About the Program
At Middlebury, men's basketball is part of the tradition of excellence based on the scholar-athlete model. Competitors generally appearing on the Panthers' schedule include NESCAC opponents Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan, and Williams. In addition, the team competes with some other New England and eastern New York Division III schools.
The '09-'09 team enjoyed its best season in school history, going 24-4 en route to its first NESCAC Championship. The Panthers hosted the tourney in a jam-packed Pepin Gym, as they made their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. NESCAC Player of the Year Ben Rudin became the school’s first-ever All-American.
The '07-'08 squad enjoyed a big season with 19 wins and its first trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers won their first NESCAC Tournament game, a 96-59 win over Williams, and set several school records.
Up-tempo is the key when describing the Middlebury basketball team. Coach Brown's basketball style of play emphasizes the fast-break and the three-point shot. With such a fast-paced style, the Panthers will rely on conditioning and depth.
Middlebury's team carries between 12 and 15 players, who appear in as many as 24 games during the regular season. Practice begins November 1 and is held daily, with players expected to attend unless there is an academic conflict. Players are generally on the floor for two hours; combined with preparation and post-practice activity, the total commitment is about three hours a day.