Tashman Leads MIT Over Suffolk

MIT rolled in their road win over Suffolk this afternoon, 86-47. Leading the Engineers was Will Tashman, setting team and game highs in points (22), rebounds (9), and assists (5). For full game recap visit the MIT Athletics Website. Box score can be found here.

In their next contest, MIT hosts Emerson College on Tuesday, November 30. Tip is set for 7:00 PM.

All-Time Captains List and 110th Anniversary Celebration Announced

MIT Men's Basketball will be celebrating its 110 year anniversary this coming year and will be commemorating this historic milestone during their biannual Alumni Celebration the weekend of February 19, 2011. The festivities will include the Senior Day game against Springfield on the 19th, where this year's lone senior Eric Zuk will be honored. Also being honored will be the captains of each MIT basketball squad since the inception of the program. There will be many more events/activities during that weekend, so stay posted for more details, but please save the date!

Captains from every class who will be honored:

Year	Captains	Graduating Class
2010-2011	Eric Zuk Mitchell Kates	2011 2013
2009-2010	Bill Johnson Patrick Sissman Eric Zuk	2010 2010 2011
2008-2009	Jimmy Bartolotta Bradley Gampel Bill Johnson	2009 2009 2010
2007-2008	Jimmy Bartolotta Bradley Gampel	2009 2009
2006-2007	Alex Krull Jimmy Bartolotta Bradley Gampel	2007 2009 2009
2005-2006	Gary Atkins Mike D'Auria Danny Kanamori Phil Murray	2006 2006 2006 2006
2004-2005	Adam Gibbons Mike Huhs Mike D'Auria	2006 2005 2005
2003-2004	Kyle Doherty Andrew Tsai Adam Gibbons	2004 2004 2005
2002-2003	Neal Brenner	2003
2001-2002	Neal Brenner Sebastian Heersink Alex Phillips	2003 2003 2003
2000-2001	Craig Heffernen John "Skip" Lucey Klint Rose	2001 2001 2001
1999-2000	John "Skip" Lucey Klint Rose	2001 2001
1998-1999	John "Skip" Lucey Klint Rose	2001 2001
1997-1998	Kareem Benjamin John Miller Melvin Pullen Indran Ratnathicam	G 1998 1998 1998
1996-1997	Kareem Benjamin John Miller Melvin Pullen	1997 1998 1998
1995-1996	Tim Porter Melvin Pullen	1996 1998
1994-1995	Nikki Caruthers	1995
1993-1994	Nikki Caruthers	1995
1992-1993	Aaron Barzilai Arik Brown Nikki Caruthers	1993 1993 1995
1991-1992	Michael Duffy	1992
1990-1991	David Chris Sonne David Tomlinson	1991 1991
1989-1990	David Grolte Frank "Trae" Shattuck	1990 1990
1988-1989	Mike Casagrande Douglas Cornwall Jerrod "Jay" Fraser	1989 1989 1989
1987-1988	Mike Casagrande Jerrod "Jay" Fraser	1989 1989
1986-1987	Mike McElroy Evan Pratt	1987 1987
1985-1986	Jim Egan Randy Nelson Craig Poole	1986 1986 1986
