NE Region General Questions

[Hugenerd]

UWW only plays 7 guys typically, so I doubt they are pressing team, although I havent seen them play much.  Their bread and butter is All-American Chris Davis (he already won NABC West Region POY this year), who is an 6'6" talented inside player who averages 22 ppg.  I am pretty certain Tashman will be matched up with him.  Obviously a much different player than AJ Matthews, but if Tashman can be even half as effective as he was with Matthews against Davis, MIT should have a great chance (Matthews came in average 23 ppg and 17 rbg, Tashman held him to 11 and 5).

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Yeah, I'd expect pretty similar styles from MIT and WW.  Cabrini isn't necessarily a pressing team, but they've got a lot of quickness and a ton of guys - they could and do press when its advantageous.  The coach is good - he'll test MIT if he thinks they're vulnerable there.

Getting past Whitewater will be the big task.  They're strong and experienced, but man for man, MIT is probably better.  I think it will come down to execution and who wins the Tashman - Davis battle.

At this point, I think Davis is likely the frontrunner for national POY, if not he's in the discussion.  He'll be the toughest post player they've faced this year.

Like I said earlier, I'm done underestimating MIT.  I'm riding that train until it crashes.

[iwumichigander]

Yeah, I'd expect pretty similar styles from MIT and WW.  Cabrini isn't necessarily a pressing team, but they've got a lot of quickness and a ton of guys - they could and do press when its advantageous.  The coach is good - he'll test MIT if he thinks they're vulnerable there.

Getting past Whitewater will be the big task.  They're strong and experienced, but man for man, MIT is probably better.  I think it will come down to execution and who wins the Tashman - Davis battle.

At this point, I think Davis is likely the frontrunner for national POY, if not he's in the discussion.  He'll be the toughest post player they've faced this year.

Like I said earlier, I'm done underestimating MIT.  I'm riding that train until it crashes.

I think you will see two very different styles.  WW is going to be physical, Davis is the go to guy - with balanced scoring otherwise; and, like most WIAC teams, its five guys going for the rebound.  I doubt you will see WW press that much. MIT seems to rely on the 3 much more than WW.

[T990]

I agree that MIT will want Will Tashman to cover Chris Davis.  All I know of WW and Davis is from watching the 2nd half of their dominating win over Va Wesleyan (#6, 27-4).  Tashman was a key to MIT's win over Farmingdale by completely denying 7-0 Matthews access to the rim and taking Matthews out of his game.  Davis is a very different player.  He is a natural BB player and an experienced,  physical inside scorer.  He took the ball right at multiple defenders vs VW and scored on them!  Yes, the announcers were calling for him to be player of the year nationally.  Tashman had to finish the Farmingdale game playing with 4 fouls and he fouled out vs F&M.  Davis will be a tougher challenge to defense.  MIT needs to use the old "give 10 fouls" by using Levene (6-7) and Aker (6-8) to cover Davis at times.  It will be difficult for MIT to win if Tashman fouls out.  I expect they'll try Hollingsworth on Davis too; he did cover Matthews a bit after Tashman wore him down.  Matthews did get tired; Davis sure didn't vs VW.  WW looked like a strong physical team across the line up.

All this talk about MIT's Kates; what's being overlooked is his excellent defense.  He should do fine vs WW.  Staying out of foul trouble is key for MIT, as they use the starters for so many minutes.  In reality, Paul Dawson is an excellent PG who just hasn't played a lot of minutes.  Aker and Levene are good in certain roles, they just don't get PT.

Should be a great game.

[rlk]

My primary debate was that I believe MIT would have made the tournament without him.  We almost didn't have him if you would have watched the ( un-) intentional foul that a Skidmore player handed him on a breakaway.  I agree that Berthiaume is a better scorer and a teriffic player, but I believe Kates is a better point guard along with a better rebounder.  I'd choose Kates over him.  Kates has actually sacraficed his scoring for the good of the other higher percentage team scoring opportunities.  That is what really distinguishes him.  The game has slowed down for Mitch.  He is definitely playing at an AA level.  LOL on the Einstein selectors.

