MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Well-played first half, offensively, by Trinity and Williams.  Bantams up by 7.  As an Eph fan, not thrilled with the reffing, a few travels by Ajayi missed and some real touch fouls called on the Ephs for a slew of and-ones, but at the same time, the Ephs have not been playing very intense defense -- letting way too many guys get by their first man off the dribble and not rotating quickly at ALL to shooters.  On the plus side Williams looks much calmer and more relaxed offensively than they did vs. Amherst, generally getting shots from ball and player movement, within the system. 

Ed Ogundeko for Trinity looks MUCH improved, hitting 8-8 from the field including via post-ups, pick-and-rolls and several long-distance jumpers, he looks really smooth and much more under control than last season, when he relied on his superior athleticism.  Williams' frosh have continued their fine recent play, Scadlock and Casey combining for 20 in the half on 8-10 from the field.   The Ephs need to limit their turnovers on offense (a familiar refrain) because they are getting good looks when they don't turn it over.  They need to play MUCH tougher and more aggressively on defense.  Trinity has a big advantage size and strength wide on the interior and figures to keep going to that. 

[jumpshot]

As pointed out in previous posts, Williams is surprisingly fundamentally weak in basic passing and ball handling skills, resulting in unforced turnovers. Also underdeveloped in individual defensive skills, such as handling pick and roll, slipped screens, guarding the baseline, protecting the basket, getting back on defense, etc.

This season fast becoming simply a developmental and teaching year for young players ---which is ok since it is so clearly necessary.

That's why it's Division III ....

[jumpshot]

Further evidence to my point (following conclusion of the loss by the Ephs) ---

Under six minutes: player technical foul, several failures to defensively rebound missed foul shots, unforced poor pass turnovers, etc.

Under two minutes: several unforced poor pass turnovers;

Under 30 seconds: unforced poor pass turnover with one point lead, failure to get back on defense, etc.

Attention to detail matters ....

[nescac1]

That's just a brutal and brutally disappointing loss for Williams.  Jacquan Starks hits a very tough shot in the pain after an invisible game with seven seconds left, that was a great play.  But Williams had SO many foolish turnovers, some unforced, some forced by Trinity, some forced by uncalled fouls.  I thought the refereeing was egregiously one-sided throughout this game, Trinity had a 25-11 foul shot attempt advantage, including EIGHT -- count 'em EIGHT -- on a single possession, essentially (involving an offensive rebound or two and a technical foul on Williams).  There were several times where Trinity guys barreled into Williams guys in position for boards or loose balls, never called.  But Williams STILL would have won but for several offensive rebounds on free throws by Trinity and several cryptic late game turnovers.  I did think the turnover when Williams had the ball, up one, with 30 seconds left was not unforced but rather was caused by a  dude running into the Williams player (I think he may have even been trying to foul him), but about 3 others were, true, just beyond sloppy. 

Ogundeko was a beast for Trinity.  Naylor hit some clutch threes running off screens in the second half.  Ajayi I though got bailed out by the refs repeatedly on out-of-control drives where he could have been called for steps but instead got "fouled." 

Bobby Casey was awesome for Williams scoring 17 points including a clutch deep late 3 which looked like it might be the game winner.  Scadlock also had a huge game with 20 points, many off very, very difficult finishes in the paint.  That freshman duo continues to improve and as they do Williams will only get tougher.  Aronowitz had a solid game as well.  Ephs need to clean up the defensive rebounding off foul shots, switching off screens, and most of all some of the avoidable turnovers.  They played very, very tough defense in the second half of this one, came out with far more intensity than they did in half one, but simply could not catch a break.  On to next weekend! 

[Bucket]

That Colby-Williams match-up on Friday should be some battle—two teams desperate for a win. Hard to believe that one will start the season 0-3.

[jumpshot]

One of the Williams assistant coaches ought to check the play-by-play scorekeeping as the play-by-play stats are inconsistent at the end and beginning of the first half, and the scoreboard in the gym showed only 13 points after Scadlock hit a three-pointer in the first half giving Williams 14 points as reflected after the game in the play-by-play account.

Not sour grapes ----simply pointing our inconsistencies worth checking ---not that it will make any difference now either way. 

[GoWesYoungMan]

Wes entered the weekend justifiably hoping for a sweep (defending champs at home against two teams that did not qualify for the conference tournament). They finished lucky to be 1-1.

