MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

In the present discussion of the academic quality of former women schools like Skidmore and Vassar, I would say yes.  But my knowledge is dated.  Do know that in the early to mid 90's, there were classmates of my sons who had brothers that went elseware, one to Vassar.  At least, the schools cited in the discussion are ones that do not have football teams.   

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

It is down to the final week of the regular season. It is now or never. Win the conference tournament, earn the automatic qualifier, and a team will be playing in March. Don't win it and either hold out hope for an at-large selection or the season is over.

The season continues or ends on the bounce of a ball from here on out.

So who may be in jeopardy and who is sitting pretty? On Thursday's edition of Hoopsville, we start to read the tea leaves while also chatting with teams who are hoping to punch their ticket for the Road to Salem or Rochester themselves. Plus, we get a preview of what could be a fascinating weekend of NESCAC tournament action at Amherst.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. You can watch the show LIVE starting at 7:00 p.m. ET here: http://bit.ly/2BIbiUe

If you have questions, be sure to email them to hoopsville@d3hoops.com or interact with the show via the social media avenues located to the right.

Guests include (in order of appearance):
- Steve Schulman, Lehman men's coach
- Matt Ducharme, UMass-Dartmouth women's coach
- Jamie Purdy, Piedmont women's coach
- Grey Giovanine, No. 9 Augustana men's coach
- Michele Durand, No. 24 Ohio Northern women's coach (WBCA Center Court)
- Howard Herman, Berkshire Eagle writer (NESCAC tournaments preview)

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[P'bearfan]

P'bearfan...nice post, as I really enjoy small world type comments.  I also have a BB type story.
Several years ago, went to an Amherst affair in downtown D.C in a private facility.  Going through security, I bumped into an older alum who wore a baseball hat that indicated he was at the dedication of a recent aircraft carrier named for the first Bush president.  The alum, a former FBI and CIA director, chatted on the way up to the musical affair.  Subject, men's basketball.  In particular, a grandson's participation at nearby D3 Gettysburg College, I recall.  Facility was a law firm, the older alum is referred to with respect by lawyers as "Judge"....I'm NOT a lawyer by profession . I therefore addressed him as "sir", being my elder. I was taught by my father to stand up for an older alum arriving at an mtg/ affair.
Hope to arrive home earlier enough to catch some of the Sat games this weekend.

+K

[P'bearfan]

The collective thinking among all the current posts here share a perception of the NESCAC as a conference from an athletic perspective. All of the potential schools mentioned may have merit but I see NESCAC Presidents vigorously protecting the exclusivity of their elite group of schools and think it highly unlikely that they consider expanding or changing the configuration of the conference to enhance athletics.

I'd be surprised if they open these elite doors to anyone unless there is a departure of a current member like a Tufts moves to the UAA as rumored in the past.

I agree with you, lumbercat. But does anyone think that Skidmore or Vassar are not at least the equals of, say, Conn College, from an academic standpoint?

If Tufts moves to the UAA, the NESCAC should poach one of the UAA schools.  Of course, I'd vote for Emory -  that way I could see a few NESCAC games by simply driving  

[WUPHF]

UAA: [Reads previous post]

UAA: [Thinks out loud] Eh, Emory is our safety school, so yeah, take them...

[WUPHF]

 

[Mr. Mo]

P'bearfan...nice post, as I really enjoy small world type comments.  I also have a BB type story.
Several years ago, went to an Amherst affair in downtown D.C in a private facility.  Going through security, I bumped into an older alum who wore a baseball hat that indicated he was at the dedication of a recent aircraft carrier named for the first Bush president.  The alum, a former FBI and CIA director, chatted on the way up to the musical affair.  Subject, men's basketball.  In particular, a grandson's participation at nearby D3 Gettysburg College, I recall.  Facility was a law firm, the older alum is referred to with respect by lawyers as "Judge"....I'm NOT a lawyer by profession . I therefore addressed him as "sir", being my elder. I was taught by my father to stand up for an older alum arriving at an mtg/ affair.
Hope to arrive home earlier enough to catch some of the Sat games this weekend.

Always great to see the Judge (at either an Amherst or WashU affair).  I hope he is in good health.  God bless him.
+K

[OldCardinal]

The collective thinking among all the current posts here share a perception of the NESCAC as a conference from an athletic perspective. All of the potential schools mentioned may have merit but I see NESCAC Presidents vigorously protecting the exclusivity of their elite group of schools and think it highly unlikely that they consider expanding or changing the configuration of the conference to enhance athletics.

I'd be surprised if they open these elite doors to anyone unless there is a departure of a current member like a Tufts moves to the UAA as rumored in the past.

I agree with you, lumbercat. But does anyone think that Skidmore or Vassar are not at least the equals of, say, Conn College, from an academic standpoint?

If Tufts moves to the UAA, the NESCAC should poach one of the UAA schools.  Of course, I'd vote for Emory -  that way I could see a few NESCAC games by simply driving

,

Why would Tufts leave the NESCAC - arguably the best DIII conference in the country, all of which are within a reasonable drive, to join the UAA?  There is no upside and a major financial and travel time downside.   

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I am not sure Tufts is a school the UAA is interested in. They have Brandeis. Not sure they need or want another school in Boston. They rather have Hopkins back in the fold.

[frank uible]

Tufts might believe (not completely without reason) that research universities are more academically relevant and important than LACs and thus wants to move to a conference where the membership is of a similar mind.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Tufts might believe (not completely without reason) that research universities are more academically relevant and important than LACs and thus wants to move to a conference where the membership is of a similar mind.

I don't see that. If true, would have happened a long time ago. I think Tufts is perfectly fine where they are.

[frank uible]

Tufts might be subject to change in its beliefs.

[OldCardinal]

Tufts might be subject to change in its beliefs.

I could be wrong but I'm guessing that the UAA was created b/c this group of colleges lacked a critical mass of like minded schools around them with which to align athletically.  Tufts (being a small University) would have been an obvious choice for the league back then (more so than Brandeis) and who knows if conversations were had (wouldn't be surprised).  In any case, Tufts had NESCAC so why move and take on the cost and travel time.  That's my take.

[nescac1]

If the UAA were to go after a second school in Boston, I imagine that MIT -- a more natural fit even than Tufts, and one that would definitely add to any league's prestige -- would be the top choice.  But I imagine that MIT might resist for the same reasons as Tufts, namely, a massive increase in travel costs. 

In tourney bubble news, Salem State was stunned last night in its league tourney, and is now on (probably) the wrong end of the Pool C bubble.  Since Salem probably remains ahead of Tufts, especially considering Salem beat Tufts, that almost surely pushes Tufts out of even the slim margins of the NCAA picture. 

For the most part, though, there haven't been very many big upsets in conference tourneys so far, which is good news for Amherst.  I think one more win and the Mammoths are very likely in, regardless of what happens in the NESCAC conference tourney championship.  If Amherst loses to Wesleyan, it's gonna have to root for very few upsets in conference tourneys. 

Should be a tremendous NESCAC semifinal round tomorrow!  Boy is there a quick turnaround, especially for teams in the second game, which is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 but probably will start more like around 8:00, who then have to play again at 2:30 on Sunday. 

[WUPHF]

I am not convinced that NESCAC is a better athletic conference (we can agree to disagree on that), but they do sponsor varsity rowing, ice hockey, squash, lacrosse and so on.  The UAA does not.

Between this and the travel issue, Tufts is not going anywhere.