MBB: MAC Freedom League

[ronk]

  That's the MAC that I used to know and love. I haven't seen it in the Landmark since Scranton joined or the Centennial that I watch on videostream. Maybe cuz a lot of their officials are friends/acquaitenances, they're on video now, or they've gotten better, younger, and less intimidated than in the past.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 3 Regional Rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2011/02/16/ncaa-2011-regional-rankings-week-3/

[BJ - DSU SID]

UGLIEST) Misericordia versus DeSales. Tie game. 3 seconds to go and Cougars have the ball. Robbie Johnson attempts shot and misses.  OT right...No    In scramble for the loose ball with bodies flying....an astute Freedom Zebra spots a 'loose ball' foul with 1 second. The foul is on MISERY with DeSales 90 feet from a winning basket with 1 second on the clock. HMMM!      DeSales converts and game set match.

Was all this real or was it just my imagination?

Naismith

Mr. Inventor of Hoops...were you there or did you just watch this on the video stream that Misery (as you call them) provides?

I couldn't tell if your post was a knock on the Freedom or not?

[naismith]

Did not see the game.

Spoke to many who were there. My description was a summary of what others told me and, in all cases, they said the same thing. Ridiculous call.

My point was simply that within weeks we have 3 games decided in the waning seconds by the officials.
All on very marginal calls.

Nothing against the freedom conference itself.

I have been to many Freedom games and used to speak regularly with the Zebra Regulator (that is the guy who attends games and grades the officials).
The FC has some very well trained Zebras, some that belong in the ZOO and some that should be put out to pasture. 

Naismith

[BJ - DSU SID]

I just have a problem with people who blame officials for losing games.

Especially games they did not see with their own eyes.

I saw two of your three described games with my own eyes and your descriptions are so far from the truth (as I saw it) that it makes me wonder who you are getting your information from.

I have been to many Freedom games and used to speak regularly with the Zebra Regulator (that is the guy who attends games and grades the officials).
The FC has some very well trained Zebras, some that belong in the ZOO and some that should be put out to pasture. 

Naismith

But don't all conferences have this.  I think the good far out-weigh the bad from what I see on a regular basis.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

I saw two of your three described games with my own eyes and your descriptions are so far from the truth (as I saw it) that it makes me wonder who you are getting your information from.

The FC has some very well trained Zebras, some that belong in the ZOO and some that should be put out to pasture. 

Naismith

But don't all conferences have this.  I think the good far out-weigh the bad from what I see on a regular basis.

BJ - all respect due, and admittedly you were there and I wasn't... BUT, of the 3 games mentioned, DeSales was the direct beneficiary of 2 of the calls.  Just putting it out there.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

... and what are the chances we can talk the Freedom into playing the playoff games on Wednesday night at neutral site locations.  I, for one, think it'd be great to see Wilkes vs. Misericordia at the neutral site of saaaaay, Messiah.  Just hoping wherever Wilkes plays on Wednesday, it's Game 2 of a doubleheader.

[NEPAFAN]

... and what are the chances we can talk the Freedom into playing the playoff games on Wednesday night at neutral site locations.  I, for one, think it'd be great to see Wilkes vs. Misericordia at the neutral site of saaaaay, Messiah.  Just hoping wherever Wilkes plays on Wednesday, it's Game 2 of a doubleheader.

CJ

How the mighty have fallen. Where have the Wilkes teams of the late 90s gone. Landmarkers are hard on the royals but at least we have a NCAA appearance this century!

[cold_case]

CJ
How the mighty have fallen. Where have the Wilkes teams of the late 90s gone. Landmarkers are hard on the royals but at least we have a NCAA appearance this century!

More than one appearance.
I miss Naismith.

[bill]

+1 for the Churchill!

[cold_case]

+1 for the Churchill!

Why thank you. And might I add one to your ledger....Bingo!

[BJ - DSU SID]

BJ - all respect due, and admittedly you were there and I wasn't... BUT, of the 3 games mentioned, DeSales was the direct beneficiary of 2 of the calls.  Just putting it out there.

I understand.  I knew that criticism would come my way.  Those who know me well know I do my very best to put personal rooting interests aside when evaluating situations.  I am not perfect in that regard but I am not sure anyone really is to be honest.

I will say I was sitting with a Wilkes-Barre native and local supporter at the Miseri game and that person at first reaction didn't agree with the call but after we talked about it, he understood the call and didn't really have a problem with it.

The late call vs. King's was a no-brainer.  I don't recall anyone in the gym (King's people included) having a beef with that call.

[cold_case]

BJ - all respect due, and admittedly you were there and I wasn't... BUT, of the 3 games mentioned, DeSales was the direct beneficiary of 2 of the calls.  Just putting it out there.

I understand.  I knew that criticism would come my way.  Those who know me well know I do my very best to put personal rooting interests aside when evaluating situations.  I am not perfect in that regard but I am not sure anyone really is to be honest.

I will say I was sitting with a Wilkes-Barre native and local supporter at the Miseri game and that person at first reaction didn't agree with the call but after we talked about it, he understood the call and didn't really have a problem with it.

The late call vs. King's was a no-brainer.  I don't recall anyone in the gym (King's people included) having a beef with that call.

I take it DeSales won both games.

[naismith]

CC and NEPA,


Thrilled to see I still have a following.

How's the pizza in Old Forge CC....Last I recall, I still think I owe you a dinner. 
But you are a real recluse my friend hibernating in the Landmark.
Let me know what you have been doing.

As for NEPA, your prayers may be answered in 2012. I heard some rumblings that the Royals, Colonels and Monarchs may renew
their rivalries around the Holidays. any news on that north of the Montage/Dixon line?


As to this raging debate, there is no real debate. Some people think Zebras have black and white stripes while others think they are white and black.


Calls are made in every game that can be questioned. Some worse than others.
To me, in the waning seconds of a game, the Zebra should be passive unless the infraction is so blatant that he has no choice. No blood no foul.

I feel that way no matter who is playing. Still think Seton Hall got jobbed back in 1989 when Rumeal Robinson was the beneficiary of a hand check 12 feet from the basket while making a kick out pass..... with 3 seconds left in OT!

With apologies to Judge Judy, you make the call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkukr6FgzpA


So relax there DSU-SID..........there is not anti-any program intended. In fact, I really admire the program SC has put together at DeSales. He is an excellent coach with an excellent system.

Naismith

[BJ - DSU SID]

I feel that way no matter who is playing. Still think Seton Hall got jobbed back in 1989 when Rumeal Robinson was the beneficiary of a hand check 12 feet from the basket while making a kick out pass..... with 3 seconds left in OT!

With apologies to Judge Judy, you make the call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkukr6FgzpA

So relax there DSU-SID..........there is not anti-any program intended. In fact, I really admire the program SC has put together at DeSales. He is an excellent coach with an excellent system.

Naismith

I just watched the footage of the Hall vs. Michigan...I would agree 100%...that call was brutal with a capital "B".

Thanks for the back and forth over the last few days...nice to have some life on this board for a change.