In division 3, the NESCAC (New England Small Conference Athletic Conference) gets the most publicity...and rightfully so. The Amherst women are currently undefeted, have made the final four the last 2 seasons, and including this year have only 2 losses since the start of the 09/10 season. On the men's side it's probably even more deservedly so; Amherst, Williams and Middlebury all made the elite 8 last year, and Williams and Middlebury made the final 4 consist of 50% NESCAC teams (Amherst got matched up with Williams), but that was last year and this year is a different year, a year to have the LEC take some of that luster away from the NESCAC.
Middlebury is the most dominate team in the NESCAC this year; undefeated, and ranked #1 in division 3. Williams had some injury trouble earlier in the year, lost a few games because of it, and they haven't recovered from it (already with 5 losses and still have a road game @ Amherst left this year, finished with 3 all of last season), while Amherst is undefeted at home but has two questionable road losses to teams they wouldn't have lost to last season. Part of that strugging, is due to Wesleyan and Tufts turning their programs around, and being competitive this year (both teams beat Williams this year; Wesleyan beat Amherst and lost to Middlebury by 3).
The LEC is a step behind the NESCAC for east surpremecy; the top of the conference may actually be slightly better (the top 4 are seperated by 2 games), but it's 3 matchups over the course of the next 2 days that will show whether the LEC has closed the gap on the NESCAC or whether the NESCAC is still king in the Northeast.
1) Middlebury @ Keene state (Tuesday). As already stated Middlebury is undefeated and ranked #1. Keene state has won 7 of 8 games since the calendar turned to 2012, and 5 straight since they dismissed their leading scorer from the team to vault into the LEC lead with an 8-1 conference record. Keene's Spaulding gymnasium is one of the toughest places to play in the LEC, while Middlebury is coming off a 1 point win over Williams on Saturday.
2) Rhode Island College @ Amherst (Tuesday). This matchup was supposed to take place last season, but it got postponed with one of the blizzards, and unfortunately, the teams could not come to an agreement on a day to play it. However, they did end up meeting in the sweet 16, which was won by Amherst 78-74. It's unfortunate they couldn't meet in the regular season though.
3) Eastern Connecticut @ Wesleyan (Wednesday). Both coaches have turned these programs around to the top of their respective conferences. This is probably the best senior class in the 10 year's coach Bill Geitner has been on the sidelines in Willamantic, while Joe Reilley at Wesleyan might have the most exciting player to watch in the NESCAC in Shasha Brown. Wesleyan won last season's matchup by 1, expect another close game.
Other LEC vs. NESCAC matchups on Tuesday:
Colby @ Southern Maine. The men's game has two of the worst teams in the conference, but the women's game involves two programs in the top 50.
Tufts @ RIC (women). Probably the best game on the women's side. RIC is running through the LEC with a 9-0 record and has only been involved in 1 conference game that was decided by single digits. Tufts is a great defensive team, and will be the best team RIC has played since December. RIC comes in winners of 14 straight games.
Eastern @ Bowdoin (women)
Tufts @ UMass-Dartmouth (men)
Connecticut College @ Western Connecticut (men)
Should be a great night of basketball!
No comments:
Post a Comment