MBB: MAC Freedom League

[cold_case]

Adam, there is no doubt he beat the buzzer. Problem is that it should have went off well before the shot. Susquehanna's Frank Marcinek wasn't even paying attention to the game, he was too busy freaking out with the clock being stuck. It was funny to watch him, however.

CJ, finally a smart post. Yeah, Wilkes could have been bumped to another region and should have. You didn't think F&M was going anywhere, did you?
I've got plenty of stories to tell you about the seeds and sites over the years, but I won't talk about it.....yet.
However, since you rankled me with the mention of Glenn Robinson, let me bring up one, ok, two quick stories.
Your dad is a Scranton grad and, I hate to bring his name into this, but ask J. Seitz. Both will confirm these two items.
You know about Scranton's success since the mid-1970's. Well, let me point out two not-so-funny incidents to you. One: Did you know F&M hosted the NCAA Regionals over Scranton five times while Scranton hosted with F&M as a participant just once? They've seen each other at neutral sites but they only played each other four times -- twice in the now terminated regional consolation round, once in an opening round game and another time in the regional final-- all but one was at F&M.
Fair play and honesty? Yeah, right.
Two: You're going to love this one. In 1987, Scranton and Widener each won their respective sections of the MAC (North and South). Widener blew out F&M while Scranton did likewise to E-town at a neutral site. Here's where it gets good. Everybody knew Scranton would host the NCAA's the following week, or so they thought since F&M hosted the previous year. Instead, get this, Widener got the host spot. Not interesting yet? Wait, there's more. Not only did MAC South champ Widener host, but they were the second seed and MAC North champ, Scranton was seeded third. Curious? Let me continue.
F&M got to play No. 1 or 4 Allegheny, nobody to this day is sure who the top seed was. Instead, the two MAC champs played each other with Widener easily winning. Funny who the host school wasn't the top seed.
The format was blatantly setup to avoid having Scranton play F&M, which was the honorable thing to do. Instead, they got exactly what they wanted: an MAC South rematch in the regional final, which Widener won.
I'll never forget this part as long as I live. I was only in my second year with a certain newspaper and called a coach from the southern part of the state, (Not G-Rob) who happened to be on the committee. I asked him to explain the criteria and madness for the selections and site. His answer was as messed up as the pairings and site. "The people in Scranton think they have to host every year, well they don't."
Great answer. Unbelieveable!!!
Of course the story made the paper and all heck broke loose from you know where. There was absolutely no excuse or justification for what happened, yet, the arrogance and politics has continued ever since.
It's funny. Scranton only played in the ECAC's once and guess who hosted? For that matter, King's played in the ECAC's once and guess who rolled out the welcome mat?
What's in store with the newly formed conference?

[diehardfan]

Wow, diehardfan's in the house... to what do we owe the honor?  Just go surfing the boards lookin' for Casablanca quotes?

Actually, and I know this is going to get me into trouble, I don't like that movie that much. There are parts of it that are good, but it's not my favorite old movie at all. I actually don't like Humphrey Bogart! Probably cause I think he's really ugly! 

I actually lurk on most boards, but don't say anything unless I have something relevant to say. I definitely lurk on the MAC Boards because your collective teams saved me from gouging my eyes out when I lived in DC, thanks to the relative to quality of your teams and the fervor of your fan support. I know these leagues have a TON of great basketball history, and I, for one, am hoping and looking forward to the day when you guys rise again to prominence. 

Leo...even though  you think you're leaving you're really not!  ....in reality the  allure of D3 basketball is too much to stay away forever. 

How funny would it be if, every time you signed out of the message board, this message flashed across the screen?? 

[Leo The Lion]

You're all right, I will never really leave, I'll probably lurk for awhile.  But next year I think most of the times I follow the Monarchs will be on King's College Radio streamed over the Internet.  I just won't be able to post immediatley after King's wins anymore, and I know CC so looked forward to those posts.

[r.w. mcnickels]

CJ, finally a smart post. Yeah, Wilkes could have been bumped to another region and should have. You didn't think F&M was going anywhere, did you?

Clearing up '96: Nobody could have been shipped out, even though it would have made sense for both F&M and Wilkes to be top seeds somewhere.  When the D-III tourney had the rotating sectional setup in the '90s, teams had to be kept in their regions.  Lots of teams with great records had to travel in sectionals - the system pretty much sucked.  Now it's different, which is why a matchup like Amherst-Williams was possible in Salem a few years ago.

Wow, the 1980s politics is a different story.  That kind of stuff in any sport at any level makes me sick.

