MBB: Colonial States Athletic Conference

[Coach C]

WolfPAC -

I think you are fairly mistaken about some issues. 

First, I have seen COH play this year and most of the PAC as well.  COH can't beat a single team in the PAC. 

Second, You are thinking about NAIA back in the day.  Currenly, the NAIA is a refuge for below-average programs and talent.  Half of the PAC is better than 80% of the NAIA.

Third, the PAC is in a down phase right now, but things have generally been cyclic in this league.  Schools will make adjustments and the PAC can come back.  IF the stronger schools stick around.

Fourth,  the coaches are pretty good in this league.  I would not point to any of them and say that thye are poster children for institutional neglect.  I do think that the part-time coach model that lots of these schools use is suspect.  But that is the school, not the coach.

C

[Jon]

WolfPAC,

I appreciate the back and forth you have supplied, but I can't let that last one slip by.  I'm gonna have to jump on board with Pat and The Coach on this one.  I can't speak to the COH program, but I find it hard to believe it would be competitive in the PAC.

And what's up with this paragraph.  It's just chock full of off-the-mark statements.

Looking at other conferences in D111,  this is embarassing.  What and who is going to do something to change things in the PAC.  Seems like all these SID people take their job seriously but most coaches are not committed due to "institutional neglect" so the PAC is suffering with members leaving the bottom of the barrell in the PAC.  What high school kid is going to go to a D3 school unless they are afraid to play at a higher level?  Academically and confidence wise kids who want to be in a small school are not the best for the PAC.   There are exceptions but few!    Why would Chandler come here unless he wanted to be an American Idol and rot on a bench somewhere else?     At least St. Joes gave Jameer a chance.

You can't imply that coaches are not committed to their positions.  I know for a fact they cross paths more on the recruiting trail than they do during their own games.  That's a tremendous committment, especially from the part-timers.  You have to remember that all the SIDs are at least on campus in a full-time capacity.

High school kids being in D3 because they are affraid to play at a higher level!?!  Not sure I can buy into that.  My theory is that it takes heart, body, and talent to play at the highest level.  Having one of the three will get you into D3, two of three can get you D2, and the total package is a D1 player.  Of course, there are some exceptions to the theory, such as ridiculous talent being a trump card, but I don't think fear plays a big part in where you land.

Chandler was a Scranton kid and chose to play close to home at Misericordia.  He certainly could have played up at least a division.  I've seen my fair share of PSAC games and Willie would have starred there too.

Sure, St. Joe's gave Jameer a chance, but he obviously has talent to burn.  The first player off the bench during Jameer's senior year, Ray Strickland, was a star in his own rights here at The Vern.  Coach McCloskey gave him a chance and no one here has any regrets.

[WolfPAC]

Thx C. and Jon.

I am still skeptical about the future of the PAC but I am encouraged by both of your words about the level of competition vs. COHara H.S.

Perhaps I over reacted, but the games seem more exciting there.

It seems as if the colleges in the PAC do not band together with an athletic voice.  You both are probably correct about the passion and committment of the coaches but there still seems to be a missing ingredient which I attribute to the lack of a superstar or a team not getting out of the lower brackets in the NCAA's.   Perhaps I am wrong for attributing the lack of excitement or missing ingredient as I call it as the staff or coaches fault.  Please forgive me all !   I must disagree that the PAC needs something to promote its credibility then amongst all these high schools as an alternative for students to attendi PA state universities.

Maybe the PAC needs to market itself more successfully at the high school level. Not a coach recruiting a player, rather the image of d3 basketball as a credible choice with the PAC as the local representative of D3.  The question is how?   Use the playoffs and get more of the region interested.  Maybe we need to listen to the students in high school who do not know what the PAC even is at this point.   A symbol, banner or adveristement?  Something to identify with......... seems ridiculous but think about it !

I don't think of high flying dunks when I hear D3 or PAC.  The environment does not seem right to make it credible.  Almost seems more like a high school instead of college game.   The size of the school could have something to do with it, but money also plays a part I am sure.  Watching a game at that level seems to be lacking the one big play or flash unless you are personally involved with a vested interest.  Therefore, if there was better promotion in the region or even a radio announcement ( I know money and institiutional neglect) about a rivalry in the playoffs to make it more interesting and the fact that tickets are cheap could be a selling point.  But when you get into a little gym to watch the game, the environment changes the level of play subconsciously.   For example watching a game at Alvernia is more collegiate than at the Neuman. Even though this is only true environmentally speaking on the surface.  The image seems wrong.  More NCAA and PAC promotion needs to be all around no matter what gym one is in.  The fact that Alvernia looks more like a bowl helps over dinky little bleachers at Eastern & Neuman.  Has anyone ever watched a woman's game at Rosemont.  You may have to go there to understand while you sit on little metal chairs with no bleachers. Glass backboards help too!

Again, institutional neglect or dollars. Enrollment, recruiting..... which is it? I know Roseont is not coed but then again look at what is happening over at Immaculata.  Seems to have traditions to grow and build upon but will they? 

The fan base of the schools in the PAC leaves alot to be desired. The students do not realize the level of play and come out on a regular basis with school spirit to cheer their teams on.  This also baffles me.  Just doesn't seem as fun or collegiate in the PAC unless it is a PAC championship game.   Look at March Madness and think about PAC basketball.  Oh well sorry all, just trying to help the image of the PAC.

