MBB: NESCAC

[pjunito]

nescac1, I saw Purchase play at Albertus just over a month ago. Joel Neri is huge! Sometimes SIDs like to give an extra inch and maybe a pound or two. No need to do that when talking about Mr. Neri. He is 7'2 and is big. Purchase is long and has great size. They play a Syracuse zone, it's a 2-3 but their size and length makes it look like a 3-2. Neri and Haughton sit on the low block and clean everything up (rebounds, blocks, or force shots). Neri has only played basketball for 4 years, his offensive game is coming along. He has a nice soft touch for a big man, but is still working on his foot work. Purchase does not have great offensive players, but Nixon (number 3) is the real deal for them. He is a slasher and a competitor. He is also very crafty. Agaisnt Albertus he hit 7 three pointers (he was fouled on 3 three point attempts; 2 went in.... Yes! He had two 4 point plays). He kicks his leg out like Kobe and Reggie when he shoots. Neri isn't the guy to worry about if playing them. It would be Nixon and Haughton. Nixon as the slasher and Haughton cleans up the glass very nicely. They want to play a low scoring game.

As for Albertus, Victor L is probably the best big man no one talks about. He is extemely skilled in the post and can make shots with either hand. He has great feet and is quick when making decisions.

I think Albertus or Purchase comes out of this pod.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'll most likely be making the trip to Cabrini for Friday's games - it's the closest pod to my house.  I'm looking forward to seeing Bowdoin.  They'll be the underdog, but it's totally a winnable game.

[P'bearfan]

I'll most likely be making the trip to Cabrini for Friday's games - it's the closest pod to my house.  I'm looking forward to seeing Bowdoin.  They'll be the underdog, but it's totally a winnable game.

I'll be there as well.  Hope to see you at the game.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I suspect Amherst men would have the edge to host Cabrini and the rest in the second weekend, except the women will have the rights... so if you are a Lord Jeffs fan and want to see Cabrini come to your gym... you have to route against your own women's team... #awkward

[ronk]

I suspect Amherst men would have the edge to host Cabrini and the rest in the second weekend, except the women will have the rights... so if you are a Lord Jeffs fan and want to see Cabrini come to your gym... you have to route against your own women's team... #awkward

Yes, and as a Scranton fan, I'll be hoping(pending winning the Brockport regional) for a geographical sectional  selection for the Scranton men with the Lady Royals likely to be in Montclair.

[magicman]

A few notes to respond to a few notes.

The SUNYAC teams in the Amherst bracket have indeed experienced some setbacks that will certainly impact their performance in the tournament.

Brockport did lose their preseason All American, John Ivy, who was averaging over 21 ppg. Ivy was hurt in a loss at Oswego on Feb. 18th and his collegiate career has unfortunately come to an end. He was, as nescac1 noted, the all time leading scorer for Brockport and he will be missed. He was a super talent and a fine young man. This would have been his first NCAA tournament in his 4 years at Brockport and I'm convinced his team could have made a nice run this year. However, Brockport is a deep team and in the 4 games that the Golden Eagles have played since Ivy went down they are 4-0 and have had 2 freshmen step into the lineup and put up almost as many points as Ivy would have. They will still be a dangerous team.   

Plattsburgh State was missing their top 2 scorers over the weekend in the semifinal and championship games of the SUNYAC tournament. However they did not lose those players to season ending injuries. The top scorer for most of the season has been Shamoy McIntosh who was averaging right around 15 ppg until mid February. He injured his knee in mid January but continued to play until he was hurt in the last game of the regular season against Buffalo State. He missed the SUNYAC playoffs but should be healthy for this weekend's NCAA games. I was told he could have played last weekend but they kept him out to make sure he was ready for the Dance. The other player that Plattsburgh did not have last weekend was Shavar Fields and he is no longer on the team because of disciplinary reasons. He did not suffer an injury. He had overtaken McIntosh as the team's top scorer with a 14.5 ppg average and was the 2nd leading rebounder with 6.2 rpg. So the Cardinals will only be missing one key player, but of interest is the fact that this Cardinal team has had NINE different players lead the team in scoring, in a game, this season. I don't think you'll find that statistic, on another team, in any division, in the country. If any team can overcome the loss of a player I think it's this team. Missing both those players over the weekend they were still able to defeat Geneseo and then came within a point of beating Brockport on the road.