1984-1985	Bud Taddiken Charlie Theuer Jim Egan	1985 1985 1986
1983-1984	Mark Johnson Chris Wilson	1984 1984
1982-1983	Mark Branch Robert Joseph	1983 1983
1981-1982	Mark Branch	1983
1980-1981	Bob Clarke	1983
1979-1980	Geoff Holman Ray Nagem	1980 1980
1978-1979	John Wozniak	1979
1977-1978	Richard Van Etten	1978
1976-1977	Peter Maimonis	1977
1975-1976	Kenneth Armstead John Cavolowsky Campbell Lange	1976 1976 1976
1974-1975	Alan Epstein	1975
1973-1974	Robert Roth Alan Epstein	1974 1975
1972-1973	Jerry Hudson	1973
1971-1972	Harold Brown William Godfrey	1972 1972
1970-1971	Bruce Wheeler	1971
1969-1970	Bruce Wheeler	1971
1968-1969	Robert Listfield	1969
1967-1968	Dave Jansson	1968
1966-1967	Robert Hardt Alexander Wilson	1967 1967
1965-1966	John Mazola	1966
1964-1965	Robert Grady	1965
1963-1964	William Eagleson John Moter	1964 1964
1962-1963	Kent Groninger Jeffrey Paarz	1964 1964
1961-1962	David Koch	1962
1960-1961	Thomas Burns Charles Gamble	1962 1962
1959-1960	Hugh Morrow	1960
1958-1959	Robert Polutchko	1959
1957-1958	McClaren Jordan	1958
1956-1957	McClaren Jordan	1958
1955-1956	Bernard Benson Dimitry Vergun	1956 1957
1954-1955	Carl Hess	1955
1953-1954	Allen Schultz	1954
1952-1953	Russell Kidder	1953
1951-1952	Mike Nacey	1952
1950-1951	Leon Hong	1951
1949-1950	Louis Morton	1950
1948-1949	Jimmy Madden	1949
1947-1948	Roy Douglas Watson	1948
1946-1947	Roy Haddox	1947
1945-1946	Ted Heuchling	1946
1944-1945	Doug Watson	1945
1943-1944	Cal Taft	1944
1942-1943	George Marakas	1943
1941-1942	Ernie Artz Jack Whelan	1942 1942
1940-1941	Howard Samuels	1941
1939-1940	Thomas Craemer	1940
1938-1939	Mike Herasimchuk Thomas Craemer	1939 1940
1937-1938	Mike Herasimchuk Paul Schneider	1939 1939
1936-1937	Oliver Kangus Vernon Lippett	1937 1937
1935-1936	Bill Garth	1936
1934-1935	John Demo	1935
1933-1934	Gene O'Brien	1934
1932-1933	Fred Feustel Adam Sysko	1933 1933
1931-1932	Harry Johnson	1932
1930-1931	John Harrison	1931
1929-1930	Bob Nelson	1930
1928-1929	Bernard Brockleman	1929
1927-1928	Norman Estes	1928
1926-1927	Ernest Hinck	1927
1925-1926	Bill Forrester	1926
1924-1925	Ed Eager	1925
1923-1924	Stan Cook	1924
1922-1923	Stan Cook	1924
1921-1922	Cub Hubbard	1922
1920-1921	Robert "Tillie" Tonon	1922
1912-1920	Team Not Fielded
1911-1912	R.S. Schar	1913
1910-1911	Theodore "Tunnie" Parker	1911
1909-1910	Theodore "Tunnie" Parker	1911
1908-1909	P.M. Wentworth	1909
1907-1908	P.M. Wentworth	1909
1906-1907	J.C. Kinnear	1907
1905-1906	Charles Burleigh	1906
1904-1905	Harold Blake	1906
1903-1904	Harold Blake	1906
1902-1903	Fay Libbey	1906
1901-1902	Frank Cox	1903
1900-1901	John Pell	1903

