MBB: MAC Freedom League

[jumpball]

Agreed, the Freedom conference is anybodys race this season as it doesn't appear there are any dominant teams.  Makes for a lot of fun watching the games across the league.  James Jones was fantastic last night at Kings.  Was surprised his line wasn't even better as it seemed like he never missed.  don't think he even drew iron on his shots -  he was that good.  Big nights from Conroy (who was also a monster) and Stackhouse allowed Kings to prevail but he is a real force out there.  Like KIngs, looks like Del Val might be a little challenged with depth but their front-liners are all nice players....looks like every league game will be a dogfight this season and DelVal will be heard from as long as they can keep those guys out of foul trouble

[Uncle Sam]

Well, well, well!  Look what we have here!
One question has become abundantly clear.
With all your junk defense and matchup zones,
Can anyone do anything to stop James Jones?
Del Val beat Eastern, That's nothing new.
Misericordia and DeSales?  They beat them too.
Uncle Sam warned you all how it would be.
He's full of knowledge and deserves a fee.
None of you gave Coach Stitzel a chance.
Now he's got his players and they will make the dance.
The only person who listened to Uncle Sam was Kate.
She understood the Freedom League's fate.
Uncle Sam and Kate, sitting in a tree.
W-I-N-N-I-N-G

[chairman]

It's a long way Sam. Good win for the Aggies on Saturday. Jones and Beckett were outstanding, and the home side definitely benefited from a set of the officials who were firmly committed to getting to watch the Steelers-Ravens game in its entirety. Without bench players who can score, Del Val could be in a world of hurt if either of the primary actors needs to come out of a game for any length of time with foul trouble.

It will take a minimum of eight wins to make the tournament. I'm not saying that Del Val won't get there, but I think it might be a little early to talk about the Dance when you have never finished in the top four in the league and you have a bench that averages 4 points per game.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

U.S.

GENIUS! I've already "applaud"-ed that last post.  It's funny, you post something similar to that pre-season, or at 1-4, we all think you're a fool.  You post it now?  Genius.   Keep it up, my man...

[chairman]

Six-way tie for second place produces a ton of chatter.

Seriously though, It looked as though things were going to go down to the wire. This Saturday's games mark the midway point for the Conference season, and there could be, depending on results against Del Val and FDU, a four way logjam at 4-3.

Congrats to Del Val for winning the first half of the season.

[kate]

The MAC website is so much fun to explore.  However, right on the front page is Del Val Senior Sport's Management Major, Jason Goldheimer, Men's Basketball Person of the Day!

[jumpball]

yeah, the board is comatose this year despite unbelievable parity in the league.  where are mac fan, chiz, and the others who usually stir things up?  kudos so far to the Aggies, but i think they might come back to the pack 2nd half as depth will be a real concern for them, - kings too.  wilkes has impressed, mullins a nice addition there.  still think FDU has a couple of wins in them and look for them to bump off some teams 2nd half.  they have more talent than their record shows.   miseri has some outstanding shooters but could be vulnerable defending inside.  looks like everybody has a few warts which makes it so close.... and fun.  interested to see who prevails in the eastern/ville matchup, that should be a good one.  i like ville to right the ship in the phone booth, miseri to take FDU in a tight one, delval to win at home and kings to edge desales in a close one at home, where they usually play them tough. 

[BJ - DSU SID]

In honor of the first trip thru the conference for each team this Saturday...I reveal the first edition of the 2010-11 Men's Basketball Freedom Conference Playoff Matrix.

Enjoy!  If the second half of the season is anything like the first half this document could prove to be quite handy.

http://athletics.desales.edu/custompages/gen/2009-10/MHoopsmatrix.pdf

[gordonmann]

I love that matrix, BJ

[chairman]

The Matrix is truly dizzying. I think it will take a couple more games to bring any kind of  'clarity' to the enormous number of hypothetical scenarios that could evolve, but I could see at least a seed being determined by point differential before the whole thing ends.

It's very likely that nothing will be secured until Feb 19.

[chairman]

Eastern game with Messiah postponed tonight. A make-up date is not ruled out, but it is unlikely that the game will get played. Any news from Widener-DeSales?

[gordonmann]

It's not snowing in (or very near) Chester and it's a relatively short drive down I-476.  My uniformed guess is that they'll play the game.

[Pat Coleman]

DeSales announced, postponed until Thursday.

[chairman]

(Very interesting.... 5 inches and counting in St. Davids, and it is supposed to get worse tonight. Whether or not Chester is snowed in, DeSales will have to roll through some really bad traffic and over slick road conditions. I would be very surprised to see the game happen.) This I wrote, then I checked Widener... http://www.widenerpride.com/news/2011/1/26/WSWIM_0126110849.aspx

[gordonmann]

Oh well.  Thus ends my brief career as a meteorologist.