MBB: University Athletic Association

[PauldingLightUP]

Washington University loses a tough one to Millikin, 63-61.

The Bears had to play without the services of two starters today and the offense struggled accordingly.

The officials ignored an obvious foul (I think that one gets called 98% of the time) that would have had Jack Nolan at the line for three shots and then the clock operator let the clock run negating any opportunity for the follow-up; probably a tie-up with the possession favoring the Bears and 2-3 seconds on the clock.  The officials were ready to call it a day.

Washington University fans may remember the last time a Coach Scherer led team got the upset win over the holiday break; an 82-75 loss to Elmhurst in the 2008-2009 season.

Why should have the clock operator stopped the clock? From video I see there is no whistle or motion by the officials for any call.

[deiscanton]

Just like that, the D3 Ten Pounds of Gold gets reclaimed by the CCIW.

A real shame- I wanted Brandeis to get a shot at it this year, but what an unfortunate time for Wash U to have to play short-handed.

[WUPHF]

Yes, true, the clock operator had it right.  The officials had it wrong.  Not sure why I said that other than out of frustration.

[jaybird44]

In the midst of all of the New Year's Eve/Day hubbub, I have not had a chance to offer an opinion on the WashU @ Millikin game.  I watched all but the first two or three minutes of the game, so I was there wincing in a bit of pain as the game progressed toward the end.

Some thoughts...

First and foremost, kudos to Millikin.  I thought it's defense was outstanding throughout the game, and it forced WashU into many uncomfortable offensive sets.  And, as others have mentioned, Big Blue had a chance to subliminally buckle a couple of times in the game when it was down by double digits, in a game during the holiday season that might have been tough to gear up the proper state of mind.  Truly deserving of the huge upset victory, and you can bet the Millikin players will be talking and reminiscing about the victory over WashU for decades to come.  I certainly would, if I was a Big Blue.

Second, it is true that WashU was missing two starters.  Hank Hunter's strength and efficiency inside the paint and Matt Nester's ability to both shoot 3s and handle the other point guard duties provide WashU with great offensive balance.  When they are out of action at the same time, the offense clearly was knocked off its axis.  But, the void left by two injured starters was known by the team going into the Millikin game.  And, since the trio of Spencer Boehm, Nate Bloedorn, and Kevin Davet has been providing good minutes in Hunter's absence...and Payden Webb, Charlie Jacob and Jonathan Arenas likewise at the guard position when Jack Nolan and Nester needed breaks...in my mind, WashU still had the goods to deliver a win at Millikin.  Yes, it would be much tougher without two starters...but going up double-digits at two pivotal points in the game tells me that WashU still should have been able to cobble together a win on the road.  Bottom line:  the Bears didn't get it done.  And, a steep price may still have to be paid for it.  More on that in a moment.

Third, regarding the final last-second 3-point attempt by Nolan, I thought there was enough contact to merit a foul on Millikin.  But, I believe officials may be (as a point of emphasis this season) trying to wean teams off of leaning gratuitously into defenders to draw fouls, for good reason.  While I don't think Nolan's shot was a gratuitous lean into his defender, the official who made the call had a better look than I did.  And, the upset bed was made by WashU well before that last shot attempt.  So, there's that to chew on.

Final point...if you base the severity of the upset on the disparity of where the two teams rest on the Massey Ratings spectrum, it was a huge upset loss for WashU.  The last time the Bears lost to a team as deep down the list as Millikin was in those ratings, it was 2011 against Carnegie Mellon.  It is a loss that quite frankly could keep WashU out of the NCAA tournament, if it finds itself on a Pool C bubble...even when placed next to the impressive WashU wins vs. Augustana and at Illinois Wesleyan.  It will depend on the resumes of other Pool C hopefuls, when the selection committee starts the game of musical chairs.

It was a rough weekend for WashU Basketball...the women's team didn't play well, in suffering two losses vs. ranked teams in the Wartburg Holiday Classic.  The good news is that there is time to make adjustments and contingency plans, and implement them before the UAA opener at home vs. Chicago January 11th.  One thing we know for sure is that there will be no sympathy cards sent to WashU by its UAA cohorts.  The Bears will know that they will be walking a razor's edge between wins and losses, every step of the way to close out the regular season.  Hopefully they will be up for that challenge.

[WUPHF]

Hey Jay, do you have a status update on the players that you feel at liberty to share?  Hunter has been warming up so I assume he is back soon.

[deiscanton]

Just a note for today--

The Brandeis game at Bowdoin will not be video streamed by Northeast Sports Network.  There will only be live stats provided.

