MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

Will be available for posting here after this coming weekend...Homecoming and the Amherst vs Williams football battle.  Hope to get a look at a MBB practice...though it was closed/canceled...last year.  Probably due to all the alum request and Williams spies ...just kidding.  Maybe will get to chat with a few players around the campus.  There is a video of one senior diving off the 3meter board after a practice.  Other players swimming around.  Available on the Amherst social media...MBB site.
Interesting bit of info in a WSJ story wrt college MBB training.  Seems there was a recent change in NCAA rules....allowing student- athletes to get more food allowance.  Not that it matters at Nescac schools. 

[PolarBear16]

Hard to argue with NESCAC1 too much on these rankings. I will drop down Simonds a spot and put in McCarthy instead. I think Simonds will have a great year obviously, but I think coaches will want to reward Amherst for their team success as I think they will be top of the league. McCarthy will be their best player, and like Shay Ajayi last year for Trinity, will benefit from that bump.

I don't have the guts to predict it, but I think there is a chance St. Amour misses the First team because of more production from his Middlebury teammates.

Second team is Simonds, Michael Riopel, Stewart, Tyler Rowe, and whoever the best player on Hamilton ends up being. I think Conn is a little bit better this year and makes the playoffs prompting Rowe to get a slot. I would put PG Jack Dwyer down as the most likely to get that Hamilton spot too.

So many good players I'm leaving off here too.

About 10 days until opening day for most of NESCAC!  Still quiet here.  Here is a shot at pre-season all-NESCAC:

First team is quite easy: Tom Palleschi, Ed Ogundeko, Matt St. Amour, Dan Aronowitz, Jack Simonds.  All are major stars and should be legit all-American candidates if they stay healthy. 

POY: 1. Palleschi 2. Aronowitz 3. St. Amour

Second team, on the other hand, is very difficult.  I'll go with: Johnny McCarthy, Christian Riopel, Kyle Scadlock, Vinny Pace, Patrick Stewart.  Other than Pace, all would need a massive leap forward in performance to squeeze someone out of the first team.  Pace is a very tough call as he could be first team or nothing at all, depending on how healthy he is to start the season, so I'll split the difference. 

Also warranting consideration: Jake Brown, Lee Messier, Tyler Rowe, Jeff Racy, Jayde Dawson, David George, Jack Daly, Zach Baines, Joseph Kuo, Andrew Groll, Tarik Smith

All-defense: Palleschi, Ogundeko, McCarthy, Scadlock, Daly.  George, Aronowitz, Kuo, Brown also worthy of consideration.

[nescac1]

Woops, no idea where I got "Christian" Riopel from! 

Nothing but NESCAC folks have their first two previews out, lots of insight:

They are bullish on Wesleyan, believing they will improve on last year's NESCAC record despite losing their star and a few other key guys.  Key to their prediction is a big year from Salim Green, who played very little last year but is the latest in a line of talented Wesleyan point guards (Sha Brown, BJ Davis).  O'Brien and Krill will also have to go from being role players to go-to players for the Cards. 

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=4126

As for Tufts, they did not provide any insight into Vinny Pace's rehab progress, which is obviously key to Tufts' success this year. Other than Pace's prognosis, the potentially big off-season news for Tufts is the addition of a very athletic junior transfer from the University of Washington.  Although he was a walk-on, two years playing in an elite D1 program can only help, and if KJ Garrett is the real deal and if Pace can be healthy by January, the Jumbos may play up to their lofty pre-season ranking.  I'm not as sold as NBN on some of the other players who Tufts will be relying on, however. 

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=4100

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

If anyone is curious, Dave Hixon isn't on campus today... he is with his son at the White House - unless he shared a pic from someone else LOL. Incredible opportunity and once again congrats to his son on the accomplishments in Rio.

[nescac1]

Be sure to check out that KJ Garrett dunk on the NBN post mentioned below.  There are some ATHLETES in NESCAC hoops this year.  We are gonna see a lot of fun dunks from the likes of Garrett, Pat Dickert, Zach Baines, Kyle Scadlock, Ed Ogundeko, Kena Gilmour, Steven Daley, the Delpeche brothers, David George, David Labossiere, springy Bowdoin frosh Drew Gagnon ... not since Allen Williamson and Troy Whittington were both throwing it down on everybody have we had this sort of potential for routine highlight-reel slams, only now there is more depth of explosive dunking potential. 

[amh63]

About fours years ago, there was a dunking contest by the Amherst team...a sort of "midnight madness" sort of event for the student body.  Maybe an old video of it around.  Last season at the Final Four in the pre- season warmup, there was a dunking show by almost two thirds of the team..maybe more.  Pumped up their fans and more as Amherst led at the half .
In today's world of young talented Nescac players, we have outside shooters galore and dunkers by almost any players over 6 feet! 
The dunking show mentioned above included dunks over people and switching hands in the air, etc...like one sees on ESPN.
Me, still prefer a layup on a break away....saves energy.  Like pundits keep saying in today's world of of sports at all levels, speed is the what coaches look for in skilled players.  Stamina and strength can can be developed in time.  Speed and quickness maybe tend to be "natural" qualities.   Comments welcome.
Today's WSJ had a story of two young NBA level players working out.  Both almost 7 footers...one coming back for his Sophmore year at IU and the other approaching his 2nd year for the Pacers...leaving after his freshman year for the NBA.

