MBB: Commonwealth Conference

[Clutch]

Tournaments like the the one in Maryland this weekend by D3 sure area wonderful thing for entertainment and evaluation of teams thanks for doing these tourneys.

[CCHoopster]

Solid night for the MACC. Stevenson a huge win over Middlebury and Widener a good win versus Utica on the road in NY. This is an underrated conference.

I don't think the conference is underrated... I can't get through a conversation with any coach in any conference where the MACC isn't brought up as maybe the toughest in the region and certainly the deepest. However, I will say the conference has under-performed. To even come close to the conversations of the ODACs, NESCACs, CCIWs, UAAs, WIACs and those on the next level... teams in this conference have to perform in the post-season. Alvernia had the best chance last year, but people do raise an eyebrow when they talk about the Crusaders not being able to beat St. Mary's on their home court. That win would have done a lot to change the image of the MACC.

No one doubts this isn't a good conference with plenty of good teams and great coaches... but until a team or several teams make deep runs in the NCAA tournament... people will tend to think the conference is deep, but not strong at the top.

Does anyone think Albright should have had an at large last year? Didn't they take 3 CAC teams? How many at large bids have the MACC received over the years, with multiple 20 win teams in in a year. Asking honestly, not proving a point. The MAC shouldn't be compared to the CSAC. Etown (picked last in the MACC) beat Gwynedd. 

[Clutch]

would have been even nicer if Cabrini joined the MAC, not to sure how long the CSAC will survive anyway....that conference has one or two teams to get to tourney and maybe only one, I don't think the MACC is underrated for their level of play, just the fact teams from other conferences get deeper and get national attention.... The MACC seems like a more legitimate conference per say for D3 than the CSAC with tiny schools trying to establish programs there it would be interesting to see what would happen to that conference if there was not a Cabrini or Keystone...?  Perhaps there will be a reshuffling of the deck soon.

[Jon]

Alvernia had the best chance last year, but people do raise an eyebrow when they talk about the Crusaders not being able to beat St. Mary's on their home court. That win would have done a lot to change the image of the MACC.

I can't disagree with the statement that the win would have done a lot of good for the MACC, but I'm not sure how it's an eyebrow-raising loss.  St. Mary's has become one of the top teams in the Division, not just the region.

[Reserved Seat]

How long will Keystone stay a power with the change in coaching?  Can the new coach get the players from around the country?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Alvernia had the best chance last year, but people do raise an eyebrow when they talk about the Crusaders not being able to beat St. Mary's on their home court. That win would have done a lot to change the image of the MACC.

I can't disagree with the statement that the win would have done a lot of good for the MACC, but I'm not sure how it's an eyebrow-raising loss.  St. Mary's has become one of the top teams in the Division, not just the region.

It's eyebrow raising because it was in Alvernia's hands. They had the home-court advantage over a team that had barely survived against MIT the week before. That was there for the taking, no matter who SMC has been or is... you get a home game like that... you need to win that opportunity.

As for three teams from the CAC last year... the answer is no. There were two in Wesley and St. Mary's. The CAC hasn't had three teams in the tournament... in a very long time (if memory serves)!

Albright was on the bubble... but it was a very tentative bubble. I know when Pat and I were looking at what we thought were the last eight teams... Albright was in and out of the tournament several times before we finally put them in. However, our final regional rankings were guesses and when we did see who was on the final regional rankings, at least I understood why Albright was left off last year - there were criteria where they fell short to teams like Randolph.

[BJ - DSU SID]

Dave - I am going to come to Jon's defense here for a second.

I think we must have different definitions of "Eyebrows raising".  For us that's when a team that's not historically good beats a historically good team.

Considering that St. Mary's (MD) is one of 13 teams across the country to win 20+ games in each of the last five years...I don't think they have any wins that are "Eyebrows raising".  I think a team with credentials like that has a legitimate chance to win every single time they lace them up.  No matter where the game is played.

Was it a very good chance for Alvernia to get a program enhancing win...sure.  But the loss wasn't even close to "eyebrow raising".

Agree?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Well... we all can use different terms... but it was eyebrow raising to me because when I looked at the fact that Alvernia had a chance to take on a SMC team at home... I leaned towards Alvernia winning it. They had a chance not many other teams have had in facing SMC not in St. Mary's County, Maryland; they had proven to that point to play very good basketball and had the X's and O's to probably give SMC a really hard time; their numbers indicated they deserved to be the #1 team in the region thanks to their schedule and results.

