Statistically Speaking

This is the final NCAA version of Statistically Speaking for the 2009-2010 season. All DIII games for this season have been completed. Note that the NCAA ranks only a subset of the statistical categories the NEWMAC ranks, the NCAA ranks a different number of players in each category, and the NCAA has different minimum guidelines to rank players in each category compared to the NEWMAC. For example, Will Tashman has a higher FG% for the season than Noel Hollingsworth, but Tashman does not meet the minimum requirement for field goals made to be ranked in this category, while Hollingsworth does. Therefore, Hollingsworth is ranked by the NCAA in this category and Tashman is not.

Team Rankings (out of 404 total teams)

Statistic	Value	NCAA
Scoring Defense	59.8	8
Rebounding Margin	+6.6	17
Winning Percentage	81.5	21
Scoring Margin	+10.6	26
FG% Defense	40.3	32
3FGM	7.41	66
Assists	14.3	109
FG%	45.7	111
Blocks	3.3	118
3FG% Defense	32.5	125
A/TO	0.90	164
3FG%	33.3	192
FT%	68.3	200
Steals	7.2	211
Scoring Offense	70.3	213

Individual Rankings (Number of players ranked varies by category)

Player	Statistic	Value	NCAA
Noel Hollingsworth	Scoring	20.4	35
	Rebounds	9.0	59
	FG%	56.0	65
	Blocks	1.44	96
	FT%	66.9	479
Mitchell Kates	Steals	2.11	79
	Assists	4.15	94
	A/TO	1.18	235
	FT%	70.8	392
	Scoring	13.2	488
Will Tashman	Rebounds	7.2	202
	Blocks	0.62	482
Jimmy Burke	3FGM	2.31	112
Billy Johnson	3FGM	1.67	355

Turn Back the Clock: Basketball Gets Its Start at MIT

Today we begin a new feature called Turn Back the Clock, which highlights memorable moments in the history of the MIT men’s basketball program. Since this is our first installment, we thought it would be appropriate to put the spotlight on the origins of the program.

Following the lead of other colleges and universities, MIT (known at the time as Technology) made preparations for the formation of a basketball team after a group of students brought the idea before President Henry Smith Pritchett for consideration in the fall of 1900. The President stated that if a sufficient number of men interested in the game could be found, he would give the team his support. At the meeting held in Room I (Boston campus), 30 men were present and more students had stated their intention of trying for the team, raising the number to nearly fifty. This was considerably more than the limit set by Dr. Pritchett. With this showing, an organization was at once formed and John F. Pell ‘03, of Newark, N.J., was elected captain, with Hiram F. Peaslee ‘03, taking the reins as manager.

On Saturday, January 11, 1901, at the Boston Normal School Gymnasium (off Huntington Ave.), the Technology basketball team defeated Dean Academy in its inaugural contest, 22-1. Forward Walter Dillon led all players with eight points, while forward George “Fay’ Libbey also enjoyed a strong game. Libbey was MIT’s leading scorer throughout the season, and although his game high was nine points, he scored every point for MIT in multiple games. Rounding out the starting lineup for the Institute’s first basketball team were Frank Cox, John Pell, and Charles Hunter. Walter Fitch and Henry Kendall entered the game as subs.

The majority of MIT’s schedule for the 1901 season was filled by teams with various YMCA affiliations, although the team did see action against intercollegiate competition. MIT and Harvard split a pair of meetings, while the Engineers defeated Brown University in the season finale.

Hollingsworth Named 2nd Team All-American by NABC, Also Picked to 1st Team All-District

On the same day he was selected as an All-New England 1st Team selection by the ECAC, MIT F/C Noel Hollingsworth picked up some national-level hardware as he was selected as a 2nd Team All-American by the NABC. He was also selected to the NABC Northeast District 1st Team.

Full releases can be found here:

NABC All-District

NABC All-American

Hollingsworth was also named Honorable-Mention All-America by the DIIINews:

DIIINews Postseason Awards

Hollingsworth Named to ECAC New England All-Star 1st Team

MIT sophomore F/C Noel Hollingsworth added to his ever-growing list of post-season awards today, as he was named to the ECAC New England All-Star 1st Team. Hollingsworth was named 1st Team All-Region yesterday by D3hoops.com, to go along with his NEWMAC Player of the Year and NEWMAC 1st Team honors.

Full release can be found here: 2010 ECAC New England All-Stars

Video Flashback 2009: Coach Larry Anderson Interviewed by ESPN U

For this flashback we travel back about a year, as MIT had just won its first ever NEWMAC conference tourney and clinched the automatic bid to make its first ever appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament. Not only was this big news on the Division III landscape, but ESPN picked up the story on several fronts, writing a column on Page 2 and inviting Coach Anderson to be interviewed on ESPN U. Below is the recording of that interview, which aired in early March 2009.

