MBB: Liberty League

[buck1053]

The rumor I'm hearing is that Murphy is the choice at Union, though I've found nothing official yet. I will say it's interesting they had three of Montana's guys — Murphy, Galletta and Durr — in the final mix.

As for schedule, don't they usually put that together before the school year starts?

[magicman]

The rumor I'm hearing is that Murphy is the choice at Union, though I've found nothing official yet. I will say it's interesting they had three of Montana's guys — Murphy, Galletta and Durr — in the final mix.

As for schedule, don't they usually put that together before the school year starts?

Buck, you are correct. Most schools usually have the majority of their scheduling done by now but many times there are a few non-conference games that they might have to fill, to round it out. Bringing in a new coach as late as they are, Montana may have already completed the schedule, since he's still at Union in the other position you mentioned previously. I was referring to the scheduling the new coach will get to do when he's actually in place, which will be 2013-14. I'll be surprised if Union's strength of schedule this coming season is any better than last year.

Murphy makes sense. Union grad, coming from the UAA conference, which is higher profile than where the other 2 Union grads have assisted. Thought the fact that Galleta was already a head coach may give him a slight edge.

[hopefan]

As for schedule, don't they usually put that together before the school year starts?

FYI..  Approximately 70% of D3 schools already have their 2013-14 schedules posted on their Basketball sites....  Union is one of the 30% that is not up yet.....  Those that aren't up yet are likely busy concentrating on Fall sports and haven't got it posted yet, or as suggested, are still looking for their final game or couple of games.
In the Liberty League, Clarkson, Hobart, RIT, and Vassar have full schedules posted, Bard (23 games) and St Lawrence (22 games) are posted but incomplete, and RPI, Union, and Skidmore are not yet posted....

[Pat Coleman]

Here's what we have for Liberty League schedules:
http://www.d3hoops.com/teams/Bard/Men/2013-14/index
http://www.d3hoops.com/teams/Clarkson/Men/2013-14/index
http://www.d3hoops.com/teams/Hobart/Men/2013-14/index
http://www.d3hoops.com/teams/Rochester_Tech/Men/2013-14/index
http://www.d3hoops.com/teams/St._Lawrence/Men/2013-14/index
http://www.d3hoops.com/teams/Vassar/Men/2013-14/index

22 games is really light for St. Lawrence, but Bard might try to make do at 23. Guess we'll see.

And because we have so many of the other teams, that means we have a partial schedule for Union:
http://www.d3hoops.com/teams/Union/Men/2013-14/index

Once we get 16 games for RPI and Skidmore, the site will display those.

[magicman]

Bard is showing 24 plus 1 TBA so they will have their 25 games. SLU will have 25 as well, I'm sure they'll add 3 more. SUNY Canton might be 1 (since they played them last year) plus a 2 game tournament somewhere.

[ucaafan]

Looks like Union has made their coaching announcement:

http://unionathletics.com/news/2013/8/8/MBB_0808132848.aspx

[hopefan]

It is with a heavy heart that I relate the news of the passing this past weekend of legendary RPI Basketball Coach Bill Kalbaugh. 
Bill Kalbaugh was Head Basketball Coach at RPI from 1953-1983....  I played for him, coached with him, admired him greatly....

http://www.rpiathletics.com/news/2013/9/16/MBB_0916133630.aspx?path=mbball

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/star-gazette/obituary.aspx?n=robert-william-kalbaugh&pid=166956222&fhid=13269#fbLoggedOut

[Pat Coleman]

Looks like Union has made their coaching announcement:

http://unionathletics.com/news/2013/8/8/MBB_0808132848.aspx

I just wanted to give you a shout-out for your username. I know you've been a poster here since at least 2003 but now it's a throwback reference!

[ucaafan]

An oldie but goodie. Pat - you  and your staff do a great job with this site.

[magicman]

D3hoops preseason All America team was released today. here are the players from the East Region that were honored:

Jared Suderley            2nd Team    Senior forward from Hartwick

John Ivy                     3rd Team    Senior guard from Brockport State

Richie Bonney             4th Team    Senior forward from Hobart

Here's the link to the complete list of All Americans:  http://d3hoops.com/awards/all-americans/men/preseason-2014

[dcahill44]

Saw Union play this weekend and honestly they had some Talented players on there squad. thought they shouldve beat Fredonia friday night. they will be a tough out for teams in the Liberty League.