Richard Stockton, Bowdoin's first round opponent, is a very athletic team, similar to the Plattsburgh State team that middhoops, Vandy, and Bucket saw against Middlebury in Pepin. When Plattsburgh State played Stockton, it was their 2nd game of the year at Stockton and the host team had a chance to scout Plattsburgh and had the day off before their matchup. Stockton had a team back out of their tip off tournament so instead of all 4 teams playing a game on Saturday with the winners playing on Sunday like normal, Stockton played Bridgewater State on Friday. Plattsburgh played Bridgewater State on Saturday evening while Stockton watched and then Plattsburgh played Stockton on Sunday afternoon. The home team had all the advantages and the game was tied with several minutes to go. The home team got the benefit of some calls late in the game and pulled out a 4 point win. I think Stockton, despite the height advantage that Bowdoin has, will win this game.

I agree with pjunito that Albertus or Purchase wins that 4 team pod. I watched the first matchup between these 2 teams that took place at Albertus back in January and it was a back and forth affair that could have went either way. I think Purchase, at home, wins the rematch. Should be another great game.

I think the top 3 teams are Stevens Point, Illinois Wesleyan, and Amherst in no particular order. Still not convinced that Washington U is as good as the polls say they are. The UAA was not that strong this year. Wash U lost to Carthage 82-80. The 7th place team in my conference, Buffalo State, beat Carthage on a neutral court. Cabrini is another team that I think is ranked higher than they should be. I like Williams, Whitewater and Wooster over Cabrini.               

[nescac1]

magicman and pjunito, thanks for the info.  I'm still a bit skeptical of the ability of the SUNYAC teams to overcome the losses of such key players for more than a game or so vs. teams other than each other, especially over the long haul of a tournament (it's one thing to step up for a game or to, another to do so over the course of 4-5 more games against top-tier opponents).  Although Plattsburgh has a favorable draw and given that one of the two is returning healthy, I still like them to advance to play Amherst.   

Dave, it looks very unlikely that the Amherst women would host the Sweet 16 round of games, in all events.  Tufts, Bowdoin, and Ithaca, all of whom appear to be seeded ahead of Amherst (certainly Tufts is) would all have to lose, right?  I seriously doubt that Tufts in particular fails to make the Sweet 16, so they will likely host. 

I can't deny that Williams' draw for the first few rounds looks good on paper, but a few years back, I would have said the same thing and Williams barely survived a talented Husson team that no one though much of, before going on to make it to Salem.  There will always be a few teams who are overlooked because they play in lesser conferences, but can still really play.  I also think Babson could give the Ephs a lot of trouble.  Kenny Ross is a tough, crafty D1 transfer at point guard, heady player who controls the game.  Babson has a lot of size and talent up front, definitely a bulkier team than Williams is used to playing (6'6 250, 6'7 220, 6'4 200).  Before falling to Springfield in OT in the conference, tourney, they had won seven straight, including three over NCAA teams.  Five of their six losses on the year came vs. NCAA teams as well.  They are not deep at all, and their aggregate three point shooting percentage is not stellar, but their top seven is solid. 

[amh63]

Been reading the posts and now the talk about the NCAA games ahead. 
Still in travel mode...since my flight into Regan AP was cancelled twice and have switched to the train today.  In any case.....several comments wrt to the brackets and several "teaser" notes before my comments on the conference games...atmosphere things. 
AMStud05....with due respect to D3hoops polls....The NCAA commitee does their own rankings.  Note that 4 teams from the NEWMAC got in because of the upsets.  In the ODAC, the higher seeds were upset in their tourney, etc. 
Remember guys, Amherst has met Calbrini last season in a run and shoot game. 

