WBB: NESCAC

[NH NESCAC Fan]

Four NESCAC teams make the tournament.  Tufts, Amherst, Bowdoin and Williams.  The first three are all in the same bracket with Tufts and Bowdoin hosting.  Amherts goes to Hartwick to play Springfield College, and Williams travels to Scranton to play Vassar.

[MVP]

"Tufts made renovations to Cousens Gym ahead of the 2009-10 school year that rotated the basketball court and made it a regulation-sized facility. Since that time, they have been eligible to host NCAA Tournament games. Prior to that, they weren't allowed to do so. The Tufts women qualified for the tournament in 2010 but were shipped out of region to Kean for the first and second rounds. They were left out of the tournament in 2011, then qualified and hosted first- and second-round games in 2012 and 2013"

          Tufts gym is a tough place to play a game and a terrible place to watch a game. It may still not be regulation size. The lighting is awful and the acoustics are lousy. As you enter the gymnasium you must go down stairs ...then up some stairs ....then up and around and on and on. The visiting team's locker=room is up in the clouds somewhere... it takes them 10 minutes just to navigate the 71 steep steps to the locker-room.  Fans are constantly walking across the court to find seats and stopped by lunk-heads w/ attitudes who think they're security at a Giants game or something.  Get there early for a good seat w/out a hassle and bring your own popcorn.

[nescachoopsfan2]

Tufts gym is a tough place to play a game and a terrible place to watch a game. It may still not be regulation size. The lighting is awful and the acoustics are lousy. As you enter the gymnasium you must go down stairs ...then up some stairs ....then up and around and on and on. The visiting team's locker=room is up in the clouds somewhere... it takes them 10 minutes just to navigate the 71 steep steps to the locker-room.  Fans are constantly walking across the court to find seats and stopped by lunk-heads w/ attitudes who think they're security at a Giants game or something.  Get there early for a good seat w/out a hassle and bring your own popcorn.

My response is based on having gone to several dozens of games at Cousens over the last 10 years:

1.) The renovated Cousens IS regulation-sized because if it wasn't, Tufts wouldn't be allowed to host NCAA games.
2.) It really isn't that difficult to navigate the seating if you enter through the front entrance of Cousens, which is always open on game days and is easily accessible, as it's located literally across the street from the parking lot. In fact, you don't even need to navigate stairs at all if you don't want to, as there is seating (and has always been seating) located behind the baskets on the same level as the entrance. And if you want to sit in the bleachers, you have to go down 1 flight of stairs.
3.) Fans are absolutely under no circumstances "constantly walking across the court" to find seats. Like other NESCAC gyms that I've been to, you're allowed to walk along the sidelines opposite the team benches to get to a seat, as long as you're not disrupting play. You're also allowed to walk behind the team benches. Never once have I see fans "walking across the court" to get to a seat.
4.) It really isn't that hard to find a good seat at Cousens - certainly not more so than any other Division III sporting event I've been to. In my opinion, there are no shortage of great places to sit at Cousens to watch the game: the aforementioned seats behind the baskets, the balconies, and the bleacher seating that was installed as part of the renovations all offer great views, and it's not like there is so much competition for those seats that you need to "get there early for a good seat w/o a hassle."

[d3wbbfan]

Warning ! Another long post coming - at least I waited until mid-week, while we're bored, waiting for the NCAA's to start!   

Congrats to Coach Berube and the Jumbos, on their first NESCAC title. I very much enjoy reading all the various NESCAC posts. Thanks! I thought some very lucid observations were made. And as someone who respects Coach Gromacki a ton (as previous posts indicate), I humbly offer my take on the final.

I've seen 80%+ of the Tufts games this season. Amherst games are often played simultaneously. But with both teams often holding solid leads early, by halftime, I'd choose the better contest that day, for half #2. As such, I know both team's personalities very, very well.

Offensively, Tufts' approach Saturday was not the one they employed all season. If Foley and/or Moynihan were cold from 3, or either was in foul trouble, scoring became a big problem. Period. To me, their game plan on O in the final was totally different than it had been all season. Sat, it was to have Kanner and North both pound the paint, and have Morehead initially look to drive coast-to-coast, until the Amherst D stopped her. Make Amherst defend Tufts from 10 feet and in. As many times as possible. And if this tactic got the LJ's in foul trouble? Even better. And if it resulted in good point production, any 3's the Jumbos then hit would just be gravy. It worked to *perfection*. And it was quite clear that Coach Gromacki didn't see that specific game plan coming from Berube.

