MBB: USA South Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The NCAA men's basketball regional advisory committees released their third set of rankings, and as expected, the Atlantic Region was among those getting shuffled. Here's the full list: http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2018/02/men-regional-rankings-third

[mattgrubb]

There is only one way to get the Scots in the tourney and that is win the USASouth/Nick Mitchell Men's Basketball Tournament.  I saw the Scots beat Lagrange last night and it was sad to see Bonner's very impressive career end at Lagrange.  The kid could play and had a ton of success at LC.  But here is reality, Wallace is allowing someone else to win the tournament.  I will be there this weekend to see the young Scots get Uncle Randy his 700th win, man he's old, and the Saturday play for a conference championship/tourney bid.

Several Key takeaways from last night
1. Malcolm Walker noticed Sig was not there and is going to hammer him for lack of attendance.  I will as usual keep it classy and kick Sig when Malcolm has him down.
2. Magic Don P pushed the young Scots through a tournament game which is very different than a regular season game. The Scots were down early and Don P wasn't having it.  Don P has game but Mrs. Don P is savage!!!
3. Emier missed a break away dunk late and I will never let him forget about it.
4. Hoppa is a predator
5. The Scots have the depth to be a very very very good team next year and even an NCAA tournament team this year.  10 legit players.  That includes Manny.
6.  Coach Jones is hot at least thats what the majority of the fans said last night
7.  Randy Lambert is at 699 and would be higher if he wore a jacket when he coached but all Murvul fans know he would be at about 500 wins out of 1000 if it weren't for Watts and Sig. That duo was way ahead of its time.  Those two live the Lambert mantra and made being uncool, cool. Just a fact.  Lambert knows it and he understands the consequences of disagreeing with that.

Methodist could be a match up problem.  They will play tough and push the intensity level.  Murvul is tough to beat at home.  The 3 deep PGs will need to be strong and Songster and Hoppa #predator will need to have good games.  If Emier can make his dunks, the rim is high at 10 ft,  and Nokes/Malcolm control the paint as usual then Uncle Randy gets #700.

This team is so much fun and this team with everyone that has stepped up their game as the season has progressed would beat E&H.  I bet Roanoke takes the ODAC tourney.

[scottiedoug]

It is about time the Grubby One spoke.  We were adrift.  Methodist is all seniors and one of them is very tall.  Having so many players is a great benefit for Murvul.  Fun!  I am for getting into the Big Tournament this year so next year will not be a new experience.  If Murvul had won all the games they should have won this year, they would be ranked higher in the NCAA regional and might coulda hosted.  Losing to Emory, E & H, and Centre was not all that damaging.  If a frog had wings....

[mattgrubb]

Well said Scottiedoug
This team hasn't done anything until they get to an NCAA tournament.  Its the expectation at Murvul or we look to fire the coach!!!!  Look it up, the Grubby One owns www.firelambert.com, firelambert.net and firelambert.org

The last game my wife attended was win #500 in Lagrange GA.  Ive been at 300,500, and now 700.  heres the difference in each of those milestones b/c obviously no one cares about the even numbers.  At win 300 i got a hug, at 500 I got a handshake, at 700 i couldn't get close enough b/c of all the media and autograph seekers.  So Sig and i hung out with a better Lambert....Jason Lambert.  He is younger, better looking, smarter and many many other better traits. 

This team and atmosphere around the program reminds me of the Bobby Golden/Quinn Bradley era (Alex Bowers was nothing without Quinn).  These guys have so much fun.  There are so many guys that can step up.  There are NO Seniors.  They were led tonight by a Freshman PG b/c of foul trouble.  Uncle Randy enjoys this team and he enjoyed getting his 700th win.  What is most amazing about this win total is the dollars per win.  The money the college has paid him in salary=phenomenal ROI.  The size of the budget vs the "big time" D3 programs=pehnomenal ROI.  he truly has done more with less than most of his competitors.  He doesn't have a new gym like Piedmont or Berry or Berea or Roanoke.  Hes never been able to offer a trip to the bahamas or europe like Sewanee.  When I see him sitting in the gym and he is not talking trash, which is rare at his age, you can see in his eyes that enjoys the relationships that have been built around his program.  Teammates who kids play together, guys who didn't play at the same time that are friends b/c the head coach is the same, and that everyone knows his entire family.  The best compliments of the night came from Chris Bunch, Head Coach at Webster University and former assistant, now Im not going to repeat that stuff but it was GREAT to see BUNCH!!!!!!!!  I can see it now when they honor Coach at his retirement party he will receive a plaque that simply says "you rode Jack Roberts coat tails to tonights events!"

