MBB: NESCAC

[Colby Hoops]

Despite the loss to Emory yesterday, I feel much better about Colby coming out of this week. I've been a little pessimistic given some narrow wins over non-elite competition early in the season, but comfortable wins over Bowdoin and Brandeis, with extremely balanced efforts were great signs. Looks like Strahorn has found a rotation he likes and guys like Obi and Green have stepped up early in the season to provide stability. On the positive side, I think Tyson will shoot better and I think Max Poulton has only scratched the surface of what he can do.

Still have some concerns about how this looks against elite competition -- Emory really dominated the second half yesterday and the defense was leaky. Emory also played an extended 3-2 zone that really gave Colby fits after a strong start.

Having seen Williams in person a couple of times, I think they are on another level from Colby. But, the rest of the league looks pretty open and I think Colby can factor in with Midd, Tufts, Trinity.

[nescac1]

It's early yet, but I agree that Williams seems (for now, it's early still!) ahead of the pack in NESCAC, and the next group, Middlebury, Colby, Trinity, Tufts, and Conn College, are very tough to distinguish from one another.  All seem like good teams that could make a solid run and earn an NCAA bid if they keep growing as teams throughout the course of the season.  They are very closely ranked from an efficiency ranking perspective: Conn 38, Midd 42, Tufts 44, Trinity 47, Colby a bit behind at 71 but it's not a dramatic drop.  Hamilton with the big win over WPI is not far behind at 83, and seems dangerous on any given day. 

The bottom tier of the league has had a much rougher go of it.  Wesleyan 116, Amherst 131, Bowdoin 141, and Bates 216.  Those teams have obviously been struggling.  I think of that group Wesleyan has the biggest opportunity to move forward, because of a combo of injured guys now all the way back and some changes to the rotation to get more young, offensively-minded players on the court (Bryant, Langs, and Hauser, all of whom are still pretty raw in terms of on-court experience).

Back to the middle tier, kudos to Tufts for hanging tough with Harvard, while playing its entire roster.  Down only five points at halftime!  Although Tufts lost by a lot to St. Joseph's, St. Joe's has killed some other good teams this year and may just be THAT good.  Nice game for Thoerner with 16 points on 5-9 from deep.  Thoerner is, I think, the last guy with an extra COVID-eligibility year in NESCAC who might possibly get onto a D1 radar as a transfer.  (If not, I imagine Tufts will hope he sticks around as a grad student).  And playing that well vs. a pretty solid Harvard team can only help. 

Finally, I love that Williams posts highlights from all its home games.  There were some really good ones from the Wesleyan game, showcases just how many guys on the team can score in really creative ways.  There were a few rough patches still on offense in that game (as there have been in most games), but when it all comes together, it's really impressive to watch.  This also showcases the great game that Langs had for Wesleyan, he looked really good scoring in the deep post:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1nVjnssRe8

Another tough test for Williams tomorrow, going on the road to 6-1 Oneonta, who is ranked 31st in efficiency rankings.  Oneonta took the Ephs to OT last year and has a lot of new faces this year (three of their top four scorers did not play in the game in Chandler last year).  Oneonta is a big, physical bunch who outrebounds opponents by over 20 per game, so the Ephs will have to be really focused on cleaning the defensive glass in that game. 

[PowerForward1992]

It's early yet, but I agree that Williams seems (for now, it's early still!) ahead of the pack in NESCAC, and the next group, Middlebury, Colby, Trinity, Tufts, and Conn College, are very tough to distinguish from one another.  All seem like good teams that could make a solid run and earn an NCAA bid if they keep growing as teams throughout the course of the season.  They are very closely ranked from an efficiency ranking perspective: Conn 38, Midd 42, Tufts 44, Trinity 47, Colby a bit behind at 71 but it's not a dramatic drop.  Hamilton with the big win over WPI is not far behind at 83, and seems dangerous on any given day. 

The bottom tier of the league has had a much rougher go of it.  Wesleyan 116, Amherst 131, Bowdoin 141, and Bates 216.  Those teams have obviously been struggling.  I think of that group Wesleyan has the biggest opportunity to move forward, because of a combo of injured guys now all the way back and some changes to the rotation to get more young, offensively-minded players on the court (Bryant, Langs, and Hauser, all of whom are still pretty raw in terms of on-court experience).

