MBB: NESCAC

[Old Guy]

Still basking in the glow from yesterday's alumni hoop celebration. This year's team certainly did their part - we've discussed that. The big crowd reinforced the place of hoop at Midd these days, in this outdoor winter sports haven. In the reception after the game for parents coaches, players, and alums, Tom Hart was acknowledged: the leading rebounder in the history of college basketball in the U.S. (and a 1000 point scorer in three years), he was inducted last fall in the three-year old athletic Middlebury Hall of Fame. Also honored was Kevin Kelleher '80, a 1500 point scorer, dad of two Middlebury grads, and an active alumnus.

It was great to see the recent alums, four of whom have played at least a year of post-graduate basketball abroad: Ryan Sharry (Luxembourg), Peter Lynch (Ireland), Joey Kizel (Israel), and Hunter Merryman (Spain). Seems like a great way to transition from college sports to an adult life after competitive sports.

Keene State tomorrow for the Panthers. They're 14-5 (7-2 in the league) - they beat us by a bucket last year in the second round of the NCAA Tourney.

[toad22]

In reviewing the individual statistics for NESCAC today, I am struck how by how clearly Matt St. Amour and Ed Ogundeko have separated themselves from the rest of the league in the race for POY this year. St. Amour is really the only scoring contender, and Ogundeko is the only rebounding contender. Jake Brown easily has the best PG stats, but not so good that I think he could compete for POY this year. I am using the league stats, because it seems to be more apples to apples when you are comparing. In many years there are 3-5 contenders, but not so far this year.

[grabtherim]

Grab the rim

We have had a lot of names thrown out for Freshman contributors and Best Freshman in NESCAC.  My point was, it is easy to pull highest scoring freshman from each team based on box score & season totals. But points scored require an additional analysis of time, score, situation. separate wheat from chaff. Best analyzed through watching the games.

Kena Gilmour analysis, great slasher, very athletic, can finish at rim.  His shot outside of 15 feet....very suspect.  Folger played him to drive as he should & Gilmour was forced to pass quite a bit mid 2nd half when a run was needed to get under 15 point deficit.

Folger had a couple of turnovers trying to play faster than normal because Gilmour was defending.  Slight edge to Folger this day. The body of work thus far favors Gilmour. Gilmour & Folger still the head of freshman class.

We heard about Eric Savage from Tufts.  Big game at Bates...16 minutes, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, 2 points on 1 for 4 shooting

Ahh, turnovers because you are "trying to play faster than normal", never heard that one before.  That's a new one for me, but OK.  I always thought you play who guards you and you guard who you guard.  If you commit a turnover or force one that's what happens.  I'm hoping the coaches vote on these silly awards anyway because they get a chance to see all of these kids play fast, slow and medium.  Once again the things that ultimately matters the most are TEAM and Championships.  The other stuff is mostly drivel.  I think way too much emphasis on it especially in a league like this where you have so many essential moving parts on the best teams.     

[BigMike33]

Playing faster than normal is better experienced personally on the court to really comprehend the concept.  You hear discussions about when the game slows down for players...D1 vs D3 skills & speed..etc. 

Another view would be trying to do too much. In other words you recognize that your defender is skilled, you may add an additional fake or spin to your normal moves, you take your eyes off a pass trying to sneak a peak at where defender is etc... 

[BigMike33]

Great theater tomorrow night at Pepin Gym.   In what would normally be an out of conference trap game for the Panthers, turns into a focused, revenge game. Keene State as referenced by Old Guy turned Panthers away from a Sweet 16 berth last year with a 2 point win.

Keene is currently on a 4 game winning streak including consecutive wins over Eastern Connecticut (Top 25 vote getter) and UMass Boston (defeated Tufts). They are a very worthy opponent. Excellent Tuesday match-up. Keene State has the Panther's undivided attention.

Middlebury called the Hamilton game a "statement game" in their practices leading up to Saturday's rout.  Message heard loud & clear gentlemen..you still are the defending NESCAC champs, now ranked 16th in latest D3 poll, climbing 6 spots, most of any team.

A late season non-conference NCAA Tournament game rematch will be an interesting gauge. Note the offensive efficiency of the Panthers, since the departure of Zach Baines, which initiated the rotating 4 Bigs for Middlebury. 

Key to future will be getting point production from at least one guard off bench.  Saturday, it was Bryan Jones with a career high 25. Jones has been inconsistent as career high before Saturday was 14.  Hilal Dahleh's back injury has forced minutes to go to freshman, Joey Leighton & Perry De Lorenzo. De Lorenzo has moved slightly ahead of Leighton recently. De Lorenzo's stronger build and better 3 point shooting of late has been the difference here in conference play.  If Dahleh comes back and can contribute this season, the Panthers are dangerous. They just need 1 hot hand from these 4 to propel them each game against better opponents.

[jumpshot]

Ephs up by only 13 over Fitchberg State at the half due to 7 turnovers leading to 10 points, as well as 4 steals. Possible to fill-in much of a statistics sheet even before a game starts the past two years ....

