MBB: NESCAC

[formerbant10]

Red,

The Trinity/Springfield games are pretty big rivalry games.  Especially with couple of Trinity players being from Springfield. 

Thanks for the info on the game.  Wish I could've been there.  And most likely neither coach wanted their top inside scorer getting into foul trouble...that would've been too big a disadvantage to overcome for either team.

[eclinchy]

I don't think Tufts could've played better tonight, honestly.

I agree that they played great, but I can't help but think... what if Shep had just made one more free throw?  It's painful to look back on games like this.

Olson is as good as advertised if not better. His maturity is starting to catch up with his talent and that's a scary thought. BJones is light-years ahead of where he was last year and Bausky is going to be one of the premier scorers in the nation before he's done.

I agree.  Olson is absolutely unbelievable.  I've never seen a more athletic D3 player on any team, in any sport.  Just a thrill to watch.  He was good last year, but man, he just keeps getting better.

Jones was decent, but nothing to marvel about.  Baskauskas was great -- such a good pure scorer, very impressive.

Tufts announcers were BRUTAL! They didn't know what was going on half the time and the color guy was a mix between TNT's Kenny Smith and Rain Man... Clinchy, do something with that guy... I could take up a collection from the congregation to send him to broadcast school? It's one thing to support your school and play home team and it's another to completely wear blinders. Vitale has an excuse, he only has one eye. What's that guy's?

Hmm.  Kenny Smith and Rain Man, interesting.  I've often heard the Charles Barkley comparison with Elton, but Kenny Smith is interesting.  Rain Man... is that because he was always giving players' point totals?  That would be because I was by his side feeding him stats all night.

Todd (the play by play guy)... I can understand him being confused.  He works for UMass Boston, so he doesn't actually know the NESCAC that well... he had to learn everything on the fly.  I was actually kinda impressed by how fast he picked things up.  But then again, I didn't have a headset except when I was on the air at halftime, so I may have missed some stupid things he said.

Some gems from my postgame interview with Bob Sheldon:

Sheldon on Amherst's size: "They're a big team.  Olson's the only guy that's short, and... he's... good.  He's real good."

Sheldon on Olson: "He's a real good point guard.  Maybe even the best in the NESCAC.  I would say he is."

Sheldon on Baskauskas in the starting five: "It's funny, because whatshisname wasn't here, you know, Coliby.  And actually, when that happened, we knew that we would rather he had been here.  We think that whateverhisnameis is better than the guy who starts.  We felt that hurt us."

I have other quotes that are better, but I'm saving those for my actual article.  These are the ones that made me chuckle.

[WeezyFBaby]

Overhead a referee at the Middlebury/Colby game say to the crowd, pointing to Aaron Smith, "when did they get Kevin McHale over here?" Comparisons to one of the best post players in the history of The League. Not bad for a sophomore. You'll all enjoy watching him on the road.

Rudin: 8 pts, 12 asts. If Farrell's underrated (huge game, 32 pts each one critical), Rudin certainly is too. He will prove he is as good as any PG in the league when he matches up against Olson, Ray, Martin, and Shepherd. I promise.

Thompson: 24 pts, 3 threes, 2 dunks including a monster 2 hander to give Midd 100 points and end the game.

Harris: 17, a 10 point run by himself including a 4 pt. play.

Midd has the talent to play with anyone in the NESCAC. They will be dangerous, especially at home. I recommend nobody take them lightly anymore.

[JeffRookie2]

IF Amherst and Trinity both win today (I realize this is still a big if) I would have to think that the Feb. 10th game between the Jeffs and Bantams at Trinity will end up deciding home court advantage for the conference tournament. Either the Jeffs or the Bantams would have to lose twice before then, or another team would have to finish with only one loss for this not to be the case. Since I dont see this happening, if Trinity and Amherst win today there should be a very exciting end to the NESCAC regular season. (trin-amherst games are always tight, and the road team always seems to come away with the win)

It will be interesting to see how the rankings shape up after this weekend. How far do you think Amherst will fall if we lose to Bates? How far do you think Bates will fall if they get swept, if they stay in the top 25 at all? How far do you think Trinity will rise if they sweep?

