MBB: MAC Freedom League

[cold_case]

Well CorporalJohn, seems like Saratoga and NEPAFAN each had legitimate posts. Are you up to the task?

Pat, is there a chance you could put together a Landmark Conference board. It would be interesting to see how many hits it gets from the teams involved.

[bziadie]

Saratoga,

Considering you have worked for a few colleges in your day and having coached a few sports as well, thus taking on the responsibility of an educator, it amazes me to see how you consistently take shots at and insult other schools, and thus their student-athletes, coaches and administrators. 

Have the days of your former administrators counting on you to help mold the lives of 18-to-22 year old men and women become a distant memory?  For someone to have been a coach at the college level at at least two schools that I know of, it is really sad to see how frequently you come on this site and run other schools down.  The fact is, you know next to nothing about kids from Scranton, nevertheless kids from Wilkes, King's, or DeSales, to mention a few. 

Can you please share with the posters here why it is that you GET OFF so much by running others down?  Why are you so bitter?  I mean, you have got to be between 55 and 60 years old and by now I would have thought that most people your age would have tempered down a tad.  Heck you have even been ejected from a few Scranton games in the last decade. Does Moravian at the Long Center ring a bell?

It would be nice if your New Year's Resolution would be to give up running others down.  Do you think you are up to it?  It would be nice to see a kinder, gentler Saratoga who is not so judgemental.  Well, at least in my opinion. 

Somewhere inside you is a person who was taught compassion and understanding while he was a student at Scranton.  Can you just show a little of the goodness that a Scranton education was designed to instill in its students.

[adam]

Wow, nice post Bob.

Almost makes me feel bad for all the times I've come on this board and made fun of King's.        Just kidding, with me, it's always in good fun.  Hoping I could make it to the Scandlon Gym for some of the action the next two days, but alas, Christmas shopping and other stuff may prevent me from making the two mile trip.  Hope the tourney goes well.

[Pat Coleman]

Well CorporalJohn, seems like Saratoga and NEPAFAN each had legitimate posts. Are you up to the task?

Pat, is there a chance you could put together a Landmark Conference board. It would be interesting to see how many hits it gets from the teams involved.

I've kinda set precedent and such with not doing that before the conference takes the floor. When this basketball season is over we can put it up.

Might be in the Atlantic Region board, though.

[saratoga]

Bob: First off get a clue...then a sense of humor...jeez you must be near 40 by now. I have certainly had my share of spirited conversations with the "local" posters through the years but NEVER as in NEVER have I ever once stated anything negitive about ANY player or any coach at any time. I have the utmost respect for ANY athlete that takes the TIME, EFFORT and DEDICATION it takes to participate in college athletics. There have been so many times I wanted to question you why we only seem to hear from you when Kings is winning & all the other times you seem to fade away. I have been associated with college athletics as you've stated so I do know a little about what goes on from both the recruiting angle and certainly how some schools admit some students that other schools couldn't even get on campus for a visit during an Open House Weekend. For heavens sake, last month I posted purly in jest that for the next 10 years Kings would have to play Scranton only at Scranton if the series was to continue...only one person took me serious...you. The other day I mentioned to CC that I had a hard time believing the UofS would "admit" a Kings transfer...now if you took that a little too personal and believed it then there's a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you. As a matter of fact, just yesterday I received an e-mail from one of the posters that I've known for years wondering if we should start a Bob pool to see how long it will take you to respond to the most upsurd thing we could think of. When Scranton loses I'll still post up & when they win I've never gloated. Last year after the Royals knocked off Wilkes in the Championship game I never posted on the mens side the rest of the year...it was a great game that could have went either way...no need to have fun with CJ or any other Wilkes fan at that point...it was over. When I coached our kids NEVER were allowed to ride opposing players or ever get into any form of trash talking ...respect for the opponents & their coaches was standard. So please don't give me this nonsense that I have no idea what's going on certain schools...for God's sake through the years I've seen and heard what goes on and if the NCAA had the manpower to investigate, a number of schools would have some serious discussions to prepair for. As for your reference to being "bitter"...you take yourself far too seriously. I have a blast each day...love my family,the job, the dog,wave the flag and have some fun on D3Hoops...and every now and then I get to discuss things in a manner of joking around that I've never taken personal. At some point in your life, I suggest you do the same. And, by the way, I've just turned the Big 50 in case you're keeping score. Oh, and one more thing...it was Desales not Moravian & it was because an elbow was thrown to the head a Royal player right in front of the ref who was already letting the game get way too physical. Just tried to help him out & he took exception...I wish he paid as much attention to what was going on in the game instead of what was being said in the stands. Enjoy life & have some fun Bob...and don't be afraid to laugh once in a while & every now & then remember...it's just a game...life goes on. Have a Merry Christmas and relax...high blood pressure is not a good thing. P.S. Could you have the powers to be at Kings get around to changing the banner that reads FDU Madison...I think its been Florham for about 6 years now.

