MBB: NESCAC

[eclinchy]

Wow, what a win for Trinity.  That should cement their Pool C regardless of what happens next weekend.

As for the Bates loss, I think that's a huge boost to teams like Williams, Tufts and Middlebury, teams that need a tournament win to make NCAAs.  Even though Bates was mediocre in the conference this year, they probably have a better chance of beating Amherst than Bowdoin does, since Stockwell and Ray are capable of getting hot.

If Bates pulls off the upset next weekend, it's anyone's tournament.

[mrmike88]

Pat Martin - 18pts, 10 assists, 1 turnover.  There were times in the first half where it looked like he was too selfish with the ball and wasn't getting his teammates involved, but he certainly turned it around in the second.

Kino Clarke was really impressive today as well - 14 points (4-7 3pt %).  He gave Amherst's defense fits trying to stay with him.  Those two really excelled in the second half.  And to think, Trinity's best interior player was out with an injury today...

Aside from Dan Wheeler's great first half, no Jeff really stepped it up today.  A few players played very well in spurts.  Hopkins played solidly in the second half in the low post, Walters had a stretch where he was hot, Olson scored his points in one bunch.  IMO, Mike Salerno played very well on D.  While he was in the game, Martin struggled.

As for the three pointer, from my seat it looked like Amherst did a great job defending that last possession.  Olson stayed right in Martin's face as he went up for the shot.  What can you say, it was a great shot.  Sometimes those have to fall in favor of the other team!

And wow, Bates as a first round matchup!  It should be fun next Saturday.

[La Verdad]

Congrats to Trinity on the win.

I finally understand why most of the NESCAC hates amherst.  It's a shame how a few obnoxious fans can make the whole crowd look bad.  I assure you that most Amherst fans aren't like.  In fact, most of us were really embarrassed by the actions of our bretheren with high BAC and low self-esteem.

On behalf of the more sensible Amherst fans, I would like to apologize.  People should form their opinions of Amherst Basketball by watching the way the team carries itself, not by listening to a couple of drunken fules in the stands.

[eclinchy]

Does anyone know or have access to Colby's records for blocks (in a game, in a season, in a career)?  I'm really curious as to where Cohen stacks up.

[formerbant10]

Looks like the defense was pretty good all around, both teams way off their season averages.

Great win for the Bants.  Tough draw with Bowdoin, but I like it as a revenge game at home.

[Pat Coleman]

Congrats to Trinity on the win.

I finally understand why most of the NESCAC hates amherst.  It's a shame how a few obnoxious fans can make the whole crowd look bad.  I assure you that most Amherst fans aren't like.  In fact, most of us were really embarrassed by the actions of our bretheren with high BAC and low self-esteem.

On behalf of the more sensible Amherst fans, I would like to apologize.  People should form their opinions of Amherst Basketball by watching the way the team carries itself, not by listening to a couple of drunken fules in the stands.

That was pretty bad. Though it was also the most Amherst students I'd ever seen in one place.

[nescac1]

What exactly happened with the fans at the Amherst/Trinity game?

[soze]

Where's Walzy, Geronimo, Spengler? They must be sleeping off there hangovers.  What did the Amherst faithful do at the game?

[ephoops]

Regarding the questions about the conduct of the Amherst fans, the incident occured during the singing of the national anthem.  A female Trinity student sang the national anthem before the start of the game.  After the first couple of lines, the Amherst student section began yelling and making disruptive noises while the girl was singing.  About half way through the anthem, the students began singing along in a mocking, derogatory tone for a few lines.  By the last few lines of the anthem, the students were again loudly shouting and disrupting the female student's performance.

The Amherst students embarassed themselves, the team and their school.  They demonstrated a total lack of class and dignity.

Regarding the game, Trinity showed a lot of heart on senior day.  I thought Amherst's guards had a lot of trouble staying with and defending Martin and Clarke.  On several possessions in the second half, Martin drove to the hoop and was too strong and physical for McLaughlin.  Clarke's quickness also gave Amherst fits.  Amherst had a definite size advantage inside but did not capitalize on it in the second half and down the stretch.

It also appeared that Amherst struggled down the stretch in getting good looks.  Wheeler should have been more aggressive in looking for his shot.  He's a senior and should step up in a close game (Trinity's seniors certainly did).

Overall, it was an impressive performance by Trinity, a lackluster effort by Amherst and an absolutely embarassing effort by the Amherst students during the national anthem.

[booyakasha]

                                 TOT-FG  3-PT               REBOUNDS 
## Player                FG FGA   FG FGA FT FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP    A  TO BLK  S MIN

44 Kevin Hopkins.......    4  8      0  0   1  1     0   1     1   1     9   1   2    2    0  19

00 Drew Cohen.......... * 11 20   0  1   3  6     4   7   11   3   25   7   0    8    2  33

Please, 1 rebound in half a game at 6'10" in the biggest game of the year for the Jeff's. Can we put this one to rest until DC graduates?

[mrmike88]

Two thoughts:

1. It wasn't just the national anthem.  There were other incidents during the course of the game.  A few students were removed from the gym, and some of the Amherst student taunts were beyond the bounds of good taste (there were also two guys in the front row who continually gave anyone and everyone the middle finger).  From an Amherst student perspective, it was great to see so many people make the drive down to Hartford, but horrible to see what happened.  I hope they calm down before the tourney games.

2. In defense of my fellow students, like la verdad said, there were very few students who ruined it for the rest of us.  I thought the majority of us who went represented the school just fine.  There was nothing wrong with most of the cheers, and only a few of my fellow students got into any trouble.  Especially during the national anthem, there were a couple students who tried to get the unruly ones under control.

So yes, a few of us should be ashamed at our behavior, but it was just this select few who caused the bad impression.  If you want to hate the team/school for its success, fine.  But please don't base your opinion of Amherst on the actions of a few drunk students.

[formerbant10]

I wouldn't say 8-29 shooting in a half is a good overall performance.

Yes, that is what the Bants shot in the first stanza.

As for the fans, there are jerks at all schools...but let's not mess with somebody singing the National Anthem.  Save it for the players.

[La Verdad]

Where's Walzy, Geronimo, Spengler? They must be sleeping off there hangovers.  What did the Amherst faithful do at the game?

I'm pretty sure that Dr. Spengler is a recovering alcoholic...

Geronimo is pregnant, so let's hope that she wasn't drinking...

Walzy should have been dry, as it was less than 48 hrs till his next game...

They probably didn't feel like dealing with all the Amherst haters who have been taking delight in the Jeffs 1st loss of the year.  They will probably all turn up later today to remind you that despite the loss the Jeffs are still the best team in the conference and have home-court in the tourney.  Won't be quite as easy to beat the Jeffs in Lefrak

[Pat Coleman]

I haven't exactly seen a whole lot of hating or gloating here. If they can't handle this ...

[La Verdad]

You're right Pat, I'm sorry...I was projecting.