MBB: MAC Freedom League

[ColonelJohn4Life]

OK, so I'm not going to get much support in this room, but Pete Marion of FDU is a no-brainer for coach of the year..my case -
1. FDU was picked dead last by all of the coaches in the pre-season poll.
2. The team won only 6 games last year, and added only one new player! (a backup)
This, in my opinion, makes one coach of the year. Yes, it's difficult to stay on top in a tough league, but I'd rather try that than build a program from 6 wins any day of the week...

Bill, you had me at "6 games last year".  I wholeheartedly throw my support behind Pete Marion.

As far as player of the year, I'll refer to a post from last year:
"I think Isiah Pinckney should be Player of the Year.  Sincerely, Isiah Pinckney"

[ljk]

And that's why he's on my first team, like Lou Grant said ," I like spunk".   (lol).   I don't particularly like his frenzied style and his shot selection, but he was always entertaining and fun to watch and played on some bad clubs and survived for 4 years, pulling off a few upsets along the way.   It wasn't easy picking the first team this year, or the POY or COY, for that matter, in this unpredictable league.  As Naismith points out, the stats are pretty close, and you can make a case for a lot of guys.  I think it all comes down to whose game you like, and how they played when you happened to see them. In addition, you can look at their individual stats, and how they perform in crunch time, team records and other intangibles.  The same can be said for the other awards.  Lady Royal and Bill make excellent cases for Coval and Marion and I wouldn't be surprised if either one of them got the COY award.   I think the only no brainer was Kresge for ROY.  If they pick the teams and awards after the playoffs, you might have some different choices all the way around.

[Leo The Lion]

Nais,

The answers to our questions will come out soon, but I must tell you that I highly researched my selection.  My research being looking back on the handful of games that I saw this year, so take it for what its worth.

[naismith]

Leo,

U probably have the right picks with the exception of Schmidtt...  think Stricker gets the nod there. Cousart will probably 1st team due to reputation and history etc. etc. He is fine player but, as I said, Kofi probably had a better year. 
I am not sure whether they take the best 5 players or go by position. And I forgot that last year they overloaded the 2nd team.

It's fun to debate and get feedback from others who often saw different games and different performances.....

I will probably stop at Senunas post game Wed. (may be late for the tip) Stop over....a few other D3 hoop guys might be there as well.

My question regarding FDU Coach Marion:

1) Is the sudden improvement a result of his coaching?
2) Is the sudden improvement indicative that he coached 'poorly' in previous years seeing he had the same talent?
3) Is the sudden improvement a result of a 'weak' Freedom conference? (i.e Wilkes/Lyco having off years basd on their recent history).

I look at JP and think: 2 years ago: final 8. Last year, a 2 seed in the Freedom and this year a #1 seed in the Freedom.
He beat FDU and Scranton twice.
To me, he is a no brainer as COY.

Naismith

[bill]

naismith
I understand your arguement, it's just that I believe an award like coach of the year should go to the coach who has done more with his squad than was expected of his team...I also don't believe it should simply go to the team that wins the most...
Examples: It bothers me that Coach Keres at Mt. Union wins the DIII coach of the year award almost yearly...His team is awesome. Is he a huge part of that? Yes, but does that mean he did a better job of coaching than a team that went from 1-9 to 7-3? I'm not sure....
Several years ago, when I was still coaching football in the MAC, Coach Girardi (I think) won coach of the year, despite having been picked to win the league going away by his peers. Coach Manello of Kings had a huge turnaround from something like 3-7 to 7-3, and finished second or third in the league, despite having been picked near the bottom. This, in my opinion, is how a COY should be earned...
Kings had 3 place votes this year in the pre-season. They were picked second, and finished first. OK, good job - but you've been in the top two for the last 3 years, as you pointed out. You've maintained your place at the top, which is not easy to do.
However, FDU was picked to finish 8th, and finished 4th. I say "better job" - in my opinion. You were near - or at - the bottom for a couple of years, and now you've gotten close to the top. I believe it's tougher to do this than the Kings scenario above. Yes, FDU is a senior laden team, but you can't hold that against the coach. It's not like players were leaving Kings and Scranton early for the NBA, and the coach had to scramble to get 5 freshmen ready...
Anyhow, there are deserving coaches, but turnarounds like these don't happen often. My vote (although I don't have one  goes to coach Marion!

