MBB: University Athletic Association

[Mr. Mo]

Go Bears!

[jaybird44]

Amid the success that Wash-U is enjoying, I wanted to give David Schmelter a special shout-out for his outstanding performance this season.

Schmelter is averaging 8.9 ppg and 10.1 rpg...and in Wash-U's current 7-game winning streak, David is averaging 11.0 ppg and 11.7 rpg.

He is trying to become the first Wash-U player to average in double-figure rebounds for a season in 48 years.  Steve Dodge was the last to do it for the Bears, in the 1969-70 season...when he posted 20.0 ppg and 10.3 rpg.

Along with his statistical success, Schmelter has also changed the way opponents end up approaching Wash-U's defense.  Very little business is being conducted inside the paint when David is on the floor.  34 of Rochester's 63 shots were taken beyond the arc last night...54%.  NYU took 35 of its 60 shots vs. Wash-U beyond the arc...58%.

Congrats to David for his accomplishments so far this season!  Big men are still of value after all, in contemporary basketball.

[Mr. Mo]

Jaybird,
Could not agree more.  I must admit that at the beginning of the season I thought he was playing a bit soft, but boy has that changed since about the Ohio Northern game.
Schmelter is a major contributor to what the Bears have accomplished so far.
Looking forward to these next three games with great anticipation.  Really like this team's makeup and senior leadership.

[deiscanton]

Meanwhile, on Brandeis Alumni/Family Day--

The two teams picked to finish at the bottom of the league standings, Carnegie Mellon and Brandeis, will play at noon Eastern.

Both Brandeis and Carnegie Mellon are 4-13, 0-6 in the UAA.  The loser of today's game will start the second half of league play in last place.

Carnegie Mellon was picked to finish 7th in the UAA in pre-season by the UAA Men's Basketball coaches, while Brandeis was picked to finish in last place.

[deiscanton]

Going into today--

NYU needs 3 more wins to finish .500 or better and become eligible for ECAC tournament selection.

[deiscanton]

BTW--

If David Schmelter ends the season averaging double figure rebounds, he will be the first Wash U men's basketball player to do so in the modern DIII era.  DIII did not exist in 1969-1970-- the NCAA only had the College division and the University division back then.

[WUPHF]

OK, I said I was retiring from the thread, but I am struggling to contain my d3boards.com addiction and my excitement about the next three games.  I am lame, I admit it.

I'll third what was said about David Schmelter...

The Post Dispatch published a story on Washington University that is worth the read: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/senior-led-washington-u-men-rank-no-in-diii/article_13607faf-aa0c-5d9d-894e-81f633819359.html?mode=comments

In regards to the Washington University win at Rochester, I would say that this was probably the best defensive effort of the season.  Or, possibly second best.  You would have to watch what Rochester does (e.g. pick and rolls, back door cuts) and then see how Washington University thwarted those plays at every turn. 

I would give a lot of credit to Rochester for also playing great defense...

They did a good job on Andrew Sanders, for example, who scored fewer point in the paint than out.  He very rarely takes the jumpshot, but Sanders stepped out and and went 3-4 from mid range if I remember correctly.  There are no stats to back this up, but I would say four jumpshots in one game is a record.

As it happens, Rochester was held to exactly the same score by Emory in Atlanta, but it is noteworthy that Rochester only had 10 three point attempts in that game.  I did not get to see that game though so I am not sure what they did differently.  As mentioned, Rochester had 34 three point attempts on Friday.

I keep thinking this season is unusual in that two weekends half way in will decide the league champion.  But, I keep thinking that NYU, Chicago (and we could probably add Rochester) is an upset waiting to happen.  Carnegie Mellon was a couple of made free throws from an upset over Emory.

[Greek Tragedy]

Re: David Schmelter

THAT GUY'S ON MY FANTASY TEAM!

Anyway, good to see you back, WUH. I knew you couldn't resist!

[deiscanton]

I just paid for a monthly subscription to Rochester's video service, so I will make sure to rewatch the Wash U/Rochester game on-demand on Monday.  Don't worry, I can cancel it at any time, although I probably will opt for pay for another month so I can watch the Brandeis women at Rochester later this season.

[WUPHF]

Is cussing against the terms of service?

[warriorcat]

Halftime in Atlanta. Washington university up by 18.  They look fantastic today. As good as anyone I have seen this year.  Emory is good but Wash U was at a different level in the first half.

[WUPHF]

Halftime in Atlanta. Washington University up by 18.  They look fantastic today. As good as anyone I have seen this year.  Emory is good but Wash U was at a different level in the first half.

I am excited as I am about that score, Coach Zimmerman will have this team ready with adjustment made for the second half. Romin Williams scored 19 in the second half to lead the team in a come from behind win against Chicago.  The Emory team is probably going to win the second half.

Very excited for Matt Highsmith who leads all scorers with 19.  Highsmith is the only senior to play substantial minutes as a freshman.  He had to change his role this season to play more on the wing, but is scoring inside and out today.

[Mr. Mo]

WashU over Emory 84-67

[deiscanton]

Brandeis coach Brian Meehan got tossed by the refs in the second half, and the Judges rallied to beat Carnegie Mellon on Alumni Day, 87-79.

Harry McShane coached the Judges for the final 8 minutes of the game.

Brandeis was the only men's team to win at home today.

Update-- I reviewed the play-by-play sheet.  Coach Meehan got tossed by the refs by virtue of being called for a pair of technical fouls with 10 min and 11 seconds left in regulation, and Carnegie Mellon up 54-51 at the time.  Coach Harry McShane coached the Judges for the remainder of the game.

[WUPHF]

I was a little surprised to see Chicago get the 72-65 road win over Rochester, but just a little.  I may pay for this later, but I think the UAA is a two-horse race at this point (acknowledging that I once called it a one-horse race).

That Washington University win over Emory was pretty exciting...

Coach Edwards has mentioned the diversity in the offensive options (more than a few times as he should) and that diversity was on full display this weekend.

A few other random thoughts...

Washington University was +7 on rebounds and +5 on assists.  I would have preferred to see a few less turnovers, but I do feel that the team is taking much better care of the ball in league play.  The team was taking a lot of risks, particularly with the passes to the post, and it generally paid off.  The box score has Washington University outscoring Emory 52-26 in the paint.

As I have said before, I feel pretty certain that Washington University will retain the defensive player of the year honor this season, but everyone played well on the defensive end today.

If anyone thought I complained too much about the officiating, you need to hear the Emory play by play guy.  Geez!