MBB: NESCAC

[AmherstStudent05]

One other thing.  I was excited to see Mason Lopez play (I did catch a good chunk of his great performance earlier in the year against Midd) in light of his super impressive stat line in conference play.  Unfortunately, he was a complete non-factor tonight, so it was very hard to get a read on his game.

[nescac1]

That was a really, really impressive performance by Williams tonight, especially considering they were missing two veteran starters and started three frosh.  I think that was the best 40 minutes of solid hoops Williams has played all year.  The zone defense was very effective -- even in the first half, because although Bates scored a lot that half, I felt like Bates scored around 10-12 points off of bricked shots that fell right into an offensive rebounder's hands for an easy look.  In the second half, Bates struggled to do much of anything vs. the zone.

I saw two things tonight that I've been waiting to see consistently, and I hope they are signs of good things to come.  First, the team ran the offense beautifully (as Amherst05 observed) and did not settle for, really, any bad shots.  Almost every look was off great cutting to the basket, beautiful ball movement, strong post moves, or open threes that evolved out of the offense.  They played offense the way they played down the stretch last season, great team ball, no hero ball.  It helped that guys were consistently beating guys off the dribble with easy drives to the hoop -- and it also didn't hurt that Bates played a fair amount of matador D (not one of the better defensive performances I've seen this year, to put it mildly).  The Ephs had three totally uncontested dunks -- Mayer, Weinheimer, and a particularly beautiful dunk from Wohl -- that were each the result of a totally open path to the basket in the half court offense. 

The second thing was Michael Mayer playing like a first-team all-American center.  The Delpeche brothers certainly have potential but tonight he took them both to school, they just had no prayer.  What I really liked about his performance was that there were no leaning over-the-shoulder off-balance attempts.  He just bulled and/or spun his way, very patiently, towards the hoops and consistently finished strong and in rhythm.  Just put on an absolute post play clinic, as evidenced by his final stats: 25 points on 10-15 fg in only 26 minutes.  That was the Mayer performance I think Eph fans have been waiting to see, he's certainly been playing well of late, but that was an entirely different level. 

Daniel Wohl was the other star for Williams today, shooting it very well and finishing several absolutely beautiful drives to the basket.  He always plays a complete game on both ends, but when his shooting is on the Ephs are much, much tougher to stop.

John Weinheimer also deserves a shout-out.  He was a menace in the zone defense, constantly disrupting passing lanes and forcing several turnovers.  The most interesting sequence of the game was when he made a TREMENDOUS hustle play to block what looked like an uncontested Graham Safford fast-break lay-up.  He was called for a totally, 100 percent bogus foul on the play.  On the next play, the ref called what seemed to me to be an obvious make-up call when a Bates player was mildly pressuring Weinheimer.  Then, on the very next play, he took it to hole and finished with a massive two-hand jam.  Awesome stuff, and he was a real spark-plug for the Ephs tonight.

Finally, all three frosh played well.  Duncan Robinson had, for him, a bit of an off-shooting game (still hit four threes, it's all relative), but was a great facilitator with six assists.  Also, he showed me something new, posting up twice, one time scoring, the other leading to an easy basket for a teammate.  I didn't realize he had that in his arsenal.  Greenman also continues to play well and it was nice to see him score three lay-ups tonight, as finishing inside is something that is a work in progress for him.  He used his quickness with great effectiveness getting to the rim.  Dan Aronowitz also did a nice job in his first start, finishing with 8 points, 4, boards, 2 assists on 4-5 shooting.  What I like about him is that he plays within himself and knows his role.  A role which I am sure will expand greatly next year.

Bates probably didn't give the Ephs its best game; for the second year in a row, Mike Boornazian really played well vs. Williams, but he didn't get enough help to make the game competitive.  Still, all in all, a spectacular performance from a young Williams team, I don't think they could have played any better missing two players, and the frosh continue to play far beyond what could reasonably be expected. 

[amh63]

Amherst wins in LeFrak in what turns out to be a challenge from the Camels.  Amherst led at the half by 18....50-32.  Vadas keeps the Camels close for awhile with his play and shots.  At about 16 plus minutes of the 2nd half, it seemed to be a blow out coming as the LJs lead ballooned to 26 points.  Suddenly, Amherst gets sloppy as both teams go back and forth not scoring...then Conn gets hot and the 3's come and the lead is cut down to 10 points.  Aaron time as he steadies the team to a 15 point lead and it stays there with the final score 77-65.  The Camels scored more than Amherst.  Toomey had 27, Killian had 19, Green had 11 and Pollack was in double figures with 10.  Kalema had 2 tonight.  There were some bright spots will Pollack blocks and Killian drives.  Green was taken out after missing on several dunks when layups would do.  Coach Hixon was really mad.  He did not like Killian's missed dunk  and Kalema's dunk miss.  Credit to Conn College who made it close...as their coach kept subbing throughout the game to keep up a fast tempo.  Tried a lot  of full court press.  Amherst out rebounded the Camels in the first half but let the box tell the rest of the story.  Good win...no one hurt.  A number of young players got PT.
Forgot, Killian had a double double.....13 rebounds to lead everbody

