MBB: MAC Freedom League

[NEPAFAN]

  It's a strong dislike of fans who think that the school is academically and morally superior to Wilkes.  .

Where would those fans be? Can we get back to basketball please!!! I look forward to hearing about Scranton's news , as Wilkes getting a transfer from Muhlenber doesn't exactly set this site on fire. Looks like Desales is primed for their collapse, what are they 8-2?

[naismith]

I know of no Muhlenberg transfer...or college of Charleston for that matter....lol
I was hoping for one of those spare Duke 7 footers.

CJ,

Wilkes is playing some decent ball for a young squad.
But the conference schedule is right around the corner.
And adding any kind of depth and/or size always helps.

The Wilkes 2006 edition, at least from my perspective, are more balanced than the past few years.
They now have some legit inside threats who can finish. All three of the big men can also step outside and hit the '3'.
In addition, the interior passing game has improved.

Offensively, this gives them a lot more options than relying on 3 pt shooting which was the shot of choice last year.
This team can drain them, penetrate and dish, post up or go in/out.



Now, they have to execute against some more veteran and tested teams in Scranton and Kings. 
It will be fun to watch.

CC,

Have you seen Wilkes play this year??

Don't dismiss what Bess said. I don't think Kresge or Gabriel are any surprise as both were heavily recruited.
Gula is a South Jersey product.
They are all very good players.

Hey, keep talking Scranton----IO get to a good number of Colonel and Monarch games but seldom take the I-81 hike.


Still have my contact #'s?
Give me a ring or drop me an e-mail.

Serious about the grub...I'll bring an extra 69-70 Topps Tallman Bailey Howell card for you...lol

Maybe I'll throw in a Mel Counts!!

Naismith

[cold_case]

Mel Counts? I remember him. He was so skinny, he had to run around in the shower to get wet.

I saw King's play a couple times but I haven't seen Wilkes or Scranton. I'm going by what I've been told of the latter two schools.
I don't doubt what you tell me about the Wilkes youngsters. It's just that Bess has a major league axe to grind with Scranton for various reasons and doesn't give them credit. He's a King's/Wilkes guy now.

Hey, one place we can't dine at is Talarico's. The pizza there was second to none but the entire block got wiped out to make room for the new CVS. It's wierd because that side of the street was the busiest in town for years and now it's all gone, including Cherry's Bookshop.
My goomba's tell me Rinaldi's is the place so I'll drop you a note.

[NEPAFAN]

If Scranton doesn't stain the sheets against Pratt Institute (who???) like they did last year against Chestnut Hill, the Susquehanna-Scranton matchup on Sunday at 3 should be a great matchup. Too bad it is going against NFL playoffs.


PS. Scranton 9-2 after a 24 point victory over Hartwick.

[naismith]

NEPA,

Just checked out the Hartwick box score......67% from the floor 2nd half...pretty impressive
Points off turnovers......also pretty impressive

0 fast break points................................for either team................was this a 1/2 court walkathon???  LOL

Check it out:

http://info.hartwick.edu/athl/MensHoops/game10.htm

Well, the Colonels matched that performance with a rout of Marywood in front of 400 faithful including Coach JP of Kings and some DeSales scouts.

Wilkes showed a some pressure defenses, zones and the usual dose of man to man. It was over quick as the Colonels big men dominated the boards and, as a team, shot the ball pretty well.

I know I know ...it's Marywood......hey ...they beat Wilkes last year.


Hey NEPA, what goes with DC only getting 16 minutes?
Has his time been limited due to injury, conditioning, doghouse or just stiff competition??.
I was always impressed with his overall game, hard nosed play and shooting range.


Naismith

[Pat Coleman]

Because of the way the stat software collects info on fast break points I think they get underreported. You have to hit an extra key at the end of the keycode for that possession to signify that it was a fast break (also the same for points in the paint). I don't think everyone uses those features.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

0 fast break points................................for either team................was this a 1/2 court walkathon???  LOL

Naismith, you just broke the record for the longest ellipsis in recorded Western civilization.  Congratulations on such an honor.  That not withstanding, you painted a good picture of the game at the Marts Center.  Thank you.  Hopefully the win was every bit a function of solid defense and accurate shooting as it was just having bigger guys underneath.

Scranton's 9-2, Wilkes is 8-2, DeSales is 8-2... maybe the conference has a spark yet.

[NEPAFAN]

Hey NEPA, what goes with DC only getting 16 minutes?
Has his time been limited due to injury, conditioning, doghouse or just stiff competition??.
I was always impressed with his overall game, hard nosed play and shooting range.

