MBB: NESCAC

[jumpshot]

We all recall the Middlebury men's basketball assistant coach's (formerly head coach?) comment in Road to Salem interview about amHerst arrogance several years ago about the time of hixongate ....

Also, Vegas betting an announcement forthcoming tomorrow evening (Friday) that the lord jeff mascot removed based on trustees' vote. In some enterprises it's not how many votes there are, it's how much each one counts.

Sometimes the golden rule applies ----he who has the gold makes the rules.

Looking forward to amH63's post-decision analysis directly from Washington of this critical issue and other student and alumni concerns receiving so much national attention....Possible on-the-scene interviews weather permitting ....

[JEFFFAN]

Not looking for any love here but why the sudden Jeff bashing?  The Ephs crush it on the Director's Cup every year, winning like 15 years in a row, but nothing to be written about that?  We are having a run but that, too, shall pass.

And what, pray tell, is hixongate?

[magicman]

Fun Facts

Tyler Rowe, a freshman guard at Connecticut College, has made the just released issue of Sports Illustrated, with a cover date of Jan.25th. Rowe was featured in the "Faces in the Crowd" section of the magazine. Here is the write up:

"Tyler Rowe    East Hartford, Conn.     Basketball
Rowe. a 5'10" freshman guard at Connecticut College, hit back to back game-winners to help the Camels extend their victory streak to five. He made a layup with 16.1 seconds left in an 82-81 win over Middlebury, then buried a buzzer-beating 20 footer to beat City College of New York 77-75. Rowe was averaging 13.5 points and 3.8 assists through Sunday, January 17th."

Tyler had 13 points and 4 assists in the win against Middlebury on 1-9.

He had 18 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds in the game against CCNY on 1-12.

In the same issue of SI and also in the Faces in the Crowd feature they had a write up about a Women's Squash player from Trinity College:

"Kanzy El Defrawy, a senior co-captain from Cairo, Egypt, swept the clinching match in Trinity's home opening 7-2 victory over Dartmouth. A three time NESCAC Player of the Year she was runner-up in the College Squash Association's  "A" Division singles last season."

Not often a Division III athlete gets a mention in the #1 sports publication in the world. For two D3 athletes to get mentioned in the same issue is extremely rare, and then when you factor into the equation that they were both from the same D3 conference, well the odds get downright mind boggling.

amh63,
I will need you to get out your slide rule and abacus to figure out just exactly what those odds were.
So...419 D3 teams, 44 conferences, 50 issues and 1 magazine. Put that Amherst/MIT education to work and give me the answer so I can use it in my reply to SI.            

[nescac1]

JEFFfan / MEESEfan, Williams, Amherst, Midd and Trinity have all had massive, at times dominating, success in athletics over the past 25 years ... Trinity in football, squash, men's hockey, baseball, Williams across the board in individual sports as well as periods of dominance in basketball, soccer, football, Midd in basketball, hockey, lacrosse, field hockey, etc., Amherst in basketball, football, tennis, soccer.  Yet Williams, Trinity and Midd never seem to engender the same degree of animus as Amherst.  So I guess the question is, why? It's clearly not just Amherst's success on the field, because again, lots of NESCAC schools have been dominant over their peers in many sports over long periods of time, not just Amherst.

There's been ample discussion both here and on the men's soccer board about two Amherst coaches in particular who seem to rub colleagues and opposing fans the wrong way -- that's probably the biggest factor.   (And it's telling that Amherst's football success doesn't seem to inspire the same level of antipathy as in those two sports in particular, I've never heard anyone bash EJ Mills).  No one has ever really had a bad word to say, by contrast, about Coaches Russo, Saward, Maker/Sheehy/Paulsen or Brown, despite similar traditions of success.  Amherst seems to consistently bring in the most D1 transfers to bolster athletics, which may be a factor as well, but I don't think really a significant one in the grand scheme of things.  And the Jeffcast guys (across multiple iterations) have long been keen on mocking opponents, the first Wesleyan game just being the latest example.  If you are willing to dish it out, you have to be willing to take it.  So you can't really be surprised when opposing players or fans take a special degree of relish in beating Amherst, and especially in beating Amherst badly.  The question isn't why you are surprised by Mackey's tweet (and those who applaud him), but why wouldn't you be surprised?

