MBB: NESCAC

[Colby Hoops]

The former lord jeffs win yet another scrimmage tonight at home 95-67 by crushing Salem State, now with a record of 2-17. How much fun can it be, even without lj's important players participating? Oh, I know, Salem State was without its star player out for the season after the first five games....Is there a minimum out-of-conference strength of schedule required for eligibility for post-season play?

Jumpshot, I know that you like to poke some fun at the Mammoths on this topic, but the facts just don't back you up.

Amherst's SOS heading into this game (according to Massey) is third best among Nescac teams and 41st in the country. If you go by NCAA calculations it also stacks up very well. Salem State has traditionally been a solid team -- would have been impossible to project them being this bad. And if you have an issue with Amherst scheduling Salem State, you also have an issue with Williams, Babson, WPI and Brandeis among a host of other good teams.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Time for a marathon!

Thursday, Hoopsville will be on the air for at least nine hours in the 7th Annual Hoopsville Marathon Show.

This year's show will feature coaches, administrators, and many others around Division III to give us a sense of the season to date and what is to come. There is only a month or so left in the regular season, so there is plenty to talk about.

For more information about the show and its impact, click here.

The show's guest list is below with a rough idea of when they were scheduled to appear during the live show.

The marathon is also a chance to fundraise of the show. Many fans of Hoopsville ask often how they can give to the program so we can continue doing our work into the future. In the first few years of the Marathon, the fundraising side was an important aspect. However in the last few years, we have shyed away from fundraising as we tried to find other means to financially run the program. After requests from many, we are do have a few ways fans can contribute.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. You can watch the entire Marathon show LIVE in the video player above. We will effort to turn around podcast episodes of the entire show. They will be available to the right (after the show is off the air).

Guests appear on the Hoopsville Hotline presented by BlueFrame Technology.

And don't forget to interact with the Dave and guests. You can use the social media option to the right and even email (dave.mchugh@d3sports.com) questions to the show.


When it comes to the game of basketball, we love celebrating not only the student-athletes in Division III, but also those who help carry the game forward sometimes outside of the spotlight.

Sunday on Hoopsville, we celebrate those who have made the game of basketball, especially at DIII, so great. Coaches who continue to excel in different parts of the country and programs who play for more than just themselves.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. You can watch Thursday's Marathon Show in the following ways:
- Main page: www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville
- Show page: http://bit.ly/2GBqAuZ (or www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2019-20/marathon)
- Facebook Live Simulcast: www.facebook.com/Hoopsville
- YouTube Simulcast: www.youtube.com/d3hoopsville
- Team1 Sports: www.team1sports.com/Hoopsville/
- Team1 Sports app (Android TV, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku) - you will either find it under the "live" section or search for the Hoopsville channel

All men's coaches appear in the NABC Coach's Corner. And all guests are featured on the BlueFrame Technology Hoopsville Hotline.

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.

Hoopsville Marathon Schedule
Timing approximate and subject to change

Time (ET)	Guest	School/Institution
12:20 p.m.	Jim Calhoun	St. Joseph's (Conn.) men's coach
12:40 p.m.	Pat Juckem	No. 11 WashU men's coach
1:00 p.m.	Brian Morehouse	No. 3 Hope women's coach
1:20 p.m.	Lauren Busalacchi	Ripon women's coach
1:40 p.m.	Ryan Hyland	John Jay men's coach
2:00 p.m.	Dan Dutcher	NCAA VP for Division III
2:40 p.m.	Karin Harvey	Montclair State women's coach, Women's National Committee chair
3:00 p.m.	Adrienne Shibles	No. 2 Bowdoin women's coach
3:20 p.m.	Kate Pearson	Cabrini women's coach
3:40 p.m.	Matt Gilbride	RPI men's coach
4:00 p.m.	Sam Atkinson	Gallaudet Associate AD for Comm., Men's National Committee Chair
4:20 p.m.	Matt Donohue	Catholic women's coach
4:40 p.m.	Charles Katsiaficas	Pomona-Pitzer men's coach
5:00 p.m.	Jon Herbrechtsmeyer	No. 5 Bethel women's coach
5:20 p.m.	Chris Carideo	Widener men's coach
5:40 p.m.	Dave Hixon	Amherst men's coach (sabbatical)
6:00 p.m.	Tricia Cullop	WBCA Board President, Toledo women's coach
6:20 p.m.	Alex Richey	No. 18 Oglethorpe women's coach
6:40 p.m.	Jody May	Albion men's coach
7:00 p.m.	Dave Macedo	No. 18 Virginia Wesleyan men's coach
7:20 p.m.	Melissa Kuberka	St. John Fisher women's coach
8:00 p.m.	HOOPSVILLE HAPPY HOUR	A gaggle of some of the shows friends - to be announced

[lumbercat]

Jumpshot-
Amherst didn't schedule the game with Salem State last week.  Salem State has been 18-11, 22-4 and 18-10 over the last the last 3 years. Many other teams the LJs could have scheduled if they were looking for a cakewalk. They have no control over a perennially formidable non conference opponent having an awful year.
I understand the rivalry and know you are always going to slam the Mammoths but you can do better than that one.

[grabtherim]

I agree but in your words with a a few names substituted:  "I understand the rivalry and know you are always going to slam the Panthers, but saying Middlebury overlooked Colby and mailed it in a little early against them, you can do better than that one." 

Jumpshot-
Amherst didn't schedule the game with Salem State last week.  Salem State has been 18-11, 22-4 and 18-10 over the last the last 3 years. Many other teams the LJs could have scheduled if they were looking for a cakewalk. They have no control over a perennially formidable non conference opponent having an awful year.
I understand the rivalry and know you are always going to slam the Mammoths but you can do better than that one.