Special Thanks to former MIT SID James Kramer for the preparation of this list.

MIT Bounces Back With Big Win

MIT recovered from their first loss of the season by blowing out the Commonwealth Coast Conference favorites, Curry College, this evening, 90-63. After a close first 5 minutes, with MIT only ahead 10-7, the Engineers went on a 31-9 run over the next 10 minutes to blow open the game and never looked back. MIT shot over 50% for the game and out-rebounded Curry 45-30.

MIT had 5 players in double figures, led by Mitch Kates with 19. Will Tashman contributed with a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) and led the team with 5 assists. In his first ever start for the Engineers, Will Dickson filled in the for the injured Noel Hollingsworth quite well, scoring 16 points on 8-12 shooting in only 19 minutes of action. Freshman Tim Donegan also notched 12 points and 7 rebounds.

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

Full boxscore can be found here.

MIT Unable To Overcome Poor Shooting, Lose by 3

MIT was plaqued by poor shooting, turnovers, and foul trouble today, culminating in a surprising loss to Framingham State on the road this afternoon. Full game recap can be found at the MIT Athletics Website.

MIT Rolls in Season Opener

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
After a close first few minutes, MIT ended the first half in tonight's matchup with Emmanuel on a 32-13 run and never looked back, winning by the final of 91-61. Everyone got involved for MIT, with 12 players scoring and 11 players recording at least 9 minutes of action. Leading the way was Preseason 1st-Team All-American Noel Hollingsworth with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in just 21 minutes of action. Mitch Kates and Jamie Karraker each scored 17 points for the Engineers, with Kates leading the team with 6 assists. Will Tashman and Will Dickson each had 8 points and 7 rebounds for MIT.

A full game recap can be found at the MIT Athletics Website, in addition to the Box Score

MIT is back in action this Saturday, November 20, in their first road contest at Framingham State College. Tip is set for 1:00 PM.

2010-11 Season Outlook

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
The MIT Engineers, who rose as high as No. 8 in the national rankings last season, will be looking to continue to build on this foundation and have another championship caliber season. After winning the NEWMAC regular (2010) and Tournament (2009) championships, earning consecutive bids to the NCAA Division III Tournament, and securing its third All-American in six years, MIT is rapidly transcending its image to mirror its unparalleled academic reputation. The Engineers, who debuted at No. 15 in the D3Hoops.com Pre-Season Top 25 Poll, return four starters from last season’s 22-5 team, as well as 89% of their scoring and 81% of their rebounding.

Front Court
MIT’s top returning player is middle-man Noel Hollingsworth (Salt Lake City, UT/Judge Memorial Catholic). The 6’9” junior was selected Pre-Season First Team All-America by D3Hoops.com and will enter the new campaign as the league’s reigning Player of the Year after winning the scoring race (20.4) and rebounding title (9.0). Hollingsworth is joined up front by 6’8” sophomore Will Tashman (Atherton, CA/Menlo School), who proved to be one of the most dominant big men in the NEWMAC last year as a freshman, finishing the season as the league-leader in field-goal percentage (57%) and pulling down 7.2 caroms a game.

Joining Hollingsworth and Tashman up front are newcomers Tim Donegan (Allison Park, PA/Hampton) and Will Dickson (Dallas, TX/St. Mark’s School). Donegan, a 6’6” lefty, has a long frame and a feathery touch from the perimeter. Will Dickson, 6’8”, brings to the program a wide body, excellent hands, and has the potential to be a strong presence on the floor.

Back Court
Leading the backcourt again is last season’s NEWMAC and D3Hoops.com Northeast region Rookie of the Year, co-captain Mitchell Kates (Colts Neck, NJ/Phillips Exeter). The dynamic sophomore has already emerged as one of the top point guards in the country, and has the confidence and skill-set to lead the Engineers to unprecedented heights. Last year, Kates averaged 13.5 ppg while leading the league in assists (112) and steals (57).

The Engineers benefit from the return of junior Jamie Karraker (Morgantown, WV/Phillips Exeter), who was second to Jimmy Bartolotta ‘09 as the NEWMAC’s best three-point shooter during his rookie campaign and was lost to injury last season. Karraker and sophomore Jimmy Burke (Scotch Plains, NJ/Seton Hall Prep), who led the league with 2.3 three-point field goals per game last year, combine to form a lethal combination from behind the arc.

Adding to the deep backcourt is junior Billy Bender (Woodlands, TX/Woodlands College Park). Bender (7.8ppg, 5.2 rpg), a 6’5” wingman, quickly earned the reputation as one of the top on-the-ball defenders in the NEWMAC last year. His length, speed, and uncanny ability to make timely plays are what make Bender so special.

The squad’s lone senior is 6’5” co-captain Eric Zuk (Carlisle, MA/Concord-Carlisle), the ultimate utility-player and nucleus of the team’s leadership, who averaged just over 13 minutes per game last year. Arni Lehto (Helskini, Finland/Helsingin), a defensive specialist, is another key component to the Engineers’ success this season, with his tireless work ethic and knowledge for the game.

