WBB: NESCAC

[nescac hoops]

I can't figure out for the life of me what's happened to Williams.  When they beat Amherst last year, I thought they were ready to make a charge with strong young players of their own.

With the loss of 2 defensive minded players last year at the post and point Williams lost its "defensive soul". Watching their games last year it would be the post that paid for the defensive lapses of the shooting guard (Mika).  It will take a new leadership (ie the sophs) to get it turned around. Shea coming back and Jackson getting committed to defense first (some footwork work) will help but if Peterman doesn't change her game to defense first, and there is no reason to believe she will (look at the last 3 years) the team is destined to a sub 500 season. Other players can do it Coach Manning knows them. Will Coach have it to bench Mika when she plays matador defense and forgets help.  Coach Manning hasn't shown any inclination to do this but I feel if she doesn't bite the bullet the season will be lost. For Ephs sake Coach, hold Peterman accountable she'll need the experience in her next life, the real world for sure.
[/quote]

tothehole,
Yes, Mika Peterman could play better defense and could be shooting the ball a little better but you're pretty harsh. You are bashing 18-21 year old college girls on a public forum. I'll leave it at that.

[sumfun]

During the downtime before Holiday play and league play, the men's NESCAC board has a discussion about student athletes, and do schools like Amherst and Williams let some athletes slide in the admissions process.  I think school like these, along with the Ivy's, attract students who are high achievers academically that would like to continue playing sports without the totally time consuming commitment of D1.  The player I'm closest to had close to perfect SAT's, National Merit Scholar, and straight A's.  So many former players are in finance, med school, or have landed great jobs.  Certainly there are exceptions, but I think they are exceptions and not the rule.

[nescac1]

Williams is starting to play better, winning 3/4 with the only loss an OT loss to a very strong opponent.  They were missing a key player who had mono first semester, and starting three frosh including a frosh point guard, not shocking they would take some time to gell.  Impressive blow-out win over Bates today, led by NESCAC frosh of the year favorite Jill Greenberg (averaging 12-5-6 plus 2.5 steals) who put up a ridiculous 18-11-11 stat line.   Williams only has one junior or senior who gets significant minutes (Peterman, who despite some criticism here has been lighting it up at 47 percent from 3 and over 90 percent from the line), so as they continue to get more experience they could become a force. 

[remsleep]

Anybody see the Bowdoin - Hamilton game on Saturday?  Looks like Hamilton had plenty of opportunities to steal one in Brunswick.   What happened?  How did Hamilton keep Bowdoin at a total of 49 points?

[sumfun]

So Amherst struggles against Wesleyan, but pulls one out.  Williams is picking up their game which ought to make Saturday's game quite a battle and worth making the drive to see.  Williams broke Amherst undefeated streak at Williamstown last year, so Amherst will have to come with their best game.  Tufts knocks off Emmanuel which I thought would be a closer game.

[lefrakenstein]

How bad is Trinity's level of competition that they are not receiving votes at 11-0? I assume it couldn't be much worse than Amherst's.

[sumfun]

Trinity hasn't played Wesleyan or Williams yet, or a school like Lehman with an All-American whose team knocked off a top 5 team.  Someone must be taking note of Amherst and the depth on their team as they now are #4.  Time will tell and I can't imagine them going undefeated in the season....nor is it a good idea to do so.  Wasn't it just last year that Thomas Moore or Hope went undefeated and then lost in the first or second round of the NCAA.

[sumfun]

Trinity loses to Babson (8-5) so that tells you something.  On the webcast from Williams this weekend the commentators kept talking about the young team at Williams.  Check out on Amherst who is scoring and who is playing the most minutes.  The majority of them are sophomores and freshmen.  4 seniors...2 that have started, no juniors...loaded with underclassmen. 

[tothehole]

Trinity loses to Babson (8-5) so that tells you something.  On the webcast from Williams this weekend the commentators kept talking about the young team at Williams.  Check out on Amherst who is scoring and who is playing the most minutes.  The majority of them are sophomores and freshmen.  4 seniors...2 that have started, no juniors...loaded with underclassmen. 

Williams lacks post players, Jackson loves the 3 and the rest of the team is loaded with guards.  Wes ran through them shooting open 3's or  driving for layups. The question is will they do better than 9-15.  No one is willing to play defense and foul for the team when selfish players play matador defense, Gone are Maggie, Mego and Dom who's fouls made teams pay to play. It will be years till we see a competitive Lady Eph team. A new bottom will be seen in Williamstown.

[pureshooter]

amherst and tufts are the two best in nescac. williams lost by 40 to wesleyan tonight. wesleyan gave amherst a good game, but got hammered by wheaton.
williams needs a new coach

[sumfun]

Williams coach knows how to get the job done on the court, but what hasn't dawned on her yet is the new reality in the NESCAC as she doesn't appear to be an active recruiter as compared to Berube and Gromacki.  Kids want to be wanted, and in the past she's been able to get the cream of the crop due to Williams reputation.

[tothehole]

I disagree with the last 2 posts.  Manning recruits well, just got the wrong position players. She always prefers guards to posts or forwards. Look at 2 years ago when she played one game with a front line of six footers and killed a nescac opponent(sorry Coffin hey is she still playing somewhere ?) and then reverted to a 3 -4 guard offense. Don't get me wrong the players she has are talented, teams or just killing them on match ups ie Mika VS Ali Fourney  was a joke, Mika got her points (some great moves) Ali just ran an offense as if Mika wasn't even there 5'10vs 5'5'. Pat needs some kick butt 6 footers. Williams will rebuild but this season will be a lost one, save Mika getting 1000 and as recent history has shown for Williams, 1000 point players can loose team focus. Jackson will get her points but her lack of speed and stamina will allow all the nescac to make layups (see last night). The only thing I would say to Pat would be stop preaching defense and start playing it. She always and I mean always puts her offense on the floor and will only put defense on the floor when dire straights require it, while preaching defense first. Pat actions speak louder than words. Bench Mika when people blow by her and only play Jackson when she can run full out.
Does any one know what happened to the freshman pt guard J Greenberg?  A one hit wonder? Or was monday's practice after Amherst the end of her.

[sumfun]

Tothehole, you have a point.  Chessie Jackson plays more minutes per game than any of the 3 or 4 players for Amherst that play the 4 and 5 position, but she didn't have their speed or stamina, got into foul trouble and then Amherst could always bring in fresh legs as they are deep under the basket.  I really like Pat Manning as a coach and she's produced some great teams....she'll get it back....and probably sooner than later.

[sumfun]

This board has been quiet.  Can Trinity throw anything at Amherst this weekend, and how about Tufts and Bowdoin matchup?  Are other games pretty much predictable or some upsets on the horizon?

[sumfun]

Colby beats Tufts.  Williams beats Wesleyan.....another wild, wacky, wonderful NESCAC season where on any day just about any team can beat another.