MBB: NESCAC

[Old Guy]

Great weekend to be a Panther fan. Midd playing so well, so confidently: putting up 106 against Amherst (opponents' ave - 70) - and 97 against Trinity (65.5) without Jake Brown. We knew were playing well here at the end, but this was beyond our fondest expectation. Really in synch.

St. Amour made some spectacular shots today and last night, long threes but also some pull-up jumpers and drives to the hoop with a high degree of difficulty. Nobody has commented yet on Jack Daly's day at the point, coming within a missed lay-up of a triple double (19-10-9).

Big crowd last night and today, even though we're on a mid-winter break. With Midd playing so fast and so well, it's hard not to get into it.

Foul shots even, 15-14 (home court advantage - yes; because of the officiating - no).

It's old-fashioned for me to point this out, but it's also satisfying to see the way the players and coaches comport themselves game after game: great representatives of their school.

[grabtherim]

Topsy turvy league all year as we all have commented on but I have an interesting question.  First, hats off to the Panthers who stepped up and put together their two best games of the season, one without their starting PG.  The best thing you can say about a great PG is: guys know he will find them when they are open.  Midd's PG has shown that ability since he arrived on campus.  Even though he gave it a brave effort for two minutes on a bum ankle, losing him for yesterday's game was a big change overnight for a team, after seasons of teammates pretty much knowing exactly where they were getting the ball in a given sequence.  The Panthers responded with flying colors.  Guys stepping up all over the floor, the best player playing his best, and a tough kid putting his PG hat on big time.  All in all, very impressive.  I know I have a bias. Mea Culpa, but under the totality of the circumstances: a very talented starter transferring mid-season, a kid who played significant minutes last season sadly not putting a uniform on this year, getting a few freshman involved and ready for this season and beyond, and ultimately tying for the league's best record in the last game of the season with your PG sitting next to you on the bench, in my mind, Jeff Brown is Coach of the Year.  Now the interesting question, given that I have no idea on the tie breakers, if the Ephs lose today do they come to play at Middlebury next week?  As young athletes, I would think the Panthers would want the team who smacked them, but be careful what you wish for.  Can any of us really say if it was match ups, a great day for the Ephs together with the opposite for the Panthers a few weeks ago, or something else?  If the Ephs come to Midd, under the bright lights of a playoff game, we get to find out.  The competitive athlete of many moons ago in me would badly want my rival who kicked my butt to come play me in my backyard in front of my family and fans, but the old timer I have become is not so sure.  Whoever plays who next week, I think we are in a for a bumpy ride, and the way this season has gone, do not rule out a team at the bottom ending up the team at the top cutting down the nets in two weeks...

[middhoops]

Recent games in Pepin Gym have been different from all the games I've seen there before.  I started attending games in the early 1960s, so I'm trying to engage some perspective.
Jeff Brown has these players running the court like gazelles.
Whether it's off a rebound, a steal, a made basket or out of bounds play, this team tries to outrun you and attack the hoop.  St. Amour, Brown and Daly lead the attack but everyone runs and finishes.
Scoring output in the past month or so has been very high.  Shot clock?  What shot clock?

The Lakers of the 80s, UNLV circa 1990, Loyola Marymount around the same time: this game feels like "showtime" and the players appear to be having a whole lotta fun.  Their joy is palpable.

One never knows if it's a style of play that the coaching staff can sustain over seasons or if it's lightning in a bottle.  For now, Panther fans can sit back and enjoy the spectacle. 

This is so much fun that I'm already dreading the idea of spring, summer and fall. 

[Bucket]

Now the interesting question, given that I have no idea on the tie breakers, if the Ephs lose today do they come to play at Middlebury next week? 

No, Ephs will finish either 6th with a win or 8th with a loss (tied with Hamlton, but lost head-to-head). Can't finish 7th. So Middlebury will play either Bates (if Williams wins today) or Hamilton (if Bates wins).

[7express]

Now the interesting question, given that I have no idea on the tie breakers, if the Ephs lose today do they come to play at Middlebury next week? 

Hamilton beat Williams while Bates beat Hamilton.

IF Williams wins: Williams 6, Bates 7, Hamilton 8
IF Bates wins: Bates 6, Hamilton 7, Williams 8.

So, no Williams cannot finish in 7th, so they will not go to Middlebury......but they can go to Amherst though which is a nice consolation prize instead 

[lumbercat]

Bates-Williams game moved to 1:00 due to weather.

