WBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Good luck to the Ephs on Friday!  It will be a herculean task even staying close to Amherst, but the Ephs are playing with nothing to lose, as they were not expected to make the Sweet 16.  Quite a turnaround for a young Ephs team (like Amherst, no seniors get meaningful PT), after an awful year last season.  A great group of frosh seems to have energized them, so they have a bright future.

As for Gromacki, I note that he was an assistant at Temple for a few years prior to coming to Amherst, and he had tremendous success there.  I believe they are in the same conference as UMass ... between that and his local ties, UMass HAS to be aware of him, I'd be shocked were he not a leading candidate.  And frankly, as an Eph fan, I'd be happy to see him move up the food chain ... with Pemper gone, I don't see any NESCAC team standing much of a chance vs.  Amherst so long as Gromacki is around.  What he did with them this year, dominating the conference despite tons of important injuries and no seniors, is downright remarkable.   

[Maine 1]

there is no doubt that Gromacki is the best Coach in the Conference. He has made a huge difference with Amherst.  Amherst has a talented team, but I don't believe there top seven are better than the top seven at Bates, Colby, or Bowdoin. But when you watch how they move the ball so quickly, and how as soon as any of their players sense a double team, the ball ils gone.  That is what makes them so difficult to defend.

[pureshooter]

Gromacki has a great system, is what you're saying, and it has worked elsewhere.

[senatorfrost]

  I pretty much agree with what Maine 1 wrote. Remember that before Gromacki came Pollack couldn't start for Amherst which was 3-6 in conference (or thereabouts) After he showed up she became the best non center in the league. Others improved also but not as dramatically. If he went to anopther school in the league-similar things would happen.

   I seem to remember that he dropped no one from the team. I think one girl left and two had injuries of some sort. There were girls who hardly played yet they stayed.

[Title9Fan]

Prior to the present head coach, there was an Amherst player who won Rookie of the year for her play.  The talented player transferred to another NESCAC school in Maine.  She  continued to win honors  both as a player and as a student.
Remember, during the NCAA games, I believe there is a limit of 15 players dressed. 

Who was that transfer, where did she go, and how rare is that?  Are NESCAC's transfer rules the same as NCAA's for D3?  (allowed without redshirting)

[BBstudent]

"Prior to the present head coach, there was an Amherst player who won Rookie of the year for her play.  The talented player transferred to another NESCAC school in Maine.  She  continued to win honors  both as a player and as a student."

Matia Kostakis was the player and she transferred from Amherst to Bates. I believe Bates had been her first choice since she knew and liked the coach there.

[amh63]

Though I will not be in attendance for the games at LeFrak,  it was nice to see that the Amherst community that includes alums, staff, faculty, students, etc. will be given free tickets at the door.  If you are under 2 the NCAA will not charge you.  Ticket cost are covered by the college!

[amh07]

On the NCAA site, when I click on the Amherst-Williams game, I get the Brandeis Mens game.  What's going on?

[pureshooter]

Amh by 2 with 9 to go, nice comeback

[amh63]

amh07
had the same problem.  Seems the NCAA wants to make it hard.  If you go to the babson/brandeis earlier game...which I went to...you finally get the Amherst Game.  It could be that the game gave you the men's BB site by keying off the Williams name.  The first game at Amherst went into overtime so that didn't help the start time....25 min. delay.   Amherst won 71 to 66.  They were down by 15 at the half and only led at 2-0 in the first half. I believe it was 40 to 25 at the half with Williams ahead.  Amherst was out- rebounded  the first half and couldn't hit a 3-point shot while Williams hit 4 of 6 three's, I believe.  The second half, Amherst hit 6 for 10 threes and Williams did not hit a three except in the last 25 seconds.  Williams played hard but ran out of gas somewhat as they are not a deep team.  It was a tense game to watch.  It is hard to blow out a team 3 times.  Williams does have talent and should be a challenge next year.

[Maine 1]

Williams played a great game last night against Amherst.  However, in a situation like this (where one team has dominated the other twice), Williams probably had a big mental edge going into that game.  They could play loose and easy, since everyone expected a blow out. Amherst probably was not geared for a close game.  That is what makes for upsets in tournaments.

[remsleep]

Watching Babson-Amherst game.....if Babson had just average back court play, they could win this game.  In it's absence, however, I don't think they stand much of a chance

[Laserty]

I've never seen a bunch of fans corner the refs after the game. Babson lost by 15... not some close game. SO, way to keep it classy Babson. I tried to be friendly with some of their fans the night before, and even rooted for them... Unfortunately they pretty much yelled at me. Anyhow, congrats Amherst, repeat final 4... not an easy task.

[amh07]

I was glad to see Wash U take out George Fox yesterday.  For Amherst to take on Hannah Munger in offense and the almost impenetrable George Fox zone defense would be scary (for me).

[sumfun]

From Hoopsville to other predictions, there is NO respect for Amherst and the Northeast....let alone Rochester.  Definately Hope and Wash U will have the fan base being close to IWU.  Amherst is a different team from last year....some due to injury, some to new players, and a lot to another year of experience under their belt....I wouldn't count them out yet.  That's why you play the game.   Look how many people were ready to hand the trophy to IWU as the host.