MBB: NESCAC

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Those seem inaccurate, some of the teams don't match up with the appropriate record.

We are noticing the same and relaying that info on. Likely a typo by whomever in Atlanta at Turner was inputting the data ... or someone else along the way.

[Pat Coleman]

The corrected version of that has been posted -- thanks for the heads-up. Yours and similar questions from people in the South and West made us realize it was more than just a couple of records being incorrect.

[jayhawk]

It is interesting that I believe when it comes to ranking D1 teams and getting into NCAA tournement that recent record is important and loss of certain people for example to injury
Not sure true for D3 teams.
I was surprised to see that Middlleburyhas lost 3 of their last 6 games.
Part of the issue may be the absence of Alex Sobel who was a talented big man who I guess is no longer listed on the roster ?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

It is interesting that I believe when it comes to ranking D1 teams and getting into NCAA tournement that recent record is important and loss of certain people for example to injury
Not sure true for D3 teams.
I was surprised to see that Middlleburyhas lost 3 of their last 6 games.
Part of the issue may be the absence of Alex Sobel who was a talented big man who I guess is no longer listed on the roster ?

Yep ... D1 basketball creates it's own way of doing things because that tournament brings in something like 90% of the NCAA operating budget.

Almost every sport and division otherwise does not have a "how have they played recently" criteria method. The entire season matters. From Nov. 8 to Mar. 1 in Division III basketball this season.

[Pat Coleman]

Indeed, "recent" performance is not something that D-III committees are instructed to take into account.

[Bucket]

It is interesting that I believe when it comes to ranking D1 teams and getting into NCAA tournement that recent record is important and loss of certain people for example to injury
Not sure true for D3 teams.
I was surprised to see that Middlleburyhas lost 3 of their last 6 games.
Part of the issue may be the absence of Alex Sobel who was a talented big man who I guess is no longer listed on the roster ?

Correct. In Division III, a loss in February is treated the same as a loss in November.

In the last few games, Middlebury has been really thin up front, struggling on the boards and with interior defense. When Alex went out in January, 6' 8" Ryan Cahill really stepped up and provided so much for the Panthers—both as another perimeter scoring option and as a tenacious rebounder and dogged post defender. He sprained his ankle on the Thursday before the Tufts-Bates weekend, missing both those games, as well as the Trinity game. And his absence was really felt. Omar Sarr, a terrific talent, had 19 rebounds in Bates's win, 10 offensive (out of 14 total off boards for the Bobcats). And Trinity had a +13 rebound differential, including 11 offensive boards.

Tommy Eastman plays bigger than 6-5, but there's only so much he can do when giving up 30 pounds and 3-4 inches.

Good news is that Cahill was out of his boot last weekend, so hopefully he will be at full strength, if the Panthers play on, which does look likely.

Am somewhat surprised, though obviously pleased, that Middlebury only dropped to 2 in this week's regional rankings.

[Cards Fan]

Am somewhat surprised, though obviously pleased, that Middlebury only dropped to 2 in this week's regional rankings.

Initially it's surprising. Then you look at their record vRRo, and it makes complete sense.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Am somewhat surprised, though obviously pleased, that Middlebury only dropped to 2 in this week's regional rankings.

Initially it's surprising. Then you look at their record vRRo, and it makes complete sense.

And their SOS ... and other criteria.

[Colby Hoops]

Barring significant upsets, the latest regional rankings should have Midd, Tufts and Colby as locks (Trinity moving into the regional rankings helps Colby, but will probably hurt Midd slightly for next rankings). Amherst is actually looking to be in decent shape as well, there aren't as many strong bubble teams as in past years. Even if they lose to Colby they have a chance. If they win, I think they're in very good shape.

I'd put Amherst as the favorites over Colby on Saturday. Amherst is playing for an NCAA tourney berth, and they beat the Mules pretty thoroughly in Waterville just a few weeks ago. There are definite reasons to think this one will be more competitive -- Colby shot really poorly, first game without Jefferson, Wallace Tucker was just getting back from injury, Will King had an uncharacteristically bad game, Amherst had a stretch where they shot lights out in the first half (going on a 21-4 run) to build a big lead, etc.

