MIT vs. Babson Tip-Off 1pm EST

The nationally-ranked #3 MIT Engineers take on the Babson Beavers at 1pm EST today in Rockwell Cage in the NEWMAC semifinals.

Watch the game live: http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=246

NCAA Opener vs. Ithaca to be Audio Webcast

Tonight's NCAA opening round game at Ithaca College will be audio webcast at the following link:

Ithaca College Audio Webcast

More information about the game can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT Will Travel to Ithaca for Opening Round

The Division III NCAA brackets were released this afternoon, and MIT was selected to travel to Ithaca to play the hosts of that pod in the first round.

The full bracket can be found here.

In similar news, MIT moved into the final NE regional rankings, checking in at #11.

NCAA Meeting is First for MIT and DeSales

For the first time in school history, MIT men's basketball will face DeSales University when the two teams square off on Friday in the opening round of the 2010 NCAA Division III Championship. The game will mark MIT's (22-4) second consecutive appearance in the NCAA postseason tournament, while DeSales (22-5) will be hoping to duplicate the magic that resulted in a run to last year's Elite Eight.

The Engineers have been battling an unfortunate series of injuries in the last several weeks, most notably to sophomore Billy Bender, who has missed the last three games. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs enter the postseason tournament as one of the hottest teams in the country, having won 15 of 16 including their last eight games. Led by 2009 NABC First Team All-American and two-time Freedom Conference Player of the Year Darnell Braswell, DeSales won the Freedom Conference Championship with a 69-61 victory over Misericordia. Braswell scored 27 points in the league final, while adding nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Although DeSales features a deep bench (nine players average 14+ minutes), Braswell is clearly the centerpiece of the team. Against Misericordia, he accounted for nearly half of the Bulldogs' shot attempts, and despite being a 6'1" guard, he leads the team in scoring (21.0 ppg) and rebounding (8.3). DeSales is well-balanced offensively, taking 38% of its shots from three-point range. Senior Rob Schubach (47%) and sophomore Bob Zanneo (44%) are the team's top three-point threats, although neither player starts. At 6'5" Zanneo probably plays above most of the competition, but his ability to get open looks against a long MIT team will be an interesting aspect to watch. Junior Brian Hunter averages 10.6 ppg and is the team's top playmaker (3.8 apg), but the 6'3" point guard is DeSales' worst free-throw shooter at 60%. Jim Malatesta, who scored 10 in the conference championship win, has also been a sub-par shooter at the line (62%). The Bulldogs round out their starting five with 6'4" senior forward Matt Zwetolitz and 6'6" sophomore middle Jamey Bercier.

The Engineers enter the contest with a definitive size advantage and will need big contributions from Noel Hollingsworth and Will Tashman. Bender, who is expected to play, would create another favorable size matchup for MIT, while 6'8" senior wing Billy Johnson will need to step up defensively. Despite suffering another ankle injury in the NEWMAC playoffs against Clark, Mitch Kates is still the floor general for this young group of players and his effectiveness on both sides of the ball will factor heavily in the outcome. Expect to see different looks from MIT defensively as the team has demonstrated the willingness to shift between man and zone. MIT heads into Friday's tilt as the proverbial underdog, but don't think that means much. The Engineers were the decided underdog in last year's opener where it shocked Rhode Island College for its first NCAA win.

MIT Release

MIT Earns NCAA At-Large Bid

Once again, the MIT men's basketball team made history, although the Tech faithful needed to sweat it out until the very end. The Engineers were the last team named as CBS and the NCAA announced the NCAA Division III Tournament bracket during Monday morning's selection show. MIT is at the bottom right of the bracket and will travel to Wayne , NJ, to face Freedom Conference champion DeSales University (22-5). Nationally-ranked No. 10 William Paterson (25-2) out of the NJAC will host the first and second round pod, and will face GNAC champ Albertus Magnus (22-6) in the opening round.