[Old Guy]

Woops, no idea where I got "Christian" Riopel from! 

Nothing but NESCAC folks have their first two previews out, lots of insight:

They are bullish on Wesleyan, believing they will improve on last year's NESCAC record despite losing their star and a few other key guys.  Key to their prediction is a big year from Salim Green, who played very little last year but is the latest in a line of talented Wesleyan point guards (Sha Brown, BJ Davis).  O'Brien and Krill will also have to go from being role players to go-to players for the Cards. 

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=4126

As for Tufts, they did not provide any insight into Vinny Pace's rehab progress, which is obviously key to Tufts' success this year. Other than Pace's prognosis, the potentially big off-season news for Tufts is the addition of a very athletic junior transfer from the University of Washington.  Although he was a walk-on, two years playing in an elite D1 program can only help, and if KJ Garrett is the real deal and if Pace can be healthy by January, the Jumbos may play up to their lofty pre-season ranking.  I'm not as sold as NBN on some of the other players who Tufts will be relying on, however. 

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=4100

Second that emotion. I hope you have all bookmarked nothingbutnescac. It's good stuff, by undergraduates who do their homework, have aficion, and can write. Sure there's parochialism here - Young Guy is one of the writers and editors but he can really write if I do say so myself. Their posts on teams are as comprehensive as NESCAC1"s: if NESCAC! were 21 he'd be writing for them too.

[JEFFFAN]

Woops, no idea where I got "Christian" Riopel from! 

Nothing but NESCAC folks have their first two previews out, lots of insight:

They are bullish on Wesleyan, believing they will improve on last year's NESCAC record despite losing their star and a few other key guys.  Key to their prediction is a big year from Salim Green, who played very little last year but is the latest in a line of talented Wesleyan point guards (Sha Brown, BJ Davis).  O'Brien and Krill will also have to go from being role players to go-to players for the Cards. 

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=4126

As for Tufts, they did not provide any insight into Vinny Pace's rehab progress, which is obviously key to Tufts' success this year. Other than Pace's prognosis, the potentially big off-season news for Tufts is the addition of a very athletic junior transfer from the University of Washington.  Although he was a walk-on, two years playing in an elite D1 program can only help, and if KJ Garrett is the real deal and if Pace can be healthy by January, the Jumbos may play up to their lofty pre-season ranking.  I'm not as sold as NBN on some of the other players who Tufts will be relying on, however. 

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=4100

Second that emotion. I hope you have all bookmarked nothingbutnescac. It's good stuff, by undergraduates who do their homework, have aficion, and can write. Sure there's parochialism here - Young Guy is one of the writers and editors but he can really write if I do say so myself. Their posts on teams are as comprehensive as NESCAC1"s: if NESCAC! were 21 he'd be writing for them too.

Let me add to the kudos to nothingbutnescac.   It is an outstanding site that deserves the attention of readers to these blogs as well as others.   For a group of undergraduates to be able to pull together a site of high quality is a testament to their brains but also to their love for high level Division 3 sports at NESCAC schools.   Spread the word to your classmates about nothingbutnescac.   It is support from folks like us that will keep it going.

[nescac1]

Old Guy, I will echo the kudos for Young Guy's work on the site.  The Williams preview posted yesterday was top-notch.  Keep up the good work! 

[P'bearfan]

Let me add to the kudos to nothingbutnescac.   It is an outstanding site that deserves the attention of readers to these blogs as well as others.   For a group of undergraduates to be able to pull together a site of high quality is a testament to their brains but also to their love for high level Division 3 sports at NESCAC schools.   Spread the word to your classmates about nothingbutnescac.   It is support from folks like us that will keep it going.

Well said...the folks at NbN do a great job.  Looking forward to reading all of the basketball previews.

[middhoops]

Middlebury held their intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday.  Those in attendance left very happy. 
Two fy players will contribute immediately, Zach Baines is ready to break out. 
The 2016-7 Panthers will shoot the 3 better, run the floor effectively and play the kind of defense that produces a ton of steals.
Whether or not that translates to wins over high level competition remains to be seen, but this version of Jeff Browns' team will be more potent than last season by a fair bit.
Having said all this, my record at predicting things in the past year has been 95% wrong.  But this is basketball, so maybe I can get my feet back under me, here.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Believe it not, the 2016-17 basketball season is just days away. But the season can't start without Hoopsville hitting the air!

Tune in tonight starting at 7pm as Dave talks to the two preseason numbers one teams, finds out how the offseason went for the two defending national championships, and touches bases with the men's and women's basketball committee chairs.