Hollingsworth Named First-Team All-Region, Kates Tabbed as Top Rookie in the Northeast

MIT sophomore F/C Noel Hollingsworth was named first-team all-region today by D3hoops.com. Hollingsworth has already been named NEWMAC Player of the Year and was a first-team selection for the conference as well. He was the leading scorer and rebounder in the NEWMAC this season, putting up 20.4 ppg and 9.0 rpg.

MIT freshman PG Mitch Kates also pulled in honors as the top freshman in the Northeast region, receiving the Rookie of the Year award. Kates was previously named the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year and was also named second-team all-conference. He led the NEWMAC in both steals and assists, also placing highly in many other statistical categories.

The D3hoops.com all-region selections are voted on by sports information directors in each region. The full list of selections can be found at D3hoops.com.

Video Flashback: Jimmy Bartolotta

It has been a year since MIT's only National Player of the Year, Jimmy Bartolotta, has graduated. To remember his great career, here are some video highlights of him while playing at MIT. He is currently playing in Italy's Serie A for Air Avellino.

MIT in the News: Will Tashman

During his impressive debut season at MIT, power forward Will Tashman made an immediate splash with his presence in the post and showed glimpses of his sky-high potential with his improvement throughout the season. He continues a rich tradition of athletic excellence from his high school, The Menlo School, which includes several other current Division III basketball players, including this years Jostens Trophy recipient Blake Shultz from Williams. The Jostens trophy, given to the top student-athlete in Division III who exemplifies excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in service to the community, was awarded last year to former MIT star Jimmy Bartolotta, who is currently playing in the Italian Serie A with Air Avellino.

The Menlo School News

Record Breaking Season

The 2009-2010 season was a record breaking one for MIT. There were many team and individual statistical categories that this year's team placed very highly in. Below is a summary of all the marks and where they stack up in the history of MIT basketball.

Team Marks
Most Wins – 1st, 22

Single Game Marks
Field Goals Made – tied 1st, Noel Hollingsworth, 17, 1/9/10 @ Babson
Steals in a Game – tied 1st, Mitch Kates, 8, 11/24 @ Curry
Points – tied 10th, Noel Hollingsworth, 37, 1/9/10 @ Babson
Points – tied 17th, Noel Hollingsworth, 34, 12/12/09 v. Lesley

Season Marks
Scoring – 7th, Noel Hollingsworth, 552
Scoring Average – 12th, Noel Hollingsworth, 20.4
FG% – tied 9th, Will Tashman, 0.568
FG% – 13th, Noel Hollingsworth, 0.560
3FG% – tied 6th, Jimmy Burke, 0.397
Assists – tied 9th, Mitchell Kates, 112
Blocks – 7th, Noel Hollingsworth, 39
Steals – tied 4th, Mitchell Kates, 57
Double – Doubles – tied 9th, Noel Hollingsworth, 13

Career Marks
Points – 20th, Billy Johnson, 1053
3FG% – 8th, Billy Johnson, 0.336
FT% – 7th, Billy Johnson, 0.741
Blocks – 10th, Billy Johnson, 58
30-Point Games – tied 5th, Noel Hollingsworth, 5

MIT in the News: Mitchell Kates

During a very successful freshman campaign, MIT point guard Mitchell Kates got a lot of attention from defenders on the court and, now that the season is over, he is starting to get attention from national media as well. This season he led the NEWMAC in steals and assists and was named the NEWMAC Newcomer of the Year, as well as second-team All-Conference. Below is a recent article by the Asbury Park Press, a New Jersey newspaper, that features Kates.

Colts Neck's Kates Named Top Rookie

Statistically Speaking

This is the final NEWMAC version of Statistically Speaking. All conference teams have been eliminated from the post-season. Once the NCAA tournament is complete in two weeks, we will also have a final NCAA version of Statistically Speaking. Because this is the final week, we have listed every individual statistic that was ranked by the NEWMAC (no top 10 requirement as in previous weeks).

Team Statistics

Statistic	Value	NEWMAC
Scoring Defense	59.8	1
Scoring Margin	+10.6	1
3FGM	7.41	1
FG%	45.7	1
Assists	14.3	1
A/TO	0.90	1
Rebounding Defense	30.9	1
Rebounding Margin	+6.6	2
FG% Defense/td>	40.3	2
Scoring Offense	70.3	2
3FG% Defense	32.5	2

