MBB: Coast 2 Coast Athletic Conference

[bisoncrew]

BisonKiller, I agree with you- thereiis' comments today were pretty much basically a cheapshot at not only CUA but the CAC as well. But aside from that controversy, I gotta admit, I'm taken aback by your lackadaisical comeback. Although quite pugilistic and a little bit belligerent, your comebacks usually have more spiz-azz to them.

Btw, didn't you say earlier today you weren't going to post any more? And just as I was getting ready to rejoice at the fact that you would finally stop trying to rain shame down on the Bison with your pessimistic anecdotes...

BUT, as my man Gandhi once said-- "One cannot shake hands with a clenched fist." So, lets all try n get along with one another here on the greatest board in DIII Ball.  

Go YORK and CUA, represent the CAC to the max!

[Matt Letourneau]

D-Mac,
I appreciate your comments.  You do have a point.  The difference over the last few weeks has been that Catholic has been much more balanced, though.  Not so much between players (so that everyone is scoring 12 a game or whatever), but at least between the inside and outside games.   They've really stepped up ball movement (I keep pointing out their assist to basket ratio, its been like .80) and that has led to easier shots inside and open shots outside.

Now, I'm not saying its going to be easy to make that happen against Widener.  As I've said, I haven't seen them, so I'm not making those kinds of predictions.  Doesn't mean that you and others can't make educated guesses as to what might happen. 

I agree that playing at York is a tremendous advantage for Catholic.  They aren't going to be bothered by the floor.  There should be a decent showing of Catholic fans since its a relatively short and familiar drive.  And I can personally attest to the fact that the team is highly motivated to get another shot at York.   That was a debacle, and rarely in life do you get a second chance. 

There are not many big guys that can play defense with a guy like Clarkson.  I think Catholic is one of those teams though because they have the personnel.   Let's face it, D3 is not exactly overflowing with 6'7 guys that can run the floor like Sowden and Dwyer.  And not too many teams can go to the bench and not give up that size (Spirenberg, Baker).  Of course, guys like Singer of York have still had good games against CUA, so nothing is a given, but my argument is that Catholic is probably better suited to face somebody like that than a lot of teams Widener could have drawn.

All that aside, I think both CUA and York appreciate the support from the rest of the league.

[thereiis]

D-Mac, i couldnt agree more. they are definitely even to say the least. in regards to the gym they are playing in, widener played on that floor 2 years ago i believe for a tournament against york and i believe one other time as well for the same tournament a different year. not to say they are accustomed to it, but none the less, they have played on it. so if thats the only strength CU has is the floor they are playing on, ill be happy with that.

Furthermore, I havent put down any school or conference. I came in here to start conversation about the game, not put down the CAC. If by defending my argument i am putting down a conference or school, I dont know what to say. I guess I apologize, but nothing about the CAC was brought up. And besides looking up stats online at CUA's site, how would you like someone who isnt a player or coach to get the low down? I apologize if I dont watch film and talk to other schools before posting.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Furthermore, I havent put down any school or conference. I came in here to start conversation about the game, not put down the CAC. If by defending my argument i am putting down a conference or school, I dont know what to say. I guess I apologize, but nothing about the CAC was brought up. And besides looking up stats online at CUA's site, how would you like someone who isnt a player or coach to get the low down? I apologize if I dont watch film and talk to other schools before posting.

By simply replying immediately to any comment towards Gallaudet... you started a touchy subject. Not the way to start.

I think the teams are even in a sense. CUA plays a tougher schedule I think than Widener does and I think that gives CUA the advantage (I will firmly say the CAC is probably a much better confernence than either MAC division).

Can Widener win? Sure. But CUA and YCP both lots of height and YCP certainly has the best shooters in the league.

If CUA struggles early, don't look for them to come on hot later. I have noticed than when the Cards start to struggle... it gets in their heads.

Sowden and Dwyer are certainly the biggest key for a CUA win, but guard play is especially important. In the few games I have seen CUA play (including against YCP), I have seen severe inconsistency between the starting guards and the bench guards. Nothing against Wasilenko or Kelley, but I think they let their supposed disagreement with Coach Howe... translate into how they played. I have personally never let a coach affect the way I played in a negative fashion. That is exactly what I saw in Wasilenko and Kelley... and as a result, when they are in the game... it is a COMPLETELY different game for the other players on the court. If Wasilenko and Kelley can (or have) put the differences aside... then CUA is very dangerous.

