MBB: NESCAC

[hoya73]

Another probably irrelevant seating post.  At Ramapo last week, all tickets were allocated ahead of time and at the beginning of the first game, the gym was 15% full and they were not letting Amherst/Keene folks in the gym if they didn't have a ticket.  And as we were leaving (half-time of second game), when 20% of the folks had left, there were still people out there waiting to get in.  Not sure what the solution is, but there must be a better way to run a railroad.

[BigMike33]

Nescac 1

You know my posts said that the ball stuck in Baines hands too long and that this year addition by subtraction going back to CSI tournament in December...first game without him. All I talk is X's & O's. This was my observation while every one was crying about the loss of such a talent. Now others share my point of view. Talent vs. team always a conundrum.

The subtraction allowed McCord to get minutes which then after huge game at Tufts made him the starter. McCord has impeccable footwork now..thanks Coach Reilly. McCord runs the court. The high low defensive scheme of 2 bigs allows McCord & Majors to release for easy run-outs & layups. McCord's passing has facilitated big to big passing as Guards space as decoys around perimeter

Then it allowed Folger to get minutes and forced him to shoot & score. Folger facilitates first then thinks offense. Fist play forces Folger to shoot. You know he has softest touch for a big man and mid range game around 60% accuracy. He has to shoot 3s on this team to maintain spacing which lowers his true field goal% efficiency.

Folger's career in high school, prep school & now 5 playoff games show a propensity to relish the big spot. Trinity game, where he did not miss 4-4, 3 threes, Williams game he led team in rebounds, Farmingdale game where he scored 9 when team was tight, finally the coming out party vs. Lycoming where he & St. Amour set the tone on 19-0 run to gain control of game.
His emphatic dunk lit the Pepin on fire....

The rebounding prowess in the first game by Simpson was caused by a disinterested Baines, & a very green Folger as the 2nd big. Tarantino played 9 and McCord 10 minutes. This was 1st game after Thanksgiving, no students, no atmosphere.

Game was tied late..Folger got Montroni on a pick/roll switch with less than minute to go. Montroni after a few fake jab steps, drove hard at Folger, then reverse dribbled and drained a 3 right in his mug...East Providence playground style where Montroni played all the time.  Montroni is the key...the ball is in his hands all the time. He gets Kamahl all his sweet looks. He got Brown & Daly in foul trouble. Brown fouled out. 

What comes from Endicott bench...not a lot.  Get Simpson in foul trouble and the result will be Middlebury by high single or low double digits. Let Montroni get his...don't get in foul trouble.  We will see some of this 2-3 zone too.  Coach Alberts after Lycoming game in which we got alternating man then zone sets in 2nd half, affirmed that staff now values zone as an option and will use it. The key being the ability to communicate & rebound in it. 

So much has changed from first match-up. I throw it out window.  Simpson is the key if you watched fist game and we maintained a steady state. Not the case..teams evolve. Simpson will be neutralized by the 4 bigs..It's 1 on 4 in terms of stamina & fouls. Simpson got his but he is not someone to fear.   Montroni is the key..not so much stopping him but how you handle him...what do you give him, what do you take away. What do you do to confuse or frustrate him.  Jake Brown not in foul trouble can get in lane & post Montroni all night.

Many story lines..just incredible theater....can't wait

Next year is next year. A top point guard comes in to share with Daly.   Leighton, DeLorenzo, Dahleh at 3rd guard. 2 other new recruits are scoring guards. 4 bigs return. Folger can get some 3 where he will be a mismatch nightmare in NESCAC. No St. Amour or Brown...I expect them to be in top part of NESCAC but not dominant. One step at a time

[Canvas Hightops]

Mike, sharing analysis of games and teams is always welcome as a contributor to this board. 
Using this forum to tout your son's game is not a good idea. 
Nor is saying anything negative about other players.

[BigMike33]

I provide pure analysis as someone that watches the games live..  Tufts injuries, Amherst lack of team cohesion. Hamilton's lack of toughness. I feared Wesleyan..really think they underachieved.

What am I touting..for what purpose??

Let's analyze this touting. I said he does the little things to help team. Blocks, deflections that lead to stops like the fingertip on the Lycoming inbounds on their offensive end that went to Brown and became a layup.  That's pretty much it. That his block totals are always under-counted because he is a freak with wingspan. That he contributes to his team differently that Gilmour, who is judged by our favorite stat, points. That's why all those lone driveway shooters all across America play competitively.

