MBB: NESCAC

[Old Guy]

Impressions:
I worried that Midd didn't match up very well with Williams, who were so big and strong and deep in the front court and had possible POY running the show (Toomey-like?) in the backcourt, both scorer and distributor. I didn't give proper value to the converse proposition: that Williams might have trouble matching up with Midd's depth and quickness in the backcourt. I don't follow the Ephs as closely as some, but it sure appeared that Casey could use a Greenman to join him in the backcourt and allow him to move to the 2 on occasion.

Without question, Williams had a stinker of a first half, all those turnovers, a goose egg from three — the basket had a cap on it, but I didn't think Middlebury had all that great a first half offensively. I felt Midd should have had an even bigger lead, and was sure the Ephs would come out with guns blazing. When it got to a five point differential with lots of time left in the second half, I thought we were cooked (O Ye of little faith). But Middlebury is always game, that's been true for a long time, a number of different fives — credit the players of course, but also the coach who does not draw much attention to himself but always has his team prepared and gets a tremendous effort. With what I suspect is perhaps the best SOS in NESCAC, Midd's five losses are by 2,2,3,5,and 9 points (I realize I'm repeating myself — repetition serves as emphasis).

Scadlock is a puzzlement. Two years ago (2017), in the quarterfinal NCAA Tourney game, to go to the Final Four, Williams beat Middlebury in our gym 79-75 in a great game, Scadlock was the difference. He was terrific — we couldn't stop him inside or outside at the end of the game: I just looked up his numbers, thinking he must have had 20-25 points: he actually had 14, but was 4-6 fga, 2-3 from three. Nonetheless, he was the difference, making big hoops in the stretch. I had every confidence that he would be the best player in the league this year — 6'7", good shooter, good defender, an extraordinarily talented, versatile player. Today, I thought he looked a bit lost, his outside shot not confidently launched, not much of a presence inside: he had 3 points in 30 minutes. I didn't think that was possible. Offensively, he seems to be something of a non-entity, with Heskitt and Casey getting most of the shots. I certainly don't know how he should be used, and I have only seen this one Williams game from beginning to end, but his extraordinary ability seems squandered.

Midd gave up 93 points in a win at Bates and 92 in a win at Albertus Magnus, so I thought I needed to be content that we had limitations defensively. We would outscore people. Today's win is not entirely because of the Ephs' woes. Midd played good defense, both underneath and on the perimeter, especially in the second half. Very aggressive. Karpowicz is a handful with a nice soft touch underneath and very good footwork: Folger, Sobel, and McCord made him work for his hoops and had some great stops late. Watching early practices, I thought Sobel would help us down the road but not this year, but there's a need and he plays big minutes and makes a big contribution (six blocks today!)

That Middlebury backcourt, Farrell and Bosco especially, is scintillating. Farrell is a kamikaze dashing by people, finishing at the hoop. Bosco has a little Kyrie in him, will hit the three but also goes in among the trees and finds an imaginative way to score. The other backcourt people, or 3s, Dahleh, Delorenzo, and Leighton were solid indeed today. I was glad to see Delorenzo hit a couple of shots today: he's a confident, mature player who may miss a couple of shots but has a short memory and will bury his next effort without hesitating.

Big win!

[cacfan11]

Sobel deserves to be considered for DPOY at this point, averaging over three blocks per game in conference play and 2.5 overall. Grant Robinson is also a very strong candidate.

[amh63]

Middhoops.....not yet wrt makeup date.  Strange late change and one post wrt the reason being NY highway not allowing buses or trucks was a puzzlement too.
It has been an interesting day in D3hoops....a number of "upsets"....many against ranked teams besides Williams.  Seems Bates beat Tufts which is not an upset, IMO.  Wes had a close win over Conn.
A little "jumpy" not knowing when the game will be rescheduled.  Amherst's women's is scheduled with two games early next week as is the men's team.

[ContinentalDomer]

Not yet. There are some moving parts.  Other non-NESCAC games probably have to be moved to balance schedules, academics, and league play.

Had a date been set for the Amherst/Hamilton make up game?

[lumbercat]

Gutty performance by the Garnet Bobcats today in a spirited Alumni Gym in a must win game against Tufts. Jumbo coach Sheldon blew his cool with one of the Zebras in the second half----at the end of it the Zebra was more angry than Sheldon and the the 2 other Zebras needed to pull the angry ref away from Sheldon. Haven't seen anything like that in the past.
That cost the Jumbos 2.
Tough to play in Alumni.....but this Tufts team is young and rebuilding, Sheldon will have his day soon.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Today's Amherst-Hamilton game is cancelled.  The NY Thruway is closed to bus and truck traffic.

