WBB: NESCAC

[WUPHF]

From Hoopsville to other predictions, there is NO respect for Amherst and the Northeast....let alone Rochester.  Definitely 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. 

It will be interesting to see how many fans drive up from St. Louis to cheer on Washington University this year with only one team left in the tournament. 

You mentioned that you though Amherst in particular and the Northeast in general did not get the respect they deserved.  The D3hoops.com forecast, or one of the forecasts I read, barely even mentioned the Bears as an option, even though this Washington University squad is clearly better than last year.

I think this is going to be a very fun to watch Final Four.

[gordonmann]

Sumfun might be referencing my appearance on Hoopsville last night.  I picked Washington U to beat Hope in the final.  I said Rochester could pick off Hope but didn't speak much about Amherst as a likely title winner.

I like and respect Gromacki a lot.  He's a tremendous coach.  Amherst has had a great season.  They've displayed a level of dominance within their portion of the country that is very rare.  And they play in tough conference.

But until I see a team from the East, Northeast, Atlantic or Mid-Atlantic win a title, I won't pick them to do so.  The last one to do so was NYU at home in 1997, and the Violets are multi-regional in that they play in the UAA (as is Rochester).  Before them, you have to go back to Elizabethtown in 1989.

That said, I'm looking forward to seeing if Amherst can prove me wrong.  They wouldn't be the first ones to do so.

[amh63]

In response to a D3 hoop Guru.......you must be an "ignorance is bliss" type of person.  You should get out and look around a bit.

[Pat Coleman]

Dunno -- Gordon is 1) from the Northeast and attended a NESCAC school, and 2) has been at every women's final four since ... how long, Gordon, 2001? 2000? He's got some experience.

A New England team hasn't won the title since 1986. It's a tough sell sometimes.

[gordonmann]

Yeah, 2001.

I've based my opinion on what I've seen in the Final Four including Amherst getting dominated by Washinton U in the paint last year.  They got outrebounded by 11.  Their starting front court had fewer field goals combined than every starting front court player for Washington.

And I've seen several highly ranked Northeast teams - Bowdoin, Southern Maine - wilt against deeper front courts in the final four.

But if you want to make a case for Amherst, go ahead.  I'm open to being proved wrong whether it's on these boards or on the court on Friday.

[sumfun]

If the Amherst front court doesn't get into trouble like last year, I hardly expect them to "wilt" this year.  Should be a good match up.

[Maine 1]

I haven't seen the frontcourt play of the midwest teams.  However, Amherst did have to deal with a couple of teams that had strong front courts this past season.  Amherst held their own against Babson, who started three players at 6 foot or taller. This was the strength of Babson's team.  Also, Colby started three players at 6 foot, and had a 6 foot 3 player off the bench. Again, Amherst handled Colby twice. 

The issue is foul trouble. Lehman is very tough inside, but is she gets into foul trouble, then they will have a problem

[pureshooter]

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.

Bab shot 48% +lost, 23 turnovers, had 10 more free throws, granted they had 18 less shots. but got outrebounded offensively by 7 + Amh had more fouls called against them. I know , i was not there. Looks like they didn't take care of the ball + got outplayed by Amh guards.
Those parents are brutal, i saw it enough thru the years, but only since they became a better team. their 2 bigs fouled out twice all year, go figure.

[gordonmann]

If the Amherst front court doesn't get into trouble like last year, I hardly expect them to "wilt" this year. 

Fair enough.  I don't expect a Gromacki coached team to wilt either.  Wilt is a poor choice of words on my part.  "Struggle" is a better one.  Even with those struggles, Bowdoin was competitive with Millikin and Southern Maine with Hope (the two teams I referenced). 

[sumfun]

Gordon, nice articles on Hope and Amherst.  Will look forward to articles on Rochester and Wash U.  D3 Hoops does try to cover all bases and is the life-line of those of us that love true student-athletes.  You're certainly right about one thing, and as the NCAA likes to say....These kids are going pro in something besides basketball.  They're great kids who work hard in school and on the court to get to this level.  Nice to celebrate that!!!!

[gordonmann]

Glad you enjoyed the articles.  The Amherst piece was written by one of our best writers who prefers to remain anonymous.  Some good stuff on how this year's team differs from last year's.

[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.

Bab shot 48% +lost, 23 turnovers, had 10 more free throws, granted they had 18 less shots. but got outrebounded offensively by 7 + Amh had more fouls called against them. I know , i was not there. Looks like they didn't take care of the ball + got outplayed by Amh guards.
Those parents are brutal, i saw it enough thru the years, but only since they became a better team. their 2 bigs fouled out twice all year, go figure.

Yeah, I don't know they seemed hostile and inappropriate. But, what's done is done.  And at one point there were 7 amherst fouls to 1 Babson foul in the second half... and they were still complaining. I dunno they seemed terrible.

[pureshooter]

Laser,
I've seen them over ten times in my 4 years ot watching, and IMO, they take after the coach, chronic complainer to officials. Most of them do complain, some way more than others. they follow her lead.

[senatorfrost]

  Last year when Amherst met Wash U they lost by 16 I believe. At one point they were trailing by twenty two. If you go to the Amherst web site, the game is in the archives. It appears Wash U lost a starter and two others who played more than a little. On the other hand Amherst has lost two starters and maybe one player who got minutes.
  Yes both team have improved but Fiorentino had improved a lot, and was beginning to look like something special. Daigneault has been out and like Fiorentino now gets a few minutes here and there. If these two were healthy and in the lineup I would be encouraged. However, the reality is they're not and so Amherst is a very clear underdog.
   If I remember correctly Amherst lost to Depauw in 2008. That's another loss inflicted on a northeast team by a midwest team. I'm starting to think there is something to that midwest is best thing. I'll be hoping Amherst wins of course. What I would like to see is for Walzy show up and give a spread.

[senatorfrost]

  The two three pointers that McCormick hit v Williams have been mentioned. I thought I would mention what I thought was the key shot v Babson. Babson had been hanging around and only trailed by 3. It seemed as if Amherst was never going to shake loose.
  At 10.44 Voigt got the ball in the corner, sunk a three and Amherst led by 6. After that things seemed different. Here was a frosh who had not been used much in the beginning of the season, putting up a three with no hesitation, and hitting it. Suddenly it seemed as if the 'feeling' had changed. Right then I KNEW it was all over for Babson. People can say that Amherst would have won anyway but I'll remember that shot for a long time. A frosh in that pressure packed situation, coming thorugh.
   Anyway that was the shot of the game in my opinion.