MBB: NESCAC

[hoopjunkie]

CC ALIVE
I totally agree with you that the nescac is so tight this year I think
Bates ,Trinity & my beloved Jumbos can all lose another nescac game .
I`ll go even one better , I will bet that Amherst will lose a nescac game ,
I dont know if it will be Trinity , Conn , maybe Middlebury but I do not
think they are so dominant unlike,  all of the pro Amherst posters .

[MeOak21]

CCsalive- I definitely do agree that either Bates, Trinity, or Tufts will lose additional games. But you have to admit that these teams will be favored in most of their games that don't involve playing head to head against eachother or obviously if they are playing against Amherst.

They each play primarily in conference games from this point out and most of their out of conference match-ups are against relatively mediocre teams.

Trinity plays Clark and Fisher (weak)

Bates plays Husson, Emmanuel, and Gordon (a good CCC team)

and Tufts plays UMass Dartmouth, Wheaton, Babson, and UMass Boston (capable teams)

As you can see, for any individual matchup against these teams, the odds are stacked in favor of Trinity, Tufts, and Bates.

[MeOak21]

and for the remaining NESCAC games, I would have to say the same thing... They will be tested but simply favored.

[nescac1]

Wow, things are really degenerating ... to be honest, Elms doesn't seem to be all that bad.  I would be shocked if the Jeffs lose until at least the NESCAC tourney ... if they can beat Tufts and Bates on the road back-to-back with two starters out or limited, hard to think any other NESCAC team can take them, particularly when the potentially tough games are all at home.   

Bad loss for Williams last night, getting blown out by a mediocre team, after a solid weekend.  Doesn't bode well for this weekend, hopefully they can kick it into gear for conference rivalry games ... I think Williams has a chance against Trinity, but in order to win the shooting will have to finally come around (or hope Trinity's guards are just ice cold) because Trinity is bigger, quicker and more athletic overall.   On the road against Amherst ... I don't even want to think about it.

Turning back to hoops and away from Garth Brooks, who do folks thing the best overall five players in conference in each class are.   (Anything to get off the recent topics)  Here's a shot at it for upperclassmen (not ranked in order).

Seniors: Stockwell, Cohen, Ray, McLaughlin, Wheeler.  HM: Kino Clarke (can look amazing but too inconsistent), Pat Martin, Farrell, Kelly
Juniors: Olson, Weitzen, Rose, Stone, R. Martin HM: Hopkins, Shalvoy, Hippert, R. Taylor, Pelletier (strongest group overall, lots of other names could be mentioned here)
Sophomores: Baskauskas, Pierce, Rudin, K. Jackson, A. Smith (other than Baskauskas and maybe Pierce and Rudin, this group seems to be fairly unspectacular overall -- the guys who are now Juniors seemed to produce a lot more, collectively, last year).   
Frosh: (this one is tougher due to playing time and the fact that most players -- especially post players -- make the leap to college ball after first year... maybe folks have thoughts -- possibilities include Bernier, C. Wilson, J. O'Keefe, Geoghegan, Schultz, Beyel, Wheeler, Kaminer). 

[Friar T]

15 assists is impressive no matter who it's against. The fact that he did it in under 30 minutes is absurd.

I'd love to see the beloved Ephs face the Blazers. For those of you who haven't seen them play, they turn a gymasium into an indoor track. Led by Jojn "Murder Mook" Ancrum, I'd be willing to bet they'd give Williams a good game this year, especially if it were in the shoebox they call a gym.

Nescac Hoops, I'll get your back a little bit. I got your point that big statistical outputs against JV teams isn't a big deal, and it was a good point. However, you're sleeping on the fact that some numbers are impressive regardless of opponent. Shooting 60+% from 3 is scorching. I don't care if you are playing against 65 year old men, that's en fuego.

Big ups on the triple-double, I used to average one when I scrimmaged with the Amherst women's team...

Hoopjunkie, get real. It will take a natural disaster for the Jeffs to lose a NESCAC game the rest of the way (except the game at Trinity, that should be a great one). As for the other three powers (Tufts, Bates & Trin.), I feel it would take a seriously off night for any of these teams to lose to someone outside the upper circle. Is it possible, sure, but HIGHLY unlikely.

I'm looking for the NESCAC to finish:
Amherst
Tufts
Trinity
Bates
the rest...

Good to see RIC get a ranking, just gives Amherst's schedule more power for the haters.

I would take the Amherst junior class against any group of juniors from the conference...

Doesn't Garth Brooks sing country music or something?

[formerbant10]

It's always possible for someone to lose a game they shouldn't in the NESCAC, especially on the back end of a road trip.

