MBB: NEWMAC

BaboNation · November 03, 2026, 11:34:33 AM

Looking around the conference as rosters get posted.

At first I thought USCG Academy's roster couldn't possibly be complete with just 10 guys. But then they played an exhibition last night against D1 Sacred Heart (111-44 loss) and 9 of the 10 guys played. So 10 it is I guess. It's not rare to have an in-season rotation of 7 guys, but there's just no wiggle room for injuries with a roster this small and having so many young guys.

And speaking of small, the Academy has to get height wavers for guys at a certain point (6'8" I think), but no one is listed above 6'3". Height isn't everything, but it's something.

Luke Farrell (6'6") was the last big to graduate and it looks like they couldn't land a replacement.

Also, looking back at the last 2 years, the roster has shrunk from 15, to 12, to now 10.

To summarize: small roster in 2 ways

Not something I like to see from my 2nd favorite institution in the conference.

BaboNation · November 03, 2026, 02:20:11 PM

Here are the incoming xfers, based purely on the rosters posted to their official sites. Still waiting on Emerson and Wheaton, though they may have buried it on Faceplant or other social media location. Lions and Lyons, Oh My!

On paper MIT wins the award for the best group.

I can't remember when I've seen xfers from USCAA, and now 2 in one year. Crazy times.

Clark:

Nidas Paulauskas 6'4" G JR North Dakota State College of Science (JUCO)
Willie Jennings IV 6'3" G JR Paul Smith's (USCAA D2)

WPI:

Sean Bosa 6'5" F JR Southern Maine CC (USCAA D2)
Kaan Yarkut 6'7" F JR Oregon State University (D1)

MIT:

Eric Wentz 6'4" G GR Macalaster
Noah Hicks 6'0" G GR Caltech

Babson:

Emanuel Domingo 6'6" F JR DeSales
Joe Thomson 6'7" F GR Westfield State University

WPI89 · November 04, 2026, 09:37:29 AM

Thanks for the research BABO

Good luck NEWMAC as this all kicks off this week / weekend.

BaboNation · November 04, 2026, 10:37:56 AM

Quote from: WPI89 on November 04, 2026, 09:37:29 AMThanks for the research BABO

Good luck NEWMAC as this all kicks off this week / weekend.

Good luck to your guys. Looks like a bigger gap than usual between the haves and have-nots in the conference this year.

BaboNation · November 04, 2026, 12:38:18 PM

Can't wait to see the 26-27 edition of Babson hoops.

It will be another formidable OOC schedule with 3 former National Champions in a row, including Trinity and 2 in the inaugural D3 Champions Classic (RMC & CNU). I think St. Joseph's CT had a similar run a few years back. And these opponents aren't just former champions; they remain current powerhouses, ranked 2, 7, and 11 in the preseason poll.

I like the skill set of the incoming group and the focus on forwards and wings. There's already very good depth at guard.

That's 3 quality recruiting seasons in a row imo.

There will surely be a lot of 3 guard sets in the lineup, but Ferdinando and Mulvey are automatic starters and capable of giving 35+ mpg. Certainly in the discussion of the best guard combo in New England. In other years Frauenheim and Fiore could be starters. There's no concern from me when either steps on the court - both bring intensity and high basketball IQ.

I'd imagine Murphy is almost a certain 3rd starter at wing. But even if he comes off the bench, his all-around game, familiarity with the system, and deadliness at the FT line will keep him on the court for the final 5 minutes, where trust is so important. I'd imagine Begin and xfer Domingo split time at the opposite wing.

The uncertainty is the frontcourt and who will replace Lauder and O'Toole. Lauder's offensive game was limited, but he was very good at setting screens on one end, and disrupting them at the other, and had the knack to scramble back to seal the defensive board. He was also a key part of facilitating shots from the post. O'Toole was relentless on both boards, and an aggressive, high-motor defender (NEWMAC DPOY). There was very little in the way of reliable, consistent subs for these 2 last year, accentuated in the NEWMAC Championship game and Trinity playoff loss when they couldn't get a breather on the bench. I expect Thomson to start at the 5. He needs to stay out of foul trouble, which will be challenging with Babson's style of fighting over screens at the arc. If he provides 10/10 each night we're in good shape.
Lamb, Ayedelotte, Vaughan, and Fortes are all candidates to get minutes at the 4 & 5. But Brennan has never been shy to start FY guys, and what could be a better bookend than to have 2 former 4-year starters replaced by newcomers Cieplicki and Dudley? That Dudley hails from Dexter Southfield (like O'Toole) would make it extra poetic. And Cieplicki may have the frame and game to step into Lauder's role, albeit as a sub.

Pro tip for the non-starters: You could learn a lot from looking at the careers of Lauder and O'Toole and get on the court for 15-20 mpg if you can set screens, rotate to space, facilitate, defend, and rebound, even if you rarely shoot the ball. With the depth at guard and wing you might otherwise rarely see the court.

Taking a guess at the starting 5:

Ferdinando, Mulvey, Murphy, Begin, Thomson

D3BBALL · November 04, 2026, 12:45:51 PM

Agree, Ferdinando and Mulvey one of the best guard combo as you say in the Northeast and probably the best offensive guard combo in the Northeast.
Really like Babson non conference schedule as well. By February they could easily be a top 10 team, will need front court to step up.

WPI89 · November 04, 2026, 02:12:05 PM

I can't give you nearly the in depth coverage that Babo provides - but I can tell you that in addition to the 2 transfers, WPI has 4 incoming freshman. 6', 6'1', 6'4'. 6'6" - all can handle the ball.

Coach Bartley is a fan of the letter T - as there are 5 players originally from Texas and 2 more from Turkey! The T's we had in the 80s on the team were from Tewksbury and Taunton!

No guesses as to starting 5 - but i am sure it will be a healthy mix of veterans and new blood competing for all the quality minutes.

Kicks off Saturday at Nichols!

BaboNation · November 04, 2026, 04:23:02 PM

Quote from: WPI89 on November 04, 2026, 02:12:05 PMI can't give you nearly the in depth coverage that Babo provides - but I can tell you that in addition to the 2 transfers, WPI has 4 incoming freshman. 6', 6'1', 6'4'. 6'6" - all can handle the ball.

Coach Bartley is a fan of the letter T - as there are 5 players originally from Texas and 2 more from Turkey! The T's we had in the 80s on the team were from Tewksbury and Taunton!

No guesses as to starting 5 - but i am sure it will be a healthy mix of veterans and new blood competing for all the quality minutes.

Kicks off Saturday at Nichols!

I think you're down to just 1 from Turkey (based on the site roster). Yigit Sari from last year is missing.

I see that Bartley has added Steph Baxter (Bates/Babson) to his staff. Nice addition.

One thing I know for sure - all your forwards come in ripped from weight room training.