MBB: NESCAC

[AmherstStudent05]

Amherst05  I am uncomfortable divulging "inside information"  about a player's health

That is a sensible policy, jayhawk.  I suppose I should have been clearer, I was not intending for you to reveal Pollack's medical history or to post a copy of his MRI on this message board.  I was just curious whether it is reasonable for me to expect #30 in the lineup on Sunday for the big game against Middlebury.  But, I suppose it is best that I find out about Pollack's availability the old-fashioned way -- by waiting until game time.

[Vandy74]

To continue a thread from an earlier post, I just listened to an interview with UMass-Lowell first-year HC Pat Duquette, Williams '93.  Lowell is making the move from D2 to D1 and playing in the America East Conference.  They take on UVM tomorrow tomorrow night and the interview was on the local ESPN radio hook-up.  Lowell is 8-15 to-date but that includes an opening loss to Michigan (that's the way to get your feet wet) and defeats at the hands of Cincinnati and St. Bonaventure.  They are a very respectable 6-5 in conference play and have benefited from the return of senior guard Antonio Bivens.  Bivens missed the first semester with an injury and has come off the bench averaging 27.5 minutes and 14.6 ppg.  All in all, not bad for a team with several players who obviously were recruited with D2 ball in mind.  Best of luck the rest of the way to Coach Duquette, excluding games with the Catamounts of course.  He has his own Burlington VT connection having been an assistant coach at Saint Michael's for two seasons.

[Old Guy]

A little light reading for those who may be insomniac or who otherwise find time on their hands during this midweek lull in NESCAC hoop action: a piece from long ago on reffing in the adult men's league, a challenge only the most foolish or desperate will take on: http://sites.middlebury.edu/karllindholm/files/2013/08/reffing.pdf

[NCF]

A little light reading for those who may be insomniac or who otherwise find time on their hands during this midweek lull in NESCAC hoop action: a piece from long ago on reffing in the adult men's league, a challenge only the most foolish or desperate will take on: http://sites.middlebury.edu/karllindholm/files/2013/08/reffing.pdf

Great story  . Speaking as a former basketball coach, you couldn't pay me enough to ref-ever! It is a much tougher job than coaching. I'd just as soon call the perfect game from my vantage point  in the stands (or on the couch) it's so much easier there.

[Charles]

A little light reading for those who may be insomniac or who otherwise find time on their hands during this midweek lull in NESCAC hoop action: a piece from long ago on reffing in the adult men's league, a challenge only the most foolish or desperate will take on: http://sites.middlebury.edu/karllindholm/files/2013/08/reffing.pdf

Great read, thanks!

"footlocker called they want their shirt back"
"get off your knees ref"
"missing a good game"

[ECSUalum]

Trinity won it's game over Fisher last night by 14 or more in a warmup to Friday's game with Middlebury.  Conn College has a game tonight but there is no video/webcast of the game at this time shown.
There are some interesting games going on....primarily in the LEC....tonight.  Some of the games maybe of interest here since the teams involved maybe opponents in the first round of the NCAA....like ECSU who holds a two game lead in its conference.  I may take a look....to see if their star guard is back in the lineup.  Their FY front court rebound leader was back in the last game.  Both were out in the lost to Wesleyan in Middletown.
Forgot to mention that Colby has an in state game tonight.  Live stats available for the Conn and Colby games.

amh63
It has been a bit disconcerting with the way ECSU has been losing players as we wrap up the regular season.  I see people on this thread are talking about revealing player injury status.  This feeds my interests mainly due to the absence of ECSU's Brian Salzillo.  I agree that detailed info on a student/athlete's medical situation should not be "broadcasted" on a blog like we have here, but some info on what to expect for the rest of the season would be appropriate.
It has also been a mystery why Coach Geitner did play Hugh Lindo at Wesleyan, again perhaps he incurred a minor injury, who knows.  Brandon Yarborough has mysteriously been absent from some games as well  
Anyway, I hope all these guys are ready for LEC Tournament play, as the team is at a huge disadvantage without these guys, and I have doubts about getting by RIC if they do not return.  So. Tre Preston, So. Kevin Lumene and Sr. Mike Garrow have worked hard to keep Eastern in these games since Salzillo's absence.  Pool C consideration seems unlikely especially with the loss to the Cardinals.
I guess this is what college basketball is all about.  A positive on all these absences is that some of the younger players are getting more minutes, which should serve the team well next year.
Lookin forward to the Lord Jeffs continued NCAA success, in particular, and the the NESCAC's success in general, (of course except when they play an LEC team )
BTW, It has been extremely interesting reading the comments on the NESCAC thread this year which has many very knowledgeable participants who provide real insight into their respective teams, some of whom write better than some of the "sports writers" in CT newspapers and on TV!!!!

