MBB: Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference

[purpleheart22]

Although it was a great win for Frostburg i still cant say i was impressed with their performance.  I got to see them play against Stevenson as well this past wknd.  They missed a ton of easy baskets and yes they stepped it up defensively against SMCM but I think SMCM just missed open shots and had alot of unforced turnovers.  However if Frostburg plays that hard all year long they will win some games. They have to shoot the ball better though u cant consistently miss layups iin this league and expect to win. Are there any games going on before thanksgiving for CAC teams?

[ronk]

 Catholic hosting Frostburg tomorrow nite

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Almost no one shot well during the Pride of Maryland. I kept rolling my eyes at the shooting percentages, especially from the free-throw line (can't remember anyone shooting above the high-60's from the line). So while Frostburg may not have impressed... and SMCM certainly missed plenty of shots, it wasn't something different in the tournament.

One reason I heard for the bad shooting was the fact that the defenses for most of the games was very good (even Goucher who went 0-3 played much better defense then in years past). I chalk it up to possibly being the new gym. The sight-lines are very different with more room then normal behind the baskets. I am not saying the gym is to blame, but there may be an adjustment period even for Stevenson.

[purpleheart22]

D Mac since u do the games for Goucher maybe you may have some insight on this issue.  Why are they sooooo bad nowadays?  I know that they arent in the CAC nemore but for a Md school right outside of Baltimore they is no reason why they should stink as much as they do.  I remember in the back in the early 2000's when they were unstoppable.  They landed some huge recruits Pierre Jones is a name that pops up instantly.  They have been bad for quite some time now.  Trevino needs to get it together over there.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

purpleheart22 - that isn't an easy answer to be honest. There are many, many factors that include some that I won't talk about.

However, here are a few that come to mind:
- some of the players that appeared to be successful recruits didn't turn out to be as good at Goucher as expected. Every school gets duds, I think Goucher ran into a few more then usual.
- defensively, the team really struggled in the last few seasons. If you remember when Goucher was at its best in the late '90's and early '00's, their defense was feared. That tough defense led directly to points on the offensive end and lack of points defensively. I usually gauge how well the team will do on the average amount of points they allow... and when I see a number of games over 75 points I get concerned.
This year the defensive is better then I have seen it in a LONG time early on and they haven't allowed more then 72 points in games all on the road.
- Inside pressence... back to those recruiting duds, they have missed the boat on getting some good talent inside. They now have two guys that could get them heading in the right direction, but I would be hard pressed to name a big guy that was a presence to be feared in the paint recently.
- Similar talent - no diversity: Back to recruiting, one frustration I have had that many people know is that many of the players in the last few years have been very simliar in nature and talent. Back in the hey-days there was a good point, good shooter, tough 3-man who usually took on the toughest defensive assignments, a solid 4, and the 5 was big and tough. Then the bench brought in those types of talents as well. The team recently hasn't really had any outside shooting threats, an inside threat, and many players that like to drive with the ball - that makes them an easier team to defend then in the days they were tough to beat.

Some of that is just off the cuff. I know the coaching staff has worked hard to get other type of players on the roster and I know they have made decisions with the roster they feel are in the best interests of the team. An example of that would be this season's roster which is much better defensively - they just have to figure out their shooting woes. I always hope that things will improve in the near future and can return to its days when people didn't like to see Goucher on their schedule - it would also be nice to see the gym full again. (FYI, I think this team has the talent to finish in the middle of the conference...)

[purpleheart22]

Thanks for the insight DMac. Just noticed the score of the St. Mary's F and M game.  Wow thats a huge win for St. Marys and a statement win with that score.  I saw they had a 29 point lead at the half and won by 21 in the final.  Seems like they bounced back from that embarrassing loss to Frostburg in the POM championship. York is on a 2 game losing streak losing to Messiah and Gettysburg.  Mary Wash bounced back won today and Marymount won an ugly game today as well 47-46 that had to be tragic to watch.  Wesley lost to Christopher Newport sat. Newport will be playing St Marys on wed. Just noticed Stevenson beat Salisbury a few days ago as well.  Good for Stevenson getting Greg Woody back has been critical for them. 

[purpleheart22]

Salisbury University lost to Hood college at SU, York beats Wesley, and Mary Washington beats Stevenson. Frostburg beats Marymount in CAC play yesterday.  All the home teams won last night except for Salisbury Univerisity.  In non conference action St. Mary's beat up on another top 25 team defeating Christopher Newport last night.  Your going to have to win ur home games this year in this league...

[CACKnowItAll]

Some early observations from the CAC for me-

Mary Washington - Off to a very nice 3-0 start, but I don't believe that they will be at the top for long. York and St. Mary's are just better teams shooting wise.

York - Struggling a little bit with that shooting in the previous few games, and just lost a heartbreak in OT against St. Mary's...I see York finishing as the number 2 team in the conference this year.

St. Mary's - A surprising loss to Frostburg St. in the POM Tourney, but they have played well since then, proving that they aren't overrated. Next game on the 11th against Hood is going to be interesting after easily defeating them in semi's of POM.

Hood - Very inconsistent bunch, but they are off to a 2-1 start nonetheless. The defense hasn't been as good as advertised, especially after last season. I know they have some guys coming off of injuries, and will see how they heal up and do the rest of the season.

Frostburg State - Just fell to Hood in their last match on the road, played very well but gave up the lead late through the 2nd half. Very fast, talented bunch who could make some noise in their 1st year in the CAC. I really like Koffa, quick, agile player.

Wesley - They showed that they can grind it out and come back on the road against Hood when they came back from 16 down in the 2nd half for the W. That was big. Loss to York not surprising. Will be a good game against Stevenson next Tuesday.

Salisbury - Not a very impressive squad this year, and that was expected with the loss of Greg Palmer. You have to win the majority of the games in conference at home to have a chance at the playoffs, so lets see if they can do that. Proved it against Marymount, not against Hood.

Stevenson - Gutsy play out of this team so far of which no one expected anything from. Lost big to St. Mary's, but wasn't expected to compete. Great win against Hood in the POM and also against Salisbury. Woody is a great addition back to the team.

Marymount - Really struggling this season, getting blown out by York and Salisbury. They just don't have the firepower that is needed to compete this season, I see them finishing where they currently are, at the bottom of the standings.

Can't wait until the season continues on!

[huskiect]

Good rundown. York let the one against St. Mary's slip away. Re-match at York should be nice.

[purpleheart22]

St. Marys and York seem to be the best 2 teams in that order and the rest of the league is up for grabs except for Marymount and Salisbury. Think they are going to be at the bottom of the league and left out of the playoffs.  The 3rd team out of the playoffs is still up for grabs.  Mary Washington seems to be rolling so far this season.  Big turnaround from last year.  Guess those transfers are working out for them. 

[gordonmann]

Tomorrow D3hoops will have an audio broadcast of the St. Mary's/Wesley game from Dover.  Tip off is 4 pm and please click here to listen.

[Teamski]

Just came back from the Wesley-St. Marys game. Wow!!  Well done Wolverines!  They kept St Marys out of the paint and committed relatively few mistakes in the face of a daunting defense!  Well done!  95-80.

-Ski

[huskiect]

Hood beats Mary Washington. Things are starting to come in line. Still see St. Mary's as team to beat but York and Wesley are both tough.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

First Regional Rankings: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2011/02/02/ncaas-mens-regional-rankings/

[jams0325]

Elizabethtown falls to Messiah tonight, 66-62. Guess the regional rankings will get a shake up next week already.