MBB: MAC Freedom League

[NEPAFAN]

A pretty ho-hum finale to the Scranton-Wilkes rivalry huh?

[cold_case]

Is the board down for repairs or did the Wilkes fans give up on their kids?

[saratoga]

I was not able to get to this one in person but, on the broadcast it certainly seemed as though Wilkes had no offensive rhythm...they'd work the ball for 30 seconds one possesion & the next they'd fire up a "3" in transition, and that seemed like it repeated time & again. I'd like to think Scranton's defense had something to do with Wilkes erratic play...or is their offensive playbook been thrown out & its just get this nightmare over?

[chargers]

cold case - wilkes fans are alive and well

[NEPAFAN]

cold case - wilkes fans are alive and well

An actual student posting???!!


Hey CC,


How is the scanning going? If that doesn't work you can always type the whole article out....



Off topic but great story...

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17831070&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416049&rfi=6

[NEPAFAN]

According to my sources the Presidents of the Landmark Schools met yesterday. I wonder if they adopted CC's recommendation for the new logo

[ColonelJohn4Life]

This is the way Wilkes-Scranton ends.
This is the way Wilkes-Scranton ends.
This is the way Wilkes-Scranton ends.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.

Wilkes fans are still around.  Just quiet.  And a little demoralized.  Personal note - the two institutions at which I spent the last 10 years of my formal education, Bishop O'Reilly and Wilkes, both the last game in a series with their biggest rival on Wednesday.  Can I end a post with "Holy Redeemer HS still sucks", despite the school's nonexistence?

Wilkes's 2nd half performance was VASTLY better than the 1st half performance.  Saratoga accurately described the first half.  An offense out of sync, largely due to COY '06 Danzig.  When noted 3-point shooter Kable entered, Scranton went man.  When Kable rested, Scranton went zone.  Simple, yet effective.

2nd half: Gulla, Kable, Fasciana, Kresge, DeFeo.  Those 5 played even with Scranton in the 2nd half.  Perhaps they were tougher to defend or presented more offensive options, but the 2nd half was even.  Alright, fine, the edge went to Scranton, but only because of free throws.

Note from the basketball gods: Wilkes was eliminated from the 2001 NCAA tournament because of two missed free throws as time was running out.  Rather than learn, and have a team of all 80% FT shooters, Wilkes has been, perennially, one of the worst FT shooting teams around.  And, accordingly, Wilkes hasn't seen an NCAA game since.   Note to all Colonels - you have 9 months.  Shoot free throws, and throw some weights around. 

[ljk]

Col., I couldnt agree more about Wilkes poor FT shooting over the years.  It really took them out of a lot of games, especially in crunch time.  The guy who was automatic from the stripe was Januzzi.  He would just take the ball from the ref and knock it down without even a dribble.   Perhaps they should bring him in for a FT clinic for the team in the future.   First time seeing the Royals this year.  They are very good and I was impressed by the balance on the team.  Guys understand the game and each player has his role, which is one of the marks of a championship team.    They had 4 players in double figures against Wilkes,  and I believe,  they are all back,  except for Cannon.   They have the best big man and  the best floor general in the league in Bicknell and Arnold, in my opinion.   I think Arnold might be the most valuable, and  is my favorite player in the league to watch.   The kid O'Connell was tough, playing an excellent floor game.    Biagioli is a slasher with a nice mid range game ( a lost art nowadays), and FitzPatrick looks like a deadeye shooter.   Speaking of FTs, the Royals missed one all night (20-21) and Wilkes really lost the game in the first half missing  a lot of their opportunities on the line.   Wilkes 1-3-1 zone is just not getting it done.  With Wilkes smallest player in the back, Scranton just posted the big guy deep and he ended up with a mismatch every time.   I really like the way Bicknell posts up, using his off hand to pin, and then roll to the basket strong.  I have question for Saratoga,  Does Coach Danzig get on the refs every game like he did against Wilkes?   Even some of the Royals fans got into the act voicing their displeasure with the zebras,  throughout the game.   I know this league has a lot to be desired in terms of the officiating,  but sometimes you have to stop whining and just play on, especially when you have the horses.

[naismith]

LJK and CJ,

Wilkes shot 9-18 ft's in the 1st half against Scranton.
As you noted, the Royals were 20-21. (for the game)

Kresge went 17 pts 9 boards
Kline went for 17 pts and 8 boards

Wilkes (despite the 1-3-1) outrebounded Scranton 33-25.  Considering the high % Scranton shot for the game, that is a decent job by Wilkes.

