MBB: NESCAC

[WPI89]

Hard to find much to complain about the rankings.  If I had to try to get my nose bloodied here - WPI handled Tufts quite easily and they have the same record?  But WPI's 3 late losses in a row more than make up for it, I suppose.

I would think if WPI wins their last 2 and beats MIT in first round of NEWMAC - they should be in solid shape for a pool c at 21-6.  20-6 with a loss to MIT gets very interesting.

I guess I root for Amherst to win NEWMAC outright - then hope maybe Tufts loses another game? 

Amherst and Babson auto.  Trinity a lock, then WPI/Tufts for the next at large from the NE.

[middhoops]

Hey WPI89, good to see you here, again.
The NEWMAC was fascinating to watch this year.  When I saw Babson play Amherst I was certain they were a top 5 team, nationally.  But they had all those losses to NESCAC teams, something like three of them in OT.
I watched WPI, MIT and Babson a few times each this year.  Hate on me if you like but I thought the NEWMAC top teams were a notch down from recent years.  Factoring in of course that I thought NO ONE could beat Babson.  But they had, what, five losses?
These two top Northeast leagues should certainly play each other yearly, maybe twice.
Good luck to your team and your league in the post season.

[WPI89]

Thanks Mid - WPI is a strange team.  Some real quality wins - with a very specific blueprint.  They do not score well on the eye test however!

Will be a fun next month!

[30 for 30]

Matt Hart career milestone 1000 points accomplished in a unique way. 881 at Hamilton, 124 and counting at GW.
11 points 3 boards 2 assists and a steal tonight vs Duquesne.

http://www.gwsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/021716aaa.html

[toad22]

This year, I think we really have a wide open championship. Usually, I look at the Qfinal parings, and figure that the 4-5 game is the only one with any chance for an upset. This year, it seems to me that in every game it is at least reasonable for the underdog to feel hopeful. Trinity surely didn't want to see Colby. Healthy, Colby is way too good to be the 8th seed. Amherst may be feeling ok about Bowdoin, simply because the Polar Bears arn't very long. That not withstanding, this should be a very competitive game, Bowdoin is too talented. Tufts was very lucky to escape with a win over Williams just a week ago. Williams has every reason to believe they could take down the ponderous one. Finally, does Middlebury feel confident about Wes? Having lost to them once, I doubt it. We don't see a lot of upsets in the quarterfinals, but I bet there will be one or two this year.

[Bucket]

This year, I think we really have a wide open championship. Usually, I look at the Qfinal parings, and figure that the 4-5 game is the only one with any chance for an upset. This year, it seems to me that in every game it is at least reasonable for the underdog to feel hopeful. Trinity surely didn't want to see Colby. Healthy, Colby is way too good to be the 8th seed. Amherst may be feeling ok about Bowdoin, simply because the Polar Bears arn't very long. That not withstanding, this should be a very competitive game, Bowdoin is too talented. Tufts was very lucky to escape with a win over Williams just a week ago. Williams has every reason to believe they could take down the ponderous one. Finally, does Middlebury feel confident about Wes? Having lost to them once, I doubt it. We don't see a lot of upsets in the quarterfinals, but I bet there will be one or two this year.

Middlebury won at Wesleyan this year, but I get your point. I would not consider a win by any of the lower seeds to be that big of an upset.

[booyakasha]

To further illustrate the compactness of this year's field:

Colby tied @ Midd with no shot clock and ball, and somehow screws it up and loses in regulation. If they win that game, they are the 4 seed instead of 8, and hosting Midd this weekend instead of at Trinity

[nescac1]

Coming this weekend, a feature on Varum Ram and Duncan Robinson. 

I'm not sure what the odds would have been a few years ago for "behind-the-scenes Big 10 video series feature story on TWO NESCAC basketball players successfully transferring to Big 10 programs," but I sure wish I would have taken them!

https://twitter.com/BTNJourney/status/700080728634097664

[toad22]

This year, I think we really have a wide open championship. Usually, I look at the Qfinal parings, and figure that the 4-5 game is the only one with any chance for an upset. This year, it seems to me that in every game it is at least reasonable for the underdog to feel hopeful. Trinity surely didn't want to see Colby. Healthy, Colby is way too good to be the 8th seed. Amherst may be feeling ok about Bowdoin, simply because the Polar Bears arn't very long. That not withstanding, this should be a very competitive game, Bowdoin is too talented. Tufts was very lucky to escape with a win over Williams just a week ago. Williams has every reason to believe they could take down the ponderous one. Finally, does Middlebury feel confident about Wes? Having lost to them once, I doubt it. We don't see a lot of upsets in the quarterfinals, but I bet there will be one or two this year.