[saratoga]

I think the powers that be at MAC Freedom Central should continue the tradition they began last season. They announce Coach Marion as the Coach of the Year...shortly thereafter, FDU loses for the 3rd. time to Kings & they then realize the obvious slight to JP. & quickly...almost stealth-like add JP. as a co-Coach of the Year. Everyone finally agrees that justice has been served. Unless of course...nah.

[naismith]

Bill,

Well presented Kase.
Maybe in honor of Karma King Kold Kase, we should change your handle to:

Klear Kut Kase:

I imagine u were captain of your Debate Team ......or at least Debate Team COY

Hey Leo----postgame Wed. at Senunas.....that is, if you are of age??

CJ and/or Papa CJ is always welcome.....and so is KlearKut if he makes it...

Naismith

[Leo The Lion]

Nais,

I'm off age (barely).  May have to stop in after the game, we shall see.

[NEPAFAN]

Somebody here asked for this last week....

Thanks that was me.


Glad I wasn't around to see the Royal meltdown this weekend.

[heatlee]

Pete Marion should be the Coach of the Year without a doubt.  They were picked 8th and finished and finished 4th.  They haven't finished over .500 since the 1998-1999 season. And just to clarify a point, though he was on the bench for several years it was not him making the final decisions. Also, he did not officially become head coach last year until the season started.  So, this is really the first team he has coached where it is totally his philosophyfrom start to finish.

[cold_case]

Cold Case - I am not really interested in getting into a shouting match with you and my comments were not intended to be about the NY Times article and the rumor/story of a Division break-up.  I read that story the first time you posted it.  My problem and post was solely based on what I felt was an inappropriate and uncalled for verbal attack on the institution I work for and two of our men's players from the HS you mentioned in your post.  I just felt it was a comment that could have been kept to yourself.  This forum can be used for a lot of positive things and I did not feel your comments were one of them.

BJ, I as well am not interested in a shouting match so I'll end this entire thing by stating that your reading comprehension is as bad as Leo's. When did I mention DeSales or it's players and who said your comments were aimed at the NY Times and the D-III breakup?
You come on here and blast me, yet judging by how defensive you got makes me wonder if what you are saying is that the shoe fits in regards to the former?
This "Case" may not be "Cold" but it's over at my end.

[NEPAFAN]

Scranton is 4-0 under Danzig in Playoff games at the Long Center....hopefully history coupled with the revenge factor coming off that terrible loss equals the Royals advancing to the Freedom Finals.

[cold_case]

Just a guess but for what it's worth, here are my postseason all-star units and awards. By the way, I studied everything closely and with Scranton leaving the Freedom, I look for their players to get the short end. Maybe it's paranoia, maybe not.

First team
Emslie, Stricker, Bicknell, Arnold and Cousart
Second team
Pickney, Lopez, Sye, Schmitt and Scalzo. Soboleski should get named as well.

Rookie of the Year: Kresge of Wilkes
Coach of the Year: Marion of FDU
Player of the Year: My guess is that Emslie will get it over Stricker and Bicknell.

Call it a hunch, but the Freedom is so messed up, I'd bet the ranch this is how the voting goes down.

[NEPAFAN]

Just a guess but for what it's worth, here are my postseason all-star units and awards. By the way, I studied everything closely and with Scranton leaving the Freedom, I look for their players to get the short end. Maybe it's paranoia, maybe not.

First team
Emslie, Stricker, Bicknell, Arnold and Cousart
Second team
Pickney, Lopez, Sye, Schmitt and Scalzo. Soboleski should get named as well.

Rookie of the Year: Kresge of Wilkes
Coach of the Year: Marion of FDU
Player of the Year: My guess is that Emslie will get it over Stricker and Bicknell.

Call it a hunch, but the Freedom is so messed up, I'd bet the ranch this is how the voting goes down.

What are you smoking? 1st and 2nd teams need some tweaking...

[Pat Coleman]

When did I mention DeSales or it's players

Cold_case, just to refresh your memory.

With Scranton making a move to the Landmark, it will be refreshing not hearing their opponents trotting out players from high school academic havens like Engieneering & Science, Harry S. Truman and others.

Nobody is really fooled by claims off of veiled references. If you didn't meant to lump two DeSales kids in there perhaps you should've chosen your words better.