MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

D3Bball, I've seen six recruits for Trinity and one transfer, am I missing one?  Even as is, a really loaded incoming group; if they keep them together (nor a sure thing anymore with recruits at that level) they should form the nucleus for another long run of excellence for the Bantams.   

[nescac1]

Amherst gets Bohdan Biekietov, a transfer from F&M (who started at center for a very solid team as a FY) at a huge position of need:

https://x.com/bohdanbiekietov/status/2061577801703055721

I saw him play in person against Marymount, and between that and based on his stats, I'd say that he is a huge, physical, old-school center without much of a perimeter game. He will definitely help Amherst as a rotation big who is primarily a screen-setter and rebounder, but I wouldn't expect a ton of scoring, at least not right away. 

Interesting to see Sears use the transfer portal for a second-straight season.  Trinity, Conn and Amherst seem to be the three NESCAC schools most willing to pursue hoops transfers right now. 

[Bucket]

Cool to see former Hamilton star Matt Hart promoted to GM and Director of Player Personnel at Virginia. (This past year he was UVa's director of analytics.)

[stlawus]

So Amherst finally ends up with a center from Ukraine after all

[nescac1]

Congrats to Midd basketball for jumping on the 82-0 trend on its social media.  And btw if you haven't tried 82-0, warning, it's addictive!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZLreNVjPRP/?igsh=NThvdWQxeWFjMGV5

For Williams I'll go:

Mike Crotty - PG, 00s
Garcia Major - SG, 80s
Harry Sheehy - SF, 70s
Mike Nogelo - PF, 90s
Mike Mayer - C, 10s

Definitely at least 70 wins with that crew. 

Let's go Knicks!

[CWM_42]

That's an impressive starting five. It's an interesting exercise. However, I think we need to go with a 1-15 listing as it is clear that strong depth is needed to be considered the best in the NESCAC.

[jmh21]

https://x.com/ncaa_hoopsguru/status/2064369477215486115?s=46

Just came across this report on twitter that Conn HC accepted the F&M job...seems like a pretty legit source

[Stickthe3]

I've seen some other tweets/comments backing that up.  Curious to see what direction they will go in replacing Sweeney.

Do we have any Conn College fans/insiders on here? I'd love to know what's going on there - with all the transfers and player movement, and now the Coach apparently leaving.  They had some talent on the roster this year, so obviously this is a big blow, in addition to losing some of their key players.

Conn is an interesting spot.  It's in a good location and has a high acceptance rate for NESCAC standards.  You would think they'd be able to attract players from MA/NY/CT/NJ pretty easily but the facilities are the worst in the league and it doesn't seem like the administration puts much into athletics nor do they have the financial resources compared to other schools in the league.  So maybe I've answered my own question on what is going on there, but would like to hear from any insiders or others POV on Conn.  Back in the 90s (I know I'm dating myself), they had some really strong teams, even going to the Final 4 one year.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I know Corey Begley has been down my way, head coach at Washington College the last few years.  He was a major recruiter for Conn before that, helped bring in these solid classes.  No insight on whether he's applying or anything, but it's a connection.  WashColl was in a rough spot when he came in and he's done well recruiting here in a tough situation.

I'm sure they'll get plenty of resumes.

[el_jefe_90]

Here is the link to F&M officially making the announcement:

https://godiplomats.com/news/2026/6/9/tim-sweeney-announced-as-mens-basketball-coach.aspx

[stlawus]

Should have stayed at Hobart. Left because he didn't think the LL could get at large bids, the very next season all of his players under Thompson get an at large bid and reach the sweet 16 before covid ended the season, and then doesn't make the tournament once at Conn. Grass is not always greener.

[nescac1]

Clark head coach also just left, in his case to be a D1 assistant.  That's two solid mid-level New England jobs open now.  And I agree that Corey Begly seems like a natural fit at Conn. 

Quiet a transition period in NESCAC:

Middlebury in year two of a new coaching regime, Colby and Conn will both have new coaches as well, Trinity and Tufts lose loaded senior classes that brought both programs to new heights, Conn and especially Bowdoin and Colby get raided by the portal.  Should be an intriguing year next season. 

[D3BBALL]

It's definitely going to be an interesting season. So many questions for so many teams.

[SpringSt7]

Conn search will be fascinating. I think Begley would do a great job but you would have to think that it is going to be very competitive with a number of candidates both from within the region and beyond interested. I think it will be enticing to D1 assistants especially considering they have shown that they will take transfers.

Did Newport hire a coach yet? I read that the Keene St coach was a finalist there. So that could potentially be another job that opens up in the area.

Also last thing - Tim Sweeney replaced Nick Nichay at F&M who left to be an assistant at Dartmouth, who obviously needed a new staff after moving on from MacLaughlin. Who knows if that position would've been open if he took the Colby job last year. Another interesting piece to that whole carousel

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I talked to Begley briefly yesterday.  Nothing to report.  My perception was that he's open to opportunities, but would have a hard time leaving WAC.  He's worked hard to build something there and very excited about the class coming in.  His top five scorers from last season were sophomores and freshmen.  Much easier to win in the Centennial.  Being in the NESCAC is tough.