MBB: MAC Freedom League

[saratoga]

Well, when your two guard has been out since the Christmas break and your starting junior forwards have both been out nearly as long, when your top reserve & 3 pt. shooter has been out since the 4th. game of the year & your backup big has been out the past 5 games & you keep on finding ways to win, then in addition to good game preperation & great kids filling in...the smoke & mirror machine has always proved to be very helpful under these circumstances. I'm sure someone back at the UofS has it in the Chem. lab as we speak getting it refueled for the final push.

[cold_case]

Yo Saratoga, chill. The loss to Drew didn't mean a whole lot since Wilkes was also beaten. Even if Scranton won today, they still would have to run the table anyway. In fact, Wilkes losing puts more of a hurt on them if it comes to to tie-breakers. And I'm sure it will.

[naismith]

Saratoga,

Was surprised as well to hear of such a Royal meltdown.
Drew has a young roster and Lopez is the real deal. It seems to me that Scranton will go as far as Arnold can take them.

Meanwhile, down at the Marts Center, I witnessed a rough and tumble free throw shooting shooting exhibition by DeSales as they upended the Colonels.

Opening:  
DeSales started out en fuego and Wilkes was down a very quick bakers dozen. Pesky Eddie Olson got Matt Gould in quick foul touble...so he sat a huge portion of the game.  Christman (2) and Olson hit '3's' in the run.
The Colonels played a man to man the entire half and deployed modest full court pressure for a possession or two.  
It didn't work and DeSales consistently rushed the ball upcourt, had the Colonels on their heels and in foul trouble. (Walters 3, Gould 3, Kline 3). DeSales was shooting double bonus for something like the last nine minutes of the 1st half.
Wilkes kept close behind some torrid shooting by Shovlin and Constantine. (31 of the Colonels 45 1st half pts.)
CS seemed to be enjoying a dialogue with some rabid Bulldogs under the Wilkes basket. Maybe they were Pit Bulls??? I dunno.
DeSales scored 48 1st half markers against a Wilkes defense that had not been given up 60 in the last five games.
Both teams shot better than 50% I am pretty certain.

Mid Game:
The 2nd half was interesting from a strategy point of view. DeSales had some quick fouls called (most were a bit tacky). Wilkes went to a zone as Gould, Walters and Kline quickly garnered their 4th fouls.
DeSales visibly struggled to get a shot off. Off balance, shot clock winding down, etc. Walton bailed them out on two or three occasions with buzzer beating "3's".
Wilkes did go back to man and zoned for a 2nd time. It worked for the first 15 minutes as Wilkes held DeSales to 15 points during that period.

DeSales also made some adjustments.  Raimo and McCloskey became glued to Shovlin in a DeSales man to man. They were also able to keep Constantine in check from the 3 pt. line. Wilkes did get some inside scoring and the game was nip and tuck.
DeSales also noticeably slowed the pace of the game in the 2nd half as they didn't visibly rush the ball down the floor and ran more offensive sets.

End Game:  At about the 4 minute mark, Kline tied the game with a top of the key three pointer.

At that point Wilkes came out of the zone and  fouls would plague them again.  Gould had already fouled out.  Walters and Kline soon followed.  With Walters out, DeSales was able to get inside for some layups.
and an offensive rebund or two. That,  and some strong work from the charity stripe,  sealed the deal.

The zebras called it tight but inconsistent. (quite a few anticipation fouls and blatantly missed travels) One ref called it very tight underneath and the other let them play. One riduculous offensive foul the entire game (Gould wasn't even dribbling)....Coach JR was shaking his head, took his jacket off but remained cool.

Rather lengthy summation fbo of CJ. Thought Olson was a big problem for Wilkes minus Gould. Walton's clutch shots, the defensive effort by Raimo and McCloskey plus excellent team shooting were the keys.

For Wilkes, continued excellent all around guard play. Shovlin was everywhere with steals, passes, penetration and 3's. Constantine outstanding shooting.
Wilkes failed to finish inside too often. The zone seemed to work but DeSales beat the Wilkes man to man and simply outexecuted the Colonels down the stretch.

Checkmate!

Naismith

[cold_case]

Thanks for the wrapup Naismith. I guess we don't have to read the local rags tomorrow.

[naismith]

CC,

Funny

Did you cover any games this weekend?

CJ said he thought you had the Kindergarten Classic???

[cold_case]

CC,

Funny

Did you cover any games this weekend?

CJ said he thought you had the Kindergarten Classic???

Yes, I can appreciate a little humor. I understand Olive Garden is sponsoring that event.

[saratoga]

CC...If there is a pill to take to "chill"...I suggest you take a handfull. My post had nothing in the world to do with sour-grapes, just stating what I heard. If you read it correctly, you'd see I gave credit to the Drew players & coaching staff & also aknowledged the Scranton kids & staff for what hey've been able to accomplish under such adverse conditions. See your family physician...he can write you a prescription that CJ would be more than happy to fill that will help you relax a little better & take the edge off.

[cold_case]

CC...If there is a pill to take to "chill"...I suggest you take a handfull. My post had nothing in the world to do with sour-grapes, just stating what I heard. If you read it correctly, you'd see I gave credit to the Drew players & coaching staff & also aknowledged the Scranton kids & staff for what hey've been able to accomplish under such adverse conditions. See your family physician...he can write you a prescription that CJ would be more than happy to fill that will help you relax a little better & take the edge off.

