WBB: NESCAC

7express · March 12, 2011, 05:37:44 PM

Quote from: atn alum on March 12, 2011, 11:02:30 AM
We'll have the call tonight (audio) at 6 ET

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/amherst-regional

Looking forward to it. I think if Babson can keep it close for the first half (like close being within 6 or less) they'd have a chance to win. They can't let Amherst go on a big run, because that big run will end up being the difference. Since I don't have a dog in this fight (though I did pick Amherst to lose to Ill Wesleyan in the finals on the d3 contest) I think Amherst wins anyways, but if Babson can keep this close, who knows...

amh63 · March 12, 2011, 07:56:24 PM

Amherst heads to their third final final 4 in a row! Amherst 68-Babson 49. Twenty point lead at the half. Amherst had out shot Babson from the field, outside, etc. and dominate the boards. Surprising, Amherst had one more turnover than Babson.....17 to 16. Very surprising. The team were led by their sr. captains and their starting jr. guards. Go lady Jeffs!

Maine 1 · March 12, 2011, 09:25:28 PM

No surpise. Amherst has been one of top teams in the country for the past three years-I hope they can finish with a championship. If they play the way they have been, they should win it all

atn alum · March 12, 2011, 11:16:45 PM

For those who follow (coaching) alums.

Stefanie Pemper (ex-Bowdoin coach) takes Navy to its first NCAA Tournament...her team comes from 12 down to beat American for the Patriot League title.

PostPlay · March 13, 2011, 04:08:59 PM

Quote from: Maine1 on March 12, 2011, 09:25:28 PM
No surpise. Amherst has been one of top teams in the country for the past three years-I hope they can finish with a championship. If they play the way they have been, they should win it all

Congrats to the Lord Jeffs! But the down side--how long can Amherst keep Coach G? I know he likes all that is good with D3/NESCAC basketball but at some point, he will get an offer too good to refuse.

farmboy · March 13, 2011, 07:06:59 PM

His mother who he takes care of lives there so he is commited the local area probably for some time. At least that is what he told us.

BBstudent · March 13, 2011, 07:42:13 PM

But the down side--how long can Amherst keep Coach G? I know he likes all that is good with D3/NESCAC basketball but at some point, he will get an offer too good to refuse

There is nothing anyone can say to rain on our, or at least my parade. If he gets an offer next week that he accepts I would wish him all the best and I would bet the ranch on any program he goes to. He gave Amherst four great years, showed us what was possible (even though I can't figure out how he does it) and I am sure he gave the girls something that will stay with them for life. Whatever he chooses to do for personal and/or family reasons can't diminish the fun we've had.

Maine 1 · March 13, 2011, 07:59:39 PM

Gromacki has done a great job with Amherst--first, he has been able to recruit good players--but the best thing that he does, his he has then playing great defense, and a very free and open offense--he seems to have them running patterns and not plays, and so they are able to capitalize on what a defense gives them.

farmboy · March 13, 2011, 09:24:29 PM

I agree, but let me put it another way. First of all he is Women's coach, not a girl's coach...he has brought a lot of maturity in coaching to the NESCAC.

Next as stated, defense is number one, offense number two, and when it does come to offense he works hard to recruit good/great players then he gets out of the way and lets them be good/great players. I guarantee you if you don't play full out defense you won't play, and if he has a defensive standout you can be sure that player is on the floor first. There is no such thing as being "hot" on defense on a given night, you either do it or you don't. He knows how to put his best defensive players on the other teams best offensive players...it simply works, but my experience watching some of the coaches in NESCAC...they talk defense, but they only think in offense. It gives them a good record, but they very seldom go all the way.

The man truly enjoys what he does, he loves his players and they know it. There are no personal games being played, and players are not played against each other. He treats them as the grown up young women that they are...this keeps the catfighting to a minimum, and team play on the front burner.

