MIT Races Past CGA on Senior Day

Playing for the two seniors on this year's squad, MIT played inspired basketball out of the gate this afternoon. The Engineers jumped out to a 25-4 lead in the first 10 minutes of the contest, behind strong play from 5th-year senior Billy Johnson. Coast Guard would not give up, continuing to battle for the whole game, but the MIT lead never dwindled below double-figures as MIT secured their 9th conference win of the season. The win marks the most MIT has ever had in one season in regular-season NEWMAC play and also ties the Institute record of 21 wins in a season, set in the 2005-2006 season and equalled last year. MIT improves to 21-2 overall and 19-1 in DIII action.

There were many strong individual performances for MIT, as center Noel Hollingsworth scored 17 points, including 4-6 from three-point land, and had 8 rebounds. Will Tashman was also exceptional for MIT today, scoring 13 points, hauling in 11 boards, and dishing out 4 assists. The day, however, belonged to the seniors. Patrick Sissman continued his solid season as back-up point guard, securing two boards and dishing out an assist, while Billy Johnson went for 13 points and three rebounds. With today's effort, Johnson is now 21st on the all-time MIT scoring list. Johnson now has 88 wins for his career, the most for any player in school history (counting the medical red-shirt season in which he played only 6 games).

The official release for today's game can be found here: MIT Release.

MIT continues league action next Wednesday as they travel to Wheaton to try to avenge their only DIII loss of the season. The tip is set for 5:30 PM. Vist back to Tech Hoops next week for the game preview.

Senior Day Profile: Patrick Sissman

Patrick Sissman enters his final regular-season game at Rockwell Cage as the epitomy of the true MIT student-athlete. A relentless worker both on and off the court, Sissman has worked hard through his four years helping to bring the program to where it is now. His contributions to the team go far beyond the stats he has put up, as he can regularly be found sharing his knowledge of the game with the younger guards on the team, and has been instrumental in the team's success in recent years.

Patrick Sissman hails from the Baltimore, Maryland area and entered MIT in the 2006 season. In that year, MIT was in rebuilding mode after losing seven seniors the previous season and Sissman was one of the players that stepped up to carry the team. In his freshman year, he averaged 24 minutes per game, including six starts. He would have one of the best games of his career against WPI on February 24, 2007, scoring 10 points (a career-high) on 4-7 shooting, with 4 assists and 3 steals. He had several big games statistically for the Engineers that season. In his sophomore season, Sissman played exceptionally in his role as back-up point guard, giving MIT strong minutes with great defensive intensity. As a junior, Sissman would set a career high with 7 assists on November 25, 2008 versus Curry. He followed that up later in the season with a 6 assist and 0 turnover performance against UMass-Boston on February 2, 2009. Entering his senior season, Sissman has been elected captain for the Engineers. He has been instrumental in tutoring the crop of talented young guards on the squad and getting them up to speed with the college game. To date, he has scored 120 career points, has 154 assists, and has grabbed 138 rebounds in 96 career appearances.

Coach Larry Anderson on Sissman:
“Patrick represents the true MIT student-athlete. Patrick, who has lettered all four years he has played, is one of true leaders of this team and has been one of the most dedicated and intelligent players I have ever coached. We appreciate the service he has given this basketball program on the court, classroom, and in the community. People don’t understand how great a person he is and that he will really be missed by our team and the MIT community as a whole. Patrick has been unwavering in his commitment to the MIT basketball program. Without his leadership we would not be where we are right now.”

Senior Day Profile: Billy Johnson

In coming back for his final year of eligibility, 5th-year senior Billy Johnson has secured his position in the history of MIT basketball. Johnson will leave the program as the all-time wins leader as a player in MIT basketball history. Including this season, Johnson has been a part of three 20 win seasons.

As a freshman out of Kamiak High School in Everett, Washington, Willard "Billy" Johnson entered as a part of the prized 2005 MIT recruiting class that included other future stars such as Bradley Gampel and Jimmy Bartolotta. Although the team that year was heavily senior dominated, Johnson still managed 13 starts in 23 appearances. The future looked bright for Johnson, but an injury six games into his sophomore season kept him out the rest of the year. As a junior, Johnson started all 24 games he appeared in, averaging 10 points per game and 5 rebounds per game. He had one of his biggest performances on opening day of that season, scoring 26 points and hauling in 7 rebounds against Western Connecticut. Entering his true senior season, Johnson entered a completely different player than three years prior, having added many pounds in muscle and polishing his all-around game. This paid off on the court as he would set career marks in every category, starting all 26 games he appeared in, averaging 17 ppg and 6 rpg. That season, he set career highs in points, scoring 40 in last year's senior day against Clark, and rebounds, with 14 against Springfield on February 4, 2009. He was named 2nd-team All-NEWMAC last season for his efforts. Now returning for his second senior season, Johnson has played an instrumental role in shaping the young group of talented newcomers this year. He currently sits at 1000 career points and 460 career rebounds.