[bziadie]

Saratoga,

It is hard for me to read into the humor of someone who is consistently negative on this site. I guarantee you that if a poll was taken here the overwhelming amount of posters would say your posts are more negative.  I mean, seriously, you are the only poster I have ever come out and questioned.  Don't you think there is a reason for that?  I can certainly tell the different between good-natured ribbing/banter from insulting attacks.

I think your biggest problem is that you hear things around the conference that may or may not be true and you run with it.  But you always seem to conveniently overlook similar happenings at your own house, ie: Dexter Manley. I have been around this area for a long time, and you know as well as I do that it is a fact.  I know people who went there and coached there and have heard a number of stories about the things you say happens at other schools. I would never mention names but there are plenty.

You said that through the years you have seen and heard what goes on at other schools.  Then certainly you must know your house has done the same over the years. But then again, do you really think that the rumors, and maybe even facts, that you hear from your "sources" are going to come out and tell you about the similar scenarios in their own house.  Coaches love tell people about the kid they were recruiting that got accepted into this school and that school, or got the big financial aid package. But you almost never hear them admit when THEY get a kid that was in the same category. 

And as far as my posting only when King's wins. That is not at all true.  I hardly ever post here to begin with, win or lose. In fact, prior to the above post, my most recent post was regarding the King's women's team who have lost four of their last five games. Many of my posts come in defense of others when I see things said that are not true. 

And as far as me needing a sense of humor, I have seen far too many of your negative posts, repetitive posts degrading schools and their academics, to find humor in it, especially when I get to personally know many great kids one-on-one who would have been just as successful at your house as they were here.  While you say you have not have singled out players or coaches by name (I do recall you slamming J.P. during his first or second year) your broad-based comments reflect on more than a single person, they attack the integrity of the schools. 

So go ahead and start you Bob Pool, it won't faze me at all.  That is just one example of how petty you are.

[saratoga]

Bob: Let me try it this way...why don't you just stick to your SID duties at Kings and stay away from this site if you can't deal with some busting going on back & forth. What I have a hard time understanding right now is that when you wanted "clarification" on certain issues or players in the past you would e-mail me personally & we'd discuss the matter...now you come on here like you're the champion of the poor underdog...please!!! In all honesty, I believe you are the only SID in the entire universe that makes a habit of extolling the virtues of your school or providing the current update of 101 excuses for poor performance on this page. You say you "don't mention names"...I wonder what Mr. Manley has to say about that? You say you don't "post"... my goodness Bob, you have more posts in one season than the entire group of all other MAC SID's combined. Hopefully, Kings can provide you with some Post Graduate courses in Rheteric...shortly thereafter, my hope would be that you could distinguish between satire,  actual negitivity, busting, reality and the wisdom to understand the differences. By the way, I NEVER "slammed" JP in any way at any time for any reason...again, more than likely another misunderstood comment by you. He was a true gentleman when he played the game at Scranton, when he coached there & just because circumstances didn't work out in his favor for the head job...that would never equate to all of a sudden changing ones opinion of an individual. Don't start creating issues that never existed...do your job, report the scores, the highlights & the stats & when you truly are confused about a statement...hold off commenting until you've had enough time to figure it out...or e-mail me as you've done in the past and a serious dialog can take place.

[Pat Coleman]

I hardly see 28 posts in 12 months as an indictable offense. There are two SIDs on the PAC board who have made a similar number of posts in the past 12 months. The Centennial's commissioner has made nearly that many posts. There are two SIDs on the CAC board who have made many more than 28 posts.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

I don't want to take anyone to task on the board, but I will go ahead and do it anyway.

Arent they the Lafayette Leopards?? You would think you would get it right when you are writing a story on them!!!!!

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17607663&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=460522&rfi=6

Good pickup.  Where did they get Cougars from?  One need only go to http://goleopards.cstv.com to check out Lafayette athletics.  Fact checking, people!  Fundamentals!

CJ, enough. Like I said, can you be any more jealous?

NEPA, it's never been jealousy.  Scranton's got one thing on Wilkes, and that's more downtown bars.  (OK, and 2 National Titles, but they were a while ago...)  It's just about exposing Scranton's administrative ignorance.  A move like this won't help the University.  Period.  Whoops, there I go attacking an entire school's integrity. 

To Pat's point, the last 3 Bob Ziadie posts I remember were all about, "You can listen to tonight's King's vs [team here] on 88.5 FM."  You know, doing his job.  Despite the institution, he's a class guy.  Whoops, there I go again...

Sara - a larger question, you got kicked out of a DeSales game?  Good job.  I'm starting to gain some respect for you.  I have little doubt that a MAC-F ref could miss a flying elbow at the Long Center.  Hell, Jason Fisher made a career out of it!  I can think of at least one game where I should have been kicked out, had it not been for a certain level-headed SID at King's.

