WBB: NESCAC

[sumfun]

It's interesting that since Amherst has eleven players in double digit minutes/game that in tight games Gromacki elects to go with 7 or 8.  I think alot must have to do with match-ups with the other team.  For example this past weekend Leyman played many more minutes than her average but matches up well with Jackson from Williams who has scored 4,2, and 5 points in the last three games Amherst.  At this point in the season, the girls are in great shape since they haven't been "overused," and it seems Gromacki is going to go with his gut and play his horses.

[Maine 1]

I would also say that at most level, the best coaches generally shorten their rotations when it comes to playoff time, basically playing their best players most of the game.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 3 Regional Rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2011/02/16/ncaa-2011-regional-rankings-week-3/

[sumfun]

Middlebury and Tufts give Colby and Williams all they can handle.  3 point win down to the wire by Colby and 5 point win in overtime for Williams.  Congrats ladies as your season continues and all will be in Amherst next weekend for NESCAC Finals.  Maine vs Maine, and Mass. vs Mass. in the semis, just as the seeding predicted.

[Maine 1]

I did not see any of today's games, but I am not surprised by the results.  I thought that Tufts would actually beat Williams (I believe they deserve an NCAA bid).  Also, I was not surprised that Middlebury played Colby close (looks like it was a tightly officiated game).  I expect that Amherst will handle Williams next Saturday.  Bowdoin-Colby should be interesting--Bowdoin has already beaten them twice this year, in relatively close games.

[amh63]

Nice preview of the upcoming Amherst-Williams match this weekend on the Amherst website.
NH NESCAC Fan.....on the general Amherst website is a featured WBB picture wrt to this weekend games.  Your "favorite" player is in the picture, I believe.
For those going to the games at Amherst, be careful and enjoy.  Weekend weather is predicted to be not good for travel.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Final Regional Rankings before Selection Sunday: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/category/ncaa-stuff/regional-rankings/

[sumfun]

BIG weekend at Amherst.  Always tall order to beat a team 3 times.  Hope Maine teams make it down OK with snow, sleet and ice.

[Maine 1]

Both Amherst and Bowdoin have to accomplish that feat--I would expect Amherst to handle Williams, but for some reason Williams seems to be able to match up well with Amherst. I plan to make it out to Amherst to catch the games

[amh63]

Amherst beats Williams 71-64.   Amherst led by 21 at the half.  Amherst led by 28 at the 15 minute mark in the second half.  Williams led a great charge back and held Amherst without a field goal in the last 5 minutes.  Williams started fouling Amherst in the last minutes and Amherst could not hit foul shots until the last 10 seconds.  Amherst got very sloppy in the last quarter of the game as many of the "starters" were out of the game and/or looking ahead to the next game.....bad trend.
Anyway, a win is a win this time of the year.

[sumfun]

Amherst played as well as they've played all year, especially on defense.  With a big lead and subs in, Williams did make a run, but game wasn't really in doubt or all starters would have been back in.  Bowdoin dominated Colby.  If Colby would box out their bigs would dominate on defense.  Bowdoin vs Amherst should be a good game.

[Maine 1]

My view on the Amherst-Williams game was that Amherst simply stopped playing with about 8-9 minutes to go. They seemed to lose focus.  Williams didn't exactly make a run, Amherst let them into the game.

I agree that Bowdoin controlled the Bowdoin-Colby game from the start.  Colby did not take advantage of their size, and Bowdoin was able to get good lucks from their cards the entire game. If Bowdoin had not had a few sloppy possession when they were up by 17, it could have been a 20 point plus lead.

However, I would expect Amherst to easily beat Bowdoin tomorrow.

[amh63]

Amherst blows out Bowdoin......by more than 30 points.   Score is not material.....since Amherst's players stayed focused and never let Bowdoin in the game.  Amherst's defense was again the key.  I expect Amherst to host a NCAA bracket and may met the other top team in the region.....Babson.

[Maine 1]

Unfortunately for Babson, I understand that one of there three big people (Collins) is hurt and out for the season.  I would be surprised if they get out of the second round, but that will be a big function of the draw, and who hosts.

I was not at all surprised that Amherst beat Bowdoin by 30--they are that much better than mostof the teams in the area.

[7express]

As a West Conn student I would love to get a second shot at Babson in the tournament somewhere down the line. They beat us by 6 in overtime for one of our 3 losses this year.