MBB: NESCAC

[Pat Coleman]

I, for one, appreciate you responding in good faith. I think with Gordon's scope limited to four years (and I don't think "national conversation" was one of his criteria), he came up with the right list and now we're kind of debating the placement of the deck chairs.

[nescac1]

Fair enough -- and to admit my own perception bias, I've had to watch WIAC teams beat (by about ten points total) three loaded Eph squads in national title games, and a fourth dismantle the Ephs in the semis, each time playing nearly perfect basketball, so just on the eye test I've been enormously  impressed with the precision and poise they show in big games.  They just rise to the moment.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The top of the WIAC is always good. My argument against them being higher has to do with the lack of depth. We hardly ever talk about the bottom half or two-thirds of that conference. Last year the top two teams came back to the pack and it wasn't much of a conversation. One team made the tournament and lost in the first round. That lack of depth is where I usually fall short when it comes to the WIAC.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The four year limit probably helped the NESCAC in this - the league has been deeper recently than it was in the past.

[nescac1]

I'd say NESCAC was VERY deep in the 1990s.  Williams was the clear top dog, but Amherst, Trinity, Bowdoin, Conn, Tufts and Colby were all really strong as well, all making multiple NCAA appearances including in the Final Four for Conn and Trinity.  For whatever reason, from around 2000-2014, NESCAC was typically dominated by 2-3 teams, Amherst and either Williams or Middlebury or both, with some occasional flashes from Trinity.  Part of it was that there was SUCH high quality at the top that it was hard for anyone to break through -- from 2002 through 2014, NESCAC had at least one, often two, legit national title contenders each year.  But there was definitely a steep drop-off from the top tier.  The league has been much deeper and more balanced the last two years.  This year, I think it will likely be top-heavy again, with at least 3 and as many as 5 really good teams ... the bottom half of the league looks more suspect than it has in quite some time.   

[amh63]

Slipped over to this board to remind all that Nov 1 is the start of Nescac BB.  Will give me a chance, if allowed, to see a formal workout during Homecoming Weekend...football time

[TheBestCac]

Happy Halloween, and with that, we welcome in the start of NESCAC hoops for another year. D3 Hoops Poll has Amherst at #1, Babson at #3, and Tufts at #5, but the distribution of votes was pretty wide. Midd in at #24 as well. Should be a fun year!

http://www.d3hoops.com/top25/men/2016-17/preseason

[nescac1]

Awesome story on former Eph Will Hardy, now a Spurs assistant coach.  Popovich's imprimatur is the gold standard: Hardy has a very good chance of becoming an NBA head coach or senior executive before age 40.  I harbor this dream of Pop as a volunteer Williams assistant when he retires from the NBA. It's not unthinkable, as he owns land in adjacent Pownal and has loads of Eph connections. 

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-find-another-coaching-gem-in-Hardy-10424824.php 

[P'bearfan]

http://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/mbkb/2016-17/schedule

Good luck to the Polar Bears as they start their first official practice today.  Really looking forward to this season.  Bowdoin has posted their schedule - no big surprises except that Bowdoin will start the season against Southern Vermont.  That should be an interesting early season test for the P'bears.  Also, Bowdoin will not play Maine Maritime this year - it looks like they will play Anna Maria instead.

Hopefully the roster will be up soon.

GoUBears!!

[middhoops]

P'Bear, SoVT graduated most all their scoring last spring.  The coach has done a great job recruiting recently so there could be some star fy players, but overall most people expect a noticeable fall off from the Mountaineers this year.
You will notice that nescac1's alma mater doesn't open the season with SoVT any longer.  Smart move.
This year however, you probably caught them rebuilding.

[nescac1]

Happy first day of practice!  Here are thoughts on a potential break-out player for each team (someone who played a very limited role last year but has the chance to emerge in a major way this season):

Amherst -- Joe Schneider: uber-hyped recruit who has raw skills but scary athleticism for his size.  Could be a force on D and the boards, but will he get to play ahead of two capable senior centers?

Bates -- Nick Lynch: his older brother emerged as a sophomore for Midd, and he looks a bit more athletic (albeit smaller).  Now it's his turn.

Bowdoin -- Tim Ahn: someone needs to be a creator on the perimeter with Hausman graduated, and Ahn looks likely to be the guy thanks to his quickness.  Expect him to double both his points and assists. Jack Bors should also see a much bigger role. 

Colby -- Steven Daley: the rotation is wide open other than Pat Dickert and Patrick Stewart, and Daley is athletic enough to be one of Colby's new go-to guys. 

Conn -- Alex Tonhazy: big wing displayed a sweet shooting stroke from deep as a frosh but barely played (presumably due to injury) as a sophomore.   

Hamilton -- Michael Grassey: athletic wing player with an excellent outside touch who really came on late last year for Hamilton.  I think he will end up being the best of last year's very strong frosh class.

Middlebury -- Hilal Dahleh: like St. Amour came in with a reputation as a shooter but struggled a bit in his first year from deep while showing a nice array of other skills.  As more shots find the mark this year his scoring will go up.  Nick Tarantino is also one to watch. 

Trinity -- lots of candidates (Neal, Merinder, Santana, Arthur) and I will go with both Conor Merinder and Jeremy Arthur: Arthur came in as a second-semester transfer and made an early impact with his versatile skill set on the wing, and Merinder will be counted on to replace Ajayi's rebounding and physical defense up front. Despite losing a strong senior class Trinity has a lot of talent in reserve.   

Tufts -- Ethan Feldman: deadly distance marksman will get a lot of good looks this year when defenses collapse on Palleschi.  Tufts will need him to be a double-digit scorer on the perimeter to succeed. 

