MBB: MAC Freedom League

[ColonelJohn4Life]

This about sums it up...

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18076204&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416049&rfi=6

Well-written article.  Great stuff. 

A somewhat-lesser known fact, there is a consortium among Wilkes, King's, and Misericordia.  Before one school calls off for snow, they call the other two.  Credits are mutual among the three schools, and the academic calendars are the same.  At least, that's how it was in 2001.

If I may quote from the article:
"It's a natural fit because we're located in the heart of MAC country with Wilkes and King's being right down the road," said athletic director Dave Martin.
THANK YOU for getting it right, Mr. Martin.  Simple concept.

If only Misericordia could have been in the conference in 2001.  Imagine this playoff: Jannuzzi-led Wilkes, Dickerson-led King's, Reno-led Scranton, and Chandler-led Misericordia.  Sheesh.

[WolfPAC]

Something to think about Cj4life.

Seems the area up there is a better recruiting as well with less concentrated institutions.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

It's quiet... almost too quiet...

[Pat Coleman]

Perhaps the MAC could lose another team.

[kate]

Why would that make you smile, Pat?

[Pat Coleman]

Because it was a joke? Sheesh.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

Eh, DeSales is expendable.    (See, kate, I'm smiling after the joke...)

Here's a topic for discussion.  Over the last decade in the MAC-Freedom, the Champions are the following:
99-01: Wilkes wins 2 of 3 titles, Scranton wins the one in the middle
02-04: Lycoming wins 2 of 3 titles, Scranton wins the one in the middle
05-07: King's wins 2 of 3 titles, Scranton wins the one in the middle

I'm not sure what the point is, but there is a trend.  Using this logic, Scranton wins the 2009 MAC-F title.  And the Holy Roman Empire was neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.  Discuss.

[Pat Coleman]

I doubt the Landmark will let them play a full MAC-F schedule.

[Warren Thompson]

And the Holy Roman Empire was neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire. 

Nevertheless, the HRE managed to stir up considerable trouble over the years, especially after the elimination of the center-jump and the introduction of the three-point shot ....

And BTW just how old was Albania's King Zog when he died? I'm reliably informed that he invented leather kneepads for basketball players.

[kate]

By the 08-09 season, some of the Landmark teams will be begging to return to their roots !

[Pat Coleman]

If the Landmark schools didn't want to associate with a conference with Del Val, King's, Wilkes, Lyco, FDU-Florham, Leb Val, etc., why would they want to be in a league with Arcadia, Alvernia, Manhattanville and Misericordia in it?

If those schools wanted to get out of the MAC because of its academic profile, then the new MAC is even less attractive.

[kate]

Well, excuse me, i'm NEVER one to dis a D-3 school, but what's so bad about Arcadia, Miseri, Alvernia, & Manhattanville - i still say i personally would take Drew & Juniata back in a heartbeat!  Scranton has had the Landmark conference on their website since Nov., so good for them (travellling partners with Moravian) - say no more!  Wait, GO DEL VAL!!!

[ColonelJohn4Life]

And the Holy Roman Empire was neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire. 

Nevertheless, the HRE managed to stir up considerable trouble over the years, especially after the elimination of the center-jump and the introduction of the three-point shot ....

Warren, though they were troublemakers, we do have to give them credit for eliminating the bottoms of peach baskets.

Otherwise, I figured out the trend for which I was looking.  No repeat Champions in recent years.  The safest way to ensure a MAC-F crown next year is to have lost it this year.  For bonus points, who wants to answer this loaded question... which school was the last to repeat?

[bill]

Gee colonel, I'd have to guess Wilkes in 97-99....But wouldn't they be repeating MAC champs, not rpeating Freedom champs?

[ColonelJohn4Life]

Ding ding ding, bill gets the prize.  As a reminder, Wilkes won 5 straight Freedom League titles.  Included in that run were 3 overall MAC Championships, including '98 and '99.  There was still a Freedom regular season crown before the 8 team MAC playoff.

Anyone have a schedule posted yet? )