Quote from: SpringSt7 on February 22, 2026, 07:59:12 AM

Quote from: lumbercat on February 21, 2026, 09:28:42 PM

Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 21, 2026, 08:07:45 PMJust when you think it is safe to be encouraged by Amherst they crap the bed badly in the NESCAC playoffs.

Amherst has a rich Basketball tradition- Why would you dis them like that. Why be a front runner. They lost today to a team that hasn't beat them forever in that Gym. Bates out worked them and grinded out a win. I wouldn't lose too much sleep worrying about the returning players on that roster. I'm sure the promise of matriculation at the most selective liberal arts college in the country will lure a couple of bigs in a heartbeat to Amherst in the near future.

What does a Williams degree have to do with Amherst's frontcourt?

Lol- Ok, the second most selective liberal arts school in the country. Gotta love the relentless Purple rivalry.

Quote from: JEFFFAN on February 21, 2026, 08:07:45 PMJust when you think it is safe to be encouraged by Amherst they crap the bed badly in the NESCAC playoffs.

Amherst has a rich Basketball tradition- Why would you dis them like that. Why be a front runner. They lost today to a team that hasn't beat them forever in that Gym. Bates out worked them and grinded out a win. I wouldn't lose too much sleep worrying about the returning players on that roster. I'm sure the promise of matriculation at the most selective liberal arts college in the country will lure a couple of bigs in a heartbeat to Amherst in the near future.

New Bates President VERY supportive of Athletics.

DMan-
Thanks for the local knowledge- much appreciated.

Bates will be beginning construction on a new athletic/fitness facility which be connected to Alumni Gym. It was decided that the character of Alumni Gym should be preserved but renovated. Bates will play in Underhill Hockey Arena next year which will be converted for Basketball while the renovation project for Alumni Gym commences. 

Off topic but hoping our Williams friends might offer some assistance. Why can I never get a reservation at the Willams Inn? Thought I would try earlier this year for the Bates game weekend. Same result as in past attempts. Fully booked. Guess I'll never get a room there.
Wondering if anyone with local knowledge might recommend another hotel in the area.

Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on February 01, 2026, 04:58:53 PM

Quote from: Bucket on February 01, 2026, 04:46:58 PM

Quote from: lumbercat on February 01, 2026, 03:00:43 PMWhat a terrible weekend trip for Hamilton. Up by 7 seven with less than a minute to play and somehow they lost by one at Bowdoin on Friday.
On Saturday they lose by one at Colby. Looks like they missed a 10-12 footer at the buzzer.
Hate to see that for any team.

Pretty sure Hamilton was at home for both games, which might make the losses sting just a little bit more?

Yeah.  They had both of those and just let them slip away.

Geez I guess I jumped to the assumption that they were on the road based on the outcomes. That's even worse.

What a terrible weekend trip for Hamilton. Up by 7 seven with less than a minute to play and somehow they lost by one at Bowdoin on Friday.
On Saturday they lose by one at Colby. Looks like they missed a 10-12 footer at the buzzer.
Hate to see that for any team.

Did not realize that new Detroit Lions OC Drew Petzing is a Middlebury guy. He was OC for the Arizona Cardinals for the past 3 years, now moving to the Lions. Never knew of his Middlebury ties.

Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on January 23, 2026, 08:26:22 AM

Quote from: toad22 on January 22, 2026, 09:00:06 PM

Quote from: D3BBALL on January 22, 2026, 08:55:52 PMIf you are the odd team in the league, there is 1 weekend you don't have a conference game. This weekend the teams that travel together play each other, so the odd team doesn't play.

Thank the Presidents for letting Hamilton back in the league.

Just to stir up some good conversations: if the NESCAC were to add one more to get back to even, which school would you like to see it be?

BABSON

Thanks Fellas- I'm more of a NESCAC football guy but love the posts and passion from the BB followers on this board.
In recent years Middlebury has had some great teams and their followers became very active on this board. Recently, the Panthers have been limping a bit, I was hoping the Midd faithful were not front runners....so it was reassuring to see Bucket emerge recently and hope that our esteemed Bates friend Old Guy is well.

Quote from: D3BBALL on January 22, 2026, 05:48:16 PM

Quote from: Stickthe3 on January 22, 2026, 04:58:15 PM

Quote from: SpringSt7 on January 22, 2026, 03:22:36 PMWeird to just be sitting here on January 22nd and Bates is a basically a lock to make the NCAA tournament. Just not something we're used to it. Also Colby really let the rope slip last weekend with the second loss to them. Does anyone have any updates on Montiel?

I don't have any intel and I could be wrong, but it looked like he was wearing a boot on his right foot while on the bench at the Bates game on Sunday.  It was hard to tell from the stream, so take that for what you will. Maybe someone could confirm or correct me on this.

Injuries going to start hurting more teams. Bates couple of nice wins without Pouye, does anyone know when he will be back? O'Leary playing like a all conference player the last few games. Colby on the road and then U Maine Farmington on the road both without Pouye. Another tough one against St joes Maine on the road. Does St Joes have their injured players back?

Don't know anything about St Joes but I have noticed O'Leary's steady progression. He was a very good HS player on a championship team at Franklin, Ma. He got some good minutes as a FY. Even with my trammeled basketball vision I could see the kid can play. He was a prized recruit for the Garnet and he has progressed nicely.

He's been consistent this year getting better in each game but the breakout game came against Colby. Hoping he has turned the corner and will be a fine all around player for Bates. To me, he's a Havlicek type player but seems we don't see that kind of player so much anymore.

Regarding Pouye, the injury was unfortunate but it couldn't have occurred at a better time. The injury was 1/16 during the win against Bowdoin. Bates has a conference "bye"??  this weekend with no NESCAC games so their next conference game is 1/30 at home against Williams. He's got 2 weeks to recover, hopefully he's ready to go on 1/30.

I know Bates has the odd schedule draw this year but maybe someone can refresh my memory as to why they don't have a conference game for 2 weeks. No complaints, it just seems strange but I know they will take it.




 

Pouye rolled an ankle in the second half against Bowdoin. He finished the game but noticeably limping after the game. It didn't look real bad but as we know the real test is how it is when you get up the next morning. Hopefully it's minor, Bates will have a tough road ahead if he's going to be out for an extended time.

N1
Couldn't agree more on your assessment of the situation at Colby relative to the Strahorn firing and the intentions of the new AD.
Since the move I've wondered what the thoughts of legendary Coach Dick Whitmore might be.....I know he's aging but he has been relevant on the periphery of that program for many years.

I saw the Richardson catch also. As good a catch as you will ever see in college football. And it was nice to hear the play by play guy recognize Tufts despite a little sarcasm.