Just saying ....

[nescac1]

The big story of the first half I'd say was Matt Folger.  Yes, he is not on either roster, but I counted at least four shots that he altered -- from each team!  I'm ditching my endorsement of Gilmour as ROY. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Ephs up by only 13 over Fitchberg State at the half due to 7 turnovers leading to 10 points, as well as 4 steals. Possible to fill-in much of a statistics sheet even before a game starts the past two years ....

Just saying ....

Fitchburg is pretty talented.  They've not been able to put it together consistently this year, but they've played a strong schedule and they can sneak up on you if you're not ready.

[nescac1]

Ugly ugly game for the Ephs but they will take the road win and hope to regroup for the last four NESCAC battles.  Dan Aronowitz was big, leading Williams with 21-11-4 plus a block and a steal, including 3-4 from deep.  He made the key plays in the second half when no one else from Williams could find the bucket.  Kyle Scadlock recovered from a few rough games to have a monster two-way game: 16-11-2 plus four blocks and 2 steals.  For the rest of the roster, it was definitely a turnover-riddled, sloppy, brutal sort of night.  No offensive rhythm at all in the second half, the shots weren't falling when they did get clean looks, and they almost threw the game away late with some bad decision making and missed FTAs.  But, the D was sticky enough to hold on for a win. 

The Ephs will need to be much crisper this weekend for two huge NESCAC games which will go a long way to determine whether they (a) make the NESCAC tourney at all and (b) if they do, if they have any shot at a first-round home game. 

[JEFFFAN]

In reviewing the individual statistics for NESCAC today, I am struck how by how clearly Matt St. Amour and Ed Ogundeko have separated themselves from the rest of the league in the race for POY this year. St. Amour is really the only scoring contender, and Ogundeko is the only rebounding contender. Jake Brown easily has the best PG stats, but not so good that I think he could compete for POY this year. I am using the league stats, because it seems to be more apples to apples when you are comparing. In many years there are 3-5 contenders, but not so far this year.

Don't sleep on McCarthy or Dawson for POY if the Jeffs somehow get to the promised land at the end of the season.   McCarthy reminds me of Willy Workman.   He just does everything quietly.    He is the most underrated player in the NESCAC.

[nescac1]

McCarthy (in particular) and Dawson will likely both make all-NESCAC teams, and deservedly so.  But barring some crazy performances in the next two weeks, if POY is not St. Amour or Ogundeko, it's a travesty.  It's a two-man race right now. 

[jumpshot]

The report from nescac1 on tonight's Eph game says it all. In short, Ephs for to hang on after being outscored in the second half by 9, missing 8 free throws, committing 8 more turnovers, allowing 4 more steals, etc.

Fortunately, Fitchburg State goes 2 of 13 from distance. Tough team off the dribble-drive and determined rebounders. Don't be soft against these guys who have a bit of the "city game".

Let's see which teams are mentally tough with sound fundamentals and good balance to compete effectively as we head to the final few weeks.

[Cards Fan]

In reviewing the individual statistics for NESCAC today, I am struck how by how clearly Matt St. Amour and Ed Ogundeko have separated themselves from the rest of the league in the race for POY this year. St. Amour is really the only scoring contender, and Ogundeko is the only rebounding contender. Jake Brown easily has the best PG stats, but not so good that I think he could compete for POY this year. I am using the league stats, because it seems to be more apples to apples when you are comparing. In many years there are 3-5 contenders, but not so far this year.

Don't sleep on McCarthy or Dawson for POY if the Jeffs somehow get to the promised land at the end of the season.   McCarthy reminds me of Willy Workman.   He just does everything quietly.    He is the most underrated player in the NESCAC.

If he's underrated he won't receive player of the year. (Not knocking, just how it tends to go)

[amh63]

Interesting bunch of games tonight between the Nescac and the Little East schools.  Amherst has played RIC every year for a long time...even when it's HC Walsh moved on.  Walsh like The ECSU  HC is a Hamilton alum.  Though RIC has been up and down this season, it is a tough place to play and Amherst has a poor road record...an understatement.
Caught Tufts HC on Hoopsville.  Really like him..has a great sense of humor.  Anyway, he mentioned when asked about Palleschi, that his star center maybe ready to play within two to three weeks.....Tourny time?  Wait and see and cautious answer to the the Host question.
All this chatter wrt to conference honors lead me to remind posters that Palleschi was 1st team Nescac last year and ROY before his year off.  Quite a player.  On the matter of JMac of Amherst, he has been  given a bit of a rest in recent games.....been taking a lead in the rebounding effort.  Oh yes, JMac was ROY.

[NEhoops]

Here are my top choices for first team:

Dawson or McCarthy - Amherst
Rafferty or Kuo - Wesleyan
St. Amour - Middlebury
Ogundeko - Trinity
Smith - Tufts
Mar. Delpeche - Bates

Interesting to see how the regional rankings shake out. Seems like it will be Babson, the NESCAC and ....