MIT Voted Best College in America by Business Insider

Business Insider's annual list of the Best Colleges in America was released this morning, with MIT earning the top spot for the 4th year in a row.

Business Insider surveyed 1,000 professionals to determine the rankings, "based on how much those schools help graduates succeed in life." As for the top spot, according to the publication, "the answer was loud and clear: MIT."

"When it comes to hiring, you can be assured that all students who graduate from MIT have been through a rigorous college curriculum" wrote one of the voters.

MIT was also ranked first by finance professionals: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-colleges-for-finance-industry-2013-10

Business Insider also noted that MIT has "one of the coolest college campuses in the country": http://www.businessinsider.com/these-two-buildings-show-why-mit-is-one-of-the-coolest-college-campuses-in-the-country-2013-11

Read more about the rankings here: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-colleges-in-america-2013-10

Last Week at MIT...(11/3)

Read up on some of the things that happened around the MIT campus last week:


Hungarian President visits MIT Media Lab...


Boston Red Sox Win World Series...


MIT Professor Has the Answer to Eliminating Mysterious Traffic Jams...


MIT Wristband Could Make Air Conditioning Obsolete...


MIT Arts Professor Wins Prestigious McDermott Award...


Women's Tennis Wins NEWMAC Championship...

MIT Basketball Lab: Day 6

MIT Basketball Lab: Day 6 from MIT Hoops

2013-2014 Season Preview

13,232. 

That is the total number of combined career minutes MIT has lost to graduation from last season ("lost" specifically to Apple - Will Tashman, Facebook - Jamie Karraker, Morgan Stanley - Jimmy Burke, and MIT's graduate school program - Noel Hollingsworth and Mitchell Kates). 

5,794 points. 91 wins. 4 NCAA Tournament appearances. A #1 National Ranking. 

With some of the best players in MIT history moving on to their new careers, the 2013-2014 Engineers will have to adhere to the principal that their predecessors so effectively utilized: 

Process. 

The Engineers wear white t-shirts instead of their practice jerseys until they feel they have truly become a "team"

Throughout the offseason and into the first eight practices of this season, the somewhat inexperienced Engineers have taken what they have learned from their older counterparts - process, attention to detail, a tenacious precision - and are attempting to take it a step further. 

As Coach Anderson has engraved into the minds of his players throughout the years, every play must be a "masterpiece." Every cut, every screen, every rebound, every loose ball must be approached with one's complete mental and physical attention. Just as a scientist breaks down their experiments into painstakingly meticulous components, or a financial analyst understands where every penny comes and goes, the MIT basketball team must break down the game like it never has before. 

Again in 2013-2014 the Engineers will be faced with a challenging schedule. They will be pitted against some of the top teams in the region during the non-conference slate, and beginning January 8th will jump right into the always-challenging NEWMAC play. 

The 2013-2014 MIT Engineers end another practice in Rockwell Cage

It has been 113 years in the making; since the day MIT Basketball shot its first basket in 1900, the team has been building upon the success of those before them. Last season's stars brought the program to new heights, and have passed on the tools to keep building. It is now in the hands of the 2013-2014 MIT Engineers to make every play, and this season, a "masterpiece."

MIT Basketball Lab: Day 1

The MIT Basketball team donned white t-shirts with individual names scribbled on by markers in the program's first practice of this season last night, their practice jerseys still sitting in a box untouched in MIT Athletic's equipment room.

"We are not a team yet," Head Coach Larry Anderson said as the reason for not wearing the jerseys. "We are working towards that."

And working towards "that" they did.

On the first official day of practice for NCAA Division III teams, October 15th, the MIT Basketball team conditioned, drilled, and conditioned some more for 120 grueling minutes. After a cool-down and yoga-inspired stretch, the players decided to stay longer to put in extra work.

"I'm pretty pleased with the first day, but we have a long way to go."

The squad is coming off five straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and five straight seasons of winning either the Regular Season or Conference Tournament Championship, or both.

But for the 2013-2014 season, the group knows they haven't earned anything yet, including their practice jerseys.

So when can you find MIT Basketball wearing these jerseys?

"When the captains, and each player, and the coaching staff decide we have become a team," Coach Anderson said.

"We're going to take the championship approach, we're going to be accountable, we're going to be unselfish, we're going to do what we are supposed to do in the classroom, and become valued members of this community outside of what we do on the basketball court, then we want to put those practice uniforms on."

"We want to earn the right to become ambassadors for MIT."

MITHoops.NET will be visiting their basketball laboratory as MIT Basketball uncovers what it takes to become ambassadors, and a team.

