WBB: NESCAC

[toad22]

I was at the Williams game tonight, and there were a number of parts of that game when I would say that I have never seen a Williams Womens' team play so well. They are capable of superior play, they are also capable of pretty mediocre play. I guess it is time to see which team will prevail. I don't think any team in the NESCAC that should take them lightly. They are a seriously explosive team.

[d3wbbfan]

Out on Long Island Tuesday afternoon, Amherst (11-0) easily defeated Farmingdale State, 67-40. SR C Megan Robertson led the way for the Lord Jeffs with 16 points, including the 1000th of her career. She also added 9 rebounds off the bench, and impressively rejected 2 consecutive Ram shots in the waning seconds of the opening half, which Amherst led 36-17. A Robertson FT line jumper ended a 14-0 game-opening LJ run. Marley Giddins and Ali Doswell each added 11 points in the victory. The Rams (4-7), out of the Skyline Conference, were led by 10 points each from SR Nicole Lanteri and JR Andrea Desvignes, despite the latter battlling through a tough 3-18 shooting day.

Best PA announcing of the season, however. The Ram student announcer must have his Amherst transfer papers in the works         as he was quick, entertaining and witty. He came up with numerous gems, even during visitor scores, such as "3 for 5" on a Hannah Peterson 3, "3 to 4" on a Renner-to-Giddens hoop, and "1-2-3 for 23" on an Ali Doswell 3, just to name a few. He put a smile on my face. I appreciate it when a kid can turn what was surely his work study job into something creative and fun, without going over the line.

[Vandy74]

I checked back a few pages to see if there had been any earlier chat on this topic.  NE Jeffs Fan and Amh63 did so briefly.  I notice a few posters here I recognize from the MBB  board so I know I am not alone in being interested in  both the men and women's games.  Does anyone know why the NESCAC made such an absurd decision to play men's and women's conference games at the same time and on opposing courts?  I used to enjoy seeing both teams play but my top loyalty is to the men's program.  If I can watch an away contest on my computer I'm not going to attend the women's game going on locally at the same time.  This decision is counter-productive to both programs like Amherst where a string of highly successful seasons has created an enthusiastic fan base that more than likely includes fans of the men's team as well, and programs trying to build or enlarge their existing ones.   Middlebury, after several lackluster seasons has a new HC and a team off to a rather successful start.  On one of local fans few chances to watch both teams play the women came back from a double digit deficit to beat Skidmore in OT.  The OT meant that more than a few fans showing up just for the later mens' contest witnessed the exciting last few minutes.  That's how interest is generated but with the new scheduling it's all for naught.  NESCAC schools pride themselves on their high academic standards.  This  administrative decision is, in a word, DUMB.  Spread the word.

[amh63]

Vandy 74....good for you!   Plus K.  Thought about posting on the point, especially since Amherst plays Williams this Sat!  I posted in the pre season about it, but let it go.  Did see that Middlebury WBB team followed the MBB game in Plattsburg last night.  Good for the Panthers....figured it was to have both teams on the same bus .   

[7express]

I checked back a few pages to see if there had been any earlier chat on this topic.  NE Jeffs Fan and Amh63 did so briefly.  I notice a few posters here I recognize from the MBB  board so I know I am not alone in being interested I  both the men and women's games.  Does anyone know why the NESCAC made such an absurd decision to play men's and women's conference games at the same time and on opposing courts?  I used to enjoy seeing both teams play but my top loyalty is to the men's program.  If I can watch an away contest on my computer I'm not going to attend the women's game going on locally at the same time.  This decision is counter-productive to both programs like Amherst where a string of highly successful seasons has created an enthusiastic fan base that more than likely includes fans of the men's team as well, and programs trying to build or enlarge their existing ones.   Middlebury, after several lackluster seasons has a new HC and a team off to a rather successful start.  On one of local fans few chances to watch both teams play the women came back from a double digit deficit to beat Skidmore in OT.  The OT meant that more than a few fans showing up just for the later mens' contest witnessed the exciting last few minutes.  That's how interest is generated but with the new scheduling it's all for naught.  NESCAC schools pride themselves on their high academic standards.  This  administrative decision is, in a word, DUMB.  Spread the word.

Wisconsin-Stevens Point has 2 separate courts: 1 used by the women's team only and the other used by the men's team only so they always play at separate venues (i.e. when the men's team is at home, women are on the road; men on the road women at home).  Not sure what other conferences do that.  I thought most conferences shared the same bus.

[ronk]

  Scranton and the Landmark play at opposite venues at the same time for the midweek, shorter-travel conference games, and have the doubleheaders for the Saturday, longest-travel games, sharing the bus this year.

[NE Jeffs Fan]

I used to love the energy in LeFrak as one team came off the floor and the other team came on the floor.  Being a fan of both, the new schedule really puts a cramp in that.  One year the men played first, the next the women played first.  Really was a nice balance!  Sorry to see it go by the wayside.

