MBB: NESCAC

[jumpshot]

Polar Bears pick a bad time to play a miserable first half ---strayed from an offensive game plan that would have been effective --get the ball down low to Swords and have him turn left to the basket, use the backboard, don't shoot it free, certainly no fall aways.  Then play inside/out. Also poor defense in failing to close out against three-pointers.... Too bad, lost focus in a big, winnable game for Bowdoin. Let's see what changes in the second half, if anything ....

[lemonjello]

38-24 Jeffs at the half, their depth has definitely carried them so far, as has their long-range shooting.  Connor Green went cold after hitting his first few high degree-of-difficulty shots to begin the game, but Jayde Dawson (11 points) and Jeff Racy (14 points) stepped up to take on some of the scoring burden.  Dawson got to the lane frequently with his quickness and even hit an open 3, while Racy was his usual long-range bombing self (though he did hit one 2-pointer to keep us guessing).  Both guys also contributed on the defensive end with some key steals, giving the Jeffs extra possessions.

David George and Johnny McCarthy have been fairly quiet offensively (though Johnny has contributed), though they've done a great job at keeping John Swords and Lucas Hausman under control.  George has used his strength to keep Swords away from the basket, and some timely double-teams forced the big man to pass it out or cough it up.  McCarthy has effectively chased Hausman around and used his length to harass him.  Hausman will get his points, but the Jeffs have done a good job of keeping an eye on him outside the arc. The Jeffs appear to be winning the rebounding battle, getting numerous second chances via offensive boards.

For Bowdoin, Bryan Hurley and Hausman are the leading scorers, but the Polar Bears will definitely need more help from their teammates if they are going to come back in this one.  Hausman has been solid but disappointing compared to his previous performance, and we certainly know he is capable of putting on a show.  Swords needs to be more of a factor on the offensive end (though he altered plenty of shots on defense), not sure if he is being too tentative or if the Amherst defense is disrupting him that much.

Plenty of basketball left, I'm looking forward to the second half.

[P'bearfan]

Bowdoin made a little run to cut the lead to 14 but turnovers have let the LJs build the lead back to 20

[lefrakenstein]

Amherst leads by 22 with about 5 to play.

I kind of feel bad for Bowdoin -- they look a little tired and the long trip down to Trinity couldn't have helped. Amherst got a big advantage by having a much shorter trip than their opponents. Nevertheless, they've played a great game and their coaching has been excellent, as always.

It's not over yet, obviously, but I'd give the player of the game to McCarthy. He's scored 14 efficient points while keeping Hausman relatively in check on the other end. (although as I type that Hausman just made an and-one)

[jumpshot]

Today's results certainly reinforces Wohl as clearly the NESCAC player of the year ---certainly made his team better in all phases of play, as well as compiling a compelling body of work as an individual performer....

[P'bearfan]

Bowdoin loses to Amherst 56-76

Congratulations to Amherst - they were simply better in every facet of the game today.

Congrats also to Bowdoin's seniors: Bryan Hurley, Keegan Pieri, and John Swords.  Thanks for 4 great years and your leadership.  We will miss you!

[hoya73]

Solid effort by the Jeffs today and great help off the bench from Racy, Dawson and crew.  Bowdoin a very balanced squad, with three very fine players.  Anyone doubting Johnny Mac as  the rookie of the year needs to look at the last three halfs that Hausman had against him.  Add in a few threes and a great putback slam, that kid is going to post some serious stats if he stays healthy for 4 years.  Have no idea how the bids will go.  I feel strongly the league has 5 or six teams good enough, but have no clue how many will go.  One thing is for sure--if Wes wins tomorrow somebody's dream dies.

[old_hooper]

Amherst bench scores 42 points!  coach Hixon lets them shoot the 3s and when they are on it will open up a game real quick.  Congrats to the LJs and the Cardinals.  Coach Reilly has his 2nd NESCAC team in the championship.  He did it in 2005 at Bates with Stockwell and Ray when they lost to Amherst.  Should be a good one tomorrow.

[AmherstStudent05]

Great win for Amherst! Clearly the best game of Jayde Dawson's Amherst career.  Hopefully there is much more of that to come.  Racy, JohnnyMac, and George all had nice games as well, but Dawson really impressed on both ends of the court.

I thought Hausman was largely a non-factor today, but then I look at the box score and see that he had 21 points on 50 percent shooting.  We will see what Connor can come up with tomorrow, but Hausman probably has PoY locked at this point. He has had an outstanding year.

Once again, Swords didn't really hurt us that badly at all. He was more of a factor in the paint on the defensive end this time, but as with our regular season game we just got too many good looks from 3 for that to really matter all that much.

So for the third straight year the NESCAC Championship is a Little III affair.  We handled the Cardinals easily in both regular season contests, but they have obviously picked up their game considerably in recent weeks. Should be a good one.

I have to think that, with today's win, Amherst is definitely going dancing one way or the other, but obviously better to take the human element out of it if at all possible. Bates is probably solid as well, but a Wesleyan win could complicate things for them. Trinity too should be rooting for Amherst tomorrow as well I would think. Harder for me to know how they stand at the moment.

Go Jeffs!

[lefrakenstein]

Another big factor today- aAmherst's bench out scored Wes's 42-0. Hixon's bringing in 4 contributors in last summer's recruiting class has been a huge boost.

[Old Guy]

McCarthy was great but my first star goes to David George for his work in the decisive first half against Swords. Bowdoin was running their offense through Swords, and George made him shoot the ball going away from the hoop, which he doesn't do. Amherst played just about a perfect game.

Jayde Dawson can play a little bit.

Everyone said that it would take some time for Amherst to coalesce, with all these new pieces. Clearly, they have come together at the right time.

Good news for the rest of the league that McCarthy, George, Dawson, Green, and Berman are all seniors. Gives the rest of us hope for next year.

Am I right that only one team defeated both Wesleyan and Amherst in league games, and that team did so by a 50 point combined differential and didn't even make the tourney? Wild.

Does this outcome (#s 6&5 in the finals) contribute to the possibility that Bates gets a bid?

[AmherstStudent05]

[quote author=Old Guy link=topic=4491.msg1659299#msg1659299 date=

Am I right that only one team defeated both Wesleyan and Amherst in league games, and that team did so by a 50 point combined differential and didn't even make the tourney? Wild.

Does this outcome (#s 6&5 in the finals) contribute to the possibility that Bates gets a bid?
[/quote]

Trinity beat both of us in the regular season.

[iwumichigander]

Old Guy - most of the Pool C gurus (and those that just guess😃) have Bates in

[CatCountry2013]

When does the selection committee release the bracket?

[Old Guy]

[quote author=Old Guy link=topic=4491.msg1659299#msg1659299 date=

Am I right that only one team defeated both Wesleyan and Amherst in league games, and that team did so by a 50 point combined differential and didn't even make the tourney? Wild.

Does this outcome (#s 6&5 in the finals) contribute to the possibility that Bates gets a bid?

Trinity beat both of us in the regular season.
[/quote]

Good company