And also, I just really like Mackey's grit as a player -- he is having a rough year with injuries and hasn't found his shot consistently, but I wouldn't bet against him coming through in a big game.  He is the kind of tough guard who gets under opponents' skin. 

[Bucket]

Here's the Road to Salem episode that features Russ Reilly's words in the cold open, and then Old Guy and Russ offering their opinions on Amherst just after the opening credits.

This might have been my favorite episode of the series, precisely because of this candor and because of the terrific rivalry Amherst and Middlebury enjoyed during that 4-to-6-year stretch (Triple OT!, The Workman Free Throw, Box out!, a Midd championship win over Amherst in Pepin, an Amherst last-second championship win in LaFrak, Kizel vs. Toomey). Good stuff.

https://vimeo.com/87147196

[amh63]

Magicman...it would be a low number...extremely low number.  Better parameters to think about in your letter to SI.  Slow news day at the office...and the number of staff and/or writers that have CAC connections.  Historically, SI have had a very large number of senior writers in its heyday that have close connections to Nescac schools.  Bucket's post link with a Midd's video contain such a writer.  Sports writers from Boston often mention their desire to attend CAC schools and have had their children attend. In any case, it is a pat on the back of sorts for the students to get the attention.  Also, as you know, there are a number of CAC alums that have owned a lot of professional sport teams over the years...several in the NYC region.
Plus....I misplaced my abacus

[with age came?]

Relatively new poster (especially to this board) so I'm asking for knowledge....can anybody explain to me the Dr. Jeckyl /Mr. Hyde team of Middlebury??  Bad bad bad road losses and wonderful home wins?!!  Is that the answer or am I missing something? Know I could ask the Magicman but I think he gets sick of educating me all of the time???!!

Three "bads"? Which were the bad, bad, bad, road losses? Conn College by a bucket? RPI by 2 pts? Skidmore by 5? Those very early games in Buffalo and Rochester?

Most of us view the 10 game pre-holiday schedule (eight games on the road!) as a killer, the silver lining being that it may have given the team some iron for their games after the break. A creampuff early schedule helps with rankings but not so much in the league.

My partisan perspective.

Yes those are bad losses on the road.  I'm a Liberty League Fan but that league is not up to snuff with the NESCAC (very few are) and RPI is at the bottom of that league.  Skidmore is a decent team but there is no way that a team that can beat Tufts should ever lose to the Thoroughbreds.  Saw Tufts at Hamilton and Vincent Pace is the best player I've seen this year in d3 (granted that is not too many) but that guy can flat out play! And this was after an gazillion mile trip from Middlebury.  Most of the Jumbos had some real rust in the first half but Pace was excellent the whole game!   Hey if you need a 12th team why not convince my alma matter to drop from d-1 down to d-3 - perfect pairing with Hamilton!!  Maybe for a few years the 'gate could kick some butt??

[Old Guy]

Relatively new poster (especially to this board) so I'm asking for knowledge....can anybody explain to me the Dr. Jeckyl /Mr. Hyde team of Middlebury??  Bad bad bad road losses and wonderful home wins?!!  Is that the answer or am I missing something? Know I could ask the Magicman but I think he gets sick of educating me all of the time???!!

Three "bads"? Which were the bad, bad, bad, road losses? Conn College by a bucket? RPI by 2 pts? Skidmore by 5? Those very early games in Buffalo and Rochester?

Most of us view the 10 game pre-holiday schedule (eight games on the road!) as a killer, the silver lining being that it may have given the team some iron for their games after the break. A creampuff early schedule helps with rankings but not so much in the league.

My partisan perspective.