As for Tufts, are they now completely out of contention for an at-large bid? If they are, they will be plenty dangerous by the time the conference tournament comes around. Clearly they still have a lot of talent (pierce was stellar, i hadn't seen him before) and I think they could be dangerous if they make the NCAA tournament.

No offense to Bates, but are any of the other Amherst guys MUCH less nervous about today's game then yesterday's? I know Bates is really good, but with our history against Tufts I knew they weren't going to make it easy.

[JeffRookie2]

Hey, eclinchy, when will the archive of last night's game be up? I would love to see exactly where Shepard's foot was when he was fouled.

[Ralph Turner]

As for Tufts, are they now completely out of contention for an at-large bid? If they are, they will be plenty dangerous by the time the conference tournament comes around. ...

Good morning Jeff,

I am assuming your question about "at-large" refers to the NCAA Pool C bid.  Tufts has an in-region record of 7-5.  If they do not win the tourney to  earn the Pool A (automatic qualifier) bid, then they will need to sweep the remaining regular season games (all 12), win the first 2 rounds before losing in the conference tourney finals.  That will give Tufts an "in-region" record of 21-6.  By past experience, that is on the bubble for Pool C bids.  Here is the link to the 2007 Handbook for your review.  The selection criteria are published beginning on page 12 of the Handbook.

The Regional rankings begin appearing on Feb 7th.  You will find discussion on the Pool C message board getting active in a couple of weeks. 

[thunder32]

I was at the game last night and just as everyone has said it was an instant clasic.  At great game to watch but it was all to familiar of last year.  I wasnt overly impressed with Amherst but witht that being said I was very impressed with Olsen with out him I think that the Jeffs would be half the team that they are now.  A poor mans steve nash is right on the money.  His offense is incedible but the thing that stuck out at me was the way he pressures the ball on defense.

Now to Tufts they played great.  They looked like the Tufts of last year with that cofidence and played with a chip on their shoulder.  It was alot of fun to watch.  Everyone played really well.  They shot the ball well and played hard defense.  It just so happened that Olsen took over at the end of the game.  Tuft needs to go and get Trinity today.

[nescachoopsfan]

i think tufts is only 7-3 in the region since their losses to william patterson and stevens tech are both out of region.  correct me if i am wrong but i didnt think new jersey is in region.

[fpc85]

Is there a way to hear the Bates-Amherst game today....will it be on Batescast?

[Ralph Turner]

i think tufts is only 7-3 in the region since their losses to william patterson and stevens tech are both out of region.  correct me if i am wrong but i didnt think new jersey is in region.

The NCAA amended the definition of "in-region" to include the geographic administrative voting regions (Region #1 is New England plus  NJ, DE, DC and MD.)

For basketball, I think this really helps strengthen the reputation of the conference, (as if Williams' national Championship hadn't already).  Picking up some "in-region" wins versus the NJAC should help over time.  (IMHO, I think that the top teams in the NJAC, and maybe the Capital AC, are the only teams that compare with the top of the NESCAC. in that administrative region.  It does not change the Evaluation Region, tho.  The NESCAC will probably have 4 of the 9 slots.)

The administrative regions are listed in the Handbook.

[Pat Coleman]

Hey, eclinchy, when will the archive of last night's game be up? I would love to see exactly where Shepard's foot was when he was fouled.

I only got to see it live but another unbiased observer and I each felt it was a great call.

nescachoopsfan: Check the schedules and results on D3hoops.com. We have the regional games marked.

[eclinchy]

Hey, eclinchy, when will the archive of last night's game be up? I would love to see exactly where Shepard's foot was when he was fouled.

I don't really know -- I'm just the guy who keeps stats and talks at halftime.  But my best guess is that after Trinity today (3pm start), they'll post both at once.

For the record, I think it was a three.  And I sat in the middle of the second row.

[walzy31]

Amherst 55
Bates 41

With 14 minutes to go. Jeffs should be able to run the table this weekend. Hot fire.

[walzy31]

Amherst 59
Bates 44
                 10 to play.

War Quigs
War Kuips

[walzy31]

Amherst 66
Bates 53
                5:30 to play.