Was very quiet during the Williams game...sitting next to the wife of one of the refs for the game.   Did find out which ref....not that dumb.
Mention to the Amherst AD that some of the games video feed were poor...based on posts.  He thanked me and said he would look into the matter.  Maybe important into the future coverage coming out of Amherst.  Who broadcast those games?

Madz....check with your nephew...if he saw a crazy Amherst alumni in the elevator on Sat. night.  Seems that the Williams team was at my hotel on Sat.  They were at another hotel on Friday...where the Toomey family was staying.

Seems that Big Pete and parents were at the same Diner as the Williams team on Sat. morning.  Big Pete Kaasila specifically told the waitress to put him near the Ephs.

For those fans to get a feel of the Amherst vs. Williams finals....there are some photos of the game on the Amherst website...yes a lot of the three seniors that Nescac1 wants to buy graduation presents for.....just kidding here since there may be a game 4 ahead...in the final four?  What I want to point out are several pictures with both teams players on the floor going after the ball.  Great effort and energy shown.

Last points...Ben Pollack is in one of the picture.  Spoke to his mother on Sunday...her son was near the Amherst bench.  He had his ACL repaired on Friday.
Late in the second half of the game...Berman's father pointed out that Aaron was exhaushed.  Toomey was bent over, hands on his knees and shirt wet with sweat.  Seems that Aaron was under the weather before the game...one of the reason he was taken out for a spell in the first half.  This was confirmed after the game among the players.
It is important to point out that Aaron tied the great  Crotty for assists in a single  tournament game....with 12.  He did not get near the Amherst Olsen record for the tournament...27.  Toomey had only 21.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'll most likely be making the trip to Cabrini for Friday's games - it's the closest pod to my house.  I'm looking forward to seeing Bowdoin.  They'll be the underdog, but it's totally a winnable game.

I'll be there as well.  Hope to see you at the game.

I'm always easy to spot - I'm the only person in the gym wearing Eastern Nazarene College gear.  That used to be a sort of ironic joke at the NCAA Tournament, it's less so now, but still a good way to be identified.

I also usually tweet the games @ryanalanscott if anyone needs updates.

[mailsy]

Has anyone seen Bridgewater State play? Nothing going on on the MASCAC board so I figured I ask some of the NESCAC posters. Thanks.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Has anyone seen Bridgewater State play? Nothing going on on the MASCAC board so I figured I ask some of the NESCAC posters. Thanks.

They're going to be on par with most of the teams in the CSAC (besides Cabrini).  A slightly-above-mediocre team in a pretty poor conference.

[lefrakenstein]

I suspect Amherst men would have the edge to host Cabrini and the rest in the second weekend, except the women will have the rights... so if you are a Lord Jeffs fan and want to see Cabrini come to your gym... you have to route against your own women's team... #awkward

Thanks Dave. It's especially awkward when you live with a former all-nescac amherst womens' bball player. I suppose I'll be keeping my feelings to myself the next couple of weeks.

[NE Jeffs Fan]

Tufts would have to lose this weekend for Amherst Women to have a chance of hosting next weekend. 

[gratefulfred15]

Anyone have any predictions for the nescac accolades since they're being released tomorrow? Here are mine:

1st Team:
G- Aaron Toomey
G- Connor Greene
F- Tom Killian
F- Duncan Robinson
C- Mike Mayer

Gotta think that Amherst will place 3/5 on the first team all-nescac.  I think toomey will win player of the year again, killian is a close runner-up and Greene would have won it if neither of the other two were playing this year.

Most improved player: Connor Gach

I know people might think this is crazy, but I can't see it going down any other way. Gach has been an incredible asset for the Jeffs off the bench this year and you gotta think that they'll give him most improved player nod after his career year this season.

[AmherstStudent05]

Grateful, nice picks!  But why no love for Kalema and George? Why don't we just make it a clean sweep for Amherst? Let's also pencil in Mussachia as the 6th Man of the Year.