MBB: NESCAC

[P'bearfan]

Looking forward to the Bowdoin v Babson game today at 2 pm.

This will be an interesting test for Bowdoin as Babson looks to be a very strong team that is off to a hot start (5-0 so far this season).  Unlike UNE which was a very good outside shooting team, Babson scores mostly inside the arc (they only shoot 26.1% from long range).  Joey Flannery is their leading scorer with 22 ppg but he is followed by 3 other teammates who average double figures.  Bowdoin will need to play much better team defense and shoot better from the outside to win this one.  Babson appears to have similar size to Bowdoin so we should see some interesting individual battles in the paint.

Here is a game preview from Babson:

http://babsonathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015-16/releases/20151128pppfpx

GoUBears!!

[P'bearfan]

Halftime in Brunswick and Bowdoin leads Babso. 36-27.

Lucas Huasman reached the 1,000 point milestone on. 3 pointer.

[warriorcat]

Excellent shooting by Bowdoin.  They had a 14 point lead with 35 seconds left but Babson scored the last five points of the half.  Babson's all-everything player Joey Flannery has 0 pts on 0-5 shooting.  2 fouls limited him to 12 minutes in the first half.

[P'bearfan]

Bowdoin defeats Babson 88-84 in OT.

Bowdoin had opened up a 17 point lead mid way through the second half before Babson made their run.  Haussmann finished the game with 33 points - which is especially impressive considering most of his points came after the break. 

Nice job by the Polar Bears who led almost the entire game and finished the game with two FYs on the floor as both Palecki and Fuller fouled out. This young team is learning how to win close games which should boost their confidence.

[ECSUalum]

Rarely have I seen such a one sided performance by referees than what I observed in Clinton NY at Hamilton College.  Very Very POOR!!  They really tried to hand Hamilton the victory today!!

[nescac1]

Congrats to Bowdoin on a big win for them, and for NESCAC.  Seems like Bowdoin has found its offensive complement to Hausman in frosh Simonds who has been lighting it up. 

Williams pulls away late from a game but overmatched Manhattanville squad.  Once again, Williams struggled immensely as a team to hit open threes.  Guys kept missing, then everyone started hesitating, which bogged down the entire offense until late in the game when a few finally splashed the nets.   Ephs did a great job on defense and rebounding all game, especially on the offensive glass.  They also moved the ball very well.  At some point, hopefully, all the open 3's they are generating will start falling at a higher rate.

Huge individual games for Kyle Scadlock ... 18 points, 13 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, generally a menace on both ends of the floor with his length and athleticism, and some really sweet finishes in the paint ... and Dan Aronowitz, who continues to play very well, putting up a 17-17-4 today and competing VERY hard in the pain.  Those two form an extremely athletic pair of forwards who are both adept at finishing inside.  Scadlock's first game as a starter, and I don't see him returning to the bench anytime soon. 

The bad news for Williams is that Greenman, who was playing well, left the floor early in the game with what looked like an ankle injury (hopefully not too serious, but he did not return).  With 2/4 point guards on the roster in street clothes already, that left the Ephs extremely thin in the backcourt.  Frosh Bobby Casey played a very poised game, playing big minutes as the primary ball-handler against the press and finishing with 9 points, 3 assists, and only two TOs.  Although he shot only 3/11 from deep, I swear that four of those misses were halfway down before somehow rolling out.  You can feel his break-out scoring game coming but in the meantime he doesn't force the issue and makes the right decision with the ball. 

Seldom-used Adam Kroot also hit two huge threes for the Ephs at critical times in the game when the rest of the team was struggling. 

Again, Williams has yet to REALLY get humming on offense but you can see signs ... just need to start hitting more open shots!  And the D and board work was outstanding today.  Hopefully Greenman is not hurt badly because if he is, Williams will be desparately thin on the perimeter. 