[middhoops]

If it's possible to replay a video cast, check out Joey Kizel's night against Colby.  I don't want to ruin anything for anyone.  Just watch it if you can.

[middhoops]

Pat Coleman is on the CCIW board defending the NESCAC limited single round robin schedule. 

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=4592.36135

[P'bearfan]

There are only a few regular season games left and we have had many lists of all conference, poy,dpoy, fypoy etc. And there have been many interesting analyses supporting them.l

My question is a little different: who are the best "glue guys" in the conference ? 

These are the guys who do all the little things that make their team and teammates better but don't necessarily translate into the box score.

My vote is Neil Fuller the FY at Bowdin.  He comes off the bench to play 12-18 min a game of just all out hustle.  He is always in the right spot for the play and he always boxes out his man.  He sets hrd screens, makes some beautiful passes and is a relentless defender.  He even runs the defense when he's on the floor.

Others?

[Pat Coleman]

Pat Coleman is on the CCIW board defending the NESCAC limited single round robin schedule. 

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=4592.36135

Defending in a limited way -- I still agree there should be more conference play, although a full double round-robin is not feasible for a conference of this size.

[Vandy74]

If it's possible to replay a video cast, check out Joey Kizel's night against Colby.  I don't want to ruin anything for anyone.  Just watch it if you can.

It's possible.  Nsnsports.net has the dvd for sale.  It's surprisingly quiet here from Panther posters although it's understood that last night's victory is little more than a great game if it isn't part of a two-victory weekend.  These aren't just words of wisdom from the NESCAC board peanut gallery, btw.  Players and parents I had the pleasure of conversing with last night said as much themselves.  To echo Nescac1, the win over Colby was the best 40 minutes of solid hoops that Middlebury has played all year.  Box score stats don't even begin to tell the story.  Every player brought his A game Friday night.  Yes Sinnickson put on a show.  Yes, Kizel put on a clinic.  But those performances were only two pieces of a puzzle that the entire Panther squad put together with cutting edge precision.  If Pepin isn't SRO on Sunday afternoon excuses should fall on deaf ears.

[amh63]

Awaiting the afternoon games.  Not interested in the Olympic Games reruns.  Most of the events leave me cold   Do like Curling though.
Several short articles/tables in the WSJ caught my eye.  Thought they would be of interest to some posters here.
There was one based on some analyses...statisical nature?...that listed the top teams that had the best chance of winning the rest of their regular season games...Div 1 teams.  It was done, I believe to see if the then No. 4 ranked team would finish out undefeated.  Guess who topped the list with the highest probability.....the Un of Vermont...otherwise know as UVM.....as pointed out to me by classical trained posters.
P'Bear....Interesting posts.  This board has shown difficulty in selecting a 1st team all conference team.   That brings me to the 2nd WSJ piece.  It was about how players who were having great seasons were being overlooked  presently.  Sound familiar?   Since posters here do not due the actual selection of the various teams....I propose instead to have posters just list their  top 10-15 players in the conference without a break down into teams and positions....with discussions to follow.  Maybe PB suggestion could be added as Unsung Hero Player?

[Bucket]

If it's possible to replay a video cast, check out Joey Kizel's night against Colby.  I don't want to ruin anything for anyone.  Just watch it if you can.

It's possible.  Nsnsports.net has the dvd for sale.  It's surprisingly quiet here from Panther posters although it's understood that last night's victory is little more than a great game if it isn't part of a two-victory weekend.  These aren't just words of wisdom from the NESCAC board peanut gallery, btw.  Players and parents I had the pleasure of conversing with last night said as much themselves.  To echo Nescac1, the win over Colby was the best 40 minutes of solid hoops that Middlebury has played all year.  Box score stats don't even begin to tell the story.  Every player brought his A game Friday night.  Yes Sinnickson put on a show.  Yes, Kizel put on a clinic.  But those performances were only two pieces of a puzzle that the entire Panther squad put together with cutting edge precision.  If Pepin isn't SRO on Sunday afternoon excuses should fall on deaf ears.