MIT Basketball Lab: Day 1 by MIT Hoops

Kates and Tashman Bring Home Gold Medal

This past summer arguably two of the greatest players ever to put on an MIT uniform, Mitchell Kates and Will Tashman, traveled to Israel to represent the United States in the Maccabiah Games. Kates and Tashman, both All-Americans who led MIT to a 91-22 record, 4 straight NCAA Tournament Appearances, and a Final-Four appearance, were hand-picked to join a handful of other Division I players for the international tournament. After defeating host Israel in the semi-finals, USA went on to defeat Argentina to capture the gold medal.

MITHoops.NET spoke with both Kates and Tashman:

USA defeated Argentina in the Maccabiah Championship

How did it feel winning the gold medal at the Maccabiah Games? 

Kates: "Winning the gold at the Maccabi was an amazing feeling, especially on a stage where you are representing your country. There is also some pressure playing with the expectation that you should win being from the US and winning brought a sense of relief as well."

Tashman: "It was an awesome feeling winning gold. Being able to represent your country on an (albeit limited) international scale was a once in a life time opportunity. And taking home the gold was a great reward for us and the USA delegation."

Former co-captains, teammates, and All-Americans at MIT

What was your favorite experience in Israel?

Kates: "Playing with teammates from all over the country and spending a month together was a pretty unique experience. Opening ceremonies might be the most memorable, walking into a stadium with 50,000 people cheering like crazy."

Tashman: "The whole trip was fascinating. There are so many historically significant sites in Israel it's hard to pick just one. I think my favorite place was the Dead Sea/Masada. It was just an incredible view over the desert and the sea."

Kates and Tashman enjoyed their time off the court in Israel

There were many scouts for Israeli and European teams watching your practices and games, how was your interaction with them? 

Kates: "We had Israeli scouts at most practices and games. Several players on our team are currently playing in Israel now and Coach Greenberg coaches Hapoel Jerusalem. They were heavily recruiting most players on our team."

Tashman: "There were a fair amount of scouts following our team around because being Jewish allows us not to count as foreign players in the national league (given that we get citizenship). It was a new experience for me discussing my 'career options' for basketball. A lot of the scouts were very eager to connect me with head coaches of professional teams."

*Note: Both Tashman and Kates were offered contracts to play professionally in Israel

Kates left as MIT's all-time leader in assists and steals

How has your experience with MIT Basketball prepared you for international play? 

Kates: "In Israel, we had only 10 days of training camp before we started games, and pre-seasons at MIT offered a similar urgency to get ready for the season. I think MIT helped prepare me for this. However, European basketball is a very different style and most of us on the team were shocked by the playing and officiating style overseas."

Tashman: "My MIT Basketball experience definitely helped me excel on the international stage. We were an athletic team with a lot of weapons, and Mitch and I played similar roles on the team as we did during our time at MIT. We were both on the court for during crunch-time of our medal round games, so clearly our experience playing with each other allowed us to succeed in pressure situations."

Tashman became the first player in MIT history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds

What are you up to now and what are your plans for the future? 

Kates: "I am currently in the Masters of Engineering program at MIT, and I plan on graduating in May. My thesis project works with the SportVu player tracking data that NBA teams have started collecting (under Professor Guttag). After graduation I am looking to either continue playing basketball or join a startup."

Tashman: "Right now I'm working at Apple as a product design engineer. I'm living with six other MIT grads, including [former players] Jamie Karraker and Arni Lehto. I plan on being in California for awhile, and playing in some recreational leagues to get my basketball fix. We have a couple guys in the house who can play so it's easy to get a good game going."

More coverage of Kates' and Tashman's experience can be found below:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-dominates-the-maccabiah-team-finals/

http://studentlife.mit.edu/news/2013/07/kates-and-tashman-surge-basketball-s-international-stage

Congratulations to Assistant Coach DiBernardo on Birth of Twins

Graham and Ruby Dibernardo

MIT Assistant Coach Rob DiBernardo and his wife, Leigh, welcomed two new members to their family and the MIT Basketball Family, Graham and Ruby. The twins were born last weekend with Graham coming in at 7lbs. 2oz. and sister Ruby 5lbs. 7oz.

"My wife, Leigh, and I are absolutely thrilled. This is the best moment of my life," proclaimed the 4th-year coach. 

When asked about the twins' future basketball careers, Coach DiBernardo said "training has already started! We have two future MIT point guards on our hands."

Coach Rob DiBernardo prepares the players in Salem, VA at the Final Four (photo: Tom Gearty)

Coach DiBernardo joined the MIT staff with a wealth of basketball experience at the high school ranks and is currently finishing up his PhD in Sports Psychology. His wife, Leigh, is the creator and owner of Curly Girl Design, a unique gift company with stores all over the United States and overseas. 

