MBB: MAC Freedom League

[Leo The Lion]

KingJames,
If I could give negative karma points, you'd be getting quite a few from me.

No one brought up anything about race until you did, it was just said that is dress was not appropriate for the bench.  I agree, if you're not playing, you should be wearing slacks and a collard shirt at least.

Now what about this Soboleski no class deal, how can you substantiate that.  The time I met him seemed like he was a classy guy.  I've heard plenty of rumors about CS, I'm not going to mention them here because I can't proove them (like you're Soboleski statement).  Either way, the rumors aren't flattering.  Except for a few drinks, King's is all class brother.  Take that to the bank.

-Leo 

[ColonelJohn4Life]

Scranton 82, Lycoming 79
King's 69, Wilkes 66

How about we just pencil in these matches, same time, same place, for next week??

NEPA - how great is that jersey, huh?  I know that at any given game, I'm probably the guy wearing the biggest Flying W in the building.  There's actually a pretty good story behind the sweater, perhaps I'll share it some day over a ColonelDog.

[wb1313]

Practice...we're talking about Practice.....Ok I won't go there.  Hey King, can the King's bus that brought you here drop you back where you came from??  If the playoffs are as close as tonight's games, we're in for one hell (You can't say that on a  discussion board?) of a playoff run. 

[loyalroyal]

I have a question from one of bziadie's earlier posts regarding the tiebreaker procedure.  I might have misinterpreted the rules but if there is a four way tie for the conference, Scranton would get the number one seed.  In a tiebreaker, the first criteria is the head-to-head records against all the tied teams:

Scranton - 4-2 (one loss against Wilkes and one loss against Kings - swept Lyco)
King's - 3-3 (one loss against Scranton, one loss against Wilkes, and one loss against Lyco)
Wilkes - 3-3 (one loss against Scranton, one loss against King's, and one loss against Lyco)
Lyco - 2-4 (two losses against Scranton, one loss against King's, and one loss against Wilkes)

So Scranton would be #1 and Lyco would be #4.  The tiebreaker between King's and Wilkes would go to King's since they swept DeSales and Wilkes had one loss against DeSales.  So a 4-way tie (if i did everything right) would result in
1.) Scranton
2.) King's
3.) Wilkes
4.) Lycoming

If I missed something, I apologize for wasting the board's space and your time.  And if someone can enlighten me to my mistake, I would appreciate it.

It's go time!

[Section J Guy]

SJ GUY says:

Gutty win for the royals who were down ten in the second half.


-Playoffs will be battles , but all these tiebreakers make my head hurt.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

Ummm... Loyal Royal?  Some of these tie-breakers are easier to figure out than others.  Use that Scranton education to explain to me how 10-3 Scranton can end the season tied with 8-5 Wilkes or 8-5 Lycoming.

I have a question from one of bziadie's earlier posts regarding the tiebreaker procedure. I might have misinterpreted the rules but if there is a four way tie for the conference, Scranton would get the number one seed.

...If I missed something, I apologize for wasting the board's space and your time. And if someone can enlighten me to my mistake, I would appreciate it.

More than happy to enlighten!!

[loyalroyal]

I stand corrected...I'm just gonna bury my head in the sand now and keep it there for a long time.  Thank you colonel for correcting me

[naismith]

Think some of us should take a deep breath and start talking about basketball.

These are kids playing these games. I doubt the most vocal critics would say face to face what they are willing to anonymously type.

I have never seen JS act up at all. I have met CS and he may be 'young' but he is very respectful. (confirmed by multiple people).


Back to the game,

Had the pleasure of having CJ Sr.'s company. He totally ignored me and vented his frustrations on zebras for 40 minutes. He had a couple of partners in crime (not me).
Somehow, someway....the refs didn't hear him.
I guess being a former zebra himself, CJ Sr. thought he might have some clout.
Not so.....at least tonight.....

For those who missed it, Kings led wire to wire and prevailed by 3.
Halftime had Kings ahead by 14. They simply outmuscled Wilkes inside and watched as the Colonels self destructed on the offensive end.
Wilkes had numerous unforced errors. Dropped passes, missed layups etc.
The whistles also went the Monarchs way as Matt Gould and Walters had early foul trouble for Wilkes putting them on the bench.

