MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Nice road win for Williams against a game but undersized Manhattanville squad.  On a night when the Eph shooting was off (28 percent from 3, a brutal 48 percent from the line including some front end 1-and-1 misses), Williams was able to nonetheless put up 85 by pounding the ball inside.  Nearly every Eph FG was within 2-3 feet of the basket. 

Player of the game for Williams was definitely Matt Karpowicz, who dominated inside on both ends (16 points, 7 boards, 5 blocks in only 18 minutes, not sure what the guy has to do to play 25!).  Mickey Babek also had a nice game off the bench for Williams, with 13 points, 2 steals, no turnovers, and the heads-up play of the game, with a steal and three point play as time expired in the first half.  Williams is still figuring out who the fifth guy will be in tight situations, and tonight he made a case for the job. 

Williams still has plenty of room for improvement.  After a dominating first half Williams struggled a bit during a choppier second half, losing a half for I believe the first time this season.  Lots of stoppages of plays, lots of questionable calls, lots of missed FTAs, lots of turnovers (16 for the Ephs, a lot of them avoidable).  The good news is, the Ephs won't often shoot like that from 3 and especially the line, and they still put up loads of points.  The bad news is, they won't play many more games against such liliputian teams where they can just dominate inside.  Still, a very solid win!

[jumpshot]

First, a few random general observations regarding NESCAC (and elsewhere) basketball:

Offense: the emphasis on three-point shooting has brought a corresponding decline in passing and ball-handling skills, as a lot of threes are created from spacing and cutting rather than precise passing and catching the ball in close spaces or adept screening; tolerance of palming is also a widespread difference. Far more year-round single sport concentration tends to elevate shooting skills, for example.

Also: a preference for getting to the rim as a second option to the increase in three attempts, has reduced the mid-range game, and made really good individual defending (footwork, body control, arm and hand position, etc.), something of a lost art;

Defense: having lots of length certainly helps defending the perimeter and has become a highly desirable attribute, enabling the choice to stay in man-to-man with lots of switching and helping without defaulting to a more static, permeable zone defense.

Changing subjects entirely: the financial stress of many states (6 thus far) overreaching for revenues by allowing betting on college athletics will, over time, push athletics at the Division 1 level, beginning with football, from sport to entertainment vulnerable to outside abuse and corruption.

Talk among yourselves, as many here are longtime participants and observers ....with additional keen insights already underway not fully recognized.

[Canvas Hightops]

Oh yeah.  I'm just itching to bet on NESCAC squash and cross country skiing.
Where is Nescacman when you need him for point and odds?

[D3HforLyfe]

Satran out at CC. Wow - https://hoopdirt.com/diii-dirt-satran-connecticut-college/

[nescac1]

Wow.  Seems like a bizarre time to fire a coach.  Especially at a Nescac school.  Wonder what the story is ... because if the issue is wins and losses, that has been consistent for years. 

[jumpshot]

Canvas Hightops:

Glad to know you are still working on your reading skills.

[amh63]

Nescac1....agree on the timing!  Coach has been there for quite some time...but his record is telling.  Conn College does not have a football team, but was a MBB power in the past...before it's HC moved to D1....Brown?  It's other men's sports and most of its women's sports.....being a former all women's college...are competitive.  Conn college has a beautiful campus overlooking the Conn. river and has been improving its sports related facilities....have visited the campus and watched games, etc.  Have classmates whose wives are proud loyal alums that want their school to be competive in the conference and yes, beat the teams of the seven sister schools
It is noted that the initial poster on this board was a Conn follower.

[nescac1]

When was the last time a Nescac hoops coach was fired?   I honestly can't recall even one example.  Was it perhaps Satran's predecessor?  Satran has recruited better than some, but had a crazy number of star players leave the program.  With no Conn fans here, the reasons why remain a mystery. 

Conn should make a godfather offer to Coach Maker.  Probably no interest, but it can't hurt to inquire! Given the depth of local talent in CT it's a great job. 

[nescac1]

On another note, today is a great day (likely the best of the year) of out of conference action for Nescac squads: Endicott, Nichols, Babson, Eastern Conn and Salem should give an early sense of how the league matches up with strong regional opponents, and CMU and Yeshiva are credible out of region road tests.

[jumpshot]

Coach Maker has and will continuously have numerous far more attractive options ...stay tuned.

[nescac1]

Yeah, I'm sure you are right Jumpshot ...

[jumpshot]

Williams play in first 8 minutes of today's game abysmal. Disinterested, poor defense, etc. Will be in trouble if it continues.

[ECSUalum]

Way too many TOs, (20), and really poor FG, 3pt, and FT shooting (35, 15, 50% resp), led to the demise of Wesleyan vs a defensively competent Eastern Warrior squad, 70-50, this afternoon in Middletown.  Balanced scoring from the starting 5 with Corey Muckle taking over for a cool Jake Collegan at 3 pt range with 21pts.  Eastern continues to lose the rebounding game, which will hurt them in the long run if hey dont fix it.  Former star Hugh Lindo was an expert at  def rebounding and drawing the charge.  Eastern could have done more this on the Wesleyan dribble drive.  Carlos Gonzales, (one of last year NCAA D-III top 5 steal leaders), had 4 more thefts today to go with 7 assists and 16 points!
Jordan Bonner and Jordan James led the Cardinal with 15 and 12 points.

[Ubuntu]

Babson pounds Bowdoin today.   Beavers up by nearly 40 before they called off the dogs.  Bowdoin's relies heavily on two guys for all the scoring (Simmonds and Reynolds).  Could be trouble ahead for the Polar Bears.

[middhoops]

In fairness, Babson was coming off a home loss to Endicott.  Bowdoin was in trouble in this road game before it started.  Tough place to win.