WBB: NESCAC

[Maine 1]

Amherst looked very good today against Colby.  I thought that there big lineup was very effective.  Hackley was outstanding. I thought they had much better ball movement then some other games that I watched this year.  Look much more like the power house Amherst teams of 2010-2013, with the weave offense and suffocating defense.  Colby was 6-23 from three, and at least three of those were desperation shots that went in.  I think Amherst will give Bowdoin a very difficult game next Saturday.  Williams squeaked by Conn College.  I expect to see a Tufts-Amherst match up in the final.
It seems like Amherst could go much deeper into their bench during games--I wonder why they don't.

[nescacbbrules]

Looks like Robertson benefited from the tall lineup. Is Renner hurt or sick? She did not play at all. A Doswell uncharacteristically had 7 TO's and only 1 assist.
Bowdoin's lineup produced an easy win with the usual suspects statistically: Brady, Binkhorst, and Kerrigan, who had 11 rebs. Ally Silfen had a remarkable game off the bench with 17 points. I think the Amherst/Bowdoin match-up on Saturday will be a real battle.
Tufts dominated Hamilton defensively from the start with North putting up an easy 12 points and 14 rebounds. Dillon had her typical game at the point but also scored 10 and Kelsey Morehead returned and sparked the team with 2 threes. Tufts was up 23 at the half and led 51-18 with 12 minutes to play. They cruised and looked very sharp at times. 
Those who predicted that the Camels had a shot in Williamstown were proven correct. Williams escaped somehow because, in part, the guards for CC shot 3 for 24. Cook was a non-factor at best for the Ephs, shooting 1 for 8 with 5 rebs and 3 TO's, only 2 points. Uwanaka and Fechtelkotter produced huge results off the bench to send Manning's squad to the semis against the Jumbos and probably assure them an NCAA bid.

[d3wbbfan]

Amherst wins over Colby by 20 plus...low scoring.  The lineup that started was a "big" lineup.  What I found interesting was the absence of normal PG Renner in the lineup/ game.

amh63, one of the LJ student announcers, after initially wondering out loud why Renner hadn't started/wasn't playing Sat vs Colby, went on to state late in the first half that he'd just noticed Renner sitting on the Amherst bench, in street clothes. I hate to see starters/key contributors for any team not able to be to play - especially at this time of year.

And congrats on your girl Meg - that's two straight games now, where she's displayed the exceptional form she so often showed in games pre-injury.

In that same spirit, it was fantastic to see Kelsey Morehead back out there for Tufts. Based on the brace, I guess the issue was her left knee. Her mobility/quickness looked to be at just about pre-injury levels, which is great news all around.

Bowdoin looked solid and businesslike vs Middlebury. I've become a big fan of first-year HC KJ Krasco, and I can't wait to see how her team's young core progresses after she adds a couple of her own recruiting classes to the mix.

Williams dodged a major bullet at home. Down 10 at the half, Hynes tweaked a knee early in the 2nd half and had to sit, spurring the Eph comeback. Even when Mairead came back in later, re-stabilizing the Camels, there were times when it looked like she was basically playing on one leg, and guts alone. When she received the inbounds pass at the FT line with :04 to go, with CC down one, the video's picture frame kinda cut off the action, but it looked to me like Hynes was basically tackled by a Williams player - the Ephs were extraordinarily fortunate to have somehow emerged from that final sequence with a no call. And I doubt that they would have, were the game not being played at Chandler. You surely want the players to decide an important game, but the level of contact there appeared to be just too significant to ignore. Mairead is solidly built, and it was no flop. I believe Hynes was still down during the post-game handshake line.

There are some wonderful Eph fans who post here, who I much admire, but I caution for minimal expectations from here. I'm thinking "two and out" is most likely what's ahead. They'll again make the NCAA field, as strong numbers used by the selection committee obscure the very same eye test Williams miserably failed (to me) last year. Same group. Same issues. They'll again get shipped out to NY/PA somewhere. If they happen to draw a weak league's AQ, they might even win a game. I place 0% blame for this plight on the players, who are nothing but total effort and total class at all times. I only wish they were being better positioned to be rewarded in postseason, for their consistent dedication and hard work.

[amh63]

D3wbbfan....thanks for the info wrt to Renner.  Have followed her older sister at Amherst and chatted with her father at games for years.  Quite an athletic family.  The present Renner was a top multi- sport player in HS.  Sure any injury is bugging her.  Did not get any video view of her on the bench to see if she was into the game.
Agreed with your thoughts wrt to Williams in the post season...but most would say it is because I'm a LJ fan .  Actually, I have noticed that sr. Cook has been very quiet in her play in many late season games.  I also feel that Williams' talent has not been used well....but have not watched enough non Amherst games over the years to make a definitive opinion here.

[Maine 1]

Based on the games I have seen this season, Williams is by far the weakest of the NESCAC final four.  I would be surprised if their game with Tufts is close.  They have a couple of good players, but don't have the overall talent of the other three teams in the finals. As I said in my earlier post, an Amherst team that plays the way they did Saturday, working to get the ball inside, moving the ball, and taking the three when it is there, will be a formidable opponent for Bowdoin.  Although I like Bowdoin, and think that Brady, Binkhorst and the other guards are excellent, Amherst's tenacious defense will make this a very close game.  I would also expect Tufts, Amherst and Bowdoin to get NCAA bids.  As another poster said, Williams may get in, but they aren't a top team.

