WBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

"Bates' optimism was tempered dramatically when Coffin, also a soccer All-American, hurt her knee in October. The injury may require season-ending surgery, although Bates sports information director Andy Walter said Saturday that Coffin has considered wearing a brace that might allow her to play."

So best case she'll likely be pretty limited.  With that, Bowdoin is the clear favorite, and Williams the clear number two, as each lost one key player but have plenty of depth returning. 

[whoarewebobcats]

that certainly is bad news for the folks in lewiston....get well meg!

anyone have any info about any of the new names to the bates roster?

[Red1]

Bates has two freshman that have looked strong out of the gate.  Lauren Yarnofsky, a 6-0 forward (possible move to full time center to replace Meg?) has gotten quite a bit of playing time and shown decent numbers.  Teal Carroll, 5-9 forward has also seen some pretty good court time and looks solid from behind the arc.

Especially impressive is Val Beckwith's ability to step it up and take charge so far this year.  A lot of players are going to need to step up and have strong seasons if the Bobcats are going to be successful without Meg.

http://www.bates.edu/x152241.xml

This is Bates' team roster.  Note that Meg Coffin is no longer listed.  Her knee injury is too severe for any kind of athleticism.

Red1

[whoarewebobcats]

went to the Bates-Babson game today...I think they could be a fun, if inconsistent, team this year. very young--at one point, katie franklin and four freshmen were in at once. yanofsky really impressed me--looks to be an excellent shot blocker/rebounder and has a pretty good looking jumper as well...she looks a little timid, like val did this time last year, but I have very high hopes for her. Kellie Goodridge also looked great when in, but she was in foul trouble. Val is making the best of the defensive focus being on Matia--I think Val's improvement from when I last saw her is outstanding, she was much more confident and aggressive around the basket. Sarah Barton is Sarah Barton--fantastic. I don't know if the team will come together to be in the class they've been in the last few years (or really most of the time under Murphy), but I was very encouraged by the frosh and would say that even if this year isn't as strong as usual, it will be building the team together for the coming few years.

[usmhoops1]

I had just heard about Coffins injury.  I am sure I speak for everyone that we feel  bad for her not being able to play.  One gets such a short time to play and to have an injury that keeps you out like this is sad.  She is such a fun player to watch.

Bates vs USM on Tuesday at Bates.  I will bring some shorts and a tank top as I am sure the gym will feel like Texas in July!!  Always hot.  Anyone  going to be in attendance?  Should be a good one  as always.

[Red1]

I think that this is going to be a nail-bighter to end.  My prediction, in the spirit of elections on CNN is "too close to call."  Ashley Marble is a force to be reckoned with, and the person who has the best chance to stop her is injured.  On the other hand I see that USM is drawing a lot of fouls and making a lot of foul shots (enough for it to make the difference in their game against UMF).  Meg wasn't exactly known for staying out of foul trouble which will be extremely important for everyone if Bates is going to stay close to USM.  Even though Coffin is injured the bobcats have been rebounding well, and USM has not had a particulary large advantage on the boards.  They are especially short on offensive boards.  If Bates can find an inside presence against USM (which is extraordinarly hard to do) then USM will have their work cut out for them.  Besides, the best time to pull off a big upset is at the very beginning of the season when teams are still a little rusty.

Alumni gym will be relatively empty on Tuesday as nearly all of the students have left for break.  I will be there, and I suspect other faculty and staff will be there, but that's still not much without the students.  It wouldn't be right if Alumni gym wasn't unbearably hot, although Texas in July doesn't really account for the high humidity level that is also present.

Looking forward to an excellent double header.

Cheers,
Red1

[usmhoops1]

As predicted,  the gym was very warm at Bates.  Both teams were just about as warm shooting.  Bates in the upper 40's and USM in the 50's  as far as fg%.

Now the Bowdoin -USM  game this Tuesday.  Again should be another great night of hoops in the great state of Maine.  Any thoughts, predictions, etc.??

[feces monkey]

Assuming UMF and Bates are as solid as last year (which may be a stretch), one would think USM will be better prepared heading into Tuesday. Bowdoin's non-conference schedule has been Brandeis-esque so far. Playing in Brunswick obviously has its advantages for the the Polar Bears.

I'd probably go Huskies by three.

[Balder Eagle]

Bowdoin Polar Bears in overtime 
The Officials will call a tough game, The Bowdoin Fans will make the difference. 

[feces monkey]

Time will tell how good this win was, but I have to wonder about USM's strength if Bowdoin can hang a 15-spot on them with the Polar Bears missing one of its best players (Loonin, who, according the Portland Press Herald, has a 'twisted ankle'). Maybe it was just one of those nights. The rebounding numbers were impressive as USM is always a good team in that respect. Shooting 21 three pointers without Loonin is odd.

Since that juggernaut Mary Washington team is not on the schedule, Bowdoin should get through New Year's unscathed...

[Balder Eagle]

Plain an simple - The winner last night was:

[LUMAN80]

thanks for the pictures in case any of us needed optical enhancement

[whoarewebobcats]

Bates win over Husson, Sarah Barton has school record 18 assists, 9 turnovers. What's the over-under on no-look passes thrown? 47?

[feces monkey]

What's the over/under on Husson players who actually know what rim they're shooting at? 3?

[nescac hoops]

i also can't help but notice her assist/turnover ratio - for every no look pass there is one that follows that ends up in the 3rd row of the bleachers.