MBB: NESCAC

[Old Guy]

Interesting hoop night for me - watched (with Vandy) the Midd women defeat Clarkson in a good game (and empty gym - they deserve better), came home to watch the second half of the Midd men's game against SoVT. Alas, no video. Did my best with live stats till I thought better of it and watched Bates dismantle Bowdoin in Hinkle Fieldhouse, er, Alumni Gym.

Bates played very well, and confidently, was ahead by 20-some points most of the second half. Eli Frater at the point did a nice job bringing the ball up against pressure in the second half and the other guard Jerome Darling has a nice all-round game (8 pts 9 rebs 7 assists). Marcus Delpeche had a big game, 25 points (and Malcolm had 10 rebounds). The consignment of Bates to the NESCAC basement may be premature.

I then caught the exciting end of Colby-UME Presque Isle. Big win for the PI Owls on a last second hoop after Patrick Stewart missed the front end of a one-and-one with the score tied. The state schools love to beat the NESCAC boys.

Midd won by 14 (86-72),its largest lead of the game. The game was close throughout - Midd ahead by 4 at the half and by 4-8 throughout most of the second half. St. Amour had a miserable game - 2-14 from the floor, one foul shot. He's had his two worst games of his career this year - both victories for the Panthers. Underrated Jack Daly had 20 points (on 6-9 shooting, 8-10 from the line), 8 rebounds, 7 assists. Daly looks like a runaway from Father Flanagan's Boys' Town, but he can play and play hard. People who watch the game closely love him.

Adisa Majors had 18 points, Jake Brown 11 points and 10 assists. Nick Tarantino (getting minutes with McCord out with an injury) had eight points and seven rebounds.

As concerning as St. Amour's woes are, it's encouraging to see the team step up. The worry is about where the offense, especially in the backcourt, will come from if St. Amour is bottled up, with defenses concentrating on him. The hope is that Baines will become that second option (10 and 6 tonight). Hillal Dahleh's injury is unfortunate because he's a creative player, a scorer from the 2 spot.

Big game Saturday at home against a good Skidmore team (3 NCAA Tourney appearances in 5 years; 2nd round last year). I can't believe they still have that big guard Aldin Medunjanin, 6'4, 200, who plays the point like a fullback. Seems like he's been there ten years. Skidmore is 5-2 with single digit losses on the road against Ithaca and Plattsburgh State. 

Midd has played a solid schedule to this point and is 6-1 yet there is some sentiment that they have underperformed- that's how high the expectations are this year. With just ten NESCAC games (that's nuts) every league game will be fierce, any win an achievement. Injuries and illness as always will factor.

[pinseeking1]

Bates looked strong on both ends of the court tonight. The Polar Bears simply had no answer for the Delpeches while the Bobcat defense frustrated Bowdoin into taking many low percentage shots. Sophomore Max Hummel is a legitimate shooter and the first real 3-point threat for the Bobcats in a few years. He really opened up the inside for the big twins.

[amh63]

Old Guy...found your posts and comments most interesting.  In particular the comments on the play of Midd's top player.
I feel it shows that as a follower of CAC,  I tend to put top players into a "performance box" and expect their output in a game to be constant...check it off.  I forget that they are young men who have other things impacting their life and play, like class work/exams, aches and pains and illness, etc. 
Still, it is early in the season and games now are preparation for the games ahead.  Guess, I'm preparing for any outcome of the "first" Babson game today.   Last year, Conner Green's play carried the day and the post-season re-match game at Tufts resulted in a larger margin win for Amherst.  "Six man" Riopel was injured on Tuesday and will be limited tonight, I believe.  My view of the play that brought about the injury...a battle for the defensive rebound between Sellew and Riopel...is an outcome of two players getting a feel of how to play with each other.  Like making an unexpected pass to a teammate down low that results in a TO. 
JMac's outside game has been off lately but his RBs and inside play picked up.  Jeff Racy has had a time with his outside game, but his perimeter defense is much better this season,imo and his on the floor leadership has kept him in games.  I spoke to a present starter early in the season at breakfest.  He remarked to me while pointing at Jeff Racy, I go to where he tells me...a paraphrase.  Racy had not been listed as a team Captain at the time.

[middhoops]

Let's stipulate here, I am not an Amherst fan.  amh63 has my back on this.
Babson has played a tougher schedule and more games than Amherst going into tonight's estimable battle.
Joey Flannery is every bit the All American player he's touted to be.  Nick Comenale has given the opposition no slack in doubling up on Flannery.  D2 transfer Isaiah Nelsen and Bradley Jacks are top flight post players.  Sam Bohmiller gets them the ball and Babson has a fair bench.
Amherst is ridiculously deep.  At every position they have multiple players who could start for virtually every program in D3.  Amherst plays smothering defense, moves the ball and rebounds well.
What they DON'T have is a star.  (This is something I learned from nescac1 the hard way, many times.)
Until someone; Riopel, Racy, Jayde, George step up and dominate, Amherst is a hard to describe ensemble.
So, with Amherst having more talented bodies and Babson having a stronger core of outstanding players, to me this comes down to a gym I really don't enjoy visiting.
Going into LeFrak with a gaudy record and an All American is too often inadequate.  (Grumble, grumble...)
I think Amherst holds on to a very hard fought win.  High scoring, say Amherst by 4.

