MBB: Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference

mlb · November 02, 2005, 05:45:49 PM

Matt, thanks, I will look for the e-mail.

I thought that the conference was weaker than the ODAC, but was looking for confirmation.

D-Mac - I must admit, I was disappointed with him transfering from a basketball vantage point, but the transfer was driven by career desires and the academic programs at Catholic. Plus, I think that the D.C. area affords a great deal more life experience than does Ashland, Va. He averaged more than 14 minutes a game last year as a freshman, played in every game and had okay stats. The decision was driven by long term life desires, not basketball. So, I disagree with you relative to your statement "why would anyone would leave an R-MC program
that was going to have a successful year". He did it for the right reasons and is part of the reason he chose to play D III.

As to a Pool C bid, I am nieve and think that CUA should be focused on winning the CAC automatic bid. If that fails, then they need to take care of business both within and outside the conference.

Thanks for the dialogue, I look forward to an exciting season.

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · November 02, 2005, 06:12:41 PM

Matt... that should be the last[/i] time you refer to a D1 game on CUA's schedule and talking about Pool C bids (or for that matter, rankings in both the Top-25 and region). That D1 game means NOTHING when it comes to ranks and giving out Pool C bids. To be honest, in such a regionally strong influence to get into the NCAA Tournament, using one your official games as a D1 game is a waste of not only the game, but a chance to make a better influence on the committee. Win or loss, that game is just thrown out.

Also, it won't matter what tough non-conference opponent you may face (and looking through the schedule I see, what opponent would you be refering to? Maybe Susquehanna) they better be regional. CUA's schedule as 6 games out of region (including a weak starting tournament) and 6 games in region that aren't conference games. So... that means there are six games that for all intensive purposes... don't exist.

CUA isn't the only one at fault there... but I wouldn't call that a tough non-conference schedule that will benefit them in any way.

MLB - I understand your son's decision whole-heartedly. My quote about leaving was completely basketball related. And he reason to change is a great example of D3 ideals.

As for the Pool C, you are right... in every eligable conference in the nation, every team needs to concentrate on the automatic bid. Pool C needs to be an after-thought. And getting back to you Matt, you and many others were screaming about a Pool C bid the last few years and outside MWC, no one got it. The CAC is weak right now and more schools across the nation are going to deserve this bid at this point. Play for the championship first... think about the Pool C come February 27th.

bbald eagle · November 02, 2005, 07:47:51 PM

MLB:
Congratulations to your son for keeping the student part first in student-athlete

SherMan · November 03, 2005, 02:48:11 AM

NCAA Tournament 2005--York (CAC Champion) 90, Virginia Wesleyan (ODAC Champion) 80. How many teams from each conference made the tournament? I don't think the ODAC overwhelms the CAC.

Coach C · November 03, 2005, 07:46:59 AM

MLB -

Both schools are terrific and both programs are solid, well-run and well-supported by the schools. In terms of internships and post-graduation possibilities, DC is the place to be. Ashland is very nice, but DC has WAY more to offer.

In general, I would say that the CAC is a weaker conference that the ODAC and wouldagre with most of Dave's points. CUA's schedule is indeed disappointing and may serve to hurt them at selection time. I think the only team assured of the NCAA tournament bid from either league is the champion. I am not sure eiter league is a Pool C candidate in past years, but who knows this year.

C

eaglemaniac · November 03, 2005, 10:26:02 AM

Quote from: d-mac on November 02, 2005, 06:12:41 PM
That D1 game means NOTHING when it comes to ranks and giving out Pool C bids. A Tournament, using one your official games as a D1 game is a waste of not only the game, but a chance to make a better influence on the committee. Win or loss, that game is just thrown out.

Was there ever a time when playing a D1 game didn't count against a D3's total for games played in a season?

Matt Letourneau · November 03, 2005, 10:46:06 AM

D-Mac,
I know from past years that the D1 game doesn't count towards the tourney (though its great experience for them), but I would include Scranton as well as Susquehanna as contending teams.

