Although this is coming a bit late, it’s time to wrap up the women’s basketball season. It was a huge year for the NESCAC, as three of the teams in the Elite Eight were Tufts, Bowdoin, and Amherst. We like to talk often about how NESCAC men’s basketball is so dominant compared to other conferences, but this type of dominance is remarkable. To add onto this, none of those three teams lost to a non-NESCAC school in the NCAA tournament – Tufts lost to Bowdoin in the Elite Eight and Amherst beat Bowdoin in the national championship. This type of success is noteworthy, but this article will focus solely on the team at the top: the Amherst College Mammoths.
The Mammoths have been doing a lot of net cutting these past two seasons during their 66 game winning streak.
Much to the chagrin of all 10 other NESCAC schools, the Amherst women’s basketball team won their second consecutive national championship this year. Actually let me correct myself: the Amherst women’s basketball team just completed their second straight undefeated season, culminating in a second straight national championship. The Mammoths have won 66 consecutive games dating back to November of 2016; so long ago that they weren’t even called the Mammoths yet. They haven’t lost since the Final Four in 2016 when gas only cost $2 per gallon, Obama was president, and Kobe Bryant was playing his last season with the Lakers. I guess you could say a lot has changed.
11 years into his tenure, Coach Gromacki has turned this program into a dynasty. As we all know, Amherst is good at most (if not all) sports, so this success isn’t too surprising – until you take a closer look. The Mammoths have reached at least the Sweet Sixteen every season under Gromacki, amassing a 33-11 postseason record including 3 national championships. The last two seasons, however, have been even more jaw dropping. Just 11 of their 66 straight wins have been by fewer than 10 points, with only 2 of those coming in NCAA tournament games. This means that not only are they demolishing their regular season opponents, but they’re also elevating their play when it really counts. Take this season for example: Amherst defeated Bowdoin by just 4 points at home in January, then proceeded to crush the Polar Bears by 20 in the national championship. This is a team that flat out knows how to win.
Coach Gromacki can put himself in the same conversation as UConn Women’s Coach Auriemma.
You’d think that a two-year span of success like this came from a large amount of talented upperclassmen, but the Mammoths’ 3 best players are sophomores Hannah Fox ’20 and Madeline Eck ’20, and junior Emma McCarthy ’19. They only had 3 seniors on their roster and only two of them played meaningful minutes. This is scary for opponents who want an end to the reign of the purple because it looks like Amherst is here to stay. Success like this doesn’t come without a bull’s eye on their back, and teams like Bowdoin and Tufts are right there ready to pounce when they slip up. Fortunately for Amherst fans, having Coach Gromacki at the helm makes them the nation’s premier team year in and year out.
It looks like this dynastic run might not even be close to ending…
The senior from Pacific Palasides, California emerged as a quiet leader for the Jumbos last season, starting every game, running the offense and averaging 8 PPG. He plays solid defense and has shown off his scoring ability, aside from his ball-handling prowess. Tufts will look to Dayton this season to lead them on both ends of the floor, and in big moments in big games. Offensively, Tufts will have to play even more of a perimeter game with the loss of Center Tom Pelleschi. Dayton will need to be a facilitator, and also knock down three pointers when they are open. With a smaller lineup on the floor, ball movement will be paramount, and Dayton will be the Jumbos offensive catalyst, who will look to create shots for his teammates and run the floor. Tufts will get the most out of their offense when Dayton’s assists are high.
Thomas Lapham ’18 (Courtesy of Tufts Athletics)
G #1 Thomas Lapham – Sr.
The second of the ‘Bos SoCal Guard tandem, Lapham is a grinder. He proved to be valuable for the Jumbos off the bench last season, shooting 42% from the field. He is a sharp shooter, who will look to breakout this season from behind the arc. Lapham has demonstrated his three-point shooting ability, last season burying 4 against Newbury College and 3 against Williams. This year’s offense will benefit a player like Lapham, who the Jumbos will need to step up and contribute right off the bat. If Lapham can knock down shots early, it will open opportunities for other seasoned shooters like Dayton and Pace. Lapham has proven he can contribute on both sides of the floor off the bench, and will bring his gamer mentality to his more consistent role this season. Look for Lapham’s numbers to rise this season, but it will be his leadership and competitiveness that will earn him extra minutes and add to the Jumbos win column.
Eric Savage ’20 (Courtesy of Tufts Athletics)
G #5 Eric Savage – So.
My Breakout Player of the Year, Savage will be a huge the key to the Jumbos success in 2017-2018. Savage improved greatly over the course of last season, and was a regular contributor off the bench for Tufts later in the year. He put up 14 and 16 points in the Jumbos first two NCAA tilts last season, and had a season high 18 at Trinity in early February. Savage emerged as a consistent scoring threat for the Jumbos, and they will rely on him even more this season in a more consistent role. Savage is a natural scorer, who will help Tufts win basketball games by getting to the dish, facilitating, and knocking down open shots. If Savage can play good defense, he will spend a lot of time on the court for the Jumbos.
Vincent Pace ’18 (Courtesy of Tufts Athletics)
F #13 Vincent Pace – Sr.
