MBB: NESCAC

Started by cameltime, April 27, 2005, 02:38:16 PM

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rlk

Quote from: nescac1 on November 16, 2017, 11:14:01 AM
Actually, amh63, the last few Harvard recruiting classes (especially the current sophomore class, which was one of the top recruiting classes anywhere) have been quite heralded.  Whether that translates into wins remains to be seen, but Amaker has been a major draw for the Crimson -- it was impressive that MIT could hang with them, for sure.  And to correct my earlier post, it wasn't an exhibition game, but a game that counted!

Counted for Harvard, not for MIT -- D1 season begins earlier than D3.

Harvard renovated Lavietes this year.  It looks very nice inside, and the lighting is maybe 1/2 stop or so better than it was previously.

It was a terrific game.  Harvard looked bigger and more athletic than I remember in recent years, and had maybe 3 inches at every spot, but we hung with them throughout; it was a 4 point game with 1:30 to play.  The trend in recent years has been for us to take an early lead, but then Harvard has a big run at some point in the game that puts it away, then it stays 10-20 points the rest of the way.  This time we never led, but neither was Harvard able to ever put together a run.  Harvard's going to defeat D1 opponents by a lot more than 9 points.
MIT Course VI-3 1987 -- #RollTech

nescac1

Two very interesting late results:

Trinity blows out Bates in a rare intra-Nescac opener.  Is Trinity better than expected or Bates worse?  Likely a bit of both, but I'd say this game is a VERY bad sign for the Bobcats.  Trinity scored 80 points despite shooting below 50 percent from the line and only 3-18 from 3.   How?  Well, they out-rebounded Bates by an astounding 56-27 margin, including 20 offensive boards!  Now, Trinity is very athletic and always super-relentless on the glass.  That is their game, and I've seen them murder some very big Williams teams via their all-out effort in the past.  But at the same time Ogundeko is gone and no Trinity starter was over 6'5, so they aren't a massive team.  Bates, however, is absolutely Lilliputian.  They start four guards, 5'9, 6'0, 6'2, 6'3, none of whom are especially bulky dudes.  That's small for a high school squad.  And they played two guys 6'2 and 6'0 big minutes off the bench.  I'm not sure that is sustainable, especially as they face teams with a stronger post presence.  Where have you gone, Mssrs Delpeche??

Tufts had a very impressive game on paper in my view, despite losing to Wash U.  Wash U is a senior-dominated, top ten team playing at home.  Tufts after being down by about 20 in the second half came all the way back before losing by four, despite playing without three injured (presumably) guys out of their projected top six, without a huge game from Pace, and relying on four frosh in the rotation.  Eric Savage was, well, savage, putting up a crazy 21-16-8 stat line.  I thought he'd have a big year, but after two games he is averaging a Westbrook-esque 24-14-6.5, vs strong competition.  Wow.  Pat Racey also had a big game for the Bos. 

Tufts handily outrebounded the much bigger Wash U squad.  Tufts is clearly deep and athletic again, although giving up 50 percent shooting isn't ideal; but D has never been their calling card.  The Jumbos play a brutal non-league schedule including MIT, WPI, Salem State, CMS, and, likely, Babson.  Should benefit come league play — if they survive! 

It's been vs mostly weak competition, but Nescac is an impressive 15-2 to start the year.   

amh63

#24272
rik....nice to hear from you!  Been awhile.  See you are keeping in touch with MIT MBB.
Watched both Amherst's games and a lot of the Tuft's game.  Some general comments.
Both Rio and J'Mac appeared to be pressing in the first game as well as Sellew. In the second game, Rio found his grove as well as Sellew.  J'Mac just could not hit the side of a barn in both games but did the things that Nescac1 mentioned.  Coach Hixon wants him on the floor as he rotated his players in various combos and situations. 
Amherst did find more inside players and more confident outside shooters.  The younger players need more time on the defensive side and these early games help, IMO. 
In the Tuft's game, Pace was the leader but was way off on the offensive side.  Racy impressed me with his shooting and board work against the bigger WashU players.  Tufts will be a tough out in Nescac games.
The Amherst announcer pointed out that the WNEC HC is a great former Trinity player and a NE Hall of Fame member...Colin Tabb?  This is his third year at WNEC. 
Yes, the weekend games were "educational" for both coaches and players. Good start for Amherst.

Cards Fan

Wesleyan's out of conference schedule is extremely weak. Not many tests of our ability honestly. Nichols and Farmingdale State are both strong teams, but outside of those 2, there aren't many tough out of conference matchups (besides the little three, of course).

WUPHF

Quote from: amh63 on November 19, 2017, 08:58:06 AM
In the Tuft's game, Pace was the leader but was way off on the offensive side.  Racy impressed me with his shooting and board work against the bigger WashU players. 

Pace tweaked his knee in the second half and though he continued to play, he seemed a little off.

I thought Washington University played great defense, but Pace was frequently able to draw two defenders off screens.  Tufts had a lot of open looks for this reason.  The Tufts offense needed Pace in the game.  Definitely something that the Bears need to work on.

FanOfNescac

Quote from: Cards Fan on November 19, 2017, 09:16:42 AM
Wesleyan's out of conference schedule is extremely weak. Not many tests of our ability honestly. Nichols and Farmingdale State are both strong teams, but outside of those 2, there aren't many tough out of conference matchups (besides the little three, of course).

Wiliams's non-conference schedule is also does not look overpowering, although much TBD. Salem State and Stevens could turn out to be decent teams. Not likely with MCLA, Yeshiva, Vassar, Fitchburg and Westfield. Springfield should be a test (Springfield plays at Williams and at Amherst 3 days apart, Williams first). Tournament in California includes Hamline and Cal Lutheran, who both opened with wins, but who knows? And there is also the early Little Three test vs. Wesleyan, in which the Cards throttled Williams last December and Salim Green was one-man gang. Middlebury plays Plattsburgh, Endicott and Skidmore in a short stretch after Thanksgiving. Good tests.


