MBB: NESCAC

SpringSt7 · October 17, 2021, 07:43:01 PM

I saw a team picture tweeted from a gathering on the Conn College MBB Twitter account and noticed McPherron was not present. Tough loss for them, although given his premature departure from two NESCAC programs now perhaps there could be a silver lining on that.

McKersie looks like a good get for Middlebury---great size and physicality and maybe a little more of a scoring touch than what they have had the past down low. Seems like his mold would be that of a more athletic and more offensive minded Eric McCord, which I would imagine Jeff Brown would definitely sign up for.

quicksilver · October 17, 2021, 08:29:45 PM

Ben McPherron seems to have transferred from Conn College to UVA where he is a sophomore with a focus on business-related studies. His basketball days are apparently behind him . .

nescac1 · October 19, 2021, 10:37:44 AM

Another nice recruiting pick-up for Williams, 6'2 PG Alex Lee out of Clear Lake High School in Texas. He averaged 18-4-3 as a junior and he was the district MVP (in a large-school district around Houston).

https://twitter.com/AlexLee2022/status/1450266999108653056?s=20

Updated list of 2022 NESCAC recruits:

Bowdoin:

Alex Halpern, 6'0 G, NMH

Middlebury:

Edward Witherington, 6'6 F, Fairhope H.S. (AL)
Jackson McKersie, 6'8 F, Dexter Southfield (MA)

Tufts:

Josh Bernstein, 6'10 C, Berkshire School
James Morakis, 6'3 G, Salisbury School
Scott Gyimesi, 6'5 F, Rumson Fair-Haven (NJ)

Trinity:

Trevor McDonald, 6'5 guard, Canterbury School
Drew Herer, 6'3 G, Beaver Country Day

Williams:

Ben McGraw, 6'3 G, Bolles (FL)
Alex Lee, 6'2 G, Clear Lake (TX)

nescac1 · October 20, 2021, 02:07:58 PM

A few of the projected bottom-tier teams posted rosters (partial or complete):

Conn posted its roster and its essentially an entirely new team from the 19-20 season to now; all of the rotation guys are gone. Not necessarily a bad thing, since the 19-20 team went 4-20, and there is now a lot more talent on hand, but it's very, very hard to win in NESCAC with such a green group of players. The long-term future (like, two years from now) seems bright, but 21-22 is going to be pretty rough without much in the way of veterans to lead them ...

https://camelathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

I think it may be even rougher still for Bowdoin, which posted its roster of returning players:

https://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/mens-basketball/roster?path=mbball

Bowdoin went 8-16 in 19-20 and lost its top four scorers since then, with Xander Werkman the leading returning scorer at 7 ppg. Unlike Conn, I don't think Bowdoin has a huge class of recruits, let alone impact recruits, coming in behind those guys, so like with Conn, a total rebuild in Brunswick.

For both these teams, just making the NESCAC tourney would be a huge accomplishment and a pretty big surprise. At least they get to play each other!

quicksilver · October 20, 2021, 10:17:17 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on October 20, 2021, 02:07:58 PM
A few of the projected bottom-tier teams posted rosters (partial or complete):

. . .

I think it may be even rougher still for Bowdoin, which posted its roster of returning players:

https://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/mens-basketball/roster?path=mbball

Bowdoin went 8-16 in 19-20 and lost its top four scorers since then, with Xander Werkman the leading returning scorer at 7 ppg. Unlike Conn, I don't think Bowdoin has a huge class of recruits, let alone impact recruits, coming in behind those guys, so like with Conn, a total rebuild in Brunswick.

For both these teams, just making the NESCAC tourney would be a huge accomplishment and a pretty big surprise. At least they get to play each other!

Yup -- Gilbride left behind a very empty cupboard. I think that there are just 4 freshmen and maybe just 1 sophomore, with the top 2 recruits for the class of 2024 ending up elsewere (Max Williams as a walk-on at DePaul & Burke Chuhubar as a transfer to Lehigh). It is going to be a hard year for the new Bowdoin head coach . .

nescac1 · October 21, 2021, 11:13:52 AM

That's a tough break for Bowdoin. That's at least four recruits (including one to Brandeis and McPherron) that Bowdoin has lost very, very late in the process over the last few seasons. The cupboard does, indeed, seem bare, but I imagine the new coach will bring in a massive first recruiting class, as typically happens in these situations.

