MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Overall, a pretty impressive early recruiting haul for NESCAC this year ... as opposed to last year, which, based on early results, hasn't brought in a wave of impact frosh throughout the conference (only three frosh are in the top 50 in NESCAC scoring, two of them on Conn College, which really had little upperclass talent returning).  A lot of teams are bringing in some serious size up front.  So far, the guys who have been reported:

Amherst: 6'10 Joe Schneider (certainly the biggest-name recruit of the ED round)
Middlebury: 6'5 Zach Baines (another big-time prospect), 6'7 Eric McCord, 6'2 Hilal Daleh
Bates: 6'6 Nick Lynch
Hamilton: 6'5 Michael Grassley
Bowdoin: 6'5 Jack Simonds, 6'6 Hugh O'Neil, 6'7 Connor O'Neil (presumably no relation)
Williams: 6'1 Bobby Casey, 6'6 Miye Oni, 6'9 Jake Porath
Colby: 6'4 Steven Daley

Bowdoin got some badly-needed frontcourt players to step in, with Pieri and Swords graduating.  The Polar Bears could still use a PG, however.  Williams needs a big class, both in size and numbers, and they are off to a strong start; more recruits are sure to come.  Seems as if App, like Maker before him, is looking primarily to outside New England for recruits.  Schneider and Baines could be instant-impact recruits along the lines of Robinson, Sabety, and George last year.  Daley should give Colby a badly-needed dose of athleticism on the wing. 

[AmherstStudent05]

Travel and work have kept me pretty busy the past few weeks so I was unable to watch the Emerson/Brandeis/Babson games.  Maybe that is for the best.  Anyway, I have appreciated reading people's thoughts on the games.

Watching Amherst's earlier games, it does not surprise me that we continue to struggle offensively (the apparent extent of our struggles is much more surprising however).  It should go without saying, but Toomey was a big deal for a reason.  For the past three years we relied on him to be our primary scorer, ball handler, and distributor.  For all the individual talent we might have, it will take some time to bring it together in a cohesive whole.

While I would rather win than lose (obviously), we still have all to play for (Little III, NESCAC, etc).  I am excited to see how the team looks when we return from our New Year's swing through Maryland.

nescac1, that is an interesting thought about playing both Dawson and Berman.  A tempting idea that may well produce dividends in the short run.  Personally, I would prefer that we stick with the bigger lineup (though, again, I am disadvantaged by not having seen Amherst in action recently).  I just feel like our long run recipe for success is a way to make our bigger lineup work.  That is a lot of size for most NESCAC teams to deal with effectively.

Anyway, happy holidays, all!

[Middfan]

Now that the semester is winding down I'd be interested in getting peoples thoughts on the top 5/10 teams in the region. I have included some info based (with updated records) on the last top 25 poll.

Top 25
#2 Amherst 5-2 (lost at home against unranked Brandeis and against #23 Babson)

#12 WPI 8-1 (lone loss was at a neutral site against Cabrini who has since dropped out of top 25, but is still receiving votes)

#13 Albertus Magnus 6-1 (lone loss was at #7 Richard Stockton)

#15 MIT 7-3 (lost at home against unranked UMass-Boston, at Rhode Island College – receiving votes and at Bridgewater St – unranked)

#19 Eastern CT 8-1 (lone loss was at Hartwick - unranked)

#23 Babson 8-1 (lone loss was at home against Bates – receiving votes)

Receiving votes:
Williams 7-2 (lost at home against unranked Southern VT and against unranked Oneonta St)

Bates 7-0

Keene St 7-0

Rhode Island College 7-3 (lost at Marymount – receiving votes, against #19 Eastern CT and at unranked Johnson and Wales)

Middlebury 7-0

Western CT 7-0

Bowdoin 6-3 (lost at #23 Babson, at Bates – receiving votes and against unranked Colby)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As we start the beginning of the conference season I am curious to know why Middlebury is getting very little play as a top team.  I know that a few posters did mention them as a NESCAC contender early on.  But since then, not so much.  Yet, all they've done is go 7-0.  Might it be the close wins, no big-time wins as of yet, lack of a big man, no returning all-stars?  I really like what I see most of the time and with Daily returning they become a much more complete team.   Thoughts? 

[toad22]

Middlebury is in my top three, and has been from the beginning. If your center gets back, their overall talent is at or near the top. I expect them to be in the NESCAC final four, with a good chance of winning.

[middhoops]

Middfan, the Panthers have played a soft schedule (see Cabrini, or locally, Tufts) and haven't looked overpowering in the process.
With the impending return of Daley the 2nd semester could be looking better.