The Jumbos have two accomplished, 6'2" frontcourt players. The only big Amherst had at that skill level (Robertson) is out for the year. Huge mismatch. To Coach Berube's credit, she exploited it, early and often. If a team can't stop a play, then just keep running it until they do. And Amherst never could stop them.

Of the Lord Jeff frosh, Ali Doswell has been the most consistent on O all year. But she picked up 3 first-half fouls, and never got back on track. Also, I firmly believe Gromacki prefers to have Holness come off the bench for him. But he was forced to start Savannah Saturday, to try to contain Kanner. And it only got worse for GP, when Carla stopped doing GP a huge favor, and finally played North big minutes. She's deserved them all year. I know all coaches love their hard-working seniors, and badly want to reward them with max PT. But emotions can creep in at times, as to minutes given. We're all only human. It's something I genuinely love about WCBB. I truly am a "journey" guy. But it's 100% a double-edged sword. And Berube has long been guilty of "heartstring PT", especially among top coaches. (Goodness, she just LOVES tri-captains Ali Rocchi, Caitlin McClure, and Moynihan.) I've heard her talk about them SO fondly. Several different times. Her eyes well up. But trust me, Carla-win them a natty as SRs, and they won't even REMEMBER the first 2 getting reduced postseason PT!) It's winning time. And they want to win. A lot. And their first NESCAC title just gave her beloved tri-captains a delicious, first taste of March postseason glory. Guess what? It's their last year, and they want to have even more to celebrate soon!

Thankfully, Carla has finally made good progress, as to playing her best players the most minutes. And with less regard to what year they're in. North played a season-high 25 minutes Sat. With at least 18 of them in tandem with Kanner, I'd say. And it was key. The two were pure magic together. They can both score down low. Which one does GP then have Holness guard? Big problem. But it didn't matter. They both scored in double figures. Turned out Holness couldn't stop either of them, and picked up 3 first-half fouls, to boot. With the LJ's now also having North to contend with in the paint, Kanner scored 21, and just had *so* much more room to operate down low. She thrived.   

I saw Morehead (who they list at 5"2"-my eyes say 4'11") actually cash in twice, on those aforementioned coast-to-coast layups. (Which should NEVER happen, against any college team, playing even average team D.) Holness is the last line of defense, once Kelsey had shed the LJ guard (who also has to do much better there), in that scenario. But Savannah was already very pre-occupied with the two Tufts bigs, having their way with her. She had a very poor game. To be fair, it was an awful lot to ask of Holness. Obviously, she badly wanted to be there for her team, and not foul out. She knows she's their only "big." But once she got the 3 fouls, her solution was to play "matador defense". There's just no other way to say it. In the second half, Holness left the "barn door" (post area) open repeatedly, for any Jumbo who wanted in. After the third or fourth easy 2nd half Jumbo hoop, GP pulled Savannah, and must've said something like, "I understand you have 3 fouls, Savannah. And we do need you in there badly. But if you play no D at all, and just let them score at will, it's as if you've fouled out already. Don't be careless, but you must keep playing good D. And if you do foul out, well, you foul out!" To me, Savannah looked like she had never been in that situation before. She was totally overmatched. But she's a good player, and I know she will bounce back.     

As for North's line, she would've already had numerous double-doubles this season. But she'd just never gotten enough minutes to reach them before. Well, Michela finally got one Saturday. 10 pts, and 14 rebounds. Tufts' NCAA opponents should expect to see this new game plan on O. Because it worked very well. Against a very good team. I don't know many DIII teams who are gonna be able to match up against two skilled 6"2" posts, playing together. (And they're both back next year!)