Amherst has its schedule posted and its the weakest non-league slate I've maybe ever seen for a NESCAC team. Babson and Springfield look like the only potentially tough opponents, and Springfield seems like it will be way down this year, and they get Amherst at home. I'd be stunned if Amherst did not start the year 10-0, or at least, 9-1.

https://athletics.amherst.edu/sports/mens-basketball/schedule?path=mbball

Bates roster is posted. Despite losing a lot of scoring, I think Bates is a big sleeper team in NESCAC this year depending on how much the Sarr / Iwowo / Baxter trio have grown as players. Those guys have the potential of being REALLY good as a group. Sarr has added 30 (!) pounds since he was a frosh ... if that is muscle weight, and he hasn't lost his explosive verticality, he's going to be impossible to deal with, physically, this year, for anyone in Division III. Bates in general has a ton of size and a good amount of experience in the frontcourt, the question is where will the shooting come from? Likely, some of the guys new to the roster will have to provide spacing ...

https://gobatesbobcats.com/sports/mbball/roster

ronk · October 21, 2021, 04:28:43 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on October 21, 2021, 11:13:52 AM
That's a tough break for Bowdoin. That's at least four recruits (including one to Brandeis and McPherron) that Bowdoin has lost very, very late in the process over the last few seasons. The cupboard does, indeed, seem bare, but I imagine the new coach will bring in a massive first recruiting class, as typically happens in these situations.

Amherst has its schedule posted and its the weakest non-league slate I've maybe ever seen for a NESCAC team. Babson and Springfield look like the only potentially tough opponents, and Springfield seems like it will be way down this year, and they get Amherst at home. I'd be stunned if Amherst did not start the year 10-0, or at least, 9-1.

https://athletics.amherst.edu/sports/mens-basketball/schedule?path=mbball

Bates roster is posted. Despite losing a lot of scoring, I think Bates is a big sleeper team in NESCAC this year depending on how much the Sarr / Iwowo / Baxter trio have grown as players. Those guys have the potential of being REALLY good as a group. Sarr has added 30 (!) pounds since he was a frosh ... if that is muscle weight, and he hasn't lost his explosive verticality, he's going to be impossible to deal with, physically, this year, for anyone in Division III. Bates in general has a ton of size and a good amount of experience in the frontcourt, the question is where will the shooting come from? Likely, some of the guys new to the roster will have to provide spacing ...

https://gobatesbobcats.com/sports/mbball/roster

Saw the Bates-Scranton game 2 years ago when Sarr was a frosh. Scranton had a VG post player(Matt Mancuso) who won the battle in the lane with Sarr because of his senior experience and athleticism but one could tell that Sarr was going to become a serious factor as he gained experience himself.

Colby Hoops · October 25, 2021, 08:58:29 AM

Colby roster is posted, no surprises: https://colbyathletics.com/sports/mbball/roster

They have a total of zero centers and three forwards listed on the roster, with one of those being listed as G/F. Some liberties being taken with those listings, but this year will be an even more interesting test of their run and gun system. Dean Weiner always gave them the option to bring in a big and slow down opposing post players, they don't seemingly have that option this year.

amh63 · October 25, 2021, 09:32:40 AM

Decided to take a "peek" here. It should be noted that Amherst has a total new coaching team. Amherst has two all-Nescac guards that can score and run the offense. The key to the season is the front court players. Can the front court players play defense and rebound. Amherst has solid front court players that can score. New coaches...new schemes? Reasons for having a "soft" early season schedule, imo.

