WBB: NESCAC

[ronk]

d3wbbfan,
  Admirable analysis and passion, however, I would have(and have in the past) chosen the PM vehicle for conveyance in a similar situation.

[amh63]

D3wbbfan....interesting post and very perspective.points, IMO.  I'm not knowledgeable on the Jumbo's players as you but am well aware of their coach...being a fan of WBB at UCONN.
I was most interested in your read of Coach G's coaching approach at Amherst.  His short rotation at times over the years has been due to various factors....like last year.  He has lost several upperclass players...note the no senior players on the team...due to some recruits pursuing other endeavors/ sports and multi- injuries, etc.
Still, if a young player is not ready to play at his level for an Amherst team, they are not inserted just to give them PT.  Amherst has a front court player of great potential on the bench...a 6'2-3" player from a small school in Florida.  Amherst does need front court backup.
In the lost to Williams, in Willy town, the Young Williams players were jumping with joy over their win.  Amherst young team lost in the last seconds to a T0  leading to foul shots, and fine play by an Eph team.
Several last points that you may already know....the young J. Renner is quite an athlete and played Four sports in H.S....but likes BB the best according to her father.  She does need to rest her knees at times and will miss some games doing so.  The other point is that Coach G is an astute judge of talent and recruits accordingLy.  You cannot win without talented players.  I guess your key point is that Coaches need to develop the talented players on hand.  I leave the pace and method up to the coaches...they are the one who recruited them and work with them. 

[remsleep]

D3wbbfan...they are 16-0, last year they were 25-3.....you are off the deep end my friend...agree that Gromacki is a tremendous coach...absolutely one of the best.....Berube seems to be doing just fine, thank you, 10 player rotation or not....now take a big breath then exhale haha

[Roundball999]

Agree that rotations depend entirely on available personnel AND coaching style.  Nothing wrong at all with 10 man rotation; I follow Hope College closely and they almost always use a 10 man rotation.  Their defensive intensity requires fresh legs.  Results bear it out, almost always in the top rankings nationally and also always near the top for rebounding margin, steals margin, scoring margin.  I think if you use a deep rotation consistently year after year, you almost always have enough experienced players to go ten deep.

[Maine 1]

A Couple of comments on the very long post on Tufts.  First, as it relates to Gromacki. Based on what I have seen over the past 7 years, he has shown an ability to take whatever talent he has and wins.  There is a saying in coaching that goes something like he can take his players and beat you, or he can take your players and beat you.  This year he doesn't have the talent or depth he has had, and yet he is still 16-2.  By far the best coach in the league.  Not sure exactly how he does it, but he does (and you can go back to Hamilton and before that to see the same result). 
As far as Tufts, my view on that, being at the Tufts-Amherst game, is that the Tufts coach appears to have a fixed rotation, and goes with it regardless of what is happening, particularly early in a game.  I have never understood this style of coaching. I am not sure if the rotations is too long, I think the timing is an issue.

[nescacfan1]

A wild game between Williams and Smith tonight at Chandler. Williams came out flat and were out hustled and outplayed by Smith in the first half who ran up a 46-32 lead at halftime. In the second half Williams shot 56% from the field, including 53% from behind the arc to beat Smith 89-80. It was an amazing comeback led by Ellen Cook, Lauren McCall and Oge Uwanaka. Uwanaka, when she's on, is a game changer. She can guard the post or the perimeter and is so quick that she can lunge for the ball, get beaten and still come back to make a play. She also hit free throws when they mattered. McCall and Caveney had been quite ill, so it was good to see them back and performing well.  It was also good to see Litman walking around and she might be back in a couple of weeks. If she's anything like she was before, that would help Williams a lot.

I cant figure this team out from game to game or half to half for that matter, but they find a way to win.

[amh63]

Amherst has a "Little 3" game tonight in Middletown at 7:30.  Translation...it is a non conference game for the books....like the game in Williamstown.  Interesting to see if Meg Robertson is dressed.  Even if she is, I do not expect her in the game.  More important games this weekend.  Do not expect her in the game on Friday against Colby.  Best save her play for the more difficult game against  Bowdoin on Sat.  Two thoughts on this strategy...mine only...the Cardinal game does not really matter for tourny position, even in a lost...Wesleyan is a solid team.  Think the team without Meg can beat the Cardinals and the Mules, even in on the road.  Against Bowdoin, I would still hold Meg out, if she is ready to play.  I believe Amherst can beat the Polar Bears if the players are focused and their shots start to fall.  Several players that did not shoot well in the Tufts game, did well in the following road games.  Young first year players gaining confidence, playing without their Captain...stepping up their play.

