MBB: MAC Freedom League

[gordonmann]

ordon, you have to get with Matt Levy about his "missing" annual article announcing the 2016 Aggies Football Schedule. It's been an annual staple up until this year   Also, why does Lycoming seem to be the only or one of the only MAC schools to put out a detailed Incoming Football Class (Freshman/Transfers) list each year (this year's came out on July 11)? It would be great to see something like that as the season approaches.

Back when I wrote the MAC preview for D3football's extensive Kickoff publication, I would call each of the coaches in the conference during July or August. One of my standard questions was about incoming freshmen and transfers. A lot of coaches would basically say, "I won't know whom I'm getting until they get here. And I won't know what I have until I watch them in camp." I think there's reluctance among a lot of coaches to talk extensively about prospective players until they arrive for training camp or the first day of classes.

As you noted, Lycoming is one of a few schools that always releases its class of incoming recruits. A couple other schools do that and post the release in the press release section on D3football.com. But most don't say much of anything about recruits.

[gordonmann]

CC Hoopster:

I always assumed the CC stood for Centennial Conference.

[CCHoopster]

Finaly I have been recognized as a Man of Mystery.

[CCHoopster]

Wow- DVU went with an assistant??! I am shocked, although nice to see assistants getting opportunities. If they go .500 give the man a raise! I figured one of the head coaches would get named. Good for the young man. Messiah, other than last year, has always been a very good, classy program.

[CCHoopster]

Any thoughts on how the conference will shake out? I have posted this on the Cwealth side and figured to jump over here too. I looked at returners not knowing incoming players:

1- DeSales (12-2)
2- Misericordia (9-5)
3- Wilkes (8-6)
4- Eastern (7-7)
-----------------
5- Del Val (6-8)
6- Kings (5-9)
7- MVille (5-9)
8- FDU Florham (2-12)

Feel free to laugh- not overly familiar with MACF

[jmcozenlaw]

Any thoughts on how the conference will shake out? I have posted this on the Cwealth side and figured to jump over here too. I looked at returners not knowing incoming players:

1- DeSales (12-2)
2- Misericordia (9-5)
3- Wilkes (8-6)
4- Eastern (7-7)
-----------------
5- Del Val (6-8)
6- Kings (5-9)
7- MVille (5-9)
8- FDU Florham (2-12)

Feel free to laugh- not overly familiar with MACF

I don't know about records but it looks about right to me. DeSales only loses Deal and should dominate and Misericordia loses nobody from the team with the second best record in the regular season. Wilkes loses Stravinski and Wizer but played a ton of very talented underclassmen. Eastern loses nobody and is big and athletic (and plays in a dump ). DelVal loses an incredibly successful coach (best in the MACF.......he beat out some great coaches for the Millersville job), the conference MVP, a four year starter at point guard, a two year starter at power foward and their best three point shooter. You may have them a bit high. Kings at MVille might jump them for this one year. FDU at the bottom unless they had a great recruting year although they do have a lot coming back.

[gordonmann]

Yep, same thoughts here.

Eastern has great talent but hasn't been able to capitalize on it yet.

[jmcozenlaw]

Yep, same thoughts here.

Eastern has great talent but hasn't been able to capitalize on it yet.

Eastern lost three or four very close games last year, including blowing a huge lead at DelVal. I think the new coach at DelVal needs a monster recruiting year or two to get back to the top after losing Moran, Sly and Brockington and losing Kimbrough and the big guy after this season. It won''t be anything like the pre-Casey years but it could be a dry year or two for the Aggies. I hear the new coach is a solid guy. He'll need to be, and more.

[gordonmann]

Yep. Well said.

[CCHoopster]

 I would say the best way for DVU to keep their momentum is by getting transfers. A few transfers can keep them competitive (think Brockington, Kimbrough, big guy Williams). Did they get any transfers this year?

[Hooper]

The demonstrates the total difference in coaching philosophy and academic reputation amongst schools in the Freedom.   DeSales recruits players for a 4 year experience.  Always has and probably always will.  Not saying there is anything wrong with it, just saying there is a difference in how programs are run and the players they target within the conference.   

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

To be honest, transferring is becoming more and more common as tuition rates increase. Coaches are smart to utilize the transfer opportunity. Students save money playing at a junior college or somewhere a bit cheaper, but then finish their academics at a higher-ed institution and get the same degree. They save a lot of money that way. It is happening far more often than people realize and for many ways I can't blame them. Sure, a four year experience is great and many of us benefited from the opportunity. However, as tuitions continue to skyrocket and economics continue to plague ones ability to attend higher-ed four-year institutions for four (or more) years, using a smaller, cheaper school to get the ball rolling can be a win-win for a student.

[kate]

"Get the ball rolling"  , no pun intended, right, Dave?! . Good one and so true!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Ha. Nope. Usually that is my forte - didn't even think that one through. LOL

[Hooper]

Dave-

Very true.  Finances are one valid reason.   The other is that some non-qualifiers also need a place to grow and develop over time.  In the end, it doesn't matter how they get to where they get .  They get there and that is what's important.  A good education and a chance to continue to play.