Middlebury won at Wesleyan this year, but I get your point. I would not consider a win by any of the lower seeds to be that big of an upset.

Oops, bad memory, sorry!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

There isn't that much time left in the regular season as teams continue to fight to get into conference tournaments and position themselves for hopefully NCAA tournament bids. Second round of Regional Rankings are also out with plenty of answers... and questions. Plus, some teams are putting on some shows recently including a lot of buzzer beaters!

On Thursday night's Hoopsville, Dave McHugh rolls up his sleeves and takes a look at what is happening as we head into the last ten days of the regular season. McHugh will also get some insight on Wednesday's insane men's basketball game between Lynchburg and No. 21 Roanoke. Plus, get a preview of the NESCAC men's and women's tournaments along with talking to ranked teams on both the men's and women's side.

Hoopsville hits the air at 7:00 pm ET and promises to go at least 2 1/2 hours. You can watch the show here: http://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2015-16/feb18

Guests scheduled (in order of appearance):
- Alex Graves, Lynchburg senior forward
- Howard Herman, Berkshire Eagle, NESCAC tournaments preview
- Brian Morehouse, No. 3 Hope women's coach
- Bill Broderick, No. 16 Christopher Newport women's coach
- Tom Curle, No. 23 Plattsburgh State men's coach
- Eric Bridgeland, No. 9 Whitman men's coach

You can also tune into the podcast(s) after the show has aired:
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/hoopsville
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hoopsville/id1059517087

Don't forget you can always interact with us:
Website: www.d3hoopsville.com
Twitter: @d3hoopsville or #Hoopsville
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hoopsville
Email: hoopsville@d3hoops.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/d3hoopsville

And a reminder the Hoopsville Fundraising Project is halfway to the deadline but we are not that close to the goal. Please consider helping us cover Division III basketball the way it deserves to be covered: http://igg.me/at/hoopsville-fundraiser/x/6029509.

Thanks!

[P'bearfan]

This year, I think we really have a wide open championship. Usually, I look at the Qfinal parings, and figure that the 4-5 game is the only one with any chance for an upset. This year, it seems to me that in every game it is at least reasonable for the underdog to feel hopeful. Trinity surely didn't want to see Colby. Healthy, Colby is way too good to be the 8th seed. Amherst may be feeling ok about Bowdoin, simply because the Polar Bears arn't very long. That not withstanding, this should be a very competitive game, Bowdoin is too talented. Tufts was very lucky to escape with a win over Williams just a week ago. Williams has every reason to believe they could take down the ponderous one. Finally, does Middlebury feel confident about Wes? Having lost to them once, I doubt it. We don't see a lot of upsets in the quarterfinals, but I bet there will be one or two this year.

From your mouth to God's ear!


GoUBears!!

[Old Guy]

Pretty good foul shooting: in the last seven games, Matt St. Amour is 37-38 from the line.

[P'bearfan]

I'm headed up to watch the Bowdoin - Amherst game tomorrow.  Looking forward to a great matchup and seeing LeFrak for the first time.

If any of the Amherst posters (or others) will be there please send me a PM.  Would be great to meet in person.

GoUBears!!

[polbear73]

I'm headed up to watch the Bowdoin - Amherst game tomorrow.  Looking forward to a great matchup and seeing LeFrak for the first time.

If any of the Amherst posters (or others) will be there please send me a PM.  Would be great to meet in person.

GoUBears!!

You brought the Bears good luck last weekend, P'bearfan; let's hope it holds on the road.  Travel safely and Go U Bears!

[JEFFFAN]

I know that there are no lines in NESCAC games, but what would the Bowdoin fans suggest is a reasonable line for the game?