Kates can score like nobody's business (24 on Skidmore, 29 on Staten Island, 21 on Franklin and Marshall, 24 on Springfield -- Berthiaume only had 25) when that's needed.  But you'll notice that except for Staten Island those were close games (I count F&M as close, despite the final score).  He's perfectly capable of taking over the game when that's what's needed.  As you note, though, that isn't necessarily what's needed or what's best for the team.  But that ability to score practically at will opens up the court for everyone else and makes the team as a whole incredibly dangerous.

I'm flying down tomorrow morning to catch it.

[BBallers]

I agree that MIT will want Will Tashman to cover Chris Davis.  All I know of WW and Davis is from watching the 2nd half of their dominating win over Va Wesleyan (#6, 27-4).  Tashman was a key to MIT's win over Farmingdale by completely denying 7-0 Matthews access to the rim and taking Matthews out of his game.  Davis is a very different player.  He is a natural BB player and an experienced,  physical inside scorer.  He took the ball right at multiple defenders vs VW and scored on them!  Yes, the announcers were calling for him to be player of the year nationally.  Tashman had to finish the Farmingdale game playing with 4 fouls and he fouled out vs F&M.  Davis will be a tougher challenge to defense.  MIT needs to use the old "give 10 fouls" by using Levene (6-7) and Aker (6-8) to cover Davis at times.  It will be difficult for MIT to win if Tashman fouls out.  I expect they'll try Hollingsworth on Davis too; he did cover Matthews a bit after Tashman wore him down.  Matthews did get tired; Davis sure didn't vs VW.  WW looked like a strong physical team across the line up.

All this talk about MIT's Kates; what's being overlooked is his excellent defense.  He should do fine vs WW.  Staying out of foul trouble is key for MIT, as they use the starters for so many minutes.  In reality, Paul Dawson is an excellent PG who just hasn't played a lot of minutes.  Aker and Levene are good in certain roles, they just don't get PT.

Should be a great game.

I am concerned about the matchup with Davis as MIT has had some trouble with athletic physical post players in the past.  I agree that Tash will have a much tougher time against Davis than the fantastic job he did against Matthews.  Tash is by far the best interior defender on the team and will most likely be a key player in this matchup.  MIT may have to double down with a guard to help protect Tash from fouling, but that could leave one of the WW shooters open.  Tash staying out of foul trouble and in the game is critical.  Good point about Kates defense as he definitely stepped up that part of his game also.  MIT's guards will have to hit the boards to counter their "strong physical team across the line up."  Appreciate your insights.  Thanks.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Things will be a bit different if Bender is back playing as well - I haven't heard anything about his status just yet.

[BBallers]

My primary debate was that I believe MIT would have made the tournament without him.  We almost didn't have him if you would have watched the ( un-) intentional foul that a Skidmore player handed him on a breakaway.  I agree that Berthiaume is a better scorer and a teriffic player, but I believe Kates is a better point guard along with a better rebounder.  I'd choose Kates over him.  Kates has actually sacraficed his scoring for the good of the other higher percentage team scoring opportunities.  That is what really distinguishes him.  The game has slowed down for Mitch.  He is definitely playing at an AA level.  LOL on the Einstein selectors.

Kates can score like nobody's business (24 on Skidmore, 29 on Staten Island, 21 on Franklin and Marshall, 24 on Springfield -- Berthiaume only had 25) when that's needed.  But you'll notice that except for Staten Island those were close games (I count F&M as close, despite the final score).  He's perfectly capable of taking over the game when that's what's needed.  As you note, though, that isn't necessarily what's needed or what's best for the team.  But that ability to score practically at will opens up the court for everyone else and makes the team as a whole incredibly dangerous.

I'm flying down tomorrow morning to catch it.

Mitch is a frequent one-on-one option if the shot clock is running down.  However, what brings his game to another level is his willingness to pass to a teammate with a better look.  Looking forward to the game and appreciate the input.

[BBallers]

Things will be a bit different if Bender is back playing as well - I haven't heard anything about his status just yet.

