"The Boys' came out of Williamstown with the realization that they indeed can play in the big-time. For every team with serious aspirations that question has to be answered each year. The battle between 'TheTwoBigs' was apparently worth the price of admission and although Whittington's guys got the 'W', Locke rose to warrrior status, and had he been able to convert the last two freebies would've forced OT.
The Panther Express is ready to roll, and it's off to the great Maine woods again to do battle with Colby and ThePolarBearNation. These two ought to be 'do-able', and indeed are required, if The Boys are going to set the stage for Amherst next week. Colby has been at best a middle-of-the-roader this year with no knockout W's to date. Advantages to The Panthers on inside size and depth, overall defense and ditto for our guards, with Joey Kizel, coming on strong for rookie of the year consideration. That should be enough to offset home cookin' and Mike Russell. Saying this without knowing whether 'The Horse', Ryan Sharry, has cleared the vets' list, and will be available to be ridden. The info trail on that issue has been a little slow to come together. With him, The Boys have no limits, and without him they already know what needs to be done, but realistically makes it a tighter fit.
Tough to not have a guy with POTY potential not in there.
Although I haven't seen The Polar Bears, have taken issue with their Maine-loaded schedule of dessert offerings. They have Maker and Co. on Friday so here's hoping that they can pull off the upset and that the kegs in Brunswick don't kick till near dawn. That would really give us something to play for. Otherwise we'll rely on our depth, inside strentgh, and overall defense to carry the day. And we've got it in Jamal, Ryan W., and Andrew who have been focused all year on what's got to be done, and helping each guy to do it.
Still lots riding on this trip as far as NESCAC-first, and regional rankings-second goes. Thougth is that a pair of road W's here would be significant in terms of securing the NCAA bid were the NESCAC title to slip away. The NCAA rewards the overall body of work (s-o-s, etc.) especially since the NESCAC's look to be a tight fit between three pretty good squads. But 'The Road' is the great equalizer and am certain that in Waterville and Brunswick they're counting on it. At least neither of these teams has demonstrated they can beat you with the 'little brother' (the 3-ball) so that's one advantage for The Boys. Here's hoping that they can get home without any other 'nicks'. From 'downtown' (where I was always most comfortable). Clubbo.
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