MBB: Commonwealth Conference

[susquejamma]

Here are my picks for February 10 action...

Etown @ Widener:  Though the Pioneers continue to slide, I have to think if Etown grabs an upset here, WU is done for the year.  This is a must-win for the Pioneers, and again they'll struggle...but Widener will win it.

Anybody else care to make some picks?

I agree with all of them, although I have a feeling about an Eclown upset. Bytheway, Widener is no longer the Pioneers; it is now the Pride.

[luvdahoops]

With LVC's big road win at Juniata, the battle for three playoff spots -- with four teams contending -- just got verrrrrrrrrrry interesting.

Current standings, with two games left:
7-5:  Juniata, Susquehanna, and Widener
6-6:  Lebanon Valley

Here our the remaining games:
JC:  SU, @AC
SU:  @JC, @LVC
WU:  MorC, @MesC
LVC:  AC, SU

I see the Tuesday games as JC d. SU, WU d. MorC, and LVC d. AC.  If that happens:
8-5:  Juniata and Widener
7-6:  Susquehanna and Lebanon Valley

It looks like the Crusaders need to get Robinson back in the line-up, if at all possible, for the two regular season games.  If SU is saving him so he's healthier for the playoff run, that could result in SU not even making the playoffs!

So, whatcha think?  Any other forecasters out there?

[susquejamma]

It's about time the MAC finally got its own domain, rather than running it from Lebanon Valley's Web site.

[Pat Coleman]

Actually, the MASCAC is headquartered in Massachusetts. Whatever name the MAC wants to affect itself with, I think the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference has a better claim to the acronym.

[Pat Coleman]

Of course, the MAC into the MASCAC is a more recent incarnation.

Exactly, which is surely all that matters.

[susquejamma]

Final standings:

1. Messiah
2. Juniata
3. Susquehanna
4. Widener

[YoderFan]

Playoffs are set.

Messiah beat Albright in the first round of conference playoffs last year to sweep the season series 3-0. It is tough to beat a team 3 times in a year. Can Messiah do it to Widener this year or is Widener going to gain their revenge sfter last year's heart breaking conference finals loss in Chester. Will they get the last laugh at Steve King as they shake hands?

Susquehanna travels to play at Juniata. The first time they met in Selingsgrove, the Crusaders came out with a 2 point W. More recently in the middle of nowhere, Juniata came out victorious by the tune of 15. The big question in this game is... Will Mr. Robinson suit up for the Crusaders? It has been obvious they are a different team with him in the lineup. Will Juniata win their first playoff game in ages before they leave the MASCAC or will it be Susquehanna's win before they leave? This game could create a rivalry headed into the Landmark conference.

My predictions...

Messiah 64 - Widener 59
Susquehanna 73 - Juniata 70

Messiah hosting Susquehanna at Grantham.... hopefully with Mr. Robinson in the lineup so I can finally get a chance to see this kid play.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[TheGrove]

Not gonna lie... I wouldn't mind seeing Widener pull the upset, so if Susquehanna wins they can host the final. But I don't think it's likely.

And Juniata makes me nervous, regardless of whether or not SU has "Mr. Robinson" in the lineup.

Hey 'jamma, is there going to be a good SU contingent at the game?

[susquejamma]

Hey 'jamma, is there going to be a good SU contingent at the game?

I've heard a few students saying they are going to make the trip. I haven't heard anything about a student bus making the trip, so I'm guessing there won't be too many. Wednesday is a big night-class day, but I would like to see the school making an effort to get students to the championship if SU and Messiah meet Saturday.

[TheGrove]

A reliable source just told me Robinson's still out for Wednesday. He re-aggravated the original injury.

[raider12]

A reliable source just told me Robinson's still out for Wednesday. He re-aggravated the original injury.

I heard the same thing, I aslo heard Robinson has an MRI scheduled for Thursday, SU cant get a break this year. I would have loved to see a healthy SU vs Messiah.

[susquejamma]

A reliable source just told me Robinson's still out for Wednesday. He re-aggravated the original injury.

A really reliable source just told me that Robinson will be playing Wednesday in Huntingdon.

[YoderFan]

I would love to see an SU vs. Messiah final. Both teams have to win TOUGH games before that happens though.

Does Messiah get an at large bid if they were to lose???

[susquejamma]

Does Messiah get an at large bid if they were to lose???

I think that would be a toss up. Probably depend on which of the other teams did not AQ.

[FalconFan]

Post Season conference honors :

First Team :

Jared Yoder    Messiah
Kevin Cuff    Susquehanna
Malcolm Thomas    Widener
Jimmy Curran    Lebanon Valley
Brian Cannon    Juniata

Second Team :

Essien Ford    Widener
Matt Henninger    Messiah
Joel Patch    Susquehanna
Albert Medoro    Albright
Chris Jasiota    Juniata

Player of the Year: Jared Yoder, Messiah
Rookie of the Year: Bryan Majors, Susquehanna
Co-Coaches of the Year: Greg Curly, Juniata; Rick Van Pelt, Messiah