[The Observation Deck]

CJ, finally a smart post. Yeah, Wilkes could have been bumped to another region and should have. You didn't think F&M was going anywhere, did you?
I've got plenty of stories to tell you about the seeds and sites over the years, but I won't talk about it.....yet.
However, since you rankled me with the mention of Glenn Robinson, let me bring up one, ok, two quick stories.
Your dad is a Scranton grad and, I hate to bring his name into this, but ask J. Seitz. Both will confirm these two items.
You know about Scranton's success since the mid-1970's. Well, let me point out two not-so-funny incidents to you. One: Did you know F&M hosted the NCAA Regionals over Scranton five times while Scranton hosted with F&M as a participant just once? They've seen each other at neutral sites but they only played each other four times -- twice in the now terminated regional consolation round, once in an opening round game and another time in the regional final-- all but one was at F&M.
Fair play and honesty? Yeah, right.
Two: You're going to love this one. In 1987, Scranton and Widener each won their respective sections of the MAC (North and South). Widener blew out F&M while Scranton did likewise to E-town at a neutral site. Here's where it gets good. Everybody knew Scranton would host the NCAA's the following week, or so they thought since F&M hosted the previous year. Instead, get this, Widener got the host spot. Not interesting yet? Wait, there's more. Not only did MAC South champ Widener host, but they were the second seed and MAC North champ, Scranton was seeded third. Curious? Let me continue.
F&M got to play No. 1 or 4 Allegheny, nobody to this day is sure who the top seed was. Instead, the two MAC champs played each other with Widener easily winning. Funny who the host school wasn't the top seed.
The format was blatantly setup to avoid having Scranton play F&M, which was the honorable thing to do. Instead, they got exactly what they wanted: an MAC South rematch in the regional final, which Widener won.
I'll never forget this part as long as I live. I was only in my second year with a certain newspaper and called a coach from the southern part of the state, (Not G-Rob) who happened to be on the committee. I asked him to explain the criteria and madness for the selections and site. His answer was as messed up as the pairings and site. "The people in Scranton think they have to host every year, well they don't."
Great answer. Unbelieveable!!!
Of course the story made the paper and all heck broke loose from you know where. There was absolutely no excuse or justification for what happened, yet, the arrogance and politics has continued ever since.

As a result of that and other madness in the 90s it gives me great joy to see F&M under .500.

[Warren Thompson]

As a result of that and other madness in the 90s it gives me great joy to see F&M under .500.

Yes, there is some Schadenfreude in certain quarters about GRob's
losing season. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Anyone checked the front page of d3hoops.com

[MR. PAC]

I think the vern would do all right in the mac.

[Coach K]

I agree Mr. PAC. If it is the Freedom Conference, they can renew rivalry with DeSales, and establish new ones with King's, Del Val, FDU, and Wilkes. It's probably a step up in class, but Alvernia's staff does a great job recruiting, and will have enough weapons to do more then just compete in the conference.

The 8 teams in the Freedom are now

Alvernia
Misericordia
Manhattanville
DeSales
Wilkes
Kings
FDU
Del Val

Would Alvernia, Miseri and Arcadia, and even DeSales thus be considering other sports like Football, Wrestling or swimming??

[saratoga]

Coach K: I'm pretty sure Manhattenville is heading to the MAC as well starting in 07'. It would seem from at least a geographic sense that they would be a better fit on the Freedom side. Alvernia may be headed to the Commonwealth side of things so they could have that natural rival in Albright.

[Gregory Sager]

Wow, diehardfan's in the house... to what do we owe the honor?  Just go surfing the boards lookin' for Casablanca quotes?

Her health. She came to the MAC Freedom room for the waters.

[Coach K]

Saratoga,

I forgot about Manhattanville, which begs me to ask then why the article would state that they would be offered a spot in the MAC Freedom. What would the complete Commonwealth Lineup be then, assuming Alvernia entered that?

[lefty2]

Misericordia has accepted an invitation to join the MAC beginning with the 2008-09 school year.


http://www.misericordia.edu/athletics/

[luvdahoops]

Coach K: I'm pretty sure Manhattenville is heading to the MAC as well starting in 07'. It would seem from at least a geographic sense that they would be a better fit on the Freedom side. Alvernia may be headed to the Commonwealth side of things so they could have that natural rival in Albright.

My understanding is that Arcadia will play in the Freedom next year.  Then when Alvernia and Misericordia join the Freedom in 2008-09, Arcadia will move to the Commonwealth.

[NEPAFAN]

Misericordia has accepted an invitation to join the MAC beginning with the 2008-09 school year.


http://www.misericordia.edu/athletics/

This about sums it up...

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18076204&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416049&rfi=6