Now Coach Don P will have these clowns ready to capitalize on their opportunity to get to NCAA tournament trip #18 tomorrow? Because Don P es fuego con queso!!!!!  Scots vs Scots in the battle for the title "real Scots!" from Boydson Baird Gymnasium on Randy Lambert Court!

Should be a great game.  Someone is getting a ticket punched tomorrow night!!!!!

[scottiedoug]

Well at least we get Grubby One to offer observations even if they are as they are.  Two really good ballgames tonight.  The Real Scots will need to show up and defend like they did tonight when the game was on the line. It would save some heartache if they did that a little earlier.  Methodist was not going to let Calvin beat them so others had to do it.

[mattgrubb]

Randy Lambert gets his 701st overall win and his FIRST EVER USASouth/Nick Mitchell Men's Basketball Tournament Championship.  Oh and I almost glazed over his 19th trip to the NCAA Tournament.  Depth is huge in D3, it is the proper use of not being limited a certain number of scholarships.  The Murvul Scots had 11 players score and contribute tonight.  Even better is that there are no seniors. 
Tournament MVP Donte Hoppa proved he was a predator!  His biggest strength is his ability to listen and execute what the coaching staff directs him to do.  He actually listens to his coaches, strange, yet effective. 
Packed house at Murvul.  Great game.  Great PG for Covenant.  Awesome young coach for Covenant.  That was the basketball environment Uncle Randy is used to.

Coach Magic Don P is simply en fuego!!!!

[scottiedoug]

Grubbiest is on target, as he used to be on the court most of the time. Covenant knows what to do and was effective at it. Real Scots have lots of ways to score and have become better at doing what RDL says.  Maybe another shot at Emory or Emory and Henry in the NCAA!  May as well play at Murvul as the atmosphere is what you want.

[scottiedoug]

Nice tribute to Coach Lambert here on D3Hoops.  Thanks!

http://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2017-18/contrib/20180223w3pnzh

[mattgrubb]

Uncle Randy is the best and all of his alums loves this quote
"I wish my Mom and Dad could have been here to share with me," Lambert said. "They invested so much in my life, and they enjoyed the coaching aspects of it. I really miss them. Honestly, I'm just so thankful that we are playing in the finals tomorrow. You know, the 700 was kind of a benchmark."

Everyone that has ever played for him wishes his Mom and Dad could have been there!!!  Great people, great parents, great examples of leadership in a community, and great fans and true support win or lose. Coach Lambert embodies those same traits and that's why he is one of the all time greats!

[Scots13]

What's the more informed basketball-minded opinion on the Scots' matchup with Nebraska Wesleyan? Better question: has there been enough time to form one yet?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

What's the more informed basketball-minded opinion on the Scots' matchup with Nebraska Wesleyan? Better question: has there been enough time to form one yet?

I haven't seen Maryville play enough to know for sure.  NebWes is a very talented team, with a ton of offensive fire power.  You can beat them if they shoot poorly or you can match them bucket for bucket.  If the opponent struggles offensively, it could be a long night.  I don't think they're designed for a halfcourt game, but the individual talent on that team would likely give opponents trouble if they slow down, as well.

It'll be minimizing mistakes and really concentrating on defense.  They're definitely beatable.

[gordonmann]

Nice tribute to Coach Lambert here on D3Hoops.  Thanks!

http://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2017-18/contrib/20180223w3pnzh

That was really nicely done but I want to be sure Maryville's SID and Athletic Department gets credit for it. We just posted a link to what they contributed to our site.

[scottiedoug]

I think the way Maryville took down Pfieffer this year indicates that they can do this.  They can score and defend against talent and quickness. Coach Lambert and his staff are pretty good at game planning.  If the players execute as they can, this is a good and deep team.

[mattgrubb]

Murvul is deep.  10 players that can go for double figures.  If 6 or 7 show up they should beat Neb Wes.  If 3 or 4 show up then NW will probably get the W.  I think the two teams are very similar so it really comes down to how many guys show up and play for each team.  I will give the scots a slight edge on the defensive end but I think the winner of this game breaks 90 points so not sure how big of an advantage defense is in this one.

With that said, please stop calling it Maryville (Tenn).  We established it as the dominant Maryville years ago and Maryville (MO) left for D2 anyway.  There is ony one Murvul and one Randy Lambert!!!  Sorry Don P, you are number 3 in your own house behind the boss ladies!!!!!!

[hasanova]

Ouch!  The USA South and the ODAC are out early as Nebraska Wesleyan beats Maryville, 94-70, and F&M tops E&H in a battle of the ampersands, 73-59.  Good seasons, men.