MBB: USA South Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

First Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-first

[scottiedoug]

MC loses to Piedmont when they cannot beat a zone by hitting shots.  Now must beat LaGrange at LaGrange to make the USASouth tournament.  I guess this is progress from an 0 - 9 start...this team is way improved and will be very good in the future.  Adding Nick Clifton to this group will be very helpful. Still need a lock down shooter! Calvin...Spencer...Eric....

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 2's Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-second

[mattgrubb]

In an epic battle, the battle between two Murvul Heroes, basically a play in game for the conference tournament, two brothers from the Wise Old Owl's coaching tree battled in Lagrange GA.  Let's look at the coaches:  Wallace-only coach that will ever get an at large bid from the USAS, Great Hair, Legend on MC Campus for numerous reasons, finally grown out of McGreal's shadow.  Placeres-fully replaced previous MC coach in less than one season, bald, legend on MC campus for numerous reasons, still in Jason Doan's shadow. 

Now on to the teams, Lagrange-hard fought season, less than desirable results, core of tough mentally strong players that are a trademark of Wallace coached teams, will be much improved next season.  Murvul-The bulk of the roster has 23 games of playing experience at this point, most of them have not turned 19, tons of athleticism.  This game is everything we thought it would be, much better than the Fury v Wilder fight. 

I wish I had watched more than 5 minutes of the game, but I was too nervous. Either way I was going to be happy for the winning coach but I am loyal to my fighting Scots.  The young Scots have finally figured out how to win.  Everyone loves the highlights but loose balls, made shots, made free throws, and long defensive possessions with stops lead to victories. 

Now the Scots take on the Scots in a rematch of what was a very close game they gave away on the mountain at Covenant.  Have they learned?  Are they different?  Has their coach learned? Is this team dangerous in a tournament environment?  Has key Murvul freshman Kah overcome his painful 4 years at an egregious high school? (he's in the healing process) Will Brice Martin be a two time conference player of the year? (yes). Is Josh Brooks the coolest player in the conference? (yes) We could talk about Chong but let's see how he performs in the conference tournament first. Does Coach P deserve coach of the year, probably, b/c next year will be a top 3 finish in the conference regular season and probably a trip to the NCAA tourney via a conference tourney win with the talent he has and the next few years will be easy street so if you are going to give him a coach of the year award, this is the year.

The Conference tournament is wide open.  I wish this conference had a clear favorite, I mean a team that could make a run in the NCAA tournament but sadly, there is not a team that can make a run in this conference.  If Brooks promises me a win, I will see everyone on the mountain Tuesday night!!!!!!!!

[scottiedoug]

Egregious high school?  The archaic definition is "remarkably good."  The regular is "shockingly
bad." Jomp ball?

[mattgrubb]

Kah is from Bearden.  The Grubby One is from Farragut.  With that said, if we could get about 3 more guys like Kah then we would be back to the glory days like when Coach P was playing

[scottiedoug]

The return of Nick Clifton to Kah, Martin, Uadiale will make a pretty formidable  (and tall) front bunch and if Chong and Sanders and a few others practice shooting outside, seems to me the Scots have a great chance to reach those heights next year.  Maybe the Grubby one can oversee gym/shooting work in the summer months.

I forgot Grubby went to Farragut

[mattgrubb]

yea, the pipeline is full but I think they have a good chance tomorrow night at Covenant.  They are super excited about it.  I imagine they are still mad at themselves for giving the last game away down there.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The Week 3 men's regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-third

[scottiedoug]

That hurt!  MC Scots in the end could not deal with Crumly.  What a nice effort by Raul's bunch, especially J.R. Sanders. I hope they are already excited about next year and know what they need to do before then.

[mattgrubb]

That did hurt.  Great effort by Covenant to not quit.  Brooks had a great career.  The future looks bright for the young Murvul Scots

[scottiedoug]

Methodist wins the tournament. Maryville beat Methodist. Go Scots! Should be fun next year. I will miss Brooks!

[jeffconn]

Berea College is cancelling the rest of the semester effective this Friday. All athletic contests will be cancelled. This affects baseball, softball, men's and women golf, tennis, and track & field. https://www.wdrb.com/news/berea-college-cancels-semester-and-asks-all-students-to-move/article_18ca2ae8-62ed-11ea-ba3e-632524706207.html

[scottiedoug]

I bet there will be more of this. Seems drastic but perhaps necessary. Or we could wait and let Trimp's "hunches" play out.

[scottiedoug]

I hope there is D3 basketball and that Maryville can move on back to prominance. Coach P seems to have a plan and the people.  https://www.thedailytimes.com/sports/knoxville-duo-highlights-maryville-college-recruiting-class/article_5fdcad42-1ce3-5996-b79d-26c497695c68.html