on South Hero Island, my family would stop at campus to visit my father's favorite professor.  Thus, I especially hate losing to Middlebury. For the last 5-6 years, Midd has been very tough, and a win, no matter how it comes about is a blessed event. 

Last night, while sitting in the stands at halftime, I didn't even dare to dream of a victory. Williams got stuffed in the first half. Middlebury always plays tough defense, and the Williams offense just wasn't nearly sharp enough to counteract that. Offensively for Middlebury, their ball movement was quick and efficient.  Merryman and Sinnickson shot the ball beautifully (at half time, a Midd fan near me described it as "shooting the lights out"). Also, Middlebury is a deliberate team, so I didn't think Williams would have enough possessions in the second half to make it all the way back unless we played extremely tough defense. A 16 point lead is really formidable if the game ends up being played in the 60s. The only positive thing I could see was that Taylor Epley had shot the ball a bit better than he had been for the past 5 games. It felt like cold comfort.

The second half was a completely different affair, with Williams, for the first time all year, playing really, really tough man defense. They played with real intensity. As is often the case in basketball, Williams' offense picked up as their effort on defense increased. I think it is very hard to play with a big lead, and that proved to be the case for Middlebury. I finally began to feel that Williams might win when Epley, behind a big Mayer screen, drained a 3 with 1:40 remaining to bring them within 1. Fouls shots from Mayer and Wohl gave them the lead. Williams got a little lucky when Merryman missed a wide open 3 from the corner -- he hasn't missed many of those in his career. I think Nescac1 had it right when he said that it might have been too wide open. It's never good when you have too long to think about important shots.

A big key to the victory was that the Williams defenders were able to deny Kizel too many open looks, or open paths to the basket. In past years, when Kizel got going, Williams has suffered. I feel very fortunate to have escaped from Middlebury with a win. In its' totality, this was a very close game played be two evenly matched teams.

[Bucket]

I love driving to Middlebury to watch games. I go the back way, up 7a to route 30. Even in the winter, the scenery is worth the ride. I love coming away with wins even more. I have a father, an uncle, and a brother who are Middlebury grads. I can sing the old Middlebury songs. When I was a kid, on our way to camp on South Hero Island, my family would stop at campus to visit my father's favorite professor.  Thus, I especially hate losing to Middlebury. For the last 5-6 years, Midd has been very tough, and a win, no matter how it comes about is a blessed event. 

Last night, while sitting in the stands at halftime, I didn't even dare to dream of a victory. Williams got stuffed in the first half. Middlebury always plays tough defense, and the Williams offense just wasn't nearly sharp enough to counteract that. Offensively for Middlebury, their ball movement was quick and efficient.  Merryman and Sinnickson shot the ball beautifully (at half time, a Midd fan near me described it as "shooting the lights out"). Also, Middlebury is a deliberate team, so I didn't think Williams would have enough possessions in the second half to make it all the way back unless we played extremely tough defense. A 16 point lead is really formidable if the game ends up being played in the 60s. The only positive thing I could see was that Taylor Epley had shot the ball a bit better than he had been for the past 5 games. It felt like cold comfort.

The second half was a completely different affair, with Williams, for the first time all year, playing really, really tough man defense. They played with real intensity. As is often the case in basketball, Williams' offense picked up as their effort on defense increased. I think it is very hard to play with a big lead, and that proved to be the case for Middlebury. I finally began to feel that Williams might win when Epley, behind a big Mayer screen, drained a 3 with 1:40 remaining to bring them within 1. Fouls shots from Mayer and Wohl gave them the lead. Williams got a little lucky when Merryman missed a wide open 3 from the corner -- he hasn't missed many of those in his career. I think Nescac1 had it right when he said that it might have been too wide open. It's never good when you have too long to think about important shots.

A big key to the victory was that the Williams defenders were able to deny Kizel too many open looks, or open paths to the basket. In past years, when Kizel got going, Williams has suffered. I feel very fortunate to have escaped from Middlebury with a win. In its' totality, this was a very close game played be two evenly matched teams.

Yes. That is the game I witnessed, as well. (No surprise, seeing that we were seated within 25 feet of each other.)

Thank you for bringing such first-hand clarity to the game in question.

[nescac1]

Bucket, I believe that you took the "no show" comment for something it wasn't.  I can't count how many times I've written here about how tough Middlebury is and how much effort they put in.  I've never seen a Midd team that didn't give its all out there in the many Williams-Midd games I've seen.  Last night was no exception.  Jeff Brown always has his team giving maximum effort.  Williams-Midd games are often a bit ugly to watch because they are played with such high intensity and physicality, on both sides.  That of course doesn't always mean that they play their best.  And in the second half a combination of great defense from Williams and poor execution from Midd (as Panther Nation put it "offensive stagnation kills Middlebury in the second half" -- note there was no mention of Williams in that tweet) enabled the comeback, as well as a very different / much sharper Williams team offensively which, I agree with Toad, was sparked by its defensive play.

