MBB: NESCAC

[grabtherim]

"I don't know if I'm supposed to say anything or not, but let's just say there's pattern consistent with the performance of many individual school and conference websites as well." 

Wow, sounds like some spy stuff.  Is there a move by some unseen forces to slow down the D3 site as well as some schools and athletic conferences sites as well?  You have cracked open an interesting door.  Inquiring minds want to know. 

Anyone else having issues getting on the d3hoops site?  It had been incredibly slow - now I am getting a message saying that there is a privacy error - someone has hacked the site and is phishing for private info?

[amh63]

Back home before the snowstorm hit today....strange weather patterns today. Several comments.
First....the comments wrt to the hacking/spy comments.  Here in the Capital of spying, fake news, etc., etc....the Amherst website was down for the looongest time.  However, the athletic website remained ok...took me awhile to get adjusted to the new format.  Not as nibble in adjusting to "new things".
Interesting to see that the Nescac tournaments ends up in Hamilton and Bowdoin...both schools in the farthest sites.  However, it maybe the ones to escape this tricky Winter weather.  D3hoops did bring up a "tournament site" comment in its last broadcast.  If Amherst gets the chance to hosts both the WBB and the MBB in the NCAA...the WBB team wins in that this is an odd year.  Men gets to play Host in the even year.  Forgot that info bit.  Does it apply to other schools too.
Colby Hoops...enjoyed your post.  Wouldn't take your last comment to Vegas, however

[JEFFFAN]

Thoughts on Williams-Amherst:

A little-discussed key to the Mammoths' recent run of success has been Fru Che.  He usually guards a top-notch offensive player, and with his combination of strength, length, quickness and effort, does a tremendous job of containing elite guys without fouling much.  Very good at pushing guys just one step out of their offensive comfort zone.  He hasn't picked up more than 2 fouls in any of his last EIGHT games, and he's been averaging 33 minutes per game!  That's amazing considering his defensive responsibilities.  The Ephs' James Heskett has really struggled to get going against him in the prior two matchups, and Austin Hutcherson (who I presume he guarded, although I'm not sure?) also had a brutal game in his last outing.  On the other end of the court, he has become one of Amherst's three go-to guys, averaging nearly 20 ppg over his past four, spacing the floor really well. 

Williams can't be just the Bobby Casey show again against the Mammoths, as it was the first two meetings (although of course Williams could really use another big day from him as well).  Heskett looked good against Trinity, and Karp had his biggest game of the season -- both of those guys will be key to Williams' success on Saturday.  Kyle Scadlock will do a lot of the dirty work on both ends of the floor, but the Ephs really need to get Heskett and Karp going early in the game. 

As for Hamilton-Tufts, Hamilton is clearly going in as a big favorite, but Tufts has given notice that they will be a force in the league the next two seasons.  The young Bos' have proven that when they are hot they can score the ball on anyone, but the defense continues to be a problem (and while holding Midd to 76 is impressive, sounds like the Panthers just had one of those days from outside).  Although they came within four on the road last time they played Hamilton, that was Kena Gilmour's worst game of the season (4 points, 2-10 shooting), and Hamilton STILL scored 87 points.  No way Gilmour has another game like that in him vs. Tufts. Hamilton will not take this game lightly after Tufts gave them a scare, and I don't think Tufts has the experience or defensive mindset to hold Hamilton under 90 in this one.  With 100 percent of the playing-roster back next year, plus top-notch recruit Casey McLaren added to the mix, Tufts will however be a team to watch in the future. 

I continue to think that Hamilton, Williams and Amherst have all done enough to get into the NCAA tourney.  Midd sits uncomfortably on the fence but I would still bet they are in thanks to that killer SOS and the big wins over Hamilton and Williams. I think Hamilton and Williams/Amherst winner earn home pods with wins on Saturday. 

The winner of the league tourney (assuming it's not Tufts) has a very good chance of hosting all the way to the Final Four.  In what I assume (for geographic reasons) will be two quarters of the bracket ultimately hosted by teams from the eastern half of the country, the candidates are the NESCAC tourney winner, Swarthmore, Randolph Macon, Christopher Newport and MIT.  It would depend on what happens in the last week of regular season and first weekend of the tourney, very likely that would just sort itself out with a few of the contenders picking up a loss.  But I'd bet that one of Swarthmore/RMC/Christopher Newport ends up as one regional host, and one of MIT or the NESCAC champ (or possibly NESCAC runner-up if both MIT and the champ both lose in rounds 1/2) as the other.

Good write-up, nescac1.   Che has really come on over the past two months to become as good as Robinson is for that lineup.   It is comforting to know that they are both sophomores so there is some good to come over the next few years.   This weekend's game should be a great one.   Not sure who would be favored - it depends upon which Williams comes down to LeFrak to play.   The early season or the later season one.

