MBB: Colonial States Athletic Conference

[chizwiz]

I have been reading d3hoops (and football) for as long as it has been in existence.  I enjoy reading your posts and now hope to join in the interesting discussions.

Coach K,  in response to your question about Bobby Black:  he is not practicing with the team right now due to a health issue.  It seems unclear when he will be healthy.  Good news for other teams in the PAC; bad news for the Eagles.

WolfPac, your question about Jeff Dailey:  First, what a fun player to watch (even though I'm an EU guy).  He might have been the best shooter from behind the arc last year in the PAC.  He hustled to get open every second of the game, reminiscent of a great shooter we all know from the Pacers recently retired.  And he was a competitor.  I know he was looking into transferring to EU, but didn't.  He is not playing anywhere that I know about.  I might be wrong, though.

[chizwiz]

Why do many of you think the PAC is more competitive than previous years?  I can definitely see more parity for at least 6-7 years.  I don't see great evidence this early in the year for the comparison to other conferences.

[Jon]

WolfPAC,

We're going to have to redirect some of that Crusader anger you have.

You can't compare the coaching transitions at Alvernia and Cabrini.  It's completely Apples & Oranges.  The Crusaders were able to execute a planned transition with coaches and players already in place.  If by some stretch the Cabrini transition was a plan, then maybe I could interest someone in an application for an Alvernia MBA and an education from some of our fine Business Planning professors.

I haven't seen the Cavs in person yet this season, but I doubt the PAC is that much better than Cabrini.  There are four 1-win teams at the bottom of the heap including the preseason favorite, but it's still very early, both in the season and in the big picture.

Division 3 basketball is topsy-turvy, it's just the nature of the beast.  The PAC holds some pretty good non-conference wins already this year, but has also dropped some stinkers.  Like I said, there's still plenty of time for this season to play out.

[Coach K]

Much bigger difference at Alvernia with the coaching change. Coach Miller was on Coach McClosky's staff for at least 10 years, so he knew the program inside and out, what the focus of the school is, plus he has all of his Reading connections.

I hope Cabrini can turn the corner, as it only helps the conference when they are competitive.

[Pat Coleman]

I have been reading d3hoops (and football) for as long as it has been in existence.  I enjoy reading your posts and now hope to join in the interesting discussions.

Man, welcome aboard -- nine years of lurking is an awful long time!

[chizwiz]

I have been reading d3hoops (and football) for as long as it has been in existence.  I enjoy reading your posts and now hope to join in the interesting discussions.

Man, welcome aboard -- nine years of lurking is an awful long time!

Only if the reading was dull, which it wasn't.

[WolfPAC]

Jon,

Not truly angry at Alvernia, the are an important asset to the PAC.
When you are on top everyone is gunning for you so that is where my energy is focused. 

As long as a team gets into the playoffs, the game plan for beating Alvernia is the only way out of the conference.

Hoping for a fun eventful season.   But.... maybe someone could beat Alvernia.

[heatlee]

As a Cabrini alum, during the NAIA days, my loyalty WILL ALWAYS be with John Dzik.  Do I want Cabrini to lose?  No, because I could care less.  My point is and always will be a John Dzik team WOULD NOT have blown a 31 point lead with 16 minutes to play at home plain and simple.

[chizwiz]

EU beats NC in overtime by 6.  EU was up 20-5 early, but, as always, couldn't sustain and gave up the lead until the final minutes.  More of the same.  EU is going to have to work on their mental game in order to do well through the season.

Neumann seems to have been outcoached, sadly.  While they have a very athletic and physical (more on this later) team, their full-court press left much to be desired.  They are going to have to play more disciplined and take fewer risks if they want to really do that full-court thing.  I think they have the talent, but whether they have 40 minutes of heart is up to them this season.

Eastern did give up 27 turnovers, which is a nagging problem for them.  Maybe some of the juniors will realize that the ball is a precious item, not something to throw around for good luck.  Although, somehow the conference hasn't figured out that if they leave DiMaria open, he might score a few on them (31).

Anyway, it looks like the PAC is tied at 3-1 with Neumann, Eastern, and Gwynedd? (not sure about G-MC).

Any other updates?

[lefty2]

Heatlee,

You're correct - John Dzik's team never would have blown a 31-point lead at home.

Actually, I'm not sure a team coached by anyone, anywhere has "accomplished" the feat previously.

We're checking to see if CM's miraculous comeback last week was the greatest ever in D-III.

[Coach K]

Wasn't Kentucky down 31 against LSU when Pitino was coaching there?

Cabrini lost the halftime lead against DeSales last night, lost 69-63. Reid had 24. Was anyone at the game? DeSales seems to have been playing better recently, so it is encouraging for Cabrini to be in a competitive game against them.

[chizwiz]

Wasn't Kentucky down 31 against LSU when Pitino was coaching there?

Cabrini lost the halftime lead against DeSales last night, lost 69-63. Reid had 24. Was anyone at the game? DeSales seems to have been playing better recently, so it is encouraging for Cabrini to be in a competitive game against them.

That depends on what the definition of "in" is.  From what I heard, DeSales had one of their worst games this year, with the players not mentally preparing themselves for a team they considered to be sub-par.

[Jon]

Chizwiz,

Sounds like a little cross-the-street, EU bias in that assessment.  Sources close to me indicate that once the Bulldogs figured out how to defend Randy Reid, the momentum swung in their favor.

[Coach K]

How did Ryan Oxley play against DeSales? He was a decent shooter in high school at Northwestern.

Any back and forth between the Alvernia and Wesley fans before their game on Saturday? Where are the Wolves fans?? Or are they still focused on the Division 3 football playoffs!

[D3fan14]

Ryan Oxley played well last night, but was unable to get a lot of open looks.

The Cabrini DeSales game was competitive, but DeSales played more disciplined basketball at the end of the game. And they did defend Randy Reid well in the second half.

Cabrini is a good team,  they are just young, and while they can go up on a team by 31 or 15, they are still learning what it takes to maintain it. Young guys need time to learn how to make smart decisions.

January should be interesting with no immediate "team to beat". Can't wait to see who pulls it together.