Regarding the rest of your comments, I guess I find it kind of amusing that you decry commenting on games as if, as you put it, they are D1 or NBA affairs, when you share the stage here with prolific basketball writers who offer hundreds of words of (always thoughtful, and always appropriate) Grantland-style hoops analysis about NESCAC teams and players, some of which has been critical (again, never in an inappropriate way) of non-Middlebury (as well as Middlebury) players.  If you aren't bothered by the Panther Nation posts which give detailed analysis of, for example, why Aaron Toomey didn't deserve to win player of the year over some other player, I don't see why you'd be bothered by anyone else commenting about games or players in a similar manner. 

Anyway, should be another fun day in NESCAC highlighted by the Bowdoin-Amherst showdown.  The biggest home game Bowdoin has played in quite some time, I expect the crowd will be raucus. 

[amh63]

Bucket....You are a Un. of Va fan!  I like their play this year too   Expect you are aware that their HBC has D3 roots via his father.  Got the whole story from the posters of another board.
Me....maybe switching my watching to the newest ACC team....The Orangemen of Syracuse....the school of Aaron's father.  It will be interesting to see how Duke attacks the Orangeman's 2-3 zone.  The kids up North are crazier? than down in Durham.  My daughter tells me the tickets are sold out.....35,000 plus and the students have been camping out in tents for weeks in order to get the best seats....in the COLD upper north.  Ah to be young again and do stupid things again.  Wait, I still do stupid things now...so I have been told.  Trying to get Bucket to think on other things is the reason for this post that is going no where.

Wait, Just found out that the Bowdoin team is statistically the best defensive team in the conference,....followed by Trinity.  Explains the 46-39 score last night.  Seems that the 46 points that the Polar Bears made was the lowest score since 1949!  Trinity also set some record too.

Going out to get me some fries and a popular burger.....more comfort food.  Even changed my listening from....."Bridge  Over Trouble Waters" by Simon & Garf... info .for the young posters here....to "Red Dirt Girl",by Emmylou Harris...a local VA songwriter/singer really.   More upbeat for the games ahead

[P'bearfan]

P'Bearfan, did Mathias get hurt?  I noticed he played only 17 minutes, without being in any foul trouble.  If he couldn't go vs. Amherst that would be a huge loss, as Hurley I'm sure is still working his way back into shape.

I was actually surprised by that line in the box score - I thought Mathias played much more than that.  In fact he missed a free throw at the end of the game and the NESN annoucer was attributing it to tired legs from all the minutes he played. 

As far as I know, there are no new injuries so I expect Bowdoin to be going with the same line up.  That said, it's going to be tough to bounce back after such a physical game and be sharp - but that's what they'll need to win against Amherst.

GoUBears!

[madzillagd]

Looks like the game won't be up for 48 hrs since there's only 1/29 games out there now.  May have to ditch the 2nd half of the Super Bowl if it's not a good game and watch if it's available by then. 

One very cool thing about last night's game that nobody cares about but me  is that the nephew finally got back in uniform after 2 months of being out.  Right before Thanksgiving break he got sick - flulike symptoms etc - and stayed at school instead of heading to a friend's house for Thanksgiving.  Over the course of the next couple of days he got much worse and ended up going to health services, then to the ER where they discovered he had pneumonia. He was released and went through that cycle again the next day and even stayed a night in the hospital.  The next day he could hardly breathe and went back in via ambulance for this 3rd trip to the hospital - this time around it was bad enough he was put in the CCU and was there for the better part of a week  (with Toad at his side keeping him company).  Pneumonia in both lungs, hardly able to breathe and lost about 20 lbs in a week.  Very scary stuff and weren't sure if he was going to pull through.  Once he was released he flew home to Idaho, skipping finals, and continued to get treatment there.  They never did really figure out exactly what it was but it was pretty devastating to his body.   

Two weeks after he was out of the hospital he went to my brother's PT clinic and tried to work out, couldn't do more than 5 minutes on the exercise bike without being in a flop sweat and exhausted.  When it came time to decide whether to go back for the post holiday tournament or stay and get better he wanted to be with his teammates so he headed out.  Been working his tail off all month making up finals and getting his body back in shape, until finally this Wednesday he suited up for practice the first time.  I know he could have just stayed away and kept his eligibility for the year but he wants to help his teammates the best he can.  Then in a pregame call with my brother last night I found out that while I was lamenting Epley's shooting this week on the boards, my nephew had taken it upon himself to call the senior up and get him in the gym for extra shots a couple days, rebounding for him and helping work out the kinks.  Just looking at the numbers it looks like it worked - and I couldn't be happier for the both of them.  Been a long couple of months and while I think the Ephs are still very much a work in progress, this was a big win for a number of reasons.