I never complained about Pool C bids---but I guess you don't recall that Catholic got one in 2003!

There is no question that ODAC is stronger than the CAC, top to bottom. But I think that you can argue that most years, the top 2 or so teams in the CAC are equal to the top 2 teams in the ODAC.

You are certainly right---play for the championship! I'm just saying that its a bit premature to completely close the door on it, which I'm sure you probably wouldn't do.

Can you give us any more about how Goucher looks this year?

Pat Coleman · November 03, 2005, 11:43:44 AM

Quote from: Matt Letourneau on November 03, 2005, 10:46:06 AM
There is no question that ODAC is stronger than the CAC, top to bottom. But I think that you can argue that most years, the top 2 or so teams in the CAC are equal to the top 2 teams in the ODAC.

Actually, I don't think you can say that either. The years in which Randolph-Macon and Hampden-Sydney were the top two teams in the ODAC they were definitely head and shoulders above the top two teams in the CAC. Remember Catholic, the CAC champ, needed some rare homecourt officiating love in 2002 to beat HSC, the ODAC runner-up, in the tournament. That's the year in which they were most comparable, and that's CAC #1 against ODAC #2. CAC #2 is usually not going to be able to keep up with ODAC #2. Last year, in a year in which the ODAC had no national contenders, then CAC #1 was able to beat ODAC #1, but I wouldn't say the top two teams in the two conferences are equal in any of the years we've been covering D-III basketball. At best, a standout CAC #1 is on the same level as the ODAC #1.

Pat Coleman · November 03, 2005, 11:44:45 AM

Quote from: d-mac on November 02, 2005, 06:12:41 PM
So... that means there are six games that for all intensive purposes... don't exist.

You don't have to be so intensive on the subject. Better to say "for all intents and purposes" -- which is what the phrase really is.

muchacho · November 03, 2005, 01:29:18 PM

Regardless of who Catholic loses to in league they have to have a better out of conference record this year to lose in the CACs and get to the NCAAs. mlb said there was a scrimmage with Frostburg last night...anybody have feedback on that?

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · November 03, 2005, 05:47:10 PM

eaglemaniac - yes... the D1 game counts to your total games... but means nothing when it comes to regional records or allowing the team into the post-season. Plain and simple, that game would be better used against a solid non-conference, in-region opponent that will get recognition needed come February.

As for top teams in the CAC and the ODAC... Pat is right... except for last year, I can't think of one time where the top CAC teams could go toe-to-toe with the top of the ODAC. Yes, YCP won last year, but I would put money on the fact that if that game featured CUA instead, it might not have been the same result. At the same time, RMC and HSC are usually national contenders with a few other teams (i.e. Roanoke, VWU) that are competing in the ODAC. You would have to go pretty far back into the CAC archives to find two teams at the top that were national contenders. Even when CUA and GOU or GOU and YCP were on top... one of them wasn't considered a national power.

bbald eagle · November 03, 2005, 07:12:37 PM

UMW not very impressive in scrimmage yesterday.

mlb · November 04, 2005, 06:53:58 AM

Muchacho

I didn't see the Frostburg - CUA scrimmage. I heard that CUA dominated and that Sowden was very impressive inside. Other than that, no news.

Did anyone actually see the "game"?

CUA vs. Navy in a scrimmage in Annapolis Saturday night.

Matt Letourneau · November 04, 2005, 12:02:54 PM

Pat/D-Mac...

Maybe you can answer this---I really don't know the answer.

How many difference conferences have had two different schools in the Final Four in the last 5-10 years? Have any won a national championship?

I would think that its not too many...

Pat Coleman · November 04, 2005, 01:05:24 PM

Off the very top of my head, the WIAC has had three schools in the Final Four in that time frame with two champions. The NJAC has had two schools in the Final Four in ten years with one champion. The NESCAC has had two schools in the Final Four with one champion.

I hope you're not trying to use that as your measure of ODAC v. CAC.