WBB: NESCAC

[NE Jeffs Fan]

Saw that, and another game today against Redlands.  Big time travel for the team.  Is your spelling of Mammoths in jest or just a typo?  I wasn't going to change my D3Hoops account just to reflect the Amherst mascot change.

[amh63]

NE Jeff's Fan....a mistake.  Computerr acting up and software wants to spell for me
Actually, a number of older Amherst posters kept Jeffs in their "handle".   

[amh63]

Amherst returns home with a short bench shorter.  Sullivan, the elder one comes into the game and makes two threes and goes down with an injury soon after.  Appeared to me on the same leg that ended her season last season.  Hoping for the best.

[ronk]

 I thought the 4 players I contributed to Amherst's roster last year would be enough.

[gordonmann]

Amherst back atop the rankings

http://d3hoops.com/top25/women/2017-18/week5

[amh63]

ronk...yelp, they are good ones!
Amherst brought in only one player this year...from nearby Granby, Ma......Sullivan's little sister.
Maybe you need to open your "book" again .

[PolarBearPA]

Bowdoin takes Round 1 vs Tufts. Both teams played extremely hard - great women's basketball atmosphere at Morrell. Got a few to play but Bowdoin at Amherst looms large Jan 27.

[Maine 1]

Nice to be starting another NESCAC season.  Looks like a three team league, with Amherst/Bowdoin/Tufts.  The other teams just do not appear to have the talent to compete with these three.  It looked like the officials had a big say in the Tufts/Bowdoin game,with Tufts best player, Battista, having to sit out most of the game with fouls (played 10 minutes). I didn't see all of that game, but clearly the last foul on here was a terrible call.  But Bowdoin does look like a strong, balanced team, with exceptionally quick guards who really harass the ball.  I am sure Amherst is strong as usual.  Watching Colby versus Bates yesterday, it was clear that those teams aren't even close to the level of Bowdoin and Tufts (and that was also clear from the previous nights games).  So it will be a battle for the four through 8 spots for the NESCAC tournament-off the start Middlebury had a good weekend with wins over Conn College and Wesleyan.  We will get a good look at them next weeekend when they play Tufts

[PolarBearPA]

Hard to believe only 3 NESCAC weekends left! Bowdoin at Amherst this Saturday and Tufts and Amherst the following Friday will settle out the home court for the NESCAC playoffs. Maddie Bledsoe had an impressive weekend for Wesleyan averaging 14 pts and 15 rebs grabbing POTW honors. Will be an exciting home stretch.

[NE Jeffs Fan]

Should be a BIG game at Amherst this weekend with Bowdoin.  Any predictions from those that have seen both teams in person?

[amh63]

Woke me up NE Jeff's Fan!   Just kidding.  Bowdoin has a deep bench and Amherst has a short one.  Amherst scores just enough to win and Bowdoin has passed 100 pts.  Amherst has taller players, etc, etc.
The key in the game will be match ups and DEFENSE.  Believe Amherst has the players to hold down the Bowdoin top/ key scorers and win the rebound battles.  If Amherst's outside scorers can hit their shots, believe a close game will become a big win.  There, an optimistic prediction...with crossed figures .

[truenorth]

amh63, when you say a "big win" for Amherst, do you mean a meaningful victory in a close game, or a win by a large margin?

[amh63]

truenorth....though I want a win against a solid ranked team....my phrasing meant a win by a large margin. 
This season, Amherst has won by large margins and is quite capable to continue to do so.  However, injuries have hurt their "outside" scoring....a bit.  Starters do need rests and fouls also will shorten the bench further.  Amherst very rarely reaches scores close to 100 pts.  Defense requires a lot of energy.
Amherst scores a great deal off their defense and rebounds and runs after steals, blocks, etc.
It is reported that Bowdoin's win over Tufts was due in part to the fouls on their top player that limited her time on the floor...to ten min., I recall. 
I recall in the Nat. Title win over Tufts last year, that same player was pulled by her coach due to her poor play, IMO. 

[truenorth]

Although this game is being played at Amherst, I think you'll find the Polar Bears to be a deep and competitive team.  I'd be surprised if Amherst pulls away to an easy win by a large margin...  Time will obviously tell...

[amh63]

truenorth.....you asked and I responded.  No where did I imply that a game between ranked teams would be easy.  A big win does not imply a big margin and discounts a competitive game.  You must understand that a game with a team that pride itself on its defense will often reduce the opponents attempts to make baskets...leading to lower scores and likewise smaller margins. 
Case in point were the games with Tufts last season.  First two were won by Amherst by less than 3 points in LOW scoring games.  The Title game win was another low scoring affair....only the margin was much larger.
Your perspective maybe, IMO, be impacted by Bowdoin's wins that tend to be high scoring wins.
I take a win whether it be in LeFrak or in Maine.