MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Not a misprint -- Williams 25, Wesleyan 18 at halftime.  A lot of really tough defense by two locked-in teams defensively, who seem to have kind of figured each other out and almost always play these very very low-scoring games.  The Ephs pulled ahead with a strong run of play at the end of the first half highlighted by a spectacular alley-oop, Aronowitz with a gorgeous pass from the three point line to Scadlock for an equally gorgeous finish.  I can't say it was all great defense -- both teams played some ugly, ugly offense -- 19 combined turnovers, the majority of which were travels.  Both teams were badly bricking very long distance attempts after being unable to generate any sort of plays towards the rim.  Good thing for that Scadlock dunk because otherwise that was, let's say, inelegant. 

[nescac1]

Ephs hold on for a desperately needed and well-earned 62-60 victory over Wesleyan, finally breaking the recent run of close losses to the Cards.  Really, it felt like Williams, after a putrid 6 point in about ten minute start to the game, was in control most of the way, but Wesleyan would not go away thanks to Williams' total inability to hit the 3 ball, including plenty of open ones.  On the other hand, Harry Rafferty was spectacular for the Cards, scoring 23 points on a variety of very difficult deep three point shot and contested step back long-twos.  He single-handedly cut the lead from 11 to 9 midway through the second half.  He was absolutely on fire, those shots were for the most part not easy, and he hit two NBA-range threes in the last minute of the game to make the Ephs sweat it out.  The rest of the Cards really couldn't do anything against Williams team defense, which was definitely the MVP of the game. 

The Ephs' offense was not great but Dan Aronowitz did put up a solid 17-9-2 including a clutch 3 when things seemed to be collapsing late.  James Heskett had a very efficient 14 points in only 19 minute, 5-6 shooting, 3 beautiful triples.  Not to be a broken record, but not sure why he continues to play less than 20 mpg, especially in games when he has it going from deep like tonight.  Kyle Scadlock also played with a lot of energy on both ends and was tremendous in terms of getting to lose balls and on defense.  The Eph guards could not buy a jumper tonight and Williams will need more of those shots to fall against Conn College, which has a bit more offensive firepower than Wes (although is not nearly as tough defensively).  I note that Karpowicz only played two minutes -- not sure if he is hurt or sick or something, but that seems crazy for a guy who is leading NESCAC in points per minute and shooting around 75 percent in conference play. 

Go Ephs!  Huge Little Three and conference win as Williams has worked its way back from the hole it dug early and has a chance on Sunday to get to .500 in NESCAC ball. 

[Cards Fan]

Ephs hold on for a desperately needed and well-earned 62-60 victory over Wesleyan, finally breaking the recent run of close losses to the Cards.  Really, it felt like Williams, after a putrid 6 point in about ten minute start to the game, was in control most of the way, but Wesleyan would not go away thanks to Williams' total inability to hit the 3 ball, including plenty of open ones.  On the other hand, Harry Rafferty was spectacular for the Cards, scoring 23 points on a variety of very difficult deep three point shot and contested step back long-twos.  He single-handedly cut the lead from 11 to 9 midway through the second half.  He was absolutely on fire, those shots were for the most part not easy, and he hit two NBA-range threes in the last minute of the game to make the Ephs sweat it out.  The rest of the Cards really couldn't do anything against Williams team defense, which was definitely the MVP of the game. 

The Ephs' offense was not great but Dan Aronowitz did put up a solid 17-9-2 including a clutch 3 when things seemed to be collapsing late.  James Heskett had a very efficient 14 points in only 19 minute, 5-6 shooting, 3 beautiful triples.  Not to be a broken record, but not sure why he continues to play less than 20 mpg, especially in games when he has it going from deep like tonight.  Kyle Scadlock also played with a lot of energy on both ends and was tremendous in terms of getting to lose balls and on defense.  The Eph guards could not buy a jumper tonight and Williams will need more of those shots to fall against Conn College, which has a bit more offensive firepower than Wes (although is not nearly as tough defensively).  I note that Karpowicz only played two minutes -- not sure if he is hurt or sick or something, but that seems crazy for a guy who is leading NESCAC in points per minute and shooting around 75 percent in conference play. 

Go Ephs!  Huge Little Three and conference win as Williams has worked its way back from the hole it dug early and has a chance on Sunday to get to .500 in NESCAC ball.