Couldn't agree more. A great team performance by the Panthers; every player did seem to bring his A game. And while I agree that box score stats don't tell the story—and at risk of talking out of both sides of my mouth—let's take a look at Joey's stat line last night, on senior day, no less:

30 points (11-17 FG, 6-8 3FG, 2-2 FT), 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block.

Worth the extra attention, I think.

[middhoops]

If it's possible to replay a video cast, check out Joey Kizel's night against Colby.  I don't want to ruin anything for anyone.  Just watch it if you can.

It's possible.  Nsnsports.net has the dvd for sale.  It's surprisingly quiet here from Panther posters although it's understood that last night's victory is little more than a great game if it isn't part of a two-victory weekend.  These aren't just words of wisdom from the NESCAC board peanut gallery, btw.  Players and parents I had the pleasure of conversing with last night said as much themselves.  To echo Nescac1, the win over Colby was the best 40 minutes of solid hoops that Middlebury has played all year.  Box score stats don't even begin to tell the story.  Every player brought his A game Friday night.  Yes Sinnickson put on a show.  Yes, Kizel put on a clinic.  But those performances were only two pieces of a puzzle that the entire Panther squad put together with cutting edge precision. If Pepin isn't SRO on Sunday afternoon excuses should fall on deaf ears.

Good info, Vandy.  Passing over being called a peanut gallery member, I think you hit every point squarely on the head. 
Your veiled plea for a full gym is probably not going to happen.  This being an exceptionally harsh winter in Vermont and Bruce Bosley's outstanding work on NSN combine to allow many people to stream the Bowdoin game live for free on a big screen accompanied by their beverage of choice at home.  This, as opposed to sitting in front of you and me, tolerating our running commentary, could be seen as preferable to some less committed (obsessed?) fans.  That being said, I think the student crazies should be out in force tomorrow.  I really miss them.

[Bucket]

Good info, Vandy.  Passing over being called a peanut gallery member, I think you hit every point squarely on the head. 
Your veiled plea for a full gym is probably not going to happen.  This being an exceptionally harsh winter in Vermont and Bruce Bosley's outstanding work on NSN combine to allow many people to stream the Bowdoin game live for free on a big screen accompanied by their beverage of choice at home.  This, as opposed to sitting in front of you and me, tolerating our running commentary, could be seen as preferable to some less committed (obsessed?) fans.  That being said, I think the student crazies should be out in force tomorrow.  I really miss them.
[/quote]

Depends on when the students roll back into town from Feb break, I guess.

[7express]

Awaiting the afternoon games.  Not interested in the Olympic Games reruns.  Most of the events leave me cold   Do like Curling though.
Several short articles/tables in the WSJ caught my eye.  Thought they would be of interest to some posters here.
There was one based on some analyses...statisical nature?...that listed the top teams that had the best chance of winning the rest of their regular season games...Div 1 teams.  It was done, I believe to see if the then No. 4 ranked team would finish out undefeated.  Guess who topped the list with the highest probability.....the Un of Vermont...otherwise know as UVM.....as pointed out to me by classical trained posters.
P'Bear....Interesting posts.  This board has shown difficulty in selecting a 1st team all conference team.   That brings me to the 2nd WSJ piece.  It was about how players who were having great seasons were being overlooked  presently.  Sound familiar?   Since posters here do not due the actual selection of the various teams....I propose instead to have posters just list their  top 10-15 players in the conference without a break down into teams and positions....with discussions to follow.  Maybe PB suggestion could be added as Unsung Hero Player?

Yah.  Hockey & Curling are the only sports I'm really interested in watching.  Probably tune into bobsled here and there too, but I could do without the rest of the events.

[7express]

If anyone wants to take bets tonight:

Conn College +16 @ Amherst
Over/Under 155.5

Bates +11 @ Williams
Over/Under 143

Colby +5.5 @ Middlebury
Over/Under 148.5

Tufts -2 @ Hamilton
Over/Under 144

Wesleyan +4.5 @ Trinity
Over/under 125

Amherst 77-65.  Conn College and the unders
Williams 92-70.  Williams and the overs
Middlebury 85-64.  Mid and the overs
Hamilton 71-69.  Hamilton and the unders
Trinity 70-65.  Trinity and the overs.

[7express]

Let's finish up the weekend:

Saturday:

Wesleyan +15 @ Amherst
Over/Under 152.5

Tufts +10 @ Williams
Over/Under 146.5

Conn College +8 @ Trinity
Over/Under 125

Bates pick @ Hamilton
Over/under 143

Sunday:

Bowdoin -1 @ Middlebury
Over/under 135.5