MBB: MAC Freedom League

[cold_case]

I sensed some type of confrontation was brewing just outside the gym door.
I was lomg gone by then....
Naismith

Nais, you were on your fifth beer by then.

[saratoga]

Sir James: What's the breakdown of the game? Is Widener far better than their record? Where did Kings stumble?

[cold_case]

Hey Saratoolbox:......you have the personality of a cactus.

Saratoolbox? LOLOLOLOLOL.

Have to admit, the Zadster got you with that one.

[saratoga]

Bob: You've been body-slammed one too many times. I guess when the going gets tough...make it personal & ad-lib. You've had far too many of those cactus needles up your backside all year. Time to see a doctor. You're a class act all the way!

[naismith]

As to the contest:

A super first half with both teams making shots.
36-36.
Keys were Ryan Nensteil, Kofi and Scalzo. They pretty much did all the scoring for Kings.
For Widener, M. Thomas, Essien Ford and Terry Smith were collectively a handful. PG Bobby Edmunds was very savvy for a freshman.

In the 2nd half, Widener continued to shoot well with Edmunds hitting some long range 3's. Douglas gave them a lot of energy and N. Miller some solid defense. Kings would only manage 20 pts. over the first 17:30 of 2nd half which was pretty much the story or maybe I shuld say 'ugly much' the story. . The Monarchs shooting touch deserted them. The ballhandling was a bit shaky and the defense broke down time after time.
Simply put, they got beat by a better team tonight.

As far as strategy, both teams opened man to man which surprised me from Kings end. Widener pressured the ball to halfcourt with a 'soft' press and then played a pretty lax man to man. When Kings went to zone (around 13 min. mark) Edmonds drained two quick jumpers. Probably the most exciting play was the Thomas baseline dunk over Sobocinski early first half.
Kobi and RN kept Kings in the game and actually leading 1st half. Again, despite his hot shooting, RN was replaced at the 6:26
mark?   Leo?

 
In the 2nd half, Widener started out with the same soft press and played some zone. Widener had some early fouls 2nd half and the game seemed to be setting up for Kings to make a run. The Monarchs were consistently trying to pound it in low with some success.

Then, it just kind of happened. Kings went cold from the field, turned it over once or twice etc. and Widener jumped out to a 55-47 lead with 10:23 to go. From there, they just slowly built on the lead: 58-48 @8:41, 62-48@7:39, 68-56 @ 2:49........
I don't think Kings got it under 10.

the bottome line:
Widener did an excellent job in the interior...quicker, knocking balls loose, blocking shots etc.
Widener was able to score iniside and out....
Sobo did not handle Smith.
Sobocinski could not stay with Thomas who literally had his choice of shots.
Edmonds played very smart for a frosh and has great range on his shot. Kept the Kings defense honest.
Ford could also create his shot at will....and boy he can shoot.

Speed kills so they say and Wideners overall team speed was just too much for the Monarchs.
Kofi had a terrific game for Kings and RN played well. Scalzo played tough inside.
The rest of team was pretty quiet. Cousart could get nothing done and picked up some garbage points in the last minute.
I'm not sure Bob N. or Jim Welsh or Vince S scored at all.... have to check a box score.

Anyway, a very nice season for the Monarchs. Just wasn't their night.
Widener looked impressive and I wish them luck in Taxachusetts......

Naismith

[naismith]

Saratoga,

This will probably surprise Chiz......Spoke with a Widener fan postgame. told me Messiah was the BEST team he had seen
all year... Widener beat them in double OT. Widener had previously lsot to Messiah twice during the regualr season.

Widener made the Sweet 16 last year. (they were 23-6 last year).

Thomas was a 1st team all conference and Ford a 2nd teamer.
Seems they shot around 60% versus Messiah  and made 6 of 7 in the OT's.
They shot over 50% tonight
Pretty tough to overcome.

1st game: Kings jumped out to a 14 pt. 1/2 lead and shot nearly 50% for game (just under).
Kings made 9-21 3's and 25-27 from the line.
Widener was 21 for 29 from the line and shot 42% for the game.
1-8 1st half 3's and 29% for game.

That totally turned around tonight.
Kings was:
6-23 on 3's.
22-55 from the field
13-19 from the line.

Widener:

15-23 from the line
27-55 from the field
7-19 from the arc

Checked the box, Bob N, Vince S and Jimmy W= 0 points.

Naismith

[ColonelJohn4Life]

For the Pardon the Interruption fans out there:

It's Happy Happy time, boys and girls.  Get excited.

Happy 45th Birthday to Jon Bon Jovi.  Good music, great concerts.  Only drawback - he's from New Jersey.

Happy Anniversary to Jay Williams.  On this date in 1996, you sank 4 three-pointers in the final minute against Cabrini in the round of 32.  Wilkes went on to the Elite 8 back-to-back, and you got on SportsCenter.  Greatest March 2nd basketball moments: this is first, Wilt's 100 point effort in Hershey is 2nd.