[Vandy74]

I used to love the energy in LeFrak as one team came off the floor and the other team came on the floor.  Being a fan of both, the new schedule really puts a cramp in that.  One year the men played first, the next the women played first.  Really was a nice balance!  Sorry to see it go by the wayside.

Agreed.

[amh63]

Does not help in my visits to watch live games.....but I have figured it out watching online!  A little slow...but I will have one game on my tablet and the other game on the computer in my office.  Have yet to figure out the way to get a game onto my TV.  Will talk to my SMART son when he and his wife pay a visit next week...actUally both sons are smarter than me wrt to this new tech stuff.

[amh63]

Amherst's 105th home win over Hamilton last night is covered on the Amherst website.  Just wanted to note here that Meg Robertson set another record in her brief time on the floor.  She broke the 700 RBs milestone and now has 703...got 4 last night.  The last "injured" Jeff returned to the floor last night and played like she missed the action....good to see.

[d3wbbfan]

Since there are no Live Stats offered for this one, I thought I'd post that Amherst (13-0, 2-0 NESCAC) beat Williams (12-2, 1-1 NESCAC) at LeFrak, 77-51. The LJs got out to early leads of 9-2, 21-5, and 40-18. (Williams had to burn 2 TO's in the process.) It took an Ellen Cook right corner 3 at the buzzer (Williams' only trey of the half) to reduce the Eph locker room deficit to 21. I know Coach Manning prides herself on her team's superior defense, but it just didn't display itself at all in the opening stanza, as Amherst had numerous open looks, both driving and from 3. I only remember one offensive board by Williams the entire half. Otherwise, it was one-shot-and-done for the Ephs, who scored all but a couple of FGs by driving to the hoop themselves. The Ephs' defense in the 2nd half was very much improved, and more typical of their usual team D, but it was too late, as they could narrow their deficit to no lower than 17, at 46-29 and and 53-36. To me, Katie Litman was extremely active, and far and away the best Eph performer on the afternoon, but without stats yet I can't accurately provide point breakdowns for either club. Coach Gromacki went with a tight, 7-player rotation (starters Giddens, Ali & Meredith Doswell, Jaimie Renner and Hannah Peterson, with only Megan Robertson and Cheyenne Pritchard off his bench), until around the 3:00 mark to go.

[Vandy74]

Middlebury opened conference play with a 65-56 victory over Bates in Pepin last evening bringing their record on the season to 8-4.  A solid performance all around with four starters playing at least 38 minutes.  Elizabeth Knox lead scorers with 21 while Alexis Coolidge and Sarah Kaufman chipped in 16 and 14 respectively.  Kaufman also pulled down 14 boards.  Siobhan O'Sullivan added 6 points to go with with 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.  Coming off the bench for the first time this season, possibly a victim of the same stomach flu bug that hit the men's team this week, South Burlington (VT) H. S. product Rachel Crews played 23 minutes contributing 8 points and 3 rebounds.  To repeat, it's a shame the new scheduling format seldom has the men and women playing on the same court on nights they face the same opponent.

[Maine 1]

After the first weekend of league play, we have a better sense of how teams stack up.  Clearly appears that Amherst (surprise) is at the top of the league.  Bowdoin and Tufts would seem to be at the upper level.  Will need to see more of Williams as the season goes on but would definitely have them in the top four.  The next group will probably change over the course of the season, although Trinity and Bates both look to be weak, as does Wesleyan.  Middlebury had a good win over Bates, and Colby split with Conn College and Wesleyan. Season as usual promises to be interesting and I expect to see a lot of close games among particularly the 5-11 teams in the conference

[nescacfan1]

The Amherst - Williams game was decided in the first two minutes of the game. Williams won the tip and immediately got a good look near the basket--miss. second trip--close shot--miss, third trip--great look from 10 ft--miss, fourth trip --right side layup miss. By that time Amherst was up by 8 and Williams started pressing. Williams actually took more shots than Amherst the first half but after the first series the shots became less selective and the ball stopped moving. Meanwhile Amherst sliced Williams up with pretty give and go's and drive kick outs and shot over 60% in the first half. And that, as they say, was the ball game. Credit Amherst for being prepared and putting the petal to the metal early in the first half. It was a great performance by Amherst.

[amh63]

Maine1.... Nice points and most helpful since I do not study the Colby's and Middlebury's much....sorry Vandy.  Seems that you are a fan of Bowdoin...as I am, though I believe they will not challenge Amherst.  My major focus presently is Tufts and Williams, though I am thinking the Ephs maybe more of a paper tiger after the game in LeFrak.....blowout win for Amherst with limited...but effective...play by Meg Robertson.  Actually, Hamilton played better than Williams in LeFrak, imo.
Amherst has a long, long road ahead...away games.  I suspect Coach G will rotate more young players in the games, especially the front court players.
Anyway, am curious to see how Tufts play in Vt today.