MBB: Commonwealth Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Stevenson is obviously playing in the 2nd Annual Hoopsville National Invitational Classic: http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2013/06/hoopsville-classic-features-three-elite-eight-teams

[Clutch]

Looking forward to start of new season.....November 15th should provide a good test for Alvernia at home right out of the shoot.

[CCHoopster]

Will the MACC board be dead this year? Hope not, some good teams at the top half! Has anyone seen any teams play yet in scrimmages? Is Alvernia a lock to win or is a young Stevenson squad ready to contend at the top.... Messiah has a lot back and Lyco and Albright are always competitive....

Best of luck to all MACC teams this year!

[middhoops]

Just checking in here to see if there is any buzz regarding highly ranked Alvernia' opener against Middlebury.  The Middlebury coach says that Alvernia is very, very good team.  This will be the most challenging opening game for a team from the NESCAC this season.
If anyone is interested in talking up Alvernia, I'd be happy to share info on their opponent.
Let the games begin!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Alvernia is a very good team... but their weakness is something Middlebury can exploit... and the same thing St. Mary's did exploit last year. Their spread it out offense is great until a solid defensive team challenges them. Not to compare them to Grinnell, because they are not the same, but the premise is the same.

I think Alvernia is more seasoned and better tested this year having gone through the experience from last season and the second round loss to SMC. However, they did lose some experience just as Middlebury has - so I think this is a terrific test for both teams... especially ahead of the next weekend's Hoopsville Classic for Middlebury. By the way... the winner of the Alvernia-Middlebury game probably faces F&M the next day... so that adds some intrigued as well - though I think both Middlebury and Alvernia are better than F&M even if it is on their home court.

[Clutch]

Thinking Alvernia will have the advantage in speed department.  Middlebury will slow down the tempo but not sure how successful Alvernia will be against such a disciplined team.
Thinking Middlebury takes this game.

[middhoops]

Alvernia won a ton of games last year, and they were as small as now.  What is the method of their success?  Middlebury isn't going to impress many teams with their overall speed.  They are very big and can score.  Defense against speed is probably their weakest point.

[Clutch]

Mid, my opinion is the crusaders are not very small and fast but smaller than Midbury, they drive the lane and switch alot have talent and are smart with the ball, they kick it out for the three spread offense seems to work for them, yet I cannot see them rebounding over the big guys on either boards with the size of Midbury unless they out jump them which they may be able to do....Alvernia not the quickest team but far from slow compared to Mbury .  This will be a great test.

[Clutch]

With size, as well as talent, Middlebury is well equipped to attack the crusaders defense, this may be something the crusaders may not be used to but the talent, and the type of players on the crusaders who have length not so much height will make for a great night. 

[middhoops]

With size, as well as talent, Middlebury is well equipped to attack the crusaders defense, this may be something the crusaders may not be used to but the talent, and the type of players on the crusaders who have length not so much height will make for a great night.

Middlebury has a very long way to go in order to be ready to play league games, defensively.  In the pre-season they must hope that their size, depth and potentially extraordinary long range shooting, can pull them through.
Alvernia might force Middlebury to sit their three really big guys.  However, the Panthers can go with Kizel, Bulluck, Sinnickson, Merryman and St. Amour and be a a very athletic small team with serious firepower.
Or, they could lose to a hotter shooting team.  It's basketball.

[Clutch]

read you loud n clear.....gotta love the game.   

[middhoops]

Middlebury's three post players got 40 points and 25 rebounds.  Other than that, Alvernia would have crushed them.  It's not necessarily fair, but size counts for a lot in this game.
No Middlebury fan wants to see Alvernia again. They were fast, smart, disciplined and very well coached.
The Baruch upset of Franklin & Marshall surprised everyone, except maybe the parents of the Baruch players.
Alvernia should beat F&M, even an angry Diplomat squad, on their famed home court today.

[Reserved Seat]

Middlebury played well.  Alvernia was unable to counter Middlebury's height. Middlebury got enough second and third shots to prevent the upset.  Middlebury had enough speed to keep up with Alvernia.  Every time Alvernia's scrappiness got them back to within 2-3 points Middlebury would made 2-3 shots.  Disappointed in Kizel--wards off constantly and whines too much, but he's got tremendous talent.  Middlebury must love knowing Williams was stunned by Southern Vermont.

[Jon]

Generally agree with the commentary from Reserved Seat.  Height was an issue.  Felt like five blocked shots shortchanged the Panthers a bit.  Thought Kizel's biggest value was getting the Panthers a look when the Crusaders cut it to one possession.  Ran a ton of high screens as a go-to set and got either to the rack, feeds for short jumpers/layups, and plenty of second-chance hoops.

Good for the Crusaders to get experience against the nation's elite this early in the proceedings.

[Clutch]

congratulations to Alvernia for a nice ot win against Fm....Alvernia is a well coached team .