As the infomercials say, however;  But Wait.  There's More!!
Few of us think that this the last meeting between these two teams.  The NCAA will try to separate them as much as possible in the post season, but Round 2 may well come around in March.

Watch Amherst's D to close out on Comenale, Amherst bigs to play very physical with Nelsen and one of the Amherst wings to get red-hot.  Otherwise, an upset could be in the making.

[Bucket]

Old Guy...found your posts and comments most interesting.  In particular the comments on the play of Midd's top player.
I feel it shows that as a follower of CAC,  I tend to put top players into a "performance box" and expect their output in a game to be constant...check it off.  I forget that they are young men who have other things impacting their life and play, like class work/exams, aches and pains and illness, etc. 

Best comment I have read on this board in a long, long time and one worth remembering. Thanks, amh63.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The season has started fast and for some teams they still haven't lost. Not unexpected for some, maybe completely unexpected for others.

And there is a big battle between #1 and #2 in Division III men's basketball on tap!

On Thursday's edition of Hoopsville, Dave is back in studio and talking to some of the teams who find themselves without a loss, but probably still with plenty of questions that remain unanswered. Many of the teams are nationally ranked, but one of the teams tonight finds itself undefeated and receiving narry a point in any of the Division III polls.

Also on Thursday's edition, Dave will talk LIVE with either #1 Amherst or #2 Babson. The two men's programs face off in a rare #1 v #2 regular season battle. We chat with the winning coach after the game.

You can watch Hoopsville below staring at 7:00 pm ET. We are also experimenting with simulcasting the show on Facebook Live! More info here: http://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2016-17/dec8

Guests included (in order):
- Bob Amsberry, No. 8 Wartburg women's coach
- Amy Reed, Rochester Tech women's coach
- Landry Kosmalski, No. 22 Swarthmore men's coach
- Jon VanderWal, No. 3 Marietta men's coach
- Either Dave Hixon (No. 1 Amherst) or Stephen Brennan (No. 2 Banson) men's coach

This is most likley the last Thursday edition of Hoopsville before the holiday break (due to D3football.com coverage of Gagliardi Trophy and Stagg Bowl next week and proximity of Christmas the following week). The Thursday edition of the show will return January 5, 2017 - but stay tuned if we change our minds in two weeks.

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
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Email: hoopsville@d3hoops.com
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[magicman]

We certainly are getting our money's worth from the Amherst-Babson game.

[magicman]

Call  a heart doctor I need one. 99-97 Amherst on Jayde Dawson's drive as the clock wound down to end the game. Johnny McCarthy was huge with his key 3 pointers.

[Old Guy]

Great game! I'll let other Purple and White partisans hold forth and provide the extended analysis. Two terrific teams going at it. Amherst justifies its ranking after opening with a series of games against The Little Sisters of the Poor.

I'm happy that we no longer have Amherst students doing the game - instead we now we have Dudley Moore (Alistair Cooke?) providing the pay-by play. Nonetheless, a vast improvement.

[daoustian]

Going into LeFrak with a gaudy record and an All American is too often inadequate.  (Grumble, grumble...)
I think Amherst holds on to a very hard fought win.  High scoring, say Amherst by 4.

Well played, middhoops.

[Vandy74]

Great game! I'll let other Purple and White partisans hold forth and provide the extended analysis. Two terrific teams going at it. Amherst justifies its ranking after opening with a series of games against The Little Sisters of the Poor.

I'm happy that we no longer have Amherst students doing the game - instead we now we have Dudley Moore (Alistair Cooke?) providing the pay-by play. Nonetheless, a vast improvement.

A bit more than 24 hours ago we were rehashing the 104-101 (3OT) Amherst win over Middlebury in Pepin 4 seasons back Old Guy.  Now this.  You were absolutely correct, btw.  Scary how I can no longer trust what I know I remember.  (Personal aside)  Great game.  Better still that I remembered to take my BP meds today.

[lumbercat]

Geez- epic game tonight between 2 of the very best teams in D3.
In the bygone days of the Celtics glory Johnny Most would say "where are all the Lakers Fans?" So I'll coin that phrase again and ask "where are all the Jefffs......whoops......Purple fans".....
A great win for the Lord Jeffs......

[Old Guy]

Geez- epic game tonight between 2 of the very best teams in D3.
In the bygone days of the Celtics glory Johnny Most would say "where are all the Lakers Fans?" So I'll coin that phrase again and ask "where are all the Jefffs......whoops......Purple fans".....
A great win for the Lord Jeffs......

Fear not. they'll show up.

[middhoops]

Great, great game. 
Why did it have to end?
They could have played all night and I'd have happily watched.
Incredible clutch play(s) by Amherst when necessary. 

Babson shouldn't fall from #2 after that performance.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Babson shouldn't fall from #2 after that performance.

Yes... but... Marietta has made a strong case even for the number-one vote... I suspect Babson falls to #3 in fairness.