2013 Tournament Team Profiles

[nescac1]

Folks interested in reviving this feature? 

[pjunito]

What would you have to do?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Curry College - Milton, MA (21-7 overall, 15-3 conference - including tournament)
Coach: Malcolm Wynn
Commonwealth Coast Conference Regular Season and Tournament Champions

Starters:

Sedale Jones, 6'4" 190, Sr G - CCC Player of the Year - 22ppg, 6.5rpg, 39% 3pt shooting
Lambros Papalambros, 6'4" 180, Jr G - All-CCC Second Team, 16ppg
AJ Stephens, 6'5" 255, Jr F - All-CCC Second Team, 17ppg, 10rpg
Carlos Ribiero, 5'10" 160, Jr G
John Durkin, 6'5" 245, Sr F

Key Reserve: Antonio Jones 6'2" 200, So G - 11ppg

Key Wins: Wesleyan

Key Losses: @ Amherst (96-117), @ WPI (76-83), @MIT (63-71), Williams (93-97) - all within two weeks early in the season.

A fast paced, athletic team that will push tempo on both ends of the floor and shoot a lot of threes.  Stephens down low gives them an athletic, wide-bodied big - a dimension they've lacked in past seasons.  Inconsistent play and a lack of discipline at times, but a very dangerous team if taken too lightly.

[nescac1]

Basically, what Hoops Fan did, but it's flexible (there was a prior thread like this from the 2011 tournament that you can look to as a model).  Just summarize the starters / key subs on the team, maybe a blurb or too about playing style, key games from the past year, whatever you want to share.  A good way to quickly learn about unfamiliar teams ...

[7express]

Rhode Island College - Providence, RI (actually I think the gym is located in North Providence, but whatever minor/unneccesary detail) (25-3 overall, 16-1 conference including tournament)
Coach: Bob Walsh
Conference: Little East regular season & tournament champions

Usual starters at least the last few games:

Tahrike Carter 6"2 180, Sr G - LEC player of the year AND defensive player of the year along with all defensive team selection 10.7 ppg, 40.9 fg%, 3.8 apg, 6.6 rpg
Tom DeCiantis 6"4 190, Jr G/F 8.3 ppg, 108 3 pointers attempted, hitting 3's at a 38.9% clip
Ethan Gaye 5"10 165, Sr G 4.4 ppg, 1.8 apg
Chris Burton 6"6 190, So F - LEC second team and LEC all defensive team selection, 10.6 ppg, 48.9 field goal percentage, 1.3 bpg, 2.4 spg, 6.5 rpg
Jacob Page 6"4 190, So F 1.9 ppg

Key reserves:

Randy Casey 5"11 175, Sr. G 50% field goal percentage
Nyheem Sanders 6"0, 195, Jr G 11.5 ppg, 81.1% free throw shooter
Mike Neal (currently out injured) 6"6 190, Fr F - LEC all rookie team selection
Michael Palumbo 5"10 160, Jr G 5.1 ppg, 33.3% 3 point shooter
Steven Roberts 6"5 205, Sr C - LEC all defensive team selection 8.1 ppg, 1.1 bpg, 4.6 rpg, 46.7% field goal percentage

Key wins:
Brandeis (48-46), MIT (68-44), Keene state (3 times) (58-55, 86-64, 60-53) Eastern Connecticut (60-50)

Key losses:
Amherst (65-74), WPI (68-79), Eastern Connecticut (68-76)

The opposite of Curry.  Very good defensive team finished I believe top 5 in the country in scoring defense.  Don't score many points as seen above (average 65.6 as a team), don't shoot the 3 very well (29.8%) and are a bad free throw shooting team (64.1%).  If you count the exhibition loss to Providence they are 1-4 in games where the opponent cracks 65 points and 24-0 in games they hold the opponent to 64 or less.  Defense will keep them in games, but they'll have trouble outscoring teams.  If they get in fast paced lots of scoring type game (Ramapo could be one) their in trouble because they definitely won't outscore most teams in the field.

[Argylebballer]

An update for RIC Mike Neal has been cleared and will be playing Saturday. He is expected to start over Paige.

[7express]

An update for RIC Mike Neal has been cleared and will be playing Saturday. He is expected to start over Paige.

Ahh thanks for that Argyle.

[nescac1]

Glad to see the New England contingent checking in.  Since I started the topic, I will do Williams.  The Ephs are 23-4 with wins over tourney teams Springfield, Curry, and Middlebury (2), and losses to tourney teams Stevens and Amherst (3).  Wiliams has been playing very well in recent weeks after a mid-season slump, beating Midd in the NESCAC semis before suffering a heart-breaking one point loss at Amherst. 

Williams' starting five is as talented as any in the country:

6'9 junior C Michael Mayer (17-9-2, 1 bpg, 57 percent FG) -- the Ephs' top player, incredible moves, footwork, and finishing ability for a big man.  Can shoot the three.  Also an excellent passer and triple-threat player from the high post.  Nearly impossible one-on-one cover for most bigs.  Not an overly physical player, and can get pushed around a bit on both ends by very strong fives. 