And Happy Trails to King's College.  One and done, at home, against a team who was 12-12 in the regular season.  MAC Freedom is now riding a 3 game losing streak in The Big Dance.  King's still has 3 career NCAA wins.  All in 2005.  Maybe now we can get this board discussing what it should - Wilkes of 5-10 years ago.

Good night Canada!!

[wb1313]

I just hope Leo is ok...we sent some people down to watch the bridges to make sure he didn't jump!

[cold_case]

Happy Anniversary to Jay Williams.  On this date in 1996, you sank 4 three-pointers in the final minute against Cabrini in the round of 32.  Wilkes went on to the Elite 8 back-to-back, and you got on SportsCenter

CJ, don't forget to post next Friday's anniversary. You know, on that date Wilkes was beaten to a pulp by F&M, 107-70, in a game that was uglier than Sonny Corleone at the toll booth.

[NEPAFAN]

Hey Saratoolbox:

One fight at halftime, broken up quickly, it take two to tango so enough with your typical grade-school cheap shots. When are you gonna grow up and let go of the sophomoric garbage that you are so well-versed at.  Nothing worse that a 60-year old guy going on 16.  It is no wonder your softball teams hated you so much back in the day......you have the personality of a cactus.

Kudos to Widener for simply outplaying King's. They shot 56-percent in the second half and King's defense had no answers over th final 20 minutes. The freshman PG Edmunds had three LONG three-pointers that really did major damage.  King's was just flat-out beat.

Mr. Zadie,

I am sure that there was extra security last night because of the events at the FDU game...correct? Also very nice to represent your insitution by coming on and acting like a 17 year old.


CC,


Is it time to give CJ a break and change your photo on the bottom of your profile?

[cold_case]

CC,
Is it time to give CJ a break and change your photo on the bottom of your profile?

Nah.

Speaking of the Corporal, I'd like to give him high praise for his long standing tradition of being wrong. King's has four NCAA wins, with their initial victory coming against Susquehanna in the early 1990's.

[NEPAFAN]

CC,
Is it time to give CJ a break and change your photo on the bottom of your profile?

Nah.

Speaking of the Corporal, I'd like to give him high praise for his long standing tradition of being wrong. King's has four NCAA wins, with their initial victory coming against Susquehanna in the early 1990's.

Right and Pardon the Interuption sucks, okay back to the Landmine.

[Leo The Lion]

Wow, CJ that right there is a 5 star post and WB I did drive over the Pierce St. Bridge a few times last night, but I refrained from leaping. 

As for the game, I will yield to Dr. Naismith's analysis, he's better at breaking it down anyway.  Basically, I said before its all about momentum, and Widener is feeling it right now.  Theses guys are road warriors and they showed it last night.  Great season for the Monarchs though.  This team game along way from a week in December where they were demolished by ETown and DeSales and survived a scare against the Baptists. 

Now onto a more personal note...

I have tried my best (and failed in the past two weeks) of hiding my identity on this forum.  For the past four years I have seen every King's game from the scorer's table.  It was absolute pleasure to work in that position and a joy to be associated with a great group of guys playing and coaching at King's.  There are some on this board that take themselves way too seriously.  The bottom line is, none of us play college basketball, and those that did are long removed from their playing days.

I will defend King's College and the team til the day I die.  Alot of the stuff said on here is in good fun, but there are some people who think that their institution is a gift from God and King's is all that is evil with college.  Yeah, no one at King's is perfect, we've all screwed up, but we're college students just like the ones on Mulberry St.  Its real easy to point the finger at college students when you're 20+ years removed from those days.  I'm sure everyone here has had a beer before they were legal, everyone probably went to a college party, and everyone probably yelled dumb things in a student section when they were with their friends.  Don't act like you're better than us, because you are not. 

As for my future at this is board, this is probably it.  I'm leaving the are next year and don't know how closely I will be able to follow the team.  But who knows, someday I may be back here reminiscing about the glory days of King's.

Peace

[cold_case]

Leo, you did put together a great stat sheet each game, that I can attest to.

[saratoga]

Poor Bobby: Do you feel better now that you've shared all your pent up frustrations of inadequecy? We have a clasification in the DSM-IV for this behavior...help is available. I could go on but, there really is no need...your actions speak so much louder than mere words. Jeez, a coach not making everyone happy...at least according to big Bob...now there's something new. But, you wouldn't know anything about that would you...since you've never done it on the college level...just like to keep score right Bob? How pathetic you must really feel inside to think this is the way I can finally make my point...and what a point you've made. By the way, you'd be very lucky indeed if you were I...you'd have a magnificent & beautiful wife, one truly great little girl, you'd have been fortunate enough to coach & coach against wonderful kids, you'd have traveled the world & you would know the difference between right & wrong. Thus far, you have failed miserably. I won't go any further & bring up personal perceptions of the Big Z...the level you've established is beneath anything I've ever seen in my entire 50, 60 or 68 years. I once wondered if there was a direction & mission to the college you work for...after seeing you in action as a representitive of that school...my question has been answered. Time to move on Bob...have a great life & someday it may amount to something other than where you are currently at. And please...keep your hugs & kisses, I'll take my wife any day...save them for whomever. As for your cocktail...shaken or stirred?