MBB: Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

And regarding their schedule they have played most of the top teams in the region. 

That would be great, except this region isn't very good and hasn't been for a couple years now. That's fine that they play the schedule they were given -- but other teams are playing the schedule they were given too and we tend not to want to punish them because other teams were given a less challenging one.

I don't think anyone punishes York for losing the third-place game. No serious analyst takes the national third-place game into account for anything.

[Salem, VA]

I agree with Pat about the 3rd place game.  Last year at the final four there was STevens Point who was the best team by far and then the next 3 were evenly matched.  People who were there would agree with that.  Teams learn from experience and that is what has made York better this year compared to last year.  I would hate to come into York next week and win because know has really put up a fight since the students got back.  Two of the three teams below York came into York and got beat by 25 points or more.  It shows how that there two loses were only by 2 points a piece and when they come into York the get blown out.  A lot of people have never actually seen York play and are making assumptions.  If they have they have seen them once.  I've missed two games this year and I am tellin you this team is different compared to last year.  Stop all this talk about York being a top 25 and relish the accomplishments of the last 2 years and say they are a top6 or 7 team. 

We love York Seniors.  Senior night at York, should be one of the most decorated of any.

[Matt Letourneau]

Sure, they deserve their ranking right now.

But like everybody else, they've got to go into the tournament and prove it, that's all.  It is near high to impossible for most of us to really know exactly who the actual best 5 teams are in the country---we haven't seen these Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, etc teams this year.  I have absolutely no idea how York really compares to those teams.  But I do that they've won all but 2 of their games, and they are playing very well, so to me,  they should be ranked as high as they are. 

At the same time, I've actually seen them lose, so I know how it can be done.  I don't know if they were having a bad night that night (quite possibly), but Catholic was having a bad night too, so a better team might be able to replicate that.  I don't know.  But in the meantime, all we have is the poll.

They really shouldn't worried about it, anyway--they've got to go out and win the league.  There's no reason to think they will have any problem doing it, but they've still got to do it.

[John Rusnak]

Can Goucher please win a game tonight?!

Perhaps the new website will bring them some good fortune.

[Salem, VA]

Im not to familar with the league history.  How many team have repeated as conference and tourney champs.  Is their a website? 

Is anyone coming to the game in York tonight from this forum?

[Coach C]

The third place game is a worthless exhibition.  It means nothing to either team.  Neither teams wants to be playing in it.  It can't help or hurt you.  The seniors get to extend their careers another afternoon, but otherwise, it serves NO purpose.

C

[gouchersid]

Goucher won back-to-back CAC titles in 1993-94 and 1994-95. Catholic did the same in 2000-01 and 2001-02.

[Akela15]

First things first before we start talking about York repeating.  They need to take care of business tonight on Senior night against Gally to secure homecourt for the CAC playoffs, then worry about the tournament.  If Gally comes in and beats them tonight they will need to win at Mary Washington where they havent won since 2001-2002 season.  Goodluck tonight boys!

[John Rusnak]

The third place game is meaningless and stupid and a waste of time and they should get rid of it...nobody wants to play in it because they are devastated from the night before.  Both teams barely prepare, as they have little time and no motivation.

So why then shouldn't York win the 3rd place game last year?  If both teams are in the same boat, which, if I recall Calvin lost the night before too, then the better team should still win...no?

[andre james smith]

Big game for the Eagles tonight, if they can pull out a win tonight and hope for a York loss (not likely, not likely at all), I'm thinking they would still have a shot at the CAC title.  Anyways, they have to take care of business tonight at Marymount to hold on to at least the #3 spot.  I'm really hoping that A.J. can get back for the stretch run because that would help us out immensly.  It should be a good last week of the seaon, with everything still up in the air.  Let's go bison and seagulls.....

[ycp]

At the half from the final regular season game ever at Wolf Gym...

York 49-Gallaudet 24

[Matt Letourneau]

Final from Salisbury, MD...

Catholic 81, Salisbury 69.

Big road win for the Cardinals--both York and Mary Wash lost at Salisbury this year.

[ycp]

Final From York...

York 94-Gallaudet 75

Gallaudet went on a big 22-4 run late in the game to make the final score inside of 20.

Details later.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Final from Goucher:

GOU 93, SMC 84

James Russo poured in 38 points to lead all scorers. It also tied the record for the most points scored by a Goucher Men's Basketball player in a game... and the most points scored by any player at the Sports & Rec Center. The other player, who the record is now shared with, was Dave Clark... who scored 38 points against Mary Washington... 14 years ago to the night!

And for good measure, Jonathan Garritt contributed 30 points of his own... combining with Russo for 68 or Goucher's 93.

As for SMC, Valdez Preston was their leader with 22 and Trson Lesesne had 21.

Goucher was ready to play tonight... and SMC never seemed like they were playing together. Early on, they never seemed to be on the same page... walking around... no urgency... nothing. They either never got off the bus or thought this was going to be an easy game.

Goucher on the other hand, had it's moments of near disaster. They were leading by 19 with 12 minutes to play... and SMC cut it to 4 with less than a minute to play. Goucher got sloppy and acted like the game was probably already over with half of the 2nd half yet to play.

SMC simply didn't have answer for Russo or Garritt. Russo missed a few early on and then never seemed to miss, hitting 12 of 18 (8-11 from downtown). Garritt was 10-19 (4-9 from beyond the arc). Garritt also pulled down 10 rebounds for his double-double (I think only two players in Goucher history have earned a double-double). He was three assists short of the triple... I should have given him more .

I was not that impressed with Lesesne. He can certainly shoot, but only takes shots on occasion. He didn't hit his first shot until about 11 minutes into the game. And while he was 7-14 from the floor... all but four of those shots were from outside the arc. He also didn't take a shot from inside 12 feet... and missed everything from inside the arc. He only hit threes... and then, only when he was wide open. I realize this is the first time I have seen him play, but he was not even a threat on each possession. Now, Valdez Preston was a threat. I really liked how he played all over the court. He might deserve a 2nd team selection. Lesesne gets his points and leads the conference because he shots with a high percentage, but if SMC won tonight, Lesesne wouldn't not have been the reason. Preston was the reason SMC had a chance.

I am going to stick with my two guys for POY. McGowan and Garritt. They play the entire game and they play both sides of the court. Lesesne didn't play any good defense tonight, including picking up three stupid fouls in the first half. He got them because he was too lazy to move his feet and would hand check or slash at the ball and the player when he was beat. He also never drove the lane on offense... making him one of the easiest guys to guard when he had the ball.

McGowan and Garritt come ready to play in each and every game. Both can't be stopped the entire game and both have been able to carry their teams while others aren't performing (Bushey and Russo). I know it is hard to give Garritt the nod when they are 2-20 and 2-11 in the conference, but as "ycp" has said many times, if he is on any top team in this conference... its an easy choice. This is about who is the best in the conference... period! And those two I think are the best, hands down.

Last note on SMC, I like their coach. I think if he has the time and the patience at the college, he can turn the program around. He needs to get some of the rif-raf off the team and he needs a chance to get some good recruits. He has so talent there to work with (Engelstad, Lesesne, Preston) and in a couple of years recruits could make a difference. He is passionate and really knows the game. Very impressed.

[mwgoonie]

UMW wins at Marymount on a Jon Pierce buzzer beater. Jon Hurd wanted to be subbed in but since he's not on the team couldnt help out. Notable from the crowd was former MU player Ed "hedgehog" Carrai and a MU fan wearing tight yellow shorts.

Mike Lee 5-7 and 17 points....