WBB: NESCAC

[feces monkey]

You're off your rocker if you think that there is.

"Off your rocker" is one of my favorite pejoratives. Reminds me of my grandfather. I'll concede the argument; not for facts, but fatigue.

Bowdoin is now in the situtation Bates was last year: won the non-con game, but pretty much helpless to host the tourney. I haven't run the numbers completely, but it believe it would take Tufts, Amherst or Trinity to beat Bates to give their own destiny back to the PBears. Don't like those odds (no offense, Walzy). Basically comes down to Williamstown and Lewiston, and the way Bowdoin is playing I'd like to think they'll win at Williamstown, although it won't be easy.

As a result, Bates will have to chip away at their endowment in order to pay the heating bills, as Alumni will likely be hovering around 90-95 degrees for the tourney. And if the Androscoggin is on fire (again), it could be even higher.

[walzy31]

No offense taken. I will predict a Bates win of 17 points over Amherst and 32 over Trinity. I hope I am wrong though.

[mrmike88]

WAMH will be broadcasting the Amherst-Williams doubleheader tonight.  We go on the air for the 6:00PM women's tip off.  Check out http://wamh.amherst.edu/ to listen live.

[walzy31]

Amherst won the double header on aggregate. -14 and +28

[speedy]

A very wild OT win for Bowdoin over Weleyan to keep the home win streak going at something like 66. A Wesleyan player was fouled while attempting to make a 3 with the game tied and a little less than 2 seconds left in the game. Somehow, the Wesleyan player managed to miss all 3 foul shots and Bowdon ran away with the game in OT as Wesleyan was completely demoralized.

[walzy31]

Wow that is intense Speedy. I feel bad for that girl. Too bad Bates is going host the tournament...I would love to see the home record on the line in the tournament for the PBears.

I'll take Amherst today 57-55 over Middlebury

[carolina]

First of all, the only way that the tourny is going to be at BAtes is if Bowdoin beats Williams (if everyone wins out up to that point) Williams beat Bates so they would win the tie-breaker if they can beat Bowdoin. Correct me if I am wrong!!!! If Bowdoin wins then Bates will host due to their win over Bowdoin. Again there is still another weekend left so lets not get ahead of ourselves.

[Red1]

Bates had few problems with Tufts in a 30+ pt. win at Alumni Gym.  I forgot to write down the score when I left, but It was along the lines of 76-45.  Tufts jumped out to an 18-8 lead with twelve and a half minutes left in the first half, but the bobcats decided to start playing basketball and ran away with it. 

I was very displeased with the officiating in the 2nd half.  I understand that Bates was up by 30+ points and the tendency is to give the Jumbos a little leeway (Libby Park's 4 fouls on account of pickiness early in the game prove this motive) but the officials still need to set a limit and stick to it.  If nothing else it keeps the game from getting out of hand, and it keeps players from getting hurt.  It was lucky that no one was injured tonight.  It was one of the most violent games I've seen.  (Wentworth tech managed to earn 3 flagrant fouls and an ejection a couple years ago.  No game will ever top that one for violence.)  Pics turned into shoves, boxing out turned into pushing people out of the way,  steal attempts turned into slaps accross the face, and this only happened on one side of the ball.  The officials needed to step it up, stop the madness, and control the game, and I'm disappointed in their inability to do that.

Senator, don't worry, I'm sure Bowdoin can keep their win streak going for another year.  They can put it on the line in the tournament next year (if Bates doesn't end it during the regular season.)  Besides, it's been done... 5 times... in a row .   For some reason, and it may just be wishful thinking, my gut tells me that Bates will be the team who ends Bowdoin's home win streak, and it will happen in a Nescac final.

Carolina,  you're correct that Bowdoin (or anyone else for that matter) will need to beat Williams for Bates to host instead of Williams, and we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but the likelihood of Bowdoin winning at Williams is quite high.

Cheers,
Red1

 

[carolina]

RED1
As far as Bowdoin winning at Williams.  Thats what people on the site said about BATES going to Williams and we know what happened there. Bates also had a full squad in that 20 point loss. Bates played better when they didn't have their full squad in Williams' Tournament but on the other hand Williams didn't play all that well in the beginning of the season. I gues anything can happen and that is why the games are played. It should be fun!!!!!!

[feces monkey]

First, I want to echo Walzy's sentiments about feeling awful for the young woman from Wesleyan. I honestly can't thing of any situation more devastating psychologically to a team or individual (no, I'm not a psychologist). Giving up a half-court buzzer-beater is rotten, but you can chalk it up to dumb luck. Missing three consecutive freebies is a little more personal. She'll hopefully be stronger for it (as intercollegiate athletics is, along with the entire college experience, a life-lesson learning tool).

I must admit, after the near miss against the Cardinals, I'm not quite as sure about the tournament locked into Lewiston. Here's how I see things playing out:

Williams sweeps this weekend, clinching the tournament, putting Bates in the second seed and Bowdoin, winning the head-to-head with Wesleyan, taking third, followed by the Cardinals.