[dcahill44]

Skidmore is very good... RIT is 4-0 but i think the Wendys Classic will show how good this team really is.. Coach McVean and Coach Roberts are 2 of my favorite coaches in the region and do a great job with the program. Coach Roberts is a Great future Head Coach. Hobart is pretty good.. i think Skidmore is a little better right now. but Hobart could be better by the end of the year. St Lawrence played a tough game against Oswego and it looks like St Lawrence is talented. Bard is 2-2 and i think they will get better as the season goes along. Clarkson hasnt proven anything really by beating Canton twice and Potsdam once. Vassar is a team im really rooting for, Coach Dunne and Coach Eisner are going to rebuild this program. Big fan of both of them.. Coach Eisner is another great future Head Coach, he is committed to building a winning program and knows what it takes to do so. Union looked okay against Fredonia in the BSG Tournament at Naz, but didnt play well at all against Sage, I think they have 2-3 really talented players, they will be a tough team to handle during the LL Conference.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL! ENJOY THANKSGIVING

[middhoops]

Hi Folks,
Just checking in here, a day or two late I guess, for any buzz on Skidmore.  Drove down to Saratoga from Middlebury yesterday for a great game.  Our team outlasted the Thoroughbreds in a shootout but we all came away from it feeling lucky.  Skidmore is VERY good.
I'm going to be following the Liberty League to see how they fare.  IMO, they have three real impact players in Medunjinan, Merrill and Sanders.  Their beast of a point guard has eaten our lunch two years in a row now.
Can anyone tell me how they are rated going into league play versus the rest of the conference?

[magicman]

Hi Folks,
Just checking in here, a day or two late I guess, for any buzz on Skidmore.  Drove down to Saratoga from Middlebury yesterday for a great game.  Our team outlasted the Thoroughbreds in a shootout but we all came away from it feeling lucky.  Skidmore is VERY good.
I'm going to be following the Liberty League to see how they fare.  IMO, they have three real impact players in Medunjinan, Merrill and Sanders.  Their beast of a point guard has eaten our lunch two years in a row now.
Can anyone tell me how they are rated going into league play versus the rest of the conference?

Hi middhoops,

Not a lot of posters here on the Liberty League board. I've tried to keep it going but some of the regulars from a few years ago have moved on or make very infrequent appearances. I live in the Plattsburgh area and went to college at Potsdam State many years ago. I post primarily on the SUNYAC board since Plattsburgh State is my home team. Attending school in Potsdam and having friends at Clarkson and St. Lawrence  has led me to follow those teams, as I have known players and coaches from those institutions over the years. I am familiar with all the teams in the Liberty League, Empire 8 conference and SUNYAC. I keep fairly close tabs on all the teams in the East region but also follow the D3 action nationwide. I lurk over on the NESCAC board and occasionally post there. I am familiar with you and most of the posters on the board.  In fact I will be in your gym on Jan.7th when Plattsburgh State will take on your Panthers. Perhaps we will get a chance to meet. I plan on arriving in town early to have a nice prime rib supper at the Fire and Ice restaurant and then take in the women's and men's game.

Regarding your question about Skidmore... The Thoroughbreds are, in my opinion, one of the top two teams in the conference. They will battle it out with Hobart for Liberty League honors this year. Hobart is currently ranked in the D3hoops Top 25 at #23, but that's something that happened because of a lack of knowledge on the part of some of the voters and the fact that it's so early in the year. Hobart is not a Top 25 caliber team. They just lost 2 games this week in the Wendy's Classic tournament that involves the 8 schools in the Rochester area. I actually think that Skidmore may be the team that will win the Liberty League.  They opened the season with a win at Rhode Island College and that's never an easy thing to do. Their only other loss was to a decent Babson team on the road and they just had an off night shooting, especially from long range and the foul line. The 3 players that you mentioned are all solid and the Brooks kid, who only had 9 points against Middlebury was the 2nd leading scorer on the team last year averaging over 14 ppg. The biggest problem with Skidmore is they have a very short bench. The starting 5 account for 76 of their 80 ppg average. Hobart has the same problem, not much depth. Good news for the Thoroughbreds is they will return their entire starting 5 next year. St. Lawrence, Clarkson, and Vassar will be in the mix for the other playoff spots. (Only the top 4 make the conference tournament) RIT, RPI, Union and Bard will round out the standings.  Hope this helps. I root for the Panthers for every game except one. Used to watch Coach Brown light it up from downtown when he was a baller.   I'm sure he still can if he gets the urge. 

[magicman]

Nice pair of wins by Skidmore yesterday and today down at Daytona beach Florida.

Sunday the Throroughbreds defeated FDU-Florham 75-70

Today in a game that just ended the Thoroughbreds took down a decent Carnegie-Mellon team 82-70.

Skidmore improves to 6-2 on the season and will be back in action on Saturday, January 4th when they host William Paterson at 1 PM.