[amh63]

Just finish watching ECSU's win over host Hamilton at its tournament.  Announcer seemed to struggle a bit with the Warrior's school name...calling Eastern State, Eastern Conn., Conn. state...settled on Warriors . 
ECSUalum....missed the first half and most of the second, my friend....took a nap!
Announcer did say that Hamilton had a 11 point lead in the first and your Big, Big man ...all 7'3" center got into foul trouble??.  Your 6'11" player..Canny?...looked good.
Anyway, Hamilton had some tall players on the floor and some players that have a nice stroke from outside.  Otherwise, they seemed to blend together.  I did see a freshman from California get some time at point.  Has an outside shot and can handle the ball.  This Hamilton team may surprise people.
Did see that Colby, Midd, Williams won.  Midd won big...over Johnson State,  Magicman!  Must have heard you .
Oh yes, did watch the first part of the Babson vs Bowdoin game.  Last year, the Polar Bears lost to Babson in an away game....one in which Swords had a double double and Hauseman had ten points.
I wanted to watch undefeated Babson play....a future Amherst opponent.  I wanted to see the duel between two All-Americans.  I was disappointed in the first half that I watched...not so much in the overall play of the teams, but in the play of the "stars".  Babson's returning All-everything player was hardly mention and I thought he was hurt?  Hauseman, to be blunt, was not distinguishing for the most part.  He got picked bringing the ball up, missed several outside long ball shots...did make one inside drive with a nice baseline move.  Was looking to see how Babson was guarding him..who was guarding him.
In summary, I switched games before the first half ended.  Seems I missed a dandy of a second half.  Oh yes, I did see the three that gave the Bowdoin star senior his 1000th point...nice milestone!

[ECSUalum]

Just finish watching ECSU's win over host Hamilton at its tournament.  Announcer seemed to struggle a bit with the Warrior's school name...calling Eastern State, Eastern Conn., Conn. state...settled on Warriors . 
ECSUalum....missed the first half and most of the second, my friend....took a nap!
Announcer did say that Hamilton had a 11 point lead in the first and your Big, Big man ...all 7'3" center got into foul trouble??.  Your 6'11" player..Canny?...looked good.
Anyway, Hamilton had some tall players on the floor and some players that have a nice stroke from outside.  Otherwise, they seemed to blend together.  I did see a freshman from California get some time at point.  Has an outside shot and can handle the ball.  This Hamilton team may surprise people.
Did see that Colby, Midd, Williams won.  Midd won big...over Johnson State,  Magicman!  Must have heard you .
Oh yes, did watch the first part of the Babson vs Bowdoin game.  Last year, the Polar Bears lost to Babson in an away game....one in which Swords had a double double and Hauseman had ten points.
I wanted to watch undefeated Babson play....a future Amherst opponent.  I wanted to see the duel between two All-Americans.  I was disappointed in the first half that I watched...not so much in the overall play of the teams, but in the play of the "stars".  Babson's returning All-everything player was hardly mention and I thought he was hurt?  Hauseman, to be blunt, was not distinguishing for the most part.  He got picked bringing the ball up, missed several outside long ball shots...did make one inside drive with a nice baseline move.  Was looking to see how Babson was guarding him..who was guarding him.
In summary, I switched games before the first half ended.  Seems I missed a dandy of a second half.  Oh yes, I did see the three that gave the Bowdoin star senior his 1000th point...nice milestone!

The Hamilton announcer was not too bad but kept describing Eastern's navy blue uniforms as black.  Even over the computer they looked blue so maybe he was colorblind?!  However every time  ECSU started to pull away during the game, the refs would make these terrible calls and allow the Continentals to get back into contention, while, at the same time Tre Preston and Tarchee Brown, (ECSU's top scorers, would, for example,drive the base line and be thrown to the back wall, with no call.... just really frustrating when you have home boys officiating the game.  You could also see Coach Geitner's frustration mounting, who generally stays calm when the refs miss a few calls.
Having said that, I agree Hamilton has some very good bigs and can kill you from 3 point range if you let them, so they need to be guarded closely.

[magicman]

It seems I am getting spoiled.  Remember the days not to far back when I got mad when webcasts cost money!

amh63,
Good thing that you didn't try and watch the Championship game of the Rochester Thanksgiving Tournament that had Oswego State playing host Rochester for the title. Free webcast...not on your life. Rochester charged $6.95 to view that one. Must be the Yellowjackets endowment figures are way, way, down.   Happy to report that Oswego defeated this (all of a sudden) poverty stricken school by a 55-54 final margin. Rochester fans across the country, must love it when their team goes on the road and they actually get to watch them for free.    

[GoWesYoungMan]

So the league goes 11-3 (vs 19-12 pre-thanksgiving) over the weekend highlighted by a big win for P'bear's crew over #10 Babson. Nice recovery overall. Definitely impressed with Bowdoin's victory. Way to represent the NESCAC.

