I believed MM was the choice to win this conference from the very beginning. They have such a tough team with an exceptional PG(Samuels POY). They defend extremely well and have solid post play as well. Two key factors to winning through the long haul of a conference schedule. I personally enjoy Izzo's game. Very tough, can do a bit of everything, and will scrap as hard as anyone. I do not see any team taking the championship from this team this year even though there are some solid contenders.

To say SU was the favorite is a bit out of line. They lost the POY(a double-double machine), a solid all around wingman, and a dominant(at times) big man in Cosgrove.  Majors is a very good PG but he does not have the talent he has had in the past surrounding him. Spencer is a great shooter when he is hot, but he is streaky. They have depended on a plethora of new faces throughout this season, and I think they are right on par.  They are a very dangerous playoff out IMHO. 

On the JB front, he is a great finisher. He can hit the open jumpshot. He rebounds pretty well. HOWEVER, he has been getting so much hype for so long but he has not expanded his game to the point where he can lead this team to a championship.   

Quote from: hoopit123 on February 13, 2010, 11:35:28 PM
"yet they continue to lose"

they are a playoff team, over .500... tough to say 'continue'

you are speaking as if this young Su team was EXPECTED to go into scnraton and win this game...and appear as though you are upset and disgusted that they did not.  i honestly cant tell you the last time SUhas won at scranton.  lets cut some slack.   you should more so be EXPECTING scranton to protect their home court---and they did.   why is SU at fault and accused of underachieving now?
---just imagine if scranton had lost!!! good grief, we wouldnt hear the end of it about how scranton is underachieveing, cant protect home court, danzig's gotta go, etc etc....and you know that is true.

They won at the long center during the '06-'07 season i believe..

Pennell with 15 first half points.. 

41-40 Royals...

Sounds like the foul discrepancy has kept Scranton close. High paced game and should be an exciting second half.

This SU/Scranton game should be a good one.  Edge has gotta goto the Royals at the long center where they have dropped only two games all year, but if they dont come out on the defensive end then SU could really make things interesting going into the last two games of the season.

Quote from: TheGrove on February 08, 2010, 01:51:13 PM

Quote from: NEPAFAN on February 08, 2010, 11:05:32 AM

Quote from: TheGrove on February 08, 2010, 10:41:28 AM

Quote from: NEPAFAN on February 08, 2010, 10:34:25 AM
SU/Drew game on Saturday, how come Spenser didn't play?

*shrug* He was in street clothes.

So an injury or disciplinary reasons?

What I heard, FWIW, is that he was late to the shootaround and got benched.

I also heard the same thing from a very reliable source.

On a positive note, I believe the Crusaders are looking towards another playoff berth! Tough game at Scranton this weekend, but i think they should be able to handle their final two games and secure the four seed.

If that is how it shakes out it looks as though they will face the daunting task of traveling hours to play a very tough MM team.  MM will be out for revenge after last year's playoffs.

Any opinions on how the playoffs will form, and eventually shake down?