The 2nd half was the opposite of the first. Both teams started slow but Wilkes eventually worked the ball inside, got penetration from Shovlin  and they inched back. Each time they cut it to 3 or less, a missed shot, questionable call etc.. set them back. Walters was a defensive force with at least  5+ blocks. the Colonels really tightened up the defense. Kings guards couldn't even dribble the ball as they walked, threw it away, had a shot clock violation and a 5 second violation called.

Wilkes had the ball with about 15 seconds down two. Shovlin (triple teamed) found Sclafani for a wide open corner trey. It rimmed out with 3 seconds to go and Kings canned 1 of two Ft's for the final margin.....69-66.

Wilkes held Kings to 21 second half points....quite an effort.

For Kings,
Scalzo and Sobo were tremendous on the glass 1st half.  Kings got some terrific shooting of KD, TM and JW. Seemed like the whole team was hot in the first half.

For Wilkes,

Some nice play from Sclafani, Cardamone. Mike C. was quiet (they were blanketing him). EW had a great game and Shovlin was outstanding.
He made a beautiful steal late in game....could have had a dozen assists if the recipients could finish.....hit his ft's down the stretch. Great penetration. Best player on the floor without a doubt.

Naismith

[ColonelJohn4Life]

Naismith,

Dad was after the refs?  Eh, I'm sure they deserved it.  Given Wilkes vs. Kings, the officials are notoriously poor.  I need not remind you of the 2001 debacle.  Regardless, if Pops ignored you, rest assured it was nothing personal.

One thing jumped out from your post - credit to King's for triple-teaming Shovlin with 10-15 seconds left.  THAT is coaching.  After Shovlin ripped King's heart out, single-handedly, at the Marts Center, JP made the call to cover him.  Makes too much sense...

I'm still working on a playoff scenario where Wilkes doesn't make it.  Haven't found one yet.  I'm starting to feel like the computer in WarGames who comes to an inevitable conclusion by working out all possible outcomes.

[Leo The Lion]

No doubt Shovlin has the most talent on the court, he's lights out if you give him any room to shoot.  However, as an outsider I think EW is the MVP for Wilkes.  Absolutely dominant inside, his foul trouble in the first half cost Wilkes dearly. 

Probably be a rematch next week, flip a coin if you want to predict a winner.

AS for the zebras, one of them is notoriously bad, I even think he had the King's/Wilkes game in December.  The other two weren't has bad, at least less noticible.  Whenever you lose a close basketball game, the zebras are always a target.  Basketball is a contact sport where physical contact is the norm.  Every foul call could be questioned. 

Probably see ya next week folks, better packup the Tums for that one.

-Leo

[ronk]

loyal royal,
     with tonite's results, a four-way tie is no longer possible. only kings and scranton could tie for 1st at 11-3 or 10-4. you might want lyco to finish 3rd so that scranton would win such a tiebreaker.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

I'll declare it now - Wilkes has clinched a playoff spot.

Theoretical worst case - Lyco wins, clinching 3rd.  DeSales wins on Saturday, Wilkes loses on Saturday.  DeSales and Wilkes, now both 8-6 go to tie-breakers.

1. Head-to-head, split
2a. Record against 1st place team(s) - both 1-1 vs. Scranton,
2b. Wilkes 1-1 vs. King's, DeSales 0-2 vs. Kings

DeSales, however, still makes the playoffs if:
DeSales beats Scranton AND
Lyco loses AND
King's loses BOTH remaining games AND
Wilkes loses in NJ.

Then, there's a tie for first, and a 3-way tie for 3rd.  Scranton wins that tiebreaker, don't ask how.  Lyco gets eliminated because they're 0-2 vs. Scranton.

Summation: DeSales can get in, Lycoming can get in, Wilkes IS in regardless.  Scranton and King's can both be #1 seed.

[cold_case]

How about we cut to the chase and purchase playoff tickets for the Wilkes at King's and Lycoming at Scranton opening round playoff games next week?

[kingjames]

If it all plays out the way it should, the Colonels have got to be confident going into a rematch against King's.  CS had a great 5 min. last night, but what happened to the other 35?  The achilles heel for Wilkes is te lack of depth in the front court.  What happened to Goode?  What do you think of his wardrobe?  Kings had a player on the bench too, in sweats.  If "the rick" let's his guys play and doesn't overcoach I think they win.  Lycoming is the only team that scares me because of Pribble. 

[NEPAFAN]

KINGJAMES,


No respect for Scranton?