MBB: MAC Freedom League

ColonelJohn4Life · February 22, 2006, 08:52:03 AM

Quote from: Leo The Lion on February 21, 2006, 10:47:51 AM
CJ-
Maybe I'm having a brain block, but who is this Eddie you are giving 100-1 odds on the Techinical Foul line, I must admit those numbers are appealing.

Eddie is a former Wilkes maintenance man who has attended every (almost every?) Wilkes home game, and most road games as long as I've been around. He sits front row of the student section and is revered by those who heckle. He's a Hall of Famer. He knows every ref, he knows every player, he knows who cried at their baptism. I've only ever seen him kicked out once. Shortly afterwards, the Wilkes AD chuckled, let him back in, and instructed the ref to never kick Eddie out again. The only reason he's not 7-1 is because, at King's, he generally sits higher off the court.

ColonelJohn4Life · February 22, 2006, 09:03:59 AM

Cousart made the cut for first team. Good to see they still take charcter into account. No suspension, not even benched for a half, and now he's first team. Whatever.

DeSales gets 2 first teamers, and finishes .500? What a joke...

Is not the definition of coaching doing the most, with the least? By that logic, on the first team, Scranton had Randy Arnold, King's has Cousart, and Lycoming had the POY in Pribble. Wilkes had no first teamers, and is not only in the playoffs, but has beaten all 3 of the remaining teams this season. Doesn't that make Rickrode Coach O' The Year? (I have no problem with Danzig as Coach of the Year, either... just putting another non-Friday thought there.)

The Royals and Lady Royals are 53-1 at home the past 2 seasons? That's a staggering number. Certainly bodes well for fans of the purple.

NEPAFAN · February 22, 2006, 10:20:24 AM

Q. The one loss Scranton (Men/Women ) has suffered at home over the past two years?

A. Chestnut Hill.

saratoga · February 22, 2006, 12:48:57 PM

Naismith: Fond memories of the "Springs" yourself I see. There are so many wonderful places to dine & imbibe...let alone the other things that are all around. When heading north...our favorite spot...very similiar to Charlottsville,Va. another tremendous college town that has it all. The atmosphere at the racetrack has to be experienced...no need to bet, just enjoy the town & all it has to offer. As far as tonights games...I still have to think that Kings has a bit more diversity to their game(inside presence) x3 as opposed to Walters generally carrying the load all by himself. Should he get in foul trouble as he's prone to do...Kings has a bit more inside/out & I think they pull this one out. Factor home court & a fairly experienced club & I'll go with Kings by 6. Plus the added incentive...party at Moore's apt.after the game. Lyco. vs. Scranton...let's see, the Royals have taken 2 from them in the regular season...but, I feel this is the toughest matchup for Scranton of the 3 teams due to Lyco's size & agility underneath, the poise of a senior point guard & Pribble. As a team they are playing their best ball right now & they are fairly deep. Scranton must take care of each possesion like it's their last & not get into a shooting match up & down the court. You won't stop Pribble at this stage of the season...but they certainly need to slow him down some. He comes off screens as good as anyone, so the Royals D has to keep a hand in his face. The Royals play a pretty small lineup now with all the injuries so boxing out & rebounding becomes even more important...as does their own shot selection. Should be a great one... I certainly hope the home crowd plays a positive factor & realizes all these kids have accomplished against some pretty tough odds...speaking of which...Royals by 1. CJ...your prize is in the mail.

naismith · February 22, 2006, 03:28:05 PM

Nice analysis.

Scranton/Lyco--

Bicknell has to play well to secure this one. One other inside player ( Burke etc.) has to play decent.
Backcourt edge to Scranton based on depth and shooting range.
Arnold strips Pribble and dishes to Cannon for the game winner.......I'll take Scranton minus the 1.

Kings/Wilkes

Kings has a better inside presence with Scalzo and Sobo. Loss of Nenesteil hurts depth. With Moore, Welch, Cousart and Kofi, the Monarchs can place some shooter on the floor. Kofi has especially impressed me the last few games. Does Welch ever miss?

While Kings can shoot, Wilkes can really play some defense at times. The 2nd half of the last Kings game demonstrated their ability to snuff out a pretty disciplined attack. Colonels preceeded to pretty much shut down a pretty talented group of Drew guards including Lopez. Wilkes is the quicker team imho. As you note, Walters is very much key here. Had 8 blocks last week against Kings which got Wilkes going 2nd half. Has to avoid the early fouls. Cardamone, Kline, Adams etc. must finish better.
I think the Wilkes guards have a quickness edge. Shovlin can break down most defenses off the dribble and create shots.

The intangibles: Kings may actually have more 'big' game experience than Wilkes via their NCAA appearance. Both coaches are proven winners. Kings has home court but I expect a rowdy Colonel contingent will make their way to the Scandlon.

Just a hunch: Wilkes upends the Monarchs.....by 9 (late fouls). I'll take the points.
Then, I'll tease both picks on a 10 pt. teaser with the under on Wilkes-Kings....lol

Good luck tonight

Naismith

cold_case · February 22, 2006, 03:38:48 PM

This just in_ Rod Stroebl assigned the Wilkes at King's game.

naismith · February 22, 2006, 04:54:45 PM

"Make my day"...lol

Maybe I'll present him with an Oscar for his role in BrokeRick's B-Balls ----you remember him CC---he was the gay guy who impersonated a ref ---had a fetish for Coaches and young Warriors.

Naismith

May

cold_case · February 22, 2006, 05:09:01 PM

Nais, you're starting to worry me.

OT: Did you watch The Shield last night? They had Jimmy Johnson playing two bit parts in the role of some whacked out druggie in a cell. I didn't know it was him until I saw the credits.

justonequestion · February 22, 2006, 06:49:26 PM

going with lycoming in a close one and kings wins by 7-10

Section J Guy · February 22, 2006, 09:37:17 PM

CC -

Jimmy Johnson the NASCAR driver? I love me some Nascar!

naismith · February 22, 2006, 09:51:29 PM

Quote from: cold_case on February 22, 2006, 05:09:01 PM
Nais, you're starting to worry me.

OT: Did you watch The Shield last night? They had Jimmy Johnson playing two bit parts in the role of some whacked out druggie in a cell. I didn't know it was him until I saw the credits.

CC,

I'm trying to beat you out for the D3 Hoops Pulitzer Prize in Peculiar Posting.
How am I doing?

wilkes72 · February 22, 2006, 09:56:57 PM

WILKES @ Scranton on Saturday!! no time given yet.

naismith · February 22, 2006, 10:22:28 PM

Quote from: justonequestion on February 22, 2006, 06:49:26 PM
going with lycoming in a close one and kings wins by 7-10

Don't quit your day job...

Section J Guy · February 22, 2006, 10:30:56 PM

Hopefull that the Scranton Student Section will show up and give it to Shovlin and company on Saturday...

Leo The Lion · February 22, 2006, 10:35:35 PM

In the words of Don Merideth, "Turn out the lights, the party's over."

Doom and gloom in Monarch country today, Wilkes made the big plays, King's just fell short. Tough call on who to root for Saturday, I'll let you know in a few days.

I know there is no solace for this loss right now, but it wasn't a bad year for King's, a year many thought would be an off year after the BBC loss. And watch out next year, yeah the Monarchs lose the heart and soul in TM, but next year's team will definitley make a run. If Nensteil comes back, watch out.

Until next time,
-Leo