For Wes, a too comfortable 49-32 advantage turned into an uncomfortable 67-71 deficit behind a period of excellent 3 point shooting by Union. Fortunately a big 3 pointer by PJ Reed and clutch free throws by BJ Davis secured the win. Hopefully more victories for everyone before finals. Someone else may have more insight but I believe the  overall success of the league out of conference can be the difference between getting two bids or four come March.

[polbear73]

Great win for a very young Bowdoin squad and the emergence of first year Jack Simonds as a scorer is huge.  However, Bowdoin received 70% of its offense from two players, so more balance is desirable.  Given a relative lack of size this year, hopefully Bowdoin will continue to find ways to win despite large deficits in rebounding. 

[amh63]

I will join the Bowdoin "bandwagon" here...based on what I heard and saw....even as I missed the 2nd half. 
First, in a comment I made wrt to Hamilton about the play of a freshman guard from California, I now realize that he is a Bowdoin player! My bad or whatever people say these days.  The small guard impressed me and kudos to the HC for finding him minutes.  Yes it is a different look for the Polar Bears this season.  No really tall front court players but some "big" experienced ones that battle and move well.
Have to find a descriptive term for players that have bulk/size.  Others use terms like thin and even skinny for front court players....usually freshman.  Other terms for space eater in the front court are big, wide body, hefty and bulky.  Amherst's Conklin is a wide body and strong.  George is still rather thin body for his size but I'm sure he is stronger and more muscular now than when he came into college.  Oh, yes, I would describe Robinson as a thin body player but a big player.  Boy I'm confusing myself here.  Best stop.

[nescac1]

I will alas be missing the next handful of Eph games so I will look forward to reports from Toad and/or other posters here!  The Ephs' next four opponents are very tough, and without, potentially, the starting backcourt, they will need the bench guys to step up in a huge way. 

After last year's fairly weak overall first-year class (McCarthy looks like the only potential all-American, and maybe ultimately the only all-NESCAC type, from that group, although Riopel and Pace are both guys to keep an eye on), it looks like we have an extremely strong group of frosh this year in NESCAC.  I'd pick any guy in the top six as no worse than the second best rookie in last year's class. 

An early NESCAC ROY watch:

1. Jack Simonds -- has helped carry Bowdoin along with Hausman.  Averaging 19-6-2 plus 1 spg while shooting the lights out.  Those are all-NESCAC type numbers if he keeps them up. 

1(a): Kyle Scadlock -- similar to McCarthy last year, a two-way terror who gets better each game ... a future DPOY candidate and already one of Williams' top two players.  Has put up impressive numbers (13-8-1 on 58 percent shooting from the field) in relatively limited minutes as he works his way back from an injury that forced him to miss his entire senior year of high school.  I think will be the ROY if he stays healthy, but Simonds edges him out for the top spot right now on the strength of his big game vs. Babson. 

3. Peter Hoffman, Hamilton -- Hamilton looks like a team which will struggle this year but he is the leading scorer on the team as a frosh, and that counts for something!  13 ppg on strong shooting numbers: 47/39/83

4. Bobby Casey, Williams -- has been solid playing the point for Williams, and with Greenman and Galvin banged up, his role is only going to increase.  Right now putting up a very respectable 9-3-3 stat line while averaging only 1 topg.  As he gets more comfortable in  his role (and as the open shooters he consistently finds start knocking down more shots) I anticipate that his ppg and apg numbers will both rise a bit, and likely the topgs as well once he starts to be more aggressive on offense. 

5. Joe Schneider, Amherst -- on talent alone he is easily in the top three, and his production on a per-minute basis has been immense, in particular his 1.7 bpg in only 4.3 mpg!.  Unfortunately for him he is stuck behind two talented upperclassmen at the 5.  Somehow, I think Hixon will find a way to get him some time on the floor as the season goes along.

6. Connor Merinder -- 5-4-1 while shooting 67 percent in limited minutes.  Look for his role, and his production, to rise for the Bantams. 

Highly anticipated guys who have yet to make an impact:  Zach Baines, Midd (adjusting from dominating a very low level of competition, but he will get his chance I'm sure at some point), Salim Green, Wesleyan (out all season so far with an injury). 

