MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

There was never a mid-week game scheduled for Trinity. I assume the entire Midd-Williams weekend is just pushed a day.  I'm sure to buy extra time to either squeeze in a mid-week league game Wednesday, or just to give Williams an extra day to get guys back, because per Toad's earlier post Williams is it seems precariously close to having to cancel even more games.

[Painter66]

Several days ago, the Trinity site published a make up game with Willians on 2/8. Today, that changed to 2/9 and then "Cancelled".  The Trinity game never appeared on the Williams site, so only those guys can explain it. The Wesleyan game on 2/7 better happen. This started a few days ago, with Cosgrove apparently believing that they had a make up game on the 8th. Today, it all changed. The scheduling issues are very unfortunate, as it really does not look good for the NESCAC which did itself no favors by not explaining how the rules would really work. Once again, how many games does a team have to play to qualify for the NESCAC tournament?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The announcement was pretty clear that every team will be included in the conference tournament this year. It seems like the only requirement for qualification is continued existence.

[Bucket]

Agreed. Every team is playing in the NESCAC tournament, if healthy.

Some teams will probably have played fewer games than others. Whatever. People need to take a deep breath and chill.

The world is what it is right now. If/when games can be played, let's just enjoy them.

My suggestion, which will probably result in downvotes: Save the angst over standings and seedings and "Pool C" implications for a time when we're not still in a global health crises.

[jumpshot]

Wes leads Midd by 5 at the half with Jordan James (15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks) outplaying Sobel (6 points, 3 rebounds) inside thus far. James runs the court, has several dunks off of good lob passes, seems to be improving as season progresses ....Let's see what the second half brings following adjustments made by two excellent coaches ....

[jumpshot]

Jordan James the man-of-the match with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, good screens, and passes, as Wes handles Midd by 15 in Middlebury 83-68.

[SpringSt7]

Wesleyan moves to 6-1 in the league---they have shorthanded Williams coming off a two week break and Colby/Bowdoin coming to close out the conference slate. Is it fair to say it looks like the NESCAC tournament is going through Middletown?

[SpringSt7]

Should be a big key this weekend against Sobel. Nate was only 2/6 inside the three point line last night against Scherer and crew, and Sobel is even more of a challenge so I don't think Williams can expect to score effectively on his post ups.

I would push back on this. Being a great shot blocker and a great post defender are not the same thing. The only other big Sobel has really faced this year was Skoric from Skidmore and he had 22 points. It was a million years ago but when Sobel last faced Williams, he had 6 blocks in 18 minutes but got torched by Karp who had maybe 14 of his 18 on him. Again, way different player.

Sobel will be a huge factor on Saturday but I expect Karren, who is juuuuuust a touch bigger than Sobel, to get good looks down low.

Can't resist a quick victory lap - Nate Karren vs. Sobel, 16 points on 7-10 shooting. Jordan James vs. Sobel, 23 points on 11-17 shooting.

Shot blocking does not equal post defense.

[Bucket]

Should be a big key this weekend against Sobel. Nate was only 2/6 inside the three point line last night against Scherer and crew, and Sobel is even more of a challenge so I don't think Williams can expect to score effectively on his post ups.

I would push back on this. Being a great shot blocker and a great post defender are not the same thing. The only other big Sobel has really faced this year was Skoric from Skidmore and he had 22 points. It was a million years ago but when Sobel last faced Williams, he had 6 blocks in 18 minutes but got torched by Karp who had maybe 14 of his 18 on him. Again, way different player.

Sobel will be a huge factor on Saturday but I expect Karren, who is juuuuuust a touch bigger than Sobel, to get good looks down low.

Can't resist a quick victory lap - Nate Karren vs. Sobel, 16 points on 7-10 shooting. Jordan James vs. Sobel, 23 points on 11-17 shooting.

Shot blocking does not equal post defense.

Did you watch the game? Maybe 4 of James's points were with Sobel guarding him in the post. Sobel was forced to help on the Cards' super quick guards, and they often found James with beautiful lobs. Eventually, Sobel began to stay home, and James might have scored only two points from the floor by that point, but the damage was done. Jordan James had an amazing game. He was dominant. And he fits perfectly with the other weapons around him. But to crow about poor post defense by Alex Sobel against Wesleyan? I'm hoping you just didn't watch and are basing this assessment on the stats alone.

[nescac1]

It will likely take a miracle for Williams in whatever shape it's in to win Monday but hey, weird things happen in Little 3 games.  Maybe some deep bench guys rise to the occasion. Still, Wesleyan has to feel good about its chances of breaking a long losing streak vs the Ephs.  For Williams, it's all about getting into shape and into good health for the Tufts/Bates weekend.  There is no practical difference between the 2 and 3 seed this year so the Ephs really need to lock up one of those.  But Tufts and Amherst are also in the mix for top three seeds as well.  I also really hope Williams can squeeze in Conn and/or Trinity as well.  I certainly hope Williams makes the Nescac semis, but if it doesn't, hopefully it can schedule a few games for that weekend. 

I tend to cut Sobel a break because he has so little help.  Midd has three guys who can get their own shot and one rim protector and that's it.  He has to do so much for them on both ends and he garners so much attention from the defense, it's exhausting I'm sure.  Midd only has two three point shooting threats on the roster so guys can collapse into the paint who aren't on Osher or Stevens.  Wes just has a lot more depth. 