You tell me where the tout is....his greatest skill..his unselfishness in that he has fit in perfectly on a championship team that has now gone back to back..first time in history for them. He is the biggest cheerleader on the bench with all his hand gestures for his teammates. His teammates, other parents & coaches adore him. All he wants is to win.  Ask Coach Brown??

I am a fan of Middlebury, I love the team, the players...St. Amour is my favorite. Fire...Brown is the Ice. Daly, the Brains.  I said this team was special..and now after the individual fears spurred by memory have abated for the longtime Middlebury fans..they see the light

Why do you want to throw me under the bus for being a father. I'm not allowed to have a basketball opinion. I've seen more basketball in person than you ever will.. So if I tout environmental issues that you don't like -fracking & its' poisoning of water supplies & air where most of the fracking in West Virginia & Texas is located near our children's schools are you going to throw me under the bus because my daughter is a Fellow at Environment America.  Probably not because you like your environment..you just don't like Middlebury

I post to talk basketball get the perspective of others..looking for knowledgeable fans like Nescac1
Purely to KILL TIME BETWEEN GAMES.   I had 3 requests for the Susquehanna G2...and yet no comments. 

I point out strengths & weaknesses of all players when it comes to analysis.  Read every post.

You define it as criticism. How does one improve in any aspect of life if not aware of strengths and weaknesses.

Your cold water is refreshing....because with my dreams coming true before my eyes....I'm on fire

[bbfan44]

I noticed that Amherst has a big kid on their roster, one Mr Schneider that goes 6' 10" and 240 lbs.  Just wondering if he doesn't play because he's a bit slow, or has to improve his footwork, or...?
If Amherst has a JV team, he no doubt gets playing time there.  Will he play as a junior and senior, or is he a practice player only?  With that size, he could really help grab boards...and all the things that big men do.
Anyone have thoughts or knowledge?

[BigMike33]

General question about boards..they are meant for opinions..discourse.   
Where did this one go wrong. Why is it a quasi good ole boy club.

There are other technologies...your own personal chat room, how bout a group email, ----no dissenting opinions, no new ideas, the bubble is intact. No one pierces the veil. Yuck yuck yuck (cue Curley of 3 Stooges)

Yet lots of you want to tell others what to do or say. Creator frowns on that, Live your life. Have your own thoughts.

I've been told...don't predict a Middlebury win, don't analyze (tout) certain players, don't poke sticks in eyes, don't point out weaknesses in Coaches & Players (criticism), my analysis of current Middlebury team is invalid because I did not watch Middlebury in past. My current analysis of NESCAC is invalid because I did not see the historical upsets where Williams owns this team, and Amherst owns this team, and Middlebury can't win in this gym and on and on and on. Delusional. If you believe that past performance is indicative of future results when season, team & players are different then you are a lost cause,

How does my Williams vs. Middlebury for Final 4 prediction look based on analysis of teams & match-ups.

Then I am BEGGED for Susquehanna analysis after I tire of this board. and no follow-up on Susquehanna from Williams fans because you heard what you wanted to and the River Hawks fans know I am right when they are objective about their team.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

and the River Hawks fans know I am right when they are objective about their team.

You found a Susquehanna fan?  Where?

[FanOfNescac]

I provide pure analysis as someone that watches the games live..  Tufts injuries, Amherst lack of team cohesion. Hamilton's lack of toughness. I feared Wesleyan..really think they underachieved.

What am I touting..for what purpose??

Let's analyze this touting. I said he does the little things to help team. Blocks, deflections that lead to stops like the fingertip on the Lycoming inbounds on their offensive end that went to Brown and became a layup.  That's pretty much it. That his block totals are always under-counted because he is a freak with wingspan. That he contributes to his team differently that Gilmour, who is judged by our favorite stat, points. That's why all those lone driveway shooters all across America play competitively.

You tell me where the tout is....his greatest skill..his unselfishness in that he has fit in perfectly on a championship team that has now gone back to back..first time in history for them. He is the biggest cheerleader on the bench with all his hand gestures for his teammates. His teammates, other parents & coaches adore him. All he wants is to win.  Ask Coach Brown??

I am a fan of Middlebury, I love the team, the players...St. Amour is my favorite. Fire...Brown is the Ice. Daly, the Brains.  I said this team was special..and now after the individual fears spurred by memory have abated for the longtime Middlebury fans..they see the light

Why do you want to throw me under the bus for being a father. I'm not allowed to have a basketball opinion. I've seen more basketball in person than you ever will.. So if I tout environmental issues that you don't like -fracking & its' poisoning of water supplies & air where most of the fracking in West Virginia & Texas is located near our children's schools are you going to throw me under the bus because my daughter is a Fellow at Environment America.  Probably not because you like your environment..you just don't like Middlebury

I post to talk basketball get the perspective of others..looking for knowledgeable fans like Nescac1
Purely to KILL TIME BETWEEN GAMES.   I had 3 requests for the Susquehanna G2...and yet no comments. 