Guests include:
- Kevin Vande Streek, men's basketball committee chair and head coach for Calvin
- Bobbi Morgan, women's basketball committee chair and head coach for Haverford
- John Tauer, head coach for No. 10 St. Thomas men
- Dave Hixon, head coach for No. 1 Amherst men
- Jeff Hans, head coach for No. 4 Thomas More women
- Carla Berube, head coach for No. 1 Tufts women

You can watch the show here: http://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2016-17/nov13

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

[nescac1]

Preseason team prediction:

(1) Amherst -- as the pre-season number one nationally, this is pretty easy.  Even with the graduation of Green, with all the new additions and returnees they are absolutely loaded on the wing and ridiculously deep at center.  The only question is who will play the bulk of the minutes at PG, and how effective will they be?  Also, who will be the go-to guy down the stretch of close games?  Having so many seniors in key roles, when few other NESCAC teams are senior-heavy this year, will be a huge asset. 

(2) Middlebury -- the returning NESCAC champs, for reasons described in recent posts, look much stronger this year.  Baines, Daly, Brown and St. Amour are an elite perimeter quartet.  The question for Middlebury is how effective the center-by-committee rotation will be. 

(3) Williams -- will put the saying, the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores, to the test.  The tremendous sophomore class suffered some expected growing pains (in some cases, literal growing pains) last year but also showed tantalizing moments of potential across the board.  Now they are bigger, stronger, and have more confidence.  That, plus the return of Greenman, a clear on-the-court leader in Aronowitz, and another strong frosh class should lead to a significantly improved W-L record. 

(4) Tufts -- if Vinny Pace is 100 percent by conference season, they are right there with Midd.  But that is a big if.  Palleschi is the most indispensible player in the league -- everything Tufts does revolves around him.  But I'm not sure there is as much firepower around him this year, especially if Pace is a bit limited.  And if Palleschi has to miss any games, things could go off the rails quickly. 

(5) Trinity -- despite losing four senior starters, the Bantams have a lot of young talent on the roster ready to step up. Still, with so many unproven guys they are likely to take a small step back. 

(6) Conn College -- this should be the year that Conn really blossoms into a very competitive team -- there is a lot of talent in the Junior and Sophomore classes, and now those guys have experience. 

(7) Wesleyan -- a very athletic team but one without a go-to option on offense.  Where will the points and the shooting come from? 

(8) Hamilton -- a program on the rise, but it will likely be another year before they are ready to make some real noise.   Another great group of sophomores to build around -- across NESCAC, the sophomore class is tremendous. 

(9) Bates -- the Delpeches should be very good as seniors and they have some talented incoming frosh guards, but Bates has a total lack of proven scorers on the wing.

(10) Bowdoin -- Jack Simonds is the real deal.  He's also going to receive an inordinate amount of defensive attention this year now that Hausman has graduated. 

(11) Colby -- a full-on rebuilding year.  A lot of frosh are going to see a lot of time on the floor, which is not usually a recipe for success.   

[amh63]

Not sure I have transferred my posting/ attention completely to Nescac MBB.  In any case, some comments wrt the upcoming season. 
First, the team roster is up!   The freshmen have no pics.  The upperclassmen have no size changes from last season.  Believe the positions for each player are also the same.  Only two players are listed as centers...both Sophs..  Coach Hixon did mention on  Hoopsville that he is planning for an inside-out offense this year.
The new players have nice size, especially the forwards.
Did see a bunch of the players at breakfast and chatted with a few.  Seems it was no shaving week in practice.
Saw a bunch of MBB alums at the football game including at least three from the title teams...of course two are asst. coaches now.  Gathered together at halftime.  Seems Coach Hopkins has his right arm in a sling.  Practices must be getting rough.
It is interesting to note that no Captains are listed yet...and though Dawson is listed as a junior, he is a "senior" for BB purposes.....as mentioned by Coach Hixon.  Oh yes, Fri afternoon practice was closed to "alums".

[P'bearfan]

(10) Bowdoin -- Jack Simonds is the real deal.  He's also going to receive an inordinate amount of defensive attention this year now that Hausman has graduated. 

nescac1 - thanks for posting.  Many good insights and hard to argue with your pre-season ratings overall. 

Personally, I think the P'bears have considerable upside and may surprise people this year.  As you mention Jack Simonds is definitely the real deal and a tough match up but he'll likely draw more than his share of defensive attention. 

From my perspective, there are two keys for Bowdoin this year:

-Continue playing the high level of team defense that they played in the final two weeks of last season.  It took a while for last year's squad to gel defensively - not surprising given the number of FY's playing - but once they figured that out the P'bears were much more competitive.

-More offensive balance.  From what I understand FY David Reynolds is a legit shooter and will likely see the floor which could help.  But Bowdoin will need everyone to step up offensively so that opponents cannot simply key on Simonds.

Looking forward to the start of the season this Friday.  I'll be traveling up to UMass-Dartmouth for the weekend tournament.

GoUBears!!