MBB: Liberty League

magicman · January 04, 2015, 10:48:54 AM

Skidmore with the worst overall record of almost every other LL team (only Vassar and RPI with worse records), yet the Thoroughbreds are alone at the top of the conference standings after the first weekend of play. And that 2-0 mark should turn into 4-0 after next weekend's action, making their claim to sole possession of the top spot at least a 3 week affair.

Skidmore, with a few breaks, could just as easily be 8-2 instead of 5-5. They have 3 losses by a total of 5 combined points. They have played the strongest non-conference schedule of all the LL teams which will only benefit them when it gets down to crunch time. Their SOS is currently rated as the 61st toughest schedule out of the 400+ teams in D3. By comparison 6 of the teams in the Liberty League have a strength of schedule rated as follows....206, 290, 308, 335, 379, and 405. Even if you end up with a gaudy overall record, if you don't win the conference's automatic bid, you won't receive an at large bid with an SOS as high as those 6 numbers.

You need to look no further than Union's 2012-13 season...20-6 record, poor SOS, Plattsburgh State, 19-8 record, one of the strongest SOS's in the East Region. The Cardinals got the at large bid out of the East Region that year. It's hard to be more than a one bid league if the teams in the league don't play a stronger schedule. The non-conference portion of a team's schedule is the only area where there is some leeway and more schools need to upgrade the competition they face in those games.

ucaafan · January 04, 2015, 06:24:03 PM

Agree with you completely on strength of schedule value. Seems like certain teams load up on less competitive programs during the non-league portion of their schedule (kind of like vanity plates) while those teams that look for the tougher teams to play are better prepared once their league season begins. I felt that Skidmore and Union had two of the most challenging non-league skeds this year and a look at their SOS and you have Skidmore at 61 and Union at 70. Be interesting to see how the records compare come playoff time.

with age came? · January 06, 2015, 10:16:19 PM

Well I guess that now that I am the Dad to a married man (yes magic - it happened Saturday) I'll have a little more time to peruse the d-3 schedules. Anxious to see how Clarkson comes out of the gate after their long lay off...An amazing thing occurred the other day I wrote "Go Continentals" in an e-mail when they (Hamilton) played D'Youville? Being such a die hard Golden Knights fan I was amazed that I did that but have too many fond memories of Coach Stockwell not to root for him!! They did edge Hobart at the Statesmen's place which is hard to do. Looks like Jeremy's little bro is starting to make his own name?? But I think that everyone will agree the LL is not the bear of the league that Hamilton plays in!!!

LibertyLeagueGuru · January 08, 2015, 02:04:34 PM

It makes sense for teams that are trying to make a case for an at large bid to play a difficult schedule. Looking at the conference though, it seems only 2 teams really came in with that as a realistic expectation (Skidmore & Vassar). If you think you are going to be having an average or down year, doesn't it make sense to play an easy out of conference schedule?

Observations from the first few games:
Skidmore - Flexed it's muscles in the first weekend sweeping RIT & Vassar. Early on, it seems they are the team to beat and the overwhelming favorite to win the conference. The fact that they swept the weekend without their starting center makes it all the more impressive.

Union - Disappointing first game losing to Vassar at home. But nice bounce back win destroying St. Lawrence. It seems their lack of size was a huge factor vs. Vassar. Could be something to watch for when they go against the bigger Liberty League teams. Then again, they beat NYU who is gigantic.

Vassar - Great first win against Union and went toe to toe with Skidmore. Seemed like they were back and on their way to the a top playoff seed and then they lost to Bard..... It is difficult to gauge exactly how good this team is as they had a disappointing first semester and a great first weekend. Johnny Mrlik is still out, so when he comes back that could really stabilize them as they seem to be inconsistent right now.

RIT - Expected results from the first weekend beating RPI and losing to Skidmore. Really enjoy watching their freshman point guard, plays with alot of energy and intensity. A bit wild however but undeniably dangerous.

St. Lawrence - Starting 2 freshman and 2 sophomores means they will be inconsistent and will get better as the year goes along. Nice win on the road vs. RPI but obviously losing by 25 to Union wasn't ideal.

RPI - Seems like they have depth issues. They lost Cardenas from last year who was a huge contributor and that really hurt them. Coach Gilbride will have some recruiting to do.

