MBB: NESCAC

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · September 28, 2018, 06:39:24 PM

Quote from: WUPHF on September 28, 2018, 01:41:28 PM
They have an interim Athletic Director, but not an Athletic Director.

I think everyone would agree that it is a disadvantage not knowing who your boss is going to be.

Yes and no ... the interim can sometimes be a good thing and I think for Brandeis it is.

Ole Ollie · September 29, 2018, 10:16:28 PM

According to Hoopdirt:

"I can confirm that Columbia University Associate Head Coach Jean Bain will be named as the next head coach at Brandeis University (MA). Bain, a native of nearby Medford, MA, had been an on the Columbia staff for the past two seasons. He also spent four seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Dartmouth, and six seasons prior to that as an assistant at New Hampshire. A former standout at Northeastern University, Bain was selected as the 1999 America East Rookie of the Year. An official announcement is expected within the next few days."

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · September 30, 2018, 12:38:17 PM

Yep. Though, we have to wait for Brandeis to announce it .. but my sources have been telling me for over a week this was going to be Bain's job.

P'bearfan · September 30, 2018, 06:33:31 PM

Very late with this news but Bowdoin has a new Assistant Basketball Coach, Felix Abongo who was previously an Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Clarkson. Abongo steps in for Scott Faucher who, after 4 years at Bowdoin, is now the Head Coach at Nichols College. Welcome to Bowdoin Coach Abongo and congratulations and best of luck to Coach Faucher!

nescac1 · October 01, 2018, 12:35:26 PM

Nice pre-season debut for Duncan Robinson (and pre-season is a huge step up from summer league, certainly):

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/g00/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-notebook-s20181001-story.html?i10c.encReferrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8%3D&i10c.ua=1&i10c.dv=22

12 points, 5 boards and 1 assist in 25 minutes (including 3-8 from 3).

And doubly-cool, it came against the Spurs, who have on staff as an assistant from Eph Will Hardy.

frank uible · October 01, 2018, 01:47:44 PM

Uncustomary large number of rebounds?

nescac1 · October 01, 2018, 02:09:25 PM

For Duncan, yes. He doesn't need to rebound much, just a little here and there. The bigger issue is if he is ready to guard NBA wings ...

ContinentalDomer · October 01, 2018, 11:10:17 PM

Defense, certainly. But Eric Spoelstra says, let it fly:

"[Duncan]'s starting to let them go," Spoelstra said. "He still had probably three or four more that he could have let go.

"I get it, because you come in, you just want to fit in, but you have to fit in your role. And if he's not making defenses lean, over-react to that spacing that he can provide, then just as a ball mover he's not bringing enough."

If he shoots like he's capable of shooting, he can stick around the league for a long time. Yeah, and he'll have to play some D while he's at it.

Quote from: nescac1 on October 01, 2018, 02:09:25 PM
For Duncan, yes. He doesn't need to rebound much, just a little here and there. The bigger issue is if he is ready to guard NBA wings ...

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · October 02, 2018, 06:46:21 PM

Ha... they don't play D in the NBA!

TheHerst2and4 · October 04, 2018, 04:20:20 PM

European theme to Coach Hixon's annual alumni newsletter (apologies for anything that has already been mentioned on the board)

The team took a trip to Greece and Italy playing a game in each country going 1-1. They took home the first game in Greece 84-69 with Josh Chery turning in an all around game with 17 points 6 rebounds 3 assists and 4 steals. They fell in Italy to Nuova Pallacanestro Olginate 72-59. Joe Schneider led the way with 12 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks. Would love for big Joe to have a break out year on both ends of the floor this year. Such a great experience for student-athletes that don't get the opportunity to study abroad due to a two semester sport.

The newsletter also provided updates on last year's seniors Johnny McCarthy and Michael Riopel. Both former captains are playing professionally in Ireland and getting graduate degrees.

Lastly, Hix listed the incoming freshman. The letter listed Phelan, Allen, and Schretter as mentioned previously on the boards. However it also included a name I don't think we've heard yet, Luka Duranovic from Serbia. Listed as a 6'7 wing it will be interesting to see how his game translates to the NESCAC style. You can check out his highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCzjsBBiUdA

nescac1 · October 04, 2018, 05:38:13 PM

Considering that those are listed as his "1999 highlights" I imagine his game has evolved considerably ... seriously how did Hixon ever find a kid from Serbia?? I have no idea what to make of that kid but Hixon really does seem due for a big-time impact frosh, whether him or one of the other frosh ... it's been a long time (by Amherst's standards) since the Mammoths brought in an Olson, Workman, Toomey or Connor Green-type dude. I guess Schneider was supposed to be that guy and maybe will get there as a senior, but he has a long way to go to do so. Or perhaps Tim McCarthy now that he is healthy.

WUPHF · October 04, 2018, 06:40:37 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on October 04, 2018, 05:38:13 PM
... seriously how did Hixon ever find a kid from Serbia??

Basketball is just so popular in the former Yugoslav republics and if you live in Serbia, you can hire an agent to help you find a way to play basketball in the US. That obviously does not explain every basketball recruit though.

jayhawk · October 04, 2018, 07:26:16 PM

I think the video of Luka is from September 2017
amazing that Herst found it

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · October 04, 2018, 08:42:15 PM

Quote from: WUPHF on October 04, 2018, 06:40:37 PM
Quote from: nescac1 on October 04, 2018, 05:38:13 PM
... seriously how did Hixon ever find a kid from Serbia??

Basketball is just so popular in the former Yugoslav republics and if you live in Serbia, you can hire an agent to help you find a way to play basketball in the US. That obviously does not explain every basketball recruit though.

Sometimes the prep schools are also a feeder to the colleges. A star at my alma mater (and my first RA) had come to school in the US from Croatia. I also went to school with a number of foreign students (and athletes) in my New England prep days.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · October 05, 2018, 08:17:53 AM

I talked with Ed Rupkus from Skidmore last year. He's from Lithuania. He said when he was making decisions about his basketball future, he had prep school offers from the US as well as pro offers in Europe. I don't think he specifically talked about an "agent," but it seemed like there was someone making those connections for him. He also talked about the US prep school/college pipeline as a means of getting a pro contract in Europe (with the added benefit of education).

I suspect this is what a lot of Australian players see, too.