As Bucket describes, the Midd-Wes game involved multiple runs by both teams. Midd made their own breaks at the end and deserved the win. Though the score wasn't as bad as last year's crushing loss at Midd, both games were decided by the Midd transition offense. Midd wasn't necessarily faster but they moved the ball faster. The stats gave Midd a 26-7 edge in fast break points and it felt worse than that. Wes committed to pounding the ball inside but the Midd interior defense forced Kuo/krill into 4/22 shooting. The Wes bigs had been feasting on lesser teams and will need to adjust again to the size and schemes of the NESCAC. One option is for more kick outs but of course that might only work if Wes improves from deep where they were outstanding during last year's run.

The Wes-Hamilton game was interesting in that Hamilton led in basically every statistical measure except turnovers and fouls which were 34-16 in favor of Wes. Wes again pounded the ball inside and while the shots weren't dropping the refs were calling a tight game and that eventually resulted in a 28-13 scoring advantage from the line. One of the other keys for Wes was strong defense on Ham pg Jack Dwyer by Kevin O'Brien at the end of the first half and by Harry Rafferty at the end of regulation and OT. Dwyer otherwise did a nice job of managing pace and getting the ball to teammates in a position for them to score.

I was impressed by both opponents and by the transitive property am also impressed with the start by Conn College. Midd lost some big time talent in Sinnickson and Merryman, but overall they are well positioned going forward with their returners and a strong frosh class. Hamilton for key stretches played with three frosh and two sophs. They may not win many games this year but they will compete and should advance in the standings next year.

[nescac1]

Jumpshot I noticed that too.  Scadlock hit a three which was reflected on live stats but not the webcast scoreboard.  Then a point was taken off live stats. Now the box score is totally messed up indicating 45-40 at half and then going back to 38 in second half.  Bizarre.  Also bizarre as App noted in post game comments Ephs were very visible signaling for a TO before last possession and refs didn't see I guess.  It was just one of those days for the Ephs, epitomized by the crazy eight foul shot sequence.  The good news is they are a very young team but improving each game.  The offense is worlds better than it was even a month ago at generating good lucks.  But they have plenty to clean up still as well.

[toad22]

From a Williams perspective, that was a terrible game to lose. The refs sucked (this is division 3 after all). The game played a lot like a mud wrestling contest, particularly near the end. Williams wanted a time out right after Starks made the basket to go up by one. Chris Galvin was wildly trying to get a time out, the ref was looking right at him, and still no time called. I don't know what happened, but it certainly hurt Williams. The T was called on Williams because one of our players dumbly retaliated after he took an elbow to the head as he was jogging down court. It's always the second foul that gets noticed. The good news from my perspective is that Scadlock and Casey, our two best performing freshmen right now, are really good. I'm hoping they truly love basketball, and continue to work to get better in the coming months and years, because they could be truly spectacular. In the short run, we live, and sometimes lose, with our deficiencies.

[jumpshot]

Toad ---

It is useful for Williams coaches to review the videotape of the Trinity game simply to confirm that the score is correct.

[AmherstStudent05]

That Colby-Williams match-up on Friday should be some battle—two teams desperate for a win. Hard to believe that one will start the season 0-3.

I am not so surprised that Williams is staring down a possible 0-3 start.  The Amherst-Trinity road trip is a tough way to start the season -- especially for a very young team that is still looking to find its footing.  I think Williams entered last weekend as a decided underdog in both games.

Colby is more surprising to me.  Is Hudnut playing hurt?  I am only judging by the box scores but something does not seem right there. 

[toad22]

I am told that the whole Colby team, and coaches, were down with the flu. I'm sure they'll be in perfect health for Williams!

[Old Guy]

I am told that the whole Colby team, and coaches, were down with the flu. I'm sure they'll be in perfect health for Williams!

Midd was there last year -  decimated with flu, lost two (Bates, Tufts). We won't reprise that discussion. Hard way to start a 10 game conference schedule. First weekend results present a league competitive from top to bottom (Amherst perhaps excepted). Every conference win, regardless of opponent, is a good one (Captain Obvious here).

[toad22]

Toad ---

It is useful for Williams coaches to review the videotape of the Trinity game simply to confirm that the score is correct.

The refs called the shot made by Scadlock a 2 instead of a 3.

[jumpshot]

Thanks, Toad, for checking and providing clarification for us.