MBB: NEWMAC

[BaboNation]

Babson’s 23-24 schedule is out and it has some significant changes from recent years.  I’m guessing this has a lot to do with adding the 9th league member (Salve Regina), thereby increasing the league games from 14 to 16, and reducing the OOC games from 11 to 9.

Gone is the Big 4 Challenge tournament that rotated venues between Tufts, Brandeis, and Salem State, although the rivalry game with Brandeis remains outside of a tourney setting.

Gone are traditional NESCAC opponents Amherst and Bowdoin.  Altogether, NESCAC games have been reduced from 4 (Amherst, Tufts, Bates, and Bowdoin) to just Bates.  I especially hate to see the Amherst game go if this becomes normal.

Also, 2 conference games have been moved to early December, keeping 11 games before January 1st.

While these changes might suggest a weakening of the schedule, at least for this year it looks formidable and won’t hurt the SOS one bit.

They’ve added the Lopata Classic at WashU (essentially replacing the Big 4 Challenge slots);  they’re playing year-end games in the WIAC at WI-Oshkosh and WI-Stout;  they play @ Albertus Magnus; they keep St. Joseph’s (CT); and only 3 of 9 OOC games are at home.

In short, after the season-opener with Lasell, who they’ve dominated, there are no breathers in the OOC portion.  I can only hope the other NEWMAC teams are paying attention - moving from 8 to 9 teams means you must have an ever more challenging OOC schedule for Pool C bids.

Lasell - H
Albertus Magnus - A
WashU Lopata Classic (1)
WashU Lopata Classic (2)
Brandeis - H
Bates - A
St. Joseph’s (CT) - H
WI-Oshkosh- A
WI-Stout - A

https://babsonathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

[WPI89]

That looks like a strong schedule Babo.  WPI is partially out - 3 tournaments this year.  Our early Ted Coughlin Tourney.  Then a Tourney at Bridgewater State - also before Thanksgiving.  And finally - they go to Stevens during Christmas Break.

no info on other teams in any of those tourneys yet.

Also - Tufts, Fitchburg, and Worcester State are scheduled.

One other quick note - Babson/WPI first game in Worcester is super early - December 9th.

[WPI89]

I might be late to the party as I am catching up here - but this surprised me.  Cain to Hopkins.

https://hopkinssports.com/news/2023/6/30/ryan-cain-named-head-mens-basketball-coach.aspx

[BaboNation]

That looks like a strong schedule Babo.  WPI is partially out - 3 tournaments this year.  Our early Ted Coughlin Tourney.  Then a Tourney at Bridgewater State - also before Thanksgiving.  And finally - they go to Stevens during Christmas Break.

no info on other teams in any of those tourneys yet.

Also - Tufts, Fitchburg, and Worcester State are scheduled.

One other quick note - Babson/WPI first game in Worcester is super early - December 9th.

Good stuff WPI.

Yeah, the early December conference games are another unwelcome byproduct of adding a 9th NEWMAC team IMO.  When you back-schedule form the NCAA tournament, then back-schedule from the NEWMAC tournament,  and play 2 league games a week starting the first of the new year, you still have 2 games left over.  Those 2 games needed to be moved to early December, asking student-athletes to hang on campus longer than most undergrads. 
Babson has finals very early in December, and most students will already be gone for the semester break.  So this does not foster a strong attendance with a heavy student presence.  At least in Babson’s case these games will be largely attended by locals, friends, and families.

[Stretch4]

That looks like a strong schedule Babo.  WPI is partially out - 3 tournaments this year.  Our early Ted Coughlin Tourney.  Then a Tourney at Bridgewater State - also before Thanksgiving.  And finally - they go to Stevens during Christmas Break.

no info on other teams in any of those tourneys yet.

Also - Tufts, Fitchburg, and Worcester State are scheduled.

One other quick note - Babson/WPI first game in Worcester is super early - December 9th.

Here is the lineup for the Stevens Holiday tournament - another solid one this year ... Stevens, WPI, Gettysburg and Amherst - all four teams should be good this year.

[Pat Coleman]

Amherst may no longer be a team you can presume will be good.

[ImTold]

I'm Told John Lowther will not be returning to WPI for a 5th year.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm Told John Lowther will not be returning to WPI for a 5th year.

I cannot confirm this, but I can confirm a guy named John Lowther worked at the SD Padres mascot for four years.

[WPI89]

John Lowther is now a commissioned officer in The United States Army.  He was in ROTC at WPI.  He will now be protecting all of us, instead of just the defensive end at Harrington.  Congratulations John!

Babo - you may need to re-look at your NEWMAC rankings.