This was one other big, unexpected problem that Amherst had, with Kanner/North's major joint minutes. Scoring 2-pt FGs. And while dribble-drives haven't been a huge part of the LJ's 13-14 point production, the "Twin Towers" cut it to basically zero, until Zwecker's late entry. They totally shut Renner's slashes down. That is her #1 strength on O, aside from her normally-skillful PG play. And while Marley Giddens is as crafty and nimble as they come scoring down low, at only about 5'9", Kanner/North limited her to just 4-11 in FGs, with 7 more pts added at the FT line. Marley really had to work hard for her 15. And while Giddens is an effective, undersized 4 on O, expecting her to be able to stop a Jumbo post player on D is 100% unrealistic. But GP knows that already, and was a big part of the reason why he had to start Holness. I've never seen Marley play a single bad game for Amherst. And she was great again on Saturday. Even while navigating against the two Jumbo "redwoods".

I'm on record as saying that I feel Zwecker is Amherst's 8th best player. I don't mean that as a slight to Haley. Not in the least. Several posters said that she played great vs. Tufts. All of them are a million % correct. And have questioned Gromacki's choice to not play her more, and/or put her in earlier. Again, a very valid point. I both respect and understand the criticism. But I think it's mainly a "system clash" issue at play. Here's my take, with some "background" first:

As many have said, the LJs are dangerously 3-pt dependent, for points. It is true. All three of their best FY shooters are big guards: 5"10"/5'11". They are all "stationary" shooters, who depend heavily on offensive structure for their open 3-pt looks. Screens/skip passes/ball reversals get these ladies those open shots. Pritchard/Renner are the two best PG choices, to run GP's preferred offense. Those two are pass-first players, who see the floor, don't over-dribble, and who normally only look to shoot it if their man slacks off on D, and gives them a great look. Vs. Tufts, with the interior points shut down, it became even more important for Gromacki to get his long-range bombers open looks. To put quick points up. Several made 3-ptrs can catch a team up in a hurry. Someone said Gromacki pulled Renner, and then had a fairly intense discussion with her. I remember seeing that, too. And, weird as it sounds, that's often the best time for a talk like that. Because the difficult game situation is still very fresh in her mind. Jaimie likely hadn't been that frustrated before, all season. Where Tufts had basically rolled "police tape" around a 12-foot perimeter of the LJ hoop. No one was open. There was no one for Renner to pass to. There was no room for her to slash. And the 3-pt arc always seemed full of Jumbos, as well. That scenario would be near-impossible for any PG - much less a FY PG. Renner will handle it better the next time. Far more is learned after a loss.

Haley Zwecker's game is totally unique, among LJ players. She can create shots for herself, from the guard position. She's most comfortable when the basketball is in her hands. She loves to dribble, likes to match up, one-on-one, against her defender, and try to score. And she's very good at it. To me, the only other LJ with this beat-your-man ability is Giddens. But Marley's game on O is 99% from 10-feet and in. Which fits in far better with GP's 13-14 system, since he plays her exclusively up front. But Zwecker's a guard. And, through no fault of her own, her natural playing style is basically incompatible with the 4 FY's that play a lot. Haley's not a pass-first player. I'm not saying she's a selfish player. She not. At ALL! And during the next two seasons, when the LJ FY's become veterans, with experience, the FY's will be able to "co-exist" much better with Haley's game. For now, it's a matter of GP being so dependent, on multiple freshmen. Do you know how hard this situation is? For both the Amherst players and the coaches? Extremely hard.   

As a result, GP has had to "cater" his offense to the FY's. He had absolutely no choice. He's started four of them this year, on numerous occasions. And it's worked amazingly well. Somehow, their record is 24-3. In arguably the toughest DIII league in the country. To me, that is an AMAZING accomplishment. But back to Sat. By the time GP opted to put Zwecker in, it was sort of a last resort. GP hadn't given up on the game yet, but he knew that the FY's chances to now hit a number of late 3's basically dropped to zero, by subbing Haley in. Because he was putting Zwecker in to have her "do what she does". Beat her man, and provide a team lift. She's emotional, in a good way, competitive, and has great energy. She wasn't put in to be a pass first PG, and try get the FY's open looks at 3. Zwecker was "Plan B". To Haley's credit, she did exactly what GP wanted her to do. My kudos to her. But it then meant that all the FYs would each just find a corner to stand in, try to pull their man as far away from Zwecker as possible, so Tufts couldn't double-team Zwecker when she hopefully beat her man one on one. During her minutes, she was Amherst's #1 and #2 option on O.

