WBB: NESCAC

[Title9Fan]

DIII Champions:

1982 Elizabethtown
1983 North Central
1984 Rust
1985 Scranton
1986 Salem State
1987 UW-Stevens Point
1988 Concordia-Moorhead
1989 Elizabethtown
1990 Hope
1991 St. Thomas
1992 Alma
1993 Central
1994 Capital
1995 Capital
1996 UW-Oshkosh
1997 New York U.
1998 Washington U.
1999 Washington U.
2000 Washington U.
2001 Washington U.
2002 UW-Stevens Point
2003 Trinity, Texas
2004 Wilmington
2005 Millikin
2006 Hope
2007 DePauw
2008 Howard Payne
2009 George Fox

With 3-4 teams in the Top 25 this year -- each of which has a young roster of impact players -- we might see a NESCAC team on the list very soon! 

[amh63]

The Amherst/Tufts game was a tight one with Amherst prevailing by nine..after being down 6 at the half.

The Amherst speed prevented Tufts fast break.  Interesting rotation by Amherst.  Amherst soph forward from Chicago has not really played much in the past two games.  She was a key player last year and early in this season.  Her length could have been used today.  It seemed like a physical game and when S. Leyman was taken out with fouls, the game changed for the worst for Amherst.  Instead of height/experience, a first year point guard entered...Voight.  Does anyone know what is "wrong" with L.A.?
In any case, a good win and the chance for an undefeated reg. season continues.

[amh63]

My apology to comment in riddles/third person.  I am afraid to misspell a player's name.  The forward is Lem A. McCormick.  the Frosh pt. guard is Voigt vice my misspelling.  Anyway, Amherst needs her height/talent. 

[sumfun]

Bates came to play against Amherst on Friday night, but the OVER HEATED conditions in their gym really work to their advantage as they are used to playing in a sauna.  On Saturday Amherst learned what it takes to come from behind.  Good experience for later in tourney play.  Williams really seems to be coming into their own.  Big win over Bowdoin setting up a great match up on Friday for home court advantage in the NESCAC tourney.

[Title9Fan]

How big a lead did Bates manage in the infamous sauna?

Williams has some very nice plays - their defensive trap on the wing is a gem - and on offense, they are organized -- which maximizes their skill level.  They get their shots off with ease and confidence.  Calm, organized, Obviously well coached -- nice to team to watch.   

[sumfun]

I don't think Bates ever had the lead, but Amherst could never put them away, and it felt like Bates was could grab the lead at any time.

I recommend wet towels and ice packs for players necks, legs etc for any visiting team in that gym.  Take note this weekend Tufts.

[Title9Fan]

Where's the monkey?  He hasn't posted in a couple months when he could be insisting some of us eat some crow - and do some crowing of his own about his forecasts.  Hat's off to him. 

[amh63]

Seems to be a little quiet on the board as the regular season finish heads into this weekend.  Amherst with a win over Williams on Friday can be seeded first, I believe.  Hope the team can focus on the games ahead.
Seems my question about Lem McCormick was answered at the Bridgewater State game.  In 17 minutes, Lem scored 25 pts., pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked 5 shots.  It was good to see Bridget back on her feet even if for a few minutes.  Dido wrt to C. Long and Dunlevey.  Saw the game on the web in the second half.  Noticed that Amherst all-American was end for only 5 min.  Hoping here that she is preparing for the weekend.
Anyway, will miss seeing the team live this weekend.  Weather conditions in the Nation's Capital have messed up my travel plans with few options available.  Go Jeffs!
Shouldn't the seedings for the conference tournament be important?  Where is the chatter?

[sumfun]

Ill Wesleyan lost to Carthage and the #1 spot.....and Carthage was a team they had beaten by around 30.  Could Amherst take Williams too lightly after beating them by 25ish on Williams court?  Seems like they are focused girls and Gromacki always draws up excellent game plans.....but it is The Williams Game.  Williams could also have a let down after big game on Saturday night and lose on Trinity's home court.  Will all be worth watching. 

[Title9Fan]

Carthage is hitting its stride and peaking at the right time, plus there's less difference between ILW and Carthage right now than there is between Amherst and Williams.  Amherst won't take anything for granted and will be ready.  I'd love to see "The Williams Game" in-person though.  Two very well coached and capable teams should make for a great game. 

[sumfun]

I wouldn't be so hard on Bowdoin coach Shibles (sp?).  She was the only one to beat Gromacki twice last year.  She's had a major drop in talent with the loss of the senior point guard from last year.  If she recruits well, she'll keep the program strong.  You are right about the Colby coach being legit.  I think it's neat that NESCAC has attracted two women coaches from quality D1 programs....Colby coach who played for Hatchel at North Carolina and Tufts coach who played for Geno at UConn.

[Title9Fan]

You are right about the Colby coach being legit.  I think it's neat that NESCAC has attracted two women coaches from quality D1 programs....Colby coach who played for Hatchel at North Carolina and Tufts coach who played for Geno at UConn.

Thanks but it was fecesmonkey's post - not mine.  It seems, much to my chagrin, that h/she is no longer active - so I decided it was not a good idea to quote him in his absence - even though his prediction appears to have been quite accurate - it was probably a little rough so I deleted it.

I think it's great when NESCAC teams attract both credentialed and talented coaches with exceptional bball acumen - regardless of gender or D1 (vs D3) experience.
D3 has very few outstanding women's basketball coaches.  And exceptionally few superstar (going pro) athletes.  While a good coach can't make a great team from bad players, a bad coach, can ruin a team with "decent" players, and a great D3 coach can make it rain with "decent" players. 

Gromacki's going to make it rain for awhile (maybe a long while) and anyone who loves women's basketball will be happy about it -- not busy worrying about how many men vs. women coaches are in the NESCAC.  Ask any female athlete if they prefer one gender over another in a coach if one is talented and the other is mediocre.  Hands down they want the better coach. 

What really deserves discussion is why we don't pay our D3 coaches more.  Now that's a subject that can change the game....       

Meanwhile, I hope it ends up Amherst and IW in the D3 championship.  It'll be a great match-up for true fans of the game.

[Laserty]

In other news... How does the seeding work beyond Amherst's  #1 spot. Assuming colby, williams, and tufts win today who is 2, 3, and 4? Colby beat williams, williams beat tufts, and tufts beat colby. All will be 7-2, assuming they all win....

[deiscanton]

NESCAC tie-breaking procedures explained here:

http://www.nescac.com/sports/wbkb/2009-10/championship/index

Scenario:  Amherst finishes 9-0 in NESCAC play, and Colby, Tufts, and Williams all finish 7-2 in NESCAC play.

Answer:  Since no other tie-breakers will settle the seeding, the names of Colby, Tufts, and Williams would be placed in a hat at the end of conference play today (assuming all 3 teams win today) and drawn out randomly.   The first team drawn out randomly will get the #2 seed, the second team drawn out will be the #3 seed, and the last name drawn out will be the #4 seed.

[Laserty]

So assuming no upsets occur, then that is looking like the case. I think Williams has a slight chance of losing as well as tufts. Colby is a lock.