HoopMama · March 13, 2011, 10:06:50 PM

Kudos to Farmboy on pointing out the distinction "women's coach." I am a graduate of a women's college and I always want to correct the use of "girls" at the collegiate level.

sumfun · March 14, 2011, 10:56:13 AM

Amherst's great team chemistry starts with the coach filters through the captains and is a reflection of very good recruiting. I'm sure they are very proud of their defense as it's awesome.

I think Gromacki for many reasons is very happy at Amherst. If he wasn't tempted by the UMass job which would have left him in the same city near family, I don't think much will tempt him for a while. Much less traveling/flying and overnight stays during the week with D3. I get the impression that he likes that with a young family. He has certainly raised the bar of coaching and recruiting in Women's Basketball in the NESCAC

amh63 · March 14, 2011, 03:35:23 PM

Well put Sumfun.
I had previously posted awhile ago wrt his ties to the Western Ma. area.......before my knowledge that he is now married and has a family and is caring for his mother. Coach G. grew up in the area and has assisted Coach Hixon in MBB camps. He expressed to a mentor/friend that he considered the WBB coach job at Amherst his "dream job". At the time, he was the coach at Hamilton. The friend who is a Amherst grad. and who was a Trustee/overseer at St. Lawrence when he meet Coach G., gave him advice at that particular crossroad. The rest is history.
I believe his opportunities will grow after a couple of D3 national championships under his belt. Money may become a factor when his family grows and/or his children wants to go to a conference school with its high costs.
This is such a minor distraction really.

gordonmann · March 14, 2011, 04:10:59 PM

For what it's worth, I hope Gromacki stays at Division III. He's a fantastic coach and a lot of fun to talk to. If he decided to try something else, I certainly wouldn't begrudge him that. But Division III basketball is better with him around.

Mr. Ypsi · March 14, 2011, 04:41:50 PM

Quote from: amh63 on March 14, 2011, 03:35:23 PM
Well put Sumfun.
I had previously posted awhile ago wrt his ties to the Western Ma. area.......before my knowledge that he was now married and has a family and is caring for his mother. Coach G. grew up in the area and has assisted Coach Hixon in MBB camps. He expressed to a mentor/friend that he considered the WBB coach job at Amherst his "dream job". At the time, he was the coach at Hamilton. The friend who is a Amherst grad. and who was a Trustee at St. Lawrence when he meet Coach G. gave him advice at that particular crossroad. The rest is history.
I believe his opportunities will grow after a couple of D3 national championships under his belt. Money may become a factor when his family grows and/or his children wants to go to a conference school with its high costs.
This is such a minor distraction really.

As long as his kids wanted to go to Amherst, I'm sure he could get a tuition break put into his contract (if he hasn't already). A relatively cheap way for the college to compete with the 'big guys' if and when they come calling.

nescac1 · March 14, 2011, 04:59:03 PM

While as an Eph fan, I'd love to see Gromacki go as I don't see any NESCAC team besting Amhest (or at least, it will be very rare, just like Pemper / Bowdoin) with him at the helm, I think from all I've heard he may be a lifer, or at least there for a very long time. There are many appealing things: not a high cost of living area and the salary is probably not bad. Little pressure and basically life tenure, he will coach there as long as wants, no doubt. A chance to be in the NCAA tournament, and make runs, virtually every year. Why leave? Unless he is someone who just feels the need to test himself at a higher level.

I am sure Williams soccer coach Russo, or Amherst hoops coach Hixon, or Williams football coach Farley, or lots of others, could have gone to a higher level, some just decide, enjoy the pace, the quality of life, the coaching of student-athletes as opposed to athletes who attend class, that comes with a top notch D-3 program. As a Williams fan, I know it won't be long before both Coach Maker and Coach Kelton (football) get higher-level offers. I can only hope both resist the siren song of more money and more prestige, from a coaching perspective, in favor of all the advantages D-3 has to offer. If Gromacki did have no interest in UMass job, it sounds like he may fit into the latter category.

WBB: NESCAC

sumfun