MBB: MAC Freedom League

[BJ - DSU SID]

No problem on the matrix...glad someone looks at it.  I enjoy updating it and keeping tabs on the rest of the league during this fun time of the year.

Appreciate the kind words about DeSales and Braswell in particular.  He really turned a corner as a player last year and that has continued into this season.  He's a great kid too, really respectful person off the court.  Its been fun watching him grow up these last four years.

I certainly agree that the King's game was not a 14-point game.  Foul Shots at the end made it so...as is typical of all King's/DeSales games in recent years.  It is a dogfight every time.  Throw out the records and the venue when those two meet.  They could play a summer league game against each other and it would be a tight, grueling affair.

Time for me to turn in for the night.

[hoopzwiz]

This is just the third time in at least the last 20 years that Misericordia/Wilkes have played twice and only the 12th meeting overall in that same span.

Wilkes won two last year and in 1998-99.

Willie Chandler makes his first-ever appearance against the Colonels - too bad he'll have a tie on as an assistant coach.

Didn't Miseri already play Wilkes???  Making it Chandlers second-ever appearance against the Colonels???
Perhaps he wasn't there, in which case, forget my post.

[lefty2]

You are correct - it's his first home appearance.

[chizwiz]

Thanks for asking where I've been, folks.  I don't have much to say right now because I haven't seen many games lately.  Have been on vacation for a total of almost three weeks out of the last seven and out of town during most of them.  And then there's that other reason I'm not at half (plus 1) of EU's games.

Anyway, I do want to say something about Darnell Braswell, even though we are not talking about him right now.  The first time I saw him play, which was probably at least 2 years ago, I was impressed, but not as impressed as I have been recently, after seeing him play twice this season.  I've mentioned to some friends as late as this season that I don't see how he could be considered a first-team All-American or even a 2nd or 3rd teamer.  After watching him more, I have to go back on my previous statements regarding.  I have really enjoyed watching him play, especially because of his consistency and game IQ.  He seems to do a great job of making good matchups for himself and exploiting teammate matchups when he sees the opportunity.  Again, though, is his consistency, and the skill at which he is consistent.  While I haven't seen the vast majority of candidates who get put up for All-American, he does seem to be a very strong contender for a top spot this year.

[chizwiz]

Oh, by the way, what the heck has been happening to FDU-Florham?  It's sad, considering that both the coach and the athletic administration run such a classy program up there in Jersey.

[bill]

Chiz

Yes, it can be tough here...I'm not saying other schools do it, but we don't get any special admits, period, and the competition for financial aid via academic award grants is intense. As our academic profile continues to climb - and it's quite high now - basketball and football get hurt, while some other sports thrive with that type of climate.....
Coach does a great job here; the trick is getting recruits for our situation!

[chairman]

Chiz-

Can we expect to see you in Dallas this Saturday?

Looking forward to some big games tomorrow night first.

[MACfan08]

Well the transfers I was naming and hinting at were the three that you had mentioned. I feel like they are the little pieces to the puzzle that is keeping this team together and not just a one man show. Not saying it is a bad thing at all because a coach needs to do what a coach needs to do and if he feels he needs to bring in transfers then great it is part of recruiting as well.

Now with all of that said I really have this crazy feeling it is going to come down to experience and coaching towards this second half of the year. Right there alone I have to give the Nod to the likes of King's and DeSales with possibly Eastern right behind them. I feel like Wilkes will buckle under the pressure and will lose a game that they shouldn't like every year down the home stretch like a game at FDU or at Del Val something along those lines. Bow M'ville is always tricky because it is tough to get ready for a game up there. This time of the year it is always cold on the visiting bench do to broken windows right up above and the crowds usually start to play a factor up there and the team really uses that to a huge advantage. With that said Del Val I feel like is a little to one sided right now and trying way to hard to run everything through the big man. They have solid guard and need to let them do their thing and let the big man play off of them. With all of that said I do not think it is a bold prediction of mine to say that we will know who the playoffs teams will be after next Saturdays games on the 13th.

What are some other hot topics that should be looked at this year right now? Any coaches that should be careful who they piss off because they may not return next year?

[chairman]

MACfan. A coach who does recruiting the right way will build relationships with kids and families. When those kids make choices, whether for academic or athletic reasons, to go to different schools, they don't forget the coaches that treated them well in the recruiting process. There are many different reasons why kids choose to change schools, and that three of them found their way to DeSales after experiences at other places does not raise any red flags in my mind.
Your post insinuates that there is something fishy or less than proper about having transfers in the program. That seems kind of silly to me. Each of those kids is going to spend at least two (maybe three) years in the program. It's not like they were brought in for a single semester.
It is interesting to look at the matrix and try to figure out what will need to happen for teams to make the playoffs. I do not think the a 7-7 team will get in. That puts Wilkes and Del Val in a spot for tonight. As they play FDU at home, it is a MUST win game for the Aggies. Wilkes is on the road, so a loss is understandable, but a sixth loss with five to play is going to require them to get really hot down the stretch with some tough games left.
I'm looking forward to seeing the new King's team. The box from the Dec. 2nd game has some interesting anomalies. The most interesting is that Eastern did not attempt a free throw for the game. I don't see that happening in St. Davids. Also interesting is that Mike Wagner was nearly a non-entity in the opener. Since that game, he has made over 4 threes a game against Conference foes. Not sure if his quiet night was due to defense or just an off night, but the Eagles will need to hold him in check to sweep the season series.
The loser of the King's-EU is not in big trouble per se, but the winner gets a big boost in the playoff race. 