Back to the middle tier, kudos to Tufts for hanging tough with Harvard, while playing its entire roster.  Down only five points at halftime!  Although Tufts lost by a lot to St. Joseph's, St. Joe's has killed some other good teams this year and may just be THAT good.  Nice game for Thoerner with 16 points on 5-9 from deep.  Thoerner is, I think, the last guy with an extra COVID-eligibility year in NESCAC who might possibly get onto a D1 radar as a transfer.  (If not, I imagine Tufts will hope he sticks around as a grad student).  And playing that well vs. a pretty solid Harvard team can only help. 

Finally, I love that Williams posts highlights from all its home games.  There were some really good ones from the Wesleyan game, showcases just how many guys on the team can score in really creative ways.  There were a few rough patches still on offense in that game (as there have been in most games), but when it all comes together, it's really impressive to watch.  This also showcases the great game that Langs had for Wesleyan, he looked really good scoring in the deep post:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1nVjnssRe8

Another tough test for Williams tomorrow, going on the road to 6-1 Oneonta, who is ranked 31st in efficiency rankings.  Oneonta took the Ephs to OT last year and has a lot of new faces this year (three of their top four scorers did not play in the game in Chandler last year).  Oneonta is a big, physical bunch who outrebounds opponents by over 20 per game, so the Ephs will have to be really focused on cleaning the defensive glass in that game.

The efficiency stuff is cool. Conn in 2nd at 38 is very interesting, their zone looks great and it's hard to argue with the 52 average OPPG. Been a long time since they have been even solid. Their SOS is not good so we'll see how it plays out into nescacs but regardless pretty impressive. Trinity has been in the same boat with the SOS but again look really impressive. I mean they'll likely be undefeated heading into nescac action. Could see them getting a number of t25 votes. Midd has been winning games but in somewhat ugly fashion, wonder how that will translate to later in the season(they start hitting shots and looking like a contender or they struggle).

[D3Parent1]

A shout out to Bowdin this past weekend.  They played very tough against RU.  They were clearly outmatched but they never let up.  Excellent effort.  Great to see a new coach having an impact.

[Bucket]

It's early yet, but I agree that Williams seems (for now, it's early still!) ahead of the pack in NESCAC, and the next group, Middlebury, Colby, Trinity, Tufts, and Conn College, are very tough to distinguish from one another.  All seem like good teams that could make a solid run and earn an NCAA bid if they keep growing as teams throughout the course of the season.  They are very closely ranked from an efficiency ranking perspective: Conn 38, Midd 42, Tufts 44, Trinity 47, Colby a bit behind at 71 but it's not a dramatic drop.  Hamilton with the big win over WPI is not far behind at 83, and seems dangerous on any given day. 

The bottom tier of the league has had a much rougher go of it.  Wesleyan 116, Amherst 131, Bowdoin 141, and Bates 216.  Those teams have obviously been struggling.  I think of that group Wesleyan has the biggest opportunity to move forward, because of a combo of injured guys now all the way back and some changes to the rotation to get more young, offensively-minded players on the court (Bryant, Langs, and Hauser, all of whom are still pretty raw in terms of on-court experience).

Back to the middle tier, kudos to Tufts for hanging tough with Harvard, while playing its entire roster.  Down only five points at halftime!  Although Tufts lost by a lot to St. Joseph's, St. Joe's has killed some other good teams this year and may just be THAT good.  Nice game for Thoerner with 16 points on 5-9 from deep.  Thoerner is, I think, the last guy with an extra COVID-eligibility year in NESCAC who might possibly get onto a D1 radar as a transfer.  (If not, I imagine Tufts will hope he sticks around as a grad student).  And playing that well vs. a pretty solid Harvard team can only help. 