Other guys to watch: Tim Ahn, Bowdoin (came up big in Babson and may be starting PG by season's end), Hilel Dahlel, Middlebury, Marcos Soto, Williams (has showcased a silky touch for a big guy), Andrew Groll, Hamilton, Tyler Rowe, Conn College, CJ. Bachmann, Amherst (also putting up huge mpg numbers, very bouncy and a pretty nice luxury as a FOURTH string center). 

[amh63]

Going to miss your perceptive posts, Nescac 1!  Keep safe.
The small guard....freshman from California is Tim Ahn that Nescac1 gave a shout out to in the earlier posts.  Too soon but his poise remind me of a Hurley-like ball distributor that can shoot.
I was reminded why I like Bowdoin broadcasts when the announcer made his unique affirmation of every outside PBear made shot.  A loud energetic "Bang!" Follows.  Takes a little getting used too though.

[booyakasha]

I will alas be missing the next handful of Eph games so I will look forward to reports from Toad and/or other posters here!  The Ephs' next four opponents are very tough, and without, potentially, the starting backcourt, they will need the bench guys to step up in a huge way. 

After last year's fairly weak overall first-year class (McCarthy looks like the only potential all-American, and maybe ultimately the only all-NESCAC type, from that group, although Riopel and Pace are both guys to keep an eye on), it looks like we have an extremely strong group of frosh this year in NESCAC.  I'd pick any guy in the top six as no worse than the second best rookie in last year's class. 

An early NESCAC ROY watch:

1. Jack Simonds -- has helped carry Bowdoin along with Hausman.  Averaging 19-6-2 plus 1 spg while shooting the lights out.  Those are all-NESCAC type numbers if he keeps them up. 

1(a): Kyle Scadlock -- similar to McCarthy last year, a two-way terror who gets better each game ... a future DPOY candidate and already one of Williams' top two players.  Has put up impressive numbers (13-8-1 on 58 percent shooting from the field) in relatively limited minutes as he works his way back from an injury that forced him to miss his entire senior year of high school.  I think will be the ROY if he stays healthy, but Simonds edges him out for the top spot right now on the strength of his big game vs. Babson. 

3. Peter Hoffman, Hamilton -- Hamilton looks like a team which will struggle this year but he is the leading scorer on the team as a frosh, and that counts for something!  13 ppg on strong shooting numbers: 47/39/83

4. Bobby Casey, Williams -- has been solid playing the point for Williams, and with Greenman and Galvin banged up, his role is only going to increase.  Right now putting up a very respectable 9-3-3 stat line while averaging only 1 topg.  As he gets more comfortable in  his role (and as the open shooters he consistently finds start knocking down more shots) I anticipate that his ppg and apg numbers will both rise a bit, and likely the topgs as well once he starts to be more aggressive on offense. 

5. Joe Schneider, Amherst -- on talent alone he is easily in the top three, and his production on a per-minute basis has been immense, in particular his 1.7 bpg in only 4.3 mpg!.  Unfortunately for him he is stuck behind two talented upperclassmen at the 5.  Somehow, I think Hixon will find a way to get him some time on the floor as the season goes along.

6. Connor Merinder -- 5-4-1 while shooting 67 percent in limited minutes.  Look for his role, and his production, to rise for the Bantams. 

Highly anticipated guys who have yet to make an impact:  Zach Baines, Midd (adjusting from dominating a very low level of competition, but he will get his chance I'm sure at some point), Salim Green, Wesleyan (out all season so far with an injury). 

Other guys to watch: Tim Ahn, Bowdoin (came up big in Babson and may be starting PG by season's end), Hilel Dahlel, Middlebury, Marcos Soto, Williams (has showcased a silky touch for a big guy), Andrew Groll, Hamilton, Tyler Rowe, Conn College, CJ. Bachmann, Amherst (also putting up huge mpg numbers, very bouncy and a pretty nice luxury as a FOURTH string center).

Nice rundown. Disappointed no Colby players are on the list (as they shouldn't be for their contributions to date) since the mules rely so heavily on seniors. I'm hoping there is some talent stashed away on the bench, but always hard to tell not seeing them in live game situations or at practice.

Interesting game coming up for Bowdoin @ USM. Surprised by USM's decent start with a win over Bates and only one loss @ UNE, which doesn't look so bad the way that UNE has played (wins over Bates and Bowdoin - when is the last time that has happened?)