Finally, I learned one basketball lesson a long time ago. It has served me very well. I always give a team - ANY team - ONE bad game a season. Just throw it out. Do a re-boot. I was actually expecting to see a game like this from Amherst well before the NESCAC games started. But they never had one. Until Saturday. Gromacki's team finally looked like who they actually are - a bunch of freshmen. It took them until their 27th game to show it. Incredible. And it took a veteran, highly skilled opponent, while playing on the road, to reveal it. The FYs finally looked like they got thrown into the deep end of the pool. Let's be realistic. Despite Gromacki's obvious skill, weren't many of us thinking that *this* was gonna be the year to finally be able to knock Amherst down a few pegs? Come on. It's true, right?      Well, this bunch of 18-year-olds sure didn't fall very far down, have they? Even after losing the *one* player they absolutely could not afford to lose!

My sincere congratulations to the Polar Bears, for being selected as a host. It's a great reward for a fantastic, bounce-back season. I know Coach Shibles always has the pressure of high expectations to deal with. And her and her team came through like champions! Good luck to all four NESCAC-ers this weekend!

[NH NESCAC Fan]

Yes indeed, that was a long post...but a good one.

I will, however, disagree with you about the me first play of Zwecker.  The statistics just don't bear you out, nor does the thought that the first years are the best three point shooters on the team.  Assist to turnover ratio aside (and Zwecker and Pritchard have the only positive ones on the team), Zwecker is also, as mentioned previously, the overall leader in assists while playing significantly fewer minutes than Renner...43% fewer minutes, actually.  Also, she is the leading three point shooter, statistically, by a long shot (pun intended).  She has taken 1 shot for every 5.15 minutes she has played, versus 1 every 4.77 minutes for Renner.  (And I am not picking on Renner, just using her for comparison).  Oh yeah, and she has nearly the same number of total rebounds as Renner, all in the reduced minutes.  While statistics don't play the game, they certainly are very good indicators of how the game is being played...that's why they are kept.

As far as Savannah Holness goes I think it is a bit unfair to single her out for not being able to guard two post players at once, and be the last line of defense for the coast to coast runs of the point guard.  Seriously?  Who wasn't she responsible for covering?  Under Gromacki's system in years past you either played tight defense on your "man", or you sat down.  He does not teach a help style of defense.  In fact you ran the risk of being pulled if you dropped off to help, and left your player alone.  That was just the way it was.  But...he also doesn't make adjustments to his defense when, like on Sunday, the team is getting beat inside.  Berube out coached him.

[NE Jeffs Fan]

Good posts with interesting points.  Was a bit surprised when Tufts went low and Savannah is in foul trouble that he didn't try Boyette.  Once again a first year, but has height.   As it was said previously, GP values defense.   You don't get the job done on defense, you don't play many minutes.  We can speculate all we want by the coaches see every practice, know the players speed, strengths and weaknesses.  Amherst has an amazing group to build another powerhouse upon, and each of these kids will have to stay on their toes as each year he finds "difference makers."

[joe8579]

          Tufts gym is a tough place to play a game and a terrible place to watch a game. It may still not be regulation size. The lighting is awful and the acoustics are lousy. As you enter the gymnasium you must go down stairs ...then up some stairs ....then up and around and on and on. The visiting team's locker=room is up in the clouds somewhere... it takes them 10 minutes just to navigate the 71 steep steps to the locker-room.  Fans are constantly walking across the court to find seats and stopped by lunk-heads w/ attitudes who think they're security at a Giants game or something.  Get there early for a good seat w/out a hassle and bring your own popcorn.

As opposed to what, Babson's gym? I can only assume, from your prior posts, that you are connected to the Babson program in some way. Tufts' gym is perfectly adequate as a D3 facility. It has personality and quirks, sure, but what gym doesn't at this level? It's certainly a sight better than most of the NEWMAC venues (thinking mainly of the awful MIT, Wellesley, Coast Guard, and Clark gyms).

As mentioned, the court is regulation size. There is a decent amount (though probably not enough) seating. It's a perfectly fine place to play. So long as you have a full size court, decent lighting, and a bench to sit on, players don't particularly care about different gyms. You're either at home or you're on the road. If you're on the road and the gym meets the basic criteria I mentioned, who cares?

[nescac1]

I'm not sure I would want to play there as an opposing team because of all the circuitous stairs and whatnot, but from a fan's perspective, Tufts is one of my favorite D3 gyms.  Tons of history and character, and a really cool environment overall, plus comfortable seating with good views of the court. 

