Bantams take the brunt of Panther aggression

As the NBA playoffs opened this past weekend, analysts took their turns predicting each series’ winner.

Some dug through the numbers, while others followed their gut.

If there was a constant thread, each analyst devoted serious attention to an individual star’s ability to come through when his team is in need. To be a contender in the NBA, each team must have a guy they turn to not only with the game on the line, but when they need to stop the bleeding or jump-start everyone else on the floor.

Most people underappreciate the similarities between basketball and lacrosse. The differences are obvious: equipment, scoring, substitutions and players on the field/court. But on paper and in execution, both offensive and defensive plays look very similar in basketball and lacrosse.

Defensive rotations in basketball are very similar to slides in lacrosse; moving without the ball is key; funneling your offensive player towards help is crucial; one player can dominate.

Yes, comparing NBA megastars to D-III standouts is a reach, but think about this: Kobe Bryant — the most notable NBA player not named Lebron — either scored or assisted on 34 percent of the points scored by the Lakers during the run up to the championship last season; Mike Stone ’09 — the most recent Middlebury player to be drafted into Major League Lacrosse (MLL) — either scored or assisted on 32 percent of Middlebury’s goals during its run to the NCAA semifinals last spring.

Those numbers reveal much of how important each player was to his respective team, but there is no measure of confidence instilled, bleeding stopped or teammates inspired. That is the true value of a star.

In both basketball and lacrosse, great teams win championships, but great players are often the difference in individual matchups.

The 2010 Panthers are still trying to identify their stud, but no one on the team will admit it.

“We are all determined to keep getting better everyday in practice, learn from our mistakes and compete every time we get a chance to put the Middlebury jersey on,” said Bart Witmer ’10, when asked about individual standouts.

Personally, I thought this was going to be the season of David Hild ’11.

He has the physical tools of Jim Cabrera ’08 with a recognizable work ethic.

He seemed poised to make the leap from talent to star.

After an up-and-down start, he ephemerally embraced that role two Tuesdays ago against Skidmore.

Having been held scoreless up to the two-minute mark in the third quarter and with Skidmore only a goal behind, Hild took ownership of the game.

He completed his hat trick in the final 17 minutes to ensure this must-win game did not elude the Panthers. While no single player can win a game, they can be the difference, and he was.

After a painfully sloppy first half this past weekend against Trinity, it was obvious Middlebury was a far superior team, but they were playing terribly.

When the Bantams took the field for the second half, their gold jerseys looked eerily like the garb of previous underdogs Connecticut College and Bowdoin.

Coach Campbell made the astute choice of huddling for less than half of the 10-minute break, allowing players to toss among themselves and think.

Jack Masur ’10 and Pete Smith ’10 clearly thought it was time for them to make an impact.

Masur scored two minutes into the second half on an assist from Smith and resuscitated the ailing Panthers. More than Masur’s three goals or Smith’s three assists, their combined ownership of that quarter and game crushed the surging Bantams, while carrying the sickly Panthers.

Good teams win even when they play poorly and often great individual efforts shine through.

Just as players who can succeed in crunch time key important regular season wins, they can earn their piece of a title.

“As a senior, I’ve had the opportunity over the past few years to watch some great players make plays in big-time situations. This year we have great leaders on this team, and we trust each other to make the right decision. I have complete confidence in my teammates to make a play with the game on the line, and I know that they have the same trust in me,” said Masur when asked about having the ball in big moments.

This week, someone will need to standout if the Panthers hope to extend their winning streak against Tufts.

“The great thing about our team is that we have lots of guys who are ready to step up when we need it,” added Masur.

Analysts seem to think contenders need one stallion to carry them, but maybe the Panthers’ rotating cast of thoroughbreds can provide the same momentum.