Finally, I love that Williams posts highlights from all its home games.  There were some really good ones from the Wesleyan game, showcases just how many guys on the team can score in really creative ways.  There were a few rough patches still on offense in that game (as there have been in most games), but when it all comes together, it's really impressive to watch.  This also showcases the great game that Langs had for Wesleyan, he looked really good scoring in the deep post:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1nVjnssRe8

Another tough test for Williams tomorrow, going on the road to 6-1 Oneonta, who is ranked 31st in efficiency rankings.  Oneonta took the Ephs to OT last year and has a lot of new faces this year (three of their top four scorers did not play in the game in Chandler last year).  Oneonta is a big, physical bunch who outrebounds opponents by over 20 per game, so the Ephs will have to be really focused on cleaning the defensive glass in that game.

The efficiency stuff is cool. Conn in 2nd at 38 is very interesting, their zone looks great and it's hard to argue with the 52 average OPPG. Been a long time since they have been even solid. Their SOS is not good so we'll see how it plays out into nescacs but regardless pretty impressive. Trinity has been in the same boat with the SOS but again look really impressive. I mean they'll likely be undefeated heading into nescac action. Could see them getting a number of t25 votes. Midd has been winning games but in somewhat ugly fashion, wonder how that will translate to later in the season(they start hitting shots and looking like a contender or they struggle).

It's going to be a strange season for Middlebury; only seven home games. They have yet to play in Pepin, though will be warmly welcomed for the home opener this week.

The fact that Midd has played this opening stretch entirely on the road, with the only blemish a two-point, last-second loss to the #10 team in the country on their home court—and doing so while Sam Stephens has yet to find his shooting stroke—and I am quite hopeful and optimistic about the Panther season.

We'll see. That's why they play the games!

[nescac1]

PowerForward, welcome!  Yeah, Conn's zone clearly seems to be working well for it.  After Williams struggled majorly with St. Lawrence's zone, I'm not looking forward to seeing another zone look, but hopefully the practice from that game comes in handy.  Williams on paper should be able to exploit a zone, with some great deep shooters on the roster and very good ball movement through passing, as well as bigs who can operate in space around the baseline, but for whatever reason, that hasn't come easy. 

I'm actually surprising we don't see more zone teams after RMC has dominated D3 the last few years with its zone defense.  Of course most teams don't have those kinds of athletes, but still, you'd think more programs would take notice and give it a try. 

[Old Guy]

Okay. Time to reflect on Midd-Rochester (72-70 Yellowjackets). Quite a game! Twice, I was convinced that Middlebury was headed for defeat, perhaps by a lot! I know the hard core say, there are no good losses, but some losses are better than others, and this loss had some silver linings.

In the first half, Middlebury got blitzed by the home team. I watched with Young Guy and we shook our heads and said, "we're in trouble," down nine halfway through the first half. But we managed to get the deficit to six at the half. Halfway through the second half, we were down 12 and Sobel and Brennan were both on the bench with four fouls, replaced by freshmen, McKersie and Witherington (who got his first minutes all year the day before). "We're screwed," envisioning at a 20+ point loss. With those two guys and the diminutive Flaks at the point, the deficit was not expanded, but cut, before Brennan and Sobel came back with about seven minutes left to set up a great final act. Middlebury trailed the whole game till they tied it at 70-70 with 15 seconds left.

I give the premier etoile to UR coach Luke Flokerzi who designed the game-winning hoop with five seconds left. A Yellowjacket had the ball at the foul line extended (might have been Ansellem, 6'8" who can shoot) and cut across the middle where he got a pick from 6'10" center Algier, guarded by Sobel. Middlebury switched, Algier rolled to the hoop, received a perfectly thrown soft pass (modified alley-oop) with Brennan on his back and laid it in.

Still five seconds left: Middlebury had to go the length of the floor, UR applied full court pressure. Osher got a pretty good look from just inside midcourt. Sobel tried to deflect the shot in. Pretty close. The announcer (not a fellow who lacks confidence) thought Osher's shot had a chance to go in, but Young Guy and I thought it was short. Sobel was called for basket interference, but it was game over. Pretty exciting stuff.