After a two-year hiatus recovering from hip surgeries, former team Rookie of the Year, Dan McCue (Hampden, ME/Hampden Academy), returns to the team ready to make up for the time lost. Also recovering from injury is Nick Sather (Denver, CO/George Washington), who is set to return to the court by conference play.

Arguably the deepest and most game-ready incoming class in MIT history includes three wings in 6’5” Nick Davis (Omaha, NE/Omaha Creighton Prep), 6’4” Will Watkins (Holladay, UT/Olympus), and 6’3” Jon Thompson (San Antonio, TX/Judson). Rounding out the class is 5’11” sharp-shooter Josh Dunaway (Cincinnati, OH/Seven Hills), 6’2” Will Baysinger (Tulsa, OK/Owasso), and 5’9” point-guard Mike Attanasio (Los Angeles, CA/Harvard-Westlake).

Hollingsworth Named 1st Team Preseason All-American by D3Hoops.com

Noel Hollingsworth was named a 1st Team Preseason All-American by D3Hoops.com today. This marks the second preseason All-American award Hollingsworth has received, as he was previously named 2nd Team All-American by The Sporting News. The full list can be found here.

MIT Opens Preseason Play in Strong Fashion

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
MIT started off their preseason slate this past weekend with a home scrimmage against Wheelock College on Saturday night. The scrimmage started off slowly on both ends, with both teams looking a bit rusty early in the first half of the scrimmage. However, MIT's up-tempo play and size gave Wheelock problems, allowing MIT to win the first half by double digits (38-26). In the second half, MIT began shooting very effectively from the outside, jumping out to an early 10-0 lead and never really looking back from there. MIT went on to win the half 57-32, for a cumalative score of 95-58.

Leading the way for MIT was Mitch Kates at the point guard position. MIT also received solid play from other returning players, inlcuding Will Tashman (see picture above), Noel Hollingsworth, Billy Bender, Eric Zuk, and great shooting from Jamie Karraker. MIT also received great play from freshmen Nick Davis, Will Dickson, Tim Donegan, and Will Watkins.

MIT opens regulars season play on November 16 against Emmanuel College in Rockwell Cage. Tip is set for 7:00 PM.

MIT Basketball Announces Additions to Coaching Staff

In addition to many new faces on the team this year, the Engineers are also welcoming two new assistant coaches to the program.

Rob DiBernardo joins the Engineers for his first year at the collegiate level. Prior to MIT, DiBernardo spent the last 12 years coaching at The Cambridge School and Central Catholic High School (MA). He brings a wealth of experience working with young players and a tremendous track record of succes with him. For a full bio on Coach DiBernardo, visit the official MIT athletics site here.

In addition to DiBernardo, MIT welcomes back Bill Johnson for his sixth year with the program, overall, and his first year as a coach. Bill returned for his final year of eligibility last season, after missing a year due to injury, and was rewarded by being just the 23rd player in MIT history to eclipse the 1000 career point plateau. Bill also places highly on many other individual charts in the MIT Basketball Record Book, including having the 3rd highest single game scoring performance in school history (40 points). However, Coach Johnson's is most proud of being the only MIT basketball player to ever be a part of three 20 win seasons (2005-06, 2008-09, and 2009-10), with all three of those seasons either tying or breaking the MIT single-season win mark. For a full bio on Coach Johnson vist the official MIT athletics site here. In addition to coaching with the MIT basketball staff, Coach Johnson works at a local start-up company.

Catching Up with the Captains

It has been several months since the MIT 2010-2011 captains were announced at last year's season ending banquet, and sophomore guard Mitchell Kates and senior forward Eric Zuk have both spent that time preparing in very different ways for the upcoming season. The blog recently sat down with the two captains to catch-up with them on how they spent their summer, where they see this years team going, and how the new group of freshman look, among other topics.

mitbasketballblogger (MBB): What have you guys been up to this summer?

