MBB: Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference

[Swish3]

I'll start with conference selections.  Can't be disappointed with 2 guys on the first team, but I thought Matt Scamuffo was worthy.  Since I only see most players once a year, it's hard for me to say who he should have replaced.  He has had a nice season and career and it probably didn't help his chances that Dalton and Blayde were selected. Was also hoping that Coach Hunter was going to get COY, but I realize that Coach Krikorian did a great job keeping the Captains at the top of the conference after losing Marcus Carter. I'm sure Coach Hunter is okay with it, but he did a great job this year.  York is not that deep but he pushed the right buttons. Congratulations to all of the selectees.

Now about tomorrows game. We open the tournament at 1pm.  I am concerned that there will be a sparse crowd. Besides the fact that people are working, the students are on break. Normally do not need to worry about motivation in a game like this, but if there isn't much of a crowd that might give Yeshiva an edge.  Seems like an ideal time for their most emotional player, Jared Wagner to play an important role.

Yeshiva doesn't have the most impressive record but they are hot having won 12 of the last 13.  After the big win at CNU last week, this is no time for York to letdown. York has played extremely well the last 2 games and their defense has been a big reason why. Hope they keep up the defensive intensity.

Also want to wish the Captains well. We're pulling for you to represent the CAC well.

Let's go Spartans!  We're opening this tournament, Let's close it too!

I like that!  Ryan picked York to make it to the Final Four, and I tend to agree...good luck!

[CNU85]

York wins first game of Tourney! Congrats!

[CNU85]

Interesting first round at CNU. 2 teams coming from my mother-in-law's hometown!

[CNU85]

I'm not sure what I watched tonight. A disjointed game. Statistically, CNU looked good. On the court, not so much. And LBC is confusing to watch and understand. They looked awkward and not very athletic, but have won 22 games. Maybe they were having an off night as well. If CNU puts in a game like that tomorrow, we lose by 25. An ugly W.

[spartanfan13]

Happy to get a "W" yesterday. At this time of year, that's all that matters.  I am glad they don't give style points. York clearly had a physical advantage, but kudos to Yeshiva because we couldn't put them away.  Yeshiva had nice fan support. Very well represented.  Nice crowd considering everything. If we play the same tonight, we'll be in for a rough time. We missed a lot of defensive assignments. They shot lots of uncontested layups.

I watched Hamilton defeat Nazareth and they look tough. They are quick and big.  #24 Gilmour looks like the real deal, I imagine it will be Jason's task to slow him down. #30 and #44 took it to the hoop and created lots of points in the paint. They play in a very tough conference NESCAC, and their conference went 4-0 in the opening round.  You know that means that they've played some very tough competition this year.  It looks like they had a similar season to York.  Started 15-0, but then some tough conference losses.  I am expecting an exciting close game.

Even though I am expecting a tough game, I am also expecting York to find a way to win on their home court. I also expect our seniors to lead the way.
I've noticed that Matt seems to be taking it to the basket more, since everyone concentrates on stopping his 3pt shots, he has been able to convert some easy shots or kick it out to an open shooter if nothing opens up. Even though I love the defense that Jason plays, I hope he uses his quickness to also go to the hoop.  Create some foul trouble for their bigs.  Because of their height, I feel this might be a game that Joey P. plays a big part.

I am one who feels defense wins championships. If we do that, we win.

Let's go Spartans!


Congrats to CNU on their victory last night. Do it again tonight.

[jmcozenlaw]

I'm not sure what I watched tonight. A disjointed game. Statistically, CNU looked good. On the court, not so much. And LBC is confusing to watch and understand. They looked awkward and not very athletic, but have won 22 games. Maybe they were having an off night as well. If CNU puts in a game like that tomorrow, we lose by 25. An ugly W.

"LBC is confusing to watch and understand. They looked awkward and not very athletic"

Having watched LBC about 10 times this year, just like you said about CNU, I'd say they were off. Herbie Brown (13 points and 10 boards) is getting overseas looks to play and do a mission (these guys are very faith based). Majok was nursing an in injury but can leap out of the building and had 12 points, 5 boards and 5 steals. Davis had 11 boards and 7 offensive. Livezey might not look the part (and I mean nothing by that as I know you didn't either in the 'non-athletic' comment) but did have 15 points and 5 assists. LBC doubled CNU up on the offensive boards (16-8) and steals (12-6).

Both benches were pretty much non-factors. It really came down to CNU shooting better and McFarland. Truthfully, given this CNU team, this year's LBC team (not as good as the last two year's when they beat F&M by 28 and lost by 3 in OT) and playing the game at CNU...................I really didn't think it would be this close.

Franklin & Marshall is very beatable, especially given CNU has the homecourt advantage. Good luck.

[Swish3]

LBC was better than I thought...as '85 mentioned, CNU didn't play their best, but it seems that LBC didn't either...thank goodness Femi redeemed himself w/that three!

I'm sure everyone that follows D3 basketball closely is aware of the tradition and history of F&M's program...that's the first time I'd seen them play and, honestly, it was kinda neat to watch them and their coach, who's a legend.  Anyway, the difference in the game was F&M's defense in the second half...they took CNU completely out of their offense and made it difficult to do anything.  Congrats to them and good luck....

It's always disappointing when your team loses to end the season, but CNU fans have to be proud of what this team was able to accomplish, especially under the circumstances.  I'll miss watching McFarland nail those bombs...the best pure shooter CNU's men have ever had, in my opinion...thanks, and good luck to him and Spencer in the future!