Also, I am not that impressed with Speirenberg off the bench. He is not the offensive weapon Sowden can be and he tends to make huge mistakes on defense. In the last game against YCP, he seemed overwhelmed. I think if CUA has to go to their bench for inside play early or because of foul-trouble... that too could be a death blow.

I am hoping CUA proves me wrong on this... but they haven't yet this year.

I will be very interested to see... and I will see since I will be along side Pat Coleman calling all the games in York this weekend.

Looking forward to what I think will be the final three basketball games to be played on the kitchen tile.

[Matt Letourneau]

In fairness, D-Mac, you saw a lot of guys at their absolute worst in that York game, and that was 50% of your impression of Catholic.   In fact, that was a career worst game for almost everybody and the entire program.

Waslinenko has been fantastic lately...look at his numbers from the CAC tournament--10 assists against Mary Wash.  Kelly gets put in to defend against whichever guard is hottest and has been very effective in that role.   There was some speculation on this board that there was some kind of problem amongst the guards or with the coach, but that's all it was--speculation because a freshman got to start and people assumed there would be a problem.  Did anybody who saw the Cardinals last week see an ounce of that?

Considering the playing time that Stolz has gotten (he starts but then ends up with no more than 12-15 minutes), if Was wasn't playing at least competently, Catholic wouldn't be winning.  That simple.  You can't be sharing the ball and setting up teammates to the tune of a .8/basket if people aren't getting along. 

Of course Sprienberg isn't an offensive weapon.  Never has been. He usually plays pretty good defense, gets some blocks and hustles.  That's his role.  Off the bench, Mish has been the key offensive player during the second half of the season.  If you look at his minutes and his points, he's scoring 8-10 points in 10-14 minutes every time out.  He can actually shoot jump shots and make free throws. 

So I guess that's my update as to where things are since you last saw Catholic.  Taking a long view, I now don't consider that York game so bad because it turned things around.  They got spanked, refocused, starting executed their coaches game plans better, and, not coincidentally, starting winning.  It took a while to get there, but they got there. 

Whether the journey continues or not, I don't know, but its interesting to watch the ups and downs of a team that ends up 21-6 and conference champions.  There's a lesson in taking the long view.

[John Rusnak]

I don't have much to contribute to the board right now, but I will say that after filling out my brackets, I've got York back in the Final Four this year, so don't choke and let me down!

The only game I see them losing is in the second round against Catholic.  If they get through that I think they will have a decent shot. 

The only other question is where they would have to play to get to Salem.  Everybody good is hosting the first/second round, so who has home court for the S16 and E8 could be critical...

[CACFan01]

Ok, Widener Fan (reiis), as a NBA scouter....

Starting line-up for the Widener-
PG #1   Blakey- leads the team in assists, avg 5 pts.  (Don't go tight on him, he'll blow by ya and let him beat you from his outside shooting)
SG #14 Ford- avg 13.9 pts, led the team in 3pt shooting, tough rebounder with 4.7 RPG (second best player, Clarkson needs his scoring, Stop Ford+Score70s=WIN)
SF #32 Thomas- avg 13 pts, second leading 3 pt shooting, 4.4 RPG, he's 6'4. (He's an upsie-downsie player, when hot, hot, when cold, cold.)
PF #35 Michael- avg 6 pts, avg 4.6 RPG (roollllleee player, shouldn't have a problem with him)
C  #21 Clarkson- best player, avg 20 pts, 10 RPG with a nice additional of 72 assists (Lord, somebody call Dennis Rodman, please...)

They seemed to rely on only 6-8 players with 4 players averaging over 33+ minutes.  They showed some tiredness toward to the end of the season with losing 2 of the last 4 games.  In the last 8 games, they averaged 67 pts a game. However, their defense is amazing, only to allow 61 pts a game (last 8 games).  Honestly, this sounded like a Gallaudet team with Haney leading the team but they have inexperienced guards. In a similar way, Clarkson would lead his team and his guards are more experienced. Also, the team's defense is very good.

As for Catholic, I think they have the advantage. First is the Wolff Gym and second, they have bodies to pound Clarkson down. Lastly, they will probably go tight on Ford.

Possible match-up of the game-
Widener   Catholic
#1      #22
#14      #14
#32      #33
#35      #34
#21      #42

Good enough to be a NBA scouter, eh?