Mitchell Kates (MK): In addition to a lot of GTL, this summer I played in the Jersey Shore Basketball League and worked on getting stronger. I put on 10 pounds from last season and gained some explosiveness. Aside from basketball, I worked for a start-up that develops extracurricular software for universities.

Eric Zuk (EZ): I worked at UBS investment bank this summer, working in sales and trading. Got a good look at what life will be like after college, which definitely gave me a better appreciation for playing college basketball. I'll take two-a-day practices over a desk job any day of the week.


MBB: Wow, sounds like a packed summer, must be nice to back with your team. Speaking of which how do the new guys look?

MK: The freshman are really transitioning well from the high school to college mindset. Practices in college are a lot more strenuous and physical. The freshman, over the course of the first two weeks, have already made some noticeable improvements. It is important that the upperclassmen help the freshmen throughout the season, especially when the "grind" of practices later in the season starts to wear them down mentally and physically. Josh Dunaway, despite a broken nose earlier in the week, has given great effort in practice. Nick Davis and Tim Donegan have also stepped up as a freshman and they should both give us a great contribution. We also have some other really solid contributors in Will Dickson, Mike Attanasio, Will Watkins, and John Thompson.

EZ: The incoming freshmen are going to provide great depth for us this year. In my four years here, I don't think we've had a team with this many talented players, who at the same time have the right attitude about accepting their roles on the team. With so many new guys it's certainly a process to get everyone on the page, but practices so far have been competitive and efficient. Hopefully the days of only 9 guys suiting up are officially behind us.


MBB: In addition to those new faces, talk a bit about the new coaches on this years staff.

MK: We have two new coaches, Bill [Johnson] and Rob [DiBernardo]. Bill is a great coach because he was in our shoes last year so he has a great perspective on the inner workings of the team. Rob is also a tremendous coach. Rob brings great energy into every practice. Rob gets you to feel enthusiastic about whatever point he is commenting on. It is always exciting to hear what he has to say.

EZ: Rob's been a great addition to the staff. He brings incredible enthusiasm to practice everyday, which really picks up the energy of our practices. He's helped me a lot with my jump shot, and overall has done a great job of evaluating our individual tendencies and offering advice on them. After having Bill as a teammate, he's done a great job of adjusting to a coach's role. He's established a great relationship with the freshmen, as he's someone who's had a lot of success in the program but is still giving back. Having Bill on the staff keeps a lot of the continuity that has been established the past few years.


MBB: Sounds like both coaches will really help out. With all the returning players and the solid incoming class, what are your expectations for the coming year?

MK: This year's team has all of the tools to be a championship team; we just need to stay healthy and clicking on all cylinders. The addition of Jamie will give us a great perimeter threat. Will Tashman has also made huge improvements since the end of last season. Last year we were on the wrong side of several upsets to finish the season. I think we can look to those games for motivation this year.

EZ: With the progress we've made as a program the past few years, we're poised to make a deep run into the tournament. We certainly feel like there is a lot of momentum behind our program, coming from our past successes, the incoming freshmen class, and the support we've had from the MIT community. We've got the necessary pieces, we've just gotta put it together come November, and be able to keep improving every day throughout the season.


MBB: Looks like the ceiling is pretty high on this year's team. People around the country also seem to be noticing, MIT was ranked for the first time in the D3Hoops.com preseason poll this year (#15). Are there any big games this year that you have circled on the calender, to solidify your place in the Top 25?

MK: There are always games that we look forward to but Coach will not be very happy unless I say that our next game is our most important one.

EZ: Emmanuel, first game of the year. After 4 weeks of beating up on each other in practice, it will be exciting to get out and play someone else. Emmanuel always comes ready to play.


MBB: Looks like everyone is looking forward to the first game of the year. Good luck on the season and hopefully we will have a chance to talk again once the season starts.

Note: MIT opens their season on November 16 against Emmanuel College in Rockwell Cage. Tip is set for 7:00 PM.