"the great oxymoron, ...revisited"

      Last year 'The Boys' put to rest that great oxymoron, 'Midd BBall and The Final Four' being included in the same sentence. If things break right tomorrow, Midd will be Numero Uno! in the D3Hoops poll which should hit the airwaves by noon. And certainly, if that happens older Midd alums, both BBall and otherwise, will think that it is better than cool, and another great oxymoron will bite the dust. For that limited group of "NIT-73"-ers (and there were quite a few that were live in Salem), it truly will be another special moment, and one that most never thought would come to pass. But don't worry, 'The Boys' can be out-politicked by the promo machine of TheLordJeff Nation, who have been on fire and own a road W. over a decent Springfield squad. My call is that Midd, at #2 last week, attended to business, and may have a bit more equity with the pollsters at this stage of a new season. Meanwhile yours truly knows the only real #1 is far down the road in the Blue Ridge, but anything that makes it tougher for the Ephs or The LJN to swallow is fine by this audience.

      The Boys were saddled with injuries to Ryan Sharry before the season opener, but stepped up and met the challenge thrown out by Gwynned-Mercy (late) and then Ramapo on their own floor and then some. Jack Roberts was effective both nights and has come a long way in just a year. Jake, Nolan and Joey are as good a triumvirate (ah! the value of a Middlebury education) in the backcourt as anybody has in the nation. But the big news early has been the dominating and tough play by Peter Lynch, who in 5 games has grown proverbially from an ugly duckling to a swan. He always had it, to my mind, but clearly, in the spotlight now has figured out that it's his ball. Nice to get these kinds of guys. Think the preseason assessment of the frosh was right on. This is a good (already) and deep group with excellent contributions by Dean Brierly and Dylan Simmickson in the forefront. And they've got an untapped upside. Also noteworthy was a timely contribution by 6'9 Chris Churchill at crunch time in securing the W. at Ramapo. Hunter Merryman chipped in good buckets and boards off the bench in his latest outing. Eamon Cuddy's debut has been delayed by a stress fracture but he says soon.

      But tomorrow, The Boys turn the page and 'The BigDog' comes back to meet Lamont Thomas (perhaps) and his J&W crew, and then Friday they're on the road at Skidmore. Both were NCAA partygoers last year. Lamont may be injured (not in the last two boxes), and if so, we're better and deeper everywhere. Saw him last year. Pretty impressive in controlling the tempo and his team. Averaged 31 ppg.'s last time around, and although he's got the rock all the time, he's not a ball hog or a gunner. One of the two best individual G's, I've seen the last 7 seasons. Of course he hasn't met Nolan T., and doesn't have a 'BigDog' of his own, so he's at a disadvantage. Presuming we get some rehab minutes by Ryan S., both foes are do-able and should keep us in the 'Land of the Tall Trees'. The Boys then go on exam and holiday break before the Salem State tourney.

       Speaking of 'Tall Trees', many have already fallen ,and right now by my count there's less than 30 (of the 403 in D3) remaining nationally with unblemished records, two weeks into the season. Nice to be in that group. My take is we're not facing the woodsman's axe, but Skidmore will be the tougher out because the road is the great equalizer. That's where JeffB. and his preparation comes into play. Won't be in Saratoga on the weekend,  but will get The Boys via the small screen. But if you're in the Boston area, get up to Salem State for the live action on December 29th and 30th. Best wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays filled with laughter, family and peace and health. Talk soon. Clubbo.