Middlebury- what can one say?? It's been a hard season to watch from afar. I cannot image how defeated the players must feel.
Across multiple games, the team has consistently underperformed in the second half, often following strong first-half play. Opponents are making effective halftime adjustments while Midd's approach remains largely static. Substitution patterns also appear rigid and predictable, with starters routinely exiting at nearly identical points in each half (after 4 minutes of play) regardless of performance or game context. Rotations are easy to anticipate and limit responsiveness to momentum, foul trouble, or individual matchups. Player utilization decisions have been difficult to understand. Players who are performing well—such as McKersie during the first half against Bates—have seen reduced minutes in the second half, while others with persistent weaknesses, including free-throw percentages near or below 40%, continue to receive extended playing time. At this level, free-throw reliability and performance-based minutes are fundamental to closing competitive games. Finally, there appears to be little visible evolution in offensive or defensive schemes over the course of the season. The repetition of the same strategies, rotations, and outcomes suggests a stagnation that is concerning for a program with Middlebury's standards and resources. I know it's Coach Goldsmith's first season but I didn't expect this.
Across multiple games, the team has consistently underperformed in the second half, often following strong first-half play. Opponents are making effective halftime adjustments while Midd's approach remains largely static. Substitution patterns also appear rigid and predictable, with starters routinely exiting at nearly identical points in each half (after 4 minutes of play) regardless of performance or game context. Rotations are easy to anticipate and limit responsiveness to momentum, foul trouble, or individual matchups. Player utilization decisions have been difficult to understand. Players who are performing well—such as McKersie during the first half against Bates—have seen reduced minutes in the second half, while others with persistent weaknesses, including free-throw percentages near or below 40%, continue to receive extended playing time. At this level, free-throw reliability and performance-based minutes are fundamental to closing competitive games. Finally, there appears to be little visible evolution in offensive or defensive schemes over the course of the season. The repetition of the same strategies, rotations, and outcomes suggests a stagnation that is concerning for a program with Middlebury's standards and resources. I know it's Coach Goldsmith's first season but I didn't expect this.