As for next Wednesday's NYU men's game at Pine Manor, I may have to go watch this one in person.  Pine Manor is coming off an OT win at Salve Regina, but NYU is a road favorite to win over a Pine Manor team that is not great on the defensive end.  The game at Brunelli Court has no plans at this time for even live stats to be provided. Pine Manor is a very small college that has a bandbox gym with fewer than 200 seats.  The last time I went to watch a game there, the college had not gone coed, and Emmanuel was playing there in a GNAC women's basketball game.

Update-- Live stats for the game at Morrell Gym are up.  Brandeis has their usual starting five out of Sabir, Jones, Lien, Sawyer and Haggerty.

Brandeis gave up 4 points to start the game, but then responded after a 30 sec timeout with a 14-0 run, forcing Bowdoin to call a full timeout. After another FT, Bowdoin finally ended the Brandeis run at 15 unanswered points before a made 3 pts by Bowdoin.

After 10 minutes, Brandeis led 17-10 and then Eric D'Aguanno made a 3 to extend the Brandeis lead to 20-10.

Brandeis leads, 42-29 at the half.  Good first half for the Judges up in Maine.

With 10 min left, Brandeis was up 52-39, but for 6 minutes, Brandeis has only scored from the charity stripe.

Brandeis calls a full with 8:40 left and the Judges up 52-42.  Brandeis has not had a made FG in over 7 minutes now.

Brandeis calls another full with 6:23 left.  Bowdoin has cut the Brandeis lead to 2 at 52-50.  Bowdoin threatening to take the lead.  Tale of 2 halves as Brandeis can't buy a basket.

Brandeis finally responds with 3 made baskets.

Brandeis up 63-56 with 1:50 left, but Sabir has just been T'd up by the refs.

Bowdoin takes advantage to cut the Brandeis lead to 63-60 with 1:17 left.

Jones makes a FT with 22 seconds left and then Sabir steals the ball, gets fouled and sinks a FT to make it 65-62 Brandeis with 1 second left.

Final-- Brandeis 65, Bowdoin 62.  Brandeis hosts Bates on Tuesday.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm at the Swarthmore - Rochester game.  Wow! Really impressed with the Rochester team.  They are young, for sure, but they're big and confident - going to be very tough next season, for sure.  I wouldn't want to be headed into Rochester on the second day of a UAA weekend this spring.

[deiscanton]

I am watching the Swarthmore-Rochester game on Youtube on Roku TV and listening to the JC DeLass radio call on my Fire table.  Ryan, I concur with your statement about Rochester.  Any guesses on how many UAA wins the Jackets get this season?  I will go with a 7 to 9 UAA conference game wins range this year for the UR men if all breaks well.

[WUPHF]

Rochester is relatively young, but starting a senior, three juniors and a sophomore.  Key reserves are sophomores.  Down 6 at the half on the road.  Not bad.

Swarthmore appears to be settling for three-pointers (3-15), but maybe that is their game...

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Rochester is relatively young, but starting a senior, three juniors and a sophomore.  Key reserves are sophomores.  Down 6 at the half on the road.  Not bad.

Swarthmore appears to be settling for three-pointers (3-15), but maybe that is their game...

Swat's pretty much threes or layups; they are definitely a little rusty coming off a lengthy break.  It's been a playoff level intensity most of the game, though - and a pretty good crowd for a school break.

[deiscanton]

JC DeLass has called this one an NCAA tournament level game.  He made the call when the game was tied at 51 a piece.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

JC DeLass has called this one an NCAA tournament level game.  He made the call when the game was tied at 51 a piece.

Yeah, it's felt like a 2nd/3rd round game, for sure.

[WUPHF]

Swat's pretty much threes or layups; they are definitely a little rusty coming off a lengthy break.  It's been a playoff level intensity most of the game, though - and a pretty good crowd for a school break.

Yeah, I think they talked about things at the half.

[deiscanton]

I cannot wait for the Brandeis UAA home opener vs Rochester on January 17.  These Yellowjackets are ready.  I will be ready, and the Brandeis men's team and fans better be ready-- it will be one heck of an opener.

Before that though, Emory needs to be ready for January 11 for the opener.  Emory has the target on the back.

[deiscanton]

I am rewatching the Swarthmore-Rochester game this morning on Youtube.

I am at the moment when the ref called a flagrant 1 foul on Swarthmore for taking down Ryan Algier.  The play was pretty physical and the foul
was indeed a hard foul, but to me, the video was inconclusive on whether there was a shoulder or jersey grab.  There seemed to be a push, however.  Enough to be flagrant, though? 

No instant replay in d3 to review the call, and the call did not decide the game.