I point out strengths & weaknesses of all players when it comes to analysis.  Read every post.

You define it as criticism. How does one improve in any aspect of life if not aware of strengths and weaknesses.

Your cold water is refreshing....because with my dreams coming true before my eyes....I'm on fire

Geez, Louise. ``I'm on fire.'' That poor kid.

It's NESCAC D3, basketball for future doctors, lawyers and captains of industry. Sports in perspective. Usually.

[ronk]

and the River Hawks fans know I am right when they are objective about their team.

You found a Susquehanna fan?  Where?

Ryan,
  There was a Susquehanna fan(the Grove) on the Landmark board for many years but she physically moved to the Scranton area a couple of years ago and drifted from chatting since.

[Cards Fan]

I noticed that Amherst has a big kid on their roster, one Mr Schneider that goes 6' 10" and 240 lbs.  Just wondering if he doesn't play because he's a bit slow, or has to improve his footwork, or...?
If Amherst has a JV team, he no doubt gets playing time there.  Will he play as a junior and senior, or is he a practice player only?  With that size, he could really help grab boards...and all the things that big men do.
Anyone have thoughts or knowledge?

Most likely not developed enough yet. Wes has about 4 players from 6'7-6'9 who don't play. If he's a freshman/sophomore it's likely he'll play quite a lot next year.

[nescac1]

re: Schneider, I can recall four Amherst players hyped above all others before they arrived on campus: Andrew Olson and Aaron Toomey, who went on to become two of the best point guards in D3 history, Kurt Bennett, a center from California who ended up as a rotation player, and Schneider.  Schneider is 6'10, extremely athletic, was very highly ranked as a recruit, and came late to hoops so he has a huge upside.  On the other hand, he went to a national powerhouse high school where he barely saw the floor, followed by two years stuck behind quality veteran centers at Amherst.  So no one really knows, at this point, what he can do when finally given a chance.  Amherst has enormous unknowns at point guard and center next year, as no one returning has played any meaningful time at either position -- if Schneider can be an above-average NESCAC center as a junior, that would do a lot to keep Amherst in the NESCAC contention picture by reducing those unknowns to one position.  He certainly has the physical tools and looks the part, but how much will he be ready to contribute as the (presumptive) starter after being, essentially, a practice player for the last six years?  And will he even beat out CJ Bachmann, who Hixon has also spoken highly of?  It's the biggest "x-factor" question I can recall in NESCAC in many years. 

By the way, I can recall four Williams players being especially hyped during the recruiting process as well: Mike Nogelo, Manny Benjamin (who never reached his potential due to a series of unfortunate injuries), Mike Crotty, and of course Duncan Robinson. 

[PolarBear16]

I feel like it's not a good sign for Schneider's prospects that he stayed nailed to the bench for the second half of the season even as Amherst struggled. Neither George nor Conklin were doing so well that Hixon wouldn't have considered putting in Schneider if he was capable of playing well. That being said, Schneider has looked very good in the limited minutes that I have seen him play.

[warriorcat]

Both Conklin and George were seniors. Perhaps coach Hixson felt some loyalty to those two.

[grabtherim]

Both Conklin and George were seniors. Perhaps coach Hixson felt some loyalty to those two.

Loyalty?  I believe all coaches at this level are going to play the guys who give them the best chance to win until their team is either woefully out of contention or clinch their league.  Even after clinching, rankings and post season placements are on their minds.  Very tough for coaches to deviate and give minutes to others to either develop them or out of some sense of loyalty when winning is always on their mind.  Guys don't often lose jobs for winning but they sure as heck do for losing.  Bobby Knight's career would have lasted 30 seconds if he wasn't the coach he was, and Magic Johnson seemingly one of the nicest guys on the planet was 5-11 as a head coach before he and the Laker Brass realized he wasn't cut out for it.  Wonder if he will fare better as Head of Basketball Operations?  Is it Friday yet?   

[middhoops]

This posted on the Middlebury Ticket Office site:

"Friday and Saturday are now sold out. Any unclaimed tickets from the other team's allotment will go on sale at 6:00 PM on Wednesday at the McCullough Box Office. "

Yup, Ryan was correct.