Click here for a look at the complete bracket: NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship

The Engineers were one of 19 at-large (or Pool C) selections for this year's tournament. Its the first at-large bid for the MIT men's basketball team in the history of the NCAA Championships, and marks MIT's second consecutive appearance.

MIT will have the chance to face NEWMAC champion Clark Univerity if both teams can advance to the Sweet 16. The Cougars also have a difficult road as they travel to Reading, PA, to face the Albright Lions (21-5). Two nationally-ranked teams complete their pod as No. 18 Randolph-Macon and No. 21 Cabrini meet in the first round.

The opening round games are slated for March 4 and 5. Dates and times for the first round have not yet been announced. Check back to mitbasketball.blogspot.com for additional coverage leading up to the Engineers' first-round game.

Engineers Begin Quest for Second Consecutive NEWMAC Title Against Clark

On Saturday, nationally-ranked No. 13 MIT (22-3) hopes to take advantage of its first bye in the history of the NEWMAC postseason tournament in propelling to its third finals appearance in five seasons. The test will be stiff for the Engineers, who are 3-1 at home in the NEWMAC playoffs, and 2-1 all-time against Clark in the postseason. The Cougars enter the tilt full of confidence after dispatching Wheaton College on the road. The Lyons had proved to be MIT's nemesis this season after defeating the Engineers twice (the only Division III team to upend MIT this year), but they lost to Clark on Wednesday, 58-55.

Clark held MIT to its lowest scoring total of the season in the team's first meeting and its fourth-lowest scoring total of the year in the second encounter. The Engineers escaped with victories in both contests, although both games required a significant rally by the Cardinal and Gray.

On January 16, MIT erased a 14-point first half deficit en route to a 54-51 win in Worcester. The Cougars led 35-21 with two minutes remaining in the opening period before Mitchell Kates ran off six straight points to cut the lead to eight at the break. In the second half, MIT shot 55% from the floor while holding the Cougars to 29% shooting. Mark Alexander had a chance to tie the game at the end, but his attempt from three fell short.

In the second meeting of the season, MIT shrugged off a seven-point second half deficit to defeat Clark, 59-52. The Cougars led 38-31 with 14 minutes left to play, but four three's by rookie Jimmy Burke and a commanding 31-17 advantage for MIT on the glass proved to be the difference.

MIT and Clark rank first and second in the league in scoring defense and have slugged it out in the previous matchups, making it wise to take the under. The Engineers' battles against the Cougars have resulted in their two worst games of the year in terms of field goals made. On the other hand, MIT held Clark to a season-low 43 field goal attempts in their first trip to Rockwell Cage. Noel Hollingsworth has been the leading scorer in both meetings, totaling 20 points and 11 rebounds at Clark and 17 points in the re-match.

The keys for MIT include controlling the boards (+20 in two games), taking care of the basketball (-9 turnover margin), and keeping the Cougars off the free-throw line (22-of-26 against MIT). The Cougars offensive figures to go through Mark Alexander, who is third in the NEWMAC in scoring at 17.5 points per game and is second in the league in free-throw attempts. Alexander has totaled 29 points in two games versus the Engineers this season, while Brian Vayda has added 28. Both teams will look to shoot the open three, although few are expected to be had as the team's also rank first and second in the conference in three-point field goal percentage defense.

MIT Controls Own Destiny in Finale at Springfield

No. 11 nationally-ranked MIT can clinch its first regular-season NEWMAC title and hosting rights as the top seed in the conference tournament with a victory over Springfield College on Saturday. The Pride, meanwhile, can force a tie by holding home court. Springfield would need other additional scenarios in the other league games to earn the NEWMAC's top seed, but the picture is less messy if MIT can take out the Pride and collect a program-record 22nd win.

