MBB: NESCAC

[JustAFan]

Lots of interesting half time scores today, proving how hard game 2 of the weekend back to back series can be.

Bates has 5 steals and 17 points off turnovers to lead Williams by 7 at the half. Rebounding is dead even despite Williams huge size advantage and the Ephs have only gotten to the line 6 times.  The Ephs need to clean up their play and get more aggressive in the second half around the rim. Credit to Bates for a solid first 20 minutes of pesky play.

Wesleyan plays a solid first half to lead Amherst and Middlebury is in a dogfight at Tufts.  No gimme's on day 2 of the NESCAC weekend series!

[JustAFan]

Telling first half stats from Amherst/Wesleyan:  Amherst is shooting 19% (7 of 36!), has only gotten to the line twice and Wesleyan is controlling the boards (23-14 defensive rebounding edge, 16-8 points in the paint, 10-0 second chance points). Amherst bigs are a combined 0-9. Pretty clear what Amherst needs to improve on in the 2d half. 

[nescac1]

What a day of NESCAC hoops.  One of the top three POY contenders, Austin Hutcherson, hit an absolutely beautiful driving layup to win the game for Wesleyan, man he makes the game look easy, so smooth.  Grant Robinson nearly broke Wesleyan's heart at the buzzer but a prayer juuuust missed.

Bates gives Williams a heck of a game, as the Bobcats were up 13 with about two minutes to go in the first half.  The Ephs were ice cold and struggling with turnovers.  Williams hit two big late threes to close the lead to seven, and then in the second half shot and protected the ball more characteristically and were able to pull away, before Bates closed the final margin with a few meaningless late threes.  Playing at Bates (I agree, amazing gym) is never fun, the crowd was raucus and it took the Ephs quite awhile to figure out how to exploit the 1-3-1 zone.  Bates took away a lot of the Ephs' inside advantage and Williams couldn't punish them by hitting the many open threes the defense allowed. 

For Williams, the man of the game was another POY contender, Bobby Casey.  He was just awesome, with a 23-6-5 and 5 threes all of which were absolute daggers, and a huge three point play conversion just when it seemed like the game might go down to the wire.  He has some absolutely beautiful looks leading to easy dunks inside.  What a weekend for Casey, averaged 19-7.5-6.5 over two games. 

Scadlock was his usual solid self, with 15-9-4.  Marc Taylor was HUGE for the Ephs, putting up 11 points (including two triples) on only three shot attempts in eight minutes of playing time.  He gave a big spark in the first half when the team was struggling.  He's been nailing the corner threes which will always be open for any Eph not named Casey or Heskett (teams have to give up something), and so long as he continues to do so, he really needs to be playing a bit more, as his size, rebounding and defense are also assets.  He looks really confident right now as he is 5-6 from distance over three NESCAC games.  That is likely not sustainable, but he's earned a permanent spot in the rotation at least. 

For Bates, Tom Coyne was absolutely en fuego, hitting some DEEP three point shots, that guy has no conscience.  Jeff Spellman is always fun to watch, alone with Antone Walker the best moves with the ball in his hands in the league, but like Walker, he can be a bit boom-or-bust.  Today he was really good. 

Not all of em are gonna be pretty but the Ephs gutted out a tough road game despite Heskett having a rare off day (he was missing 3's that he usually makes with ease).  I believe no other Eph team has EVER started a season 15-0, and Williams has had some pretty good teams over the years!  Now, on to Amherst! 

[Colby Hoops]

Some really fun games today. Hutcherson's game winner for Wesleyan and Brennan Morris' game winner for Tufts happened just seconds apart. I could barely keep up switching between all the tabs on my computer!

Fru Che played great defense on Hutcherson throughout the game, but Amherst just couldn't find a basket in the first half. A lot of close misses for Amherst that easily could have gone. Robinson was excellent all day 21-6-4 and 5 steals with 0 turnovers. Great effort to fight back, but Hutcherson just can't be held down for a whole game. Wesleyan makes teams work on offense, looks like they have really turned their season around from the rocky start.

A rare off shooting day for Farrell against Tufts. The Jumbos had a really balanced attack, while Cohen and Aronson hit some huge threes in the second half. Bosco hit a few tough threes in the second half to give Middlebury a chance, including a great 4 point play. If Tufts can figure out the defensive end of the floor they are going to be really good over the next couple of years -- a lot of offensive talent.

[lumbercat]

Bates announcer Aaron Morse has become the signature of all Bates sports. He's worlds better than any of the NSN rental announcers. He also does a great job with Football but his forte may actually be baseball. He can make a slow boring baseball game really fun.
Aaron is a Seattle kid who has adopted Bates as his new home and we love the guy.

Bobcats struggling this year but one thing for sure- you better be ready to play when you come into that gym. Wish they had the talent to stay with Midd and Williams but they don't. 

However I think they may steal some W's in league play and sneak into the playoffs. If not, it won't be a case of Furbush not getting the very best out of his Bobcat team.