But, there are a couple big reasons that Amherst won that game, and I'm not sure they change significantly for Saturday. Colby's guards struggled with Amherst's relentless perimeter defense. Devonn Allen in particular came up with a handful of steals and even more loose balls. Him, Robinson, Che and Chery made life very difficult. Amherst dominated the glass (in Colby's two losses this year, the rebounding battle has been a major problem). Fru Che is sneaky very big, and he looks like a giant playing against Colby's small lineups -- him and Schretter both ate Colby up on the glass.

Colby did force Amherst into 22 TOs including 7 from Sellew, which is how they cut the lead early in the second half. In order to win this game, I think Colby will really have to shoot it well, continue to force turnovers (Amherst got easy buckets when they could get it down low) and battle on the boards. I'm not expecting Jefferson to be much of a factor, but if he's back and somewhere closer to his normal self, I think it's a much better match-up. When Colby can play lineups with 4-5 knockdown shooters instead of 2-3 it makes them much, much harder to guard.

Amherst has been a bit Jekyll and Hyde this year, but it's hard to see the Mammoths not showing up to play in this one.

Tufts-Trinity is somewhat similar in that Tufts absolutely dominated the Bantams in early February. Trinity shot terribly in that one, but there is a lot more than poor shooting that goes into a 30 point loss.

[daoustian]

I'd put Amherst as the favorites over Colby on Saturday.

Appreciate the analysis or maybe just defensive pessimism but don't sell your White Mules so short (even though I am rooting for the guys in purple and white) - it's been great to see them having a fantastic year to add some variety to the league standings.  Should be a great game, and anything can happen after a long bus ride to Maine.

[SpringSt7]

I'd put Amherst as the favorites over Colby on Saturday.

Appreciate the analysis or maybe just defensive pessimism but don't sell your White Mules so short (even though I am rooting for the guys in purple and white) - it's been great to see them having a fantastic year to add some variety to the league standings.  Should be a great game, and anything can happen after a long bus ride to Maine.

The semifinals and finals are played at the site of the highest remaining seed, so Amherst and Colby will face off at Tufts.

[Colby Hoops]

I'd put Amherst as the favorites over Colby on Saturday.

Appreciate the analysis or maybe just defensive pessimism but don't sell your White Mules so short (even though I am rooting for the guys in purple and white) - it's been great to see them having a fantastic year to add some variety to the league standings.  Should be a great game, and anything can happen after a long bus ride to Maine.

Hope I'm wrong! I think Colby has an okay chance, I just see Amherst as the favorite given both team's recent play. With a healthy Sam Jefferson they're still as good as any team in New England, and (with the way they shoot it) have a chance against any team in the country. TBD on Jefferson's health obviously.

No matter what happens this weekend and in the NCAA tourney, this year has been a massive, massive success for Colby. But I'm hoping they still have a little left in the tank. 

[JEFFFAN]

Hard to say this at the end of the season, but I continue to not have a feel for this Amherst team.   Robinson not starting - Day becoming the starter and leading scorer.  Devon Allen on the bench - the oft injured McCarthy starting in his place.   Sellew injured for much of the season.   Just don't know which team is going to show up out there.   My guess is that it is a pick em game with Jefferson not at 100% - if Jefferson is playing, Colby a six point favorite.

[SpringSt7]

I hate to heap praise on an Amherst team but it is hard to say that we don't know which team is going to show up when they've won 7 out of their 8 games, the lone loss being an 89-85 game to Trinity, not a lot of shame in that. They were blown out by Tufts on January 18th, but other than that their worst loss of the season is by 5 points. With the way Garrett Day is playing right now they look damn good, and they have the defensive versatility to matchup with anyone, especially Colby. With or without Jefferson I think Amherst is favored.

[Cards Fan]

Tough to imagine Colby wasn't woken up by Bates, though. I'd imagine triple OT wasn't the result they were looking for in the first round. Both teams are coming off nail biters. It's impossible to pick a favorite, all we know is we are going to watch a good basketball game between two good teams in a good environment around good people. That sounds good to me.