Coach Larry Anderson on Johnson:
“Bill, as a 5th senior, has been the ultimate champion for this team. Whether it is hosting recruits or scoring 40 points on the court. He has been a consummate leader for this team for five years and really leads by example. From day one when Bill stepped on this campus at 6’8” you knew he was a basketball player, but his commitment to changing the stereotype of MIT basketball players and MIT athletes as a whole has been relentless. I can’t put into words what Bill has meant to this program. Coming back for a 5th year has really helped the continuity of our program and you can really see the results on the court in how the young players are responding to his, and the other captains’, leadership.“

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 Rallies, Anderson Picks-Up 200th Win

Much like in their first meeting of the season, MIT used a late charge to comeback to beat Clark tonight in NEWMAC action at Rockwell Cage. Clark led for much of the game, but MIT made their shots down the stretch, including some big 3s by freshman guard Jimmy Burke, who scored 14 points including four 3s.

Clark came out of the gates playing good defense and limiting MIT's opportunities. They led by as many as 8 in the first half, including a 6 point lead at halftime. MIT continued their sluggish play coming out in the second half, trading baskets with Clark for the first five minutes. The Engineers would come to life, however going on a 6-0 spurt to draw within one with 13 minutes to play. Clark would cling to their lead for the next 6 minutes, until a huge three by Burke gave MIT their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. MIT would not relinquish the lead, although the game would remain tight, and made their FTs down the stretch to account for the final score of 59-52.

Sophomore Noel Hollingsworth was solid as usual for the Engineers, scoring 20 points on 8-10 shooting, while also picking up 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, and 2 assists. Freshman point guard Mitchell Kates had a very efficient evening, scoring 13 points on 4-4 shooting. Will Tashman, another freshman, added 8 points and 8 rebounds for the Engineers. Coach Larry Anderson picked up his 200th career win (all at MIT) and is the first coach to do so in the programs 110 year history. On the season, MIT improves to 20-2, 19-1 in DIII, and 8-1 in the NEWMAC.

Official MIT Release

MIT hosts the US Coast Guard Academy at 2:00 PM this Saturday, February 13.

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.

MIT Retains #2 Ranking in NCAA Northeast Poll

The second of four in-season regional rankings were released today by the NCAA, and MIT retained its #2 ranking in the Northeast region, only trailing regionally undefeated Williams. An interesting development in this week's poll is that both Gordon and WPI are also ranked in the poll (#10 and #11, respectively), giving MIT three wins against regionally-ranked opponents. Wins against regionally-ranked opponents is a primary NCAA selection criteria in Division III. Full rankings can be found here: NCAA Release.

Tonight's Game Against Clark Postponed

Tonight's NEWMAC double-header at Rockwell Cage has been postponed due to impending inclement weather. Full details can be found here: MIT Release.

Statistically Speaking

This is a new weekly column we will be running that summarizes how MIT is doing in terms of statistical rankings on both the National (NCAA) level and in the NEWMAC.

MIT leads the NEWMAC in 8 statistical categories and is top 16 in the nation in three of those categories (Scoring Defense, Scoring Margin, and Rebounding Margin). Individually, Mitchell Kates is ranked in the top 10 in seven seperate statistical categories, and he leads the conference in steals and assists. Noel Hollingsworth has been a force for MIT in the paint, leading the league in rebounding and FG%, while trailing the league leader in scoring by just 0.1 points per game. Jimmy Burke, Will Tashmen, Billy Bender, and Billy Johnson also are currently in the top 10 in multiple statistical categories. A full summary can be found below.

Team Stats (Rankings in the Top 2 in NEWMAC)

Statistic	Value	NEWMAC	NCAA
Scoring Defense	58.1	1	6
Scoring Margin	+13.8	1	13
FG%	47.3	1	53
3FG%	35.9	1	88
3FGM	7.43	1	63
3FG% Defense	29.4	1	34
Rebounding Margin	+7.4	1	16
Assists	14.81	1	79
Scoring Offense	71.4	2	174
FG% Defense	40.2	2	40

Individual Stats (Rankings in the Top 10 in NEWMAC)

Player	Statistic	Value	NEWMAC	NCAA
Noel Hollingsworth	Rebounds	8.7	1	77
	FG%	58.2	1	47
	Scoring	20.5	2	33
	Blocks	1.62	3	65
Mitchell Kates	Assists	4.14	1	99
	Steals	2.29	1	58
	A/TO	1.18	2	233
	FG%	50.2	6
	3FG%	38.2	7
	Scoring	13.3	8	474
	FT%	68.5	10
Jimmy Burke	3FGM	2.30	1	114
	3FG%	41.8	2
Will Tashman	FG%	56.9	2
	Rebounds	6.8	6	250
Billy Johnson	3FGM	1.6	5	378
	Blocks	0.67	9	418
Billy Bender	3FG%	37.3	9
	3FGM	1.33	9
	Rebounds	5.4	10

MIT Moves up to #11 in New National Poll

MIT was again ranked in the Top 25 this week by D3hoops.com, moving up one spot from last week's ranking to #11. MIT currently sits at 19-2 overall, 18-1 in Division III, and 7-1 in the NEWMAC.

MIT has reached as high as #8 in the national poll this season, and they have now been ranked for 8 consecutive weeks. The full rankings can be found at: www.d3hoops.com/top25

MIT hosts Clark on Wednesday at 8:00 PM, following the women's game versus Wheaton (MA) at 6:00 PM.