As for James, why he only averages 20 mpg continues to be a mystery. 

Midd is now firmly on the bubble for a Pool C bid.  I guess Amherst is the best win?  Skidmore decent too.  Endicott and AMC are having relatively down years for them.  Midd prob needs a sweep next weekend or two wins in Nescac tourney to be in. With a run to Nescac finals Amherst may be a bubble team as well, though the schedule may just be too weak.  Wins over Wes and Williams help ...

[SpringSt7]

Should be a big key this weekend against Sobel. Nate was only 2/6 inside the three point line last night against Scherer and crew, and Sobel is even more of a challenge so I don't think Williams can expect to score effectively on his post ups.

I would push back on this. Being a great shot blocker and a great post defender are not the same thing. The only other big Sobel has really faced this year was Skoric from Skidmore and he had 22 points. It was a million years ago but when Sobel last faced Williams, he had 6 blocks in 18 minutes but got torched by Karp who had maybe 14 of his 18 on him. Again, way different player.

Sobel will be a huge factor on Saturday but I expect Karren, who is juuuuuust a touch bigger than Sobel, to get good looks down low.

Can't resist a quick victory lap - Nate Karren vs. Sobel, 16 points on 7-10 shooting. Jordan James vs. Sobel, 23 points on 11-17 shooting.

Shot blocking does not equal post defense.

Did you watch the game? Maybe 4 of James's points were with Sobel guarding him in the post. Sobel was forced to help on the Cards' super quick guards, and they often found James with beautiful lobs. Eventually, Sobel began to stay home, and James might have scored only two points from the floor by that point, but the damage was done. Jordan James had an amazing game. He was dominant. And he fits perfectly with the other weapons around him. But to crow about poor post defense by Alex Sobel against Wesleyan? I'm hoping you just didn't watch and are basing this assessment on the stats alone.

No I did not watch the game but you're still proving my point---shot blocking does not mean the other teams cannot score in the post. The original premise was that Nate Karren would struggle to score in the post against a shot blocker. It's never that simple, as evidenced against Williams and again tonight vs. Wesleyan. It's a team game.

[toad22]

It is just very hard for Middlebury to compete with good, deep teams. Midd has three very good players. Wesleyan has three very good players and a host of other experienced good players. Middlebury needs time to develop that depth of talent.

[Old Guy]

Should be a big key this weekend against Sobel. Nate was only 2/6 inside the three point line last night against Scherer and crew, and Sobel is even more of a challenge so I don't think Williams can expect to score effectively on his post ups.

I would push back on this. Being a great shot blocker and a great post defender are not the same thing. The only other big Sobel has really faced this year was Skoric from Skidmore and he had 22 points. It was a million years ago but when Sobel last faced Williams, he had 6 blocks in 18 minutes but got torched by Karp who had maybe 14 of his 18 on him. Again, way different player.

Sobel will be a huge factor on Saturday but I expect Karren, who is juuuuuust a touch bigger than Sobel, to get good looks down low.

Can't resist a quick victory lap - Nate Karren vs. Sobel, 16 points on 7-10 shooting. Jordan James vs. Sobel, 23 points on 11-17 shooting.

Shot blocking does not equal post defense.

Whose supporting cast, especially at the defensive end, would you prefer to have?

[SpringSt7]

You Midd fans can choose to be oversensitive and continue to take my comments as a criticism of Alex Sobel, but it isn't. The comment, again, was simply that there is not a direct correlation between shot blocking and post defense. Please continue to twist that in a way that makes you upset.

[Old Guy]

Midd-Wes today, just a terrific game. Wes is very good, lots of different ways to beat you. As has been observed, the Cardinals exploited Sobel's help defense in the first half. James did indeed have 5 or 6 dunks, but none were contested. Sobel can't play that one-man zone in the paint against a team like Wesleyan: when he helped at the hoop, the attacker just lifted the soft pass to James, easy hoop, dunk! Smart basketball. The Panthers adjusted at the half and I think James's only dunk after that was on an offensive rebound with Sobel nowhere near. Alex is a warrior, we love 'im. I'm glad he's in the discussion with Karran, James, and Rogers, glad he's playing for us. He keeps us in games, opponents are aware of him at all times: we're so much better when he's on the floor.

Middlebury starters played 29 minutes (Sobel), 31, 33, 33, 38. The bench scored just 4 points. I like our bench players (I was one of their number years ago!) — they play hard and smart, but our reliance on the starting five is huge. This game was 60-60 with under 10 minutes to play (we fans were finally allowed in the gym). Two good teams playing hard, back and forth, really good basketball, totally exhilarating. Then Midd ran out of gas and Wes turned up the heat and went on a 19-2 run. Game over. Proud of the Midd boys. It's hard to believe that this isn't just the beginning of great things to come.

I will watch with great interest Monday's Wes-Eph game in Williamstown. Two heavyweights. If Young Guy still lived at home we'd be in the car to Chandller. Midd goes next weekend to Bates — never an easy game in Alumni Gym there (where I fell in love with basketball), and then to Tufts: the Jumbos now playing like they were expected to all along. Looks like we're not allowed to go to games at Bates, and if we can't get there, we can always watch on TV. Brave new world!