Well, sigh. Both teams shot terribly in the first half, and Williams gutted it out. Wesleyan's one upside was Rafferty's inability to miss. Wes can no longer sleep on Bowdoin or Colby. They must get these two wins. Williams is a must win against Conn, who very well could win out if they beat Williams.

[jumpshot]

Tip of the hat to the Ephs for a gritty win over Wesleyan as described by nescac1 in spite of 15 turnovers, 5 steals, and shooting 21% from distance (6 of 29).

Does anyone have any less obvious insights as to why the Ephs have so many turnovers most games for the past two years?

Also, anyone else notice the Ephs going into tonight had the most three-point attempts and essentially the lowest made percentage in NESCAC?

[grabtherim]

A wins a win especially on the road. It looked like Midd might blow it open, leading by 12 at the half, but Colby clawed back and took the lead before Midd steadied the ship and pulled away late. Once again, I wonder if this trend might come back to bite the Panthers in the post season. Tough back to back tomorrow vs the Polar Bears on their Senior Day. Interesting matchup.

[nescac1]

Note on Wesleyan: Salim Green has missed the last few games.  Cards have been hard-bit by the injury bug this year with three important players also missing big chunks of the season.

[Old Guy]

A wins a win especially on the road. It looked like Midd might blow it open, leading by 12 at the half, but Colby clawed back and took the lead before Midd steadied the ship and pulled away late. Once again, I wonder if this trend might come back to bite the Panthers in the post season. Tough back to back tomorrow vs the Polar Bears on their Senior Day. Interesting matchup.

I'm not able to provide much analysis - had to take a five-minute walk in the second half when Midd lost their lead, came back with five minutes to go and the Mules up one. Midd won the last three minutes of the game. Midd's backcourt led the way, as usual: St. Amour (37 minutes) had 27 points (plus 9 rebounds and 4 assists), but was only 2-10 from three; Daly (38 minutes) had his efficient 10-9-7, and Brown (37 minutes) pushed the action and had 15 points and three assists. Nick Tarantino came in and gave the Panthers a big lift in crunch time (8 points, 6 boards in 16 minutes).

Colby was good, played hard and had a good plan. Their 3/4 court press slowed Middlebury down and made us play in the half-court. They really got back on defense. Stewart was terrific (29 points - all within the offense). Colby spreads the floor, moves the ball, trying to get the open three - Pretty effective. They're young and fast. I'll take Colby tomorrow against the Continentals - we'll see.

Midd is pretty thin, especially in the backcourt as Jones and Delorenzo are not with the team (lots of illness at Midd).

Next up: the Polar Bears.

[P'bearfan]

Bowdoin defeated Hamilton last night 83-75 in one of the most physical contests I've seen in four years.

Jack Bohrs again led the way for the Polar Bears with 22 points including 12 early points (all treys if I recall correctly).

Liam Farley added 16 points in one of his best games yet and Jack Simonds and David Reynolds each added 14 points.

The Bowdoin bigs also had a good night as Hugh O'Neil finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds. Neil Fuller had 7 points and 6 boards.

Tim Ahn had another stellar performance as he racked up 6 assists, 1 steal, 3 rebounds and 2 points. Also Ahn has taken his defense to a new level making him an even better PG.

Today's matchup with Midd should be a very good one as each team has a dynamic duo of guards.  What will be tough for Bowdoin is that both Bohrs and O'Neill logged well over 30 minutes last night.  Hopefully they're rested and ready to go.

GoUBears!!

[middhoops]

P'Bear, check out the Midd stats against Colby.  Brown, St. Amour and Daly played 37, 37 and 38 minutes. 
The back court is so thin right now, you may see 6-8 Matt Folger in the back court.
Kidding. 
But just barely.

Should be a great game.

[FanOfNescac]

Long-time reader, first-(and probably last-)-time poster.

Just want to say, as an old, former (strictly bench) basketball player at a NESCAC school, I have had hours of fun reading posts on this (and occasionally the football) board over the last several years. I appreciate the energy, passion, knowledge and -- usually -- the restraint of regular posters like middhoops, Old Guy, amh63, nescac1, jumpshot and several others, whether supporting Amherst, Middlebury, Williams, Hamilton, Wesleyan, Bowdoin or any other the great colleges (and one university) in the conference. Bravo to all you gentlemen (or women). This year has been enjoyable for the league's apparent balance and unpredictability, with so many flawed teams sprinkled thorough the standings. Discussions of how this happened -- personalities, game evolution, injuries -- have been fascinating.

