MBB: Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference

Matt Letourneau · October 27, 2005, 04:55:35 PM

I don't mean to jump on you, Coach, its just that I'm not seeing who could have leap-frogged over CUA. I think they're actually going to improve more than anyone else in the top half of the league. They were 2nd last year, they may end up there again this year but it will be closer and they will win more games. If they pulled 18 out last year in the regular season, its not a stretch to see them win 22 this year.

I think SMC probably will regress--they've lost their coach, their, uh, problem player didn't work out. Mary Wash will be tough, Marymount---who knows? Its always a crapshoot. Goucher is going to be worse than last year, I actually think Salisbury could be pretty decent, Gally--well...we'll see how well they can gel, but they are always dangerous.

Matt Letourneau · October 28, 2005, 12:23:16 AM

Well, the CAC is well represented in the first poll of the year, the Preseason Top 25. York starts off at #6, and Catholic slips in at #25...quite a show of confidence that the Cards have improved. The voters apparently followed my line of reasoning...that Catholic got better as the year progressed, didn't lose anything, and will have quite a bit more depth (and seasoning) this year.

muchacho · October 28, 2005, 10:47:22 AM

Its nice to see that York got some good recognition for what they did last year and what they are returning. I think York heading deep in the Tourny last year helps make the Cards and the rest of the CAC look better.
Any word on when the 1st games for CAC teams are. November is just a few days away.

bisonpride · October 28, 2005, 11:38:02 AM

FLASH NEWS!!!
Click the link below to read today's interesting edition of Washington Post article related to the Gallaudet football team..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/27/AR2005102702034.html

Go Bison!!!

Coach C · October 28, 2005, 10:17:33 PM

Muchachoo -

My feeling, which is based on hearing a good bit about the teams involved, is that your 3-4 teams will be better than they were last year. Mary Washington will be tough to beat at home and their 'spurtability' makes them a dangerous team on the road too. SMC will be deeper and they will continue to improve.

Goucher still has one of the best coaches in the league. (Whether or not you like him, they guy can coach.)

bbald eagle · October 29, 2005, 07:31:56 AM

There'll be some upsets. York should lead the pack, but Catholic or Mary Washington should be up for the upset particularly at home.

bbald eagle · October 30, 2005, 06:52:22 AM

Then again, much of Mary Washington's height opted not to play, I'm told.

Coach C · October 30, 2005, 11:57:07 PM

Matt -

Didn't see your post before. While a new coach generally struggles, I think that the changes at SMC will actaully improve the program this year. For CUA, well let's see how it pans out, but I think they are not as talented as York and it's a strange league, someone alwyas comes out of the pack. I am not a CUA basher by any measure, just calling it like i see it.

Matt Letourneau · November 01, 2005, 02:37:51 PM

Well, certainly Steve Howes didn't really struggle, of course, but he was already familiar with the system.

Perhaps SMC will be better for the long term, but their talent level didn't seem, to me, at least, to be on the cusp of really contending. Maybe they got some great freshman, I don't know, but I didn't see anything there that would lead me to put them over Catholic.

I know you aren't a CUA basher, I certainly don't want to accuse you of that. I just see Catholic as the solid #2 team in the CAC this year, and one that will challenge for the league title, and I see a larger gap between York/CUA and the rest of the league than apparently you do.

Coach C · November 01, 2005, 03:18:19 PM

Matt -

Good thoughts! Isn't it great to be on the verge of actual GAMES???

C

Matt Letourneau · November 02, 2005, 01:17:21 AM

Indeed...for Catholic, Nov. 9 at American. Day after election day for us Virginians, which means it will have been a late night for me (it remains to be seen how late, I think VERY late), but I'm going to try my best to be there anyway.

mlb · November 02, 2005, 12:34:07 PM

I am new to the CAC. My son transferred to CUA this year from Randolph-Macon so I am curious about the league in general. The ODAC was a highly competitive league from top to bottom. The top 8 teams were nearly indistinguishable last year.

I am looking forward to the season starting and seeing some great basketball. I know that CUA has a scrimmage scheduled tonight agains Frostburg State and then another on Saturday against Navy.

Anyone have any insight to how the pre-season is going and how the team feels about their chances?

Matt Letourneau · November 02, 2005, 03:19:45 PM

Nice to see you post up here!

I sent you an email with some thoughts. Welcome aboard!

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · November 02, 2005, 03:30:18 PM

Honestly... based on each conference on a whole... the ODAC on a bad day is better than the CAC on a good day.

The CAC has a few teams on top every year... some straggling in the middle... and then two or three teams on the bottom everyone gets wins from (not that they can't upset a team or two).

I am surprised someone would transfer from a solid RMC program that is definetly going to be good this year (in a very well respected conference) to CUA which on paper should be good, but plays in an average to sub-par conference... which automatically means don't bet on a Pool C bid.

As for all of you CUA fans... you certainly have started early this year. I have to agree with Coach C. If one thing has been proven year in and year out, you can't look to the past seasons and what teams lost or didn't lose in the off season... to bet on the current season.

Sure, YCP and CUA lost almost no one, but that doesn't mean they are a sure bet. Now a HUGE target is on York... and CUA... your target got bigger as well. Its like the MNF game, while the Ravens certainly weren't the team they used to be, because it is a rivalry and because the Steelers are... the Steelers... it changes the game. YCP and CUA are going to be in for a dog fight with the rest of the conference this year.

- GOU, on paper looks like they have lost a lot, especially in the middle. But don't forget they still have two to three serious outside threats and players no one knows about yet (as do all teams). Can they eliminate the mid-season stumbles will be the question.
- SMC looks like they will be a wounded animal, but those tend to be the most dangerous teams. They came back last year to give the conference trouble, even with OUT their problem player. A new coach just might breathe new life into the team (see Notre Dame football this year and Maryland football a few years back for examples of that).
- MWC is always tough no matter if they are as good as people think. And every team has to take a trip into their hot gym at least once a season.
- MMT... tough to say. Every year we expect something out this group, but once again are disappointed and embarrased by their problems. If they get it going, they are tough and CUA can talk about the times they should have won... but didn't against MMT.
- SAL... sleeper. This is a team that has the talent and has been quietly stalking the rest of the CAC for a few years. They are at that point were no one thinks they are anything, yet they have a senior and junior rich team... which means leadership, experience, and don't forget team chemistry. Don't be surprised if they are far better than anyone expects.
- GAL... the wild card. Gallaudet doesn't ever take teams lightly, never plays below 100%, and certainly travels well. They are the best defensive minded team and have the ability to simply out play every team in this conference (no matter who is on the floor). Take them lightly once, and you are looking for a reason you aren't in the tournament. One extra overall, regional, and conference loss will do that to a tournament hopeful.

Once again, this conference has to look at a tournament win to get to the big tournament. Congradulations to YCP on the Top-10 ranking (that was deserved) and CUA for the #25 spot (think that is high), but that doesn't do anything for this conference in the eye's of the NCAA committee. This is a weak conference and unless the top three teams can go with only three losses in the region and one in the conference... there is only one-bid coming out this year... once again.

Matt Letourneau · November 02, 2005, 04:50:38 PM

I agree with most of your analysis, D-Mac, other than how sure you are there will not be a Pool C. Certainly, if this conference was capable of producing a Pool C bid a few years ago when MWC got the automatic, there is no reason to discount it so early this year. There are some tough non-conference games (CUA even has a game against a good D1 team) that teams in the league have.

If York and CUA, for instance, have good seasons and basically only lose to each other (give or take an upset or two), whichever one loses would be a strong Pool C contender.