Following an impressive first month of the 2019-20 New England D-III men’s basketball season, we have selected Colby College as our ‘Team of the Month’ for November.
Colby has scored some impressive regional (and non-regional) wins thus far, including a 103-97 season-opening victory against Ramapo College. Alex Dorion led the Mules with a team-high 23 points, while Noah Tyson pulled down 10 rebounds.
Despite scoring eight points less than the Roadrunners in the second half, Colby managed to outscore Ramapo, 16-10, in the extra session to secure their first of seven consecutive wins.
Including their most recent win over Kean, the Mules boast a 4-0 record in Waterville, Maine, a 2-0 mark away from campus and a 1-0 record in neutral sites.
Two of the team’s six wins last month came against Gordon College (95-77) and New England College (103-67) in the Colby Classic.
This week, the Mules face Thomas College on Tuesday, December 3rd followed by a visit to Colby-Sawyer on Saturday, December 7th. Colby will then break for the holidays before visiting Southern Maine on Tuesday, December 31st.
Players to Watch:
Sam Jefferson: 181 points through seven contests … has netted 61 of 90 field goals, including 28 of 48 three-pointers … He is first on the team in three-point percentage (58.3%) … Jefferson is 31 of 34 from the free-throw line … Jefferson has also recorded 23 rebounds, 37 assists, and 10 steals.
Matt Hanna: Second on the team in points (121) and fourth on the team in rebounds (24) … Leads the Mules in assists with 37 … Hanna has converted 14 of 17 free throws (82.4 %).
Noah Tyson: Leads the Mules with 56 rebounds through seven contests … Tyson has also recorded 11 assists and seven steals … Ranks fourth on the team in points (83).
Alex Dorion: Dorion has come off the bench to net 92 points on 33 of 58 shooting, including 24 of 44 from beyond the arc … The senior guard has registered 16 rebounds, 14 assists, and two swipes.
Tuesday’s in November usually means one thing: a brand new Noontime Sports Top 10 Women’s Basketball Poll.
As noted in our preseason poll, we will be posting a weekly Top 10 Poll this month on Tuesdays before switching to Mondays once the New England D-III Football season concludes.
This is a BUSY week for many teams as most squads begin their respective campaigns, while others take part in early season tournaments. Additionally, some teams will be competing in their second (or third) game of the season, too.
Fans of our New England D-III (and other regional basketball coverage) can follow @Noontime_Hoops on Twitter.
New England D-III Basketball Men’s Top 10 Week One Poll| Tuesday, Nov. 11th, 2019
1. Amherst College
0-0, 0-0 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 1
2. Nichols College
0-0, 0-0 CCC
Last Week: No. 2
3. Middlebury College
0-0, 0-0 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 3
4. WPI
1-0, 0-0 NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 4
5. Hamilton College
0-0, 0-0 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 5
6. Eastern Connecticut
0-0, 0-0 LEC
Last Week: No. 7
7. Salem State
1-1, 0-0 MASCAC
Last Week: No. 6
8. Tufts University
0-0, 0-0 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 8
9. Williams College
0-0, 0-0 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 10
10. Babson College
2-0, 0-0 NEWMAC
Last Week: Not Ranked
ON THE RISE: Albertus Magnus, Brandeis University, Colby College, Endicott College, Emerson College, Emmanuel College, Gordon College, Keene State, Springfield College, and Trinity College
A brand new season of New England D-III basketball is set to tip-off this week – in fact, one team will play its initial game of the 2019-20 season this evening when MIT visits Harvard University at 7 p.m.
Most teams will begin their respective campaigns later this week (or this weekend), as well as next week, too, so let’s get you ready for a brand new season with our first Noontime Sports Men’s Basketball Top 20 Poll.
Our weekly poll will be posted every Tuesday this month but will transition to Mondays in December once our New England D-III Football coverage concludes.
Fans of our New England D-III (and other regional basketball coverage) can follow @Noontime_Hoops on Twitter.
New England D-III Basketball Men’s Top 10 Preseason Poll | Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 2019
1. Amherst College
2018-19 Record: 25-5, 7-3 NESCAC
2. Nichols College
2018-19 Record: 28-3, 15-1 CCC
3. Middlebury College
2018-19 Record: 18-8, 7-3 NESCAC
4. WPI
2018-19 Record: 19-9, 8-6 NEWMAC
5. Hamilton College
2018-19 Record: 25-5, 7-3 NESCAC
6. Salem State University
2018-19 Record: 18-10, 10-2 MASCAC
7. Eastern Connecticut
2018-19 Record: 20-7, 13-3 LEC
8. Tufts University
2018-19 Record: 12-14, 4-6 NESCAC
9. Brandeis University
2018-19 Record: 18-11, 7-7 UAA
10. Williams College
2018-19 Record: 23-7, 6-4 NESCAC
On The Rise: Albertus Magnus, Babson College, Colby College, Endicott College, Emerson College, Emmanuel College, Gordon College, and Keene State
Linton arrived at the Dudley, Massachusetts campus after spending the past five seasons as an assistant coach at Army West Point where he helped the Cadets with numerous tasks, including scouting reports to working with the wing players at practice to assisting with in-game strategy.
Before assisting the Army West Point men’s basketball program, Linton spent time as an assistant at both his alma mater, Clarkson University, and Bowdoin College.
Coaching a program like Nichols certainly intrigued Linton, who is excited “to continue building on what has already been established” with the Nichols men’s basketball program.
