MBB: NESCAC

[Cards Fan]

The team hasn't shown any ability to compete in a big game yet.

Instant Karma to myself.

What a game.

[lumbercat]

The team hasn't shown any ability to compete in a big game yet.

Instant Karma to myself.

What a game.

Great win by the Cards- yeah Karma I guess at the risk of being a front runner. Glad to have you in off the ledge. I never count Reilly out in this league. His record speaks for itself.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Is Sobel hurt again?  Not in the boxscore today.

[NEhoops]

Solid win for WES. As lumbercat stated don't count them out (especially at home) as long as Coach Reilly is at the helm. They've got two winnable games this weekend – hosting TUF and BAT; and can generate some solid momentum to start league play. Seems like Robinson had a solid game for AMH, I'll let those in the know elaborate on what they need to improve on as a team. They will have to bounce back quickly at home, but MID and WIL (rivalry game!) will be ready to play. Still some unknowns for these teams, but both are in the mix for an at-large bid.

Tough loss for BAT, in their three recent losses they have been leading at halftime. Seems like not enough fire power and/or a lack of execution down the stretch. A lot would have to bounce their way for them to make the league tournament.

The COL/BOW game (from Sun) definitely highlighted teams going in different directions. COL will be making a push for the top of the league, whereas BOW will likely be one of the three teams left out of the league tournament.

Good tune-up wins for HAM/WIL/MID. HAM will be at home this weekend but will have to raise their level of play to get to 2-0. They're also in the at-large conversation. WIL has a tough draw and will hope for some more consistent play – it's sink or swim time now. MID will hit the road this weekend against AMH and HAM, but they'll be up for the challenge. A chance to make an early statement as they compete for the top spot in the league. 

Good win for TUF last week even though Nichols is sliding a bit. They have the pieces and schedule to make some noise in league play. They are thinking at-large for sure.

TRI has been plugging along, somewhat under the radar. As was mentioned by another poster, it seems as though they are scoring at a higher rate than years past which makes them a tough out. The dreaded trip to ME this weekend will tell a lot about where they are at. They are still searching for a signature win.

Hopefully CON is able to do some things in league play that they are able to build on for next season. They'll be up for the spoiler role, but they most likely be left out of the league tournament. 

[nescac1]

I think the Amherst-Wesleyan result is a reminder that this year in NESCAC, we need to expect the unexpected.

Middlebury and Colby have clearly been the most impressive teams so far, but neither  (and particularly Colby) has played an overly demanding schedule.  And both had key players absent (Tucker and Sobel, plus Folger did not play the second half of the blow-out victory) from their most recent games. 

Amherst was the pre-season favorite, but is 2-2 vs. its only four noteworthy opponents, plus has the loss to Westfield State.  Amherst's overall stats are impressive but also inflated by blow-out wins over terrible opponents (Pine Manor, Baruch, Lesley, Elmira, Lasell).  Amherst seems to be missing the group of veteran bigs who graduated last year in the games it has lost.  Vs. Westfield, killed in the paint (40-22 points in the paint).  Babson and Amherst were tied at points in the paint, but Babson is a small, perimeter-oriented team.  Wesleyan also outscored Amherst in the paint, 26-20.  Amherst looks really good offensively, they have shot the lights out (41.5 from 3 on the season, really impressive), but are playing only two true big guys, never at the same time, as opposed to last year when they rotated four bigs in and out at the 4/5, and Schneider was really imposing in the minutes he played.  Sellew's offense at the 5 is a big plus, but as really a hybrid 4-5 he is going to be defending bigger guys on the interior at times.     

The rest of the league is even harder to get a handle on, other than Conn and Bowdoin, which are clearly taking up the rear.  Since its two ugly losses, Wesleyan changed its starting lineup, and the current starting five quietly has a six game winning streak and the first five of those games were via blowout.  The Cards have a fairly soft six game stretch coming up, and its certainly possible they could win 5 or even 6 of those if they keep playing well.  Sam Peek and Jordan James seem to have made a major leap forward into potential all-league players, and the role players have been playing better led by frosh Maccoux.  This team could be REALLY scary if you put Austin Hutcherson in the starting lineup, as is, the outside shooting and perimter playmaking still remain a pretty big concern despite a solid game from the outside vs. Amherst. 

Williams has indeed been discussed at great length, the level of play has not equaled the talent on hand yet, but a break-out performance at some point wouldn't really shock anyone if a few things come together for the Ephs.  Tufts, Hamilton, Trinity, all have had some very strong results but also some questionable outings.  Bates has enough talent to scare anyone on any given day. 

A long way of saying that anything is possible opening weekend, especially given the mostly very-competitive match-ups.  I kind of feel like Williams, Hamilton, Amherst and Midd will all end up 1-1 after this weekend, although perhaps that is wishful thinking as an Eph fan.  Tufts at Wesleyan now feels like a toss-up.  Conn-Bowdoin is probably both team's best chance for a league win (although Bowdoin could squeeze out another).  The only team I feel pretty good about emerging 2-0 after this weekend, at this point, is Colby, but if Tucker is out Trinity could at least make it interesting. 

[Colby Hoops]

The only team I feel pretty good about emerging 2-0 after this weekend, at this point, is Colby, but if Tucker is out Trinity could at least make it interesting.

I think this will be an interesting game. Trinity is very balanced and plays almost exclusively upperclassmen-- 5 guys averaging between 10 and 12.6 pts per game, and they have the defenders to match up well with Colby. Last year they did a very good job of getting Colby to play at their pace. Kyle Padmore has had a very nice year and could be an all-league consideration at year end.