[amh63]

d3wbbfan....thanks for the long report of the game last Sunday.  Needless to say, I was at Amherst watching the games in LeFrak that along with a number of WBB fans that were trying to follow the game at Tufts online.  It was tough since the finals on Sunday was a battle of heavyweights....won by Amherst.  I'm glad you saw a bit of my "favorite" pg from Georgia.  Too bad it was not competative.  We heard that there was trouble in the first game when Amherst Amherst only scored 16 points in the close win over a fine Bowdoin team. 
Also see that there is also talk about gyms, hosting and other matters.  Same on the MBB board.  In the case of Amherst, how the WBB team does impact the hosting of games by the MBB team in accordance to the NCAA rules.

Best wishes for all the conference women teams going forward.....4 fine teams representing their schools first and the NESCAC second.  Will try to check in on the LJs on Friday.  Not sure of the webcasts arrangements for the NCAA games.
Does anyone here know the particulars about them....at Bowdoin and at Tufts for the weekend games?

[nescacbbrules]

NH NESCAC fan, I find myself agreeing with you again. The stats you and I have cited about Zwecker indicate that she in able to effectively accomplish something that d3wbbfan failed to mention in his/her analysis of the LJ's 3-point based offense. She is able to draw the help defense off the shooters or dish to an abandoned post player for open looks. On Sunday she got all the way to the rim, something I don't recall any other Amherst player doing. Renner never did.
D3wbbfan, do you actually attend the games or are you only able to see the video feeds? Being there allows for much more perspective on what is happening off the ball. Your analysis, apart from your critique of Holness, has tended to focus on offense. To my point, it is clear that North is a very efficient force on O. Her defensive liabilities have limited her court time, not Carla's fondness for seniors. Berube is very competitive and committed to victory in any way, but it all begins with defense. Coach G and Schibles are both outstanding coaches all the way around, but the Tufts defense is the best, hands down. Your one-sided comments reveal your love for offense. That's fine, but please don't presume to tell one of the finest D coaches in the D-III pantheon how to apportion playing time if you aren't willing to balance your perspective with a cogent assessment their defense. As far as Sunday's PT, far from Carla finally seeing the light, North's minutes had a lot to do with Kanner's and Rocchi's foul troubles and with her effectiveness on BOTH ends. If she continues to deserve it, for example rebounding with a vengeance, she will play more. 

[joe8579]

NH NESCAC fan, I find myself agreeing with you again. The stats you and I have cited about Zwecker indicate that she in able to effectively accomplish something that d3wbbfan failed to mention in his/her analysis of the LJ's 3-point based offense. She is able to draw the help defense off the shooters or dish to an abandoned post player for open looks. On Sunday she got all the way to the rim, something I don't recall any other Amherst player doing. Renner never did.
D3wbbfan, do you actually attend the games or are you only able to see the video feeds? Being there allows for much more perspective on what is happening off the ball. Your analysis, apart from your critique of Holness, has tended to focus on offense. To my point, it is clear that North is a very efficient force on O. Her defensive liabilities have limited her court time, not Carla's fondness for seniors. Berube is very competitive and committed to victory in any way, but it all begins with defense. Coach G and Schibles are both outstanding coaches all the way around, but the Tufts defense is the best, hands down. Your one-sided comments reveal your love for offense. That's fine, but please don't presume to tell one of the finest D coaches in the D-III pantheon how to apportion playing time if you aren't willing to balance your perspective with a cogent assessment their defense. As far as Sunday's PT, far from Carla finally seeing the light, North's minutes had a lot to do with Kanner's and Rocchi's foul troubles and with her effectiveness on BOTH ends. If she continues to deserve it, for example rebounding with a vengeance, she will play more.

Well said. Anyone who has seen her play can clearly see that North is not up to the rest of the team's standard on defense. She will get there, but she is getting the PT her defense deserves right now.

[d3wbbfan]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Although if some of my friends in the coaching biz heard me categorized as "leaning big offense", they would either claim you picked the wrong guy out of the police lineup, or have a heart attack on the spot! Defense has always been my passion. I absolutely love it.