May you all have a Merry Christmas... yes, even the Scranton fans...

In case I don't get to Post Up before then, my wish for the New Year:  A new Wilkes fan will appear on the message board.  Possibly named "Eye In the Sky"?

[Coach C]

Bob, Saratoga,

Please for the love of God knock it off.  Bob, you have a pretty good resume as the SID at King's.  You demean yourself and your institution by doing this on here.  I don't have a problem with SIDs, Ads, Coaches, Players or Commissioners posting.  I do have a problem when it seems to get personal.

Saratoga,

You have a longhistory on this board.  I respect you.  You often have 'scoop' type insights.  This time you are you are lettin things go a bit too far. 

Each of you relax and have a holiday beverage or three.

Peace,

C

[Pat Coleman]

Mmmmm..... holiday beverage.....

[saratoga]

Coach C: I agree completely...time to move on. Merry Christmas to all...yes, to you Bob & even CJ! By the way CJ...did Jason have his push off down to a teachable science or what? There's been none better since. Happy Holidays.

[adam]

The Jason Fisher elbow will never be topped in any of our lifetimes, or our children's lifetimes.

[naismith]

Fellas,

Catching up on some of the posts and seems we are a bit off topic lately.

So, in between some pressing biz matters, hoiday travel etc.,  I had the time to take in a few Wilkes games (Clarkson, Kean, Miseri, Ursinus) and some Monarch hoops as well (Ursinus and Miseri).

Observations,

Kings:

Same old same old----
They are pretty big (Sobo, Nenstiel, Scalzo) ......but not all that quick up front.
It is nice to see Bob N. 'back' after his injury last year (back injury so I heard that could have eneded his career).
Certainly the Kings froncourt hasn't been on weightwatchers this summer and fall.
They appear to be much bigger...lol...

Cousart, Kofi, Welch man the backcourt with some others (Black) getting some minutes.  Again, they are playing solid.

Much like last year, I think Kings is susceptible to a quicker team that applies pressure. The Monarchs seem more comfortable in their halfcourt sets working some sceens, posting up and working and an in-out game at times.

Certainly a conference contender but I not sure that they have improved all that much over 2005-06 version.

Wilkes-

This is a bigger Wilkes team than the past few years and not nearly so guard oriented.
A terrific trio of freshman are having an immediate impact. Tom Kresge, Chris Gula and Anthony Gabriel can all play.
And what is more---in looking at the acadiemic side---all mades deans list for the first semester!!

Gould is playing tenaciously as ever......Kable is as deadly as ever with the 3 pointers and Steve Kline is emerging.

So far, Coach JR has pretty much stuck to a 8 man rotation (Dan Adams, John Kelly--a talented LCC transfer--being the other 2 getting most of the minutes).

Wilkes handled the Kean press which led to that victory. Kean was a short team but very athletic and pressed most of the 1st half and the entire 2nd half. Kean deployed a 1-3-1 zone press and trapped the ball all over the court. Matt Gould had an outstanding game...

Prior to that was the Clarkson debacle. Final score was no indication of the game. Wilkes played sluggish for the first 25 minutes but began to assert themselves middle of the 2nd half. They actually stole the ball 5 times in a few minutes time span for breakaway layups and scored none. (Gabriel literally stripped the ball twice .....let's see...Gable palmed one as did Kresge....JK missed a dunk/layup which would have put Wilkes up 7, MG missed one I think etc,. ) Add that to some late dribbling miscues etc, and it was a total meltdown.

Colonels blasted Ursinus in a dominant 2nd half holding their opponents to 21 2nd half points.
Miseri has a funky team. They like to run and shoot---and shoot they do. they hoist no conscious threes from everywhere. And they all can shoot.....
Miseri had both Wilkes and Kings down around 10 points during their respective games. Miseri is much better than their record indicates imho.

As for Wilkes, they do miss CS quickness in the backcourt but John Kelly and Chris Gula are improving every game. The inside game could become dominant. Kresge is as good as any frosh I have seen. Tall, quick, agile with a touch.  Gabriel has terrific low post moves, never quits for a second and can drain a 3. Kline has sneaky good moves around the hoop, has been taking and making his shot. His talent is strating to show. Dan Adams is the Wilkes garbageman in the mold of Bailey Howell. Finally, Gula (1 L or 2?) is a natural. Excellent ballhandler, penetrates and shoots. Pretty well put together for a frosh and a hardnosed player.

Maybe the Colonels aren't quite there yet---but they make make some noise late Jan and Feb.

For now

Naismith

[ronk]

Naismith,
      Bailey Howell? You've got to be at least 55 to appreciate the comparison. Think his college team had to sneak out of the state(Ms.) to play in the NCAA tournament against Loyola.