“The chance to take over a program that represents excellence, both on and off of the basketball court was important to me,” said Linton when asked about becoming the new men’s basketball coach at Nichols. “Also, the growth potential of the program was equally intriguing, (as well).”
Nichols concluded its 2018-19 season with an impressive 28-3 mark. The Bison advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament earlier this year, thanks to postseason victories against Amherst College, Middlebury College, and Rowan University.
Noontime Sports recently caught-up with Coach Linton to discuss his excitement for the upcoming season.
As a former Division III, men’s basketball player did you always want to coach or become a head coach at this particular level?
Absolutely. I had the great fortune to play for Adam Stockwell during my first three years at Clarkson. I remember sitting in his office as a freshman and sophomore, and him telling me that I would be a college basketball coach one day. Prior to that, I had casually thought about the idea of it, but after (those conversations) I began to own that reality. Everything I’ve done since was aimed at this goal of becoming a Division III head coach.
What do you know about the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC)? Are you excited to coach in a very competitive league?
I’m extremely excited to coach in this league. I know that it is made up of high-level coaches that have built some of the best and most competitive programs in New England. The talent across the board is impressive and something that I notice has improved since my departure from Division III. This is a conference that I believe should be a multiple bid league to the NCAA tournament (every season). I look forward to the challenge of being in that mix.
How did your experience with Army West Point shape you into the coach you are today?
I couldn’t be more grateful for my time at Army. The development that I was able to take part in both on and off of the basketball court was truly remarkable. It is the preeminent leadership development institution in the world. From the faculty to the cadets and all the variety of guest speakers that came through West Point, it truly was a hub for leadership development.
Basketball-wise, being able to coach at the Division I level just provides an amazing amount of time that you get to spend coaching and teaching the game to your players. We also fielded a junior varsity team at West Point, which allowed us as (to gain experience) being a head coach as assistants to the varsity. More than anything, being around the people day in and day out was the number one takeaway that I believe will shape me into the coach I am and hope to be.
Great coaches are great leaders. And great leaders are great people first.
Coach Brandon Linton inherits a Nichols College men’s basketball team that finished the 2018-19 season with an impressive 28-3 record. (PHOTO COURTESY: Nichols College Athletics)
What are some of the biggest goals/objectives you (and the men’s basketball program) hope to accomplish between now and the team’s first practice?
The biggest thing will be developing the framework for meaningful relationships with each other. That is from new staff to players and vice versa. It will also be amongst the current players as well. Acclimating the newcomers into the fold, while also continuing to develop even stronger bonds with your returning teammates (will be a must, as well). That will be our biggest focus prior to our first practice on October 15th.
A few quick-hitters, beginning with your all-time favorite memory of playing basketball.
Legitimately, no one believed we could get it done because there was honestly no prior reason to think so, but only the individuals in our locker room believed (we could win a conference championship) and that’s all that mattered. It’s something that has stuck with me ever since (and proves what) the power of belief can accomplish.
Who was a player you idolized growing up?
Tracy McGrady. Unfortunately for me, my teammates and coaches, however, I played nothing like McGrady, but when I got to college, I really enjoyed watching Rajon Rondo when he first started playing for the Boston Celtics. I enjoyed watching Rondo as a student-athlete with the Celtics – he was a big part of their resurgence. I played the point for Clarkson and I really respected how he played that position. And that’s probably why my three-point percentage was what it was, too.
Finally, if you could coach any basketball player, both current or past, who would it be and why?
Growing up in New York City, I was and still am a big fan of the New York Knicks. We’ve fallen on hard times for a good 15-20 years, however, as a kid, there were some awesome teams for me to follow.
I fell in love with basketball by watching John Starks play. I would always wear his number (three) whenever I could in youth tournaments and recreational leagues. The passion and swag that he played with was everything to me. He embodied what it meant to be a New Yorker, as well. He was hard-nosed, did whatever it took for the greater good of the team, and took the challenge of guarding the best players on the other team. He also jacked three-pointers, too, which was still a newer thing for the game during the 1990s.
John Starks is definitely someone I would love to coach.
Stay connected with our New England basketball coverage by following @Noontime_Hoops on Twitter!
By NoontimeSports.com | @NoontimeSports & @Noontime_Hoops
The 2018-19 New England Division III men’s basketball season officially concluded this past weekend with the NCAA finals and semifinals.
And with the season officially ending this past weekend, it is time to unveil our final New England D3 Top 10, which finds Nichols College in the top spot followed by Amherst College (second) and MIT (third).
Noontime Sports D3 New England Men’s Basketball Poll | March 18th, 2019
1. Nichols College
28-3, 15-1 CCC
Previously No. 2
2. Amherst College
25-5, 7-3 NESCAC
Previously No. 1
3. MIT
23-5, 12-2 NEWMAC
Previously No. 4
4. Hamilton College
25-5, 7-3 NESCAC
Previously No. 3
5. Williams College
23-7, 6-4 NESCAC
Previously No. 6
6. Middlebury College
18-8, 7-3 NESCAC
Previously No. 7
7. Keene State
20-8, 13-3 LEC
Previously No. 5
8. Gordon College
23-5, 13-3 CCC
Previously No. 9
9. Albertus Magnus
20-8, 9-2 GNAC
Previously No. 8
10. Eastern Connecticut
20-7, 13-3 LEC
Previously Not Ranked
On The Rise: Brandeis University, Emerson College, Saint Joseph’s (Conn.), Salem State, UMass Dartmouth, and WPI