Individual Statistics

Player	Statistic	Value	NEWMAC
Noel Hollingsworth	Scoring	20.4	1
	Rebounds	9.0	1
	Off. Rebounds	4.11	1
	Def. Rebounds	4.89	3
	FG%	56.0	2
	Blocks	1.44	3
	FT%	66.9	13
Mitchell Kates	Steals	2.11	1
	Assists	4.15	1
	FG%	48.0	8
	A/TO	1.18	8
	Scoring	13.2	8
	FT%	70.8	9
Will Tashman	FG%	56.8	1
	Rebounds	7.2	4
	Off. Rebounds	2.54	5
	Def. Rebounds	4.62	5
	FT%	68.8	10
	Blocks	0.62	10
	Scoring	8.7	21
Jimmy Burke	3FGM	2.31	1
	3FG%	39.7	6
	Scoring	9.2	18
Billy Johnson	3FGM	1.67	6
	Blocks	0.56	13
	3FG%	30.8	15
	Scoring	8.0	24
Billy Bender	Rebounds	5.2	9
	Def. Rebounds	3.6	9
	3FGM	1.16	13
	Scoring	7.8	26

Valiant Comeback Falls Short as MIT Loses in Overtime

A bittersweet feeling is sweeping through the MIT basketball nation as the team prepares for a long journey back to Cambridge, Massachusetts. After setting the school record for wins in a season and capturing its first NEWMAC regular-season championship, the Engineers were bested by a very talented, senior-laden DeSales team in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship in which regulation didn't provide enough time to produce a winner. Nationally-ranked No. 21 MIT battled back from a double-digit deficit in the second half, but was unable to replicate its heroic overtime victory of a year ago, falling to the Bulldogs, 72-64, on Friday night.

It was a tremendous effort for the Engineers, as five players logged over 40 minutes of action. Freshman Mitchell Kates never came out of the game en route to 16 points and eight rebounds, although he was just 5-of-18 from the floor. Fellow freshman Will Tashman provided the 460+ online viewers a glimpse of his bright future as he poured in a game-best 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 9 boards. Noel Hollingsworth also played well for the Cardinal and Gray, dropping in 18 points and had 7 rebounds. Although Hollingsworth was credited with three blocks, he had several additional deflections and drew a constant double-team in the paint throughout the game. Unfortunately, the production pretty much ended there for MIT. Playing in the final game of his MIT career, Billy Johnson dished out a team-best five assists, hauled in 7 rebounds, and scored five points in a critical stretch during the second-half comeback, but the Engineers were certainly hoping for more out of their fifth-year senior and only experienced player. MIT again struggled from distance, shooting 7-27, and only shot 13-24 from the FT line.

Darnell Braswell led the Bulldogs with 19 points, although rookie Jimmy Burke did an admirable job in trying to contain the reigning Freedom Conference Player of the Year. The biggest disappointment of the game for the Engineers was their inability to control the glass. Despite having a size advantage at four positions, DeSales was +12 on the boards midway through the second half and ended the contest with a decisive rebounding advantage. After trailing for most of the game, Kates gave MIT its first lead of the second-half on a free-throw with 2:47 left in regulation. The teams exchanged baskets in the final minutes and both teams missed on bids to end the game on their final possessions. Braswell took the last shot for DeSales as the buzzer sounded but his drive and shot in the paint rimmed out. The All-American senior, however, delivered the decisive blow with under two minutes left in overtime by drilling a three at the top of the arc with the shot clock winding down.

DeSales, which advanced to the Elite Eight last season, behind Braswell's incredible play, will face the winner of host William Paterson and Albertus Magnus in the second round on Saturday.

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

Video Interviews: Billy Bender and Jamie Karraker

In the last installment of player video interviews for this week, we talk with two sophomore guards for MIT: Billy Bender and Jamie Karraker.

Billy discusses his expectations going into this season, how he prepares to defend the opposing team's best players, and what has made him so successful in making shots in crunch time.

Jamie discusses how frustrating it has been having to watch his teammates from the sideline this year, when he expects to get back on the court, the similarities between this year and last year's team, and how playing a prep year at Phillips Exeter Academy has prepared him for the college game.

Video and Live Stats Available Against DeSales

Both live video and live stats will be available for this Friday's game against Desales.

Video Link

Live Stats

Four Named Academic All-Conference

In addition to the basketball honors handed out yesterday, the NEWMAC has announced this year's Academic All-Conference team. MIT players claimed four of the eight spots on the team. Adding to his Player of the Year honors, Noel Hollingsworth made the squad, along with senior Patrick Sissman and sophomores Billy Bender and Jamie Karraker.

To make the team, players must have a 4.35/5.0 and be at least a sophomore in academic standing. The full release is available at the NEWMAC website: NEWMAC Release.

Video Interviews: Devin Dee and Bradley Gampel

In this episode of player interviews, we have two guards at opposite ends of the spectrum of their playing careers. Bradley Gampel was a big part of last year's successful MIT basketball team, but is a year removed from organized basketball. Meanwhile, Devin Dee is a freshman guard, out of Hillsborough, CA, who is in his first year with the MIT team.

Brad compares this year's team to last year's team, talks about how it has been coaching this year at his former high school, and discusses how his game compares to this year's starting point guard's (Mitchell Kates).

