MBB: NESCAC

[lemonjello]

Not Amh63, but a few thoughts on Amherst's weekend (first games I've watched in a little while):

In the Tufts game, the offense looked very out of sync against Tufts' zone.  They were hesitant to go inside and challenge the Twin Towers (Sabety and Palleschi) and they weren't hitting from downtown.  They were at times a bit impatient and would force up some jumpers early in the shot clock instead of looking to penetrate and kick  You're not going to win many games shooting 32% from the field (including a combined 4-20 from Connor Green and Johnny McCarthy), but credit to the Jumbo's defense for putting the pressure on Amherst's shooters.  Jeff Racy was the only Amherst player who had a decent shooting day

On the other end, the big guys had their way inside.  David George and Jacob Nabatoff fought valiantly, but they gave up too much bulk to the Jumbo duo.  On the outside, the Jeffs had no answer for the quickness of Tarik Smith (who hit 2 big threes at the end of the first half as Amherst started to close the gap) and the Jumbo's 3-point shooting, which no doubt benefitted from the attention paid to Palleschi and Sabety.

As for the Bates game, it was a much stronger all-around performance.  The 3-point shooting was still sub-par, as Green and Racy were a combined 0-9 from beyond the arc.  However, the Jeffs were able to create some offense inside.  Eric Conklin, who was a non-factor in the Tufts game, broke out with 12 points on 6-6 shooting.  He used his strength in the post to back down the Delpeche brothers and get some easy buckets.  Jayde Dawson used his quickness to drive in the lane for several layups, and Green and George both did some work in the lane as well.

Bates' offense was a little too 1-dimensional in this one, relying heavily on Safford and Boornazian to create scoring chances.  While both guys got their points, they combined to shoot 12-36, and nobody else on Bates was able to step up as a credible 3rd option.

Overall, a very schizophrenic weekend for a young, talented Amherst team.  This may be Dave Hixon's toughest coaching job in quite a while, as he still seems to be figuring out his best lineups and rotations.  Jayde Dawson seems to be the guy at PG for now, but he hasn't been a very efficient shooter and so far has struggled to get his teammates involved.  His quickness and driving ability are exceptional, but his outside shot has been a weakness.  They will have to figure out how to integrate Reid Berman's vision and passing ability and Ray Barry's toughness and defense as well.

On the inside, there are lots of guys competing for playing time.  One wonders whether the more physical Conklin should've had more playing time against Tufts, and figuring out how to get the back-from-injury Ben Pollack into the rotation is another challenge.  Nabatoff brings some nice versatility to the 4 position with his ability to shoot the 3, but he does give up some size and toughness against teams like Tufts that start 2 bigs.

The 2-3 spots seem pretty settled with McCarthy/Green/Racy/Riopel.  Green has been in a bit of a shooting slump to start the season, but I imagine he'll be back to his old self in no time.  He needs to stay aggressive and look to drive inside when his jumper isn't falling.  McCarthy is going to be a fun player to watch develop over the next few years.  Athletically and aesthetically, Johnny's game is reminiscent of Willy Workman's, though his offensive game is more polished than Willy's was at the same stage.

This is a young team, still struggling to figure out their roles after substantial roster turnover.  Poor foul shooting and inconsistent 3-point shooting have held them back so far, but there is significant potential for improvement.  It may take some time for them to gel and I expect some inconsistent performances, but their ceiling is very high. 

[hoya73]

I also spent the weekend in Amherst and found the foibles of a young team equal parts depressing and uplifting.  Can't add much to Lemonjello's analysis--there was a lot of effort on Friday but not particularly purposeful.  The zone really bothered them and I think if Ben was healthier the ball would move a little more, but no excuse.  Tufts is potentially very very good.  Of course they usually shoot 27% from three and made 55%, that tends to help.  But they play good defense and the big guys are beasts.  Back in the old days (2004-2006) they didn't handle prosperity well, and the rest of the contenders will have to hope that some things don't change.
Of course Saturday was a totally different experience--LJs played confidently (still not shooting anywhere near what they are capable of) and played as a team on defense (still need to box out better).  Upside potential was glimpsed.  Let's see if they play well against Williams and Trinity this week.

