WBB: NESCAC

[BlueZoneBruin]

I give Amherst a slight edge just from the experience factor alone.  Amherst at Hope 3 years ago thought they were "the" team starting 2 sophomores and 3 freshmen, but Wash U and experience mattered.  George Fox and their coach had been there before, and they won the whole thing.

Last year IWU had to think playing at home and making the Final 4 it was "their" year, but they came in 4th.  This group hadn't experienced the pressure before.  Christopher Newport thought with the leading scorer, there was no stopping them, but experience mattered.

So for that fact alone, and as long as Amherst doesn't get into foul trouble trying to guard the taller Munger, I think Amherst should pull it out.  Hard to tell from video, but I think Amherst might have an edge on speed, especially with their bigs.  Both teams have multiple weapons, Amherst may have a few more, but this weekend, just like last weekend, Gromacki won't go more than 6 or 7 deep until or unless the game is "in hand."

Can't wait for the fun to begin!!!!

About 2009... GFU had never been there before. The best they had ever done was one run to the Elite 8 in 2005. In fact, the 2009 team had no returning starters from the previous year that made the Sweet 16. Add in the one senior, and the 10 freshmen on the team, two of which started, and there wasn't much experience.

Experience does matter, but it isn't everything.

[7express]

Thanks Pat!

[sumfun]

Thanks, Pat.  That's why they play the games, and your knowledge and experience "really" matter.

[NH NESCAC Fan]

There is a very nice article on Lem Atanga McCormick on NCAA.com

[amh07]

Thanks, NH Hoops Fan for pointing out the awesome article.  What an exceptional person.

http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2012-03-15/atanga-mccormick-shows-many-sides

[daoustian]

Munger is pretty incredible -- hadn't seen her play yet, but gordonmann was right.  Just no answer for her.  If Amherst is able to survive this one, it'll be quite the accomplishment.  Really wish they were trying to take the ball at Munger a bit harder to get her into foul trouble. 

[daoustian]

Tough one -- too many Amherst turnovers and George Fox was very good.  Voigt is so fast but sometimes out of control and needs to throw more bounce passes to keep the turnovers down.  Incredible streak by the team over the past 1.5 seasons and still a fantastic season.  Ah well. 

[amh07]

The Amherst seniors have been an inspiration to me for the past 3 years I've watched them.  They are role models to me and to everyone else for their dedication, persistence, focus, and confidence.

My impression at an arm's length:

- Lem Atanga McCormick is balance, flexibility, and quiet self-assurance, coolly transitioning to be a 3-point sharp-shooter when circumstances called for it.

- Jackie Renner is the Warren Buffett of D3 women's hoops, smart when others are impulsive, holding her resources in reserve until just that right moment when everyone else goes left and she goes right. 

- Shannon Finuncane is the epitome of emotional intelligence.  Her rapid low clap will invigorate anyone, not to mention her steals and her going to the floor.  Did you see her hand on Kim's shoulders after Kim fouled out?

- Kim Fiorentino is consistency and focused energy, always doing her job at the highest level even when she isn't the center of attention.

- Caroline Stedman is the picture of mental strength and "deer-like" grace, always leading the team at critical times.  I am at a loss for finding another example of a person outside of athletics who consistently steps up the way she does.

- Livia Rizzo: although I've seen less of her, she is apparently a very likable person, a great athlete, and a great basketball player.

The traits that these women possess are among the most important qualities that a person can have OFF the basketball court.  As they leave the Amherst bubble, the seniors should be aware that these qualities will place them steps above whomever might be their next competition.

[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.

Some things come back to haunt you.

[NH NESCAC Fan]

Ahhhhh NUTS!!  OH well.  There was no answer to the talented 6'5" Munger.  I was surprised that GP didn't try a zone just as a different look for her.  But he is the winningest coach in the history of coaching so I'm guessing he knows more about this stuff than I.  It was a great game, but a bad result for all of us NESCAC fans.  Chins up ladies, it was a wonderful season.

[amh63]

I watched the game and was blue for a period....especially when I saw that the game went the way of the rebounds and the foul shots missed by Amherst....and the FT made by the fine GF center.  Amherst made the adjustments to stopping the center...late in the game..but it was their offensive efforts that seemed to let them down.  Even the best teams/coaches come up short in March.
The team has one more game today....Go Jeffs!

[NE Hoop Guy]

It was an excellent basketball game and the difference clearly was Munger who Amherst just could not stop, and as someone else pointed out that was not a huge surprise.  That is not a good match-up for them or anyone really, but it works against Amherst's defense strength.  They were shooting hot early and that almost overcame the challenge and they weathered storms a couple of different times during the game.  The one obvious difference this year with past Amherst teams was the depth he was comfortable going to.  Throughout this tournament he has really only been going 6 to 7 deep, which was surprising.  I cant help but wonder what that means for next year.

One thing that is confusing to me, is what happened to the point guard?  She played 10 minutes against Babson, and has barely played since, is there some sort of injury?  It is a different look without her for sure and made the bench even shorter.   

[7express]

Sad to see these Amherst seniors end their careers this way.  After having no answer for Hannah Munger last night, it's like they don't even want to be here for this consolation game against St. Thomas, down 20 with 7:50 to play.  Granted, I don't really blame them, I'd be uninspired if I were them too.  Your the reighning champs, have 1 loss the last 2 seasons, and get relegated to the 3rd place game, but still I thought they'd go out with more of a fight.
St. Thomas finishes the win by 27 87-60.  By far the most points Amherst has allowed this season by quite a large margin.  Watching this game you could tell St. Thomas was excited about this game, getting a game against a quality opponent which could give them an expierience edge for next season should they make it back here to Holland.  After winning the championship last season, the consolation game was a downer for the Jeffs and it showed on the court.  Amherst started out the game 10-8, but St. Thomas ran out to a 20-8 run, and built as large a lead as 20 in the first half.  Amherst chipped away at the lead from there; a Caroline Stedman runner to beat the first half buzzer got the deficit down to 11 at halftime, and Amherst got as close as 7 or 8 in the 2nd, but St. Thomas held them at bay the rest of the game and didn't let Amherst get closer then 7 in the 2nd.

[amh63]

Congrats to the seniors for a terrific 4-year run.   It was a pleasure to follow your efforts....the first full recruiting class for Coach G.
A great game by St. Thomas....for their defense and hustle.
Coach G. will not make any excuses or provide any hint of them.  It appeared to my eyes that the Amherst players were a step to slow today.....reaching in and not moving their feet.  Meg Robertson was fatigued even in the first half and did not play very much in the second.  Eveyone seemed to be off....except for Finucane who gave her all.  IMHO, it seems that several key players were ill.  Low energy level even in last night's game. 
Will look forward to next season......which I believe the Amherst team will have the talent to start a long winning streak.

[Maine 1]

Did not watch much of the game, from what I did see, I would agree that Amherst looked like they had no desire to play this game, and if that is the case, I certainly can't blame them, particularly the senior group.  The whole team should be extremely proud of their accomplishments over the past four years.  There run will be hard to top.

I suspect the Amherst choke hold on the NESCAC ends next year, unless there is a super freshman in the incoming recruiting class.  If Voight plays the way she did at the end of the season, she will be one of the top players in the NESCAC.  However, after her and Robertson, there really doesn't seem to be that much that can be counted on.  Tufts will return some solid players, however Colby , Williams, and Bowdoin all lose a lot.  Will be a wide open season next year.