Wilkes did lead early 15-11 and 19-15. Down 11 at the half, had they made  15-18, the margin is 5.

In the 2nd half, the usually  reliable Kable missed four wide open threes. Zone or no  joe zone and man or no man is an island, these are shots that Buzz usually knocks down with his eyes closed.

Had he made even two of them, the Scranton lead (which was around 7 at that point could have disappeared.  The 2nd half, as CJ said, was played about even.

And yes, Bicknell should be at Bucknell and Randy MVP Arnold both  understands and plays the pg position to perfection.

Fitz is a real pure shooter and Biagoli is a matchup nightmare. The Hawk can also shoot the 3 with range. (see Kings game). Powell can be exposive on both sides of the ball.

So, take nothing from the Royals....I still see them NCAA bound and a winner when they get there (for at least a while).

Predicting a Colonel season ending sweep of FDU, Kings and Drew....all the signs and stars are pointed that way....heh heh.

Naismith

[saratoga]

NEPA: A very nice article indeed. Puts things in perspective...especially when most high school athletes could not give you the details of a good number of the games they were involved in...I'm sure this young lady will remember that game the rest of her life.  LJK: Actually, Coach Danzig is probably the least vocal of all the head coaches in the MAC Freedom. Of course he'll chirp & give his best game look when necessary...but, overall he is usually composed & not ready to get hit with a T right off the bus like some in the league. I think what you probably witnessed was some carry-over frustration from Sat's. ambush at FDU when they shot 40...that's FORTY free-throws to the Royals 9. Any good coach worth his weight is going to get on the officials early & often to protect their kids to make sure that type of travesty doesn't happen again any time soon...especially 4 days later. Trust me, Jessie & Frank James are alive & well & still robbing in Florham, NewJersey.

[cold_case]

FYI: In their last two games, Scranton has been outshot from the free throw line, 71-30.
Ouch!!!!

[susquejamma]

According to my sources the Presidents of the Landmark Schools met yesterday. I wonder if they adopted CC's recommendation for the new logo

Yes, they picked a logo earlier this week. I believe it was an SU student who drew it. I'll try to get a hold of it ASAP.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

According to my sources the Presidents of the Landmark Schools met yesterday. I wonder if they adopted CC's recommendation for the new logo

I've got my guess of "mushroom cloud" for the new Landmark logo.

In other news, an FDU win over Wilkes keeps them one behind Scranton for that mythical home playoff game.  Attention "rest of the Freedom" (aka not King's or Scranton) - we must do everything in our power to ensure that FDU gets at least one home game, and in a dream world, home court throughout.  Blow this bracket up.  I'm looking at you, Lycoming and DeSales.  Win your home games coming up against Scranton.  JP, rest your starters on the 17th against FDU, y'know, don't show too many cards.  Keep the dream alive.

DeSales fans - unless Scranton finishes ahead of King's, despite the Lyco loss yesterday, you still make the MAC-F playoffs, regardless of your last 2 games.  Of course, an easier way to get in is to win a game, or have Lyco lose one.  Though, unfortunately, the Curse of Greg Reilly will prevent you from hosting a playoff game.

Once the calendar turns to February... look at King's.  A win over DeSales, a decent win over Lyco, and a 40 point thrashing of Drew in Jersey.  10-2 in conference, 16-7 overall, and a sweep of Scranton.  I'm impressed.  Ken Atkins would be proud.

[loyalroyal]

Question for all you more experienced Freedom Conference regulars on here: when the playoffs roll around, are the refs for the games voted on by the conference (coaches, SIDs, etc.) or is it the same process as the regular season?  With the conference tournament right around the corner, any teams that may have to travel to Jersey may face refs that have not been up to par (in my humble opinion) of calling a tournament game.  Hopefully one of you can shed some light on the subject.

Oh and ColonelJohn, "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes..."

Then I say "Tantum eruditi sunt liberi"

[cold_case]

loyalroyal,
A few years back I remember talking to former coaches Bob Bessoir and Ed Donahue about the assigning of playoff officials and they both told me that a lot is based on the regular season. If coaches file complaints against certain referee's throughout the year, they won't be assigned to postseason games of those teams. In essence, they sort of pick the officials they want, even though they didn't actually sit back with their athletic director and select them.
That's how it used to work. I don't know if it's the same now.

CJ, you sound very bitter towards LANDMARK team, Scranton. How come? Didn't you realize after Wilkes lost to LANDMARK team, King's Point in the NCAA's a few years back, that it was all over?