[BaboNation]

John Lowther is now a commissioned officer in The United States Army.  He was in ROTC at WPI.  He will now be protecting all of us, instead of just the defensive end at Harrington.  Congratulations John!

Babo - you may need to re-look at your NEWMAC rankings.

Thanks for the update WPI89.  Mixed emotions.  He leaves a huge hole in the NEWMAC.  If he had played another year he’d have likely finished in the top 5 in school scoring along with all-time greats.  Still he was a 1000-point man in 3 years.  He and Houston @ Emerson were the top 2 in the NEWMAC (and accolades beyond) over the last 4 years.
I’ve heard nothing but praise for his character and leadership.  I wish him all the best.

[BaboNation]

Stephon Baxter (Bates) has enrolled at Babson for grad school.

He’s a lock to start and provide much needed backcourt scoring.  Although he’s not a prototypical PG if he can provide A/TO of 2+ the team will be in good hands.
While I don’t expect him to carry as heavy a load as he did at Bates he’s a guy who has the quickness and ability to beat his man off the dribble, find seams, and finish in tight areas - skills in short supply on the roster.  18 ppg is a very reasonable target I think.
If every other undergrad who played last year returns I can visualize a 10+ man rotation with a return to a more up-tempo game (before even considering if any of the FY players can see minutes).

And the added spice comes with the altered schedule where NESCAC opponents have been reduced to just 1.  The Nov. 26 game @ Bates becomes more intriguing.

On another note Babson has added its own Elite Camp next month.  I believe this is a first for the school and adds another competitive recruiting edge that so many schools have used in recent years.  I believe the NYU coach said no less than 3 incoming players were part of their offering.

[Greek Tragedy]

Stephon Baxter (Bates) has enrolled at Babson for grad school.

He’s a lock to start and provide much needed backcourt scoring.  Although he’s not a prototypical PG if he can provide A/TO of 2+ the team will be in good hands.
While I don’t expect him to carry as heavy a load as he did at Bates he’s a guy who has the quickness and ability to beat his man off the dribble, find seams, and finish in tight areas - skills in short supply on the roster.  18 ppg is a very reasonable target I think.
If every other undergrad who played last year returns I can visualize a 10+ man rotation with a return to a more up-tempo game (before even considering if any of the FY players can see minutes).

And the added spice comes with the altered schedule where NESCAC opponents have been reduced to just 1.  The Nov. 26 game @ Bates becomes more intriguing.

On another note Babson has added its own Elite Camp next month.  I believe this is a first for the school and adds another competitive recruiting edge that so many schools have used in recent years.  I believe the NYU coach said no less than 3 incoming players were part of their offering.

Less of a load at Babson, but score more than at Bates?

[BaboNation]

Stephon Baxter (Bates) has enrolled at Babson for grad school.

He’s a lock to start and provide much needed backcourt scoring.  Although he’s not a prototypical PG if he can provide A/TO of 2+ the team will be in good hands.
While I don’t expect him to carry as heavy a load as he did at Bates he’s a guy who has the quickness and ability to beat his man off the dribble, find seams, and finish in tight areas - skills in short supply on the roster.  18 ppg is a very reasonable target I think.
If every other undergrad who played last year returns I can visualize a 10+ man rotation with a return to a more up-tempo game (before even considering if any of the FY players can see minutes).

And the added spice comes with the altered schedule where NESCAC opponents have been reduced to just 1.  The Nov. 26 game @ Bates becomes more intriguing.

On another note Babson has added its own Elite Camp next month.  I believe this is a first for the school and adds another competitive recruiting edge that so many schools have used in recent years.  I believe the NYU coach said no less than 3 incoming players were part of their offering.

Less of a load at Babson, but score more than at Bates?

Yes, I recognize that what I wrote may seem contradictory, but it was intentional.  I may prove to be wrong, but I envision more like a 32 mpg ceiling, possibly as low as 30.  Some of the uncertainty will become clearer when the roster is finalized.
In short, he can be more efficient in the minutes he plays.  He will have the experience that comes with 5th year players.  I think he’ll get to the FT line more in the NEWMAC too.
There are a lot of similarities in the stat lines and style of play I see when comparing him to Alex Carlisle who just graduated from Wheaton (MA).  Both played similar minutes;  both were/are SG, but asked to shoulder the PG role; both had higher scoring averages as juniors (in Baxter’s case 20ppg); both very good FT shooters; both very good off the dribble and scoring in the paint.
Finally, even though I am a fan of the NEWMAC, I recognize the quality of competition is higher in the NESCAC.  I’m awarding Baxter a completely arbitrary, unscientific, 2ppg additional “conference differential”.