MBB: NESCAC

grabtherim · February 02, 2014, 04:01:52 PM

I have sat back, read the back and forth about the Williams/Midd game and blog ethics and while it's been interesting I think the bottom line is this game despite the heartbreak for me illustrates why we all love watching these kids compete.

Williams ran into a determined focused and ready Midd team in the first half. I don't think Williams played badly, I think Midd simply played their best half of the season. Clearly, Maker made some adjustments, his players found their rhythm and Midd while not playing as well also became a bit tentative as the lead evaporated. Not a great combination for Midd, but perfect for the Ephs.

As an aside, and I know it's hard for many to agree with or understand, but as a player I would rather not have as big a lead as Midd had at the half. I think it sort of plays on you as soon as things start turning the other way. Congrats to Maker and the Ephs.

It is becoming crystal clear for the Panthers and their fans that the margin of error to even sniff an NCAA bid is probably gone. Not sure if anything less than a tournament championship gets them a bid. Funny, but if Merryman's shot drops, Midd is tied for the league lead and the outlook for Midd is completely different.

I cannot pinpoint Midd's ups and downs. So many theories have been raised here, and all have some validity. So for now, I will just wear my fans hat, keep my fingers crossed that Midd goes on a run, pulls some meaningful upsets and some of our rivals find a way to lose some they should win.

Old Guy · February 02, 2014, 04:47:50 PM

I cannot pinpoint Midd's ups and downs. So many theories have been raised here, and all have some validity. So for now, I will just wear my fans hat, keep my fingers crossed that Midd goes on a run, pulls some meaningful upsets and some of our rivals find a way to lose some they should win. Grabtherim

Amen, brother.

Midd down five at the half at Hamilton. I'm getting some video, though the camera is awfully far away (and not sure why it's so hard to get to the other team before the game starts and find out how names are pronounced: tonight it's Sin-ICK-sn and SAINT arm-r. These are not kids announcing these games and they're getting paid, right? (You can tell Midd's behind. I'm grouchy.)

middhoops · February 02, 2014, 05:10:25 PM

I'm not, I'm really not trying to rile Bucket here, but one could be excused for observing that Middlebury is not playing with the same intensity as many previous games this season. The game against Hamilton has been ragged all around but Middlebury has had NO offensive flow in this game. Defensively, they're just getting beat.
On the upside, it can only get better, right?

middhoops · February 02, 2014, 05:16:07 PM

Ah, nothing works like whining. saNixon just tied the game according to the announcer.

AmherstStudent05 · February 02, 2014, 05:33:49 PM

Not to shortchange everyone else, but you have to love how Kizel and Hart are battling today. This is really something to watch.

madzillagd · February 02, 2014, 05:34:41 PM

Holy Matt Hart!!!!

middhoops · February 02, 2014, 05:40:42 PM

Can Matt Hart get some love now? Damn.

Old Guy · February 02, 2014, 05:44:15 PM

Hart against Kizel in the last five minutes. Terrific duel. Hart hits three threes in the last two minutes. Kizel answers hoop for hoop practically - and Newton wins it with a 15' jump shot with a hand in his face.

I'll give Hart some love. He can really play.

Old Guy · February 02, 2014, 05:48:27 PM

Tough threes too. No iron on any of them, well-guarded by Jensen 6'5", the third shot off balance in the corner falling out of bounds.

Thought Middlebury had this one (thought they had the last one too). Came back and played well in the last ten minutes. This stretch is a stern test.

AmherstStudent05 · February 02, 2014, 05:48:29 PM

Heartbreaking loss for Midd. They missed a few free throws down the stretch and had a tough turnover or two, but not really a whole lot more you can ask of the Panthers. Matt Hart was simply unreal down the stretch. Midd played him really tough too, the kid was just on fire. (While they have very different games, Hart's performance reminded me very much of the clinic Paul Reynolds put on in Chandler during last year's NCAA Tournament).

Joey Kizel showed his warrior spirit today. Kid never gives up. Playing crunch time with four fouls, Kizel basically matched Hart step for step. I don't think a single one of his second half free throws even grazed the rim. And that steal he had on the inbounds pass following his own layup was unreal. Joey may be the only person in the league who can pull that off.

For whatever reason, things just aren't going right for Midd recently. While they still have some big games to come against Bowdoin in Amherst in particular that could really boost their confidence and resume, I think it is safe to say at this point that their Road to Salem must pass through the NESCAC Championship.

