MIT Athletics Thriving

Seven MIT athletic teams are currently ranked in the top-25 in their respective sport:

#3 – Men's Basketball
#3 – Women's Indoor Track & Field
#4 – Men's Swimming & Diving
#5 – Men's Volleyball
#6 – Women's Swimming & Diving
#7 – Men's Indoor Track & Field
#25 –Men's Tennis

Read more here: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/sports-shorts-0306.html

Engineers Advance to Sweet 16

Senior Noel Hollingsworth erupted for 27 points in the first half versus Farmingdale State (Pic: Tom Gearty)

For the first time in program history, the MIT Engineers advanced to the Sweet 16 with a dominating win over Farmingdale State, 83-63, on Saturday in Oneonta, NY. Farmingdale State had beaten MIT in the 2nd Round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament, but this time around MIT shot 53% from the field and out-rebounded the Rams (who were 4th in the nation in rebounding) by 10.

6'8" Will Tashman held 7'0" A.J. Matthews to only 4 points and 1 rebound in the first half (Pic: Tom Gearty)

Preseason All-American Noel Hollingsworth proved why he is one of the best centers in the country, dropping a career-high 37 points in the win.  Fellow big-man Will Tashman knotted 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists, but more importantly shut down 7-foot center A.J. Matthews, who had 33 points and 19 rebounds the night before (Tashman held him to 11 points and 5 rebounds). Matthews' Highlight Video:


Point Guard Mitchell Kates had 11 points and 11 assists in the win, while Jamie Karraker connected on 4 three's to reach 99 three-pointers on the season, an MIT record. Dan Mccue provided stifling defense to shut down Farmingdale's athletic wings.

Junior Mitchell Kates led the offense with 11 assists (Pic: Tom Gearty)

Jamie Karraker connected on his program-record 99th three-pointer (Pic: Tom Gearty)

Senior Dan Mccue provided intense defensive pressure the entire game for the Engineers (Pic: Tom Gearty)

MIT, now 27-1, travels to Lancaster, PA to face the College of Staten Island in the Sweet 16. Tip-off is set for Friday at 5:30pm at Franklin and Marshall College.

MIT heads to the Sweet 16 for the first time ever (Pic: Tom Gearty)

Tech Takes Down Skidmore in 1st Round of NCAA Tourney

The MIT Basketball squad defeated Skidmore College tonight, 62-55, in the 1st Round of the 2012 NCAA Division III Tournament. Hosted by Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, MIT's sixth NCAA Tournament game ever saw the Engineers out-rebound Skidmore 40-23.

1st Team All-Conference point guard Mitchell Kates dominated the game with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Preseason All-American Noel Hollingsworth netted 17 points and 6 rebounds, while fellow 1st Team All-Conference selection Will Tashman had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the double-double.

MIT takes on Farmingdale State tomorrow at 7:00PM in the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament. This will be a rematch of the 2008-2009 NCAA Tournament, when MIT lost to Farmingdale State in the 2nd Round in MIT's first NCAA Tournament in program history.

MIT Basketball Featured in Boston Herald

Read more here: http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/college/basketball/view/20220301mit_engineers_a_success_formula/srvc=home&position=recent

Three Land Spot on All-Conference 1st Team; Anderson Coach of the Year

Juniors Noel Hollingsworth, Will Tashman, and Mitchell Kates have all been named to this year's NEWMAC All-Conference 1st Team. This is the first time in NEWMAC history that three players of the same school earned All-Conference 1st Team honors.

Head Coach Larry Anderson was awarded Coach of the Year once again, his third honor in seven years.

6'9" Noel Hollingsworth was a Preseason All-American selection this year, and will enroll in graduate school at MIT  next year to use his remaining year of eligibility (Pic: Tom Gearty)

Junior Mitchell Kates earns his third straight All-Conference award after leading MIT to its best season ever (Pic: Tom Gearty)

6'8" Will Tashman, the league leader in rebounds, earns his second straight 1st Team All-Conference honor (Pic: Tom Gearty)

Head Coach Larry Anderson has solidified himself as one of the country's most successful coaches in recent history (Pic: Tom Gearty)

Emerson College Joins NEWMAC Conference

The NEWMAC announced today the addition of Emerson College to its conference. Emerson will officially join in the 2013-2014 season, and become the 8th member institution for men's basketball. The Emerson Men's Basketball team is coached by Jim O'Brien, who previously coached at Boston College and Ohio State.

MIT Develops Technology for NBA Dunk Contest

The MIT Media Lab recently teamed up with the NBA and Turner Sports to develop a device that measures the force of a dunk. This technology, the Slam Net Force, was used in the NBA Dunk Contest over the weekend.

Read more here: http://www.wired.com/playbook/2012/02/new-net-measures-the-force-of-monster-dunks/

(the following video was featured on NBA.com and has already accrued almost 150,000 views)

MIT Draws Skidmore College, Heads to Upstate New York

The nationally-ranked MIT Basketball squad and fans joined each other in the Stratton Student Center today to watch the NCAA Division III Selection Show and the tournament bracket unveiled. MIT will face Skidmore College, the Liberty League champions, at host Hartwick College on Friday (time TBA). The winner will play Saturday versus the winner of the Hartwick/Framingdale State game.

This is MIT's fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

View the entire 2012 Division III bracket here: http://d3hoops.com/playoffs/men/2012/mens-bracket-released

MIT's Historic Win in the Boston Globe

Read more here:

http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/extras/colleges_blog/2012/02/kates_carries_m_1.html?s_campaign=8315

MIT Cuts Down Nets in NEWMAC Championship

The first time in history the nets have been cut at Rockwell Cage (Pic: Tom Gearty)

The #3 MIT Men's Basketball team earned their third NEWMAC Tournament Championship in four years with a 65-60 win over Springfield College today in Rockwell Cage. The Engineers move to 25-1 in this historic season with an automatic birth to the NCAA Division III Tournament, their fourth straight tournament appearance.

6'8" Will Tashman during the opening tip (Pic: Robert Krawitz)

Freshman Paul Dawson handles the point (Pic: Tom Gearty)

Junior Point Guard Mitchell Kates earned the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award with 24 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and a steal. 6'8" Will Tashman, who earned the award during last year's championship, hauled in 10 rebounds along with his 5 points and 4 assists. All-American Noel Hollingsworth registered 14 points and 10 boards, while sharp-shooter Jamie Karraker connected on three three-pointers.

MIT has out-rebounded their opponents by over 11 rebounds per game this season (Pic: Robert Krawitz)

This is the first time the regular season champion has won the tournament championship since 2006 (Pic: Tom Gearty)

On the defensive end, seniors Billy Bender and Daniel Mccue suffocated Springfield with their relentless pressure. This is the Engineers 11th straight win over the Pride.

Kates makes an acrobatic move for 2 of his 24 points (Pic: Robert Krawitz)

The NCAA Tournament pairings will be announced via webcast Monday at noon here: http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2012-02-20/winter-championships-selections

Fans are invited to watch the show with the MIT team in the Coffee House Lounge on the third floor of the Stratton Student Center.

MIT students and fans celebrate the victory (Pic: Tom Gearty)