Trinity and Amherst do have to go to Maine again....and you never know what can happen up there.  Trinity has struggled with Colby the last few years, including a couple of OT games.  But if they stay focused, they should be ok.

CC, Trinity has played Amherst well, so I wouldn't be shocked with either team winning that game.  I don't think Midd is quite there yet.  And if Conn lost to Wes, I don't know if they are ready to top the Jeffs yet.

[JeffRookie2]

I'm not that much of a Garth Brooks fan, personally I prefer Chris Gaines...

I don't see how you can say that all of Amherst's tough games are at home. The only two that I'm really worried about at all are the RIC game and the Trinity game and those are both on the road.

I wish I got to see Amherst's sophomore's outside of Baskauskas play a little more. I'll bet we'll see at least one of Bradley, Wong, Holsey make some significant contributions next season. Holsey might have the best hops in the NESCAC. That guy can jump out of the gym.

[eclinchy]

How can you blame Gallant for not playing defense HE PLAYED  8 MINUTES !!

Because he didn't play very good defense?

Anyway back to the all-NESCAC debate... here's my ballot, with just a few positional shuffles...

C Drew Cohen
PF Rob Stockwell
SF Jake Weitzen
SG Kino Clarke
PG Andrew Olson

C Charles Stone
PF Jon Pierce
SF Brian Baskauskas
SG Patrick Martin
PG Zak Ray

C Dan O'Shea
PF Russ Martin
SF Tim McLaughlin
SG Ryan O'Keefe
PG Dave Shepherd

I feel like that's a bit too top team-biased though... so that's probably a bit off.  Just trying to stir up some debate.

[formerbant10]

First off, there are only 1st and 2nd teams...no 3rd or honorable mention.

Secondly, don't get geeked by one good game by a player....this is a season long recognition award.

Lastly, positions don't matter...it's the top 5 vote getters.  There have been teams with only 1 guard, others with no centers.  5 most deserving players in the coaches' eyes get the award.

[nescac hoops]

jeff rookie,
i think amherst has had enough fun already with the cream puffs they played in november and december. i hardly consider myself a "joy kill" for the 2nd ranked team that played some very weak teams and has pounded them. just because elms made the tourny (WEAK conference) does not mean that they are good NOW. williams has made it to 4 of the last 10 (or so) final fours and won the national championship in 2003. however, that doesn't mean that they are a good team NOW. no team is good based on how well they did in years prior.

[mrmike88]

Point of clarification only.

nescac hoops,

I have no problem with your criticism of Amherst's weak schedule.  It's a valid argument when talking about the Top 25 and where Amherst actually stands.  But in terms of the Elms argument, this team that made each of the past two tournaments actually has much of the same roster as they have had the last two years.  So in this case, yes, it's a better comparison than to Williams.  Ancrum, Lindmets, etc. did go to the tourney and they were the main pieces when they played well.

[whoarewebobcats]

I know the board is pretty Amherst-heavy, but I'm confused about the criticism of their schedule. Is it really any different from anyone else's? Aren't most teams' non-conference schedules comprised of predominantly inferior teams because the NESCAC is a strong conference? Why are we picking on Amherst?

[La Verdad]

I don't think anybody is going to try to defend Amherst's out of conference schedule, it's obviously weak.  The fact remains that the amherst players had no role in choosing who they play; all they can do is go out and play whoever is on the schedule.  So please, let's not get the weak schedule discussion started again.

As for the all nescac debate... I'm obviously biased, but I think McLaughlin is at least a 2nd team guy.  He's the leading scorer on the best team in NE, he's going to be near the top of the conference in steals, and he'll be in the running for defensive player of the year. 

[hoopjunkie]

I just saw Amherst play & obviously they are a very good team . I even tell
my friends they could beat alot of ivy league schools . However  I am not impressed
with Tim McLaughlin . La Verdad he is the 4th leader scorer on the team NOT the leading scorer as you claim
& he is averaging a mere 2 steals a game. BIG DEAL .
here is how I rate the players on Amherst--
Olson - amazing best in the league
Brian B - great pure shooter -a season away from being great
Wheeler - strong , tough player , good shooter (a little inconsistant )
Oshea - good defensive presence

The rest of the team without Adolphe didnt play this weekend I think are good solid role
players with a lot  of size  . I really do think it IS possible they could lose in the NESCAC
NOT probable but possible . 

[La Verdad]

Looks like i should've checked my facts.  I guess he was the leading scorer as of a week ago.  oh well, he's only two points behind Wheeler.  BIG DEAL.  I wouldn't make a judgement on a player based on one game and a look at his stat line.