MBB: MAC Freedom League

[saratoga]

Bess will be squirming alright...but because his "chosen one" doesn't have a team playing any longer. As for the winner of the Bicknell-Kreuter/Walters matchup...my money is on Herr Stroble & the zebra 3. Although the Royals may have had a chance to grab an at-large bid even with a loss tomorrow based on their current Regional ranking...that chance may have just become considerably smaller given York's essential choke job last night. Should Salisbury knock off Catholic as well...there will be no chance of a Regional at-large for Scranton as they will be given to York & CUA.

[NEPAFAN]

Saratoga--

you lost me on that reference. 2001 was Bess team, just a different guy running it. Bess didn't recruit his last year leading the Royals.

[saratoga]

What reference did I loose you on???

[NEPAFAN]

Herr Stroble???

[saratoga]

Stroble is a ref in the MAC that not 1 team ever wants to see on the court during any game...let alone one of this magnitude. If you've noticed any of the previous posts referring to a ref that "high fives" players...that's him. If the team you follow ever gets him at a Desales game...you're down 10 zip to start. He's as cocky as he is bad. The "Herr" is just a little German for Mr.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

Is there a way we can get CAC or PAC refs to make the trip and officiate this one tomorrow?  I don't want to risk such a game on Frau Stroble.

CC - Yes, the MAC-F is down.  No, that doesn't mean an automatic L in the NCAA's.  The conference was "down" last year, too, and we know what happened then.  The conference was "down" when UofS went to a Sweet 16 under Danzig.  Anything is possible...

To answer the question of what Bess's career record vs. Rickrode is, I know for a fact it's under .500.  When Bess left, it was in the midst of 10-game losing streak to Wilkes (3 in '98, 2 in '99, 2 in '00, 3 in '01).  Jerry's first game ever was a win in the 1992 Laurel Line Tourney (remember that?) against... Scranton.  But that record is as relevant as the 2 purple banners that say National Champions right now.

[MOst7]

I can´t imagine Bess squirming...since his "chosen one" is not involved and since Scranton does´t hang league championships banners from the rafters.  The only ones squirming will be Danzig and Rickrode...who will be trying to get a league title and inch up on Bess´15 plus championships. (sorry, don´t know the exact number, but both have a long way to go).
It is notable that King´s was selected 6th in the pre-season (Coaches Poll) poll and finshed 2nd.  But, Danzig did a good job to deal with his situation and deserves the crown.
With 59 teams in the tournament, it is quite a shame that none will get an at large bid...but then again, with the scheduling of Marywood, BBC, Keystone et al...the entire season wouldn´t make anyone squirm in their seat.
Bess´record from 93-94 til retirement is like  2-15...pitiful, yes...but the 68-15 before that had a lot of league and NCAA hardware to go along with it.  So, maybe it´s history...but it´s history no ne will rewrite in our posting lives.
Regardless of who wins...the old 6´7" man will still walk out of the gym as the winner.

[naismith]

Bess will be squirming alright...but because his "chosen one" doesn't have a team playing any longer. As for the winner of the Bicknell-Kreuter/Walters matchup...my money is on Herr Stroble & the zebra 3. Although the Royals may have had a chance to grab an at-large bid even with a loss tomorrow based on their current Regional ranking...that chance may have just become considerably smaller given York's essential choke job last night. Should Salisbury knock off Catholic as well...there will be no chance of a Regional at-large for Scranton as they will be given to York & CUA.

Saratoga,

Who called the Scranton-Lyco game?
Wilkes-Kings, much to the chagrin of CC, had three refs I had never seen before.

I don't know how officiating teams are chosen but I was told these guys may have been from a completely different conference or area.

I thought they called a pretty even game and kept emotions under control. No technical fouls on either side and the only incident was a fan ejection for Kings. (think he tried to get on the court and 'in you face' with a Colonel during a play stoppage).

Other than usual "Shovlin Blanks" etc., it was a pretty good raucous crowd.

I do understand that a Kings-Wilkes scuffle took place post-game outside Rodanos (Italian joint across the street from the gym). My King's source told me police were called and dispersed the mob.

And CC, if you would simply change your name to CSI Scranton or CSI NEPA, I will refer the case of the damaged Driving Miss Daisy vehicle to you. Please inspect the vehicle promptly for trace evidence and tell me whether it was a bat, rock or some other instrument that instantly air-conditioned the vehicle in question.  

