WBB: NESCAC

[frank uible]

We aim to please.

[Maine 1]

Just thought I would give some perspective on D3 recruiting/ NESCAC.   Had a daughter that had a very successful career at a NESCAC school. The level of basketball at the top end of the NESCAC is very good (probably equivalent of low D/ DII in some places, players are probably not as fast, but overall verygood basketball). At the lower end of DIII, there are players that really aren't even good high school players--so a wide spectrum.

The student really needs to like the school they are going to. Coaches change, players get hurt, all Coaches promise many players that they will play alot.  It is a recruiting process. You have to try to see through that.

You should try to go to watch some games of the schools you are interested in.  See the team play, watch the Coach, gauge the chemistry.  Informal visits in the Spring of the junior year are great, probably more formal visits in fall of senior year are also good

[Maine 1]

tonights Colby-Bates game should be interesting.  Colby has played a relatively soft schedule so far, with only real challenge being Bowdoin. Bates seems to be well balanced, has depth and size.  We should get a good sense of how good each of these teams are tonight.

[Pat Coleman]

Bates was a significantly different team without Igoe on the floor in Las Vegas. They need her to stay out of foul trouble. Seemed like she picked up some silly fouls, weak contact fouls and chances that weren't worth taking.

[amh63]

Some comments from last night's Amherst vs Wes. game in LeFrak.  The game writeup and boxscore are on the Amherst website, so I will make some general observations and comments.
 It took almost 5 minutes for Amherst to shake off their "rust" from game condition play...since they did not play the two games in Las Vegas.   Once they turned on their defense, the Wes. turnovers came and the blowout started.
 There were several times when Amherst lost their focus and timeouts were called by the coach.  Once, when Amherst took outside shots and didn't have anyone go to the boards on a miss.  The team retreated down the court.....was this in anticipation of the Williams team which has a strong transition game.  The other time, when they got sloppy with their passes.
 Wes. went into a zone defense for a brief time and Amherst did not recognize it and adjust.
 It was interesting to see the tall Amherst lineup on the floor together.  This consisted of B. Crowley at center, Lem McCormick at forward and J. Renner at point guard.  It proved effective, especially when Jackie R. attacked the basket on the dribble and picked up fouls.  Again, I believe Renner's length on defense will help defend against good outside shooting teams....such as Williams.  Wes. had a big lineup on the floor at times and Williams can also put up a tall lineup on the floor.
 The game was very physical at times....I believe conference opponents will play Amherst physical in order to stay with them.
 The foul shooting by both teams was average and Amherst needs to improve in this area.
  The key to last night's game was the turnovers as Wes. had 25 vice 11.  The blocks, steals and shooting numbers were about even.  Amherst had more rebounds and therefore still more chances to score.
  It was good to see that all players are  contributing and that the team has good depth this year.  Effort does not decrease as subs enter the game.



 

[wbbhoopsfan]

Watched the Colby-Bates game on video and was impressed once again by Bates' tenacity.  They never gave up and while Colby was composed early, the energy really flowed with Bates.  Bates had a couple of big runs that I think really stunned Colby but in the end, Colby was out-coached in overtime.  Murphy has a lot of games under his belt, relative to the new coach at Colby and it showed.  His kids came out of the gates in OT and looked determined while Colby looked deflated.  Taking Aarika Ritchie out in OT (I couldn't tell if she had fouled out) and replacing her with Adler was the nail in Colby's coffin.  Bates wisely played off her and she misfired badly on a couple of ill-advised three-pointers, which seemed to paraliyzed Colby's offensive flow.  Bates was agressive on the offensive end in OT and Colby looked worn down by their pressure.  (it was effective, as the TO margin was something like 24-10). 

Colby looked like it was playing not to lose, if that makes sense.

Manduca had a heck of a game for Colby but was a non-factor in OT while Dobish and Igoe were a great 1-2 punch for Bates.  I am liking this Bates team and, unfortunately for Colby, the only two times I have watched them play (once live in Brunswick and once on video tonight), they haven't looked great.  Tough transition with the coaches but they certainly have the talent to compete every night.  A big, early regional win for Bates that may prove to be a difference maker for BOTH teams come selection time.

All in all, a great game to watch from both sides.

[wbbhoopsfan]

Hey Maine1... saw your email and assume you are the father (or mother) of Alison Cappelloni, who played at Colby and was a great player for the them last year.  Also did a quick search and saw she is coaching.  How was her experience at Colby and how is the transition going into the coaching world?

