MBB: NESCAC

[D3BBALL]

For once we are in agreement D3bball, can't take issue with any of those spreads. This has been just about the most chalk year ever from start to finish.  Trinity, RMC, Emory, Chicago and Mary Washington looked like the best teams before the season began, and nothing has changed. If there is a dark horse I'll say WashU, which has the talent, it's just very young talent.

I feel like Trinity knows it's been playing with fire lately and is due for 40 minutes of its best ball. 

My Picks must all be wrong     

[toad22]

I feel like Trinity's offense is triggered by their defense. You can seem to play better than Trinity for huge periods of the game and, because of 5-8 minutes, lose by 15-20. A few live ball turnovers, offensive rebounds, and timely shots, and you are done. Great defensive team, "good enough" offensive team.

[D3BBALL]

Emory 78 Yeshiva 61

I will take the over on this.  No chance this ends under 139 total points.

You sure? Yeshiva might score 45

If Yeshiva scores 45, Emory will be over 90.

Looks like your over call is spot on. Yeshiva giving them a game, but down 7 at half 51-44.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Emory 78 Yeshiva 61

I will take the over on this.  No chance this ends under 139 total points.

You sure? Yeshiva might score 45

If Yeshiva scores 45, Emory will be over 90.

Looks like your over call is spot on. Yeshiva giving them a game, but down 7 at half 51-44.

Defense was never going to be a big part of this game.

[nescac1]

Just a heroic individual effort by Samet, what a player, but Emory's starting lineup just has such a huge advantage in size, speed, strength, athleticism, it's simply too much to overcome.  Emory's weakness seems to be its questionable depth, if you are going to beat them, getting a few starters into early foul trouble is probably your best bet.  But that starting five is REALLY tough across the board, led by Pearce who I assume is going to be national POTY no matter what happens in the remainder of the NCAA tourney. 

[D3BBALL]

Yeshiva got it to 4 points with 12:30 left, had the ball, then turn over, then just got steam rolled.

Samet just gassed the last 10 minutes.

Yeshiva great effort. Thought their coach should have used a couple of timeouts. Great to keep them to the end, but if you are down 20, not going to help at the end.

[NEhoops]

Some many weapons for Emory and such limited depth for Yeshiva.

I think Bates would have suffered a similar fate if they advanced to play Emory.

Is Gyimesi playing for Tufts? I give the edge to Wesleyan anyway at home.

I think shot selection will be key for Trinity. Early quicks shots, especially with poor floor balance, will hurt their chances.

[D3BBALL]

Some many weapons for Emory and such limited depth for Yeshiva.

I think Bates would have suffered a similar fate if they advanced to play Emory.

Is Gyimesi playing for Tufts? I give the edge to Wesleyan anyway at home.

I think shot selection will be key for Trinity. Early quicks shots, especially with poor floor balance, will hurt their chances.

Bates did play Emory this year at Emory and Emory buried them right from the start. Bates could play better defense and could have had the better inside presence with Pouye, but certainly not the elite shooting from Samet. Yeshiva to be down 4, with 12:30 left and with a chance to get it to within 2 or 1 point, is awesome considering on the road, against a way more athletic team.

[nescac1]

Conn College's Dylan Watson is in the transfer portal:

https://x.com/dwatson0816/status/2031510438052012495?s=20

Would certainly be a blow to Conn if he does not return.

If the three portal guys do not end up returning to their squads, that means only 3/14 all-league guys will return.  Next year may be just about the toughest NESCAC season to handicap 1-11, ever. 

[el_jefe_90]

Watson will certainly get looks. 6'6", super athletic, knocked down a decent percent of his outside shots even though he didn't take many. Also a really good rebounder of course. If he goes, two of their top 3 scorers from last year are gone and quite honestly, their two best players. Wonder if he's got something lined up and wants a change for his last year, or if he's just exploring his options.

[SpringSt7]

I know Conn is not the most prestigious program in the league (no offense! Genuinely) but if guys are leaving NESCAC schools with one year of eligibility for potentially non D1 spots that should set off alarm bells as a league IMO. Lot different than Civello or Cuevas let alone Thoerner, Sobel, Hutcherson, etc

[lumbercat]

Wondering if anyone happened to see the Yale-Cornell game today relative to the recent discussion on the Board about refs not letting things go especially in tournament play. They let both sides play especially down the stretch. They let a lot go but called the game fairly for both sides. Didn't note any complaints on the officiating and it's impact on a great game.

[jumbomumbo]

Within 3 seconds of checking into the game, scott Gyimesi scores. Good to see him back out there!

[stlawus]

I know Conn is not the most prestigious program in the league (no offense! Genuinely) but if guys are leaving NESCAC schools with one year of eligibility for potentially non D1 spots that should set off alarm bells as a league IMO. Lot different than Civello or Cuevas let alone Thoerner, Sobel, Hutcherson, etc

It pretty much has to be for a d1/d2 spot you'd think.  High level academic D3s pretty much all have had their transfer application deadlines pass by now.  Players that already have something lineup usually don't make portal announcements making people think they're open to recruitment.

[jumbomumbo]

Just an awesome showing from my jumbos today. Totally dominant first half, building a 22 point halftime lead. Ricardo Nieves is the real deal. 19 points at the half, a couple of dunks in the game. A couple of step back threes that make your head spin. That go in. Kid can absolutely ball.

That being said, Josh Bernstein was the MVP today. 17 points, 12 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. He's showing that he can take his defender to the hoop from the perimeter, pushing the ball in transition sometimes. He is playing his best ball at the best possible moment.

Scott Gyimesi returned today, didn't look like he missed a beat. Plays with the same energy. Maybe was a little hesitant in the post a few times and perhaps couldn't get the hook shot up as fast as he used to (once though). He scored .6 seconds into his return at the 16 minute mark in the first half. Banged a 3. Looked like his old self.

Wesleyan went zone in the second and cut the lead to 4 at one point. To me, scott is the answer to said zone. For whatever reason, he was not on the court for a long stretch of the cardinals comeback. He did eventually return.

While the game felt like it was slipping away for a long stretch, Zion watt and Jon medley came up clutch and turned the momentum back in our favor. Zion had 7 straight points, and Medley (for years) has made the most outrageous bail out bank shots contested from mid range.

I am incredibly proud of this Jumbos team and coaching staff. This is our second elite 8 appearance ever. 2015-2016 was the last time we went this far.

And the d3 gods couldn't have drawn up a better storyline. Tufts. Trinity. Fort Wayne Indiana. Elite 8 showdown. While Trinity has had our number for a few years, we are 1-1 against them this year. What better feeling would it be to finally end their season?

I've watched some of Trinity this post season, and let me tell you. They better be ready to play from the jump. They've trailed at half in 2 of their 3 tournament games and I just have a feeling they will have to play their best game to beat us Thursday. I wouldn't want to play Tufts right now.

For the record, I will be eating an abnormal amount of chicken this week.

WHY NOT US!!!!!!!!!