WBB: NESCAC

[Maine 1]

In addition to Moss, who was unstoppable, Thomas Moore has some other good players and also has depth.  The Amherst team gave it all they had, but you have to wonder why over the past two-three seasons, Amherst has not developed any bench strength. It is great to have three or four good starting players, but you have to be able to go 7-8 deep in order to compete. The past few seasons, Amherst has had no depth.  I understand that they lost Gidons and Nagle, but are the other players that bad that they couldn't play 4 or 5 minutes to give the starters a rest.  Also, Zwecker looks like she may have been a top player on any other NESCAC team, but only got in because of injuries.  I think Gromacki is a great Coach, as evidence by his record, but certainly needs to build a better bench for next season.
I think Tufts is a great defensive team, and Baptista is a superb defender, but Moss plays a different game then most of the D3 women, with her tought inside play and range--I believe Tufts will make it difficult for her to score, but I don't think Tufts has enough offense to win the game.  They do have more than two weeks to come up with a plan.

[gordonmann]

Yeah, I've often been struck by Amherst's very short rotation, too. This year I think it was a combination of injuries to Giddins and Nagle and the fact that everyone shrinks their rotation during the tournament, especially now that there are designed breaks every five minutes plus halftime plus whatever timeouts people call. The Amherst ladies didn't seem gassed last night despite logging a lot of minutes.

[amh63]

The Amherst Website has the post game interview.  Coach G gives a determined response to interviewer's comment about the close loss.

[7express]

If Tufts can score 60 points I think they'll pull off the shocker just because their defense is that good.  However, I don't see how they can score 60 points.

[amh63]

Several comments on remarks  of posters.
First, the question of depth....development, etc.  The late lost of Sr. Giddens and later Nagle was unfortunate... but is part of the game of basketball.  Amherst in past seasons lost starters such as Meg Robertson at critical times.  This year, a front court player return was slow...the left hand shooter from East Lyme.  Nagle's improved play was needed but lost in the post season due to an injury.  There was a FY front court player that got time on the floor early in the season and then was lost to injury around mid season....the player from nearby Granby, Ma.  She will add depth next season.  Amherst has two FY guards that has shown promise....on both offense and defense and with be ready to support the starters.  I have heard from another poster that Amherst is bringing in several fine front court players....ones that he had interest in for his school.
Second, the question of players conditioning....short bench.  Agreed with Gordonmann that the extra breaks in the game helps.  The announcers mentioned that Amherst's missed shots may have been due in part to tired legs.  That maybe true, but it was primarily the offense of Moss that was the prime factor, imo. 
In fact, I noticed that Player of the Year Moss seemed to be gasping more in the shots of her during the time outs.  I noticed that she was not very intense on defense...perimeter..in the second half.  In the end, looking at the stats, the RBs difference was the key one for me....the others were awash between the two teams. 
Aside, it was the rebounding difference in the Amherst MBB lost to undefeated Benedictine that was cited as a the key one...by posters.

With respect to the upcoming finals, Tufts defense will carry the Jumbos and I feel that Tufts have the personnel to slow Moss down.  I also agree with 7Express that Tufts will need to generate some offense somewhere other than from North to win....otherwise the opponent will pack the inside..."shrink its interior defense"....a term I picked up recently from watching UCONN WBB . 

Finally...Go Jumbos!

[P'bearfan]

Belated congratulations to the Lady Polar Bears for a great season. 22-7 overall and advancing to the 3rd round of the tournament.  You did yourselves proud!

GoUBears!!

[NE Jeffs Fan]

Moss is not speedy on defense, but North will have a lot to handle.  Both teams used short benches...happens in tournament time.  Certainly was how GP played things in the 2011 championship year.  Can't really remember, but think many starters played 40 minutes and only went 2 to 3 deep off the bench. Congrats to Amherst on a great year.  With the talent coming back and what's coming up, I think they can make it back to the Final Four. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

What a season of Division III basketball and it isn't quite over with yet! The men might have crowned their championship, but the women have one more game to go.

On this episode of Hoopsville, Dave McHugh looks back at the two championship weekends with help from Ryan Scott, Gordon Mann, and Adam Turer. We look at the championship for St. Thomas and the near perfect miss by Benedictine. We also take a look at the two semifinal games in women's basketball and the upcoming championship between St. Thomas and Tufts to be played in Indianapolis.

Dave also talks to Page Moir, head coach for Roanoke, who suddenly announced on Tuesday he is stepping down from the position and looking for something new to challenge him.

You can watch the show in its entirety or listen to the podcast above.

Guests include (in order of appearance):
- Page Moir, Roanoke men's coach
- Keith Bunkenburg, No. 2 Benedictine men's coach
- Steve Fritz, St. Thomas athletics director and former men's coach
- John Tauer, No 1. St. Thomas men's coach
- Ryan Scott, D3hoops.com Mid-Atlantic reporter
- Gordon Mann and Adam Turer, women's semifinals report
- Jeff Hans, No. 1 Thomas More women's coach
- Carla Berube, No. 7 Tufts women's coach

You can also tune into the podcast(s) after the show has aired:
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/hoopsville
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hoopsville/id1059517087

Don't forget you can always interact with us:
Website: www.d3hoopsville.com
Twitter: @d3hoopsville or #Hoopsville
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hoopsville
Email: hoopsville@d3hoops.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/d3hoopsville

[amh63]

The D3hoops.com all-American selections are out.  As always, but Not surprised that the Nescac players are not given much respect with their team play and strong defense approach.  Offensive numbers too often carry the day, IMO. 

[gordonmann]

The NESCAC has three representatives, more than any other conference.

[gordonmann]

We have a new article posted on Thomas More's women's team, which isn't really relevant to this room. But I wanted to publicly (sort of) acknowledge that UConn coach Geno Auriemma took time out of his schedule this week to talk to us about building a dynasty, which I really appreciate. He, Wash U. coach Nancy Fahey and Messiah soccer coach Scott Frey offered interesting insight on what it's like to play as the prohibitive favorites. And special shout out to our reporter, Adam Turer, who got great input from all of them.

Here's the link to the article:

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/women/2016/tmc-one-step-away

[NE Jeffs Fan]

Nice article.  Good luck to The Tufts Women on Monday.  They will represent the NESCAC well, hopefully give TMC all they can handle.  I'm sure it will be a special time for Coach Berube as UConn and Geno will be there also. 

[ronk]

amh63,
   Just came across(third-hand or worse) another of my prospects commit to Amherst; she's a 6-1 W. Makes 3 so far; GP may have been following me

[gordonmann]

Is it April 4th yet?

Here's one last pre-title game feature on Tufts:

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/women/2016/tufts-defense-one-more-stop

[saratoga]

Ronk:

I'm starting to think you're working for the enemy!