MBB: MAC Freedom League

[ljk]

Here's my take on the 1-5 Colonels.  At the beginning of the season, I posted up here asking who is going to score the ball for Wilkes and it doesnt appear that the question has been answered on a consistent basis.  The early win total against a relatively soft schedule got the Wilkes fans, myself included, overly excited and gave false hope for the upcoming season.  I heard favorable comments about team play and how great it was to have a formidable inside game.  However, as conference play began, the team confidence started to erode, as the team looked a bit tentative, hesitent to pull the trigger, and short arming some open looks.  Last year Shovlin was the go to guy at crunch time.  The results were mixed but at least the talented guard was willing to let it fly and try to make things happen.  This years edition does not have that guy to step up and knock one down when needed.   So is it youth, inexperience, talent level, conditioning, coaching.  What's the problem?  I think its a combination of all of those.  Against King's, the Monarchs seemed to know every play the Colonels ran, clogging the passing lanes, and face guarding most of the outside shots.  The well coached DeSales team had a revolving door substitution scheme in the first half, utilizing the whole bench,  to get to the second half, (a la John Thompson Gtown teams), paring down to a rotation of about 8 guys and the 5 starters with rest and fresh legs.  They continually ran their stuff and came away with a big win at the Colonels house.  In addition, is it just me or does Wilkes seem to have an odd combination of players on the floor during almost every game, especially down the stretch.  When was the last time Wilkes failed to make the playoffs?  Finally, i agree with Naismith, on Scranton being the top dog of the conference. 

[susquejamma]

Cc,

Yeah,  I heard that Wilkes may be headed that way.

That would be a shame.

[NEPAFAN]

Oh well Scranton gets no votes in the Top 25, instead powerhouses Rochester and Trinity (Conn) recieve votes.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

C.J.

Currently it is seven teams for a conference to receive an automatic bid, so the Freedom will have seven next year, unless some other unforseen stuff happens.

Bob,

Thanks.  Once again.

[NEPAFAN]

Cc,

Yeah,  I heard that Wilkes may be headed that way.

That would be a shame.

The Wilkes faithful must be too upset with their current record to respond to that jab.

[Pat Coleman]

Oh well Scranton gets no votes in the Top 25, instead powerhouses Rochester and Trinity (Conn) recieve votes.

I don't see where Scranton has beaten anyone who has gotten votes, and I note they lost at home to someone who just lost their one Top 25 vote.

[naismith]

Boys,

Just kidding about Wilkes and Landmark....

I have no source on that.....just trying to fire up ol CC.
Sorry to extinguish the rumor.

The stuff about the med sch, law sch and Kings rings true.

LJK, yes, you were the one who asked who would score the ball.
I would have answered Tom K and Jeremy "Buzz" Kable.  For a while, that seemed to be the case.
As adjustments have been made, no one has stepped up on a consistent basis to pick up the slack.

Here's a little comparison for CJ :  Scranton is about 5th in the nation in scoring defense (pts. allowed) at 59 per/game. 
(And yes yes yes a top 25 vote from Naismith!!!).

I don't know the average pts scored per/game in D3 hoops, but take a gander at the Colonels output over the 6 conference games : 53.8. Over the last four: 52.2.

Get the picture.....top defensive teams still allow 60 or more. Wilkes can only muster up low 50's.
So, does that mean Wilkes offense is offensive...or Wilkes offense is a top 5 defense..or the Wilkes offense is defensive player of the year...or no one can come to the defense of the Wilkes offense...or....in celebration of Academy Award nominations............sing to the tune of:

                                'Show Business": (1954)

There's no offense
Like our offense
Which is No Offense
You Know

                                       
If you tell me it's so

Traveling through the Freedom is so thrilling
Sitting in the bleachers on opening nights
Smiling as you watch the benches filling
And see your Colonels putting up a fight

No one's making a free throw
No entry passes when they post up low
Even with  3 pointers going amiss
I prefer Colonel misery to Royal bliss
Wouldn't trade it for Monarch red and gold
Let's go on with the show
Let's go on with the show!
The show!
The show!

Disclosure:  Please do not take offense or become defensive regarding this post

Naismith
         

[NEPAFAN]

Oh well Scranton gets no votes in the Top 25, instead powerhouses Rochester and Trinity (Conn) recieve votes.

I don't see where Scranton has beaten anyone who has gotten votes, and I note they lost at home to someone who just lost their one Top 25 vote.

