MBB: MAC Freedom League

[ljk]

King's wins its 8th game in a row beating Manhattanville 77-74 in an overtime thriller.  Big John Soboleski had another monster game (24 pts,16 rebs) and with fellow senior Jamie Cousart (21 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assists) led the way for the Monarchs.  Manhattanville led by 14 with about 12 and a half to go, and with Kings in a zone, they went into their "prevent" offense, holding the ball, and taking time off the clock.  Not a good move, as the Valiants are not a good half set team with maybe one outside threat.  They did not score for about 6 minutes.  Their transition run and gun style gave them the lead.  They might have sat on the lead a little too early and Kings zone was very effective.  Dweberg, Welsh again, and Scalzo hit some big threes in crunch time.  Scalzo was MIA for the most part taking only 2 shots the whole game and I dont think Kings staff was too happy with his effort, as assistant coach was screaming in his face during one time out.   Great win for the Monarchs, thanks to the leadership of Cusart and Sobo, but I feel Manahattanville let this one slip away.

[naismith]

CJ,

No pizza at Pazzo's for U.
Should have done some due diligence on Pazzo's menu before making any wagers.

My suggestion is that you work some OT ....I heard Cold Case has a big appetite!!

Naismith

[cold_case]

I heard Cold Case has a big appetite!!
Naismith

Very big. So big that.....never mind.

[naismith]

Nice analysis LJK.
Agree completely that M-Ville let a big win slip away.

Truth is, they had no answer for Sobo inside. John is playing at a very very high level.

Vals did look to be intentionally running down the clock from about 10 minutes in.....that forced some pretty wild drives to bucket etc. They also missed a bunch of putbacks as the Vals really attacked the glass.
I really don't think the zone slowed them down as reported in local press accounts.
I think the semi-stall was self imposed and backfired.

Was impressed with Moffet who played a terrific game in defeat.
Jamie Cousart played pretty near flawless down the stretch and Kofi came up big.

(By the way, how do u get JU-Bang from Dweberg??....i think it might be Dwebeng...no?)


And congrats as well to the Scranton Royals who also came from behind on the road at Moravian for a big Landmark win!!
They are home on Sat. versus Juniata for the title.
I understand that the Landmark has not automatic NCAA bid....??

Naismith

[cold_case]

Ironically, all four playoff teams in the Landmark were from the MAC.

[naismith]

Since the season is pretty much over (definitely over for CJ as he signed off).......

Here are my conference picks:
I am putting 6 players on each team and breaking them down as guards and bigs with no particular position (point guard etc.).

First Team:
Soboleski---Kings
Cousart-----Kings
Ohlson------DeSales
Moffet-------Manhattanville
Kresge------Wilkes
Braswell----DeSales

Second Team:

Stricker------DeSales
Lapinski-----DeSales
Scalzo-------Kings
Chisolm-----Manhattanville
Fink----------Manhattanville
Elliot---------Arcadia

honorable mentions:
McPherson--FDU
Wiggns------Del Val
DeRojas-----Wilkes
Kline----------Wilkes
Mulholland---Arcadia
Fetske-------FDU

MVP----Moffett---Manhattanville (complete player entire season)
ROY----3 way tie:  Fetske, Wiggins, DeRojas
Coach of the Year: Dorney---Arcadia  (thought he got a lot out of his squad)

[Warren Thompson]

Ironically, all four playoff teams in the Landmark were from the MAC.

Might there be a message in that factoid? 

[DSU Backer]

Here are the conference awards as announced by MAC today

First Team Freedom All-Conference
Phil Stricker DeSales C Sr.
John Soboleski King's C Sr.
Cody Moffett Manhattanville G Sr.
Jamie Cousart King's G Sr.
Ed Ohlson DeSales G Sr.

Second Team Freedom All-Conference
Darnell Braswell DeSales G So.
Donte Chisolm Manhattanville G Sr.
Ryan McPherson FDU-Florham G Jr.
Tom Kresge Wilkes F So.
Brian Fink Manhattanville G Sr.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Phil Stricker, DeSales
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Chris DeRojas, Wilkes
COACH OF THE YEAR: Scott Coval, DeSales

[cold_case]

Might there be a message in that factoid? 

Well, you have to admit it is pretty ironic, no?
Warren, maybe you can fill me in on Ursinus. A pal of mine told me they're "the team" in their conference but he saw them lose handily in both games in the King's tourney earlier this season. Did they have players out, bring some transfers in or is the conference they play in that bad?
Let me know.

[Warren Thompson]

Might there be a message in that factoid? 

Well, you have to admit it is pretty ironic, no?
Warren, maybe you can fill me in on Ursinus. A pal of mine told me they're "the team" in their conference but he saw them lose handily in both games in the King's tourney earlier this season. Did they have players out, bring some transfers in or is the conference they play in that bad?
Let me know.

All I know about Ursinus is that they are situated in Collegeville PA. 

[Pat Coleman]

Might there be a message in that factoid? 

Well, you have to admit it is pretty ironic, no?
Warren, maybe you can fill me in on Ursinus. A pal of mine told me they're "the team" in their conference but he saw them lose handily in both games in the King's tourney earlier this season. Did they have players out, bring some transfers in or is the conference they play in that bad?
Let me know.

Dunno who your pal saw but it wasn't Ursinus. Check the facts -- or do you need the desk to do that for you too?

http://www.d3hoops.com/school/URS/mens/2008

[cold_case]

Warren, sorry to give you bad news but someone put me on to the King's tourney and it wasn't Ursinus, but Lebanon Valley.
Fortunately my posts (aside from a misspelled werd or too) have merit, unlike some. I'm honored someone takes the time to critique my posts.

[Warren Thompson]

Warren, sorry to give you bad news but someone put me on to the King's tourney and it wasn't Ursinus, but Lebanon Valley.
Fortunately my posts (aside from a misspelled werd or too) have merit, unlike some. I'm honored someone takes the time to critique my posts.

Thanks, I guess, but I'm not fully certain what I was supposed to "critique." 

[cold_case]

WT, wasn't referring to you. 8)

[Leo The Lion]

CJ4L, my condolences. I really enjoyed your PTI post last year when King's got knocked off, but I'm not that witty, so I'll leave it at that.

Well that sure sounded like a thrilling victory!  First time I ever had the joy of listening to King's on the radio, real amusing stuff.  Anyway, a great second half comback for the Monarchs and a "quiet" 24 for Big John.

So as for the awards.  I will say that I respectfully disagree with the Accademy's decision.  I'm not like kcxc and into making bulletin board material, but I thought the award was a stone cold lock for Sobo as player and a lukewarm lock for JP as coach.  Stricker's a great player, but look at the numbers, Soboleski had a better year.  The argument could be made against JP that King's was expected to do this, so I can see how that might have played against him.  Either way I have a box of John Soboleski: MVP tshirts that I have to ship to Nigeria now.  So at least the kids will have something else to where other than their brand new New England Patriots: 19-0 shirts. 

The beautiful thing though Soboleski vs. Stricker, Coval vs. JP, it all gets settled on Saturday.  That's all that matters.  We got the matchup that everyone, except CJ, wanted.  The storylines are great.  Will the Monarch seniors put an exclamation point on four years of dominence?  Or can the DeSales seniors avenge the previous championship losses?