MBB: Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Yeah, I'll be honest -- if Catholic was going to get in with a loss at York, they'll get in with a loss to Salisbury. The only difference will be three points over 24 games of QOWI (the difference between a loss at York vs. loss to Salisbury). That's .125 -- could be a big deal, might not be.

I really don't think the committee looks at it as a problem with having three CAC teams or a certain number of teams from any particular conference..

[Matt Letourneau]

I hope you are right.  I just don't have all that much faith in the process to be that devoid of those considerations.  I do know that they're playing good basketball, their QoWI is decent, their regional ranking is good, and they've got 20 wins.

Pat, do you think Catholic is in at this point?

[Pat Coleman]

No, I don't think they are a lock. Four teams lost tonight with similar or better credentials.

[BisonKiller]

Well....its now been proven

Steak is better than pork and bison burgers.


bad joke  I know...but I like it

[cugrad]

Great win by the Cards! They did everything that they needed to do to win. They played tough defense, Shot the ball well,and contained the Mary Wash scorers. I'm sure that Mary Wash didn't play their best, but much of that can be attributed to Catholic's performance. The refs called very few fouls until the end when Mary Wash had to foul, though it did seem like they were picking on Dwyer. I think he had four of Catholic's first six fouls. I hope the Cardinals understand the challenge that they face on Saturday. They are playing a very talented Salisbury team who has won the last two regular season games at Catholic. Additionally, this is a group of young men who believe that they can beat anbody. The only negative about Catholic hosting Salisbury is that they really can't count on an at-large bid. They must win to get in!

Matt was right! It is possible to win at York. I was stunned when I heard that they lost at home. I still can't believe it.

Cards, good luck tomorrow in the championship! Remember, if you play hard, good things will happen!!

GO CARDS!!!

[John Rusnak]

Historically, EVERY time Rusnak picks against UMW, they win, so that's a good omen!!!

Sorry Clint, I was wrong on the wrong game...

And speaking of that game, holy cow!

I'll make two statements and we can debate which one is true:

1. York doesn't match up well with Salisbury and that's how they were able to beat them twice this year.

2. York isn't as good as they are ranked and got there by virtue of an overall weak region.

[Salem, VA]

Hats off to Scott Guise for his comments right after the game, he was right about the officating, it was bad but games are won and lost on the court.   York was outplayed and outhussled.  It seemed to much of the student section that Salisbury wanted it more and they played like it.  Anyone who was at the game can agree with the game at 28-14 York could have put the game to rest instead they made no FG's in the lat 8 minutes, truly an usual occurence for this team over the last two years.  Kichenrat touched on the free throws earlier but that was so important.  Last time they came into York, they could not make any free throws and last night shot close to 90%.  Hats of to Salisbury, I was very impressed by there ability to never let York pull away.  York's 3 losses are by a total of 6 points all year, it tells you that a perfect game is needed to beat these guys. 

Pat-- Does York being in pool c, still have a chance for a home game or has that gone out the window.  Also are they a lock for the NCAA tourney?

Thanks guys and good luck on saturday to both catholic and salisbury.  This loss know will let me go on spring break.  Be back Tuesday or Wednesday.

[Pat Coleman]

I think York might still host first-round games, yes. I don't think there are two Mid-Atlantic teams who will be seeded higher and with so few teams in the Atlantic and East, I feel confident that two MA teams will host regionals.

[John Rusnak]

York is absolutely a lock to get into the tournament.  Everybody could be upset and they would still get in at this point.

As for hosting, this loss might have cost York a bye in the first round, which is perfect for the committee because now they can let York host a first round game but then they have an excuse to send them on the road and not to let them host anything else.

[Pat Coleman]

York is absolutely a lock to get into the tournament.  Everybody could be upset and they would still get in at this point.

As for hosting, this loss might have cost York a bye in the first round, which is perfect for the committee because now they can let York host a first round game but then they have an excuse to send them on the road and not to let them host anything else.

Agreed. Now there's enough reason besides seating capacity to play the sectional round elsewhere.

[manofgor24]

Salem,

If you are implying that the Gulls shot poorly from the line the last time they came to york, you are mistaken.  They shot 24-27 from the line.  If they shot poorly, SU would have lost by 50.  Good win for the Gulls.

[Matt Letourneau]

  York's 3 losses are by a total of 6 points all year, it tells you that a perfect game is needed to beat these guys. 

Not to pick apart poor Salem here, but the surprising thing is that it really didn't take a perfect game from either Salisbury or Catholic to beat York.

Catholic didn't play especially well against York when they won.  They shot 42%, were ice cold from 3 (27%), missed 7 out of 20 free throws, and got outrebounded by 13!  Hardly a perfect game played by Catholic.

As for Salisbury last night, I obviously wasn't there, but Salisbury also shot 42% and literally hit no 3 points--0-10.  They did make their free throws, but it worries me that Salisbury was able to play like that and beat York.  If they play better against Catholic its going to be a real fight.

York just must have had a few off nights. It happens.  x33 and those  kind of fans just got a little cocky. 

When Catholic lost in the CAC tournament in 2003, they still got to host a game in the NCAA's.  They lost, so I don't know how long they would have been home, but I would think that York still has a great shot at at least hosting 1 game.  They deserve it.

[ycp]

Salisbury's first half performance at the free throw line (12-for-14) kept them in the game.  I think that if they would have struggled from the line in the opening 20, it may have been a different story because they did struggle from the floor in the first half (just eight field goals).  I also thought Salisbury got a big majority of loose balls and long rebounds last night which was a major factor. That hasn't happened to the Spartans too many times this year and last night, it really cost them. Like I said before, the better team won last night.

York will work hard over the next few days and get ready for an NCAA bid (hopefully).

[cugrad]

Last night's loss to Salisbury takes nothing away from the success that York has achieved this year. At 26-3, they are still the best team in the conference, as well as the best team in the region. Though I must say that Lincoln appears to be right there with them. I would bet that York has beaten more teams above 500% than any other of the top teams in the region. They deserve, and will receive a first round bye, then host a game on Saturday. I expect that they will do quite well in the tournament.

GO CARDS!!!

[njlincolnlion]

If Salisbury beats CUA, and gets the NCAA bid, then there's a possibility of a Lincoln/Salisbury match-up!  This scenario would be wild for me since my daughter is a senior at Salisbury, and I'm sending tuition money there, while I have my alumni obligation to Lincoln.  I gotta go with my alma mater since Lincoln will forever be in my heart.  Salisbury is temporary for me, and will be my daughter's responsibility as an alumnus  .