MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

Magicman's brief direct summary of the key to Midd's win over Amherst was most correct.  The three guards for the Panthers, especially Daly's  12 rebounds.  Though greatly disappointed at the result, Amherst finished strong and George came to play tonight...blocks, RBs and scoring inside and from the foul line.
I will be somewhat brief in my summary of the game.  Midd played incredible in the first half shooting over 63 percent overall and from outside.  Incredible pace and winning the first half and leading by 21.  Amherst won the second half and got as close as 10 points.  The difference in the game was the 17 more Pts  garnered by Midd on the foul line!  Final stats shows both teams close in most everything...actually better in shooting overall.  Amherst had more TOs, led by Dawson with 5.  Amherst made 8-10 foul shots.  Midd made 25 foul shots..shot well...over 75 percent on the foul line.  Guess I can call that homecourt advantage....in my viewpoint.  Yes, a little sour grapes.

[AllStar]

*Tufts has clinched the No. 1 seed, as even if Middlebury ties them at 8-2, the Jumbos beat the Panthers head-to-head 91-85.

[NEhoops]

If Hamilton, Conn and Bates all end up with four wins, who's the odd team out?

[ContinentalDomer]

Assuming each of those 3 teams ends up 4-6, the second tiebreak (after head-to-head) is record against the top four teams in the conference.  As Bates, Conn and Hamilton are 1-1 in terms of play against one another, on the surface that second tiebreak would seem to knock Hamilton out (Continentals have not beaten a current Top 4 team, while the others have).

However, if Wesleyan beats Colby today and Trinity loses at Midd, Wesleyan would be elevated to the 4th seed on the strength of its head to head win v Trinity.  Ham would therefore have a win over a Top 4 team, too.

So, who can explain the 3rd tiebreaker in that scenario?

If Hamilton, Conn and Bates all end up with four wins, who's the odd team out?

[pinseeking1]

I couldn't find anything on tiebreakers on the NESCAC site, but here's what a NESCAC hockey site had for the rules:

If teams tied during the regular season, or there is a 3-way or more tie, the following tie breaking procedure will be used:

Best record among tying teams, against one another (head-to-head).

Most conference wins (in games that are part of the conference schedule and count toward league standings).

Comparison of results of conference games played against top 4 teams (including all teams at the 4th spot).

Comparison of results of conference games played against top 8 teams (including all teams at the 8th spot).

Comparison of results of conference games played against conference teams in rank order.

Comparisons shall be made one team at a time starting with the highest ranked team. If the tie remains after comparing results against the highest ranked team, the results against the next team in rank order shall be used. This process is continued until a winner is determined.

Coin flip (or similar random action involving all tied teams).

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Scroll down - http://nescac.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/championship/information

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Assuming Wesleyan, CC, and Williams win and Bates and  Trinity lose today, Hamilton wins the tiebreaker for 7th because of a win over Williams, then CC gets 8th because of the head-to-head with Bates.

[Bucket]

Middlebury's pace of play really needs to be witnessed first hand to be truly appreciated. Not only is Midd so fast up the court, but it is relentless, 40 minutes. I have no idea what conditioning the coaching staff has employed this year, but boy has it paid off. Last night, the Amherst players were really struggling at times—and these are phenomenal athletes who are in good shape.

And while the Midd guards are certainly the engine, the bigs are right there running with them all game. And this was even more impressive with Adisa Majors out yesterday; the bench was thin, but Midd ran as fast as always.

Senior day today. I want to watch Matt St. Amour and Jake Brown play forever, so this is a bittersweet day. But I would also like to call special attention to Bryan Jones. The young man has been so valuable the second half of the season—much as he was this same time last year—doing his best Vinnie "Microwave" Johnson impression on the offensive end, while always playing solid defense. It's a luxury to bring him off the bench to give one of the three starters valuable resting minutes. He'd start for many NESCAC teams; instead he's Midd's most valuable bench player. Thrilled to recognize him on Senior Day this afternoon.

[Cards Fan]

The thing that I see is that there is no clear team in the nescac that is an insane amount better than all the others. Tufts is 8-2, but lost to Bates and Amherst and came close to losing to Midd, Wes, and Trinity. On top of this, Wes beat both Amherst and Trinity, who with wins are seeded higher than them, and lost to lower seeds like Williams and Hamilton.

My point is that this tournament could be won by an 8 seed or by a 1 seed. Every team is close, none are a lot better than the others.

[warriorcat]

How much of factor has home court been in the CAC this year?

[Bucket]

Jake Brown really hobbling in warmups; hurt ankle toward the end of the game last night.