Springfield (13-11, 8-3 NEWMAC) has won six of seven and has lost only once at home since the beginning of December. Leading scorer Matt Cavalieri was out of action in the Pride's loss at Clark last Saturday, but he returned to lead a dominating win at WPI on Wednesday. Cavalieri scored 20 points, including 4-of-4 from three, to pace a 70-50 victory over the defending regular-season champs. Ryan Coburn added 15 points, and Pat Crean filled the stat sheet with 11 points, six rebounds, six assists, and four steals for a Springfield team that has shrugged off a miserable 2-8 start and now appears to be running on all cylinders.

MIT (21-3, 9-2) dropped its second league date to Wheaton on Wednesday, snapping a five-game winning streak and putting intrigue back into the conference race. The Engineers trailed by 13 with 6:30 left in regulation, but cut the deficit to two with 36 seconds left following a brilliant three-point play by Noel Hollingsworth. Unfortunately, the Lyons were nearly perfect at the charity stripe as they held on for their fourth win of the year over a regionally-ranked opponent.

In the season's previous meeting between MIT and Springfield, the Engineers used a 13-3 run midway through the second half to pull away en route to a 67-56 victory at Rockwell Cage. Hollingsworth registered a game-best 25 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting to pace the MIT attack, while Will Tashman (12 pts, 9 reb) also delivered a strong game. MIT led by as many as 12 points in the first half, while Springfield stormed back to take the lead six minutes into the second frame.

Cavalieri, who is fifth in the NEWMAC in scoring, has been the Pride's leading scorer in their past four home games while averaging 21.5 ppg. Senior Pat Crean has been just as effective and will be a difficult match-up for the Cardinal and Gray. In the teams' first meeting Crean had a team-best 17 points with most of his damage coming at the foul line.

The keys for MIT on Saturday include keeping the Pride out of the lane (dribble penetration cost the Engineers against Wheaton and Springfield was 15-of-23 from the line in the first meeting) while forcing Springfield to take tough shots from the outside where they are a league-low 27% on the season. The battle for the regular-season crown will feature the top two defensive teams in the NEWMAC, although MIT also leads the conference in field goal percentage (47%) and will look to be efficient in its offensive sets to keep the Pride at bay.

Engineers Eye Historic Win Against Wheaton

Nationally-ranked No. 11 MIT will be in an unfamiliar place when it travels to Wheaton on Wednesday, and not because most the team has never visited Norton. The Engineers will be seeking retribution against the only opponent that has derailed its otherwise perfect ledger against Division III competition. On Jan. 23, the Cardinal and Gray suffered its only home loss as the Lyons rode a blistering perimiter attack, and a clutch finish, to a 60-57 victory. MIT has won five straight games since the setback, and can clinch its first outright regular-season league crown with a payback win in Emerson Gymnasium.

Statistically, the game is a mismatch, as MIT leads the NEWMAC in scoring defense while Wheaton has been the most generous defensive unit in the league by a wide margin (72.6 ppg). The Lyons also pace the league in turnovers and are saddled with the conference's worst assist-turnover ratio. While the Engineers have been the top rebounding team in the NEWMAC, Wheaton is also at the conference basement in offensive rebounds, and only Ben Stehle (6.6) averages more than four boards per game.

Despite the obvious discrepencies on paper, most insiders understand that Wheaton has the talent to play with anyone. A sexy pick in the offseason to be one of the NEWMAC's strongest teams, the Lyons have been riddled with injuries and inconsistent play. Although Wheaton is 8-14 on the season, it has three victories over regionally-ranked teams (MIT, WPI, and Bridgewater State). Anthony Copolla is the team's top offensive threat, although his offensive production has dropped every season since a blistering rookie year. Copolla is still fourth in the league in scoring (17.3 ppg), while he and teammate Jaxon Leo are viable threats from beyond the arc.

