MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Paul Ippolito transfers from Trinity to Redlands.  He was a steady back-up point guard for the Bantams, who now lose half of their ten-man rotation.  I expect we will see big minutes early from some of the heralded new arrivals next season.

[Stickthe3]

Wow, that's big news about Ippolito.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the current climate of college basketball, but that's a tough loss for Trinity.

On an unrelated note, Bentley HC Jay Lawson just announced his retirement.  It's probably too late for Nolan Ames to make any changes at this point, but got to feel for the kid as he initially committed to Colby, only to decommit after their coaching change, and now the coach he was planning on playing for is retiring (assuming he did not know about Lawson's plans).

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Wow, that's big news about Ippolito.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the current climate of college basketball, but that's a tough loss for Trinity.

On an unrelated note, Bentley HC Jay Lawson just announced his retirement.  It's probably too late for Nolan Ames to make any changes at this point, but got to feel for the kid as he initially committed to Colby, only to decommit after their coaching change, and now the coach he was planning on playing for is retiring (assuming he did not know about Lawson's plans).

I think that Bentley timing is weird.  Very late to make that announcement.  I'm watching this in conjunction with the rumors that more of the NE10 are exploring d3.  If (and I have no reporting on this at all) a school makes the decision to go that direction, it's often during this time of year.

[SpringSt7]

Makes a lot of sense to leave late if you want your kid to get the job

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Makes a lot of sense to leave late if you want your kid to get the job

That's just it.  It's not necessarily late, especially in terms of trying to dictate a successor.  Timing is curious, that's all.  Lot's of great coaches will want this job.

[D3BBALL]

Paul Ippolito transfers from Trinity to Redlands.  He was a steady back-up point guard for the Bantams, who now lose half of their ten-man rotation.  I expect we will see big minutes early from some of the heralded new arrivals next season.

For Trinity this fall may be like it was 4 years when they brought in 7 Freshman and 3 (Vetter, Okorougo and McDonald) average about 60 minutes/game. And there was no 5 in 5 out that year. Last 3 years only 2 freshman played significant minutes, Berry and Ayles, none this year.
5 spots to fill, but from reserves that didn't play this year, 4 will have an opportunity and I see at least 2 freshman that will play a lot. Hearing rumors that they have another potential that would be really good as well.

[D3BBALL]

Wow, that's big news about Ippolito.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the current climate of college basketball, but that's a tough loss for Trinity.

On an unrelated note, Bentley HC Jay Lawson just announced his retirement.  It's probably too late for Nolan Ames to make any changes at this point, but got to feel for the kid as he initially committed to Colby, only to decommit after their coaching change, and now the coach he was planning on playing for is retiring (assuming he did not know about Lawson's plans).

I think that Bentley timing is weird.  Very late to make that announcement.  I'm watching this in conjunction with the rumors that more of the NE10 are exploring d3.  If (and I have no reporting on this at all) a school makes the decision to go that direction, it's often during this time of year.

Agree, St A's is the first domino and most likely more to follow. Issue will be what D3 conferences are going to take them in. Bentley should have no issue but not sure the rest of D2, at least in the northeast, will find it easy to just get in any conference they want.

[nescac1]

Yeah, I can't imagine Trinity is close to the level from the last few years but in a NESCAC that feels pretty wide open with SO much attrition of top players, they should still have enough to be in the top group of 3-4 contending teams.

The starting five will be solid, but lacking an all-American caliber player, with Tristan Davis, Sam Norris (who I think could be a breakout player as more of a go-to option next year), Jared Berry (who I imagine will have a green light and put up a ton of shots, for better or worse), David Ayles (who can probably do a bit more than he's had to thus far) and glue guy Bangaly Berety.  But behind that group, it's basically all entirely unproven guys ... and no one who really popped in a massive way in Trinity's extensive garbage time minutes.  But D3bball you seem to have a better handle on young players on the current roster who might be ready to step up.  Either way, you figure 2-3 new players are likely to end up playing in the second unit. 

Overall from the top tier of teams I think Wesleyan (for sure, they have pretty obvious options to fill in for the graduating players) and Tufts bring back more, so it really depends on whether Trinity can get major contributions from its huge incoming group of players. 

[D3BBALL]

My opinion, but I think a freshman may start. They need another scorer on that first unit. And I can see 2-4 freshman as part of the 6-10 rotation. Although I think that rotation might be closer to 6-12 or even 13 until they get to conference play.
It will just be a complete different look. The entire 2nd 5 could be different. At most only 1 returner from that unit.
Norris I agree likely to start with first unit.

[ccd494]

Wow, that's big news about Ippolito.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the current climate of college basketball, but that's a tough loss for Trinity.

On an unrelated note, Bentley HC Jay Lawson just announced his retirement.  It's probably too late for Nolan Ames to make any changes at this point, but got to feel for the kid as he initially committed to Colby, only to decommit after their coaching change, and now the coach he was planning on playing for is retiring (assuming he did not know about Lawson's plans).

I think that Bentley timing is weird.  Very late to make that announcement.  I'm watching this in conjunction with the rumors that more of the NE10 are exploring d3.  If (and I have no reporting on this at all) a school makes the decision to go that direction, it's often during this time of year.

No chance Bentley goes D3.  They have D1 hockey, just built them a brand new arena, and have been to the NCAA tournament two years in a row.  The barn door has closed on D3 play-ups.  If anything, they'd move up to D1.

[nescac1]

This may be the other Trinity recruit D3bball mentioned, but they added ANOTHER high level recruit to a loaded recruiting class, Trey Jones from New Hampton, who NERR lists at number 10 in New Hampshire.  I imagine we will see several of Trinity's three highly regarding incoming wings stepping into major roles right away.  This was the year that Trinity really reaped the benefits of the national title in terms of recruiting.  NERR also updated its rankings a bit which I'll edit in the prior recruiting master list.  Trinity's group seems super, super stacked. 

One other Trinity note, as loaded as the graduating class was, one other original highly-regarded recruit in that class, Dane Moran, who didn't see major minutes at Trinity, landed at Dickinson and was first-team all Centennial Conference this year.  Crazy. 

[SpringSt7]

Wow, that's big news about Ippolito.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the current climate of college basketball, but that's a tough loss for Trinity.

On an unrelated note, Bentley HC Jay Lawson just announced his retirement.  It's probably too late for Nolan Ames to make any changes at this point, but got to feel for the kid as he initially committed to Colby, only to decommit after their coaching change, and now the coach he was planning on playing for is retiring (assuming he did not know about Lawson's plans).

I think that Bentley timing is weird.  Very late to make that announcement.  I'm watching this in conjunction with the rumors that more of the NE10 are exploring d3.  If (and I have no reporting on this at all) a school makes the decision to go that direction, it's often during this time of year.

No chance Bentley goes D3.  They have D1 hockey, just built them a brand new arena, and have been to the NCAA tournament two years in a row.  The barn door has closed on D3 play-ups.  If anything, they'd move up to D1.

I hope Bentley goes D1, it would be a shame if they ended up D3. They would fit best as a UAA school but Brandeis already has that occupied. I love D3 but it would make no real sense for Bentley to be playing NEWMAC schools.

[WUPHF]

I hope Bentley goes D1, it would be a shame if they ended up D3. They would fit best as a UAA school but Brandeis already has that occupied.

Bentley would not be eligible for UAA membership as they do not have strong graduate programs, one of the more unusual requirements in college sports.