WBB: NESCAC

Maine 1 · March 11, 2016, 08:42:04 PM

Good night for the NESCAC with two teams in the final eight. Overall, there does not appear to be a lot of depth in the D3 ranks given the lopsided scores tonight. Rochester looks like a good team and may challenge Amherst, but Amherst is playing well now, and even short handed may get to the final four. Tufts will have a very tough game against an excellent Scranton team tomorrow night. I watched a bit of the Scranton game and they are vey good all around. I believe they will beat Tufts. The Scranton fans will fill the Long Center (Scranton is my home town and in my early years I watched some great U of S men's teams). An Amherst-Scranton final would be a good match up.
Although the idea of having the DI, II, and III finals at the same time sounds good, the fact that the final four teams will need to take a road trip for one game next weekend and then wait two weeks to take another trip for the finals doesn't seem to be a great idea. Tough on the teams and the families.

gordonmann · March 11, 2016, 11:15:30 PM

QuoteI have no idea what you are referring to... we did interview Stevens coach on the show Sunday night. As for the roster and the picture... the picture is taken at the beginning of the season before a game is played, so a lot can change... furthermore, the roster for the NCAA tournament is cut down to 15 no matter what.

He was referring to Stevens' website, not Hoopsville. I think they had some errant information posted earlier this week.

gordonmann · March 12, 2016, 02:14:59 AM

Here's a treat for you night owls. We had a short, fun interview with Tufts senior Maura Foliard following the Jumbos' win over Albright in the women's Sweet 16. She talks about her changing role on the team, her basketball family and her "bowling" skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcj1XemUX38&feature=youtu.be

amh63 · March 12, 2016, 10:05:14 AM

Maine1...nice post! I watched the Amherst game and was glad to see one of the Amherst's "big" front court player dressed. Glad to see she was not needed in the game. Stevens can put a tall team on the floor, but they are not as athletic as Amherst. Even when Amherst played with three shorter guards, the lead grew....to quick for the Stevens players. Nice to see Amherst getting more points inside.
Gordonmann...thanks for pointing out to your co- worker that I was referring to the Stevens' website.
WRT the roster remark....Stevens roster size was never over 15...just confusing.

Maine 1 · March 12, 2016, 07:23:10 PM

Congratulations to Tufts on a great win at Scranton, against an undefeated Scranton team. Baptista was outstanding. She will be the dominant player in the NESCAC next year. She has a great offensive game, and she is one of the best defensive players I have seen in a long time. She totally dominated this game against a very good Scranton team.
Amherst will also be in the final Four--Great to see two NESCAC teams in the final four. The NESCAC is clearly the dominant Conference in the East for DIii,

Maine 1 · March 12, 2016, 07:26:48 PM

Also, regarding Amherst. Gromacki has a team in the final four, playing basically five or six players, losing one of his best players in Giden, and losing her backup and they are playing as well now as they have all season. Both Tufts and Amherst are examples of the difference Coaching makes at this level. Both Berube and Gromacki are great coaches. Give them one or two really good players, and they will take the rest of the pieces and win.

gordonmann · March 13, 2016, 01:13:57 AM

Here's Tufts' post game press conference now embedded in our recap.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/women/2016/elite-eight-wrap

Driving home, I was thinking about Michela North's defense on Alexis Roman in the post. That plus Baptista's Steph Curry-like performance were the difference. Michela said that Coach Berube told her to play off Roman's shoulder in a way where it would make it especially hard for Scranton to get Roman the ball and make her favorite move to the hoop. Michela did that so well that it effectively shut down Scranton's entire offense for long stretches.

ronk · March 13, 2016, 01:46:09 AM

Quote from: gordonmann on March 13, 2016, 01:13:57 AM
Here's Tufts' post game press conference now embedded in our recap.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/women/2016/elite-eight-wrap

Driving home, I was thinking about Michela North's defense on Alexis Roman in the post. That plus Baptista's Steph Curry-like performance were the difference. Michela said that Coach Berube told her to play off Roman's shoulder in a way where it would make it especially hard for Scranton to get Roman the ball and make her favorite move to the hoop. Michela did that so well that it effectively shut down Scranton's entire offense for long stretches.

Coach Berube was so gracious in the pressie that I thought Scranton had won the game.

Best wishes in the semis.

redrhino · March 13, 2016, 04:16:13 PM

As a Scranton fan, I just wanted to congratulate Tufts on an outstanding performance. To come into the raucous confines of the Long Center and perform the way the Jumbos did was truly special. It was a privilege to watch two quality teams employ every ounce of their energy as they battled each other.

In my humble opinion, Micheala North may have earned All-American simply because of the tremendous first-half defense she played against Alexix Roman. IMPRESSIVE! Alexix still did some damage, but she was held down way below her normal output. Indeed what a great overall defensive team Tufts is! They cut off passing lanes; pressured the ball with mind-boggling intensity; and held the Lady Royals to 48 points on their home court. Most teams only dream about doing something like that.

I wish the Jumbos luck as they try to finally push all the way through the Final Four this time.

gordonmann · March 15, 2016, 11:12:51 PM

Here's our latest Road to Indianapolis feature, this time on Amherst.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/women/2016/amherst-doswell-twins

We'll have something for Tufts later in the week.

amh63 · March 16, 2016, 10:59:15 AM

Nice piece on the Doswell twin players! Some other bits of info. Going down on 95 heading to Richmond, near exit 98...an Amusement park near by, there is a town named Doswell. Spoke to a Richmond resident...classmate and frat brother.. wrt to the name. He remarked that it was a prominent name and the twins' private school was near his sons' private schools. Have chatted with the twins mother at a game. In addition to being a former "Seven Sister" graduate, she has a MIT post graduate degree. Believe she has New England roots.

gordonmann · March 18, 2016, 12:48:38 AM

As promised, here's the Tufts feature.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/women/2016/tufts-third-time-the-charm

For those of you making the trip to Columbus, see you there.

amh63 · March 20, 2016, 09:20:47 AM

Just wanted to give a "shout out" to the team....Well Done! Gave a scare to the No. 1 team.

NE Jeffs Fan · March 20, 2016, 09:26:00 AM

Look like they played their hearts out, but had no answer for Sidney Moss....just like every other team that TMC has played. Amherst bringing back some good talent. Will be excited to see who Gromacki is adding to the team. Hopefully will get them back to the Final 4 next year. Good luck to Tufts. I know they'll represent the NESCAC well!!!

ronk · March 20, 2016, 10:20:48 AM

Quote from: NE Jeffs Fan on March 20, 2016, 09:26:00 AM
Look like they played their hearts out, but had no answer for Sidney Moss....just like every other team that TMC has played. Amherst bringing back some good talent. Will be excited to see who Gromacki is adding to the team. Hopefully will get them back to the Final 4 next year. Good luck to Tufts. I know they'll represent the NESCAC well!!!

2 good wing/forwards, 1 of whom is lower-D1 capable; Amherst should be back to this level next year.