He has missed 3 tournament games and still attends practice, but may just be shooting around.  I believe his eye surgery was postponed until next week.  My primary worry is containing Davis.  Tash doesn't have to outplay him or shut him down like he did against Matthews, he just needs to make him work a lot and hopefully cause him to make a lower percentage of shots.  That along with staying in the game without picking up too many fouls.  Does Davis ever foul out or have a propensity for fouling?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

My primary debate was that I believe MIT would have made the tournament without him.  We almost didn't have him if you would have watched the ( un-) intentional foul that a Skidmore player handed him on a breakaway.  I agree that Berthiaume is a better scorer and a teriffic player, but I believe Kates is a better point guard along with a better rebounder.  I'd choose Kates over him.  Kates has actually sacraficed his scoring for the good of the other higher percentage team scoring opportunities.  That is what really distinguishes him.  The game has slowed down for Mitch.  He is definitely playing at an AA level.  LOL on the Einstein selectors.

Kates can score like nobody's business (24 on Skidmore, 29 on Staten Island, 21 on Franklin and Marshall, 24 on Springfield -- Berthiaume only had 25) when that's needed.  But you'll notice that except for Staten Island those were close games (I count F&M as close, despite the final score).  He's perfectly capable of taking over the game when that's what's needed.  As you note, though, that isn't necessarily what's needed or what's best for the team.  But that ability to score practically at will opens up the court for everyone else and makes the team as a whole incredibly dangerous.

I'm flying down tomorrow morning to catch it.

Mitch is a frequent one-on-one option if the shot clock is running down.  However, what brings his game to another level is his willingness to pass to a teammate with a better look.  Looking forward to the game and appreciate the input.

Wichita State just lost their first round game because a guy refused to pass to an open teammate under the basket.

[WPI89]

Yeah, I'd expect pretty similar styles from MIT and WW.  Cabrini isn't necessarily a pressing team, but they've got a lot of quickness and a ton of guys - they could and do press when its advantageous.  The coach is good - he'll test MIT if he thinks they're vulnerable there.

Getting past Whitewater will be the big task.  They're strong and experienced, but man for man, MIT is probably better.  I think it will come down to execution and who wins the Tashman - Davis battle.

At this point, I think Davis is likely the frontrunner for national POY, if not he's in the discussion.  He'll be the toughest post player they've faced this year.

Like I said earlier, I'm done underestimating MIT.  I'm riding that train until it crashes.

I think you will see two very different styles.  WW is going to be physical, Davis is the go to guy - with balanced scoring otherwise; and, like most WIAC teams, its five guys going for the rebound.  I doubt you will see WW press that much. MIT seems to rely on the 3 much more than WW.

Despite the last couple of games - especially the Scranton Game - MIT is not really a 3-point team.  They can shoot it (obviously) but if UW-W fans think stop the 3 - stop MIT , then they may be in for a HUGE (pun intended for the D3 Board regulars) dose of Hollingsworth tonight.  He really is their best player and has had only a mediocre tourney so far.  Should be fun...............

[mass_d3fan]

"Wichita State just lost their first round game because a guy refused to pass to an open teammate under the basket."

Saw a lot of that this year.  Too many guards truly believe that and are taught this from their earlt days, through AAU & HS that it's beeter for them to drive one 2 or 3 and draw contact and tossit up....OR...Shoot the 3 even if a teammate has a better look.  Nowadays it is not that do not want to give it up, it really is that they do not see the floor, only the basket! 

This is why Kates is so special, he sees it and has no issues giving the ball to a teammate.

His game is what all players should be emulating.  Look up the court towards the basket and get the ball to your teammates who are running the floor or who are in good position to score.

[T990]

The Division II Men's Basketball Championship - Western Washington vs. Montevallo - is being televised on national TV today on CBS at 1PM (eastern).  Hey, maybe someone will put the D3 championship on TV someday.

[Pat Coleman]

Back on TV. It was on TV until last year.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Back on TV. It was on TV until last year.

CSTV doesn't count as TV; how long has it been since it was on CBS?