MBB: NESCAC

[Old Guy]

Anyone else notice how Midd puts a player who raises and waves his arms and hands next to the opponent's foul shooter just prior to his releasing the ball? Also nice try by Midd to put another player on the foul line instead of a poorer foul shooter....Come on, guys.

Seriously?

[amh63]

With both sides rotating players in and out....it was hard to track who was who.  Announcer was very good with the players names....which helped me.  I used the color of the shoes....Matt Daly's bright ones  for example...just kidding here.  Recognized No.11, but missed his bright shoes.  Yes indeed, the  talented young players on the floor were contributing for both sides. 
My problem with the PGs on the Williams team, is I cannot tell who they are.  The rotation of young talented players at that position may cause problems...more negatives than positives is what I am thinking.
Enjoyed the game....seems Midd is tied with Amherst presently for second in the conference.
Amherst plays Williams in Willytown on Wednesday.  Hope to see who starts for Amherst at PG and hope to see more energy from Amherst players.

[Bucket]

A handful of observations from Midd-Williams that haven't been mentioned yet:

*The 10-point second-half contribution from Panther sophomore Adisa Majors was huge. He brought a ton of energy to the court, finished around the rim, knocked down all of his free throws, hit a clutch baseline jumper @ the 1:00 mark to put Midd up 3, and on consecutive possessions had an offensive rebound to extend a possession, a steal, and then a big defensive board off an Aronowitz miss.

*Most minutes (32)for Zach Baines, and he earned every one of them. Consistently knocked down the open shot, had a couple of blocks, and played stellar D on Scadlock, especially in the second half.

*Daniel Aronowitz played really nice D on St. Amour. But when the Midd junior heats up from range, there's not much a defender can do.

*Similarly, Jack Daly played very good D on Aronowitz, but the Jimmy Chitwood doppleganger still got his points.

*Cole Teal has a very nice-looking shot. 

Halfway through the NESCAC schedule. Here's hoping the second half is as fun as the first!

[Old Guy]

Thanks, Bucket. Just a couple more observations.

I thought Williams had the game in hand when they were up eight early in the second half - not that that's an insurmountable lead, but the Ephs just looked better organized, playing well. This Midd team is are game.

I think Jake Brown can't get enough credit for his play at both ends. He constantly pushes it, calls the offensive signals in the set offense, and generally protects the ball. The 0-10 of the Eph pgs had something to do with Jake's aggressive D.

Flynn's foul trouble may have hurt Williams - but when Flynn went out, in came Soto, or Kempton (9 minutes) - or Porath who hit a three as soon as he entered - 6'10", 6'9", 6'10", 6'9" (three frosh), that's length! Heskett is 6'7" and can shoot the three - he will be heard from.

Had a vision of the future when Baines was guarding Scadlock - it will be fun to watch them in the next three years. I have been sending Scadlock D1 hoop brochures (kidding).

Matt Daley was on the stationary bike when not in the game. He had 14 points, 7 rebounds in just 13 minutes. His injury has given valuable playing time to McCord and Major. Big Matt coming off the bench is a handful. 6-8 from the line, big improvement. Important today.

Jack Daly had 8 assists. Tough player. 

Exciting game. Big win.

[grabtherim]

Anyone else notice how Midd puts a player who raises and waves his arms and hands next to the opponent's foul shooter just prior to his releasing the ball? Also nice try by Midd to put another player on the foul line instead of a poorer foul shooter....Come on, guys.

Seriously?

Oh my, Seriously??

[toad22]

i didn't come away with too much positive from the loss to Middlebury on Sunday, except the memory of the Ehps playing with four freshmen and  a sophomore, or a junior, for big stretches of the game. These close, bitter defeats will hopefully make our young team better. After all, Freshmen do turn into sophomores, and sophomores into upperclassmen.

[Bucket]

i didn't come away with too much positive from the loss to Middlebury on Sunday, except the memory of the Ehps playing with four freshmen and  a sophomore, or a junior, for big stretches of the game. These close, bitter defeats will hopefully make our young team better. After all, Freshmen do turn into sophomores, and sophomores into upperclassmen.

Yes, I should have commented on the youth factor as well. Pretty remarkable that between the two teams, three freshmen (2 for Midd and 1 for Williams) and just one senior (Williams) started.

And looking at minutes played, in descending order of minutes:

Midd: Junior, Sophomore, Junior, Freshman, Sophomore

Williams: Junior, Freshman, Sophomore, Sophomore, Freshman

It will be awfully fun to watch these two teams go at it in the coming years.

[jumpshot]

MassLive.com reporting amHerst " declining to discuss Lord Jeff mascot issue days after board meeting."

What's up amH63 regarding this nationally critical issue? Possible topic for tonight's town hall ....?

[JEFFFAN]

I have zero knowledge about the decision, but suffice to say that the unofficial mascot "The Lord Jeff" will be long gone.   Current students, who receive far more say (or think that they do) on this than they should, want IT gone.   1/3 of alumns want it gone, 1/3 want it to stay, 1/3 don't care.  Hard to see much of a coalition of the willing in those numbers.   IT will be gone, to be replaced by who knows what.

Typo changed - thanks Dave 'd-mac' McHugh!!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I have zero knowledge about the decision, but suffice to say that the unofficial mascot "The Lord Jeff" will be long gone.   Current students, who receive far more say (or think that they do) on this than they should, want IT gone.   1/3 of alumns want it gone, 1/2 want it to stay, 1/3 don't care.  Hard to see much of a coalition of the willing in those numbers.   IT will be gone, to be replaced by who knows what.

You do realize that 1/3 plus 1/2 plus 1/3 is more than a whole, right? Weird argument with those numbers.

[with age came?]

Let's face it everyone always gives 110% right??    I've got to start looking at this board more.. Midd is young and improving and when they "whack" someone away from home they'll really be scary.  I'm glad people are starting to realize how good a coach that Stockwell from Hamilton is (considering their league record and the youth of their team)....it may take a few years (2 or 3) but once they get a little leadership from an upperclassman I believe they will be very competitive even in this "bear of a league"!  Might as well have a Hamilton fan on this board to kick sand at??   

[middhoops]

Please, don't make me jinx my team, with age came?.
But, Midd beat Wesleyan in their barn.  Later, Wes crushed Amherst.
I just know I'm gonna regret this.

[middhoops]

Hamilton picks up a road win at Keystone in PA tonight.  Far from the Continentals' best game; they played gritty enough to win.  This team is on the upswing, regardless of their record in league right now.

[jumpshot]

Midd has a mid-week scrimmage versus Lyndon State tonight, another Vermont team with one winning season in the past 10 years, having lost their last four games whose two tallest players are 6' 5". Take it easy, Panthers ....

[Bucket]

Midd has a mid-week scrimmage versus Lyndon State tonight, another Vermont team with one winning season in the past 10 years, having lost their last four games whose two tallest players are 6' 5". Take it easy, Panthers ....

Is this the same Lyndon State team that beat Wesleyan at Wesleyan this year?