MBB: Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Final public men's basketball regional rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2015/02/25/final-public-ncaa-regional-rankings-released/

[CNU85]

Congrats Swish!  Unfortunately I will not be picking an upset for tomorrow .  It should be fun though.

Go Hawks!

Agreed; it should be interesting....I expect the second half to be nip and tuck this time.

How crazy would it be if CNU and UMW won, setting up a rematch at CNU for all the marbles?  I know, I know....it's a long shot, but that would be amazing!

Wasn't as crazy as you thought. If UMW hits a few more threes, it would have happened.

[Swish3]

You're right, 85, it was close....wow, what a great win for the Captains tonight!  Everyone played well....McFarland's 3s were huge!  On to Salisbury....CNU really owes them one.  We'll see if they can win another tough road game....the boys are hungry!

GO CAPS!

[Seahawk Pride]

Swish,

Congrats on the huge win.  It was a hard-fought game and the Captains really dominated the Seahawks down the stretch behind great three point shooting.  I know it is a long shot, but I hope the NCAA committee gives SMCM a look.  Good luck versus SU on Saturday!

Go Hawks!

[CNU85]

Swish,

Congrats on the huge win.  It was a hard-fought game and the Captains really dominated the Seahawks down the stretch behind great three point shooting.  I know it is a long shot, but I hope the NCAA committee gives SMCM a look.  Good luck versus SU on Saturday!

Go Hawks!

I hope so too! Regionally ranked. 20 wins. We will find out soon!

[jesskleangda]

Swish,

Congrats on the huge win.  It was a hard-fought game and the Captains really dominated the Seahawks down the stretch behind great three point shooting.  I know it is a long shot, but I hope the NCAA committee gives SMCM a look.  Good luck versus SU on Saturday!

Go Hawks!

I agree - I've gotta believe SM is in. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I can't see a scenario where SMC is in... they went into the CNU game with an SOS of .480... there is no way the CNU game will raise that SOS to or above .500 and that is the baseline I have been using to determine if a team has a chance... below .500 and chances are probably none. Also, they were already sixth in the regional rankings... the loss won't move them up... in fact it will probably remove them from the rankings. I highly doubt the Mid-Atlantic will see so many at-large teams selected (the region has average-at-best SOS numbers) that they go off the rankings to the next team (say SMC) in line.

Sorry... but SMC's season is done. They needed to beat CNU and be in the championship game to have a reasonable chance at an at-large bid.

[Swish3]

Swish,

Congrats on the huge win.  It was a hard-fought game and the Captains really dominated the Seahawks down the stretch behind great three point shooting.  I know it is a long shot, but I hope the NCAA committee gives SMCM a look.  Good luck versus SU on Saturday!

Go Hawks!

Thanks, Pride....you're right, CNU's three point shooting was definitely the difference.  It sounds like St. Mary's season is over, which is a shame....years ago, a 22-5 CNU team didn't get in.  Congrats on another fine season....SMC is a classy program, and I have nothing but respect for them.

GO CAPS!

[CNU85]

What can I say? Congrats to Salisbury. I made the road trip to wactch this game. Another good season for CNU. Was glad I was there to watch Cherry's last game for the Captains. I hope this team returns all the players. Cherry was the only senior. This team is scary good for all the freshmen and Sophs. Good luck to SU in the dance. 

[Swish3]

CNU played well enough to win, and should have won, but I guess it wasn't meant to be....definitely another good season, especially given their youth.  Thanks for the memories, Mike....you're one heck of a player and fun to watch!

For SU's sake, as well as the CAC's, I hope they don't have to play Illinois Wesleyan in the first round....that would be a very tough draw.

[CNU85]

CNU played well enough to win, and should have won, but I guess it wasn't meant to be....definitely another good season, especially given their youth.  Thanks for the memories, Mike....you're one heck of a player and fun to watch!

For SU's sake, as well as the CAC's, I hope they don't have to play Illinois Wesleyan in the first round....that would be a very tough draw.

I believe SU and Marymount are young as well.....should be another battle for top spot next year. I hope SU gets a decent pairing and can make some noise.

[givengo]

Saw Salisbury play twice in their tournament at the beginning of the season.  They won over Bryn Athn--not a world beater, by 6 in a closely contested game, then lost to Dickinson by a wide margin.  I would not have picked them at that point to be a force in their league.  What changed?  I'd love to hear from someone who knows the team on what came together for them for a run after what looks like a rough start.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Saw Salisbury play twice in their tournament at the beginning of the season.  They won over Bryn Athn--not a world beater, by 6 in a closely contested game, then lost to Dickinson by a wide margin.  I would not have picked them at that point to be a force in their league.  What changed?  I'd love to hear from someone who knows the team on what came together for them for a run after what looks like a rough start.

I saw Sailsbury last season at the Hoopsville tournament - playing almost exclusively freshmen and sophs, they were overmatched but impressive.  I kind of lost track of them when they started so slowly, but they seemed to get it together.  They'll be good again the next two years at least.  Sometimes it just takes time.

[Swish3]

I don't know much about teams from the northeast, but it looks like Salisbury got a much more favorable draw than what d3hoops was predicting....I'll be an SU fan from here out.

givengo,

There aren't any Salisbury posters, so you'll likely have to settle for my two cents....I think it took SU a few games to mesh w/their new center, who's turned out to be their best overall player.  His athleticism is his biggest attribute, and Strickland is good at penetrating and getting him the ball down low for an easy bucket.  Salisbury has some other solid players, but their defense stands out to me....they play a very good match up zone, which I think is better than their man to man.  Salisbury's really clicking now, and are a definite threat to win their first round game....beyond that, who knows?   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I don't know much about teams from the northeast, but it looks like Salisbury got a much more favorable draw than what d3hoops was predicting....I'll be an SU fan from here out.

givengo,

There aren't any Salisbury posters, so you'll likely have to settle for my two cents....I think it took SU a few games to mesh w/their new center, who's turned out to be their best overall player.  His athleticism is his biggest attribute, and Strickland is good at penetrating and getting him the ball down low for an easy bucket.  Salisbury has some other solid players, but their defense stands out to me....they play a very good match up zone, which I think is better than their man to man.  Salisbury's really clicking now, and are a definite threat to win their first round game....beyond that, who knows?

Trinity is one of the weaker hosts, so that's an advantage, but they're still the third team in a four team pod.  I did mention to Pat last night that I felt bad for where we sent Salisbury in the mock.  IWU has a bigger name and bigger bodies, but I don't think E Conn is going to be much easier of a game.  The teams are a little more similar, I guess - and it's not quite so far from home (but still a haul).