MBB: NESCAC

[nescacfaninbos]

Yes, crazy finish in Clinton, NY tonight. Watched most of game online. Hamilton just could not get it going offensively until midway through the second half but their defense was equally out of sync. Never seen a team give up so many baseline drives. Gilmour  and Hoffman had solid games and excellent second halves but, imo, the difference maker was Osarenren- made a couple of timely steals and hit a big three. Even though he didn't get many minutes, he made the most of them and Stockwell was not afraid to put some of his seniors on the bench to get Osarenren and Kendall some crunch time minutes for defense. Credit to PSU-B, they came to play and almost pulled off a great win. Will need to step it up on both ends to advance.

[daoustian]

Nice Amherst win with a huge second half and almost everyone made it off the bench and into the scoring column. Great to see Sellew is back in action. Like Amh63, maybe Saturday night plans get rescheduled and the game gets streamed during dinner and I blame it on the snow...

[ContinentalDomer]

After turning the ball over with a pass that hit the baseline, with a 3 point lead and 3 fouls to give, Hampton fouled PSB 3 times.  The 3rd call resulted in an intentional foul call - probably the right call.  PSB missed the first of 2 FTs and kept the ball.  A contested shot and two tip-in attempts came close.  Warm up the car, and get out of town.  Hamilton's defensive pressure late in the game and FT shooting (20-23) were decisive, along with the fact that PSB didn't have any defenders to
Contest Gilmour and Hoffman at the rim during the last 12 minutes. 

Big time ref show in Clinton almost costs the Continentals. Hamilton called for an intentional foul with 10 seconds left and up 3, but escaped with the win after a defensive stand at the buzzer.

Obviously, Hamilton was fouling intentionally in the situation as they had fouls to give and were wasting time. Yet, it's the same thing as fouling when a team is down at the end of the game. Refs would have to call that every time to be consistent. Would have been a joke to end the season that way, luckily Hamilton held on. A nice, gritty win for them in a raucous atmosphere in Clinton.

Also, Kena Gilmour almost euro stepped a defender out of his shorts on his basket to take the lead for good late in the game. Pretty move.

I was wondering what transpired during the last 20 seconds. I couldn't watch but was following the online play-by-play and it was hard to understand what happened.

[old_hooper]

Congratulations to Williams and Hamilton advancing.  The Continentals are fortunate to win that game. A lot of energy was extended and hope they have enough in the tank to win tonight.  Should be interesting for the Ephs to see if they got it back.

Amherst has an interesting match up tonight against Rochester and former Hixon assistant coach Luke Flockerzi, head coach Rochester.  He was responsible for much of the recruiting in Amherst 07 & 08 classes who have the most wins in 4 years (111) that won the first National Championship 07 and were runner-ups in 08.

For Amherst, I am not sure there has been a more impressive run to the post season then this year.  Winning 6 of 7 games with only 2 games at home both against Wes. Victories over Hamilton, Williams and Midd on the road was a tall order for this young team.

An interesting observation however down this stretch.  Garret Day is a key player for this team who plays meaningful minutes.  When you are at the end the game you want to have the ball in either his hands or Robinson.   Day sank back to back 3s last night.  Prior to that he was 1-27 from field (1-19 3s) over the last 4 games and 0-6 last night before sinking back to back 3s.  The point being made is he is to good of a player to not be more consistent offensively.  Those additional 6-8 points a night will only make them better and what they need to make their run over the next couple weeks to advance.  Hopefully his shooting slump is over.

[amh63]

old_hopper....thoughtful post, especially wrt to Day.  Plus k

[jumpshot]

Ephs advance to Sweet Sixteen by playing excellent defense and shooting much better this weekend, perhaps aided by hosting in Williamstown and Gwynedd Mercy's upset of Plattsburg who may have given the Ephs more of a challenge.

In any case, Ephs playing freely, sharing the ball well in spreading the court, and high energy. Loved the high flying dunks both nights!

Regained swagger ....

[nescac1]

For the first time in a long time: (1) Scadlock and Heskett both looked physically totally right in the same game and (2) Casey and Heskett were both on from deep together.  The Ephs D was fantastic and as Jumpshot noted they played loose and with swagger, what a fun performance. This is the Eph squad we saw before the struggles to end the season.

The Ephs will, rightly, be an underdog if they play Whitman next.  But they played a (far inferior but still very quick) pressing team today which is great prep.  And they have six days to prepare for the heat Whitman will bring - although you can never be truly prepared for their unique style.  Still, the Ephs as the underdog will hopefully be loose yet confident.  They certainly have a good shot at an upset at least if they play and shoot it like they have over the past three halves. 

Exciting to see three Nescac teams in the Sweet 16.  But now things get a whole lot tougher!

[old_hooper]

Looks like sectionals will be played at Amherst, Hamilton, Oshkosh and Augustana.

[nescacfaninbos]

New to D3 basketball - how does the site selection work? Wouldn't Whitman host as top remaining seed?

[Conts Fan]

New to D3 basketball - how does the site selection work? Wouldn't Whitman host as top remaining seed?

The NCAA doesn't want to pay to fly three teams to the west coast.

[nescacfaninbos]

Ah, figured as much, happy for Hamilton, will be an interesting couple of games - watched a little bit of Whitman last night and they are fun team to watch. Will be an interesting contrast of styles with Williams.

[jumpshot]

NESCACFANINBOS:

Why fun to watch and how are the styles contrasting?

[nescacfaninbos]

I confess I did not watch the whole game but Whitman appears to be on the smaller side (I believe they started a 6'3' center), very quick, press the whole time and jack up a lot of threes - very fast-paced game in what appeared to be an electric environment. Williams appears to be almost a traditional D1-sized team who plays solid, fundamental basketball. If they can handle Whitman's press and get out on their threes, Williams should be able to dominate with what appears to be huge size differentials at each position. Again, very limited perspective here after watching one half of Whitman basketball. 

[amh63]

As expected, Amherst will host the sectionals.  RMC, Swarthmore are coming to Pioneer Valley, along with the team that beat Midd....the only unranked team.   Swarthmore blew out MIT...scored over 100 points.  Glad RMC meets Swarthmore...both teams ranked above Amherst in the last D3hoops poll.
Interesting that Hamilton will host again...as does Bowdoin on the women side.  Amherst WBB team will head to St. Paul, Minn. 
In the first round, Amherst charged attendees less than the other hosting schools, it seems.  Amherst students did not pay.  Nice gesture by the school,imho. 

[Pat Coleman]

Indeed a nice gesture, because that means that Amherst is writing a check (or otherwise reimbursing) the NCAA for every Amherst student which attended.