MBB: MAC Freedom League

[Warren Thompson]

Seems like the PAC is becoming a formidable level of competition for the MAC very slowly.

Why did Albright lose?

I'd be interested in hearing some thoughts on the MAC vs. PAC from a MAC perspective. 
Is it just perception at this point that keeps the MAC as an "elite" conference?
They have raided the PAC and taken a middle of the road team(Arcadia).  How does that help them?
Rumors about other schools are out there;  Misericordia, Marywood (these two make sense), Alvernia, Eastern (these two make no sense). 

The League as a whole seems to be in a tale spin.  There are more defections to come (Lyco, Etown).
I'd put my money on the PAC as a better overall conference right now.  More stable, improving by the year. 

Lets hear some thoughts.

Herewith some thoughts:

• Your evidence that the MAC "raided" the PAC to get Arcadia?

• Your evidence that Lyco and E-town are defecting?

[hoopzwiz]

I guess its all gossip at this point.
ETown sees themselves as a "high academic" school.  With the other elite academic schools leaving why would they stay?  They have made no attempt to try and hide that they are interested in leaving.
Lyco is looking for a football fix to the Del. Val problem that started all of this.

[hoopzwiz]

Perhaps 'raided' is a harsh term.
If the PAC is the ugly stepsister to the MAC, why would they (MAC) want any PAC schools?  Arcadia isn't the only one.  Certainly Alvernia and Eastern were involved in the discussion.  I'm assuming location would make Miseri and Marywood attractive.

[Warren Thompson]

Lyco is looking for a football fix to the Del. Val problem that started all of this.

Kindly explain your sentence above.

[hoopzwiz]

Del Val put money into football, took kids other schools couldn't/wouldn't get in, got really good really fast, other schools didn't like it.  Any thoughts or are we playing 20 questions?

[NEPAFAN]

Del Val put money into football, took kids other schools couldn't/wouldn't get in, got really good really fast, other schools didn't like it.  Any thoughts or are we playing 20 questions?

MAC VS. PAC in basketball or in all sports? I think you might have an arguement with all sports...but not so much with basketball.


Can't wait for the Landmark Conference board to start up and running...

[hoopzwiz]

Finally, someone with a thought.

Why the seperation in basketball?

[NEPAFAN]

Finally, someone with a thought.

Why the seperation in basketball?

looking top to bottom at the conferences you see them as being equal?  Sure Miseri beat Desales at home...but I think the worst MAC-F teams, drew, del val can outclass cabrini, immaculata , etc.

[hoopzwiz]

Immaculatta took Wilkes to the wire at Wilkes.  I think they will be right there for a playoff spot.
Neumann over etown at etown who smacked Kings.
Miseri lost in a nail biter to Susqu.

Miseri was voted 9th in the league poll, probably won't make the playoffs and has competed with top MAC schools.
Alvernia could beat anyone on any night.
Cabrini is struggling.
Arcadia, the newest MAC school, seems to be struggling.  Lost a couple PAC games already.

Wesley is struggling but is very talented, best player in the league.  Will still make noise in the conference.

I just don't see the separation that may have exsisted 5 or 10 years ago.
Would Del Val, FDU, and Drew dominate Miseri, Marywood and Immaculatta?  I dont think so. 

[NEPAFAN]

Immaculatta took Wilkes to the wire at Wilkes.  I think they will be right there for a playoff spot.
Neumann over etown at etown who smacked Kings.
Miseri lost in a nail biter to Susqu.

Miseri was voted 9th in the league poll, probably won't make the playoffs and has competed with top MAC schools.
Alvernia could beat anyone on any night.
Cabrini is struggling.
Arcadia, the newest MAC school, seems to be struggling.  Lost a couple PAC games already.

Wesley is struggling but is very talented, best player in the league.  Will still make noise in the conference.

I just don't see the separation that may have exsisted 5 or 10 years ago.
Would Del Val, FDU, and Drew dominate Miseri, Marywood and Immaculatta?  I dont think so. 

Immaculatta has one victory,  so if they make the PAC playoffs that tells you something. I agree they aren't that far apart (the two leagues), but I still see the MAC-F ahead.

Why dont you write a few letters and we can set up a MAC-PAC challenge for next year at the Wachovia Arena in WB or at the Spectrum in Philly!

[Pat Coleman]

Seems like the PAC is becoming a formidable level of competition for the MAC very slowly.

Why did Albright lose?

I'd be interested in hearing some thoughts on the MAC vs. PAC from a MAC perspective. 
Is it just perception at this point that keeps the MAC as an "elite" conference?
They have raided the PAC and taken a middle of the road team(Arcadia).  How does that help them?
Rumors about other schools are out there;  Misericordia, Marywood (these two make sense), Alvernia, Eastern (these two make no sense). 

The League as a whole seems to be in a tale spin.  There are more defections to come (Lyco, Etown).
I'd put my money on the PAC as a better overall conference right now.  More stable, improving by the year. 

Lets hear some thoughts.

I don't believe either MAC would be considered an elite conference right now.

[Warren Thompson]

I don't believe either MAC would be considered an elite conference right now.

That's for sure, and I doubt anyone in the MAC actually sees it as an "elite" conference these days. How could they/we?

It seems that some folks from certain other conferences are assaying to create a straw man to bolster their own sense of superiority ... self-esteem ... whatever.

[chizwiz]

Here's an interesting note about this "raiding" of the PAC.  I'm sure this isn't news.  The MAC is still having discussions with EU about EU going to the PAC.  It may not make much sense to some, but academically, EU is just as strong as Arcadia.

[saratoga]

From the academic side of things, the second MAC split began about two, perhaps three years ago. All of the Presidents get the stats regarding the increase/decrease in SAT's, those enrolling from the top 10 & 20% of their H.S. graduating classes and the overall retention of both students AND professors. In some cases, there was a specific alarm sounded at some MAC schools who were "dumbing down" so to speak simply to survive financially. There was a very real concern outlined by some Presidents that was essentially ignored that then resulted in the discussion of breaking away from what was outlined as a "Disturbing Trend" of "some" member institutions. Hence, the formation of the Landmark Conference. What sealed the deal for the final segment of schools opting to leave was the admission of schools deemed "academically defeciant" as the newest members of the MAC. The result of recent decisions within the MAC have actually led to the formation of a new Conference much the way academic concerns raised a dozen years ago began the first wave of defections from the MAC. The reality of the situation is that Landmark schools really do NOT compete any longer for the same high school students as most schools either now or about to be in the MAC. They have far more in common with each other as far as admissions, type of student recruited, financial aid, endowment, research and National rather than regional marketing. Sorry to say guys but, Drew just doesn't have anything in common with Cabrini nor does Catholic with Wesley nor does Scranton with Arcadia nor Susquehanna with Alvernia...on the b-ball side of things the PAC has made great strides to close the gap...how that gap was narrowed may have a great deal to do with exactly why we are talking of an entirely new conference being developed.

[NEPAFAN]

I don't believe either MAC would be considered an elite conference right now.

That's for sure, and I doubt anyone in the MAC actually sees it as an "elite" conference these days. How could they/we?

It seems that some folks from certain other conferences are assaying to create a straw man to bolster their own sense of superiority ... self-esteem ... whatever.

Hey, what is wrong with a little discussion???!