6'4 junior F Taylor Epley (18-4-2, 67 threes) -- deadly three point shooter who is very strong in the post as well.  Very crafty finisher from anywhere on the floor, uses his strength well.  Smart, tough defender who can guards 2's, 3's, and 4's.  Not overly quick, tall, or much of a leaper, but compensates with his strength and his ability to hit from deep, on the post, or mid-range shots with equal success. 

6'6 sophomore F Daniel Wohl (10-5-2, 53 percent FG)  -- do-it-all glue guy who is a year away from stardom.  Best athlete on team.  Long, excellent finisher, solid distance shooter, and stellar defender.  The x-factor, when playing well on offense Ephs are very tough to stop.  Still a bit inconsistent, which you'd expect from an underclassman, and not yet an initiator on the offensive end.

6'3 senior G James Klemm (11-3-1, 64 threes) -- deadly shooter from three or from the foul line; if the Ephs make a deep run, he has an outside chance of setting the Ephs' all time three point record, which is really saying something given the shooters the Ephs have had.  He is also very crafty at scoring off back-door cuts.  Relies on teammates to get him good looks. 

6'3 senior PG Nate Robertson (9-4-5, 2 SPG) -- leader of the team.  Primary ball-handler and distributor. Can get into the lane vs. almost any team.  Very crafty player and despite being thin as a reed, very adept at finishing inside.  Plays better the bigger the game, and numbers understate his valule.  Excellent defender, and led NESCAC in steals.  Outside shot has been an issue this season.  Has to be careful not to pick up early, avoidable fouls, as when he sits, the team is in trouble. 

On the other hand, the Ephs have a VERY thin bench.  They get consistent contributions from only two guys, and neither is going to light up the scoreboard. 

6'6 Junior G/F John Weinheimer (4.5-3-1.5) is a very athletic 6'6 player who can create off the dribble, board, and plays great defense.  Not a threat to shoot from distance. 

6'7 Senior C Sean Hoffmann (4-2-.5, 1 BPG) is a hard worker and a great leaper who gets most of his points off of feeds for dunks or layups.  A good defender despite being a bit undersized (6'7 may be generous, and he is not a bulky guy).  Not a player who will create his own shot.   

Williams will switch between man-to-man and zone.  The Ephs don't create a ton of turnovers but also rarely make mistakes on defense, so opposing teams tend to shoot a very low percentage, get few points in transition, and also seldom get fouled. Disciplined teams with shooters can pick apart the zone at times if they are very patient.  The Ephs do tend to struggle to guard very physical big guys or very quick guards, and if a team has both (like Amherst) it can pose a particularly problem.  Williams needs to keep its starters on the floor and avoid foul trouble to advance, given how reliant the Ephs are on the starting five. 

[pbrooks3]

I tried to revive this myself last year on the women.  Didn't really happen.  I'll put Centre men in on the team profiles later tonight.

[7express]

I tried to revive this myself last year on the women.  Didn't really happen.  I'll put Centre men in on the team profiles later tonight.

I can do the Southern Maine women.  Have no clue about any of the other 63 teams in the women's field however.

[pbrooks3]

Centre College Colonels Danville KY

Centre's promise to its student body is "personal education, extraordinary success."  1,340 students on 152 acres of beautiful rolling countryside in central Kentucky.

Southern Athletic Association Champions 21-5 overall record; 14-3 in conference including tournament
Defeated Birmingham Southern 46-44 to win 2013 conference tournament - the one Pool B in the Dance.  Inaugural season for the SAA.

Coach Greg Mason (13 years @ Centre as head coach) - Career record of 270-105

Starters
Josh  Karsner 6'4" So F - 11.9ppg, 4.2rpg, 45% 3PT 85% FT, 2nd team All SAA
Bryon Ellis 5' 10" Sr G - 10.0ppg, great defender & 3-pt shooter,96.6% FT%, 2nd team All SAA
Tyler Wesley 6'7" Fr P - 7.8ppg, 8.6 rpg (led league in rebounding), 48.4 FG%
Blake Scinta 6'9" Fr F - 12.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 47.4% FG, 81.7% FT (SAA Newcomer of the year).  Scinta was also the Outstanding Player of the SAA Tournament.
Chris Taylor 5' 10" So G - 5.1 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2.1 a/to

Off The Bench
Donavan Whiteside 6'4" Jr F/G - 9.2ppg, 5.0 rpg, 40% 3PT
Matt Griggs 5'10" Sr G - 3.8 ppg, 72.5% FT
Collin Lopez 6'2" Jr G - 5.5 ppg, 44.9% 3PT
Holden Hertzel 6'6" Fr F/P - 3.6 ppg, 50.8% FG
Taylor Newsome 6'2" Jr F - 1.7 ppg, 51.7% FG

Centre shoots 44.4% from the field and 74.0% from the line.  They average 66.5 points per game, and give up 57.6 points a game on 37.8% shooting.  The Colonels have made it to the post-season in 6 of the last 7 years.

