MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Interesting that Trinity swapped their center rotation for the Hood game.  I assume just a matchup thing against a small, quick team and they will want more size at the 5 against a more physical frontline.

The left side of the bracket is really stacked right now, 1, 4, 5 and 9 in NPI still alive, and Tufts is getting fully healthy at the right time.  But really the NPI ratings did a heck of a job overall with no one in the Elite 8 under 11.  About as close to chalk as you can get. 

Nieves is definitely looking like a major star going forward.  This is one of the most talent-packed FY classes I've seen in NESCAC - Neville, Dawkins, Nieves, Robinson, Ducree, Pow, Sommers, Waatson, Plankey, Bianco, Melson, Woodberry ... and most of that group has some rawness to their games.  The collective size/strength/athleticism is off the charts.  And Tufts and Trinity seemed to have some talent stashed that we may see next year. 

If guys do stick around for four years I think we should see five or more all American type players from that group. 

With potentially 11/14 all league guys not returning, a lot of guys from that group are going to be headline stars in the league even as sophomores.  The first five from that group I  listed I'd probably have on a preseason all-league team (assuming the three portal guys are gone).

[D3BBALL]

Congrats to Tufts and Jumbo!!
Wesleyan had a great run this year and Reilly showed why he is the best coach in the League. Down 20 in second half and they got the game down to 3 and 4 points. But just too hard to come all the way back against a team like Tufts and they didn't have a great game shooting by any of theirs players.
Tufts is peaking at the right time and now that Gyimesi is back and has 5 more days of rest, they will be tough to beat. Bernstein playing great as Jumbo stated. Will be interesting to see how Trinity guards him.
I'm sure Trinity would rather have been matched up against Wesleyan.
Trinity played the perfect team to right their ship. No real inside game and a team that can be sloppy at times with the ball. Trinity's starting 5 moved the ball really well, only had 4 turnovers, bench had 4 in much less minutes. Lineup change had to do with sickness, was not strategic. Vetter was in foul trouble most of the game and still had 20 points. He has been shooting lights out in the tournament.
It's a shame this game couldn't be played at Trinity or Tufts or somewhere in NE, there would be a packed crowd and unbelievable environment! NCAA screwed the NESCAC conference, because they are lazy, cheap and don't really care about all D3 sports, yes I will keep saying it. Format is just stupid this year and championship game, on 2 weeks rest, on Easter Sunday, just makes my point. These teams should be meeting in the final four or the championship game, not elite eight!