The four top seeds will all win (granted, Amherst has a history of playing spoiler). Bowdoin is able to beat Bates on a neutral floor, while Wesleyan stuns Williams in the other semifinal. PBears eclipse Wesleyan in the final, locking up at least three NCAA spots. I would have thought Bates would be the odd team out, but the recent regional rankings make me believe they would have a quality shot if my scenario plays out.

Was lurking around the men's board and saw the guesses for the all-conference team, so I'll lob one out for the women for discussion.

First Team
Coffin (Bates)
Pouravelis (Bowdoin)
O'Malley (Williams)
Stubbs (Wesleyan)
Miller (Williams)

Second Team
Barton (Bates)
Flaherty (Bowdoin)
Cox (Trinity)
McVary (Middlebury)
Hession (Williams)

POY: Coffin
Def: Pouravelis
ROY: Anelauskas (Bowdoin) -- could be co- with Fourney (Wes)
COY: Manning (Williams) -- coaches typically pick the coach of the conference champ, but if Bowdoin wins it, I don't think Pemper will get it (for variety's sake). Manning is deserving, although next year's team might be better.

I actually feel kind of sick to my stomach picking all the Williams players (reference a previous post about success breeding contempt), but I think this is how it will play out. McVary and Cox could easily get bumped, but I don't know by whom. Amherst has had a solid year, but nobody stood out (correct me if wrong, Walzy). Colby, Conn., & Tufts are undeserving. I could understand Flaherty or Barton bumping one of the Williams kids from the first team.

[carolina]

FecesMonkey

Not that it matters much to you but I agree with some of your picks. How can you give Coffin POY. She was injured in the beginning and was horrible in the game agaisnt Williams where Williams beat them by 20. I don't know who POY should be but i Don't think Coffin should get it.

Also, I know Maggie Miller reached a 1000 points but when you take a million shots you should hit a 1000. The reason I dont like that pick is because she doesn't play any defense. It's a good thing she can score some points because she wouldn't be playing on any team of mine not playing any defense!!!!!!

[feces monkey]

Carolina,

Interesting points. My rationalization for the selections were based primarily on one premise: What players do opposing coaches have to gear their defensive (or in the case of Pouravelis, offensive) game plans around to win?

While Coffin did miss two games early in the season, I think she gives coaches the most concern heading into a game. That's not to say she has a great game every time (she didn't really do much in Bates' win over Bowdoin, either), but I think the coaches worry about her and will vote for her. That's not to say a case couldn't be made for any of the players I selected for the first team (or even Barton or Flaherty, for that matter). Just my feeling.

In the same vein, Miller's tendency to be a gunner may rankle some, but it definitely makes her a concern. And, unless you are an overwhelming difference maker on the defensive end (such as Pouravelis), I believe coaches are willing to overlook defensive deficiencies when voting.

In addition to having to gameplan, I think class, in respect to both year in school and how players handle themselves, plays a big factor in voting, as well team success.

[carolina]

FecesMonkey

I see your points but with the Maggie Miller situation I still think the defense is a concern. Maybe not for the voting process but there is an old saying "offense wins games, defense wins champioships." I think the defense of Miller will hurt her team when it comes to going against the better players. She can have all the points in the world but if her player scores the same amount it really means nothing. Just my opinion

[allaboutball]

wow all this talk of maggie miller.
I think we are forgetting that she is leading the NESCAC in blocks, I mean I don't think she gets them just because she is taller than people. or maybe you didn't get a chance to see the game against Bates where she hit a number of jumpers in Coffins face. I believe she shot above 60% that game.
but then again just numbers. so maybe you should,
get your facts straight before calling somebody out on not playing defense, I mean to be 6-1 in NESCAC, playing essentially as you would say 5 on 4 out there, isn't likely. she may not jump out of the gym like Pouravelis, but she can play the 3, 4, 5, bring up the ball.
I would say she is one of the most finese players I've seen in a long time. she may take a few bad shots, but who is to say others don't do that either.
so buddy find someone else to pick on, someone who maybe isn't leading their team in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and assists.
then maybe we can have a normal conversation.

[carolina]

First of all, I never said Maggie wasn't a good player. Offensively she is tough but she is lacking on the defensive end and I really don't care how many blocks she has, she IS 6 feet tall. I also think she deserves to be an ALL-Star but IN MY OPINION which i am entitled too, I am not sure she deserves to be on the first team just like I do not think Coffin should be POY. I am not sure who should be but I am entitled to my opinion. Maggie does wonders for her team but she has also hurt them at times. Now the way you are defending her I am sure you are an EPHS fan or just A MAggie Miller fan. I like the EPHS myself but it was just an observation of mine and if you don't like it to bad. That is why we have this board....TO EXPRESS OUR THOUGHTS!!!!!!!! GET OVER YOURSELF