[Cards Fan]

The former lord jeffs win yet another scrimmage tonight at home 95-67 by crushing Salem State, now with a record of 2-17. How much fun can it be, even without lj's important players participating? Oh, I know, Salem State was without its star player out for the season after the first five games....Is there a minimum out-of-conference strength of schedule required for eligibility for post-season play?

Williams played Salem State this year...

[amh63]

Watched the Amherst's game in LeFrak.  Several comments and some observations that I noted after the game that other posters here may find interesting.
Grant Robinson and Sewell were not dressed but sat on the bench.  Sewell was handling the ball on the sidelines easily.  The Cardinals arrive in LeFrak this weekend.
Everyone got into the game and contributed.  Lots of combos for Amherst and everyone cheered when a "benchwarmer" scored.  Seemed that defense was being stressed.
The HC of Salem State was an assistant at Tufts and knows the Amherst players.  Sr Tom Mosley and the Salem Coach had a "long greeting" after the game.  Former Recruiter-recruit chat?  Tom M. carried a game ball to the locker room.
All the Amherst front court players got valuable game time and touched the ball on offense.

[maineman]

Does anyone know if Alex Sobel will be returning to Midd after the J-term?

[DIII_Enthusiast]

My predictions for Friday night play:

Wes v. Amherst: While the Cards have been rocky at times this year, they usually come to play against Amherst. Given the absence of Sellew & Robinson and the stellar play from the 2 remaining juniors for Wes (Walker and James) I am giving the nod to Wes tonight. 75-72 (Wes)

Williams v. Conn: Karp and Prowitt-Smith will be too much for the Camels tonight and I see a up and down Williams improving to 10-9 tonight. 89-64 (Williams)

Tufts v. Bowdoin: The story here is Reynolds vs. Tufts. While he's been playing well throughout the year (20+ points in 5 of the 6 games) but look for Tufts defense to be too much for him tonight. 78-65 (Tufts)

Colby v. Bates: In a battle of Maine I think Colby will get dinged tonight. This prediction comes from it being so hard to stay undefeated in NESCAC play more than anything. Pair that with a well coached, scrappy Bates team led by a group of guards and I think we have an upset coming in Lewiston. 81-80 (Bates).

Trinity v. Midd: With Trinity's typical defensive formidability on a down year, I think the Panther's high powered offense to be in full swing tonight. I expect Folger to have a big game and this to be a chippy game with lots of free throws. 89-77 (Midd)

[MiddWatcher]

Half: Trin 37. Midd 37.  Trin out of gate fast, 15-6 early. Game settled in; Midd hanging in.  Lots of grit from Midd players. 3 ( ? ) total team fouls on Trin. (Really ? ).  Interesting. Folger (ill), non- starter, DeLorenzo ( ill - at home ).  This will take quite an effort from Midd. Will see.

[Colby Hoops]

Fun first half in Lewiston as Colby leads 44-43. The two best players on the floor not named Sam Jefferson have been Will King and Stephon Baxter. Mules having a hard time keeping Baxter (12 pts) and some of the Bates guards out of the paint. Will King manning the offense for the Mules with 8/4/6 in the first half. A lot of talented guard play on both ends of the floor. This should be a good second half.

[lumbercat]

Great game in Alumni Gym tonight. the place is rocking. This Colby team is really a pleasure to watch. Bates grinding like a hell, a 1 point game at the half.
Kudos to the White Mules on a great season- nothing but respect for them.

Strahorn is obviously a very good coach and I commend him on how he has built this team but he is relentless on the zebras. Would think he would drop it down a notch given the great team he has. On the refs constantly throughout the first half. Don't know why he thinks that is necessary.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If you're at home, the Bowdoin-Tufts women's game is super exciting.  Flip over for the fourth quarter.  Both teams shooting above 60%. 73-70 with a quarter to go.

[nescac1]

NESCAC basketball, anything can happen, especially this season!  A Trinity team that needed a miracle to beat Conn goes out and beats Midd.  Amherst pounds Wesleyan, a team it has struggled against of late, despite missing its two stars (although to be fair Wesleyan was also missing Peek, a key player for them). 

Williams gets an uninspired 9-point win over Conn.  The Ephs will take the W but it was not a thing of beauty.  The Ephs struggled on offense against Conn's zone, kept trying to thread the needle to make the spectacular pass when they should just settle for some clear mid-range looks.  You can't score if you don't shoot!  Cole was the only guy even looking to take a mid-range jumper and then in the second half even he decided to try to force some passes in rather than just put the ball up in the middle of the paint.  I know the mid-range game is a lost art, and analytics hate it, but wide-open 10-15 foot jumpers are going to be there in the middle of the zone and guys need to pop those rather than trying to thread the perfect pass every time. 

I do believe the new coach has Conn pointed in the right direction.  The talent isn't there this season, but a nice core of players all return next year.  With 2-3 more guys who can really play added to the mix, and some more seasoning, they will be a lot tougher going forward.  I predict they emerge from the basement, finally, next season.  They play very hard buzzer to buzzer, and their zone D will get tougher if they can add a couple of athletes. 

[Colby Hoops]

Dominant second half for the Mules. Just torched Bates off the dribble and pushing the pace for layups. The threat of the three pointer opened up lanes and it was a layup parade in the second half.

Will King finished with 17/8/12, Jefferson poured in 26 on 13 shots, Matt Hanna added 20 on 11 shots and Noah Tyson had 17 and 8. Really impressive second half from Hanna in particular, getting to the bucket and extending the lead early in the half.

Huge game tomorrow at Tufts. Winner of that one in the driver's seat for the #1 seed.

Big win for Trinity over Midd, and Amherst with an impressive defensive performance without Robinson or Sellew.

[jayhawk]

Without Grant Robinson and Eric Sellew Amherst 75 Wesleyan: 53