After cruising to strong overall records, the men's and women's basketball teams will face a daunting task tomorrow - the beginning of NESCAC conference play. In each case, the adversary will be Bates College, with the women playing at Cousens at 2 p.m., and the men trekking to Lewiston, ME to take on the Bobcats at 3 p.m.
En route to their 9-2 record, the women's team has faced numerous obstacles and games that have come down to the final minute. The Jumbos will need to show the same character in the Bates game. The Bobcats, winners of four straight, and currently ranked 11th in New England, will pose more of a threat than some of Tufts' lesser opponents. In addition to the higher level of play, all NESCAC games are important if Tufts wants to clinch a berth in the postseason.
"NESCAC games are different because this is the first year there is a conference tourney," coach Janice Savitz said. "The conference is very competitive and only seven teams can qualify for the tourney." The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA's.
Last year, Bates defeated Tufts handily with a 75-57 home win, and are riding on the shoulders of senior co-captain Kate McLaughlin, who was recently named Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA) and New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) player of the week. The 5'10" forward is averaging 16.4 points per game and eight rebounds. Despite Bates impressive numbers on paper, Savitz says the game will be settled on the court.
"Regarding the Bates matchup, it's not about X's and O's," Savitz said. "It's all about 'Jumbo Time' which has carried us thus far."
Fueled by emotion during the close contests, the women's team is undefeated (5-0) at home this year, winning by an average margin of 16 points (include MIT GAME).
"It has always been a pre-season goal to protect the home turf," Savitz said. "Playing at home is huge. Obviously, a familiar environment and no travel involved allows us to make ourselves at home."
Besides playing at Cousens Gym, which features a less than regulation length court, the fans at home games have also helped contribute to the team's success, particularly last year's dramatic win over powerhouse, Williams.
"Last season on 'spirit night' we beat Williams in Cousens," Savitz said. "There is no question the ice hockey team's presence at the game was a factor. We need the support of the home crowd to provide the additional momentum, especially in close games."
The men will not have the advantage of an enthusiastic home crowd, and will be facing a Bates team, whose eight game winning streak is their longest since the 1952-53 season. The Bobcats are led by NESCAC player of the week, junior Alex Wilson, who has averaged a double-double over his past three games. Yet Wilson is only fourth on the team in scoring, one of five Bobcats averaging over ten points per game.
The men realize that their first NESCAC game of the season will not be like the non-conference games in which they have registered up a 11-2 record so far.
"The difference is that NESCAC is the best league in America Division III so every game is a war," coach Bob Sheldon said. "There are no teams in our league right now with losing records. Also, there is a bid to the NCAAs up for grabs."
Last year, the Jumbos manhandled the Bobcats in a 91-73 romp at home, and finished 6-3 overall in the conference. Bates stumbled to a 2-9 record in the NESCAC last season, but has already defeated Bowdoin and Colby this season.
"Bates is hot," Sheldon said. "But we are a good team, and we will go into Bates looking to win."
This season, the men's team will be playing only nine home games compared to 15 on the road (including their last four). The home crowd undeniably helped propel the team to their Cinderella run through the ECAC tournament last year, and its absence could be a factor as this season wears on.
"The schedule is tough, part of it was our fault, and part is the league's fault," Sheldon said. "We will miss playing at home so we need to take advantage of every home game left."