[Cards Fan]

Williams barely took that game. Gave them too many chances. However, this gives them an up and coming Amherst team to face instead of a Palleschi lacking Tufts.
If you were Williams, who would you rather play?

[nescac1]

Ephs hang on for a gritty road win by three over Bates.  Ephs were up 13 in the second half but Bates almost came all the way back.  Williams continues to struggle with turnovers, 19 as a team leading to 26 (!) Bates points, many on emphatic dunks.  The good news for Williams is that they were back to their customory level of defensive intensive after a strangely lethargic game vs. Tufts.  Bates really struggled to make shots all day, especially from deep, as nearly every shot NOT off a turnover was heavily contested with arms raised and a body nearby. 

The Ephs were lead by Dan Aronowitz, who had 22 points, 4 boards, and 2 steals, and shot an efficient 8-10.  Aronowitz did struggle a bit with turnovers (not all his fault) with 7 as he was constantly doubled by Bates and just could not connect with teammates when that happened.  Cole Teal, who missed the Tufts game, was huge in this one, hitting four threes (including two long-distance bombs) in the second half, finishing with 12 points and 11 board.  Teal also played tremendous perimeter defense.

The Delpeches were a major handful down low and I think all of NESCAC will be happy to see them graduate.  Today, a combined 34 points, 19 boards, and 4 blocks.  Williams actually played solid D on them for the most part, forcing them into a good number of tough attempts as reflected by their combined 14-31 shooting.  You can live with that. 

Williams stays alive for a Pool C bid.  I think the winner of the Amherst-Williams game is very likely in and the loser is hanging on by a thread to a bubble prayer.  Frankly, neither team has looked very good down the stretch but Amherst has won I believe five straight overall vs. Williams and the Ephs haven't won at Amherst in seemingly forever (I think 2010 was the last time).  The Ephs will be an underdog but anything can happen when these two meet as we know from long history.  Williams will need to shoot well and most of all avoid turnovers to have a chance of pulling off the upset!

[jumpshot]

Ephs hang on to beat Bates in Maine 65-62 despite 19 turnovers (37 total for the two-game weekend on the road) leading to 26 points for Bates, as well as 8 steals. A win is a win ....especially in that gym that is so cozy for the home team.

On to the tournament ....

[Bucket]

Williams barely took that game. Gave them too many chances. However, this gives them an up and coming Amherst team to face instead of a Palleschi lacking Tufts.
If you were Williams, who would you rather play?

Though to be fair, the "up-and-coming" aspect of Amherst has been modulated somewhat, seeing that they have now lost 2 of their last 3. And a Palleschi-less Tufts just throttled Williams two days ago. Pick your poison, I guess.

I think the x factor is that Amherst might be in must-win territory now. If they lose in the quarters, they will be squarely on the Pool C bubble. A desperate Amherst in LaFrak is a more dangerous team than Tufts in Medford, in my opinion. Though, Williams, obviously, is in must-win territory, too.

Anyway, the point is moot: Amherst-Williams, it is!

[amh63]

Amherst is glad to be where they are.  Split the last two games in which the offense is showing up again.  Cannot say much wrt the trend of their defensive efforts.  Against Midd, it was poor only in that Midd shot 60 percent plus overall in the first half.
Williams again in LeFrak should be fun for an expected big crowd! They should be exited...I am excited!  For me...will be spending the weekend in Chapel Hill.
Hope all traveling teams and fans arrived home safely.

[Bucket]

Cannot say much wrt the trend of their defensive efforts.  Against Midd, it was poor only in that Midd shot 60 percent plus overall in the first half.

Considering Amherst's standards, I'd think that giving up 106 would also qualify as "poor," as well.

[nescac1]

Forgot to mention, very impressed with Bates' Jeff Spellman. Lots of first years really came on strong in NESCAC play.  Spellman, Gilmour, Savage, Karpowicz, Folger, and Reynolds stand out as the guys to watch in years ahead. 

[maineman]

Here is a piece that Channel 3 in Burlington did on St Amour during the Trinity game.  Obviously, they were not aware of the tie breaker for the regular season seedings.

http://www.wcax.com/story/34482741/st-amour-leads-middlebury-to-share-of-nescac-titl

[Bucket]

Here is a piece that Channel 3 in Burlington did on St Amour during the Trinity game.  Obviously, they were not aware of the tie breaker for the regular season seedings.

http://www.wcax.com/story/34482741/st-amour-leads-middlebury-to-share-of-nescac-titl

Had Panthers' record wrong in chyron, too. Still, a nice piece that accurately captured Senior Day at Midd.