Yes those are bad losses on the road.  I'm a Liberty League Fan but that league is not up to snuff with the NESCAC (very few are) and RPI is at the bottom of that league.  Skidmore is a decent team but there is no way that a team that can beat Tufts should ever lose to the Thoroughbreds.  Saw Tufts at Hamilton and Vincent Pace is the best player I've seen this year in d3 (granted that is not too many) but that guy can flat out play! And this was after an gazillion mile trip from Middlebury.  Most of the Jumbos had some real rust in the first half but Pace was excellent the whole game!   Hey if you need a 12th team why not convince my alma matter to drop from d-1 down to d-3 - perfect pairing with Hamilton!!  Maybe for a few years the 'gate could kick some butt??

Early season away games. Young team (three frosh playing significant minutes now). Playing against (some) teams with two weeks more practice and games already under their belts. End of the semester academic pressure and fatigue. Not so surprising, really.

Tufts is very good - that was a great game, win.

[grabtherim]

Relatively new poster (especially to this board) so I'm asking for knowledge....can anybody explain to me the Dr. Jeckyl /Mr. Hyde team of Middlebury??  Bad bad bad road losses and wonderful home wins?!!  Is that the answer or am I missing something? Know I could ask the Magicman but I think he gets sick of educating me all of the time???!!

Three "bads"? Which were the bad, bad, bad, road losses? Conn College by a bucket? RPI by 2 pts? Skidmore by 5? Those very early games in Buffalo and Rochester?

Most of us view the 10 game pre-holiday schedule (eight games on the road!) as a killer, the silver lining being that it may have given the team some iron for their games after the break. A creampuff early schedule helps with rankings but not so much in the league.

My partisan perspective.

Yes those are bad losses on the road.  I'm a Liberty League Fan but that league is not up to snuff with the NESCAC (very few are) and RPI is at the bottom of that league.  Skidmore is a decent team but there is no way that a team that can beat Tufts should ever lose to the Thoroughbreds.  Saw Tufts at Hamilton and Vincent Pace is the best player I've seen this year in d3 (granted that is not too many) but that guy can flat out play! And this was after an gazillion mile trip from Middlebury.  Most of the Jumbos had some real rust in the first half but Pace was excellent the whole game!   Hey if you need a 12th team why not convince my alma matter to drop from d-1 down to d-3 - perfect pairing with Hamilton!!  Maybe for a few years the 'gate could kick some butt??

Early season away games. Young team (three frosh playing significant minutes now). Playing against (some) teams with two weeks more practice and games already under their belts. End of the semester academic pressure and fatigue. Not so surprising, really.

Tufts is very good - that was a great game, win.

Old Guy, you and I both remember a team with some very young Midd guys on the floor who lost almost no early season games over a few season run.  That said, this team is getting better and their best games are probably in front of them perhaps this season, but even more so next year and beyond.  The young guys are beginning to realize that they can play in this league.  Confidence looks to be growing.  I especially like what I'm seeing on the defensive end.  If they can get one or two more guys to consistently score the ball, they could be very dangerous, but that's a big "if".       

[Bucket]

Relatively new poster (especially to this board) so I'm asking for knowledge....can anybody explain to me the Dr. Jeckyl /Mr. Hyde team of Middlebury??  Bad bad bad road losses and wonderful home wins?!!  Is that the answer or am I missing something? Know I could ask the Magicman but I think he gets sick of educating me all of the time???!!

Three "bads"? Which were the bad, bad, bad, road losses? Conn College by a bucket? RPI by 2 pts? Skidmore by 5? Those very early games in Buffalo and Rochester?

Most of us view the 10 game pre-holiday schedule (eight games on the road!) as a killer, the silver lining being that it may have given the team some iron for their games after the break. A creampuff early schedule helps with rankings but not so much in the league.

My partisan perspective.

