WBB: NESCAC

[senatorfrost]

 Have to admit that I'm a little surprised since the game was a t Tufts. Now if they manage to beat Bates----

[eclinchy]

What a heartbreaker.

Swensen made a buzzer-beater in the final second to win the game.  I've never heard a more deflated Cousens Gym than I did tonight.

[sumfun]

Amherst just might be for real.  Close game at half, but Amherst comes out hot and opens a 12 point lead.  I think final score was 78-69.  Two good road wins.

[saratoga]

Sumfun: As was discussed back in Dec. on this board when people were just starting to notice the change in Amherst womens basketball...some wondered if perhaps the new coach may actually be making a difference. Trust me...he is. He has brought teams from relative obscurity to the National scene virtually overnight ( please refer to St.Lawrence & Hamilton) and with no time to even recruit, he has taken Amherst to a level never before attained. I would'nt necessarily go & book any flights to Hope just yet...that may be something to consider next year...but, for anyone to think this start is a fluke does so at their own peril. The Larry Brown of D-III can flat out coach & he is proof that great teachers of the game can bring average talent to unbelievable heights & mediocre coaches can do absolutely nothing with outstanding kids. As long as he remains there, Amherst will be the team to beat in the NESCAC...no question about that. The only question that may yet be determined is whether plans to move his office across town have already begun.

[feces monkey]

"Larry Brown of DIII?" "Bring average talent to unbelievable heights?" "Anyone to think this start is a fluke does so at their own peril?"

While hyperbole may be the norm in the MAC ("My GPA is really good!"), simple facts will do here. You obviously have a creepy, unrequited love for Gromacki, and that's fine. Bill Clinton has taught us that age is no obstacle. Perhaps you can enlighten us as to an impending "move across town."

The Lady Jeffs have proven to be the class of the NESCAC. Hopefully they'll be able to put the conference on the national map. It will help with recruiting...

[kate]

Feces Monkey, Saratoga is now with the Landmark Conference.

[saratoga]

FM: Relax... no love for Gromacki, unrequited or otherwise. An appreciation for what he's accomplished at so many different schools that, prior to his arrival have had virtually a non-existant womens basketball program...most definately. I just enjoy seeing well-coached teams play the game and make the adjustments necessary to pull some wins out against teams with much more talent. Generally speaking, he's done that. Trust me, I've seen enough D-III games on the east coast where coaches, if given the talent of UConn or Tennessee couldn't make adjustments to knock off the bottom-feeders. The "move across town" was not to infer the job at UMass was about to be offered...just that I believe he's headed for a D-I job probably sooner rather than later. Those, would be the simple facts.

[senatorfrost]

  They've had 3 games where they lost a big lead. Twice the other team pulled ahead. I think it was Endicott and Wesleyan. Obviously they came back but hopefully that won't happen again. 
  I know everyone says Bowdoin is down and from the results so far, it does seem to be the case. However, at Bowdoin is most likely a tough game. They might have to play Tufts in the NESCACS. It's far from over.
 

[feces monkey]

Feces Monkey, Saratoga is now with the Landmark Conference.

Kate, my apologies for impugning the MAC. I'd like to say we'd meet up again, but I'm afraid the NESCAC doesn't have the juice this year. You'll have to deal with the Eagles -- Bald or Balder -- along the way. They're good people, as far as simple Southern folk go.

Saratoga, don't get your knickers in a bunch. I can understand the breathless appreciation of Gromacki. He defintely has out-done any expectations held by the most die-hard Amherst women's basketball fans (if there were any). I was a cynic, but now I'm a believer. I won't predict anything, but I guess I'll throw my money behind those wacky kids from Brunswick. The Polar Bears could be a great Cinderella story.

It's too bad the NESCAC still isn't eligible for the ECACs. I think we could definitely take it this year.

[kate]

Feces Monkey, we're still above that Mason-Dixon Line - !

[pureshooter]

FM,
  this is old news but your polar bears got a commitment from one of maine's own for the fall, from morse, they need some size for next year don't they?

[goubears89]

Here's a story and pic on the Polar Bear recruit in question -- Jill Henrikson of Morse HS. http://sports.mainetoday.com/highschool/stry.html?id=5691506.

And huskynan.com reports the following accolades:
2007 Maine Sunday Telegram All-State 1st team; 2007 Bangor Daily News All-State HM; 2007, 2006 All-Conference 1st team; 2006 Maine Sunday Telegram All-State HM; 2005 All-Conference 2nd team. AAU team New England Crusaders.

But really, what luck has Bowdoin had recruiting from Maine? 

[pureshooter]

 3 of their starters are from maine.

[goubears89]

I was being sarcastic. They've had an amazing run of recruiting in-state talent.

[pureshooter]

 i hear you.
but in recent years, their stars are not from maine, other than pouravelis.