Hate to see that, especially on senior day.

[NEhoops]

There has been some surprise NESCAC tournament winners in recent years, but this year might be the most unpredictable. As for home court, I'm not sure what the stats are, but when the teams are so evenly matched it might not be as big of a deal.

Back to the conversation of the balance of power in the NESCAC. I have included the win totals/successes for this year, 16-15 and 15-14. Somewhat a snapshot of the past, present and future.

AMH   63 - Despite some slippage, they have still keep themselves at the top of the league. At-large bids to the NCAA tournament in the last two seasons and looking for one this year. Their dominance in league play has been down and they'll be some big holes to fill next year, but we'll know the talent is always there. 

TRI   56 - Very successful three year run, and somewhat underrated (they were very dominant in the early to mid-2000's). Two regular season NESCAC titles and a trip to the NCAA tournament the last two years. Most likely will miss the tournament this year and they'll also have some holes to fill, but Coach Cosgrove always has them defending and playing well this time of year.   

TUF   54 - Strong stretch in the last few years. They had some down years before that, which was a combination of missing on some recruits and poor team chemistry. They have a regular season NESCAC title (this year) and a NCAA tournament appearance (last year - in line for one this year too). They're an outlier from a NESCAC recruiting standpoint (a university in a big city). If they keep getting the players, they'll stay at the top of the league.
   
WES   54 - NESCAC tournament championship and NCAA tournament appearance two years ago. In line for one this year, and they have no signs of slowing down. They'll continue to be one of the most competitive teams in the league as long as Coach Reilly is at the helm. Good core returning for next year as well.   

MID   53 - Like WES, they captured a NESCAC tournament championship and NCAA tournament bid last year. They've come back down to earth in this three year stretch, but that's in part to the league becoming more competitive top to bottom. They'll be back to the tournament this year and will need some younger guards to step up next season.     
   
BAT   46 - NCAA tournament appearance two years ago. Always competitive in league play, particularly at home, but need to be more consistent. Their recent success has brought more parity to the league. It will be tough to replace the Delpeche twins, but will return a strong trio of FY guards.
   
WIL   46 - One of, if not the most dominate NESCAC team in the last 15 years. The recent stretch, post Maker/Robinson, has been a struggle. No NCAA tournament appearances and without a top four league finish. With a win tomorrow and a likely NCAA at large bid, along with a young core, things are trending up for this program.   

BOW 41 - Just missed an at large bid two years ago when Hausmann was a senior. Since he has graduated they have been somewhat average. They, also have a young core, but still might be a year away.
 
HAM   40 - No NCAA tournament appearances and without a top four league finish, but they're the trendy pick as the team to reckoned with next year. Their transition to the league has been rocky, but they'll be competitive moving forward.   

COL   39 - No NCAA tournament appearances and without a top four league finish. Very young team this year, that has showed some glimpses. Like Bowdoin, they are still a year or so away.

CON   31 - While they'll been in the bottom half of the league in the last few years, the program in heading in the right direction. Team chemistry and being able to retain players are both positives. Another team that is proving their are no easy wins in league play.

[Bucket]

Jake Brown gives it his best effort, but comes off after 2 minutes; he won't return.

Even without their engine, Midd still maintains tempo and leads Trinity, 50-36 at the half.

Very physical game.

Arthur shooting really well for the Bantams. St. Amour and Jones shooting well for Midd, with Daly really stepping up in Brown's absence.

[Middfan]

Great, gutsy win for Midd on Senior Day.  Middlebury has a dangerously short bench which was made even shorter by the absence of Jake Brown - the engine and pace setter for the Panthers.  Still, no let up with smart substitutions from Coach Brown.  IMHO, Matt St. Amour has to have wrapped up the POY with two brilliant performances over the weekend - 34 against Amherst and 28 against Trinity.  The pace and constant movement of this team is so much fun to watch.  They really play for each other making numerous pin-ball extra passes to find the open man.  24 team assists to Trinity's 10 tells the story.

Interesting exchange after the game as Coach Cosgrove pulled Coach Brown to center court to express his sincere feelings about something (I honestly can't imagine what), in his typical laid back fashion.  At some point Coach Brown seems to have had enough and simply smiled, patted him on the back and walked away from the unhappy losing coach.  It was quite the contrast in styles and example setting.  I know where I'd want my son to play.

Should be a fascinating tournament.

[AllStar]

If Williams beats Bates on Sunday:  6. Williams, 7. Bates, 8. Hamilton
If Bates beats Williams on Sunday:  6. Bates, 7. Hamilton, 8. Williams