[WUPHF]

Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO

Charter Member of the University Athletic Conference (UAA)

2012-2013 Season Record and Notables:
20-5, 10-4 UAA
UAA Conference Champions (shared)
10-1 Record at Home

Rankings
No. 17 in the latest D3Hoops.com Weekly Poll; No. 14 in US News and World Reports among national universities (7th in selectivity); 5th in National Merit Scholars; 8th among private universities for federal research money, 11th in endowment; No. 1 in the Daily Meal for campus dining services.

Key Wins
Trinity (TX), Illinois Wesleyan, Emory (road), Emory (home), Rochester, NYU, Brandeis,

Key Losses
Wheaton (IL), Chicago, Rochester, Brandeis, NYU

Coach
Mark Edwards
32nd season, 582-263 all-time record, 17 NCAA tournaments, 2 NCAA National Championships

Probable Starters
Alan Aboona, 6'1" junior, 12.9 ppg, 3.0 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists/game
Tim Cooney, 6'3" junior, 5.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 assists/game
Matt Palucki, 6'6" sophomore, 10 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.3 assists/game
Chris Klimek, 6'5" junior, 15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg
Rob Burnett, 6'7" senior, 8.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg

Reserves
Ben Hoener, 6'0" senior, 9.4 ppg, 2 rpg
Nick Burt, 6'5" sophomore, 6.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Kevin Bischoff, junior, injured
David Fatoki, sophomore, 1.4 ppg, 0.8 rpg
Will Patt, junior, 0.7 ppg, 0.7 rpg

Other Statistics
Field Goal Percentage: 47% (24th in Division III)
Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 35%
Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.4 (10th in Division III)
Rebounding Margin: +12 (second in Division III)
Steals (per game): 7.0
Blocks (per game): 3.0

Great coaching along with experienced players and team chemistry led to a strong 8-1 finish in the conference after starting 2-3.  Led nation in rebounding margin for most of the season.  Weaknesses may include perimeter defense and free throw shooting as the team shot under 50% from the line in four of the five losses.

For more information: http://bearsports.wustl.edu/Sports/BasketballMen/Pages/default.aspx

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Terre Haute, IN (24-3 overall, 18-2 conference - including tournament)
Coach: Jim Shaw - HCAC Coach of the Year

Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament Champions

Starters:
Jon Gerken- 6'6" Sr F - Honorable Mention All-HCAC - 7.6 ppg. 5.5 rpg
Brenton Balsbaugh- 6'6" Sr F - 7.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Austin Weatherford- 6'2" Sr G - 1st Team All-HCAC - 12.5 ppg, 3.5 apg
James Pillischafske- 6'2" Jr G
Julian Strickland- 6'3" Jr G - HCAC MVP - 14.5 ppg, 42.2% 3pt

Key Reserve: Nate Gissentanner- 6'4" Sr F - Honorable Mention All-HCAC - 7.8 ppg, 17 min/g

Key Wins: @ Transylvania (54-49), Hanover 3x

Key Losses: vs Transylvania (60-69), @ Carroll WI (59-65 OT), @ Earlham (66-68)

Prefers low scoring games (343rd in scoring offense at 63.7ppg, 1st in scoring defense at 51.0ppg)
94% of minutes played this season by seniors and juniors.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Transylvania University - Lexington, KY (20-7 overall, 15-5 conference - including tournament)
Coach: Brian Lane

Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference T2nd place Regular Season and Tournament semi-finalists

Starters:
Parker Stansberry - 6'6" Fr F - 9.2 ppg
Ethan Spurlin - 6'4" Sr F - 1st Team All-HCAC - 16.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg
Brandon Rash - 6'3" Sr F/G - 1st Team All-HCAC - 14.5 ppg, 2.9 apg
Barrett Meyer - 6'2" Sr G - 2nd Team All-HCAC - 14.5 ppg, 44% 3pt
Tate Cox - 6'1" Jr G - 7.7 ppg

Key Reserves:
Taylor Botkin - 6'1" Sr G/F - 20.3 min/g
Nick Fudge - 5'9" Sr G - 14.7 min/g

Key Wins: Randolph-Macon (56-54), @ Rose-Hulman (69-60), Wooster (68-62), @ Spalding (62-61)

Key Losses: vs Manchester (57-59), @ Centre (64-70 OT), Catholic (41-67), Hanover 3x, vs Rose-Hulman (49-54)

Shoots 48.7% from the field, 41% from 3pt
Prefers lower scoring games (182nd in scoring offense at 70.5 ppg, 31st in scoring defense at 60.9 ppg)

[David Collinge]

Looks to me like RHIT's MVP is whoever sews the names on the backs of the jerseys!