A healthy Pace is Tufts best all-around player. A knee injury sustained in the NESCAC Tournament ended his Sophomore season, and battling other injuries last year, Pace was still able to be a major contributor for the Bos. Pace is a scorer, which he displayed against St. Johns Fisher in the NCAA Tournament dropping 37 points in a Jumbos victory. He averaged 14 PPG last season, shooting nearly 44% from the field, and giving the Jumbos 25 minutes per game, despite nagging injuries. Tufts has relied heavily on Pace in the past and they will continue to rely on him offensively this season. In losses against Amherst and Bates last year, Pace shot less than 32%, only putting up 6 points against Amherst. Tufts will need big time performances out of Pace this year. If he can stay healthy he will be an offensive weapon yet again for the Jumbos, working the perimeter with Dayton, Savage, and Lapham, but Pace can also guard forwards on defense.
Patrick Racy ’20 (Courtesy of Tufts Athletics)
F #24 Patrick Racy – So.
The biggest question mark for this 2017-2018 Jumbos squad is the replacement of four-year starting Center and Captain Tom Palleschi. The 6-7 Center from Connecticut, Racy contributed big minutes for the Jumbos as a Freshman when Palleschi went down with a knee injury in January. Racy was vital for Tufts on defense and on the boards last year, but without Palleschi, opponents will most likely attack the paint. If Racy can step up and guard some of the most potent NESCAC Bigs down low, Tufts will be a very tough defense to score on. Boards and good D will be the two keys to Racy’s Sophomore campaign, but he also poses an offensive threat as a mid-range shooter. Look for the big man to sneak in a few put-backs and draw some offensive attention with his smooth jumper. Racy will open the array of Jumbo shooters on the perimeter, even more.
Breakout Player:
G #33 Eric Savage – So.
(See above)
Everything Else
YOUNG BOS:
Tufts will rely heavily on several returners to continue to be big contributors throughout their 2017-2018 campaign. That said, with the departure of senior impact players from last season like Tarik Smith and Tom Palleschi, there are some opportunities for the young talent on the Jumbos roster. Last year we saw Eric Savage work his way into the rotation by competing on both ends of the floor and stepping up down the stretch. Patrick Racy received valuable exposure in the during his fill-in time in Palleschi’s absence. This year, two first years stick out as early contenders to provide significant minutes for Tufts, Luke Rogers (F) and Brennan Morris (G). Rogers could be jumbo for Tufts. Now the biggest body on the roster, the kid has a ton of upside and will get chances early on to give Racy his rest. Look for Rogers to make an impact down low defensively and help Tufts on the offensive boards. Although the Jumbos are stacked at the guard position, Brennan can come off the bench and give Tufts some size. If Brennan can knock down some shots and contribute offensively early on, he could be big for the Jumbos spreading the floor and crashing the boards.
LIKE HE’S LOU WILL
KJ Garrett ’18 (Courtesy of Tufts Athletics)
KJ Garrett provided some serious offensive spark for the Jumbos at certain crucial moments last season. He came off the bench and dropped 19 at home against Hamilton, willing Tufts to an eventual 13-point victory amidst their 10-game win streak. The University of Washington transfer from Southern California is an athletic weapon on the court, whose ability to rise above the rim is only matched by Colby’s Pat Dickert. Although Garrett is currently sidelined with a minor finger injury, he will be back and ready to go for Tufts. The Jumbos will continue to look to Garrett for that offensive spark. On a team loaded with shooters, Garrett will drive to the basket and get buckets in the paint, opening shooting opportunities for his buddies behind the arc. If Garrett can get healthy and stay healthy, I expect him to contribute early off the bench, moving into a more consistent role down the stretch, igniting the Jumbos guard-friendly offense.
LIKE IT’S MARCH MADNESS
Tufts was upset in the NESCAC Playoffs by a Williams team they had taken apart 93-68 just two weeks earlier. Despite two well-earned victories in the NCAA Tournament, the Jumbos fell to Babson for the second time of the season, who eventually went on to win the National Championship. Last year’s squad was good, but this team is better. Tufts is led by a good group of senior impact players who will have a positive effect on the team on both ends of the floor and off the court. If the Jumbos are going to win the Conference and make a NCAA push this season, they will need to have that playoff mentality all season long. If they stay healthy, knock down open shots, and can replace Tom Palleschi’s impact, Tufts will have a very successful 2017-2018 season.
ROAD WARRIORS:
The Jumbos have a few big matchups on the road this year, including trips to Washington University in St. Louis for a season opening tournament, and a couple of showdowns in Southern California just before New Year’s. Tufts will also have to battle on the road in Conference. Probably their most vital stretch of the season will be their road trip facing off against Williams and Middlebury on back-to-back days. Williams should be a big tilt for the ‘Bos having eliminated them from the NESCAC Playoffs last season, and bouncing back to compete against a good Panthers squad will be tough. The Jumbos also have three straight road matchups in late January at Lesley, Connecticut College, and Wesleyan.
BIGGEST REGULAR SEASON MATCHUP:
February 3 vs Amherst
This will mark the third-to-last regular season game for the Jumbos, probably against their most formidable in-conference opponent. Amherst went 7-3 in Conference play last season, and were young. In their first year as the Mammoths, Amherst returns a slew of senior contributors and will be looking to put together a more successful 2018 campaign. Tufts will have an opportunity to knock off a worthy opponent at home in front of a Friday night crowd at Cousens, and get hot as they look ahead to the NESCAC Tournament.
