MBB: NESCAC

[MeOak21]

Nescac fans- Amherst and non-Amherst fans alike-

Assuming that the Jeffs beat the Duck's do any of you have any preferences for who they play in the next round?? People who saw the Amherst/RIC game? People who've seen Keene play???

[BooBallsCasRay]

I am more interested in what Wooster does than in the RIC-Keene St. game. With that being said I would probably rather play RIC since Amherst played as poorly as possible on the road in what was billed as the "biggest home game ever" for RIC and Amherst won going away by more than 14 (too lazy to check accuracy). Olson had his worst game of the season and Amherst seemed to be completely uninterested, but I can promise you that will not happen this weekend. 7 oclock weekend games for NESCAC schools  will undoubtedly bring out a raucous crowd. Hopefully no repeats like Trinity (notably from Amherst's pathetic senior guys again)...

[ephoops]

Hoopsjunkie:

I have seen Galvin play.  He's a lefty point guard, about 6'0" with good but not great quickness.  He's a good shooter.  Very good floor vision.  I have not seen Tufts play in the past few years so I can't compare him to the current guards on Tufts.

His talent compares favorably to some of the other point guards I have seen play in NESCAC.  I believe he has the potential to step in and compete for the starting job next year.

[MeOak21]

I am more interested in what Wooster does than in the RIC-Keene St. game.

So you are looking past Stevens and the winner of KSC/RIC or are you just a big Wooster fan??

[BooBallsCasRay]

No MeOak21, you completely missed my point.
I am indifferent between playing RIC-Keene St. The only team that worries me on our half of the bracket is Wooster. The Scots losing tonight is more important than having a prereference between RIC-Keene. While playing RIC means that the Jeffs would be familiar with their style, I cannot realistically see Keene beating Amherst in LeFrak.
If Amherst loses to THE Stevens Institute of Technology at HOME tonight it would be the worst loss in any sport in school history

[MeOak21]

No MeOak21, you completely missed my point.
I am indifferent between playing RIC-Keene St. The only team that worries me on our half of the bracket is Wooster.

Whatever you say... but I think that means you are just looking past their next two opponents which was my question.

I see your point... your confidence in Amherst is legitimate.

[hoopjunkie]

Thanks ephoops. Is Gavin more of a passer, playmaker or
more a scorer? I can find any stats on his high school web .
I think the jumbos need a distributor not another scorer

[itscold]

i dont really have any idea of the kind of freshmen coming into to the league next year but i really doubt any of them are going to make a big difference. hopefully the bottom half of the league can get some good incoming classes, allowing them to start competing. 

[hoopjunkie]

What`s  the line on Amherst - Stevens ?
I don`t see it much of a contest to be honest especially
with Amherst having the home court advantage . Amherst
by 15-20 points

[NY hoopster]

Point well taken itscold. However, rookies of the year and those of similar caliber have an immediate impact on their teams' style and success  in this league when their teams are open to playing freshmen(I'm thinking Rudin, Pierce, Choice, Schultz and Geoghegan as examples). That's why I'm curious about what people know about incoming frosh.

[frank uible]

And if their teams do not have a sufficient supply of good, more experienced players.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm sad there has to be a rematch here for the final four spot, but at least both teams are athletic and playing well.  It should be entertaining if nothing else.  I still don't see how RIC can keep up, though.

[nescac1]

Seems like Amherst just totally outmatched Stevens.  I think today will be no contest as well -- RIC with no interior play to speak of is the best possible match-up for Amherst.  I think the Amherst fans are right to worry about Wooster.  Brockport is tough as well as Williams can tell you ... very athletic and can score in bunches when they get it going.  But even still I'd be shocked if it's not the Jeffs playing Wooster in what should be a great game.  With Stevens Point going down it's anyone's tourney ... I think Wooster, VWU, Amherst and Wash. U. are all equally talented, more or less, maybe a slight edge to Wooster.  If Guilford can win after last night it will be a miracle.  Guilford's 6'11 center put up an insane stat line ... as he has all year.  And he's only a junior.  How in the heck did a guy with those skills and size from CHAPEL HILL, NC not end up in Division I? He put up huge numbers last year as well.   Seems like some programs really missed the boat.   Here's hoping the Ephs can put together a stronger start to the season next year so they can end up (a) in the tourney again and (b) playing the type of bracket Amherst has faced. 

[frank uible]

Given his height (unless he has grown much taller since high school or unless he didn't play hs basketball), undoubtedly the DI colleges were aware of him coming out of hs. I suspect that the DI colleges in which he might have been interested perceived at the time that he wasn't DI material.

[formerbant10]

I saw Wooster play last night and was underwhelmed by the overall talent of the team.  One of their big guys is playing with a cast on his hand but still managed to get to the hoop.  For some reason the JCU players didn't try to make him score with the broken hand.  They have another solid big guy who is a tough defender and can get to the hoop pretty well.  Their 2 starting guards are pretty good.  #22 has a weird shot, but made some huge baskets in the 2nd half for them.

#33 is a very good player.  Strong, athletic and very smart, similar build to Ty Rhoten...but maybe an inch or so shorter.  One of the better players I've seen in a while.  Looks to shoot from deep (was off last night) but can finish with both hands down low. 

Brockport simply outmatched Fisher at the guard spot.  Too much pressure....not too mention 4 starters for Fisher in foul trouble...led to Brockport winning this game. 

Sitting with a former  Hamilton player last night, we both felt that Amherst would be able to handle whoever comes out of this bracket.  Olson can handle the Brockport pressure and the Big Jeffs should be able to neutralize Wooster's bigs.  But if Port, #33, gets hot...he can carry them into the finals.