[magicman]

A little light reading for those who may be insomniac or who otherwise find time on their hands during this midweek lull in NESCAC hoop action: a piece from long ago on reffing in the adult men's league, a challenge only the most foolish or desperate will take on: http://sites.middlebury.edu/karllindholm/files/2013/08/reffing.pdf

That was a fun read. Plus K.  I couldn't resist....Now you're at 100!

[amh63]

Old Guy...joining here the chorus of thanks to your article.  Received an e-news from Amherst that has an article on the move of Suzanne Coffey at the Prez's request.  Will attempt to past the info to you directly over the Pond.

ECSU...did watch the "last quarter" of  your Warriors' win...too much drama!  I repeat, it is that time of the season when underdogs challenge the favorites.  D3hoops features today the surprising win of a 11-10 Babson WBB  team over a 21-0 Tufts team...overcoming a 19 point half time deficit.  I agreed with your nice comment wrt to the fine "voices" found on this board.  However, you should not, IMO , flatter those humanities major's large egos .

AmhStud05...want to pick up a thread from an earlier post of yours...Vandy, acknowledge your term..dealing with coaches/Decision makers.  In a recent Hoopsville broadcast, the Babson's HBC was on and impressed me with his awareness of the BB events going on in the region.  He seems to exemplify the coach that has done the scheduling to best position his school's chances to get to the post season.
The interview was before the big upset of WPI by Babson.  The coach knew all about Emerson's coach and potential and the coaches in the region and the impossible task of winning at Williams in Chandler....except by Amherst.  Maybe that was the reason I was impressed with him .

Magicman...since you watched the Middlebury win over Bowdoin, did you see the earlier WBB game?
If not, the announcer talked a great deal about your Cardinals coach's daughter's play.  Even mention that she clearly showed she was the daughter of a coach.

Leave my thoughts on the importance of good announcers to games for Thursday.  Snow day for me!

[nescac1]

Regional rankings out:

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2014/02/12/2014-ncaa-regional-rankings-week-1/

Amherst, Williams, and Bowdoin top three.  Surprised Bowdoin is ranked that high, but if Bowdoin wins its next three games, that means it is a lock to get into the tourney, and probably even two wins in the next three will be enough.  Middlebury is at 11th, so it would take at least three straight wins for Midd to even have a chance at a Pool C, but it is not out of the question.  If Amherst, Williams, and Bowdoin keep winning games, NESCAC is very well-positioned to have two teams host games fairly deep into the tournament. 

[AmherstStudent05]

Regional rankings out:

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2014/02/12/2014-ncaa-regional-rankings-week-1/

Amherst, Williams, and Bowdoin top three.  Surprised Bowdoin is ranked that high, but if Bowdoin wins its next three games, that means it is a lock to get into the tourney, and probably even two wins in the next three will be enough.  Middlebury is at 11th, so it would take at least three straight wins for Midd to even have a chance at a Pool C, but it is not out of the question.  If Amherst, Williams, and Bowdoin keep winning games, NESCAC is very well-positioned to have two teams host games fairly deep into the tournament.

Thanks for sharing, nescac1.  Of course, still some key games left to play (and, just as importantly, some more rankings yet to be published).  Still, at this initial stage, I was very pleased to see that Amherst has already played six of the other ten teams that are currently ranked in the Northeast.  The Jeffs have gone 7-0 against those six teams with 4 wins in LeFrak and 3 on the road.  Of course, we play a seventh team (Middlebury) on Sunday.

Time to finish strong!