At the same time, it's dispiriting when new members jump on board with too much agenda and too little respect for the dignity and enduring joy of the board. I am professionally involved with a lot of D1 and professional sports. The best thing about NESCAC is that while the competition is fierce, there's an inherent understanding that these are just games and that the athletes will use their degrees to do great things and live useful, productive (or more) lives, probably alongside (or in the same house with) other NESCAC alumni. NESCAC athletes I've met over the years are a remarkable group of people, on and off the floor.

Anyway: I'll go away now. All you regulars, thank you for the fun reading. I can feel your pain and your joy. New folks, try to keep it in perspective and embrace the spirit of the board.

[amh63]

Where do I start?  My evening of watching Nescac D3 BB was a mixed bag.  NSN was having video issues.  The WBB game at Bates had a small delay and the brightness was low...dark picture.  There was almost No video at Amherst!  I had to follow the game via stats.  A real downer . The upside was that I skipped around to watch other Nescac games a bit.  Caught the WBB game at Bates and that game was over in the first quarter....33-9.  Starters will be well rested for the major battle at Tufts...though travel can be tiring.
Caught some of the game at Bowdoin..enough to hear the announcer go "Bang" after a PolerBear basket.  Did not drop in on the Midd or Williams game except via stats to see how the battles were going.  Shook my head at the Little Three game score at the half.  Finally settle in on the Tufts vs Trinity game.  A game full of "what if's" in my mind.  Trinity's star big man missing two free throws with seconds to go in the game.  Again in the OT, Trinity down by 2 and less than 10 sec. remaining.  Good pass down low to the Trinity "big man" and he turns to make a sort of hook shot...that rolls around the basket and out.  Tufts gets the ball, etc, etc.
Interesting game to watch as both coaches rotate players in and out.  Vinny Pace in and out near the end...for defense boards and offense..yet to avoid a fast pace game late in the game.  Pace played 38 minutes and P. Racy was on the floor for major minutes.
Looking at the Amherst game stats, two things jump out at me.  J. Racy,  a starter and co- captain had 1point.  The second thing was the limited time on the floor by the other co-captain George.  Had three blocks.  It was a frustrating game to follow on stats...Bates was hot in the first half and led by 9 at the half, I believe.  Lots of rotating of players in and out to counter Bates and to jump start the offense.  Best combo was Conklin down low and Berman to be the ball distributor, with JMac rebounding, Jayde scoring on drives and foul line.  Oh yes, Riopel and Nabatoff provided the second half comeback with outside shots.  Were in in the last part of the game for their foul shooting.  Amherst's lead grew to 13 and settled down to a 9 point win.

[amh63]

Back to report on the 13 point win by Amherst over Tufts in LeFrak.  Biggest lead was 19 late in the second half.  Unusual starting lineup with some seniors on the floor that normally do not get much playing time.
I "watched" the game via stats AGAIN!  Upside was that I could watch almost all of the Amherst WBB game at Tufts.  Second straight one point win over Tufts in Cousens.
Not much more to say wrt to the men's game.  Look at the stats that gives bench points.  Amherst got 63 points from the bench!  ...Scored 84 points in the win.
Senior Racy was outscored by his younger brother in the game. 

[NEhoops]

Great weekend of hoops and the excitement isn't stopping anytime soon.

I think the POY is a three man race - Ed/Jayde/Matt. Everyone state your case.

Seems like tomorrow's game won't provide any clarity to the conference tournament seeding. The four spot is like gold at this point.

[Cards Fan]

Note on Wesleyan: Salim Green has missed the last few games.  Cards have been hard-bit by the injury bug this year with three important players also missing big chunks of the season.

Salim will be back next weekend. Will no longer be an issue.

[grabtherim]

Not a surprise for me in Lefrak today.  I had the Jeffs as favorite in this one. Not saying things cant change for Tufts,  but this was two teams heading in different directions. Happy to see Midd keep and build on a lead especially with a thin squad. If my late season thought on form holds,  Conn is in for a tough day in Williamstown tomorrow, but then again when it comes to the 16-17 Ephs predicting is far from easy.