Who said anything about sour grapes? All I said was you're upset over nothing. I also said the loss doesn't hurt Scranton as much as you think. Your reading comprehension is not very good, or perhaps you're simply looking for someone to argue with? If that's the case, you got the wrong person

[Section J Guy]

While two bad losses in a season is alarming (chesnut hill and drew) , it seems like saratoga only posts up when the royals lose.

[saratoga]

CC: No, I'm not looking for anyone to argue with...but if I were, why would you be the "wrong" guy??? Is there some abstract cognitive functioning you have that you've yet to display? I guess the Vinny Barbarinoish post from you..."Yo Saratoga chill"...took me by surprise as there was no need for anyone to chill. As for posting up only when the Royals lose...I don't think so, but I'm also not someone that posts "only" when the team I follow wins...and goes away until their next victory. I think I've made it pretty clear that the job Coach Danzig & his staff have done under the conditions they've had to work as well as the effort by his healthy kids has been outstanding. However, I also think it's ok to pat the "other" team on the back when they accomplish something pretty special. I'm fairly sure if Coach Danzig had his full team healthy all season there would be a little more talk about the Royals game in & game out...but, with such a banged up group & so many playing now that did not figure to get these minutes early in the season...who needs to place extra pressue on them now by talking crap? The Royals just go out  & play the game & win or lose, we'll still be there... and not only during the fairest of weather.

[naismith]

CC,

Who is this olive anyway?  
And where does her garden grow??

Saratoga,

Conferencewise, in all probability, Scranton still has to beat Wilkes and Kings. That would put them in the drivers seat.  If they lose both, DeSales and Lyco can play some catch up.
Ditto for Kings and Wilkes. (Wilkes with one conference loss obviously in the best position but that can change very very quickly).

All that to obtain the homecourt.  And then the playoffs.  It is pretty clear that this conference is only sending one team to the NCAA. So, it is a long season and we shall see.........................

As I see it:

Wilkes and Kings in a tossup for top team at this juncture. (Kings has strong inside game and Wilkes better on the perimeter.) E.Walters is Wilkes top inside player but, unfortunately, he has been a 'foul waiting to be called' all year. Just too many fouls, too early....too often. Sobo, 'the Nenster' and Scalzo are a nice combo for JP. Cousart has been playing tough and they have some perimeter shooters to boot.

Scranton and DeSales are next. When their shooting is on, DeSales is as good as anyone in the conference. A bit too inconsistent to merit top billing. Scranton just seems to be there despite what one might think is a mediocre talent. Arnold is special and he is their key.

Lycos has Pribble and a good point man in Musser.....they could move up.
And Drew has two big wins....they are young....and Lopez is an emerging star....Darkhorse.

Naismith

[Leo The Lion]

Figured its time to put my $.02 on yesterday's action.

King's as expected defeated DelVal at home.  Highlight of the game though was a play with a Dwebeng diving for a loose ball dishing it from his back to Cousart who finished the play with a behind the back, over-the-shoulder pass to Moore for the layup.  A Scandlon crowd nowhere near capacity exploded for that one. 

It seems the MAC was turned into a free-for-all yesterday as the top two teams lost.  I still see the MAC breaking down as 5 teams for 4 spots, just like last year.  Drew is improved and Lopez is a solid player, but I just don't seem them being anything more than a spoiler at this point. 

Despite Scranton's loss I still think it is a three dog race for the top two spots, but DeSales may make their presence felt in that race.  Two nice victories turn around what was dismal Conference play up to that point.

The MAC looks like it is what its been for sometime now, a dogfight every night.

-Leo

[saratoga]

naismith: I would certainly agree with that assesment at this point. The fact that Scranton was able to knock off Kings & defeat Desales in their bandbox says alot about their "potential". I personally like Kings over Wilkes based on their ability to go inside out over Wilkes and their virtual outside, outside, outside game. One dimensional teams, regardless of how talented are living on borrowed time. Scranton only has DelVal & Kings on the road, so they can finish strong at home & hopefully get at least one home game in the playoffs...if not two. It will be a typical finish, where at least 3 teams right now have a shot at coming in 1st. & 2 weeks from now anyone of those teams may also be waiting on tie-breaker configurations to see if they've even made it & where.

[kingjames]

The brew of choice on college campuses these days is "Lionshead", brewed at ye olde Lion brewery in Wilkes-Barre.  But it doesn't come in kegs    so the keg of choice is Keystone light, which as you should know is Coors Light sans the sticker.

The Olive Garden "dine and dash" incident was a high school thing (junior year?) and no charges were filed.  His embarrasement should be not dining at one of the many fine locally owned mom & pop restaurants in the Greater Wyoming Valley region.  Just pay the bill son it's your dad' money anyway.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

'Toga, I minored in MAC tie-breakers while an undergrad.  My personal favorite is non-regional common opponent.

Scranton - King's this week.  Both 6-2 in conference, follwoing the weekend matchups.  Who steps up? Who wants to be one step closer to a playoff spot?  Is Scranton healing, and will King's end up benching a player or two?

King James - Lion's Head is like $10 a case down here (South of the 570), I'm guessing it's certainly no more expensive there.  $10, decent tasting, go for it.

Every game counts...