MBB: MAC Freedom League

[ColonelJohn4Life]

Way out on a limb? Against BBC?

You didn't see the first half...

[ljk]

After watching the Colonels opener against BB, I came away feeling the same way I did after last seasons games.  Something is missing here.  This looks like a .500 club to me and with King's and DeSales so strong, it seems like another battle to make the playoffs for Wilkes.  Nice debut by freshman Derojas.  Local kid can handle and is deadly free throw shooter (7-7) and excellent from three.  Great attributes for point guard, especially at the end of close games.  However, had a few blow byes on the defensive end.  All in all, a nice pickup.  The guy who really confuses me is Kresge.  Seems to have all the tools and potential but is so inconsistent.  I think, with his game, he should be more dominant at this level.  I believe as he goes, so goes the Colonels.   I know its only one game and teams do improve,  but Colonels don't seem to make too many adjustments.   Col. and Naismith:  Whats your early take on this year's edition?

[ColonelJohn4Life]

LJK,

Provided the Wilkes team that played the final 20 minutes keeps playing, Wilkes is every bit as good as the best in the Freedom.  Period.  It's both a good sign that the players can adjust, AND that the coaches can spot a weakness and attack.

Great debut for DeRojas.  My observation was this - if he can streak down on a fast break, pull up, and stick a 3 (as I've seen him do several dozen times in high school) - that adds a whole new dimension to the entire offense.  Not just fast breaks, the whole offense.  Wilkes has always had enough speed to run a fast break offense (see North Carolina '05), just never had a reliable enough 3 point shooter.  Whole new offensive threat.

Kresge, more dominant?  He broke double-figures.  Easy on the kid.  I hate to go Mike Gundy but "Pick on me! I'm a graduate!  Don't pick on some kid who does everything right!"  Kresge's a valuable asset, quick enough to streak down a wing on a fast break, polished enough to finish regularly.

My reality check is this - through 1 game, Wilkes is undefeated.  Enjoy the ride.

[naismith]

From the Hunter website,
"Hunter (1-2) will return to action following the Thanksgiving Day break when they travel to Wilkes-Barre, PA on Saturday, November 24 to face the Colonials of Wilkes University (1-0) at 3:00 p.m."

So, Wilkes changed their name ..heh....the Colonials .......those Hunter journalists should apply for the New York Times---"all the fiction that's fit to print". Or maybe Dan Rather can hire them to track down that transfer from South Carolina???  Dan says he'll bet  $1 million that he can prove that transfer is still on his way.....or was that John Kerry? The transfer was coming until he decided not to come...
Manhattanville beat Hunter by 20  plus. Hunter had 24 to's to offset their 22 assists.
Manhattanville hit the century mark so I take it Hunter likes the up tempo game and/or plays no defense.

Amherst, the defending DIII champs also rang up a 20 point win.  Amherst led by 20 at the half and appeared to play the entire bench.
Of note, Hunter takes about 20 3's per game and appear to be a very poor FT shooting team.

[naismith]

CJ,

You have an advanced degree Dr.??

How did u get the background color to change.

thx

Naismith

[naismith]

how did that happen?

Anyway, LJK----

Personnel wise, Wilkes is pretty much the same team with a couple of big changes.

1) DeFEo must have dropped 30 plus lbs. I didn't recognize hime when I entered the gym for the Mansfield scrimmage.
He played very well and is a strong rebounding presence. I think he is a high energy kid much like Dan Adams whose hustle will be missed.
2) Gulla is playing with a lot more confidence. Along with Gould, they are good defensive stoppers. Gulla is much more of an offensive threat than last year.
3) Fasciana has emerged as a real contributer. Long and lean, he allows Wilkes to give a lot of different looks since he can play 2 or 3. Very active.
4) DeRojas---good ballhandler....great shooter.....a smart player and a potential 'instant offense' type of kid who can score in bundles.

Add Kline's finesse game and Kresge's overall package. Throw in the other frosh Kyle Ruby and a sprinkling of Durako to spell the bigs ..........and I see some real promise for this team.

Tough to really evaluate after 1 scrimmage and 1 game.....but ....
I still think the passes have to come out quicker from the bigs when they get doubled and tripled.  Beleive me, DeRojas, Ruby, Fasciana, Kresge, Gulla Gould & Gabe can shoot..... If they kick the ball out and get better ball movement....a lot of open looks should materialize.
I hope they don't get too bogged down on offense......that was clearly a problem last year.

