WBB: NESCAC

[Title9Fan]

Amherst is solid - very impressive. 

No homecourt advantage in either game (Amherst or Trinity) in terms of the officiating. 

Amherst actually had the bias benefit for some reason -- and I could call out a few in particular that changed the next few plays -- but I don't think it affected the game and certainly not the outcome.

I'm starting to think that the NESCAC board is actually an affiliate of the History channel.  Does anyone here actually go to the games??? 

[senatorfrost]

  I've seen Amherst many times through the years. I go to almost all of the big games except this year I had to miss the Keene St. game which relatively speaking, would have to be called a 'big game' I also missed the Fairleigh Florham game. Western Ct. is the best team I've seen this year.
   Maine is a little too far and the only watchable webcast seems to be Tufts.

[senatorfrost]

  Forgot to mention I also went to the Springfield game and was sorry I bothered. Not much of a game.

[Title9Fan]

I was referring to NESCAC games as a whole, not just Amherst games. 
There seems to be about 4 or 5 people here who actively post and I have yet to read (other than Amherst) anything from anyone who actually attended a game.  Why is that?

[sumfun]

Good question.  Where are the Tufts, Williams, Colby, Bowdoin, etc etc fans?  They post on the men's side, and with this year's format of women playing first, they hopefully see some of the womens' games. 

[BBstudent]

Amherst women #1 for (I am fairly sure) the first time ever. And, as has been pointed out by other posters, they did it without being at full strength - the point guard missed two games, another starter has missed eight games and their first sub in has also missed at least one game.
A real team with many players each one stepping up and making unique contributions when needed.

[jumpshot]

In my opinion, this ranking, while well earned by the players, reflects what the "General Manager" does.

[sumfun]

which means.....the coach is super?  The AD hired a great coach?  The coach recruits well???

[Title9Fan]

jumpshot - in addition to the questions raised by sumfun, are you referring to the AD when you say GM?  Because at Amherst the AD is the previous women's BB coach I believe -

Exceptional D3 coaches are rare.  Gromacki is one of the best in the nation IMO. 
I think you'll see NESCAC turned on its heels in the next few years.  New(er) coaches are going to bring records that surprise - and new dominant teams.

It's all about the coaching.  And to jumpshot's point (?) - the ADs hire the coaches.

[sumfun]

Amherst AD came from Bates.  She's been at Amherst 3 or 4 years and did hire Gromacki.  One of the former Amherst bball coaches is the Smith Head Coach.  The other is an Assistant AD at Amherst.  He also used to coach football.

[Title9Fan]

Interesting sumfun.  I was thinking about the Assistant AD - McBride.

[amh63]

McBride is a former wide receiver coach for the football team....he played some pro football.  Nice man, but out of his element coaching women BB.   The AD at Amherst was the former AD at Bates.  Her son played soccer for Amherst.
Saw the women play over the Wes/Conn weekend live.  What impressed me most, while watching live, was the fast pace of play by Amherst.  The players really like to push the ball up and both point guards do not hesitate to put up three's...confident that their teammates will get any missed shots.  Often the opponents are not in any defensive sets and/or out numbered by the Amherst team.  The quick fast Stedman thrives in this style of play.  You better run and play defense if you want to play for Amherst.  Did the coach play this style of game when he was at St. Lawrence and had a team that was ranked as high as 2nd?
I do not pick up the speed of the play while watching online.

[Title9Fan]

Every game is faster in-person.  Video stream just doesn't catch speed nor intensity for that matter.

Amherst's strength (IMO) is its balance.  Yes, they play strong D and they can take off (run and gun) and control the ball in the backcourt - but so do some other NESCAC teams.  Amherst, however, is the best shooting team I've seen this year and I've seen 19 or 20 games live in the Northeast so far.

They also move the ball effectively in the air -  I've seen several teams that dribble all day and then make desperate passes to beat the clock - way too much offense happening slow on the ground - not enough in the air.  Amherst's timing is better than that.  Much better.

Fast and solid passing; offense that mixes it up;  decent M2M "d" without over-playing; solid perimeter and FT shooting; strong on the boards.  Man -- what's not to like?

Colby's team is young and starting to kick it up a notch.  I like their size and their upside but they have some holes to fill.

I think Tufts is probably over-rated.   Middlebury seems to be waking up for the first time in a few years so that might be interesting - haven't seen them live yet - looking foward to it.  Williams also. 

[remsleep]

I would assume that some folks are looking forward to the Tufts-Amherst game this weekend.  Having seen both teams play I cannot imagine Tufts being within 20 points of Amherst....however, the asinine way that the NESCAC schedules conference play has Amherst in Lewiston, ME for a 6PM game on Friday followed by a 2PM game in Medford the next day.....at least Tufts plays these two dates at home.  Therefore, let's say it will be Amherst by 13 due to fatigue.   

[sumfun]

How about those regional rankings.  Not quite sure why there are 10 in New England region, but 5 of the top 6 are NESCAC schools.  Massey Ratings still has Wisconsin IAC a bit above the NESCAC, but I'll take the New England Smalls anyday for academic schools in gorgeous locations with great women's basketball.