MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Hoops Fan, "committing" at this point means he almost definitely applied early decision to Amherst, which is a binding committment, so he wouldn't be able to switch to a Div I program in any event.  Amherst has really cleaned up recruiting in northern california with Casnocha, Baskauskas, and now this guy who sounds like a potential impact player.  

Ballaholic, I agree with you re: Williams' need to go inside more and absolutely to try to draw more fouls.  I would start Rose at the "3" and Weisbrot at the "4" if I was Williams to become more interior oriented -- still leaves three shooters on the floor.  When Snyder comes in Rose could move to the 4 for stretches to give a different look.  The most effective Williams team ever employed the same strategy with two big guys (Coffin and Demuth) and they'd bring in Kain at the 4 for a change of pace.  Of course, there is no one quite like those big guys at Williams now, but perhaps some of the young big men will develop over the course of the year with experience.   At least the Ephs have staunched some of the bleeding with two wins in a row, but those wins were not against NESCAC-caliber teams.  

[formerbant10]

Wow.  Springfield?

Remember when we used to put Trinity in the same sentence with Bates and Tufts?  That was fun while it lasted, huh Bants?

Sorry, but that's a really bad loss.

Pretty harsh statement.  I'll take one loss in a big rivalry game giving the Bants a 7-1 record to end the semester.  That's much better than most of the posters on this board thought they were going to be.  The good news in the SPFLD game is that they only turned the ball over 7 times.  Trinity lost to SPFLD the last time they played up there. 

But I wouldn't worry too much about the Bants.  They'll get it straightened out.

[walzy31]

Bennett on film looks like the real deal post player who will bang down low at Amherst for 4 years. The type of player we could have used vs. the big boys from Rochester a couple years ago.

Looking forward to MIT and Brandeis.

"Wooooaaaaaaahhhhhh   Wooooaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh"

[JeffRookie2]

Walzy, where did you see video of him? Do you have to subscribe to that site? Kurt, if you read this and are interested in sports journalism send me an email. I'm starting a sports magazine on campus and I am the sports director for the radio sports broadcasting. Last summer I interned with NESN, which is a regional sports network that covers the Red Sox and Bruins, kind of like YES for the Yankees. If you want, I can give you a contact there. I think they only let sophomores and older intern, but it might be good for the future. We're looking forward to seeing you play for the Jeffs.

[thunder32]

I swear everytime I check the this site the posts keep getting longer.  Im not going to lie I read the first paragraph and skipped down to the bottom.  But what I gathered from it is that Amherst may have another big man to put on their bench becuase there are few players from amherst that actaully play their freshman or sophmore year.  It takes them a while to get use to Hixon's system.  Hixon doesnt just stick his players in because they have potential they have to be able to play within his system.  At least that is feeling that I get.  I may be wrong and im not saying that there are no exceptions.

[eclinchy]

I'm off to the Tufts-Keene game.  I'll post back here tonight with my thoughts.

I'm not gonna lie... I'm scared.

[Jumbos35]

2 straight triple OT wins for the Jumbos.  I wonder if the boys at Elias could dig up the last time that happened...

[eclinchy]

Verbatim quote from Bob Sheldon tonight...

"Hey, I'll be with you in a minute.  Gotta make one phone call.  It's my dad.

...*picks up phone, dials*...

Hey, old man.  We won in triple overtime.

...

Yeah.  Again."

That game was absolutely insane.  Eight players fouled out.  75 total fouls.  The Jumbos' lineup at the end was Shep, Pierce, Black, Aaron Gallant and Dave Beyel.  Jake, Fitz, Kumf, and O'Keefe were all gone.

At one point an incredibly pissed Sheldon started pacing up and down his bench yelling at his bench warmers... "Who hasn't fouled out yet?  Anyone?  You foul out yet?  You foul out?  You foul out?"  Absolutely unbelievable that they still won.  16 for 16 free throw shooting in the third OT was the key.

[Jumbos35]

Classic Sheldon on both accounts.  One time my freshman year during a blowout he asked me if I thought it was safe for him to put me in yet...it's taken me more than a decade to see the humor...

Tufts will be fine as soon as they commit to the defensive end of the floor.  Their biggest guy plays spot minutes, so there's no eraser there to correct mistakes around the hoop. 

The Jersey trip will be a big tell as to how they will start NESCAC play.

[JeffRookie2]

got to hand it to the jumbos, they definitely dont have any quit in 'em. they play their asses off everytime out.

[eclinchy]

Another classic Sheldon moment...

Three minutes left in regulation tonight, Sheldon yells "NO FOUL, FITZY!" at the top of his lungs just as Tyler Kathan's posting up for a short jumper.  Fitzgerald IMMEDIATELY fouls him, it's his fifth, he's gone.

I was talking to Sheldon about that moment after the game, and he says "well, Fitzy's only been here five years.  He's still learning the system."

Brilliant.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I was talking to Sheldon about that moment after the game, and he says "well, Fitzy's only been here five years.  He's still learning the system."

Brilliant.

I concur.

[fpc85]

Laugh out loud funny! Good luck Amherst! Jeffs take no prisoners!
Bud ball up with honor!

[walzy31]

Sheldon defintely has one of the best personalities in the conference. I feel like I am reading Season on the Brink minus a lot of swearing.
Glad for Tufts-land. 16-16 is not only impressive FT shooting, but also a boatload of trips to the line in 5 minutes.

[hugenerd]

Just got back from the MIT game, it was a 30 some odd point blowout.  It was close for the first 10 minutes or so, but once Amherst started making 3s the game was over.