[sumfun]

Amh63.... agree about what you saw on Wednesday night.  I would also guess that the Williams coaches were in the crowd and Amherst didn't want to show their hand, but these teams know eachother so well.  Saturday will be VERY interesting and begin to answer some questions like how much did it hurt Amherst to not play in Vegas and is Williams as good or better than their ranking.

[amh63]

For those who watched the Amh. vs. Wes. game last night, there was an unique foul called.....one I believe that the refs must call this year.  Late in the second half, a Wes. player was called for a foul to Rizzo of Amherst.  The result was Rizzo had two foul shots and Amherst would also keep the ball.  The Wes. player was called for swinging her elbow in the head area of Rizzo when both went for the ball.  New rule put in place starting this year in college games.
 Also, the refs seemed to be calling walking more this year.   Saw it in the mens game...also.

[farmboy]

Amherst will easily handle Williams.  Williams has only played St.Mary Girl teams.  Watch and learn.

[beltsh97]

Just thought those of you who are Amherst fans would like to know that #1 Amherst and #9 Kean have scheduled a game for this Tuesday @ 6pm at Kean. Both teams needed to add a game after recent cancellations.

[amh63]

Thanks for the heads up beltsh97.  Based on the writeup of the Kean win, the game will be played at Kean with a starting time of 6 PM.  NJ may not be as exciting as Las Vegas, but an top opponent at his time of the year will be good for Amherst.  Anyway, it is the home state of a number of the players,
  The Amherst vs. Williams game was a surprisingly easy game for Amherst...though the Williams player played the second half almost even.  Rematch at Williams not too far in the future.  Last year, Amherst won going away in the regular season two games but had to rally back to win in the sweet 16 game at Amherst in the third game.
  Sumfun...it appears that the players are playing well in spite of their "long layoff".   To my eyes, Amherst was .. quicker than Williams  overall.  The seniors for Amherst played very well and the coach kept them in for long periods of time.  Amherst also seemed to be going inside against Williams.....hoping to pick up points/fouls....though Amherst had more fouls in the first half.

[senatorfrost]

   I was watching the Amherst Williams game. It was late in the first half and suddenly Caroline Stedman was on a breakaway. #14 on Williams was behind her and she's a pretty fast runner. (Jennie Harding) Suddenly I had a vision. I pictured #14 putting on a burst of speed and trying to shoove Caroline Stedman from behind, and into the wall.
   Stedman had too big a lead for #14 to stop her clearly, so I braced for a second and I was very happy to see that #14 had no low life ideas in her head. It was Amherst-Williams so there was no doubt about the intensity level on both sides, but #14 drew the line so to speak.
    There are players who would have tried to catch Stedman and shoove her into the wall, but Pat Manning is simply not that kind of coach. 2 points is not worth injuring a player in my opinion, and most likely in Pat Manning's opinion also. Of course the same may be said about #14. Well who knows how these visions enter our heads and who knows why? HOw many assistants does Pat Manning have anyway?

[Maine 1]

I did not see the game, but I am not surprised at how easily Amherst appears to have handled Willaims.  I don't see anyone challenging Amherst in the Nescac this year. They are simply too deep.  They bring 3-4 players off the bench that would be starters on everyother Nescac team.  That is an extremely deep team.  Very balanced, extremely well coached.  Obviously, anything can happen when they play the better teams, but it could be another undefeated run.

[amh63]

A number of random comments after a Great Amherst weekend in sports.
Senatorfrost.....envy your live viewing of the game last night....am worry about your "visions".  Did you enjoy the games in LeFrak?  Would be interested in your game comments.
Last night, the Amherst Captains, Jaci Daigneault and Sarah Leyman, both were approaching their 1000 points milestones.  After the game, they both, I believe, need less than 10 points to reach it.  Both have had in their time at Amherst, missed games due to injuries.  Both to date have had a good to great season.  Jaci seems to be returning to her All-American form.
Last night's game indeed had its physical play.  It seemed that there were a very large numbers of contested "jump ball" calls along with bodies on the floor.  Several times, after a player went to the floor for a lose ball, other players fell on top and a jump ball was called.  A foul call in such situations would reduce such play that could cause injuries.
It is interesting to read the write ups of the MBB and WBB games on the Williams' website.  The men's coach praised his team's play in the lost.  The women's coach was not happy with her team's play in the lost.   
The William's team photo has a number of people in the picture other than players and coaches.  Often there is the trainer and even the coach's daughter( I think).  Maybe the persons near the Williams' bench were advisers or recruits.
Maine 1.....thanks for keeping me posted on the teams in Maine.   What is your take on Bowdoin?  They have only one loss to date.  I believe that Amherst will have to be careful when they go to Maine.