I very much respect the point re: offensive stat line advantages that Zwecker has, vs. Renner. I honestly do love everything about Haley's game. My overall view was based on Coach keeping things as simple as possible for the FYs. But doing so clearly comes with downside. In many games this season, Zwecker did play nearly 20 minutes a game. That did give her plenty of minutes with the FYs. My observation was based on, in the very few toughest LJ matchups, GP had dialed back a lot on Haley's minutes. And I thought I knew why. Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't. Maybe GP was right to do it. Maybe he wasn't. We'll see where Gromacki goes with it from here.

I also feel the criticism aimed at me about Coach Berube's judgement at times, is fair. She obviously knows what she is doing. I also do only watch games on-line. The point made that my perspective being skewed due to that is also very fair, and duly noted. There is also little doubt that North's defense is a clear work in progress. But at the DIII level, Tufts takes almost zero hit for this weakness. Just basic positioning, keeping hands up, and her affecting shots at 6'2" is plenty good enough, in my eyes, to maintain Carla's sparkling overall team defensive stats. The LJs sure weren't taking it to North. But if Michela were playing DI? Totally different story. But she isn't. And that matters a ton. I've watched  '13-14 DIII teams, from coast to coast. And a Kanner/North combo is a matchup that will give any top NCAA team nightmares. This *is* my team, remember. And if that means trading minutes with a SR, who plays total lockdown defense, to play them together, to me it's Basketball 101. Besides the fact it makes Kanner's on-court life so much easier. Great PGs? Great shooters? Great one-on-one/team defenders? All are very common, among top NCAA teams. My training taught me to try to exploit clear mismatches. That's all I'm suggesting. An offensively skilled, physical specimen like North is an extremely rare find in DIII. Berube was very fortunate to have landed her. Especially with two years together with Kanner. North had multiple suitors at the scholarship levels. It's not just her offense. North is an absolute vacuum cleaner on the glass. To further balance out her "D in progress".

I have taken all your observations to heart. I respect your takes/opinions very much. Enjoy the games, my friends!

[NH NESCAC Fan]

d3wbbfan - To paraphrase from Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man...you're an excellent poster.

[nescacbbrules]

I agree with those sentiments, I think, not having seen the movie.
I will be in Medford tonight. The Monks have a fine team by the looks of it--size and a fine point guard--but haven't played a schedule even close to Tufts' in difficulty, so it is hard to predict how they will fare. I know their coach, Mike McDevitt, from years ago. He is excellent. But  if what is past is prologue, the GNAC teams, with the exception of Emmanuel, have struggled in the NCAA tournament. Moore and Cahill, their 6-foot forwards, carry the load for St. Joes, but will have to match up with Kanner, Rocchi, and North. Tough ask.
Of course, interested in seeing NYU and UNE. Maybe NYU based upon tougher schedule? But close.

[d3wbbfan]

Williams loses to Vassar in the first round, 76-75, in Scranton. Was neck and neck the whole way.

I saw Vassar host (and defeat) Montclair St in pre-season. Montclair St is basically the only Top 25 team not to stream their games, so I took the opportunity to see them on the road that day. Really liked Vassar, though. They have two terrific seniors, guard Cydni Matsuoka and a skilled, 6'2" post named Hannah Senftleber. Matsuoka had 31, Senftleber 13, and 2 other Brewers in double figures.

Cook had 22, Caveney 15. Ephs went 8-29 from 3. Vassar just 5-11, given their strong post game. Uwanaka was again battling foul trouble and limited minutes (24), ending with 8 pts, 13 boards, and 4 fouls. Thompson also had 10 pts - her most in a while.

I stopped watching Amherst-Springield at 52-32 with 9 mins to go, but the feisty Pride managed to trim it down to 7 (53-46) with 2:13 to go, before it stretched back out to a 62-49 final. Giddens 20. Ali Doswell 16. Saw about half of it, out at Hartwick. To his credit, Gromacki really tinkered with the lineup today. LOTS of Haley Zwecker out there. She scored 7, and was a big reason the LJs  looked more like themselves today. A recent poster also was hoping to see the FY post Boyette play more. She did. I'd say at least 5 minutes in the first half, and more quality PT for Rachel in the second. She scored a hoop, had 3 boards, but got 4 fouls. Still, good game experience for the big girl. I like her hands. Nice potential.