WBB: NESCAC

[gordonmann]

Don't sell UW-Whitewater short. DePauw is not the same team with Gasaway injured.  She's the team's top scorer but logged 9 minutes and two points against Williams because of a torn ACL. I'm not sure the Tigers have someone to match Kumerow down low.

[7express]

Amh, not sure if it was because of the All Star game, but they haven't played it on the men's side for quite a while; 3 or 4 years possibly even longer.

I think this year it actually would be beneficial to Amherst; a young team that made a nice run that came up short.  Absolutely awful for a veteran team that was expected to cut down the nets.  That's how the St. Thomas/Amherst game last year was a total blowout.

[jumpshot]

Amh63 (aka self-proclaimed "sore loser") -- clearly the referees did not squander a 12-point lead with three minutes to play. UW-Whitewater kept playing hard while the Lord Jeffs appeared to relax.

[Roundball999]

Don't sell UW-Whitewater short. DePauw is not the same team with Gasaway injured.  She's the team's top scorer but logged 9 minutes and two points against Williams because of a torn ACL. I'm not sure the Tigers have someone to match Kumerow down low.

Would agree Gordon.  UWW can be very tough and has been through the WIAC wars.  If they play like they did last weekend at home (I don't think they did yesterday) then they will be tough for anyone to beat including DePauw.

But DePauw is very impressive with speed and quickness at every position.  While they may well not be able to deny Kumerow her points down low, I'm not sure Kumerow will be able to stay with her man in a MTM defense.  But I think the real key for UWW will be to keep DePauw off the offensive boards.  Amherst had a ton of o-boards vs UWW especially early in the game and DePauw is even better on the o-boards.  DePauw shoots so well (#9 team FG % and #2 team 3pt %) you can't give them more than one chance.  If DePauw gets many more than 10 o-boards they probably win going away.

[lefrakenstein]

That was heartbreaking. I feel so bad for the seniors. Have to hand it to that UWW girl though. What an incredible performance.

[lefrakenstein]

Frank U.....advice on character ?  Interesting post and thanks anyway.

Speaking about character traits.  Once again, some person or persons is playing with my Karma points.  I care less about the points than the person who did it.  I post it here since I made a post wrt to the people in the strips that could not stay out of the game, IMO.  Anyway, I would like posters who did it to simply come out and state their action...Do even need to know why.  If they do, tells me about the person's character.
When I played BB on the inter city blacktops....it was normal to call out a person's play up front and then try to prove it on the court.  If a person was beat, he openly acknowledged it.  Respect, character and no hard feelings on both sides.
Hope to hear from somebody.
Agree with 7 Express post on the 4 PM game.  Didn't the MBB side drop it for an All-Star game?

I gave you two +1's during the whole broadcaster kerfuffle. I wouldn't sweat it. They don't mean anything.

[Roundball999]

That was heartbreaking. I feel so bad for the seniors. Have to hand it to that UWW girl though. What an incredible performance.

Agreed, tough way for anyone to lose.  Amherst girls exceeded almost everyone's expectations and hopefully, when the pain fades a bit, they will be able to look back on the season with the pride they should feel for a fantastic season.

Don't know if you've heard the story about the UWW player who took her own life earlier in the season and to whom her teammates have dedicated their season, but it almost seemed that someone was guiding those buzzer beaters into the net.

[gordonmann]

We've released our All-Americans. Congratulations to Claire and Marcia.

http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2013/03/womens-all-americans

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Amh, not sure if it was because of the All Star game, but they haven't played it on the men's side for quite a while; 3 or 4 years possibly even longer.

I think this year it actually would be beneficial to Amherst; a young team that made a nice run that came up short.  Absolutely awful for a veteran team that was expected to cut down the nets.  That's how the St. Thomas/Amherst game last year was a total blowout.

The All-Star game did replace the consolation game when it was becoming very clear the third-place game was not getting the best out of teams (i.e. Franklin and Marshall a few years ago). Unless the WBCA comes up with an all-star game like the NABC has, I don't see the third place game disappearing any time soon.

Also, if we go by the demeanor from last night's press conference and what I am watching on the floor right now... I am not that confident Amherst is going to make this a game.

[Pat Coleman]

Amh, not sure if it was because of the All Star game, but they haven't played it on the men's side for quite a while; 3 or 4 years possibly even longer.

I think this year it actually would be beneficial to Amherst; a young team that made a nice run that came up short.  Absolutely awful for a veteran team that was expected to cut down the nets.  That's how the St. Thomas/Amherst game last year was a total blowout.

The All-Star game did replace the consolation game when it was becoming very clear the third-place game was not getting the best out of teams (i.e. Franklin and Marshall a few years ago). Unless the WBCA comes up with an all-star game like the NABC has, I don't see the third place game disappearing any time soon.

Also, if we go by the demeanor from last night's press conference and what I am watching on the floor right now... I am not that confident Amherst is going to make this a game.

Like in a lot of these situations, you can judge determination and "came to play" status by individual players, and some are definitely here to play. I would especially cite Bridget Crowley as one of those.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

This is a battle... I am more than thrilled. Hats off to both teams.

[Pat Coleman]

This is a battle... I am more than thrilled. Hats off to both teams.

Good. Glad you came around.

[nescac1]

Congrats to the Eph women on capping off a tremendous year with a win over Amherst.  Normally a third place game is a pretty dispiriting experience, but playing Amherst definitely upped the ante, especially for an Eph team that has really struggled to beat the Jeffs since Gromacki arrived.  Tremendous way for the best senior class Williams has ever had to end their careers, with a win over Amherst on the big stage.  Go Ephs!  Both Williams and Amherst lose a ton of talent, especially Williams.  Baecher and Rainer are basically irreplaceable as a dominant interior duo. 

The Ephs will be led next year by Ellen Cook and Kellie MacDonald, both of him really grew as players in the NCAA and showed that they are capable of scoring vs. elite defenders.  Frosh Mary Kate O'Brien, Katie Litman, and Oge Uwanka all got some valuable big game minutes today, and they will likely be called upon to step up in a big way and play much bigger roles next season.  How much that trio improves will determine whether Williams can return to the NCAA's ...

[jumpshot]

Williams senior women have the rest of their lives to savor a final game victory over Amherst, despite 22 turnovers, as Lord Jeffs make only 24% of 70 shots. Not sure that a consolation game has merit; perhaps an All-Star game would expand participation for other deserving seniors.

[lefrakenstein]

That was heartbreaking. I feel so bad for the seniors. Have to hand it to that UWW girl though. What an incredible performance.

Agreed, tough way for anyone to lose.  Amherst girls exceeded almost everyone's expectations and hopefully, when the pain fades a bit, they will be able to look back on the season with the pride they should feel for a fantastic season.

Don't know if you've heard the story about the UWW player who took her own life earlier in the season and to whom her teammates have dedicated their season, but it almost seemed that someone was guiding those buzzer beaters into the net.

Oh wow, I did not know that. Too bad they couldn't finish the season off with a title. They sure fought hard though.