GO CAPS!

Also, sorry to see that York lost...somewhat of a disappointing tourney for the CAC.

[jesskleangda]

I ALREADY CANNOT WAIT FOR NEXT SEASON.

[cmackowiakSGSN]

I wrote this article for Salisbury University's The Flyer as a cap on the 2017-18 season for the Salisbury men's basketball team. I talked with Coach Sachs about his reaction to the season and what to look for in the returning players back in the fall.

https://thesuflyer.com/2018/03/06/salisbury-mbk-2017-18-season-takeaways/

[CNU85]

I'm not sure what I watched tonight. A disjointed game. Statistically, CNU looked good. On the court, not so much. And LBC is confusing to watch and understand. They looked awkward and not very athletic, but have won 22 games. Maybe they were having an off night as well. If CNU puts in a game like that tomorrow, we lose by 25. An ugly W.

"LBC is confusing to watch and understand. They looked awkward and not very athletic"

Having watched LBC about 10 times this year, just like you said about CNU, I'd say they were off. Herbie Brown (13 points and 10 boards) is getting overseas looks to play and do a mission (these guys are very faith based). Majok was nursing an in injury but can leap out of the building and had 12 points, 5 boards and 5 steals. Davis had 11 boards and 7 offensive. Livezey might not look the part (and I mean nothing by that as I know you didn't either in the 'non-athletic' comment) but did have 15 points and 5 assists. LBC doubled CNU up on the offensive boards (16-8) and steals (12-6).

Both benches were pretty much non-factors. It really came down to CNU shooting better and McFarland. Truthfully, given this CNU team, this year's LBC team (not as good as the last two year's when they beat F&M by 28 and lost by 3 in OT) and playing the game at CNU...................I really didn't think it would be this close.

Franklin & Marshall is very beatable, especially given CNU has the homecourt advantage. Good luck.

Thanks for the information. I looked at the stats for the game and it was just weird....maybe this fan had an "off" night watching. What I thought I was seeing on the court was not what the stats told me. Just weird. And LBC has to be good to win that many games and get in the NCAA. And some plays they were just on fire....then they had a hard time walking to the bench without tripping. It was just a strange game to watch.  I had the live stats on my phone during the game and I was trying to connect the dots. I failed. I left thinking I knew nothing about the game of hoops!

[Mike Rejniak]

​Dear D3 Faithful ,
     I have read many of your posts throughout the years and even met some of you in person, but for those who I haven't met, let me introduce myself: my name is Michael Rejniak and I have spent over 14 years coaching Division 3 basketball and love what our division has done and continues to do for  the sport of basketball. One of the greatest things about Division 3 basketball is the brotherhood that we all have with one another (coaches and players alike). My wish is to showcase the talents of D3 on a national stage in The Basketball Tournament (TBT).  You may have heard me speak about this on the Hoopsville Marathon with Dave McHugh of D3hoops.com (at the 6:11 mark). The TBT is a national tournament that is televised in July/August on ESPN after the NBA season is over. My goal is to put forth an all-star D3 team (current players are ineligible) and have them compete in this tournament to take on Former D1 / semi-pro's to prove that D3 deserves the same respect as other NCAA divisions. The team is mostly complete with former student-athletes from all over the country competing. Once the roster is complete we will be sure to release it through d3hoops. Former Babson College National Champion Matthew Droney '17 will also be assisting me on this journey.

How YOU can help our former elite D3 basketball players

While the end prize of this tournament is a monetary prize, being a D3-lifer, the goal is not the money (we all know that's not why we get into coaching), the goal is to bring an end to the stigma of Division 3 basketball, an awareness of how talented our student-athletes are and that we can compete (and win) against the best. We do need to raise funds for an entry fee, travel, meal and housing expenses for the athletes. In order to do this, we are conducting a crowd-funding campaign through GoFundMe to help make this a reality. These athletes need your support! Just think -- if every Division 3 school donated just $10, we will have raised over $4,000!!!! The link to the GoFundMe Page is below and please SPREAD THE WORD and email me with any questions/concerns at WeAreD3TBT@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your support and Dave and I look forward to this "D3 Dream Team" taking the court this summer.-Mike Rejniak

Support "We Are D3" In The TBT

https://www.gofundme.com/WeAreD3TBT

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

FYI - this could spell disaster for the CAC: http://thebottomlinenews.com/fsu-athletic-conference-affiliation-from-the-cac-to-the-mountain-east/

[JohnnyHoops]

New to the board and have been thinking about this for quite a while and wanted to cool off after the season before I posted something but I think Marymount needs a change. We have underachieved and the kids deserve more. It's about the kids! We have gotten to the point where .500 is a good season. We are headed the wrong way and we need a new vision. Nice guy, but it's about the kids!

[Pat Coleman]

New to the board and have been thinking about this for quite a while and wanted to cool off after the season before I posted something but I think Marymount needs a change. We have underachieved and the kids deserve more. It's about the kids! We have gotten to the point where .500 is a good season. We are headed the wrong way and we need a new vision. Nice guy, but it's about the kids!

Without making a value judgment on Coach Rogers or the rest of your post, one thing to keep in mind is that going into the new conference next year will make it difficult to gauge whether the program improves. They'll be playing a pretty different slate of opponents.

[JohnnyHoops]

Pat, understood and really try to be as positive as possible but just frustrated about where we are right now. Shouldn't have made it public. It's about the kids! Go Saints!