WBB: NESCAC

feces monkey · February 25, 2007, 03:52:22 PM

If Williams plays like they did in the first half against Bowdoin, they'll go a couple of rounds deep. Bowdoin spooked them in the second half with a couple of threes and they collapsed.

Tufts is a nice team with some future stars, but turned the ball over way too much, especially in the second half. Both Williams and Tufts had a chance but couldn't stand the heat for 40 minutes. Bowdoin's defense is playing very well right now, which is covering for some offensive hiccups. Williams and Tufts both had mild success with Flaherty in the low post -- something tourney teams will likely try -- but couldn't handle Pemper's adjustments.

I really liked the way Loonin played this weekend and I think she could be a wild card in the tourney. The youngsters (Rubega, Kaubris & Cote) all played well. Anelauskas didn't have the prettiest line this week, but did some little things that helped.

If Williams draws a team that loves to run-and-gun it, they'll be okay. They just don't seem to have the personnel/desire to play NESCAC-style defense for a long period. While Bowdoin wins by attrition on defense, I think the Ephs would rather do it on offense.

Saddest note of the weekend: a once-proud Bates team scoring nine points in a half.

feces monkey · February 25, 2007, 04:05:49 PM

Just noticed out front that D3hoops.com is projecting the Jumbos as making it. Here's hoping they are correct.

Tufts season doesn't exactly pass the "eye-ball" test for me, but I hope I'm wrong.

If they do get in, I'd say the Jumbos will cause some problems, especially if they get a second look at a team (or third, as the case may be), but would be unlikely to make it out of the second round. If the NCAA was interested in saving a couple of bucks, an Emmanuel/Brandeis/Tufts/Fitchburg bracket would cost pennies on the dollar.

speedy · February 26, 2007, 01:35:21 AM

It looks like Tufts did not make the NCAAs - heres a list of the New England schools that received pool C bids :

Brandeis
Keene State
Maine Maritime
Norwich
Williams

nescac1 · February 26, 2007, 10:29:08 AM

Congrats to the Eph women for making the tourney. Brutal draw -- Southern Maine on the road in round one. But, had they at least split with Tufts / Bates, they'd be in much better shape right now. They are capable of winning that game but will certainly be big underdogs.

pureshooter · February 26, 2007, 11:53:15 AM

i have not seen the teams yet, but i assume tufts is in the ecac, maybe the 1 seed?

feces monkey · February 26, 2007, 12:16:01 PM

NESCAC Teams do not compete in the ECACs. Haven't for five or six years now. The Jumbos are done.

pureshooter · February 26, 2007, 12:29:54 PM

i forgot about that. didn't think they would get in to ncaa's unless they beat bowdoin

farmingtonfan · February 26, 2007, 03:52:47 PM

So how good is Brandeis? I guess we will find out how good Farmington is as well as the NAC in general when they start the tourney, should be interesting. I think UMF has been underratted all year, to be honest I wouldn't be surprised to see them go as far as 2-3 rounds deep in the tourney, before possibly losing to USM. Just my two cents.

feces monkey · February 26, 2007, 04:04:13 PM

Quote from: farmingtonfan on February 26, 2007, 03:52:47 PM
So how good is Brandeis? I guess we will find out how good Farmington is as well as the NAC in general when they start the tourney, should be interesting. I think UMF has been underratted all year, to be honest I wouldn't be surprised to see them go as far as 2-3 rounds deep in the tourney, before possibly losing to USM. Just my two cents.

Both you and UMF are out of your league.

You, in a literal sense, as Brandeis is in the UAA (find them in the multi-regional section). UMF, figuratively, as Brandeis is a notch above UMF in talent and level of competition. The Beavers might hang around for a half, but it's unlikely they'll be able to sustain it.

I will root for UMF, but if it wins on Friday it will likely be the biggest upset of the first round.

feces monkey · February 26, 2007, 07:46:34 PM

Nice story on the championship game in the Press Herald:

http://sports.mainetoday.com/college/basketball-women/070226bowdoin.html

The note at the very end sounds ominous.

nescac hoops · February 26, 2007, 07:56:26 PM

feces,
do you know anything about this? it seems very odd to suddenly stop playing her. i do not want to jump to any conclusions or accusations but i have noticed in action shots ( i haven't seen the polar bears play this year) that berne looks like she has lost a lot of weight. she used to be very athletic and strong and looks drastically different. has she been sick or anything? very weird.

pureshooter · February 26, 2007, 08:52:19 PM

i noticed that about berne as well. she had a decent year last year didn't she?
she was a pretty good 3 point shooter when i saw her play @ some aau tournaments a few years back.

remsleep · February 26, 2007, 09:56:17 PM

Quote from: feces monkey on February 26, 2007, 04:04:13 PM
Quote from: farmingtonfan on February 26, 2007, 03:52:47 PM
So how good is Brandeis? I guess we will find out how good Farmington is as well as the NAC in general when they start the tourney, should be interesting. I think UMF has been underratted all year, to be honest I wouldn't be surprised to see them go as far as 2-3 rounds deep in the tourney, before possibly losing to USM. Just my two cents.

Both you and UMF are out of your league.

You, in a literal sense, as Brandeis is in the UAA (find them in the multi-regional section). UMF, figuratively, as Brandeis is a notch above UMF in talent and level of competition. The Beavers might hang around for a half, but it's unlikely they'll be able to sustain it.

NESCAC H--I wouldn't be too sure about that. Although I was incorrect earlier in the season by predicting that Brandeis would be out of the top 25 by season's end, I think that UMF has the kind of team that causes problems for Brandeis. UMF will be quicker and more athletic than Brandeis...Brandeis will be bigger and deeper. Also, Brandeis will not suffer from the tournament jitters as much as UMF. I would say that if UMF does hang around for a half that Brandeis could be in trouble. Interestingly, Brandeis personnel-wise is similar to MMA ( we know what happened there).

I will root for UMF, but if it wins on Friday it will likely be the biggest upset of the first round.

remsleep · February 26, 2007, 09:59:33 PM

the preceding is the most screwed up, out of whack post I've seen thus far...my apologies. Apparently, I am somewhat posting-challenged in regard to responding to quotes.

In a nutshell, UMF could beat Brandeis

remsleep · February 26, 2007, 10:25:43 PM

Quote from: feces monkey on February 26, 2007, 07:46:34 PM
Nice story on the championship game in the Press Herald:

http://sports.mainetoday.com/college/basketball-women/070226bowdoin.html

The note at the very end sounds ominous.

Ominous indeed. No question that, when uninjured, Berne is in the Bowdoin top 5. Certainly a more skilled player than Anelauskas ( no disrespect to Jill, Berne simply presents way more match-up problems for opponents). I'm quite sure there has been some type of back injury that has hindered Berne for quite a time period ( going back as far as last season). The odd part, of course, is Coach Pemper's curt " coach's decision" response. Mo is a terrific player and a terrific person....I wish her well. if this thing has to fall apart for her it is unfortunate that it happens entering her Senior year....there are a lot of teams out there who would love to have her as a transfer if she were a current soph instead of junior. If there is some type of coach/player rift they simply need to clear the air in the off-season and build up from there. It's not like Bowdoin won't be needing Berne next season...they will.

WBB: NESCAC

speedy