Naismith

[naismith]

I can´t imagine Bess squirming...since his "chosen one" is not involved and since Scranton does´t hang league championships banners from the rafters.  The only ones squirming will be Danzig and Rickrode...who will be trying to get a league title and inch up on Bess´15 plus championships. (sorry, don´t know the exact number, but both have a long way to go).
It is notable that King´s was selected 6th in the pre-season (Coaches Poll) poll and finshed 2nd.  But, Danzig did a good job to deal with his situation and deserves the crown.
With 59 teams in the tournament, it is quite a shame that none will get an at large bid...but then again, with the scheduling of Marywood, BBC, Keystone et al...the entire season wouldn´t make anyone squirm in their seat.
Bess´record from 93-94 til retirement is like  2-15...pitiful, yes...but the 68-15 before that had a lot of league and NCAA hardware to go along with it.  So, maybe it´s history...but it´s history no ne will rewrite in our posting lives.
Regardless of who wins...the old 6´7" man will still walk out of the gym as the winner.

Bess was, no doubt, one of the preeminent coaches of his era.
Had some great teams, players and staff.

I also have info that his prior High School career was nothing to write home about.  Anyone have those stats. In fact, we have a poster's relation in our midst who may have played for Bess in H.S.

I should also like to remind everyone that both Kings (Ed Donahue era) and Scranton in the 1950's played at a level much higher than today. Even I can remember walking down to Kings in the 1970's to watch them play DII ball. Army, Niagara (anyone recall Calvin Murphy?) etc. were their opponents. I have seen some programs and box scores from Scranton during the 1950's. They hung around with some of the nation's best. 

As I recall, there was a Honesdale based sportswriter who passed away a few years back. He had covered every World Series from 1939 to about 1984. He also covered local sports and was on the Cooperstown HOF committee.
Never married, they sold his memorabilia at Gordon Kinzinger's auction. I was there. A few Scranton alum (they were players) scoffed up all the old programs and box scores. One fellow was a real gentleman and I looked through most  of his stash.


As for me, I bought his collection of baseball photos, some old programs from MSG in the 1950's etc.

Wish I could remember that fellow's name.

Naismith

[MOst7]

don´t know too mucj about Bess´H.S. Career...I was just a "baby Royal" then...but from what I´ve heard it wasn´t long.
But what he did with his Scranton teams sets him apart from what is now going on in D3 in our region...and his records, his hardware and his player´s achievments will be with us for a long time.
Not to take away the great play of Januzzi or the scoring of Chandler, but it will be a long time til anyone builds a program like Bess did.

[cold_case]

Naismith, I'll check into the sportswriters name from Honesdale. It's news to me, however. I can't recall a local with such status. What paper did he write for?

By the way, do you know who recruited Calvin Murphy at Niagara? None other than Ed Donahue.
I also remember Notre Dame playing King's in Wilkes-Barre. I believe Austin Carr was a member of the Irish?

[saratoga]

And speaking of Bess & Big games...who will ever forget when Scranton  knocked off an Army team coached by noneother than Duke's very own Coach K!!! On the upside...we now have the opportunity to see other classic programs such as Chesnut Hill, Marywood & Cabrini enter the hallowed halls of the Long Center.

[NEPAFAN]

And speaking of Bess & Big games...who will ever forget when Scranton  knocked off an Army team coached by noneother than Duke's very own Coach K!!! On the upside...we now have the opportunity to see other classic programs such as Chesnut Hill, Marywood & Cabrini enter the hallowed halls of the Long Center.

That is the nature of the beast. Those schools have caught up to Scranton in enrollement and facilities. Hell Marywood probably has equal to better facilities than Scranton (across the athletic spectrum). Dare I say the only thing that would now seperate all the schools in NEPA is for a school to go D-1. Otherwise, you are going to see teams keep beating up on each other.

[naismith]

Naismith, I'll check into the sportswriters name from Honesdale. It's news to me, however. I can't recall a local with such status. What paper did he write for?

By the way, do you know who recruited Calvin Murphy at Niagara? None other than Ed Donahue.
I also remember Notre Dame playing King's in Wilkes-Barre. I believe Austin Carr was a member of the Irish?

He worked for the Wayne Independent. I remember that much. I'll dig his name out.....He wrote a local hsitory of  baseball in Honesdale during the late 19th and early 20th century. I think Mathewson played for their squad for a short period of time. I bought the book but don't have a clues as to where I put it. One of those very local and very limited type of issues.

Naismith

[saratoga]

Enrollment means nothing when half the schools you now are forced to play have essentially "open admission". Other than a baseball field on campus...Marywood has nothing on the UofS facilities wise...and academically...don't even get me started.