[rollingthunda]

I'm a poster from the Commonwealth and saw Widener's win against Etown in the playoffs.  I also only have knowledge of Catholic from reading what everyone else has posted on here.  That being said, Widener has 4 very tough players that play pretty much the entire game.  From what you guys have posted about Catholic liking to run an uptempo game, I would say Catholic takes this game if they can dictate an uptempo game.  From the game I saw, Clarkson was tugging his shorts early in the second half and appeared fatigued (although that didn't stop him from throwin down a few monster dunks in the second half).  I have said from the beginning of the year, that playing uptempo and being very physical with Clarkson are the keys to beating Widener.  It certainly sounds like CUA has the tools to do this.  Don't count Widener out though.  If they can slow it down they are pretty good in the half court.  Whoever dictates the pace of the game will come away with the W in this game.

[Matt Letourneau]

Thanks for the insight, Interesting.

Catholic will go 11-12 deep in this game, and they've got the big bodies to have in there at all times.  Fatigue is never an issue late in the game for them.

However, when the game gets slowed down and the Cardinals get stuck in half court, they sometimes can struggle a little, so we'll see.  That's when they need their shooters.

[John Rusnak]

Thanks for the insight, Interesting.

Catholic will go 11-12 deep in this game, and they've got the big bodies to have in there at all times.  Fatigue is never an issue late in the game for them.

However, when the game gets slowed down and the Cardinals get stuck in half court, they sometimes can struggle a little, so we'll see.  That's when they need their shooters.

Catholic might PLAY 11-12 guys, but they will not really "go 11-12 deep"

[cugrad]

Cards, good luck tomorrow evening in your game against Widener! Remember, if you play hard, good things will happen!!

GO CARDS!!!

Does anybody remember the NCAA tournament game when Catholic played at Widener during their National Championship season? That was an interesting game.   

[Pat Coleman]

Pat Maloney's dad might remember the game but he doesn't remember the ending.

[thereiis]

Dmac

"By simply replying immediately to any comment towards Gallaudet... you started a touchy subject. Not the way to start."

Because I responded to comments regarding why a game from the beginning of the season would be in question at the end of a season I therefore started a touchy subject? Granted, I know why that was brought up after the fact, but if you think I was questioning that school based on the "style" of school I should say, your sadly mistaken. Or maybe I misunderstood what you meant. Not sure.

Anyway, CACFAN....impressive stats with your post, but again, without watching film and breaking that down everything you mentioned can be received online. Your right with everything you said and i agree, but film is where you would get your advantages, players trends and tendencies and what not. Thats all I was implying.

In regards to Widener being tired; definitely correct. I actually remember saying that to someone during there last game. Does anyone think Catholic is? I obviously havent seen them play so im just curious.

And again, Widener has played on that court in previous years. The court sucks, but I cant see a court supplying that much of an advantage for a first round game or any game for that matter.

[bbald eagle]

And again, Widener has played on that court in previous years. The court sucks, but I cant see a court supplying that much of an advantage for a first round game or any game for that matter.

York's gym is a very difficult venue. CUA's greater familiarity with it should prove to be some advantage against Widener. But not as much an advantage as York will have should it play CUA or Widener.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

And again, Widener has played on that court in previous years. The court sucks, but I cant see a court supplying that much of an advantage for a first round game or any game for that matter.

York's gym is a very difficult venue. CUA's greater familiarity with it should prove to be some advantage against Widener. But not as much an advantage as York will have should it play CUA or Widener.

Exactly my point. Yes... Widener has played in it... but CUA has played in it at least once every year and sometimes twice. This will be their second visit in less than a month. There are actually players on Wideners team that haven't seen this court.

Let us also remember, that this is probably the last three games we ever see at Wolff Gym. I am pretty confident in saying YCP will NOT be hosting the Sectionals if they get that far. So, while we all think the gym needed an upgrade ten years ago... all of us with the opportunity to enjoy the games... should relish in the fact that next year... YCP is going to be "hooked up!"... and we will no longer get the chance to say... "playing on the kitchen floor/tile."

As for going 11-12 deep... I agree with John Rusnak. They may sub-down that low... but they are not as talented ("deep") that low on the bench. Subbing Speirenberg in for Sowden is a considerable step-down. If CUA is forced to play that deep on their bench for considerable minutes, they may be in trouble.

Cards, good luck tomorrow evening in your game against Widener! Remember, if you play hard, good things will happen!!

GO CARDS!!!

Last I checked... the team was playing on Friday night!  Not tomorrow!  Matt... what are they serving, breathing, eating, drinking over that at CUA these days???

Oh and Matt... rumor has it Gene is refing the first round game...



...just kidding!!! I have no idea who the assigned crew is.