Naismith

Naismith,

You are right he (Darren Cannon)  is a hard nosed player with some great range. He started the first few games but has been largely playing off the bench lately. Not sure what is going on ...might be as simple as other players are stepping up.

[saratoga]

Susquehanna knocks off the Royals today in the championship of the Raddison Tourney. It was a game of runs with the Crusaders jumping out to an 11-0 lead to start, then Scranton settled down & got with 4 or so at the half. The start of the 2nd. half went back & forth then with about 8 minutes to play the Royals caught fire & took an 8 point lead. Then as quickly as things were going in favor of the Royals...everything came to a grinding halt. Susquehanna went on a 17-1 run that came out of nowhere & the Royals were history. The final 2 minutes was nothing but a parade of free-throws...the Crusaders made theirs, the Royals were not so fortunate. Very impressed with Cuff of Susq...played hard all game as did Tom Bicknell of the Royals. Blown layups, unforced turnovers & missed free-throws are not the best ways to win against good teams. Good win for Susquehanna, bad loss for the Royals.

[NEPAFAN]

Susquehanna knocks off the Royals today in the championship of the Raddison Tourney. It was a game of runs with the Crusaders jumping out to an 11-0 lead to start, then Scranton settled down & got with 4 or so at the half. The start of the 2nd. half went back & forth then with about 8 minutes to play the Royals caught fire & took an 8 point lead. Then as quickly as things were going in favor of the Royals...everything came to a grinding halt. Susquehanna went on a 17-1 run that came out of nowhere & the Royals were history. The final 2 minutes was nothing but a parade of free-throws...the Crusaders made theirs, the Royals were not so fortunate. Very impressed with Cuff of Susq...played hard all game as did Tom Bicknell of the Royals. Blown layups, unforced turnovers & missed free-throws are not the best ways to win against good teams. Good win for Susquehanna, bad loss for the Royals.

Saratoga provides a good commentary...where in you in the house for the game?

Thought they would be able to handle Susquehanna w/o their star player. Oh well, hope Danzig gets em ready for conference play.

[saratoga]

NEPA: Yes, I was. For the most part, a great weekend of hoops at the Long Center...2 womens games & 1 & 1/2 mens games.

[NEPAFAN]

NEPA: Yes, I was. For the most part, a great weekend of hoops at the Long Center...2 womens games & 1 & 1/2 mens games.

How did Pratt Institute look?     Heard there were some Freedom coaches doing some scouting....what about any royal recruits? 

[naismith]

CJ,

I missed the Russian Xmas services so I
am headed to church this evening.
Aside from parents, I might be the only person alive choosing Baptist Bible  over OSU vs Fla.

Anyway...Brother John...u  may check for a late sermon from the hardwood pulpit....sort of like a cager's version of midnight massness.



NEPA, thanks for the DC update....a friend of mine (official) tells me he is really a 1st class young man and a good student as well.

Saratoga,

Surprised we haven't heard for 5 slamma susquejamma since Sat.
The Crusaders are pretty decent I guess.....
Sounds like u saw a  nice game

Naismith

[saratoga]

NEPA: There was at least one recruit there for the Pratt game...he & his family were with the Arnold's courtside. Pratt had 2 kids that could play on most MAC Freedom teams...not saying they'd start on the better teams, but they'd play. The bigger problem for them was their 8 man roster...lack of depth=lack of wins. On Sunday I did see Don Friday of Lyco. in the crowd, I would not be surprised to see Lyco. try the pressure D much like Susq. applied on numerous occasions. The jury is still out on the Royals...they have some really nice kids & a great group of sophmores & James Powell & Tom Bicknell hustle their butts off all game, but the concentration & execution must be there in the last 5 minutes if you plan on winning close games against good teams. So far, the 3 tough games that have been there for either team,(Catholic,Kings & Susq.) have all landed on the wrong side of the ledger in the waning minutes. PS. Happy Holidays Mr.Naismith.

[susquejamma]

[quote author=naismith link=topic=3709.msg649324#msg649324 date=1168293068

Saratoga,

Surprised we haven't heard for 5 slamma susquejamma since Sat.
The Crusaders are pretty decent I guess.....
Sounds like u saw a  nice game
[/quote]

I couldn't make the Scranton game. I had to catch bits and pieces on Scranton's radio station (99.5), which doesn't get very good reception in the Wyoming Valley. I missed a good one, I guess.