Bard - Defeating Vassar in their first conference game on the road probably opened some eyes around the conference, considering they were picked to be last in the conference and Vassar was selected first. We will see if that was a fluke this weekend as they have a challenging Skidmore/Union back to back on the road.

with age came? · January 21, 2015, 11:25:54 PM

Of course Clarkson seems to be doing alright? Only league loss is to Skidmore (who is the class of the league it appears). Think that the Golden Knights are definitely a playoff team barring a disaster (ie: Coleman not being able to play).

LibertyLeagueGuru · January 22, 2015, 04:48:05 PM

Yes, I thought Clarkson would be decent this year but I am very surprised that they stand 4-1 at this point. They should push their record to 6-1 after this weekend. They assist on over 70% of their field goals which is an amazing stat. Clarkson & Bard are definitely the surprises of the league. Vassar & Union have to be disappointed at this point with their performances. Everyone else kind of is where they were expected to be.

with age came? · January 30, 2015, 01:00:08 AM

No two ways about it Union has been a puzzlement - how a team can have a win over a top 25 team (NYU) and suffer some of the losses they have is amazing. See that Hobart did Clarkeson and the rest of the League a favor by showing that Skidmore can be beaten. Still think they will win the League but now Clarkson has a chance to control its our destiny if it runs the table...

LibertyLeagueGuru · February 04, 2015, 10:16:20 AM

Interesting playoff race developing as we get to the final stretch here in February. Hobart, Skidmore and Clarkson are fighting it out for the top 3 seeds with Skidmore having games remaining against both Hobart & Clarkson. RIT, St. Lawrence & Bard are in a tight battle for that last playoff spot with Bard having the ability to control their own destiny with games against both St. Lawrence & RIT remaining. Bard is the only team of the 3 to have a win against any of the top 3 seeds so I believe that gives them the tie breaker against both if they split the season series with both. If I am wrong there, let me know!

Bartman · February 05, 2015, 04:25:36 PM

Liberty League getting interesting, especially with head to head game between Skidmore and Hobart this weekend. Hobart coach has done well in his first year as coach after losing some key players last year. The LL tournament should be very competitive .

Bengalsrule · February 10, 2015, 12:16:55 AM

Quote from: Bartman on February 05, 2015, 04:25:36 PM
Liberty League getting interesting, especially with head to head game between Skidmore and Hobart this weekend. Hobart coach has done well in his first year as coach after losing some key players last year. The LL tournament should be very competitive .

Call me impressed too with the job 1st year Coach Sweeney has done this year. It appears that he has gotten a handle on LL play and his 1st place standing (tied with Clarkson) with 2 week left till tourney time, shows that his Statemens are getting better as the season progresses. No 1 would have predicted that they would have swept Skidmore a month ago. And split with Clarkson. And yet here they stand. Clarkson at Skidmore on the final day may determine the LL regular season winner, if only as a tie breaker for regular season Champ.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that they win the LL tourney. My little brother, who is Hobart class of '89, would definitely agree!

ITH radio · February 10, 2015, 08:12:51 AM

You have to give Coach Sweeney some LLCOTY consideration. Really only 1 of Hobart's 6 losses was by double digits (the 10 pt loss to Clarkson back on 1/9) so they've been in pretty much all their games this season. If they can come away with some wins in this weekend's road trip downstate, l :ok out!

dcahill44 · February 10, 2015, 08:29:50 AM

All conferences are very interesting. Regional Rankings come out tomorrow and i expect 3 LL teams to be in it. Coach Sweeney has done a great job with his Statesmen. Skidmore, Clarkson, and Hobart are all in the mix for number 1 seed in Liberty League come tournament time.

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · February 11, 2015, 02:34:42 PM

Regional Rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2015/02/11/first-regional-rankings-released-today/

ITH radio · February 16, 2015, 08:02:48 AM

Tough loss downstate by Hobart against Vassar. Can only hope breaking the win streak focuses team to make a run thru the end of regular season and win the LL tourney.

LibertyLeagueGuru · February 24, 2015, 11:12:40 AM

Liberty League playoffs are set:

RIT @ Skidmore

Clarkson @ Hobart

Gotta think Skidmore will dispatch RIT with ease as RIT does not have a win against any other playoff team.

Clarkson @ Hobart should be a great matchup, almost too close to call.

Seems like it's Skidmore's year though.

Tough ending for St. Lawrence who just had to win one of their final 3 games to make the playoffs. Ended up blowing a 20 point second half lead in one game and losing in overtime in another. Thats gotta hurt.