If I could do it some way myself I would.  I may gripe alot but I do care....

Oh yeah... beat Alvernia .. no hard feelings!

[WolfPAC]

Congratulations to Alvernia men and women for a sweep yesterday.

Beat Alvernia !

[gordonmann]

What a game in the PAC championship tonight.

Alvernia had a big lead early in the second half and the young Wesley team looked dead.  But they fought back with great defense and torrid shooting from Rashawn Johnson and Mike Wright to take a 61-57 lead.  The Wolverines turned it over late and Alvernia took a 64-61 lead with about 15 seconds left.

A Wesley player hit a fade away jumper with a guy on him for three to tie-- no, make that a two.  A ref ruled it was a two point shot.  Alvernia hit two free throws and survived for a 66-63 win.

Congratulations to Coach Kobasa on a great first year with a lot of talented freshmen. 

And congratulations to the PAC Champions, Alvernia College and Zach Straining, who are going to the NCAA tournament. 

[Jon]

Gordon,

Thank you for calling the action last night.  We received several e-mails and phone calls that were complimentary of the job you did and appreciative of the service provided.

What a game indeed.  Note to CAC coaching staffs...it's never to early to start preparing to guard Rashawn Johnson.  However, don't lose focus on the other four players on the court.  With a full year to recruit the Wesley coaching staff could have a dynamite team for the foreseeable future.

"Diesel" Ed Hochuli just returned from under the hood and after further video review the play stands as called on the court.  Wright's stutter step put his right foot on the line prior to the shot.

Agreed on the congratulations to Coach Kobasa and his staff.  That team is definitely worth the price of admission.

WolfPAC, the loss didn't happen for ya in the PAC Championships, but you have to be happy for a classy group of Crusader seniors who secured their second PAC Title.  They followed the first title taking Randolph-Macon, then the national #1, to overtime in the NCAA second round.  Time will tell how this memorable class caps its career.

[WolfPAC]

Jon,   

Alvernia is truly representing the PAC at the moment.  I must hope for the best.    ---- Salem ----

It means a great deal for the PAC during these tough times so they must battle.     Truthfully,  I thought Wesley would beat them. 


If it is a one and out,  it will be a dissappointment.   Hoping for more from Alvernia if they are indeed that good.

To this end...  I do wish them all the luck in the future so they can make some dreams and careers even more memorable.

Keep me posted please.  I appreciate your input and really hope they do well.

Sincerely,  WolfPAC

[bballfan22]

To Gordonmann Re #185 2/23/06 - New at this
chatline thing but wanted to reply to your
post re: Championship game between Alvernia
and Wesley College.  What a game - a cardiac
game for sure - you have to give Wesley a lot
of credit for their "comeback".  They seem
to never give up -   I do
wonder if anyone else in attendance at the
PAC mens bball  games this year saw any need of improvement in the area of the officiating?
Alvernia has an awesome team - good luck to
them.
All teams in this conference seem equally
talented and could have won a game at any time.
Thanks for providing some thrilling times
for us the fans.   

[Knightstalker]

ECAC Selections

[WolfPAC]

Go Crusaders !

[WolfPAC]

 I think Alvernia  could take Messiah with no problem.
Cabrini only lost by  32 pts  when they played them earlier this year but the Cavs had no clue during that time.

Beat Messiah ! !

[Jon]

I'm glad to see the tune has changed once the conference tournament is over WolfPAC.  It's good to see some PAC loyalty once the national tournament begins.  I understand I am roughly 175 posts away from being allowed to dole out Karma, but if I could you'd have a point coming your way.

The first NCAA preview is posted on the home site.  http://athletics.alvernia.edu/News/mbball/2006/2/27/060227mbncaapre.asp?path=mbball  
More information to follow later in the week as the focus shifts completely to Men's Hoops.

The Men's All-PAC Awards were released today.
Zach Straining - POTY  (Only the third different player in the past seven years to earn the award)
Chris Talley - 1st Team (Talley and Straining go back-to-back 1st Teams)
Lamar Brickus and Garrett Etzel - Honorable Mention

Eric Elliott (Arc), Andre Wright (Neu), and Rashawn Johnson (Wes) round out the First Team.

Second Team
Anthony Bennett (Cab), Jim McMahon (Cab), Corey Brown (Mis), Bobby Black (Eas), and Chris DelBrocco (GMC)

Johnson earns Rookie of the Year (no surprise)
Pat Dorney (Arc) named Coach of the Year

[WolfPAC]

Hopefully the refs will take care of business in the national tournament and them play a little bit inside.

If this happens, Alvernia has to be tough on the boards until crunch time and with ball control the Crusaders should win easily if they shoot well.

Lets get started ! 

[WolfPAC]

Lincoln is beatable you know !

Just have to play smart with no turnovers with your hands in their faces.

If they put the ball on the floor they are like everyone else.

Thinking ahead optimistically,

WPAC

[WolfPAC]

Seriously guys,


Messiah should take Alvernia & Lincoln will win the tournament.
Lincoln will probably get to the final 4 if they can beat Va.  who has won something like 23 in a row.

Officiating will play a part I am sure in those close games.  Alvernia will have to work extremely hard if they will have a chance.