WBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

For those interested, there are short videos of the Amherst MBB and WBB games at Williams on the Amherst websites.  The highlights are of course edited to show off Amherst, but it does give a little of the atmosphere of the game.
NHNESCACFan....good answers to the Babson posters.  It happens every year that Babson with their big front line brings high hopes and raises challenges to Amherst. IMO, unless Babson has gotten quicker and gotten a better supporting cast to the three Big's this year, the results of a Babson vs. Amherst game will be the same as in past years.
Plan to be up for the Williams and Midd. games on the 10 and 11 of Feb.  My offer for dinner or Lunch before the WBB games is still open.  Let me know.

[7express]

Amh63, I posted this on the LEC board as well, but I'll copy it here as well because you'll probably check this before that one:


I'm probably gonna go up there for the Williams games on the 10th.  I know the men's crowd draws well, but does the women's game bring in a good crowd as well??  Probably will influence what time I leave Connecticut that night.
Just for the record, never been to an Amherst vs. Williams sporting even before, so sorry for the stupid question, and this date fits my schedule perfectly and really don't want to miss it.

[amh63]

7Express...a bit of post tag....check my post on the LEC MBB board..I believe.

[Maine 1]

Colby at Bowdoin today is a huge game in terms of the conference standings. The winner will have the inside track for the three seed in the conference.  Williams is fading without there big player, and I would expect the Conn College bubble to burst next week when they make the road trip to Bowdoin and Colby. 
Strange NESCAC weekend with no Friday night games

[NH NESCAC Fan]

amh63...you'll be interested because she is from your neck of the woods...it happened again.  Sally Marx blew out her knee in practice the other day...the other knee.  Poor kid.

[amh63]

NHNescacFan....Thank you for the sad news.  Sally brings a great deal of energy when she enters the game.  Have met her and her family in D.C. and at Amherst.  Spoke with her before the Hamilton game....about whether her braces were off.  Her delay in returning to full strength was extended a bit due to a concussion.  Her father mentioned that she had never suffered an ACL injury before and it has had an impact on her play a bit.  She was "recruited" for her quickness, speed, outside shot and all the talents for a lead guard.  I'm sure she is counted on to back up Jasmine and Marci next year and to take the lead in the future.  Here is hoping for a good/fast recovery and a return to form next Fall.  Should say the same for the Williams player that tore her knee/leg early in the Conn. game.  Key injuries will age coaches.

[amh63]

For the record.....Amherst beat Trinity this afternoon in Hartford, 66-44.  Went on a 16-1 run and never looked back.  Lead by the seniors, Amherst was never challenged.  The box score and the writeup of the game are now on the Amherst website.  Amherst now looks forward to meeting Wes. in Middletown...hoping to continue their conference win streak....forgot, but it doesn't really matter.

[amh63]

New week....fresh thoughts...I hope.
Interesting discussions on Sunday's D3hoops...Hoopsville broadcast.  Host put on and wore the Amherst BB t-shirt received from WBB team?   Introduced the new commentator for the Northeast,,,Mathew Noonan of Noontime sports...based in Boston.  Comments on the conference BB games/teams  and other conferences.  Also talked about Babson, Smith, and Tufts...mainly about Amherst games last week.  Tufts was mentioned as the team to watch out for.  Amherst plays Wes., Bates and Tufts all this week in away games.

[Maine 1]

Tufts has been playing solid basketball.  They have good wins against Williams and Colby-only losses are two in the season opener, and a last second loss to Bowdoin.  They have an outstanding freshman post player and are disciplined.  They will give Amherst a battle at their home gym.

Weslelyan has been improving, and will be interesting to see how they fair against Amherst.  Bowdoin and Colby make the Williams/ Middlebury trip this week.  Williams is always tough at their gym, but I would expect both Bowdoin and Colby to each win their games this weekend.

[7express]

RIC vs. Tufts should be a good one tonight.

RIC hasn't been challenged at all for the most part in the LEC, and their OOC schedule was pretty bad.  Tufts will probably be the best team they would have played to date.

[sumfun]

Wesleyan did seem to be much improved over last year, and Amherst came out cold in the first 10 minutes.  1 for 17 from the floor.  Ouch, but good teams find a way to climb out of a hole and win even on an off night.  As an Amherst fan, I know they can find the focus like late in the season last year that propelled them to the Final Four and beyond.

[amh63]

Amherst overcomes a slow start and beats Wes....69-48 in Middletown.  The win does not count in the conference standing...but does count in the "Little Three" honors.  Amherst won the one that counts in conf. standings at home earlier.  Now Amherst looks ahead to Bates and Tufts this weekend.  Amherst is now 20-0.

[NH NESCAC Fan]

Slow start, indeed.  Eleven minutes in Amherst had scored 4 points.  I think the starters were a combined 1 for 17 and 1 for 2 from the line.  It wasn't until the coach subbed in Marcia Voigt that the team actually (well Marcia really) started to score.  Marcia was the NESCAC rookie of the year after her first year but has struggled mightily since then, shooting horrifically...until last night.  She picked a great night to perhaps break out of her two season funk.  She was perfect from the field and the line in the first half, finishing with 13 of Amherst's 27 first half points.  Oddly, she started the second half on the bench. 

[Roundball999]

Slow start, indeed.  Eleven minutes in Amherst had scored 4 points.  I think the starters were a combined 1 for 17 and 1 for 2 from the line.  It wasn't until the coach subbed in Marcia Voigt that the team actually (well Marcia really) started to score.  Marcia was the NESCAC rookie of the year after her first year but has struggled mightily since then, shooting horrifically...until last night.  She picked a great night to perhaps break out of her two season funk.  She was perfect from the field and the line in the first half, finishing with 13 of Amherst's 27 first half points.  Oddly, she started the second half on the bench. 

Sounds like Voigt had a great night indeed.  However if she's had a tough time for two years, and given Amherst's huge success over those two years, I don't think you risk team dynamics and chemistry by benching a starter just because Voigt had a nice half.....

[amh63]

NHNESCACFAN.....Nice post about the game and Marcia.  Marcia has all the talent to start but IMO she has tried too hard to find her role on the team and it has affected her play.  Many people forgot she was the conference ROY....but there are other talented players ahead of her.  I see her as a replacement for Kim F. next year when she starts....an all around player.  Marcia is not a true point guard and she is not a reliable outside shooter...yet.  She is athletic and strong and has a great inside-short jump shot.  Her defense has greatly improved but she is not a shut down defensive player as Kim...yet.  I believe Coach G. will bring her in for more floor time in the important games ahead....just as he will bring in Jasmine more.  Next year's starting guards need more tough game experiences.  Turnovers will also determine floor time.  Can the bench players produce under pressure and in tight spots...while spelling the starters during the game.