Actually, I would like to see this team run a little more at times. And I would like to see the point guards break down the defense to create some easy shots for the bigs. .

One last thing, Wilkes has had some success with pressure defense ...that was once a Colonel trademark...With the right combination of personnel, I think this team can do some good things with the press.

Should be an interesting year.

Naismith

[naismith]

back to blurry blue blackground bludgeoning  board.

[Pat Coleman]

So, Wilkes changed their name ..heh....the Colonials .......those Hunter journalists should apply for the New York Times---"all the fiction that's fit to print". Or maybe Dan Rather can hire them to track down that transfer from South Carolina???

Coastal Carolina. Kinda funny that you messed up a fact in griping about someone messing up a fact.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

So, Wilkes changed their name ..heh....the Colonials .......those Hunter journalists should apply for the New York Times---"all the fiction that's fit to print". Or maybe Dan Rather can hire them to track down that transfer from South Carolina???

Coastal Carolina. Kinda funny that you messed up a fact in griping about someone messing up a fact.

College of Charleston!!

Pat, even funnier that you messed up a fact, griping about someone griping about messing up a fact... I think.

And, the College of Charleston transfer showed up, and has since gone from Wilkes.  Great story.  I'll explain one of these off-seasons...

[cold_case]

Nais, check your e-mail.
Thanks

[naismith]

CJ,

think Pat was just having some fun...
as was I.......
Wasn't hanging around these parts when this kid form Carolina (last I heard Charelston was in a Carolina) was transferring to the University of Somewhere??.  Does he still have some eligibnility left???

Maybe Hunter could use thme as they only suited 8 for Sat. game against the Wilkes COLONIALS.


Pat, please please let us know how to change this background toa readable color.  This blue just doesn't work.


Hunter game:

Hunter was scrappy, well coached and quite a bit short on the manpower side.
As anticipated, they did shoot and connect on a lot of 3's

Hunter ran a very ni ce motion offense.  They moved the ball well and hit the cutters
They had a couple of pretty slick players inside but their bigs were 6' 4" and 6' 5". Kiernan,  a guard, played a nice overall game and made some tough shots.
Hunter's #3 was a real force as well. Penetrated the lane, hit a few shots and played nice pressure defense.
With a couple of more players and a true big man, Hunter could be a real competitive team.

Kresge, DeFeo, Kline and Gabe scored a bunch of points inside. Wilkes had a big size and depth advantage.  DeRojas provided some instant offense off  the bench. Scored off the break, driving to hoop and from outside. He has a real scorer's mentality who is going to be a very bery dangerous player.

Hunter kept the game within 10 most of the way but Wilkes edged clear late and won by about 20.

I'll be out of action and in Portland Oregon for a few weeks.
I'll be checking in but won't be attending any games for a while.

Say hello to your dad and best wishes during the Holiday season.

Aren't we due for a Colonel John Jr. pretty soon???   lol

Naismith

[Pat Coleman]

I sent you a message on this but you haven't responded -- is this new for you? We've had this setup in place since August 2005.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

The Wilkes "COLONIALS" are 2-0.  Don't forget, of all teams, Scranton, who let the misprint slide through about 6-7 years ago.

Also of note, the student section received Go Colonels signs back in '99-'00, which could be folded easily... so, the Wilkes COLONS are also 1-0.

And hey, lost in all of this, the actual Colonels of '07-'08 are 2-0.  Beautiful.

[Warren Thompson]

The Wilkes "COLONIALS" are 2-0.  Don't forget, of all teams, Scranton, who let the misprint slide through about 6-7 years ago.

Also of note, the student section received Go Colonels signs back in '99-'00, which could be folded easily... so, the Wilkes COLONS are also 1-0.

Aha! This explains why the C of C transfer never showed up ... he was looking for the Colonials and/or the Colons, not the Colonels.

[breezy77]

i keep reading that kings and desales are the top two teams.  kings better wake up.  their seniors seem to have senioritis.  they are just coasting already.  they played absolutley horrible defense vs. albright last week. same vs. penn state altoona in the lycoming championship game.   there seems to be no spark and no intensity.  they may have talent but without heart and desire they will go nowhere fast.  they need senior leadership fast!!!  does jp believe that defense wins championships??