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.

MIT Takes NEWMAC Championship Over WPI, Claims Bid to NCAAs

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
MIT gutted out a hard-fought win at WPI this afternoon, 63-52, to take their 2nd NEWMAC championship in three years. After jumping out to a 21-11 lead over the first 13 minutes of the contest, MIT would go cold the rest of the half and trail 26-28 at the intermission. Undeterred, MIT would up the defensive pressure to start the second half, allowing only 6 points in the first 11.5 minutes. That 20-6 run would put them ahead for good, as they would lead by as many as 15 en route to the victory and NEWMAC championship.

For the game, MIT shot a stellar 55% from the field, 53% from 3, and 88% from the line. They won comfortably despite WPI taking nearly twice as many field goals(58 vs. 31). The main difference was MIT's performance from deep and the FT line, as MIT had 5 more made 3's and 14 more made FTs than WPI.

Will Tashman was named the tournament MVP, as he averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds for the tournament. Tashman led the Engineers this afternoon as well, scoring 17 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. Mitch Kates was also solid, scoring 13 and dishing out 5 assists. Billy Bender also scored 13 for the Engineers.

MIT will find out tomorrow where and when they will play, as the NCAA will have the tournament selection special. WPI also has a good chance of making the tournament as an at-large selection.

Check www.NCAA.com for the broadcast.

MIT Triumphs Over Springfield Again, Advances to NEWMAC Finals

Images Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
For the second time this week, MIT had their way with Springfield, leading most of the game by double-digits and by as many as 20 points, on way to 77-68 win. Neither team shot particularly well, at a clip of 42%, but MIT was able to build a lead by controlling the tempo and taking care of the ball, only committing 7 turnovers all afternoon.

Leading the Engineers were their two standouts all year, with Mitchell Kates controlling the perimeter and Will Tashman locking down the interior. After struggling offensively last week, Kates came out determined in the first half, scoring 18 of his 22 points in the opening frame. He also added, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and a block for the game. Tashman was dominant inside, going for 17 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Billy Bender and Jamie Karraker also played solid games, contributing 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The full game recap and boxscore can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT will face WPI tomorrow in the NEWMAC finals, which is scheduled for a 1 PM tipoff. The winner will get an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

David Koch Endows MIT Head Coach of Men's Basketball Position

Former MIT basketball standout, and current co-owner of multi-billion dollar conglomerate Koch Industries, David Koch ('62) has endowed the MIT head coaching position with a generous 2 million dollar gift. Koch starred in the early 1960's, including setting a single-game record of 41 points that stood for 46 years. He is still the 2nd all-time leading scorer in career points per game.

The full story can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT Dismantles Springfield in Season Finale

MIT posted an impressive victory this afternoon over Springfield, 73-43, to claim the second seed in next weekend's NEWMAC tournament. The game was close initially, with MIT trailing 9-10 at the 12 minute mark of the first half. However, over the next 8 minutes MIT would go on a 19-3 run to put the game out of reach, as MIT would lead by double-figures the rest of the afternoon. The second half was more lopsided than the first, as MIT led by as many as 34 en route to the 30 point victory.

The Engineers were led by Billy Bender, who tallied 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Will Tashman put in his usual solid effort, with 13 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, while Jamie Karraker nailed three 3's on his way to 11 points.

The full game recap and boxscore can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT will face Springfield again next weekend, in the semifinals of the NEWMAC tourney, to be held at WPI. MIT will play in the second semifinal, at 3:00 PM (full bracket can be found here). If they are successful in the semifinals, they will play for an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament on Sunday at 1:00 PM, also to be played at WPI.

MIT Ranked in Week 3 of NCAA Regional Poll

The NCAA has released their third of four weekly regional rankings leading up to the NCAA Division III tournament selection day. Despite a loss, MIT moved up to #9 in the poll as a result of other results in the region.

The full list can be found at D3Hoops.com.

MIT Falls at Home to Wheaton

Despite leading on several occasions throughout the game, MIT was not able to pull out a close game against Wheaton this evening at Rockwell Cage. The game was tied at the half, and at 66-66 with 4:47 remaining in the game, but a 9-0 run near the end of the game sealed it for Wheaton.

Leading the Engineers was Will Tashman with 24 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists. Jamie Karraker nailed 5 3's to chip in 15 points and Mitch Kates put in a solid effort with 14 points and 6 assists.