MITHoops.NET wishes the DiBernardos all the best to their family. 

2012-2013 MIT Basketball: By the Numbers

With the first day of practice for the 2013-2014 season less than three weeks away, we take a quick look back at the historical 2012-2013 season, by the numbers:

Team Record: 20-6
3rd Regular Season Conference Championship
5th consecutive 20-win season
5th consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearance
9 Academic All-Conference Selections

Justin Pedley (Freshman, 6'6", WA)

21 points versus #11 St. Mary's (T-most points by freshman in tournament game)

.422 3FG% Season (5th all-time)

Jamie Karraker* (Senior, 6'4", WV)
288 3FGM Career (1st all-time)
673 3FGA Career (1st all-time)
.426 3FG% Career (1st all-time)

Matt Redfield (Sophomore, 6'8", CA)

NEWMAC All-Conference 2nd Team
26 Dunks Season (unofficially 1st all-time)

49 Blocks Season (3rd all-time)

.595 FG% Season (3rd all-time)

Noel Hollingsworth* (Senior, 6'9", UT)
.546 FG% Career (3rd all-time)
100 Blocks Career (3rd all-time)
18.4 PPG Career (6th all-time)
1,179 Points Career (17th all-time)

Mitchell Kates (Senior, 6'1", NJ)

NABC All-Region 3rd Team

D3Hoops.com All-Region 2nd Team

ECAC All-Star 1st Team

NEWMAC All-Conference 1st Team

550 Assists Career (1st all-time)
254 Steals Career (1st all-time)
1,625 Points Career (4th all-time)

62 Steals Season (5th all-time)

.753 FT% Career (5th all-time)

128 Assists Season (7th all-time)

Will Tashman (Senior, 6'8", CA)

NABC All-American 3rd Team
D3Hoops.com All-American 2nd Team
DIII News All-American Honorable Mention

NABC All-Region 1st Team

D3Hoops.com All-Region 1st Team

ECAC All-Star 1st Team

NEWMAC Player of the Year

NEWMAC All-Conference 1st Team
1,023 Rebounds Career (1st all-time)
39 Double-Doubles Career (4th all-time)
.541 FG% Career (5th all-time)

.578 FG% Season (7th all-time)
280 Rebounds Season (8th all-time)

1,414 Points Career (9th all-time)

.740 FT% Career (9th all-time)
82 Blocks Career (9th all-time)
13 Double-Doubles Season (10th all-time)


*Both Jamie Karraker and Noel Hollingsworth were on the sidelines during their final years of eligibility (2012-2013) and did not compete. Their career statistics are a culmination of three (3) full seasons.

MIT Basketball's Summer Recap 2013: Higgins, Butala, Pierce, Gatewood

Tim Higgins, Freshman, 6'10", VA

Tim Higgins, along with the rest of MIT's freshman class, didn't waste any time after graduation, preparing themselves both mentally and physically for the college game. Higgins spent his summer honing his skills against top-level competition in the Nike Pro City Kenner League at Georgetown University. This heralded league consists of college, NBA, and overseas professional players. 

Tim Butala, Freshman, 6'8", CT

Tim Butala, the 6'8" swing-man from Connecticut, spent his time off the court working at O'Keefe Controls Company in Monroe, CT. Butala worked in R&D, testing new orifice and valve fluid flow as well as data extrapolation for the company. 

Dakota Pierce, Freshman, 6'3", CA

Dakota Pierce, hailing from California, played in an elite collegiate league out of Los Angeles over the summer called "Nike Say No Classic." Pierce's team captured the league championship, including a semi-finals win over a highly-touted Division I squad. Pierce also spent time off the court and in the studio, recording his first full piano album in Hollywood.

Hunter Gatewood, Freshman, 6'5", TX

Hunter Gatewood, a 6'5" sharp-shooter from Texas, spent his summer working for Deep Imaging Technologies as a Field Technician. His work consisted of imaging underground oil and gas reservoirs using electromagnetism. 

MIT Engineering Ranked #1 in Nation, Business #2

The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings list MIT's undergraduate engineering program #1 in the country and undergraduate business program (Sloan) #2. The rankings are based on a wide range of criteria, including acceptance rate, retention rate, SAT/ACT scores, class sizes, faculty performance, and financial resources, among many others.

Over 66% of MIT's classes are less than 20 students, allowing for more personal attention from professors

MIT's graduate program also took home a number of top rankings:
#1 - Engineering
#1 - Economics
#1 - Chemistry
#1 - Mathematics
#1 - Physics
#1 - Computer Science
#1 - Earth Sciences
#2 - Biological Sciences
#4 - Business
#8 - Political Science
#9 - Psychology

Read more about MIT's rankings here: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-166683/overall-rankings