MBB: NESCAC

[SpringSt7]

Will King played like Luka Doncic for a couple minutes, the Ephs came out flat, and that was that today. They cut to 15 in the second half before it ballooned back to 21, and fought valiantly again to get it to 13, but it just wasn't meant to be tonight.

Williams will need to have short term memory and prepare for hopefully 2 games at home next weekend. They still have all the pieces they need but again their inconsistent guard play cost them and it doesn't seem like they always have enough to overcome a few key players not being at their best. Plus, Spencer Spivy rolled an ankle pretty good in the second half and presumably will have that to deal with the rest of the way as well.

Congrats to Colby, they showed up with a great gameplan and executed it well, not to mention they played with a hunger and tenacity that that the Ephs did not come anywhere close to matching. Two NESCAC championship appearances in three years. Well deserved.

[SpringSt7]

Bad 24 hours for Wesleyan, Claremont McKenna loses in the SCIAC semis and WPI trails by 2 with 3 minutes left to Babson. Colby could be another bid thief as well tomorrow. They avoided total disaster as Keene St won in OT but they need WPI to win right now as the bubble continues to shrink.

Update: Babson takes down WPI. Wesleyan is going to be leaving it late, if they are going to have any chance at all. Pasteur still has them getting in but important to remember Hamilton is ahead of them in the regional rankings and Colby is going to be right behind them at this point.

Second Update: Worth noting that WPI is not necessarily guaranteed to get in as a Pool C so maybe I spoke too soon regarding a bid thief, but the overall point remains the same

[nescac1]

Tourney picture:

Midd is hosting a pod.  Williams will either host a pod or be the number two seed in another pod, and will have to hope that Spivy is OK and the team comes out with more poise and energy next weekend.  Very frustrating day for the Ephs who really had been on a roll, but 22-4 is still a very solid year's work to date.  I think Tufts probably moves ahead of Williams, and maybe even Midd, with two more wins.  They definitely have a shot at hosting. 

Colby, while rolling of late, still probably needs the Pool A, given how many upsets there have already been.  WPI just lost and I think WPI is probably still ahead of Colby right now, and there is a chance neither gets in.  if Colby wins tomorrow they are obviously in the tourney and going on the road in the first round, I'd expect. 

[jumpshot]

Hamilton played as a tournament team should today ... calm, cohesive, within roles, coachable from the sideline during the game. Impressive win over Tufts by 20 at the right time .... should be a good matchup for the championship and pool A bid tomorrow.

[toad22]

It was a strange day at the Chandler Gym in Williamstown. First Colby took it to a Williams in the first game, and then in a very minor upset, Hamilton easily defeats Tufts. Will King, my favorite non Williams NESCAC player for four years, put on a show today. He is easily the best point guard in the league. His passing is superb and his ball handling is usually top notch as well. He always gets to the basket and finishes, and today he hit 3 Three pointers as well. Congratulations to the Mules. They outplayed my Ephs in every facet of the game. In the 4:30 tilt, Hamilton was even more dominating in their win over Tufts. I would not have guessed that things would play out like they have. I am no NCAA prognosticator, but do both of these teams need the win tomorrow to make the field?

[Bucket]

I was a strange day at the Chandler Gym in Williamstown. First Colby took it to a Williams in the first game, and then in a very minor upset, Hamilton easily defeats Tufts. Will King, my favorite non Williams NESCAC player for four years, put on a show today. He is easily the best point guard in the league. His passing is superb and his ball handling is usually top notch as well. He always gets to the basket and finishes, and today he hit 3 Three pointers as well. Congratulations to the Mules. They outplayed my Ephs in every facet of the game. In the 4:30 tilt, Hamilton was even more dominating in their win over Tufts. I would not have guessed that things would play out like they have. I am no NCAA prognosticator, but do both of these teams need the win tomorrow to make the field?

I love Will King, a terrific player, but easily the best point guard in the league? Nicky Johnson might have something to say about that.

[Colby Hoops]

The best game of the year in the biggest game of the year for Colby. The crazy part is they didn't even shoot it well from three, they just killed Williams with great passing to get tons of good looks in the paint. Will King was immense -- playing his best basketball in the final stretch of the season. If all league awards do include the Nescac tournament, I think he has a very good case for first team. He's such a unique player - not overly quick or athletic, but just plays at his own pace and throws off defenders with fakes and smarts. He had a wraparound pass to Lawson for a layup, and a drop off to Obi (that went off his hands and out of bounds because he didn't expect it) that were just next level passes.