Hopefully Wallace Tucker is back for this one.

[MiddWatcher]

With you on this one, Colby Hoops.  Trinity has had a ton of assists as a team lately ... always a good sign.  And lots of senior leadership. Yes, look out for Bantams, everyone. No inside scoop on Midd personnel from here. ( I am only a 'watcher ).  Heard Folger was getting stitches for a cut over the eye, no information re: Alex Sobel. Certainly hope all is well with he and his family; if his absence last night was family related. Do not have any news on that front. Am delighted for Ryan Cahill ( a wonderful young man ) and Tommy Eastman for their success. Stepped right in without missing a beat. Eastman's team personality seems to be even better than his playing - and he can really play! Midd was very fortunate on him.  The story last night was Farrell. Somehow, he is even getting faster.  And his shooting is really developing technically. Scary !!

[Old Guy]

Eastman's team personality seems to be even better than his playing - and he can really play! Midd was very fortunate on him.  The story last night was Farrell. Somehow, he is even getting faster.  And his shooting is really developing technically. Scary !!

In Sobel's absence last night, Eastman really stepped up, played much more authoritatively at both ends — very creative going to the basket, and finishing. Fun to watch.

Farrell had five steals, and four of them, maybe all five, were pick-sixes (sorry, that's football term). They were pick-twos — he intercepted a pass and streaked in for the lay-up, like stealing candy from a baby, and Plattsburgh's guards weren't bad (particularly Axel Rodriguez, connotative name).

[maineman]

Eastman's team personality seems to be even better than his playing - and he can really play! Midd was very fortunate on him.  The story last night was Farrell. Somehow, he is even getting faster.  And his shooting is really developing technically. Scary !!

In Sobel's absence last night, Eastman really stepped up, played much more authoritatively at both ends — very creative going to the basket, and finishing. Fun to watch.

Farrell had five steals, and four of them, maybe all five, were pick-sixes (sorry, that's football term). They were pick-twos — he intercepted a pass and streaked in for the lay-up, like stealing candy from a baby, and Plattsburgh's guards weren't bad (particularly Axel Rodriguez, connotative name).

We could sure use Sobel against Amherst and Hamilton this weekend.  I hope he is back!

[nescac1]

Congrats to former Eph Kyle Scadlock on singing a contract to play in Spain:

https://twitter.com/1890hoops/status/1214709758684471297

Hopefully Kyle is now 100 percent recovered from his knee surgery mid-junior year.  If so, he should have a nice career in European hoops. 

Should be an interesting first day of league hoops!  Amherst-Midd is certainly the biggest game on the schedule, but I expect we will learn a lot from Tufts at Wesleyan and Williams at Hamilton as well ...

[Colby Hoops]

Unfortunately, I'll be traveling and won't get to watch many games this weekend. Obviously a big weekend for many teams, but I think this first weekend is most important for Amherst at home. 2-0 gets them right back on track and erases some of the early season slip-ups. 0-2 and they are in dire straits (at least compared to preseason expectations).

On a different note, I've heard from a few people that Wallace Tucker has an ankle injury and it might be a while. Not great for the Mules. The top 7 will play the majority of the game now, with Alex Dorion likely in the starting lineup and Ty Williams seeing the biggest minutes increase. More important for Dean Weiner to stay out of foul trouble with the Mules limited depth. I'd expect that Ethan Schlager (a starter as a sophomore who hasn't played much the last two years) and Kevin O'Boy (freshman shooter) might get a look for a few minutes as well.

[JEFFFAN]

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=8084&fbclid=IwAR2YvSc57c4NwzHZbIlmT_gMXO_yhH3m8fQsCd0M4YrENjhIcn5YcBe8xzA

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=8070&fbclid=IwAR12sz6cQOgaEO4lCArTlec99TYGFMAZKW_k1xucpcKXw195DsgBTsGu5bk

[ContinentalDomer]

Great comeback by the Continentals.  Major missed opportunity for Williams.  15 point lead blown in the last 10 minutes.  Kena Gilmour was bottled up for 30 minutes, but he responded down the stretch.  Prowitt-Smith shot it very well for Williams, but turned an ankle down the stretch, which limited his ability to shoot.  Hamilton's 1-3-1 zone seemed to be the antidote that caused problems for Williams, including turnovers and missed shots late in possessions.

[SpringSt7]

At some point the Ephs are just going to have to buckle down and win these games. For 32 minutes they looked like the best version of themselves and an NCAA tournament team. The press wore them on and Prowitt-Smith, despite being terrific, played like a freshman down the stretch. They don't deserve to be 6-6 but they keep score for a reason and that's just the reality.

[JEFFFAN]

The NESCAC site for the Hamilton vs Williams game appeared to be stuck for the last eight minutes so didn't see the end.   Sounded like a great ending for Hamiton and vice versa ...

Really nice win for Amherst tonight over previously undefeated Middlebury.   The numbers that stick out are 47-33 in rebounding for the Jeffs with likely commensurate better shooting from the field and three point range.   Sellew with 13 boards also sticks out.  In terms of individual performance, I think it is time to realize that Garrett Day is quietly becoming the leader of this team offensively.  Tonight is not the first time this season that he was the dominant offensive player.   As we look at Robinson, we might be seeing a subtle change in emphasis by the coaching staff to Day as the leader of the team. 

On to the Ephs tomorrow!