[bowdoin74]

Hannah Graham (notorious name) to Bowdoin. 

http://bangordailynews.com/2015/02/23/sports/tourney-time/bouchard-graham-worcester-irving-earn-osborne-mvp-all-tourney-awards/

[nescacfan1]

I wouldn't count out Williams just yet. Every team needs a little bit of magic to survive  and advance in the playoffs and maybe Williams had a touch against Conn College. Nevertheless, Cook and MacDonald, their two senior starters, had two points between them, Fernandez, the freshman point guard, had no assists, Williams scored only 45 points, shot 1 for 11 on 3 pointers and still found a way to win. Their front court of Uwanaka and Litman saved the day.
Williams has depth and that's important at playoff time when opponents focus on your primary options.  They also led Tufts in their home game this month with two minutes to go and couldn't close it. They can beat Tufts, if they play together and have some playoff magic. The Williams front court matches up well against Kanner (2-14 vs Williams) and North. Fernandez, if she's on, can guard Foley. Tufts should definitely be favored, but don't throw dirt on the Williams grave quite yet. Depth matters now.

[nescacbbrules]

It is so nice to hear that Hannah Graham is headed to Bowdoin. I have enjoyed watching her positive, smart, all-around play in the Maine HS tournament for the past 4 years. My daughter played for the Polar Bears and had a wonderful experience. All the best to Hannah.

[ronk]

It is so nice to hear that Hannah Graham is headed to Bowdoin. I have enjoyed watching her positive, smart, all-around play in the Maine HS tournament for the past 4 years. My daughter played for the Polar Bears and had a wonderful experience. All the best to Hannah.

Did she play for Stephanie Pemper? Scranton played Bowdoin in the NCAA tourney in consecutive years('04&'05) and the '05 game was as fine a game as I've ever seen in the tourney. I usually see Stephanie at the summer AAU tourneys, looking for Navy midshipmen now.   

[nescacbbrules]

Yes, Ronk. She played on the teams that beat Scranton at home in '04, ultimately losing its only game in the final seconds of the national championship game to Wilmington, and the '05 team that lost at Scranton to Taryn Mellody and the Lady Royals in the sectional final. That was a great game in a tremendous atmosphere. Pemper's teams had some great runs.

[nescacbbrules]

I wouldn't count out Williams just yet. Every team needs a little bit of magic to survive  and advance in the playoffs and maybe Williams had a touch against Conn College. Nevertheless, Cook and MacDonald, their two senior starters, had two points between them, Fernandez, the freshman point guard, had no assists, Williams scored only 45 points, shot 1 for 11 on 3 pointers and still found a way to win. Their front court of Uwanaka and Litman saved the day.
Williams has depth and that's important at playoff time when opponents focus on your primary options.  They also led Tufts in their home game this month with two minutes to go and couldn't close it. They can beat Tufts, if they play together and have some playoff magic. The Williams front court matches up well against Kanner (2-14 vs Williams) and North. Fernandez, if she's on, can guard Foley. Tufts should definitely be favored, but don't throw dirt on the Williams grave quite yet. Depth matters now.

Nescacfan1, I am willing to bet that no one who has seen Williams this year is counting them out of any game. The are long, experienced, and very athletic. To say that they are seeded appropriately behind Bowdoin, Amherst, and Tufts in no way assumes that they should be counted out. You can rest assured that Jumbo fans, players, and coaches know how difficult this semi-final will be and will take nothing for granted. Although Tufts has won the last for meetings over the past four seasons, two were nail biters including this year's game. I do believe that Tufts reserves with two 6 footers, Melissa Baptista and Maura Folliard, and guards, Josie Lee and the recently returned Kelsey Morehead, makes them less vulnerable to Williams' outstanding lineup and bench. As for predictions, I rate the Polar Bears, LJs game as a pick-em, with a slight edge to Bowdoin if Renner cannot go. Bowdoin has leadership and confidence going into this game. I like Tufts on their home court by 8. Can't wait.

[bowdoin74]

Hannah Graham named one of three finalists for Miss Maine Basketball today.  I believe the last MMB finalist on the Bowdoin roster was Jill Henrikson '12. 

[Hoopsinfo]

Should be an exciting weekend of basketball.  The Lord Jeffs played well against Colby with more of an inside presence and less dependence on the 3.  Against Bowdoin and Tufts (hopefully), like to see the Lord Jeffs push the ball up the court and take advantage of their speed and quickness over some of the taller players.  Speed and quickness is an LJ asset to be used against taller teams.  Pushing the ball up the court and playing an inside out game, will actually provide more open looks at the basket, including from the 3 point line.  The important thing for Amherst is to make Bowdoin respect the inside game and that can be done by pushing the ball up the court. As mentioned in the previous post, the Lord Jeffs also have to make better use of their bench.  They need a tough inside presence against these teams - a presence that Giddens and Nagle have proven they can provide off the bench in addition to the starters. Keep everyone fresh - rotate players and play an up-tempo game.  Robertson and Giddens can score and rebound inside, even against taller opponents as they have proven all year.  I also like Doswell (Meredith) and Nagle's strong inside presence.   Amherst is a deep team - use the speed, quickness and depth to wear others down - and we will see the tournament title return to Amherst. It will be interesting to see if GP adjusts strategy to change the game in Amherst's favor in the match-ups this weekend.

[nescacbbrules]

Hannah Foley injures right knee. Gym silent.

[jumpshot]

A cohesive, unselfish Bowdoin team has fun beating amHerst today. lord jeffettes didn't start to play freely until late in the game. Appears to be too much a case of being a "job surrounded by expectations." Certainly skilled players and good kids ....just wound up too tight with not enough smiling ....