Devin discusses balancing school, basketball, and Naval ROTC, the team's strengths, and his most memorable experience of the season.

Check back tomorrow for our final episode of video interviews for the week with Billy Bender and Jamie Karraker featured.

Video Interviews: Arni Lehto and Patrick Gichuiri

In today's player video interviews, we have an international flavor as we interview the two players on this year's squad who went to high school across the Atlantic.

Arni Lehto discusses basketball in his homeland of Finland, how this year's team compares to last year's team, and what the team's mentality is going into the postseason.

Patrick Gichuiri discusses basketball in his native Kenya, his favorite part of being on the MIT basketball team, and his thoughts on the team's strength going into the postseason.

Noel Hollingsworth Named NEWMAC Player of the Year; Kates Top Rookie

Sophomore Noel Hollingsworth was selected as the 2009-10 NEWMAC Player of the Year on Tuesday after guiding MIT to its first regular-season conference title in school history and a new single-season record for wins. Mitchell Kates earned additional hardware for the Engineers by being tabbed NEWMAC Rookie of the Year.

Hollingsworth, who was a four-time NEWMAC Player of the Week selection, paced the conference in scoring (20.5 ppg), rebounds (9.1), and field goal percentage (56.6%). He produced 13 double-doubles on the year, led the team in scoring in 16 games, and topped 30 points on five occasions. As MIT's second consecutive Player of the Year, Hollingsworth was also named to the All-Conference First Team.

Kates picked up Second Team All-Conference honors in addition to earning the program's third Rookie of the Year award in the last five years. Kates led the NEWMAC in assists (4.2) and steals (2.2) while leading the team in minutes played. Kates also ranked eighth in the league in scoring at 13.1 ppg.

First Team All-Conference: Noel Hollingsworth (MIT); Jeff Robinson (WPI); Mark Alexander (Clark); Matt Cavalieri (Springfield); Brian Vayda (Clark)

Second Team All-Conference: Mitchell Kates (MIT); Pat Crean (Springfield); Anthony Coppola (Wheaton); Brendan Degnan (Wheaton); Kyle Nadeau (WPI)

Official NEWMAC Release

Statistically Speaking

This is how MIT stacks up statistically in the NEWMAC and against other NCAA DIII teams across the country. Stats are for games through 2/28/2010. Only statistics in which MIT is top 2 in the NEWMAC as a team and top 10 in individual categories are listed. Note that the NCAA does not rank all categories that the NEWMAC ranks.

Team Statistics

Statistic	Value	NEWMAC	NCAA
Scoring Defense	59.3	1	7
Rebounding Margin	+7.2	1	16
Scoring Margin	+11.3	1	24
3FGM	7.42	1	65
FG%	46.0	1	99
Assists	14.27	1	109
A/TO	0.89	1
Rebounding Defense	30.3	1
FG% Defense	40.2	2	32
Scoring Offense	70.6	2	213
3FG% Defense	32.3	2

Individual Statistics

Player	Statistic	Value	NEWMAC	NCAA
Noel Hollingsworth	Scoring	20.5	1	34
	Rebounds	9.1	1	61
	FG%	56.6	1	65
	Blocks	1.38	3	104
Mitchell Kates	Steals	2.15	1	72
	Assists	4.23	1	90
	FG%	49.4	6
	A/TO	1.20	7	237
	Scoring	13.1	8
	FT%	70.0	10
Will Tashman	FG%	55.1	2
	Rebounds	7.1	4	212
	FT%	70.4	9
	Blocks	0.60	10
Jimmy Burke	3FGM	2.36	1	107
	3FG%	40.4	5
Billy Johnson	3FGM	1.69	6	345
Billy Bender	Rebounds	5.3	9

MIT falls to #21 in this week's D3hoops.com poll, after losing their only game of the week in the semifinals of the NEWMAC tournament this past weekend. This is MIT's lowest ranking since Week 4 of this season when they were also ranked #21. MIT has been ranked for 11 consecutive weeks and are now 22-4 overall and 21-3 in DIII.

Full D3hoops.com Rankings Here

MIT faces DeSales in the first round of the NCAA Division III basketball tournament, to be played at William Paterson in New Jersey this Friday.

MIT Basketball NCAA Selection Reaction

Below is a clip of the MIT basketball team watching the NCAA Division III selection show. We pick up the action as the right hand side of the brackets are being announced and the tension is building as MIT awaits to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney. MIT was the last team announced because of their location on the bracket. Coach Anderson addresses his team briefly at the end of the clip.

MIT Falls to 5th in Final NE Region NCAA Rankings

The final regional rankings were released today by the NCAA, and MIT fell to the #5 ranking in the Northeast region after losing to Clark in the NEWMAC Semifinals on Saturday.

Full NCAA rankings can be found here: NCAA 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.