[Corazon]

Excellent summary, Lemonjello.

[WPI89]

Some "new" posters but mostly lots of quiet over here?  You guys are going to start to be like the NEWMAC board.........cricket.....cricket.....cricket.......

Any thoughts on front page Top 25 article?

[middhoops]

Don't worry WPI89, with all the upsets and reassessing almost every team on the weekends, most NESCAC posters need to rest their typing muscles during the week.  Williams plays their Little Three game at Amherst tomorrow and rumor has it that Hayden Rooke-Ley will play.  Check us out on Thursday morning.  No crickets, guaranteed.

[WPI89]

another + Mid.  I have to do my day job now but I think there is a chance you may have the best +/- ratio on the whole board!

[Corazon]

I'm a soccer guy first and foremost, but I love hoops also.  Still getting up to speed on the NESCAC.  Will try to contribute more going forward. 

[Corazon]

I should add that the basketball posters seem better behaved.  Most of you have overwhelmingly postive karma points as opposed to NESCAC soccer where majority of posters' karma points are tilted to the negative.  I think it is mostly because non-NESCAC soccer fans do not like NESCAC fans. I find it quite humorous.

[Corazon]

Still learning, so apologies if I am asking obvious questions here, but how does the NESCAC fare nationally in hoops?  They do very well in soccer - probably the best conference in soccer, and certainly one of the tops, causing a lot of resentment outside the conference.

Do you have a similar dynamic in basketball?  One of my theories in soccer is that there is so little D1 money to go around in soccer that a number of players who could play D1 simply choose a NESCAC for the academics as only the Ivies and a few other schools can compare.  When schools cost $60+, that $10k from a mediocre D1 is not that appealing.

[MENESCACFAN]

I am the exact same as Corazon, and actually checked this board out after his recommendation in a post.  It seems much more respectful and intelligent.  The soccer board is interesting, but people on there far too sensitive and defensive.

I watch the Bates, Bowdoin and Colby games so it is typically mid to late season I have an idea of what is going on conference wide, though did miss all the games this weekend due to a family vacation.

I will be attending Bates v Tufts this weekend.  Looking forward to seeing Tufts as they certainly seem to be very good.  I heard a rumor Safford from Bates is actually playing out this year on a hernia.  Only parent gossip, but if true that could hurt the Bobcats.

[Pat Coleman]

Still learning, so apologies if I am asking obvious questions here, but how does the NESCAC fare nationally in hoops?  They do very well in soccer - probably the best conference in soccer, and certainly one of the tops, causing a lot of resentment outside the conference.

Do you have a similar dynamic in basketball?  One of my theories in soccer is that there is so little D1 money to go around in soccer that a number of players who could play D1 simply choose a NESCAC for the academics as only the Ivies and a few other schools can compare.  When schools cost $60+, that $10k from a mediocre D1 is not that appealing.

The NESCAC is a power conference in basketball as well. Perhaps not the absolute best conference but annually on a short list that includes the WIAC, CCIW, UAA and ODAC.

[Corazon]

Hi MENESCFAN!

If you write as intelligently about basketball as you do about soccer, people on this board are in for a treat.

[grabtherim]

What's soccer?

[gordonmann]

How does the NESCAC fare nationally in hoops?

Check out the Conference Guidebook for a comparison of the NESCAC's non-conference and NCAA tournament performance relative to all the others in Division III.

[Bucket]

Hi MENESCFAN!

If you write as intelligently about basketball as you do about soccer, people on this board are in for a treat.

Let's just all pray that LaPaz or Mr. Right or Whatever Name He's Going By Now doesn't develop an interest in basketball.