Yes those are bad losses on the road.  I'm a Liberty League Fan but that league is not up to snuff with the NESCAC (very few are) and RPI is at the bottom of that league.  Skidmore is a decent team but there is no way that a team that can beat Tufts should ever lose to the Thoroughbreds.  Saw Tufts at Hamilton and Vincent Pace is the best player I've seen this year in d3 (granted that is not too many) but that guy can flat out play! And this was after an gazillion mile trip from Middlebury.  Most of the Jumbos had some real rust in the first half but Pace was excellent the whole game!   Hey if you need a 12th team why not convince my alma matter to drop from d-1 down to d-3 - perfect pairing with Hamilton!!  Maybe for a few years the 'gate could kick some butt??

Early season away games. Young team (three frosh playing significant minutes now). Playing against (some) teams with two weeks more practice and games already under their belts. End of the semester academic pressure and fatigue. Not so surprising, really.

Tufts is very good - that was a great game, win.

Old Guy, you and I both remember a team with some very young Midd guys on the floor who lost almost no early season games over a few season run.  That said, this team is getting better and their best games are probably in front of them perhaps this season, but even more so next year and beyond.  The young guys are beginning to realize that they can play in this league.  Confidence looks to be growing.  I especially like what I'm seeing on the defensive end.  If they can get one or two more guys to consistently score the ball, they could be very dangerous, but that's a big "if".       

Except those youngsters—three of the best to wear the blue and white in recent years—also had a front court that stood 6' 8", 6' 9", and 6' 10" during their freshmen and sophomore years. That's a heck of a luxury!

[magicman]

Good point, Bucket. You can do a lot of gambling when you have those guys backing up any mistakes you make.

[jumpshot]

Williams in trouble down by 6 at the half versus Hamilton ---largely due to an accumulation of low energy miscues, including slow start, 5 unforced turnovers, 5 times filing to finish at the rim, poor interior defense, no fast break points (by either team), failure to exploit height advantage, etc.

Meanwhile, Hamilton with a well-coached game plan of using the entire shot clock, making 8 of 8 from the foul line, etc.

Will take a much better second half performance for the Ephs to earn this one ....

[Old Guy]

I'm having a great time tonight: no Middlebury game till Sunday (Ephs) - just enjoying the first half of a number of NESCAC games with no skin in the game. Some unexpected first half scores - Bowdoin 47-Amherst 36, Williams 26-Hamilton 33 (at Williams), Colby 27-Trinity 22, Bates 28-CC 23 in New London.

How would Walzy be handicapping these games? Every game - pick 'em. There'll be some great, tight games before it's over tonight.

Back to the action. Love the Bowdoin announcer - a real Yankee: a couple of times he mentioned "the short clock."

[middhoops]

Old Guy, you nailed it.
What a great night of basketball in the NESCAC tonight.
Maybe the best things in life really are free, after all.

[AmherstStudent05]

Amherst defeats Bowdoin 92-78 in a much needed bounce back win.

This game was the story of two halves as we turned a 11-point halftime deficit into a relatively comfortable 14-point win.

While not nearly as bad as the Wesleyan game, the first half was ugly for Amherst as we had 10 turnovers (3 by JMac alone).  We also surrendered 47 first half points.  But, to be honest, I didn't think our D was quite that bad.  Hausman and Simonds were simply incredible.  Hausman is just a scoring machine, as we all know, and Simonds converted a bunch of ridiculously tough jumpers. 

The deficit was actually 17 with just over a minute to play in the half before Green and Racy hit critical back to back 3s to cut the deficit to 11.

In the second half Bowdoin cooled down a bit and Green and Dawson were simply sensational.  Green in particular was outstanding.  Amherst fans were waiting for a game like this from him and he delivered big time.  Racy had another solid game as usual.  JMac and George are still struggling a bit so hopefully they will turn things around shortly. 

Again I can't say how impressed I was with Hausman and Simonds. Those guys can create offense out of anything.  They just didn't get enough help tonight.

Anyway, great win.  Let's keeping it going against the Mules tomorrow.