Silver linings: The frosh played meaningful minutes against a good team in a tight game, away from home: Flaks (27 minutes), McKersie (14 minutes), Witherington (11 minutes). One hopes this kind of experience translates into tough NESCAC play in January. Middlebury was resilient: played good aggressive man defense throughout. Sobel was tested: he sat with foul trouble for 12 minutes and still had 20 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks (7-9 FG, 6-7 FT). He is a gifted shot blocker, with great timing, and much more formidable with the ball than last year. He's shooting 80%+ from the line — that's big. Rochester doubled him every time he touched the ball. He changes opponents' offensive intentions. He's this week's Player of the Week, well-deserved.
Osher looked overmatched in the first half, guarded closely, but brought us back in the second with a couple of threes and two other crucial hoops going to the basket. Stevens' shooting slump has been real, and he has been passing up shots, so it was good to see him hit two threes in the second half. He plays the whole game — scoring, defending, ball-handling, rebounding, but we need his offense. Keep shooting it, Sam. Flaks is ice water with the ball in crunch time. He and Bobbett are often on the floor at the same time; Bobbett is a good defender.

Middlebury again had the rebounding edge 35-27 resulting in seven Panther points. On the other hand, Midd had 17 turnovers for points for 14 UR points. Need to take better care of the ball.

Had I known that Aaron Toomey was an assistant at Rochester, I might have expected such an outcome. How many times did he break our hearts in those epic Midd-Amherst tussles about a decade ago? With his resume, how is he not a head coach somewhere? https://uofrathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/aaron-toomey/1441

5-1 in six road games, now finally a home game against Plattsburgh on Wednesday. Pretty darn good start.

[SpringSt7]

If I was throwing together an incredibly rough guess at power rankings—as in, thinking of it as I type this out—I would come up with the following.

1. Williams
2. Middlebury
3. Colby
4. Tufts
5. Trinity
6. Hamilton
7. Conn
8. Amherst
9. Wesleyan
10. Bowdoin
11. Bates

Extremely rough guess. The biggest question mark is really where to put Amherst as they have had some pretty bad losses but they still have a lot of pieces and you have to think they will figure out a rotation that gets more out of them than they have right now, they just have to. Hamilton has the best win of the bottom half. Tufts over Trinity is maybe a little harsh but I give their wins a slight nod over Trinity's and clearly it looks like there will be no shame in losing to St. Joe's this year. Middlebury over Colby because they have Sobel and I'm impressed by how much they've been on the road. I'm not quite sold on Brandeis yet, I wonder how much that win for Colby will mean once they hit their UAA slate.

[itsnotmeitsyou]

There can't be a taller roster nationally than Amherst, can there?

[SpringSt7]

Ephs fail to get off the bus at Oneonta St. for a 2nd consecutive trip. Have work to do in the second half.

[SpringSt7]

Williams improves to 8-0 with a 66-56 win over Oneonta St. Fueled by a 41-20 second half---they looked really bad in the first half and the offense didn't seem to improve so much in the second half, they just stopped getting beat off the dribble and forced the Red Dragons into bad shots. Cole Prowitt-Smith (21 on 8-15) was terrific again, seems like his best self is starting to arrive.

This time of year, during finals, getting on the bus and driving 2 hours when it is already dark out, any win is a good win. But the less said about this game the better.

[nescac1]

Amen to SpringSt7's comments, especially about Cole.  I'll just add that Hudson Hansen, while making a limited impact in the box score, was a big factor in the second half, injecting a lot of energy at both ends of the floor, he brings a speed and explosion factor that the Ephs otherwise lack.  It was interesting to see App trust his first-year down the stretch in a tough road game.  Resilient win in a tough setting for the Ephs after a very rough first half. 

[jumpshot]

While not playing one of their best games, the EPHS' will and persistence result in a well-earned win on the road against SUNY-Oneonta 66-56. Get some rest guys .... one more against Springfield before Christmas break....

[jumpshot]

It is a long time since the lord Jeff's blew a 17 point second half lead as with Springfield last night in Amherst.

[toad22]

The Oneonta game was the one that I feared from the beginning. Tuesday night, rushing to get out of class & get to the bus, 2+ hours down, late in the semester. Everybody writing papers or studying before the game. Williams has lost that game several times in recent years. I am very pleased with the win.