MBB: NESCAC

[P'bearfan]

Plus, you know, the hair and the 'stache.

...and since you were at the game, I hope you took the opportunity to share your styling tips with Swords in person instead of anonomously criticizing a 20 year old's appearance on a message board

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Not to make anyone mad, but the talk of the night was how Swords could have ever made All-NESCAC. The guy has some moves, but they seemed very, very slow. He was out of position a lot and his footwork was atrocious. He had 8 inches on everyone else and he still managed to get blocked at least twice and routinely outjumped on rebounds.

I'm not saying he had a bad game, I'm saying it was clear to all of us (I doubt anyone outside the Bowdoin fans and the opposing coaches had actually seen him play) that he plays well below his potential.

Don't think it's a big stretch to interpret your first comments as "he played like crap".  He made the All-NESCAC team by consistently putting up numbers like he did last night.

Regarding his potential...  I'd agrue that you're making the wrong observation.  You're focused on his short comings; not his progression.  Swords development since freshman year has been astounding.  Even last year he played less than 15 minutes a game was in frequent foul trouble and had a very limited offensive contriubtion.  This is a guy who started playing basketball late and is just learning the game.   A lot came together for him this last year and his play has blossomed.  Could his game get better....yes certainly but if I were an opposing coach I would pray that he spent his summer doing something other than learning to hit an 6-8 ft turn around jumper.

Tough to focus on anything but shortcomings when the sample size is one game.

[AncientSonOfHixon]

Well, Amherst pulls this one out, but without Connor Green, I think we're toast. Depth was a major issue this year and I think losing Green and Pollack would just be too much.

yep. (alas.)

But hey, talk about "survive and advance." On to next week.

Now excuse me while I go pour myself a double.

[P'bearfan]

Richard Stockton just absolutely shot the lights out 48% from the field and 39% from the trey line. One of their players #23 Rich Suhr was 5-12 (42%) from behind the arc and on several shots he was really far behind the arc.





48 and 39 isn't exactly shooting the lights out. Not to minimize the shots that were made, but those are pretty pedestrian averages.

Fair observation.....some of those shots were just ridiculous (distance / off-balance) and they came at the worst times.

[middhoops]

What is the nature of Connor Green's injury?

[nescac1]

I think even if Green is out another week, Amherst will still handle the winner of SUNY-Eastern Conn (both of whom have had injury issues of their own) at home.  I just don't see Toomey and Killian combining to go 0-13 from three ever again (and man, I wish they would have, just once, a shooting day remotely like that vs. Williams!).  But the way they have been pouring it on, Cabrini (who I think will make the Elite 8) would be very, very difficult with only three big-time scoring threats out there.  What makes Amherst so tough is that they have four guys who can beat you one-on-one.  If that is down to three, it's a big difference, especially if one guy is having an off night or has to sit with foul trouble. 

[lefrakenstein]

What is the nature of Connor Green's injury?

Jesse, the student announcer, said it was an ankle injury sustained mid-week in practice. One advantage of student announcers is that they typically have the inside scoop. He didn't say anything about the severity of the injury though. Hopefully its a mild sprain and he'll be back in action next week.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Richard Stockton just absolutely shot the lights out 48% from the field and 39% from the trey line. One of their players #23 Rich Suhr was 5-12 (42%) from behind the arc and on several shots he was really far behind the arc.





48 and 39 isn't exactly shooting the lights out. Not to minimize the shots that were made, but those are pretty pedestrian averages.

Fair observation.....some of those shots were just ridiculous (distance / off-balance) and they came at the worst times.

They did shoot 50% in the first half, which is where the entire lead came from.  Also, they were taking shots from 25-28 feet out, routinely - and hitting.  Not a lot you can do about that.

[amh63]

Amherst wins in a low scoring gritty battle....dominated in part by good defense.
Amherst starts the game without Conner Green....twisted ankle in practice.....and is Down 23-21 at the half.  Yes that is the score.  Amherst shoots 4-10 from the foul lane, around 24% from the field and turns the ball over 9 times to 4 for York.  Kalema keeps Amherst close, while Woods is the leading scorer for York with around 10....but is way off on his shots.  Toomey is off on his outside shot but draws several charging fouls and has 10...yes 10 rebounds.
In the second half, Amherst starts to shoot better and goes ahead by double digits, only to have other York players start to hit shots and the York players cuts it down to 3 or less.  Killian starts to drive for layups, George gets blocks and a dunk as well as getting points on the foul lane.  The press trap that worked for awhile in the first half, does not work in the second.  Aaron goes to the foul lane and scores Amherst's last 8 points from the line.  Mussachia that started for Green, contributed with rebounds, defense and points.  Gach comes in and hits two 3's on schedule and Levine puts in good minutes.  Amherst's short bench got shorter for this game....but the bench came through.
Expected a run and shoot game like the Cabrini game.  Got a North Central(ILL) type game where Amherst was behind at the half in a very low score game.  Coach Hixon stated in that game, Amherst stayed close....until the offense started to click.  Amherst scored 42 points in the 2nd half...outscoring  York by 14.  Good enough to advance!

[fanfromct]

Regarding his potential...  I'd agrue that you're making the wrong observation.  You're focused on his short comings; not his progression.  Swords development since freshman year has been astounding.  Even last year he played less than 15 minutes a game was in frequent foul trouble and had a very limited offensive contriubtion.  This is a guy who started playing basketball late and is just learning the game.   A lot came together for him this last year and his play has blossomed.  Could his game get better....yes certainly but if I were an opposing coach I would pray that he spent his summer doing something other than learning to hit an 6-8 ft turn around jumper.

Tough to focus on anything but shortcomings when the sample size is one game.

I believe that the expectations for John Swords are solely due to his height. If he were six inches shorter and had 16 and 16 and 5, he'd be getting a lot of credit for the performance. But people see a seven foot guy and expect him to have all the skills that the 6'6" guy has and when he doesn't have them, the lack gets characterized as "shortcomings". He must have done some things pretty well to get 16/16/5.
And as P'Bearfan said, he has improved drastically over the last couple of years.

If John had the footwork and the touch and the killer instinct to go with his physical size, he'd likely have gotten recruited hard by D1, and at this point, the NBA might be calling.

[nescac1]

Ugghh, technical problems with the Williams video feed, again ...

[middhoops]

So far I can't get NSN for the Plattsburgh/ECSU game or Williams.  Not happy but for the price I can't complain much.

[nescac1]

May be free for us, but the schools are paying.  Pretty ridiculous especially considering that NSN has had major problems two of the last three Williams games ...

[middhoops]

The Cabrini/Richard Stockton game is a good one until NSN gets their act together.

[nescac1]

Williams game on.  Ephs down six early.