[warriorcat]

ECSU Alum

Interesting footnote to your comments on one of Brandon Yarborough's absences.  Brandon missed the January 28 game against Western Connecticut due to a singing performance.   

[magicman]

Magicman...since you watched the Middlebury win over Bowdoin, did you see the earlier WBB game?
If not, the announcer talked a great deal about your Cardinals coach's daughter's play.  Even mention that she clearly showed she was the daughter of a coach.

amh63
I did watch the women's game between Bowdoin and Middlebury. I was hoping to see it in person but Coach Curle's family went to the game with him and there was no room in the car for me. So I watched both games online. Did hear the announcer talking about the Coach's daughter. She will have a lot of announcers talking about her before her college career is over. Bowdoin got a good one when they got her.   

[GingerBaker]

Hi, guys,

First time poster here.  I've been following NESCAC basketball for about 5 years now - focused on Amherst mostly (I have an acquaintance who played there during a particular 4-years stretch).  Lots of great stuff on the boards, all.

I just wanted to chip in re: out-of-conference scheduling for Amherst.  I know their early season schedule isn't terribly gaudy, but I've also noticed that after those first few games (Ken Wright, then small Mass. opponents - like Anna Maria, Westfield St., etc) they tend to schedule a few bruisers before conference play.  I'm especially thinking of Brandeis and Babson.  Both those schools seem to have somewhat competitive programs - while we don't tend to see either go deep into NCAAs, it seems like they always take Amherst down to the wire.  In each of the last few years, one of those two programs has handed Amherst an early-season loss.  Now, Bab/Bran aren't national powerhouses, but they match up against Amherst really well.  I guess my point is that Hixon knows which programs will play Amherst tough - regardless of whether they'd be considered tough outside of that one particular game - and I feel as though he's more concerned with putting his players through tests against teams who always seem to play Amherst really close, as opposed to scheduling some marquee matchup just for the sake of having a big game on a schedule. 

Does anyone agree/disagree strongly with what I've written?  I am pretty happy with Amherst's schedulings the past few years - while those first few contests are "eh" competitively, the games between the beginning of the regular season and the beginning of conference play (which is probably what Hixon and co. care most about anyway...) are much tougher; at the same time, they may not be "brand" opponents (pun intended!)

[amh63]

GingerBaker...welcome aboard ...always nice to hear new voices... read fresh thoughts on topics.  Also welcome to the new Hamilton fans that posted earlier.
Your thoughts on Coach Hixon's scheduling is to me one on Hixon the Coach really.  I basically bundled the number of schools he scheduled the past 4-5 years during the early part of the season and between semesters into several parts with one over riding purpose...one that you picked up on.  Background/preface....Coach Hixon is close to becoming "Dean" of the New England  D3 BB coaches.  A son of a coach who is in the Mass. Hall of Fame...Hixon has.developed a relationship with many regional coaches of like mind.  The early season tournaments have included schools in the local area/community as well as schools like Wash. & Lee whose coach is an Amherst grad.  Recent years has seen the team play schools in NYC.  During the semester break, Amherst has played schools in MD, NVA and Florida.  The common thread, IMO, is to provide his players a learning experience while improving their play and the development of a Team.  Playing NYC style players in small gyms and then going to see a  NBA game.  Going to play in Stevenson, MD against players mainly from the Mid-Atlantic areas...after getting to practice in the NBA NET's facilities on the way down.  Teams that play different styles...full court press...against scholarship players, etc., etc.  some games maybe to help other coaches as well as helping his players develop both as players as well as persons.  I posted several times that playing RIC was a learning experience for his teams.  Tough physical teams that play in your face defense.  Such teams like ECSU and Babson have great shooters, quick guards and players that you find in the the conference and more often in the post season.  In two games last year, in Salem, Amherst played Cabrini and North Central(ILL) in back to back games.  Two teams with all-American players and completely different styles.
Guess I went too long here...snow day here.  14" of snow in the back yard.  Amherst closed again!
Will post later on the topic of Announcers. 

[madzillagd]

Saw a tweet that Conn College is closed as well today.  Any word yet on whether games will be cancelled tomorrow?  Only supposed to be a high of 69 here today so may have to keep the top closed on the cabriolet.