[middhoops]

Absolutely love listening to Aaron Morse, but I'm not ready to crown him the best, yet.
The great Jack Healy and former University of Vermont SID Bruce Bosley are both highly talented and versatile broadcasters.
We are blessed in New England to have NSN.

[amh63]

Some observations from watching about 2/3 of the Wes vs Amherst game....and Studing the stats today with a clearer head.  Oh, area got 5.5 inches of snow to date....expected snow update has reached 12 inches.  Posting now to avoid digging out my car while flurries continues.
The poor shooting stats by Amherst in the first half were under the basket...lots of Wes challenges and body bumps with no fouls.  Coach Hixon was talking to the refs on the matter.  Interesting in that BOTH teams shot the same on the foul line.  Both teams shot about the same from the 3 point areas. 
Che did a fine job checking Hutch and stats were such that he neutralized Wes's star player offensively/statswise for the game.  Bonner was the impact player player with his rebounding, etc.  Last year in Amherst's double digit lost in Middletown, big man Dixon scored 10 points.  This year, a FY big man impacted Amherst's players inside...Dixon nowhere.
Mobley of Amherst was not dressed??....while Chery entered the game but very briefly.
FY guard started the game and played well.  In the first half, he got an elbow in the chest and fell to the floor...helped up paused and continued...no call.
The 2nd half...part I saw...before going to a recital...Amherst's offense adjusted so that baskets inside made unchallenged/missed by the Cardinal players.  Overall, it was a low scoring defensive conference game.  Many of the stats show how close it was.

[Colby Hoops]

Wow, Colby loses at the buzzer in Hartford. A wild back and forth game that was played at Trinity's pace. Ronan Schwarz played great in the last few minutes to get Colby back even, with a big three and a couple of driving layups. Alex Dorion was fouled with 7 seconds to go with Colby down two and hit 2 of 3 free throws to tie it. Then Colby allows a layup at the buzzer on a blown assignment. Great play by Anthony Kelley to just attack the rim aggressively as time wound down. It seemed that Colby was expecting him to pull up for a jumper.

Colby had a 13 point lead early in the game on some hot shooting, but Trinity did a great job not helping at all in the second half and forcing Colby to go to the basket. Schwarz and Wallace Tucker were able to get some decent looks, but Colby was definitely out of its element without being able to get open looks from deep.

Interesting game between two very different teams. Trinity was able to control the pace and get a really nice game from Joe Bell. Christian Porydzy also hit a huge three with 40 seconds left to give Trinity a lead. Tough loss for Colby who now enters the really difficult portion of their schedule. Next week's game against Bowdoin looms large to ensure a spot in the Nescac tourney.

[old_hooper]

It looks like the big issue for Amherst is not getting that consistent 2nd and 3rd scoring threat.  Robinson has proven he can score in different ways.  They need more offense out of the bigs and challenge opponents down low more.  Essential if any chance against the Ephs.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The risk with basketball (and other sports) season? Weather. One or two storms can throw a monkey wrench into a well thought out schedule and travel plans.

The same can be said about trying to play with within a conference. Programs know each other so well that games can suddenly become rockier than anyone thought looking at the matchup on paper.

On Sunday's Hoopsville, Dave will take a look at the "stormy weather" that both Mother Nature and conference schedules seem to have brought us. From postponements and travel challenges to head-scratching results and season-turning outcomes.

Tonight's highlights include a Williams men's team off to the best start in program history, a DeSales women's program that is blowing the doors off of games, and a Greenville men's squad that seems to have mastered the "System" pretty darn fast.

We will also debut the "NABC Coach's Corner" with a former DIII coach, turned administrator. Schreiner Athletics Director Bill Raleigh talks about his former days coaching and why being an athletic director is what drives him now. He also talks about his work on the NCAA Basketball Rules Committee and his continued work with the NABC in support of Division III.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. Sunday's episode hits the air at 7:00 p.m. ET and can be watched here: http://bit.ly/2VRm3Lh (or via Facebook Live & Periscope simulcasts).

If you have questions about Division III basketball, feel free to send them and we will answer them on a the show. Email them to hoopsville@d3hoops.com or use any of the social media options to the right.

Guests Schedule (order subject to change):
- Kevin App, No. 3 Williams men's head coach
- Morgan Birmelin, No. 22 DeSales women's senior guard
- Bill Raleigh, Schreiner Athletics Director (NABC Coach's Corner)
- George Barber, Greenville men's coach
- Ryan Scott, D3hoops.com lead columnist

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[Old Guy]

  He's (Aaron Morse) worlds better than any of the NSN rental announcers. Lumber Cat

"Worlds better"? I wouldn't mind a touch more restraint. Not everyone thinks Johnny Most was the greatest. Without question, Bruce Bosley is the gold standard on NSN

the Ephs gutted out a tough road game NESCAC 1

Seriously, NESCAC 1? Were you worried about the outcome at the half? Young Girl (who attends Bates) was at the game and texting me furiously. I assured her about the outcome, that the real Williams team would show up at the half. I gave her 15 points and she did beat the spread, so I'm on for her tuition again. Bates (4-12), after some pretty ugly games early, seems to have found its feet and will play with nothing to lose against some really good NESCAC teams coming up (Wes, Amherst, Hamilton).