I'm not asking for first place, just a few votes. 2 of Scranton's three losses were in late november/early december. I would be happy with one vote.



Naismith...plus Karma if I could give it!

[ColonelJohn4Life]

                                'Show Business": (1954)

There's no offense
Like our offense
Which is No Offense
You Know

Naismith

That's the first I've genuinely laughed out loud at a D3hoops post in weeks.  Thank you, Dr. James.  I have, accordingly, awarded you a Karma point.

I didn't realize the numbers were that bleak.  52.2 PPG over the last 4?  Aye.  52 doesn't win a high school game anymore... girls or guys.

[ljk]

And the Tony for original score (too bad Wilkes couldn't), goes to Naismith!

[ljk]

Naismith, I think you might be right about giving Gabriel and Kelly a starting nod for Wilkes, or at least more minutes.  Kable seems to be a one dimensional player (3 point shooter, and a streaky one at that).   In addition, give the bench some more PT, to see what kind of players you have for down the road.  However, I think the number one priority should be to get Tom Kresge off the snide.  Run some sets early to try and get him some good looks and get his confidence and game back.  He was a "highly recruited" player with a lot of talent, and he is the future of this team, and they need him to be the man.   At any rate, you know things aren't going good when Naismiths writing showtunes, (not that here is anything wrong with that).  Funny stuff, can't wait for the follow up!

[NEPAFAN]

Naismith, I think you might be right about giving Gabriel and Kelly a starting nod for Wilkes, or at least more minutes.  Kable seems to be a one dimensional player (3 point shooter, and a streaky one at that).   In addition, give the bench some more PT, to see what kind of players you have for down the road.  However, I think the number one priority should be to get Tom Kresge off the snide.  Run some sets early to try and get him some good looks and get his confidence and game back.  He was a "highly recruited" player with a lot of talent, and he is the future of this team, and they need him to be the man.   At any rate, you know things aren't going good when Naismiths writing showtunes, (not that here is anything wrong with that).  Funny stuff, can't wait for the follow up!

I have no idea how highly recruited this kid Kresge was , but again why don't you guys give him some time, he is only a freshman.


Tom Bicknell 40 Pts 30 Boards in his last two games.

[adam]

Tough times.  Never thought I'd see the Colonels finish a half 1-6 in the Freedom.  But then again, never thought I'd see my Saints in the NFC title game.  Guess you could call me Even Steven.

[naismith]

Funny item...

DREW beat KINGS   DREW beats KINGS....
So blared the headlines on D3 Hoops last evening when I checked the scoreboard...........I say WOW and go to bed.

Grab the morning paper and shake off the snow and..... Kings WINS!!!

Hey, It's the D3 version of DEWEY BEATS TRUMAN (1948 for you youngsters)...



For CJ,
Only caught the 2nd 1/2 last night.  Gabriel was inserted as a starter and Kable came off the bench. Wilkes went to a 1-3-1 defense with Gould and Gulla (pt. guards) playing down low and Gabe at the top.

Both pg's had 3 fouls by halftime................hmmmm.

On FDU: FDU is a small team except for Rimol. Emslie is a nice shooter and Dillon is an active point guard.  Overall, I was only modestly impressed. (that's being honest). They run their plays and play well together. Talent wise, I think Scranton and Kings are better.

Re the Colonels:
Wilkes played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Gabriel is fun to watch and he can play. Wilkes closed the 9 point gap and tied it a 42 and were down 45-44.
FDU, then made some shots along with a few steals etc. and Wilkes just plain missed their shots.
You look up and FDU has an 8 point lead.
FDU sealed the deal nailing all but one of their FT attempts in the last 3-4 minutes.
(something like 11 in a row) .

Matt Gould hit 3 trifectas in the last minute which enabled Wilkes to break the 60 point mark.

Overall, Kresge and Gabe looked good. Kable and Kelly had limited minutes. Gulla played a 'quiet' game offensively as did Kline, Adams etc. DeFeo played hard in a limited appearance and looked good.

Wilkes just plain does not have playmakers or players looking to make plays on offense. The inside-out offense has turned into a Martha Stewart offense---inside-inside and more inside ........I demand an SEC investigation!!! 

Not sure what is on the agenda for DeSales. Based on the lineup and defensive changes, it is apparent that Coach JR is aware of team deficiencies and is groping for answers.

Maybe Fed-Ex can deliver an answer.......

Naismith

[cold_case]

Question for anybody.

What exactly does "score the ball" mean?
Is this new lingo?
Score the ball. Give me a break.