[nescacfan1]

There have been a lot coaching compliments deservedly given to GP and Berube, but let's not forget Pat Manning at Williams. She lost six seniors last year, including the NESCAC player of the year and All American, Claire Baecher, her point guard Jenny Harding and her super forward Danny Rainer and she still managed to field a top 20 team. This is the youngest team she has ever coached and she has had to juggle lineups and change schemes to accommodate for injuries and illness. Lauren McCall (NESCAC player of the week) has developed into a true perimeter threat, Oge Uwanaka has become an offensive and defensive beast, Ellen Cook is an all NESCAC player, Kellie MacDonald is a super contributor, Katie Litman is one of the best posts in NESCAC and MaryKate O'Brien has really improved. This is coaching.
Further she sees the game well and is a great at in game adjustments, especially between the first and second half. She doles out PT depending on who is performing well that night and will give extra time to hot contributors as long as they stay out of foul trouble.

In their last 6 games against Amherst, Williams is 3-3. I don't think any other team has done as well. 

If Litman (injured) comes back strong, Williams may well challenge for the NESCAC title this year.

[amh63]

Amherst wins in Middletown 72-49.  It was a 9 point lead at the half.  Amherst was led by H. Peterson with 28 points.  Her second offensive output recently...she had a career high of 30 points recently.  Meg Robertson was not dressed for the game.  Everyone got into the game, including Boyette, the 6'2-3" FY center.  When she pulled down a rebound on a missed shot and put a nice bank shot it, the bench stood up for her effort, led by Meg.  The FY player runs the floor well and seems to be getting the feel of CAC games. 
Next game at Colby on Friday.  Expect Meg Robertson to sit out again...even in a conference game. 

[ronk]

Amh63,
  Went scouting tonite and found that a prospect that interested me from the summer AAU season has chosen Amherst. She's a 6-3 post from Montgomery County, MD that will be need development. I ran into GP at Junior Nationals this summer and he may have seen similar promise.

[amh63]

Ronk....thanks for the info.  The county in MD, as you may know is where I reside.  Have not picked up the Was. Post sports news since I dropped the paper after over 40 years.  Fewer and fewer good writers, IMO.  What year is she...better yet...what school does she attend.  Maybe check her out in a live game.

[ronk]

 I send it as a PM.

[Roundball999]

D3wbbfan...they are 16-0, last year they were 25-3.....you are off the deep end my friend...agree that Gromacki is a tremendous coach...absolutely one of the best.....Berube seems to be doing just fine, thank you, 10 player rotation or not....now take a big breath then exhale haha

Interestingly, Berube was just named DIIINews Coach of the Month. 

[amh63]

Amherst wins against Colby in Maine 67-44.  It was a workman like win.  Meg Robertson was dressed but never left the bench.  Encouraging progress.  Both Doswell sisters scored 13 points.  Everyone played....except Meg.  Boyette enters the game and scored again on a bank shot down low.  After the first 5 minutes, with Colby holding a brief lead, the game turned Amherst's way and the lead was in the double digits for most of the game.
Next match will be Bowdoin,  Hope Meg Robertson is not needed against the Polar Bears.

[amh63]

Amherst wins over Bowdoin in Maine in the battle of ranked teams...65-57.  It was a two point lead by Amherst at the half.  Amherst held a 6 to 10 point lead for most of the latter part of the 2nd half.  Amherst could not hit an outside shot for most of the game but won off of rebounds and inside shots it seems.  Good win.  The somewhat down news.  Meg Robertson was not dressed for the game and wore a heavy brace on her left leg.  Seems a step back on her recovery.....possible strain during early practice and/or warming up.  FOUR players in double figures.  Renner, Holness, M. Doswell and Giddins...according to the announcers.  NSN announcers announced the game well but were clearly biasly behind the Polar Bears.