Wesleyan -- Salim Green: limited due to injury last year, an athletic combo guard who will have an opportunity to shine this season thanks to the graduation of Mackey, Davis and Edmonds.  Athletic wing Jordan Sears is also a candidate. 

Williams -- James Heskett: has grown about two inches since high school and is still filling out, but has an impressive array of skills for his size, with great outside touch and the ability to score off the dribble.  The Williams forward rotation is crowded but his time will surely come next year if not this year.  Also keep an eye on Michael Kempton, who at 6'10 235 (up 20 pounds from last year) will be a load inside. 

[amh63]

Went to the MBB website at Amherst to check on several things.  Roster is not up and do not expect it until the candidates are reduced down.  There is an instagram pic with a new motto for this season...bring the juice.  Four players featured in the pic.
An earlier poster gave an insightful preview of possible key players this season.  Two were front court players, one being Joe Schneider that nescac1 mentioned.  Expect Joe to be the backup center being at least 6'10"  has offensive and defensive skills.  He got in last year in the early games...played a little too aggressive for the coaches, I believe.  Nice kid and has a lot of family support at the games...local kid, in an manner of speaking.  True center.  The other center after George that Nescac1 refers to is a power forward in size and built and his game is a smart inside one.  I believe that George will finally meet his potential on the defensive side, when he knows that Big Joe...my nickname...is his replacement.  I believe that he was holding back last season...worried by picking up fouls early and letting his team down.  I also believe that being named a captain last season may have restrained his play a little...expected leadership role on the floor.
The other senior front court player is the one from N.C....Nabatoff.   The player has fine front court inside skills but lacks weight and tends to keep his game outside.  Interesting thing was that he played football in H.S., grew rapidly to around 6'7-8".  He can dunk  with both hands and is an athlete with an outside shot.  He tends to be pushed around inside due to his weight.  I mentioned it to his mom in Salem.  She tended to agree and remarked that it has been an effort for him to gain bulk/ weight.  Amherst has a number of outside shooters.  Another power forward of size to rebound and score inside is needed, IMO.
In any case, baring injuries, there is depth galore on the team. 
Pre- season rankings?  Just a distraction,IMO, for the players.

[P'bearfan]

Bowdoin -- Tim Ahn: someone needs to be a creator on the perimeter with Hausman graduated, and Ahn looks likely to be the guy thanks to his quickness.  Expect him to double both his points and assists. Jack Bors should also see a much bigger role.

nescac1 - good assessment.  These two guys have the potential to really impact Bowdoin's fortunes this year.

GoUBears!

[ContinentalDomer]

Watch Hamilton frosh Kena Gilmour closely ... he is likely to be a force very early. Terrific athlete. Strong, big hops and skilled. Coach Stockwell is putting together a couple of strong classes and filling that hole left by Matt Hart.

Happy first day of practice!  Here are thoughts on a potential break-out player for each team (someone who played a very limited role last year but has the chance to emerge in a major way this season):

Amherst -- Joe Schneider: uber-hyped recruit who has raw skills but scary athleticism for his size.  Could be a force on D and the boards, but will he get to play ahead of two capable senior centers?

Bates -- Nick Lynch: his older brother emerged as a sophomore for Midd, and he looks a bit more athletic (albeit smaller).  Now it's his turn.

Bowdoin -- Tim Ahn: someone needs to be a creator on the perimeter with Hausman graduated, and Ahn looks likely to be the guy thanks to his quickness.  Expect him to double both his points and assists. Jack Bors should also see a much bigger role. 

Colby -- Steven Daley: the rotation is wide open other than Pat Dickert and Patrick Stewart, and Daley is athletic enough to be one of Colby's new go-to guys. 

Conn -- Alex Tonhazy: big wing displayed a sweet shooting stroke from deep as a frosh but barely played (presumably due to injury) as a sophomore.   

Hamilton -- Michael Grassey: athletic wing player with an excellent outside touch who really came on late last year for Hamilton.  I think he will end up being the best of last year's very strong frosh class.

Middlebury -- Hilal Dahleh: like St. Amour came in with a reputation as a shooter but struggled a bit in his first year from deep while showing a nice array of other skills.  As more shots find the mark this year his scoring will go up.  Nick Tarantino is also one to watch. 

Trinity -- lots of candidates (Neal, Merinder, Santana, Arthur) and I will go with both Conor Merinder and Jeremy Arthur: Arthur came in as a second-semester transfer and made an early impact with his versatile skill set on the wing, and Merinder will be counted on to replace Ajayi's rebounding and physical defense up front. Despite losing a strong senior class Trinity has a lot of talent in reserve.   

Tufts -- Ethan Feldman: deadly distance marksman will get a lot of good looks this year when defenses collapse on Palleschi.  Tufts will need him to be a double-digit scorer on the perimeter to succeed. 

Wesleyan -- Salim Green: limited due to injury last year, an athletic combo guard who will have an opportunity to shine this season thanks to the graduation of Mackey, Davis and Edmonds.  Athletic wing Jordan Sears is also a candidate. 

Williams -- James Heskett: has grown about two inches since high school and is still filling out, but has an impressive array of skills for his size, with great outside touch and the ability to score off the dribble.  The Williams forward rotation is crowded but his time will surely come next year if not this year.  Also keep an eye on Michael Kempton, who at 6'10 235 (up 20 pounds from last year) will be a load inside.

[middhoops]

First day of practice, so of course the old men show up to watch.
Saw the end of the Middlebury women's initial practice.  Some great recruits.  They will win a few more game this season.

Vandy74 and I saw quite a show once the men took the floor at 8:30 pm.  Not ready to share it all on the board yet, but it made our anticipation of the drive to W. Conn in a couple weeks grow dramatically. 
Middlebury looks to be an improved team at both ends of the floor.  Very good depth, too.
More later.