Postoned... right?

[P'bearfan]

Jonathan Farmer, a former Bowdoin basketball player and captain, was one of the 4 American soldiers killed in Syria the other day by a suicide bomber. I wasn't paying attention to Bowdoin basketball during that period so don't remember him but still very close to home. He was just 37 years old and leaves behind a wife and 4 young children.  Here is the statement by Bowdoin President Clayton Rose. What a heart-breaking story . .

Sad news indeed but thanks for posting.  Farmer played well before I started following Bowdoin basketball but he represents the very best of the young men that I had the privilege to meet.  While the NESCAC has some truly gifted players, what makes it a standout conference is that many of these players are such high quality people off the court as well.

[ContinentalDomer]

Postponed ... while not finalized, February 12 (Tuesday) is the most likely make-up date at this point. Each team will be coming off of trips to Williams and Middlebury on the final weekend of the regular season.

Today's Amherst-Hamilton game is cancelled.  The NY Thruway is closed to bus and truck traffic.

Postoned... right?

[amh63]

ContinentalDomer.....much thanks for the info. Plus k...when allowed.  If it is to be at the "end" of the regular season, it will be a most interesting stretch of games for Amherst....Williams, Midd, and Hamilton...all away games?.  If Amherst should win all of them, then the hosting of the Nescac Tourny maybe a reward....assuming wins over the remaining conf. teams...Tufts, CCB teams, etc.  A sort of "dream" scenario, I know.
At least Middhoops will know I will be watching .  Present plans has me in Florida in Feb visiting family and the Mouse in Disney.  oh well .

[JEFFFAN]

I don't follow the games other than Amherst very closely, but it seems that there is not much depth production at Williams right now.  Casey is obviously a stud, and there are a few others who are good, but after the top three the fall off has been surprising.   Allows other teams to game plan more effectively without many weapons.

Jeffs dont have the offensive guns to be great but they are young and athleitc, which helps on the defensive end immensely.   My guess is that they should be able to stay in games even without much offense.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Postponed ... while not finalized, February 12 (Tuesday) is the most likely make-up date at this point. Each team will be coming off of trips to Williams and Middlebury on the final weekend of the regular season.

Today's Amherst-Hamilton game is cancelled.  The NY Thruway is closed to bus and truck traffic.

Postoned... right?

I was more pointing out that the game was never canceled ... nor would be in conference. It could certainly be canceled at a later date, though very rarely in conference. Not likely to see it actually canceled.

[middhoops]

Amherst plays EConn today at 5:30.
This has been a spirited match up in recent years.

Williams play SUNY Oneonta and Colby plays Husson at 7.
Tufts plays Lasell at 8 tonight.

[amh63]

Wow...it's been bitter cold here in the D.C. area...and in the North East.  Wife has been busy checking on our "kids" as icy roads impacts travel.   It has been a busy Fall and early Winter...hosting family members on both sides....from California, Florida, NY.  Barely time to watch Amherst sporting events .  Modern technology..."FaceTime", helps as our oldest son and wife have moved overseas just recently.  Plans underway now for a football visit to Clinton. NY and Amherst.  Am insisting on some trips to Amherst for Basketball games in the future.  Wife smiles...while thinking I'm crazy...when I talk about a place in NE for winter sport attendance.  Hey, know some Amherst alum friends that have homes in the Deep South....for tax reasons...and keeps a place nearer to Amherst in order to watch live sporting events.
Thanks Middhoops for the Nescac schedule updates.  Amherst WBB game today, followed by a MBB game.  Always keep an eye on the WBB games....they won a tight game last night in Middletown.  The WBB Final 4 will be in Salem, Va. this year.  If Amherst makes the Final 4 again, wife and I will make the trip to Salem...again.

[Pat Coleman]

If/when you do, say hello to the Salem Civic Center for us. But make sure to go a mile and a half further down the road to get to Roanoke College. Their new on-campus arena is a really good venue for the D-III women's Final Four.

[amh63]

Will do Pat C. . Am aware that the location has been moved.  Have seen the facility online at the "local" college...after it was built.  Wife knows the best shops and we know the best places to eat, etc.