[NEhoops]

Middlebury is a solid team, that is no surprise to anyone on this board. Undefeated is undefeated and Coach Brown knows what it takes to win. However, last time I checked they haven't beaten anyone with a winning record. Along the same lines, talent doesn't win games - see Tufts. We all know they'll be in the mix in the NESCAC at the end of the year, but when ranking top teams in the country/region, those teams that rise to the top do things to separate themselves game after game.   

A few games of note after break and before conference play starts:

AMH at #19 ECSU - 1/6
BAT at #7 Emory - 12/29
WIL vs #11 WPI - 12/29 (neutral site)

[WPI89]

Middlebury is a solid team, that is no surprise to anyone on this board. Undefeated is undefeated and Coach Brown knows what it takes to win. However, last time I checked they haven't beaten anyone with a winning record. Along the same lines, talent doesn't win games - see Tufts. We all know they'll be in the mix in the NESCAC at the end of the year, but when ranking top teams in the country/region, those teams that rise to the top do things to separate themselves game after game.   

A few games of note after break and before conference play starts:

AMH at #19 ECSU - 1/6
BAT at #7 Emory - 12/29
WIL vs #11 WPI - 12/29 (neutral site)

I think it has been at least since 2005 that WPI will play either Williams, Amherst, or Middlebury in the regular season.  Not sure how much longer before that.  One of you with access to archives maybe can look it up?  I know in the late 80's we played all 3 every year.

[amh63]

To all the posters on this board....have a happy, healthy and warm Holiday Season!

WPI89 ...that implies that your present coach must have a change of heart wrt Nescac opponents?

[WPI89]

It was clearly within his era that the change happened.  It is the old chicken or the egg thing though.  Not sure if there was a problem with home and home or with the NCAA bids becoming so coveted and hard to come by - just a reluctance to schedule 50/50 non-conference games?

Did WPI stop scheduling Midd/Amh/Will and then start winning 20 games every year - or did Midd/Amh/Will stop scheduling WPI becasue they win 20 games every year?

Trinity and more lately Tufts have been the NESCAC steady opponents the past 8 years or so for WPI.

Some of you closer to your programs may have inside info........alas, I do not.

Merry Christmas, CAC posters.

[Old Guy]

Middlebury plays Plattsburgh, Bates, and Tufts on Jan. 6, 9, and 11, all on the road. We'll know better how good the Panthers are very soon.

I don't count on Matt Daley to be a difference-maker. I would love it if he could make a contribution anywhere near his vast potential and talent, but he's a junior and has played only a handful of games. He has been mostly hors de combat. We'll see. I'm taking a very cautious approach and encouraging my Panther pals to do likewise. I think Midd, as is, can play against anyone in NESCAC . . . and vice versa. Could be wild in the league. Any NESCAC win will be a big one. Home court advantage may be more of a factor than usual because of the parity. I consider Amherst and a rejuvenated Williams as the favorites in the league, but that could be mostly out of habit.

I'm glad Midd has three very tight wins, even if they haven't been against powerhouse teams. Last minute/second wins help to produce a positive feeling of possibility in tight games.

Happy holidays, all!

[Vandy74]

Middlebury plays Plattsburgh, Bates, and Tufts on Jan. 6, 9, and 11, all on the road. We'll know better how good the Panthers are very soon.

I don't count on Matt Daley to be a difference-maker. I would love it if he could make a contribution anywhere near his vast potential and talent, but he's a junior and has played only a handful of games. He has been mostly hors de combat. We'll see. I'm taking a very cautious approach and encouraging my Panther pals to do likewise. I think Midd, as is, can play against anyone in NESCAC . . . and vice versa. Could be wild in the league. Any NESCAC win will be a big one. Home court advantage may be more of a factor than usual because of the parity. I consider Amherst and a rejuvenated Williams as the favorites in the league, but that could be mostly out of habit.

I'm glad Midd has three very tight wins, even if they haven't been against powerhouse teams. Last minute/second wins help to produce a positive feeling of possibility in tight games.

Happy holidays, all!

I'm in total agreement OG.  Happy Holidays to you and yours as well.

[middhoops]

Best holiday wishes to all you guys.  Frankly, I miss you this week.

[magicman]

Merry Christmas to everyone here on the NESCAC board. Hope the New Year brings health, wealth, and great times with friends and family.

[jayhawk]

Interview on D3 hoops with Coach Hixon of Amherst
http://d3hoops.com/columns/around-the-region/east-northeast/2014-15/hixon-amherst-lord-jeffs-seeking-identity

[nescac1]

Sobering but inspiring article on Graham Safford:  http://bangordailynews.com/2014/12/25/sports/bates-college-senior-finds-inspiration-hope-through-christmas-tragedy/