The full game recap and boxscore can found at the official MIT Athletics website.

Despite the loss, MIT secured at least the #3 spot in the NEWMAC tournament, and a first round bye, by virtue of Babson's loss this evening. Also, regardless of the outcome of the Springfield/WPI matchup tonight, the season finale next Satuday, February 19, between MIT and Springfield will decide the #2 seed for the tournament (MIT would hold the tiebreaker if they win the game, as they already won the first matchup between the two teams this season). That matchup will also be MIT's senior day, and include other events due to MIT's biannual alumni celebration. At halftime of the game, all captain's past and present will be honored as a part of the celebration honoring 110 years of basketball at MIT (and MIT 150). Tip is set for 3:00 PM.

MIT in the News: Daniel McCue

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
Since being MIT's rookie of the year in the 2007-08 season, Daniel McCue has suffered numerous surgeries and other setbacks in his return to the basketball court. However, after two seasons watching from the sidelines, McCue has returned to the MIT squad this season to help them to their current 16-7 mark. Read more about McCue's story in this article from MBR.org:

Against All Odds, McCue Plays On

Flat Finish Dooms MIT

MIT fell this afternoon, 62-53, in a closely-contested matchup against Coast Guard. Despite leading much of the 2nd half, a cold finish to the game was too much for the Engineers to overcome.

Leading MIT was Will Tashman with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Full game recap and boxscore can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

Despite the loss, MIT remains tied for 2nd place in the NEWMAC after Springfield lost at home to Clark. MIT next hosts Wheaton at home, on Wednesday, February 16 at 6:00 PM, before closing out the regular season at home against Springfield one week from today.

MIT Ranked in Week 2 of NCAA Regional Poll

The NCAA has released their second of four weekly regional rankings leading up to the NCAA Division III tournament selection day. MIT broke into the polls this week, checking in at #11 in the northeast.

The full list can be found at D3Hoops.com.

Late MIT Rally Silences Clark

MIT used a late second half run to win by a comfortable margin over Clark this evening in Worcester, 69=58. Despite leading most of the game, MIT found themselves tied at 44 all with just over 5 1/2 minutes to play in the contest. However, they would mount a 22-6 run over the next 4:22 to put away the game.

Leading MIT was point guard Mitchell Kates, who scored 21 points, dished out 5 assists, and had 4 steals. Joining Kates in double figures were Jamie Karraker and Will Tashman, who scored 17 and 16, respectively. Karraker made 5 three pointers and Tashman added 7 rebounds. Also putting in a solid efforts were Will Dickson, who had 9 points and 7 boards, and Billy Bender who had a team high 9 rebounds in just 16 minutes of action.

Full game recap and boxscore can be found at the Official MIT Athletics website.

With the win, MIT pulls into a tie with Springfield College for 2nd in the NEWMAC, although MIT currently holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Engineers next travel to Coast Guard for their last road game of the season. Game is set for Saturday, February 12, at 1:00 PM.

MIT Edges Babson, Remains 2nd in NEWMAC

Images Courtesy of Tom Gearty

A balanced scoring effort was enough for MIT to edge out a NEWMAC victory this evening in Babson Park, 63-60. In addition to the usual suspects of Will Tashman (18 points, 8 rebounds), Mitch Kates (11 points, 8 assists), and Jamie Karraker (6 points, 2-2 3FG), MIT received solid contributions from freshmen Will Dickson (10 points) and Nick Davis (7 points), in addition to junior swingman Billy Bender (9 points).

The game was close throughout most of the first half, until a 16-6 MIT run over the final 6:18 gave the Engineers a 10 point lead at intermission. Behind strong play from Dickson and Kates, MIT pushed the lead to 16 with just under 13.5 minutes remaining in the game. Babson would not be discouraged, however, as they systematically chipped away at the lead, cutting it to as little as 2 points in the final minute. On the last possession of the game, MIT was able to preserve the victory with a strong defensive possession, forcing Babson into an errant three-point attempt.

A full game writeup can be found on the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT has this Saturday off, but travels next Wednesday to face Clark in a 7:00 PM contest. With just 4 games remaining in the regular season, MIT is in the drivers seat for the #2 seed in the NEWMAC tourney. The Engineers are currently tied with Springfield for second in the league, with a 5-3 mark, but currently hold the tiebreaker due to their head-to-head victory.