Watched all of the Midd-Tufts game online, hard thus for objective analysis. Of Midd's five losses (by 2, 2, 3, 5, and 9 points), I think this was the toughest because Midd seemed to me the better team (not so sure about Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Keene State, and Plattsburgh). We didn't play our best game. Tufts was much better in the second half, but the Panthers couldn't take advantage of a sloppy first half. Tufts is young (frosh & sophs), prone to mistakes, but bound to get better.

Tufts was the second day of a weekend on the road for Midd, always a challenge. Coming up, the Panthers play Williams, Bowdoin, Colby away; Trinity, Amherst, Hamilton at home. Speaking strategically (Ws & Ls), I think it might have been better if it were the other way around. A seven point win against Bates, a two point loss to Tufts — suffice to say, there will be no easy wins for Midd in the league. Some great hoop ahead, I hope.

[guest323]

I went to the Williams game the other day, they appear to be the frontrunners to win the Natty IMO!

[nescac1]

Old Guy, I was honestly very nervous down 13 at the 2:00 mark of the first half.  And it could have been worse than that. The two late 3s by the Ephs were huge and really steadied the ship.  I figured App would use the half to figure out the zone and as usual he made good adjustments.  Williams needs to come out a bit stronger at Amherst, which poses a much bigger test.  Williams hasn't won the regular season game in Lefrak for a loooong time.  Including the last two years when the Ephs were the better squad.

Guest323 I think Ephs are one of six really loaded front runners (just posted about those six on the Top 25 board).  If there is one it's certainly NWU, which has been winning with ease down two starters set to return soon.  That is really impressive.  Oshkosh, Augustana, St. John's, and Whitman are all loaded too.  The top of D3 is really strong with veteran squads this year. 

[Ubuntu]

Williams shoots 14-20 from behind the arc  vs Tufts, this can only be done if the looks are fantastic and the team can shoot. 

Good Weekend for Trinity, 32 assists in 2 games with a defense that makes you play 1 v 1
Bowdoin only had 6 assists, and Colby shot 9-28 from inside the 3 point line

Middlebury with a mind boggling 26 offensive rebounds AND LOSES.  Tufts can shoot....

Conn College is officially playing for next year, played 15 guys in each game this weekend

What 3 don't get in?  Conn College and then it's kind of a dog fight.  Thoughts anyone?

[lumbercat]

He's (Aaron Morse) worlds better than any of the NSN rental announcers. Lumber Cat

"Worlds better"? I wouldn't mind a touch more restraint. Not everyone thinks Johnny Most was the greatest. Without question, Bruce Bosley is the gold standard on NSN

the Ephs gutted out a tough road game NESCAC 1

Seriously, NESCAC 1? Were you worried about the outcome at the half? Young Girl (who attends Bates) was at the game and texting me furiously. I assured her about the outcome, that the real Williams team would show up at the half. I gave her 15 points and she did beat the spread, so I'm on for her tuition again. Bates (4-12), after some pretty ugly games early, seems to have found its feet and will play with nothing to lose against some really good NESCAC teams coming up (Wes, Amherst, Hamilton).

Watched all of the Midd-Tufts game online, hard thus for objective analysis. Of Midd's five losses (by 2, 2, 3, 5, and 9 points), I think this was the toughest because Midd seemed to me the better team (not so sure about Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Keene State, and Plattsburgh). We didn't play our best game. Tufts was much better in the second half, but the Panthers couldn't take advantage of a sloppy first half. Tufts is young (frosh & sophs), prone to mistakes, but bound to get better.

Tufts was the second day of a weekend on the road for Midd, always a challenge. Coming up, the Panthers play Williams, Bowdoin, Colby away; Trinity, Amherst, Hamilton at home. Speaking strategically (Ws & Ls), I think it might have been better if it were the other way around. A seven point win against Bates, a two point loss to Tufts — suffice to say, there will be no easy wins for Midd in the league. Some great hoop ahead, I hope.

Someone other than me characterized Morse as a Johnny Most clone- I grew up with the Celts and Johnny Most but don't see Aaron as a copy of Most in any way.  I never made that comparison. Most was entertaining and I've quoted some of his classics lines at times but Aaron has a different style. The only trait Morse shares with Most is the negative voice inflection when the opposing team buries another 3. When the Panthers were killing it on 3 pointers Friday night at Bates I could only think of Wali Jones, Tom Gola or the Big O hitting another bomb to bury the Celts from "way downtown" as Johnny used to say.
Other than that Aaron is a Cub Scout compared to Most. He does a great job but know there is no intention to emulate Most--no perceived likeness from my viewpoint.
I'll make it a point to seek out a Middlebury game and give Mr Bosely a listen.....will he be a Chick Hern knockoff ? I'll have to see. Your praise leads me to think he is a good one.

Let me qualify my comment on the NSN announcers.....I should have indicated that I was referring to the NSN announcers we see here in eastern New England with the Maine teams.
My bad, I haven't heard the guys in Vermont. I should indicated my frame of reference relative to NSN announcers.