[Uncle Sam]

Roses are red, ashes are black.
Don't look now, but Uncle Sam is back.
This time his message is as clear as day.
Del Val is coming and you're all in the way.
An up and down season is how it would seem,
But the Aggies under Stitzel, are a second-half team.
So as America's Program comes to a town near you,
Uncle Sam's words will surely ring true.

[hoopzwiz]

Roses are red, ashes are black.
Don't look now, but Uncle Sam is back.
This time his message is as clear as day.
Del Val is coming and you're all in the way.
An up and down season is how it would seem,
But the Aggies under Stitzel, are a second-half team.
So as America's Program comes to a town near you,
Uncle Sam's words will surely ring true.


Wasn't DelVal's 'HOME' game against Miseri a 'second half' game?

[BJ - DSU SID]

Phew lots of posts since my last on Monday morning.

Chairman, I don't think MACFan08 was insinuating fishy activity at DeSales.  In all three of our transfer cases, they were players our staff was very interested in as high school seniors and I think after their decisions were made, they all re-evaluated after their freshman years and like you said while reconsidering, remembered who (as in coaches) they really enjoyed talking with during recruiting.  It also didn't hurt that all three players were Lehigh Valley kids and two of them returned back to the home land area.  Most times when kids transfer they tend to move to a second school closer to home (which happened in Zwetolitz and Bercier's case).  Hunter was already close to home at Lehigh, but I think he just wanted to see the court more and wasn't sure it would eventually happen if he stayed at Lehigh.  I think he's really enjoyed the last year and a half at DeSales.  He was already good friends with Braswell (both local Lehigh Valley kids) and several of our other players, so the transition was an easy one for him.  I've been here 10 years and off the top of my head, I think these three players are the only transfers we've gotten in men's basketball in those 10 years...just dumb luck they've all happened so close together.

Chizwiz...appreciate the comments on Braswell.  I would agree that he definitely improved immensely between his sophomore and junior season.  He was already a very good player as a sophomore but turned the corner to levels of greatness and All-American conversations as a junior and to his credit he didn't let his reputation carry him as a senior, he's worked even harder to become an even better player this season (his numbers to this point back that up).  He sets an enormous example for all our players about working hard, especially in practice.  I am the lucky one that not only gets to see him play in games, but also in practice.  He never takes a play off even in practice.  It's really fun to watch.

Uncle Sam...I must say your poems make me laugh.  This recent one was much better than your first.  I like how your rhyming has improved each time.  Should we expect you in attendance on Saturday in Billera Hall.

Good Luck to everyone tonight.

[jumpball]

Chair:  I agree with your assessment that the winner of the EU/Kings tilt will have a leg up but that team will still face a lot of tough games ahead of them i know you'll agree.   watch out for FDU - they are going to beat some teams with Katz back now, especially at home.  
EU matches up well with kings in key spots but that 12/2 eu/kings game was one where kings was still trying to figure out where new pieces fit in.  they're further along now and playing with a lot more confidence.   you are correct, EU will probably get to the line in that phone booth tonite and that could make a difference.  but replacing the 24 points reels threw down then might be a chore as he created matchup problems.  he was one reason they didn't get to the line - he hit from downtown all day and didn't need to go near the hoop - they couldn't stop him on the perimeter. as always, lets just hope the players get to decide the game.  it should be a good one.
wilkes HAS to win that game tonite or they face too tall a mountain to climb, i think they will prevail with kreske having a big night.  DelVal should win at home against FDU, but watch out for the kings FDU game saturday - that one's a trap game.  would love to see desales/valiants game.  the 'ville really needs a win and will be desparate.  wouldn't shock me if they prevail but i see desales eeking out another win on the back of braswell, not sure the 'ville has the interior strength to take advantage of desales in the paint, where i think they might be vulnerable.  fun league this season with everyone so close.
also love the Uncle Sam bravado!  keep it coming.
 

[jumpball]

for what it's worth, i didn't see any inuendo in macfan's comments on the transfers either

[hoopzwiz]

Interesting night in MAC Freedom.  Am I crazy or is it realistic to think that all four road teams will win?

Del Val @ FDU
DeSales @ Manhattanville
Wilkes @ Misericordia
Kings @ Eastern

At the very least, the road teams are the favorites going in.

Any thoughts?  Which home team is most likely to win?