So I think that is a win for Alvernia going in, though a really good test, so I say eyebrow raising because I think it was an opportunity lost that was really ripe for the taking. Also, when it comes to this conference... they need a statement win and that was going to be it. So I also raise my eyebrow to people who say this is the best conference in whatever comparison they give... and I point out they need a statement win.

[Clutch]

Hey Dave I get your point, kind of like playing at Virginia Wesleyan the Marlins are way too hard to beat at home and if you get them in your place it is a time to capitalize on the situation, having said that Alvernia may just not have been that good despite their numbers. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Exactly... Vir. Wesleyan away from their court is a beatable team. SMC at home is a major challenge. I think Alvernia is as good as their numbers... but I compare their situation to the Chicago Bulls back during Jordan's era with the Detroit Pistons. The Bulls always looked like they were a good team, but could never get past the Pistons. However, once they did.. the floodgates opened and Chicago was simply unstoppable nearly for eight years. I think Alvernia is in a position to open up the gates, but they have to have the signature win to prove to themselves they can do it. If they had beaten SMC last year, they could have gone a long way for them and the conference. We just have to wait for this season to see if they can breakthrough.

[Clutch]

With all due respect , Alvernia is a good team that is how they achieved their stats , yet stats in one area of the country are not the same value as stats in another area.  Realizing the same region was involved with these two teams playing makes it more credible in my opinion to believe the Crusaders did have a golden opportunity to make a statement for the the region.  The PE in Reading Pa is a great place to watch a game as well with passion flowing and school spirit, although not the biggest place still big enough to enjoy a great contest.  The students are vocal and fly their colors well.  Jon no disrespect to your team.   In light of this, would have to say this game would have stuck out either way especially if the Crusaders won ! ! !

[Jon]

Thanks for the dialog, guys.  I appreciate it.

Here's to hoping the Crusaders can find a way to get that breakthrough, postseason win. In my tenure we've endured our share of heartbreaking losses. '03, second round at #1 Randolph-Macon probably the toughest when a buzzer-beating 3 for RMC forced OT and Reading's own Jared Mills was unstoppable in the extra period.

Or the Jackets again in '11, at St. Mary's, took advantage of a tough turnover with 90 seconds left and pushed for a transition 3. A 5-point swing that turned a potential 9-point lead to a 4-point gap.

Last year's winner salivated at the chance to host Morrisville State for the right to play in Salem, but SMC handed Alvernia its first home, NCAA Championship loss.

All you can do is get back at it...and that starts tomorrow in Owing's Mill against Stevenson, the holder of one of this season's eyebrow-raising wins.

[CCHoopster]

Glad to see the MACC getting some dialogue on the board. I still don't think Alvernia wins the league. Stevenson or Messiah.

[Jon]

Glad to see the MACC getting some dialogue on the board. I still don't think Alvernia wins the league. Stevenson or Messiah.

What do you think the difference will be?  What gives the Mustangs or Falcons the edge?

[CCHoopster]

Crusaders- VERY Talented but no Bridgers takes away any chance of having a bench to contribute. They play 5 guys and want to play 5 guys. With how games are being called that really hurts them. Just don't think they can be as aggressive on D as they were. Would I be surprised if they win the MACC, nope, not at all. Just think they finish 2 or 3 by only a game maybe 2.

Mustangs- Lost some talent but their showing this weekend stated that their #2 pre season pick in the MACC poll probably is warranted. Athletic, tough to defend, dynamic duo in Hawkins and Roberts and that is a tough place to travel and play. Can defend, rebound and are aggressive and good on d. Can speed you up and run sets to get looks in the 1/2 court.

Falcons- I think they win the league if you have a gun to my head. Have 5 starters returning 4 double digit scorers, bring back an all region and district player who missed last year Fernandez, the leading returning scorer in the MACC in Bolan and all 5 starters started or were in top 7 rotation as sophomores when Messiah won the MACC Title and advanced to NCAA's. Their experience is very real, and have big game experience (conference playoffs, conference championship game and NCAA game), they score the ball and have always defended really hard. With how athletic the league has gotten (IMO more so than before) the falcons manage to compete and are pretty athletic themselves. They can shoot you out of the gym at times.

No dis respect to anyone else. I think the MACC Title goes through MC this year. I normally don't have as much hi level of faith in Messiah (no pun intended) but do this season simply because their experience.

Thanks for the dialogue again! Love the CC board and hope this one gets going too!