WBB: NESCAC

[Maine 1]

Don't know very much about Kean, but Amherst is extremely well balanced, and there top 7 (even without Daigneault) is very strong. They play great defense, and everyone can score. They should make a good run to the finals

[pureshooter]

Title9, that was my quote.

Colby should be happy, but i don't think she will stay long if those "complaints" about her trying to run it like a D-1 program are true. D-1 has the money for scholarships, like Stanford, and I think they are much different than the Ivy League because of that. That makes a huge difference. The school owns you for 12 months. Many D-3 kids want some time off, and have transferred from D-1 + D-2 programs to these schools so they can have a life and play as well. And a lot of kids paying full freight at the D-3 level can't be working out all off season, because they have to work.
And its all about the talent the coach brings in, makes coaches good coaches if they can do that. Anyone doubt that Amherst has  the best talent in the NESCAC? That is a credit to the school as well

[sumfun]

I think the biggest difference between D1 and D3 is that the kids rarely miss class for games since they travel by bus and play in-region.  Class and labs take priority over practice so practice times are moved around to accomodate kids' schedules.  Another big factor is the coach not on the floor in spring and fall.  UAA conference does more plane travel, but play on Friday and Sunday so class is not missed.

The D3 kids work as hard as other divisions in the off season and summer with pick up games, captain's practices and workouts.  In the summer they have full time jobs and internships but still find time to join a summer league and do the workouts sent by the coach or trainer.   It's a year-round commitment (if you want to be the best) whatever division.

[amh07]

if she is back and Beryuti is out at Kean, look for Amherst to win the title.  Anyone feel there is a better team? 

I'm concerned about Hannah Munger at George Fox, who is listed as tall as Troy Whittington at Williams (6'5'').  Amherst will certainly benefit from another tall body to take fouls.

[Title9Fan]

All good points, shooter and sumfun. 

That said, the top teams in the nation will always require a stronger commitment and a higher set of performance goals (for the coach, the players, and the entire athletic department) than the bottom - at every division level.

In the meantime, is Melissa Beyruti healthy?  Seems Kean had no touble with Tufts even without her.     

[Laserty]

If the Colby coach is looking for a new job and wants to go into the realm of D1, the UMass Amherst job just opened up...

[senatorfrost]

  Am not sure of the exact number but I'd guess that in the past few years about ten+ players have left (been bounced?) from the Colby W Basketball team. I heard there was some sort of a conflict with the players and that the coach was given authority to drop the malcontents. Whatever the truth is they lost a lot of players. This seems like D1 to me.
  Winning is of course very important but I would be curious as to what actually happened. I mean why not keep the players and if they don't perform well, then don't play them. Most teams have players who are perfectly happy to sit on the bench and just be part of the experience. It's hard for me to believe all those players left voluntarily with no pressure being applied but--
   Those girls came to Colby and most of them probably had the notion that they would be on the team for four years. I wonder if they're hurt and disappointed? On the other hand she has produced a winner this year even though Babson ended their season. That 3 point loss to Husson wasn't exactly inspiring I might add. I would like to say that I am not mentioning all this because I dislike the Colby coach or because she's a woman. The last thing I want is a screaming monkey calling me a masseur.
    On another note my girl won't be going to the game because she's picking up a brand new mop she ordered on Friday and she can hardly wait to try it out.

[BruinFan]

if she is back and Beryuti is out at Kean, look for Amherst to win the title.  Anyone feel there is a better team?  I think Kean has an athleticism edge - and have certainly been just as dominant - but you can't remove arguably the top player in the country and expect to run the table.

I hope no one minds me jumping in on the NESCAC board. No one commented on the NCAA Tournament board when I stated I believe the champion will come from either one of the lower brackets.

The last team from the NE region to make the finals was S. Maine in 2006 when they lost to Hope.  The last 6 national champions by region have been West (George Fox), South (Howard Payne), Great Lakes (DePauw), Great Lakes (Hope), Central (Millikin), Great Lakes (Wilmington).

Each year is different and trends can change, but I think the Central, Great Lakes, and West regions represent the highest level of basketball in Division III.

So yes, I expect there are 4-5 schools left in the tournament that will give Amherst all they can handle and may even be better than the Lord Jeffs. If I'm wrong, I will be sure to congratulate Amherst in a couple of weeks.

[senatorfrost]

  Bruin Fan:

    you won't hear (read) me talking about any championship for Amherst. They're not even in the final four yet. However, I will admit that on paper they appear to be headed for the final four. Of course they can't let down this weekend or they won't get a rematch with Wash. U. If one goes to the Wash U website one will see that they have six assistant coaches. This to me is D1 or semi pro. Most NESCAC schools have one or two assistants. Wash U also carries twenty players. Talk about a big budget.
   I was impressed with the quality of Wash U players last year-waves of talent going in and out of the game v Amherst. A true display of power if I ever saw one. I bet NESCAC coaches would love to have six assistants-has to be a big help in developing players. $$$$$
   I'm somewhat sure there's a wonderful explanation but 6 will always be 3x's as much as two. I know a lot of coaches must be jealous.

[sumfun]

Couldn't agree more that Wash U has a huge program, but looking at Amherst men's program with 4 coaches and 18 on the roster, Gromacki could probably have the same if he wanted it.  He really likes a roster of 12 to 13, 14 at the max.  Almost was a problem this year due to all the nagging injuries, but he must think team chemistry is better with fewer where all contribute.  Certainly not saying outright that Amherst will win it all, but they have the tools and depth to do so if a few shots fall their way.

[Title9Fan]

... the UMass Amherst job just opened up...

Somebody better tether Gromacki to a Jeffs statue -- quick.

[Title9Fan]

Speaking of division differences -- how is it that Kean is Division 3?  With 13,000-14,000 students?  Is it the number of teams/sports they have?  Investment/budget?  Can't remember the primary reqs. 

[Pat Coleman]

It's the number of scholarships awarded. NYU is Division III also, and it's a lot larger than Kean.

[sumfun]

Many of the Wisconsin schools are larger than Kean, but give no scholarships and have smaller facilities.

[amh63]

It is interesting how particular topics cycle into discussions....during the "downtime" between games.  The question about squad sides and number of coaches on a given program has arisen again.  I brought it up over a year ago while looking into the UAA programs.  I was put down a bit for it.  The question of Div.i versus Div 3 approaches seems to have raised the size of squads, etc. again.
Even in Div 1, when a new coach appears there is "house cleaning" of sorts as it happened in the men's BB program at Harvard recently. 
In my limited observations in Div 3 in general and NESCAC in particular, the size of the squad, number of assistants, and number of players leaving. etc.  is strictly the function of  the head coach.  With respect to Amherst BB programs, it is the head coach preferences primarily.  On the men's side, coach Hixon always keeps a long time top assistant and adds one or two young assistant coaches.  The younger coaches leave for jobs elsewhere over the years.  These younger coaches often are in a degree program at UMass.  The top assistant remains, helping Hixon with his over 30 plus years of BB experience.  The size of the squad vary over the years and range from 15-18.  Players leave and sometimes join the squad again.  Several years ago, a player made the squad in his junior year.
On the women's squad, it appears as others have pointed out that head coach prefers a smaller squad....or it maybe its the fact that the present squad size is a reflection of the coach's "recruiting".
Prior to the present head coach, there was an Amherst player who won Rookie of the year for her play.  The talented player transferred to another NESCAC school in Maine.  She  continued to win honors  both as a player and as a student.
Remember, during the NCAA games, I believe there is a limit of 15 players dressed.