Again, unreal effort by Matt Hart. Congrats.

Bucket · February 02, 2014, 05:58:33 PM

Two superstars dueling it out, ending in a second-consecutive heartbreaking loss for Middlebury.

For those who did not catch the game, a quick recap that won't come close to matching what was actually occurring on the court.

With 2:00 to play, Midd has the ball up 2, having come back from a 14-point second-half deficit. Kizel goes one-on-one and scores giving the Panthers a 4-pt lead. He then steals the inbounds pass (shades of Larry Bird) and feeds a streaking Dylan Sinnickson (shades of Dennis Johnson). Sinnickson to the cup, contact, whistle. The ball rolls around and around and around. Looking like a 3-pt play and final dagger for the Continentals. And then rolls off. Still, Sinnickson steps to the line for 2. Misses both.

Under 2:00 to play. Hart drains a 3. The lead is one.

Panthers come down the court. Kizel feeds Jensen slashing to the basket. Hammered. 2 shots. Makes the first, misses the second.

Two-pt Panther lead. Hart. Again. 3 pts. Continentals lead by 1. 1:00 to play.

Kizel. For 3. Panthers back up by 2.

:50 to play. Again. Hart. 3 pts. Hamilton by 1.

Midd turns it over and is forced to foul. Continentals make 1 of 2 for a 2-pt lead with :30 to play.

Panthers ball. Kizel fouled. He makes both. Tie game. Under :30.

Hart denied the ball. Greg Newton with a hand in his face, drains a jumper from the wing. Hamilton by two. :06 left.

Hamilton coach screaming for timeout, Midd quickly inbounds, timeout not granted. Kizel races up the court.

Pulls up for a three at the buzzer in front of Panther bench. NBA-range. Off the mark. Game over.

Honestly, the Middlebury kids must be absolutely crushed after the two games this weekend.

With the exception of the 14-pt win over Tufts, every Middlebury NESCAC game, win or lose, has come down to a final shot. Ecstasy and agony. This weekend, a double dose of the latter.

nescac1 · February 02, 2014, 06:02:27 PM

Matt Hart is absolutely legit. Just love his game. Right now I see him as in the top three players in NESCAC. Glad to see him getting more attention.

One thing is clear: winning on the road ain't easy in NESCAC right now. Almost anyone can beat almost anyone on any given day.

Bucket · February 02, 2014, 06:11:22 PM

Still a couple of weekends of league play left, but if this weekend was any indication, the conference tournament will be wild, where even the three teams who don't make the field—and good luck guessing who those are going to be, at this point (even with Bates at 1-5, they can easily win 3 of their final four and make the cut)—would have a legit shot to win a couple of games.

Williams, Amherst, and Bowdoin are looking like the top three (though certainly not a given), with everyone else fighting like hell for spots 4-8.

amh63 · February 02, 2014, 06:43:19 PM

Saw the game....saw the dancing girls.....saw the fine comeback by the Panthers in the 2nd part of the 2nd half. Saw Kizel vs Hart battle to the bitter end. Truthfully I wanted to avoid a last minute shot affair. When the late foul shots were missed, my fears became reality. Both teams missed foul shots. Remember again that these players are human and not the super stars we wish of them too often.
Went to the box after the game and if one only saw the stats, one could simply say that the game was won or lost by this stats or that stats. One can simply say that the game was lost on the foul line. Having seen the game, I did not and would not miss the drama being played out. I hoped for a Panther win in spite of Hart.

Several things become clear to me. The NESCAC seedings become critical for all. If one or two teams become "hot"....like the Cardinals....like the Jumbos...yes the Jumbos and like the Mules and even the Panthers. there will be upsets. Who wants to meet Trinity's physical play. The second point here as indicated by the host of Hoopsville this afternoon is that there maybe only two teams coming out of the CAC this year. Pressure on tournament position.

middhoops · February 02, 2014, 09:18:05 PM

Bucket's play by play was perfect. Dude can write. And report.
Matt Hart, playing for Williams, would be All World. As I may have mentioned previously, this kid can't be punished for playing in Clinton, NY. He is a truly great player. Much as I wish he hadn't proved it against my team, relegating him to second tier based upon his surrounding cast has to end, now.

Watching Epley's bombs on Friday and Hart's on Sunday made for an emotionally challenging weekend. I can't, however, complain about not being entertained.