MBB: NESCAC

GoWesYoungMan · January 10, 2015, 05:52:57 PM

Today's Wes-Bowdoin game was a mirror image of the game with Colby (see previous post). Again, while one team controlled most of the non-shooting statistical categories, the team that shot best won. Thankfully, the shots were dropping for the Cardinals today. Kuo and Epps were neutralized offensively by Swords (but were productive when he was out). Tugman and Gallivan did a nice job on Swords defensively. The wes perimeter guys shot well and combined for 60 points. The key to opening the game in the second half was to pinch down double teams on Swords. Bowdoin did a nice job of finding players for open threes but just couldn't connect. The Polar Bears have more wins ahead as long as they shoot better.

Bucket · January 10, 2015, 06:07:10 PM

The excitement of the Amherst-Williams clash notwithstanding, I have Trinity and Colby winning the weekend, both teams going on the road and emerging 2-0. In a season like this one, where we anticipate there being much parity and little separating the top, oh, 9 or 10 teams, a 2-0 road weekend is even more significant than in years past.

If I had to pick one team as the weekend's biggest winner, I'd give the edge to the Bantams for getting one of their two road wins in Chandler.

jumpshot · January 10, 2015, 06:27:09 PM

One of the sweetest of the many wins by Williams over amHerst ever--whether in Chandler, Salem, NCAA play, or in lefrak. Well described by Nescac1 and Coach App in his comments in game recap on EPHS' sports information website. Lots of people of all affiliations encouraging Aaron Toomey post-game. Good to see him looking well.

amHerst following literally stunned at sudden outcome. Williams students and community kids storming the court a great picture that speaks volumes about the Williams character.

grabtherim · January 10, 2015, 06:38:12 PM

Quote from: jumpshot on January 10, 2015, 06:27:09 PMWilliams students and community kids storming the court a great picture that speaks volumes about the Williams character.

Happy for you, they won, and a joyous moment, but really? "speaks volumes about the Williams character. Character is what we saw last month in a student striving to live to make a layup in her first college basketball game. Celebrating a big win is a lot of things, but it does not remotely speak volumes about Williams or anyone else's character.

toad22 · January 10, 2015, 06:48:27 PM

I'm very pleased for the Williams coaches and players. After the heartbreak of the exhausting loss last night, to come back and beat Amherst in such a dramatic fashion, the weekend has turned from a somewhat negative one, to a complete positive. I have thought all week if we could come out of this weekend with one win, we would be doing well. Losing your top scorer and shooter has huge repercussions for a team that is a bit thin on scoring talent to begin with. I thought Sime, Galvin, and Teal all stepped up and played well. A huge factor for Amherst was the lack of a take-charge point guard, particularly near the end of the game when the Jeffs had the lead. In past years when the game got to the stage, Toomey took over, and it really was "game over". That said, Amherst is loaded with good players, just looking to be led.

jumpshot · January 10, 2015, 07:12:32 PM

grabtherim---

You miss the point entirely---character refers to Williams players' ability and determination to do whatever it takes to compete effectively in today's game in the face of difficulty.

Adversity introduces a person to himself and reveals his character.

grabtherim · January 10, 2015, 07:35:44 PM

You make a valid point if that is what you referred to in your original post. On the contrary you associated storming the court with character. I say it's you who missed the point only outdone by yourself in missing it a second time when detailing something you did
not come remotely close to saying previously. We are to assume that kids stormed the court because of the character shown by Williams? No, they stormed the court as they do all too often in this country because they were happy their team won. I don't think the students were so caught up in missing DR, Maker, making a late comeback, hitting a late winning jumper and whatever else you think gave them reason to feel the character of the Williams squad. They were happy and are probably now enjoying many a liquid refreshment as a result. Talk about a stretch. Feel free to pull out your dictionary and lecture me on the definition of that too.

pinseeking1 · January 10, 2015, 07:45:07 PM

At the risk of being labeled part of a fanbase "riddled with insecurities", I'm looking forward to Bates' next NESCAC test against Trinity on Friday... Trinity looks very strong and I hope they're feeling well enough to remove any taint on a possible Bates win which might prove that they are competitive within NESCAC...

jumpshot · January 10, 2015, 08:24:32 PM

grabtherim,

Glad you finally understand and acknowledge my valid point.
Storming the court refers to a memorable picture. Comment about character separate thought paying tribute solely to Williams players.

Your hyper-sensitivity leading to trying to twist and change content is foregiven....

nescac1 · January 10, 2015, 09:51:53 PM

For those who missed the pandemonium in Billsville: http://vimeo.com/116439477

grabtherim · January 10, 2015, 11:26:27 PM

Quote from: jumpshot on January 10, 2015, 08:24:32 PM
grabtherim,

Glad you finally understand and acknowledge my valid point.
Storming the court refers to a memorable picture. Comment about character separate thought paying tribute solely to Williams players.

Your hyper-sensitivity leading to trying to twist and change content is foregiven....

I am so happy to be "foregiven", but I'm a bit confused. Is that a golf term? In any case, you are forgiven for not getting the point that winning a basketball while exciting is not proof of character. Your comment cheapens the term. If the kid missed the jumper, and they lost, would they have less character? To be clear, if you want to know how I see both adversity and character, click on this link. Chuck Pagano's team may win or lose today. Neither have any bearing on the adversity he has faced and the character he has shown.
http://espn.go.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/10032/chuck-pagano-writes-a-touching-letter-to-a-fan

Corazon · January 11, 2015, 06:48:06 AM

Nescac1, thanks for the video link.

jumpshot · January 11, 2015, 10:38:33 AM

Yes, thanks Nescac1 for the video link. You and toad22 provide "fair and balanced" insights to EPHS' topics as well as accurate commentary on other NESCAC teams.

amh63 · January 11, 2015, 10:42:55 AM

Nescac1.....thanks too for the visual reminder!

. Had forgotten that Amherst had another chance to win.
Bucket....thanks for the encouragement post. Looking forward to the Panthers vs Jumbos in Medford this afternoon! Go Panthers!
Actually, hoped you got some solace in your Hoos win over ND in a low scoring game. I was reminded of the Amherst lost in the other ACC game of note...UNC's last second win over Rick Pitino's Louiville team in the Dean Dome...been in that huge building.
Yes Amherst needs to go forward and win enough CAC games to get a chance for hosting the CAC playoffs...selfish reason on my part since it gives me a chance to watch live conference battles..cost effective road trip.

polbear73 · January 11, 2015, 10:52:56 AM

Quote from: GoWesYoungMan on January 10, 2015, 05:52:57 PM
Today's Wes-Bowdoin game was a mirror image of the game with Colby (see previous post). Again, while one team controlled most of the non-shooting statistical categories, the team that shot best won. Thankfully, the shots were dropping for the Cardinals today. Kuo and Epps were neutralized offensively by Swords (but were productive when he was out). Tugman and Gallivan did a nice job on Swords defensively. The wes perimeter guys shot well and combined for 60 points. The key to opening the game in the second half was to pinch down double teams on Swords. Bowdoin did a nice job of finding players for open threes but just couldn't connect. The Polar Bears have more wins ahead as long as they shoot better.

Agree completely with the game assessment above and, while Bowdoin fans may try to rationalize this loss because of torrid Wes shooting, they have got to get more scoring than 29 points from Pieri, Hurley, Palecki, and Swords. 33% shooting isn't going to beat anybody, particularly a good, solid team like Wesleyan. Bowdoin did seem off balance and forced a few shots-credit the Wes defense. A well deserved Cardinal win, particularly after a tough loss Friday night.