Williams definitely didn't bring anything close to their A game, but the Colby defense was great -- Jack Lawson has played great against Williams both games defensively, not letting Karen get going inside. The first half in particular there just weren't many good looks allowed. Huge kudos to Damien Strahorn -- wonderful offensive and defensive execution for the Mules.

Surprise matchup in the finals tomorrow -- Colby played well against Hamilton a couple weeks back and beat them fairly easily, but the Hamilton team from today looks like a different beast. Going to be a fun one, with two teams fighting for an NCAA bid. Have said it a few times, but things could've gone a little sideways after an 0-4 league start, but this team has found an extra gear at the very best time.

[toad22]

I was a strange day at the Chandler Gym in Williamstown. First Colby took it to a Williams in the first game, and then in a very minor upset, Hamilton easily defeats Tufts. Will King, my favorite non Williams NESCAC player for four years, put on a show today. He is easily the best point guard in the league. His passing is superb and his ball handling is usually top notch as well. He always gets to the basket and finishes, and today he hit 3 Three pointers as well. Congratulations to the Mules. They outplayed my Ephs in every facet of the game. In the 4:30 tilt, Hamilton was even more dominating in their win over Tufts. I would not have guessed that things would play out like they have. I am no NCAA prognosticator, but do both of these teams need the win tomorrow to make the field?

I love Will King, a terrific player, but easily the best point guard in the league? Nicky Johnson might have something to say about that.

Ok, I don't watch Nicky Johnson or Will King play much except when they play Williams. I will say that King has easily been the best PG against Williams. He requires enormous attention to try to keep him from dominating the game. Way more than Johnson. Again, only vs Williams.

[Colby Hoops]

Also, random note -- I did a quick look and I think Tufts today is the only team all year that didn't have a single player reach double digit points in a game. Even Bowdoin managed that in a couple of games when they didn't break 40.

[toad22]

Also, random note -- I did a quick look and I think Tufts today is the only team all year that didn't have a single player reach double digit points in a game. Even Bowdoin managed that in a couple of games when they didn't break 40.

Like I wrote earlier, a very unusual afternoon at Chandler Gym!

[Hamilton4]

Both Hamilton and Colby are 8-1 in their last 9 games, it should be a great game tomorrow!!

[Colby Hoops]

Two NESCAC championship appearances in three years. Well deserved.

Hopefully this one is less heartbreaking as a Colby fan: https://youtu.be/gDaYh3EmjUQ

[jumpshot]

Both Hamilton and Colby demonstrated a style of play based on sound fundamentals of individual and team defense, focused rebounding, mid-range shooting, augmented by but not dependent on 3-pointers, taking care of the ball, passes with a purpose, correct screen setting, opportunistic fast-breaks .... all necessary (often neglected) skills for cohesive teams without dominate height or athleticism. Product of good coaching and hard work by the players. A pleasure to watch resulting in success perhaps disproportionate to aggregate talent assembled .... Congrats to Hamilton on first NESCAC championship (although Hamilton had some outstanding teams and players prior to NESCAC) ...now on to the big dance ....

[SpringSt7]

A massive congratulations to former Eph big and assistant coach Brian Emerson on guiding his Sewanee Tigers to an SAA Championship and bid to the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, they defeated his former roommate and also former Eph assistant Mick Hedgepeth, whose Berry Vikings were 25-2 and undefeated in league play. Hope they can still be friends!

[d3hoopsfanCT]

Dominant weekend for Hamilton hoops! Hamilton winning the NESCAC with an average margin of victory of 17.5 - when is the last time that happened? Today's game was a battle - Colby took it to Hamilton in the first half but the second half was all Hamilton. During the pivotal stretch in the second half it was just plain old street ball as Hamilton's guards broke Colby's defenders down one-on-one and could not stop their penetration. When they did, they kicked it out for some timely threes from Hamilton. Just an overall great great game from Hamilton and a great atmosphere for D3 hoops considering both teams in the championship were at least 2.5 hours away.