Tashman Named All-Northeast Region by D3Hoops.com

MIT sophomore forward Will Tashman was named to the All-Northeast Region Fourth-Team by D3Hoops.com.

The full list of honorees can be found at D3Hoops.com.

Bartolotta Named Eurobasket.com Player of the Week

For his tremendous performance last week for IR Reykjavik, former MIT star Jimmy Bartolotta has been named the Eurobasket.com Player of the Week.

You can read more at Eurobasket.com.

Bartolotta Pours in 33, IR Dismantles KR

Former MIT standout Jimmy Bartolotta again led his team, IR Reykjavik, in scoring this evening, pouring in 33 points en route to a 124-96 route of 2nd-ranked KR. Since entering the starting lineup for IR, the team has gone 7-2 with Bartolotta, after a 3-9 start prior to his arrival. Over that span, the team has gone from 2nd-to-last to 6th in the league standings, and are in good condition to make the postseason.

Bartolotta is averaging a team best 23 ppg and 50% three point shooting. IR closes out the regular season this coming Thursday, in a match-up with Fjölnir. In attendance will be current MIT assistant Billy Johnson, as he cheers on his former teammate in his first visit to Iceland. Coach Johnson has plenty of experience cheering on Bartolotta from their four years together on the MIT squad, as both entered MIT in the 2005-06 season.

MIT Unable to Maintain Momentum, Fall to Rochester

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
Despite holding Rochester scoreless the opening 6.5 minutes of the contest, and leading 25-20 at the half, MIT fell to Rochester in the second round of the NCAA tourney this evening, 60-52. The Engineers got off to a hot defensive start, leading by as many as 10 early, but seemingly ran out of gas in the second half.

Leading the Engineers was senior forward Eric Zuk, who scored a season-high 15 points, in his last collegiate game. Will Tashman was also solid with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Mitch Kates contributed 14 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds.

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

MIT closes out the season with their 3rd straight 20-win season, and 4th in 6 seasons. They return everyone except the aforementioned Zuk, and therefore should be contenders for the NEWMAC championship and on the national scene once again next season.

MIT Defeats Ithaca Behind Super Sophs

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
MIT surged past Ithaca in the final minutes, capturing an 82-78 win this evening in Ithaca, NY, over the host Bombers. MIT trailed by 4 points with 5 minutes remaining, but a Jamie Karraker 3 followed by a Will Tashman bucket put the Engineers on top with 3:14 to play. The teams would trade baskets over the next 2.5 minutes, until a layup by Ithaca put the Bombers ahead by 1 with 41 seconds to play. On MIT's next possession, the Engineers would recapture the lead behind a strong take from Mitchell Kates. MIT would then hit their FTs down the stretch to close out the game.

MIT was led by their sophomore trifecta of Karraker, Kates, and Tashman. Kates and Karraker were the high scorers for MIT with 25 points a piece. In addition to his scoring tally, Kates also dished out 7 assists, had 4 steals, and 4 boards. Tashman had his third consecutive post-season double-double with 16 points and 10 boards, in addition to 5 assists. Also playing strong for MIT was Billy Bender, who added 12 points and 8 boards. MIT had a season low 5 turnovers, while forcing 12, and shot 93% from the FT line.

Ithaca led by as many as 10 points in the first half, before a furious run by MIT, led by 8 points from Kates and two 3s from Karraker, tied the game at 46 at the half. MIT would come out of the break hot, building an 8 point lead over the first 7 minutes of the half, but Ithaca would not quit. A 16-4 run over the next 8 minutes would give the Bombers the lead back, but then MIT would go on their run to close out the game and take the win.

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

MIT advances to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament to face Rochester, the UAA champions this season. The game will also be played in Ithaca, NY. Tip is schedule for 7:00 PM, with audio available for the game.

NCAA Opener vs. Ithaca to be Audio Webcast

Tonight's NCAA opening round game at Ithaca College will be audio webcast at the following link:

Ithaca College Audio Webcast

More information about the game can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

Tashman, Kates Named to All-Conference Squads

The NEWMAC all-conference selections were announced today and MIT earned a pair of awards. Sophomore forward Will Tashman was named 1st Team All-NEWMAC, after averaging 13.8 ppg and a league-best 8.9 rpg. Classmate Mitchell Kates was named to the 2nd team, averaging 15.3 ppg, 5.0 apg, 2.2 spg, and a league-best 1.6 A/TO ratio.


The full announcement can be found here.

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.