BigMike33

Matt Folger from Middlebury, and Hamilton Forsythe of MIT were teammates at Weston High School in CT.
Hamilton is ultra-talented almost mirror image of Matt in body and size at 6'8". Hamilton is a better 3 point shooter and Matt is better mid range shooter. Hamilton & Matt are prone to fouls because they both believe they can block any shot.

Hamilton is more developed at this age due to scrimmaging & practicing against Folger, and his body has matured faster.
Forsythe is a STAR for you MIT fans. Even has a chippy side if you cross him.

BigMike33

Middlebury Tournament

D3forLyfe.     I think you may need to watch a few games in person.  Jack Daly has heart of a lion.
Last year when Jack was in foul trouble , Middlebury, lost. Not the same correlation for Brown or St. Amour.

Jack does what team needs at any given moment. That is 5 tool player, captain, & leader. Daly backs down the Ohio Wesleyan (ranked) defender last year to win tie game with virtuoso dribble, turns, drop step, body contact then rise and nail 12 footer at buzzer to win. Clutch play to WIN called by Coach Brown, LAST YEAR, designed for Daly 1 on 1, not St. Amour or Brown

Tournament Opener, lots of Middlebury freshman, Daly's goal:  I PERSONALLY DISCUSSED WITH HIM PRE GAME wàs to get Everyone off.  52-17 first half. Every dressed Middlebury player (Every freshman) score. FIRST TRIPLE DOUBLE IN MEMORY AT MIDDLEBURY. 10-16-13

Championship game, as Old Guy astutely points out, Former Midd assistant now at Wentworth, has strategy to hold down Midd offense. they begin to struggle with offensive execution, in 2nd half, as legs on back to back tire & strategy keeps Wentworth within single digits.

Daly takes over, 20 of his 25 points in second half sensing the offensive scuttles. Plays 34+ minutes in game.
OH YEAH, HE SCORES 14 of Middlebury's last 16 points and assisted on other, a threaded needle pass for layup to Majors.

Jack Daly imposes his WILL on a game. You tell me....who else in NESCAC can do this and MOST IMPORTANTLY,
WHO has done this consistently like Daly has. 

Paralysis of Analysis:   Watch some games...courtside..please.  The eyes don't lie!!!!

BigMike33

Jack Farrell, Max Bosco   Middlebury freshman guards

Very small sample size 2 games. 

Farrell won only 2 state championships in Verona NJ history last year, Hillbillies were tops in soccer & basketball led by Farrell.
This kid is an ATHLETE. Fast smart tough.

Bosco hits on 2 four point plays over 2 games. 2nd one, Wentworth defender charges at him like a bull seeing red. Wentworth defender cross body blocks him, takes him down hard.  No flinch, just a swish. No one in gym expected that based on the collision,

Griff Kornaker is almost back, he will be the ice to balance these 2 little fire plugs. The freshman bigs are athletic but very green.

Coach Dudley.... excellent recruiter.....talent is there.....how it develops, will keep us warm all winter.

BigMike33

Tufts,

Racy played a great first game, if Tufts could EVER keep eveyone healthy, they are scary athletic, which would be very challenging to both Middlebury & Williams. 

Tufts has an Answer Key to win it all but it starts with man games played & having uninjured depth.  Long season to endure in tough conference.

Middlebury is also an injury or two from middle of NESCAC,  Williams would seem to be most immune to this possibility.

Bucket

Quote from: BigMike33 on November 19, 2017, 12:43:31 PM
Jack Farrell, Max Bosco   Middlebury freshman guards

Very small sample size 2 games. 

Farrell won only 2 state championships in Verona NJ history last year, Hillbillies were tops in soccer & basketball led by Farrell.
This kid is an ATHLETE. Fast smart tough.

Bosco hits on 2 four point plays over 2 games. 2nd one, Wentworth defender charges at him like a bull seeing red. Wentworth defender cross body blocks him, takes him down hard.  No flinch, just a swish. No one in gym expected that based on the collision,

Griff Kornaker is almost back, he will be the ice to balance these 2 little fire plugs. The freshman bigs are athletic but very green.

Coach Dudley.... excellent recruiter.....talent is there.....how it develops, will keep us warm all winter.

FWIW, Leighton had the 4-point play on Friday; not Bosco.

P'bearfan

Only caught the second half of Bowdoin's win over Westfield State.  Bowdoin again had a size advantage but WSU was much more athletic than SLU.  Bowdoin trailed by 2 at the start of the second half so it was great to see them come back and grind out a win.  A couple observations:

-Live by the 3, die (almost) by the 3.  Bowdoin was 5 of 7 from behind the arc in the first half but went ice cold after the break going 0-12.  It's going to be a challenge to beat many NESCAC teams with that kind of shooting

-WSU's athleticism created problems for the Polar Bears' defense.  Bowdoin will need to shore up their help defense otherwise opponents will be able to rack up easy baskets.

-Jack Bors only played 10 minutes in the first half and 1 minute in the second.  Not sure what happened but hope he isn't injured.  Stephen Ferraro came off the bench and played very well.  Glad to see him healthy and playing well after missing his entire FY with an injury.

-Bowdoin had nice offensive balance with four players in double digits (Simonds; O'Neil; Reynolds; Ferraro).  Again this is a good sign - especially when it's different guys each game.

Great to start the season with 2 wins.  Many positives to build on and a few things to work on.  Not bad way to begin the season.

FanOfNescac

I see it's ALL CAPS time

Bucket