The key match-up in Wednesday's game will be the point guard battle between MIT's sensational rookie Mitchell Kates and Wheaton sophomore Brendan Degnan. Although Kates' explosiveness had been slowed by an injury a few games prior, Degnan delivered the superior game in the teams' first meeting by routinely breaking down the Engineers' defense with outstanding penetration. Degnan, who isn't much of a threat from the outside (28% on the year), also managed to knock down all three of his outside attempts, and scored eight straight points in the final two minutes to clinch the surprising win in Rockwell Cage.

To secure their first regular-season sweep over MIT since 2003-04, the Lyons will need another hot performance from the floor. They will also need to replicate their success in keeping MIT's offense off balance. Tech sophomore Noel Hollingsworth, who is incredibly proficient in the post, endured his worst game of the season and finished 3-of-13 from the field. In addition, the Engineers had their worst three-point shooting performance of the season, hitting just 4-of-20 attempts. With Hollingsworth averaging 20.8 ppg since, and MIT averaging a league-best 7.5 three's per game, MIT should feel confident in its quest for the single-season program record for wins.

80 Battles and Counting for MIT-Coast Guard

Navigating through the most successful regular season in team history has been anything but easy for nationally-ranked No. 11 MIT. After staving off an inspired upset bid by Clark University on Thursday, the Engineers (20-2, 8-1 NEWMAC) have become fully aware that the burden of being in first place means having to take the opposition's best punch every time out. Things aren't expected to be decidedly easier when MIT wraps up the home portion of its regular-season slate on Saturday against Coast Guard.

The Bears (7-13, 4-6) have lost three consecutive games, and have struggled since opening conference play with a surprising 2-1 start. Coast Guard has been hampered by an inconsistent offense (league-low 62.2 ppg), but has the ability to pull off the road win behind a consistently strong commitment on the defensive end and big games from its key players. The play of Jevon James usually figures prominently into the success of the Bears. Averaging 12.3 points and eight rebounds per game, James ranks fourth in the league in field goal percentage (53%). Other players to watch include defensive stalwart and floor general Eric Hudson, long-range shooters Stefan Lewis and Adam Radtke, and rookie forward Greg Marshall.

The keys for MIT begin with its tremendous half-court defense and unselfish play on the attack. The Engineers pass the ball well, and demonstrate remarkable patience staying in its offense. Earlier this season in New London, Conn., Noel Hollingsworth proved to be a match-up nightmare for Coast Guard, as did 6'8" senior wing Billy Johnson.

On Saturday, the team's will meet for the 80th time since 1947 and a victory by MIT would knot the all-time series at 40 a piece. The 39 victories against the Bears already stands as the most wins by MIT over a single opponent.

MIT Shoots for 20 Wins; Anderson Aims for 200

The nationally-ranked No. 11 MIT Engineers will seek to reach 20 wins for the third time in five seasons as it continues its best start in school history at home tonight against Clark. A victory against the Cougars (12-9, 3-5 NEWMAC) would also match the Engineers (19-2, 7-1) highest single-season win total in conference play and mark the 200th career victory for head coach Larry Anderson.

Clark is coming off an impressive 67-50 victory at Coast Guard, but is just 2-3 since its narrow loss to MIT on Jan. 16. Undefeated against Division III competition at the time, the Engineers erased a 14-point first half deficit and fought a raucous home crowd before hanging on for a 54-51 win at the Kneller Athletic Center. Mark Alexander had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but his good look from three fell short from the right wing. Noel Hollingsworth led all scorers with 17 points, while Brian Vayda paced the Cougars with 13. After trailing by eight at halftime, the Engineers surrendered just 16 points in the second half while holding Clark to 29% shooting from the floor.

Tonight's contest is expected to be a low-scoring affair as MIT (58.1 ppg) and Clark (64.3) rank first and second in the NEWMAC in scoring defense. Both squads are holding the opposition to a league-low 29% from beyond the arc. Alexander ranks third in the conference in scoring at 17.7 ppg, while Vayda, who is also the team's top rebounder, is sixth at 15.5.

MIT is 27-34 all-time against Clark, but has won the last three games and four out of the last five.