NEWMAC Quarterfinals Preview: #4 MIT vs. #5 Emerson

MIT vs. Emerson 
Wednesday, Rockwell Cage - Cambridge, MA, 7pm

Live Stats | Video

Probable Starters:

MIT (17-8, 8-6)	Ht.	PPG	RPG		Emerson (13-12, 6-8)	Ht.	PPG	RPG
Matt Redfield	6'8"	13.7	8.8		Brian Hurley	6'7"	9.6	5.1
Andrew Acker	6'8"	11.4	9.4		Sean Duffy	6'4"	4.7	3.0
Dennis Levene	6'8"	4.2	4.2		Jon Goldberg	6'4"	11.9	9.7
Justin Pedley	6'6"	12.0	1.5		Tyson Hallowell	6'3"	8.6	1.4
Ryan Frankel	5'11"	7.6	3.2 apg		Michael Thorpe	6'0"	15.0	3.5 apg

A Look at Emerson:
Recent Performance
Emerson battled it out with Wheaton College in the final regular game of the season, falling 79-73.

Last Time Out
MIT took down Emerson 80-61 just two games ago behind solid performances by Matt Redfield (24 pts) and Ryan Frankel (23 pts).

X's & O's

Emerson College finished 13-5 in the GNAC last season before moving into the NEWMAC this year. The Lyons knocked off #1-ranked Amherst and nationally-ranked WPI earlier in the season.

Emerson will look to get out on the break, with their guards looking to push the ball while the bigs run to the rim. In the half-court most of their sets are out of a 1-4 high with the posts at the elbow. Emerson will set a lot of side ball screens, especially for Thorpe, and will feed their posts who get to the block quickly and aggressively. Emerson will also look to crash the boards hard.

On defense, look for Emerson to try a number of defensive schemes to contain MIT's height. 

Babson Takes down MIT in Regular Season Finale

Box Score

In a defensive battle between two of the NEWMAC's top teams, Babson outlasted MIT 53-42 Saturday afternoon in Rockwell Cage. Both teams shot under 36% from the field and 29% from three, and crashed the glass evenly (MIT 35 rebounds, Babson 33). The Beavers of Babson handled the ball much better than the Engineers, however, with only 7 turnovers compared to MIT's 16.

Freshman Tim Butala has registered double-figures in four of the last seven games (Pic: Robert Krawitz)

6'8" Matt Redfield led the Engineers again with 13 points and 6 boards, with 6'8" Freshman Tim Butala helping alongside with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and three three-pointers.

6'8" Matt Redfield continued his strong play in the post (Pic: Robert Krawitz)

Earlier in the day, the Engineers celebrated their Alumni Day, complete with an Alumni vs. Alumni game (odd graduation years vs. even graduation years) and luncheon.

With the conclusion of the regular season, MIT finished with a 17-8 record and earns the #4 seed in the playoffs. They will face Emerson College on Wednesday at 7pm in Rockwell.

Game Preview: MIT vs. Babson (Alumni Day)

MIT vs. Babson 
Saturday, Rockwell Cage - Cambridge, MA, 1pm

Live Stats | Video

Probable Starters:

MIT (17-7, 8-5)	Ht.	PPG	RPG		Babson (19-5, 10-3)	Ht.	PPG	RPG
Matt Redfield	6'8"	13.7	8.8		John Wickey	6'7"	13.7	6.4
Andrew Acker	6'8"	11.4	9.4		Joey Flannery	6'4"	18.9	5.7
Dennis Levene	6'8"	4.2	4.2		Eric Dean	6'3"	9.8	7.5
Justin Pedley	6'6"	12.0	1.5		Matt Palazini	6'3"	11.4	2.6
Ryan Frnakel	6'3"	7.6	3.2 apg		Kenny Ross	6'1"	5.8	6.8 apg

A Look at Babson:
Recent Performance
Babson is on a 6-game win streak, which include two overtime wins as well as a victory over nationally-ranked WPI. Babson is currently on the bubble for a Top-25 ranking.

Last Time Out
Babson had their way with MIT last time out en route to a 65-47 victory. Babson shot 42% from three and forced 17 MIT turnovers.

X's & O's

Babson comes into the 2013-2014 season with a loaded roster, a great mix of veteran leadership and new talent. Babson was recently ranked in the Top 25 and are currently 11-4 on the season.

In transition the Beavers get out and run, with freshman Joey Flannery very aggressive on the break and Matt Palazini looking to find his three's. In the half-court Babson will use a 3-out 2-in motion with guards passing and picking away while John Wickey getting post position on the block. Babson has a great inside-out presence and will be relying on their three-balls, transition buckets, and spacing on offense.