WBB: NESCAC

[sumfun]

"A win over St. Norbert would go along way to convincing me they are a contender."

With everyone on vacation, haven't heard much action on this topic.  Did see that Amherst beat St. Norbert in a close one, and Endicott (who only lost to Tufts by 4) in a buzzer beater. 

Looks like other top teams in 'CAC had good holiday games.  January and February could be really fun.

[nescac1]

Saturday is Amherst's best chance to get off the schneid against the Ephs.  Does anyone know the last time Amherst women won this "rivalry"?  I think it's something like ten or twelve straight for the Ephwomen.  For the first time in recent memory, however, Amherst is the more experienced and talented team overall ... plus the new coach seems to provide an additional edge. 

[dman]

last amh. victory over williams was jan. 13, 2001 in ot at williams.....

[daoustian]

Last win at LeFrak was in 2000.  Lady Jeffs have lost their last 14 in a row to Williams and are 3-20 vs. Williams since 1996-97.  It'd be a great win tomorrow and I'd have to think they'd hit the Top 25 if they pulled it off.

Next question: when is the last time the Lady Jeffs were in the Top 25?  Now there's a doozy.   

[daoustian]

Sorry, that last one was a trick question.  Amherst W-hoops has never been ranked in the top 25 before according to my sources.  Been close several times though. 

[daoustian]

Amherst wins the early game 65-53. Good stuff.

[Red1]

Well,

I'm not convinced about Amherst yet.  Williams is pretty good, but Amherst is yet to play a really good team.  (and by really good team I refer to Tufts).

Tufts is clearly the team to beat at this point.  Bates has been money since returning to full strength and went to Medford this afternoon hoping to make a statement about who the best team in Nescac is.  Instead it was Tufts making the statement handling Bates (and with only the score to go on I'd surmise relatively routinely).

It is clear that Tufts is the top team in Nescac and the team to beat.  On the plus side both Tufts and Amherst have to come to Lewiston for their conference games this year.

New predicted rankings (cause my first one was just wrong):

1.  Tufts
2.  Bates
3.  Amherst
4.  Bowdoin
5.  Williams
6.  Wesleyan
7.  Middlebury
8.  Trinity
9.  Conn
10. Colby

[JeffRookie2]

Amherst won while probably their best player in Stef Reiff played only 1 minute. Not sure why she had limited time, but it makes Amherst's victory even more impressive.

[senatorfrost]

 Reiff had a brace on her leg which I don't remember seeing. I didn't see So. Vt. but I don't think she played? Now Amherst W seem to have two big problems. Reiff might be out or play limited minutes from now on and they have to play Bates, Tufts, Bowdoin and Ephs (conference game) away.

Of course Reiff could return and be able to play at full strength. Playing only one minute today is not a good sign.

[sumfun]

Reiff sprained her knee in Endicott game, but MRI showed nothing,  probably still sore.  Williams wasn't the conference game so coach must not have wanted to push it.  Great energy in that gym for both teams....both girls and boys game.

[feces monkey]

The prospect of this board being inundated with the bookies and copyright lawyers from the open-mouth breathing Amherst men's posting contingent is certainly unsettling, but it appears the Lady Jeffs are for real. At least by my standard (they did, indeed, defeat St. Norbert). The conference schedule is a grind, however, and a long way from the relatively easy schedule posted by Central Mass's finest.

The quirks of the scheduling draw mandates we'll be seperating the wheat from the chaff in the first weekend of conference action. Undefeated Amherst must travel to unblemished Tufts on Friday night in what, at this point, appears to be the game for hosting priviledges. I'll take the Jumbos in this one, by five. While the Amherst coach is new to the conference, hopefully he received some decent advice and is not having the team stay in Medford-Somerville or Lewiston-Auburn on Friday night. Amherst gals are used to woodsy surroundings and would struggle with the noxious fumes bubbling up from the Charles and Androscroggin, respectively. I'd suggest Portsmouth, or maybe the fresh air of God's Country on the Brunswick coast.

I also like Bates over Amherst on Saturday.

The Polar Bears are obviously a shadow of their former selves, and their opening road trip could produce an 0-2 start. The Williams and Middlebury trek is no fun for anyone craving civilized company, and especially so for a team lacking the cold-blooded leaders Bowdoin has had in the past. Perhaps out of nostalgia, I'll bank on Pemper's troops taking the back-end against the Panthers. Bowdoin's travel partner will probably score around 50 points for the weekend. Again, out of nostalgia, it should be noted that one of the most impressive parts of the Polar Bears run was their ability to dominate the conference while having a Maine Class D J.V. squad as a travel partner.

For all those interesting in attending the "rivalry" game between Wesleyan and Conn. College, may I suggest taking a hard right turn and try the sushi buffet at Mohegan Sun.

[nescac hoops]

Amherst is most likely the worst undefeated team out there. Williams starts two freshman and looked very young. I only saw the second half but I think Williams may even beat the Jeffs when they get them at home. I would be shocked if Amherst won either NESCAC game this weekend, especially b/c they are both away and Amherst will have no answer for Coffin/Kostakis and the inside game of the Jumbos.

1. Bates (if Coffin stays healthy)
2. Tufts
3. Bowdoin (will beat Amherst at home)
4. Amherst
5. Wesleyan
6. Williams
7. Midd
8-10. pick 'em

[daoustian]

The prospect of this board being inundated with the bookies and copyright lawyers from the open-mouth breathing Amherst men's posting contingent is certainly unsettling,

Tell me about it!  Imagine if people started actually posting over here!  It's much better the way it is now, averaging one post every 2 days or so.  Nice and calm -- I can go on vacation and not lose an entire morning of work on the first day back checking what everyone has said in this forum.  Whew!

[sumfun]

Can't wait for the fun to begin.  I agree with your predictions if Amherst had the former coaching staff.  What we're forgetting here is the Gromacki factor.   An earlier post said that in one year he took a lot less talent at Hamilton to the Sweet 16.  The girls still have to go out and play hard, but he's made some brilliant moves from the bench.

[JeffRookie2]

Amherst knocks off Tufts in Medford by 2. Might make them the team to beat in the NESCAC right now. Bates should be a great game tomorrow.