[ronk]

Back home before the snowstorm hit today....strange weather patterns today. Several comments.
First....the comments wrt to the hacking/spy comments.  Here in the Capital of spying, fake news, etc., etc....the Amherst website was down for the looogest time.  However, the athletic website remained ok...took me awhile to get adjusted to the new format.  Not as nibble in adjusting to "new things".
Interesting to see that the Nescac tournaments ends up in Hamilton and Bowdoin...both schools in the farthest sites.  However, it maybe the ones to escape this tricky Winter weather.  D3hoops did bring up a "tournament site" comment in its last broadcast.  If Amherst gets the chance to hosts both the WBB and the MBB in the NCAA...the WBB team wins in that this is an odd year.  Men gets to play Host in the even year.  Forgot that info bit.  Does it apply to other schools too.
Colby Hoops...enjoyed your post.  Wouldn't take your last comment to Vegas, however

Yes, it's D3 wide, not just NESCAC. And, if both Amherst teams win their regionals, then the men will have hosting priority in the sectional round.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

It may even be NCAA wide ... but:

Odd numbered years: Women priority first weekend; men priority second weekend.
Even numbered years: Men priority first weekend; women priority second weekend.

[Pat Coleman]

Anyone else having issues getting on the d3hoops site?  It had been incredibly slow - now I am getting a message saying that there is a privacy error - someone has hacked the site and is phishing for private info?

This is most certainly NOT the case. That's just Google being scary for you. Nothing is hacked.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The third public NCAA Division III regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2019/02/men-regional-rankings-third

[JEFFFAN]

The third public NCAA Division III regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2019/02/men-regional-rankings-third
[/qu

Does this suggest that Middlebury is on the bubble at 6 in the regional rankings or does their regular season title put them in safely?

[Bucket]

The third public NCAA Division III regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2019/02/men-regional-rankings-third
[/qu

Does this suggest that Middlebury is on the bubble at 6 in the regional rankings or does their regular season title put them in safely?

Barring upsets—Tufts winning NESCAC, someone other than MIT winning NEWMAC, etc—Midd should get to the top of the region and to the table pretty early and would have a better-than-not chance of being in the field as they are compared to other regional teams at the table.

Some may look at all of this and say the Panthers are safely in. But there could be just a solid an argument that Midd is on the bubble, and when that's the case, a bubble can always pop.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The third public NCAA Division III regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2019/02/men-regional-rankings-third
[/qu

Does this suggest that Middlebury is on the bubble at 6 in the regional rankings or does their regular season title put them in safely?

Regular season title is not part of the criteria ... doesn't help.

They are lower than they should be, but I suspect they will get in. Let's see how many upsets rock the boat between now and Sunday.

[nescacfaninbos]

Wow, sounds like some spy stuff.  Is there a move by some unseen forces to slow down the D3 site as well as some schools and athletic conferences sites as well?  You have cracked open an interesting door.  Inquiring minds want to know. 


Anyone trying to access Amherst's site might have been experiencing problems related to this - five days??!! Wow!

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/02/21/almost-week-no-internet-amherst-college?utm_content=buffer1b760&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=IHEbuffer

[WPI89]

Modern day version of stealing mascots?  I heard Williams internet was flying all week - just a coincidence, probably?

[nescac1]

While waiting for championship Saturday, an updated list of announced NESCAC recruits, hopefully I included everyone mentioned by others on this site:

Amherst: F Dan Schleckman and F Beluo Oranye

Bates: F Jacob Iwowo

Bowdoin: C Jack Garza, G Dylan Lien, F Jack Shea, G Ben McPherron and G Manav Randhawa

Colby: G Kevin O'Boy, F Cooper Wirkala and G Kyle Butler

Hamilton: C Patrick Mogan, G Nkoski Cooper, G Conner Rood and F Liam Regan

Middlebury: G/F Jackson Pitcher and G Noah Osher

Trinity: G Joe Hoch

Tufts: G/F Casey McClaren, G/F Dylan Thoerner and C Jayson Taylor

Williams: G Cole Prowitt-Smith and F Brandon Arnold
 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

There are just days left in the regular season and conference tournaments are in full throat. And those vying to get into the NCAA Tournament are already sitting on the proverbial "bubble."

There are two ways to keep dancing in March, either win the conference automatic qualifier (i.e. tournament in most cases) or hope one's resume is good enough to be selected. However, with upsets in conference tournaments come some nervous times for those needing the at-large avenue.

Some teams are already on the bubble, but are they in trouble?

On Thursday's Hoopsville, Dave brings in guests who either have already lost or may need to win. We also enjoy the thrill of victory. And hear from a coach in charge of off-season workouts and practices at her institution. What goes into such a job as most teams start to make the transition to next season.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. Thursday's show can be seen LIVE starting at 7:00 p.m. ET right here: http://bit.ly/2NhkfYn (or via Facebook Live and 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 dave.mchugh@d3sports.com or use any of the social media options to the right.

Guests Schedule (order subject to change):
- Cameron Hill, Trinity (Texas) women's coach
- Kristin Karat, Cedar Crest women's coach & Assistant Director for Athletic Performance (WBCA Center Court)
- Jeff Brown, Middlebury men's coach

If you enjoy the show via the podcasts, choose your favorite avenue to listen and/or subscribe via the the following four avenues (click on the images when necessary):
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[JEFFFAN]

Predictions for this weekend?   I see Hamilton holding on against a rapidly improving Tufts team, largely due to home court advantage.   I also see Amherst sneaking by Williams mostly because of the slump that Williams has been in over the past month or so.