P'bearfan · October 25, 2021, 03:33:29 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on October 20, 2021, 02:07:58 PM
A few of the projected bottom-tier teams posted rosters (partial or complete):

Conn posted its roster and its essentially an entirely new team from the 19-20 season to now; all of the rotation guys are gone. Not necessarily a bad thing, since the 19-20 team went 4-20, and there is now a lot more talent on hand, but it's very, very hard to win in NESCAC with such a green group of players. The long-term future (like, two years from now) seems bright, but 21-22 is going to be pretty rough without much in the way of veterans to lead them ...

https://camelathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

I think it may be even rougher still for Bowdoin, which posted its roster of returning players:

https://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/mens-basketball/roster?path=mbball

Bowdoin went 8-16 in 19-20 and lost its top four scorers since then, with Xander Werkman the leading returning scorer at 7 ppg. Unlike Conn, I don't think Bowdoin has a huge class of recruits, let alone impact recruits, coming in behind those guys, so like with Conn, a total rebuild in Brunswick.

For both these teams, just making the NESCAC tourney would be a huge accomplishment and a pretty big surprise. At least they get to play each other!

Yikes. Looks like it could be a tough start for the new HC. Hopefully he will be able to land a couple of solid recruiting classes.

nescac1 · October 25, 2021, 04:53:03 PM

Tufts roster posted and, no surprise, they look absolutely loaded led by an insane senior class:

https://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/roster

Rogers, Kouyoumdjian, Brady and Morris are all fifth-year seniors. Kouyoumdjian was limited by injury last year but I love what he brings as a role player, just tough and feisty and has a lot of energy. Toss in Cohen and Aronson, both two-year starters and now seniors, and that is just a ridiculously experienced group. Having a rotation of four senior guards, all whom have seen a ton of meaningful minutes, is a huge advantage any year, and this year in particular.

The only question mark is, who is the back-up center, but Tufts has three 6'8 untested big guys to work with so safe to assume one of them will up to the task; and who replaces Savage, but the combo of Thoerner / McLaren /Dieterle should be more than capable between the three of them of producing solid results on the wing.

Brandon Linton certainly inherited an enviable situation!

Midd roster also posted and they are in the exact opposite situation. Not one senior and (obviously) no fifth-year players. Sobel is as reported back, which is huge, for them but he is one of only two guys returning (Moore) who have seen a single meaningful minute on the floor. They have a nice group of frosh who will surely be major contributors right away but, frosh are frosh. Seems like there will be some growing pains for Midd this year but Jeff Brown usually finds a way and with this entire group back next season, plus a few big-guy recruits coming in, the future seems brighter than the present ...

https://athletics.middlebury.edu/sports/mbball/roster/2021-22

D3.Lifer · October 28, 2021, 12:40:20 PM

Old man here. Just recently learned about this forum and got excited when I saw how active it was. Following the NESCAC has always been a joy. Such great basketball. Really have loved what Colby and Connecticut College have been doing over the last couple seasons. Interested to see what their young guys look like. I believe Colby has had the last two ROY in Noah Tyson and Will King. That has to be somewhat rare I would imagine in such a great league. Excited to see what the new coaches in the league do.

Colby Hoops · November 01, 2021, 01:52:29 PM

Wesleyan roster is posted: https://athletics.wesleyan.edu/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2021-22

No Jordan James or Antone Walker. This article from last year seemed to indicate they were coming back, but seems that plans changed: https://athletics.wesleyan.edu/news/2021/2/15/mens-basketball-senior-spotlight.aspx

nescac1 · November 01, 2021, 02:12:11 PM

They are listed there now. Must have been a work in progress. Wesleyan has everyone of note back from 2020 plus loads of newcomers. They are going to be a contender in Nescac. Huge, deep, athletic and lots of seniors. Need to shoot the ball better to be in the mix. Behind Tufts, I think it's Williams, Amherst, Wes and Colby could be very closely grouped. 21 guys on the Wes roster! Including eight seniors ...

Colby Hoops · November 01, 2021, 02:28:15 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on November 01, 2021, 02:12:11 PM
They are listed there now. Must have been a work in progress. Wesleyan has everyone of note back from 2020 plus loads of newcomers. They are going to be a contender in Nescac. Huge, deep, athletic and lots of seniors. Need to shoot the ball better to be in the mix. Behind Tufts, I think it's Williams, Amherst, Wes and Colby could be very closely grouped. 21 guys on the Wes roster! Including eight seniors ...

Weird, they must have updated it! Added quite a few since I looked earlier. My bad. Agree that they could be quite good, a lot of talent and some potential to be a very good defensive team.