MBB: Landmark Conference

[G-manWU]

NEPAFAN: Montclair St. has also been added this year to go along with 2 games vs. Kean... hence, my reference to the NJAC.
  Time for Scranton to spend more time playing the upper echelon of the Centennial in their non-conference games as opposed to this rambling schedule that has few, if any non-conference games of interest.

As always, just a little tip, but don't sleep on Kean with your non-conference schedule. We played them in 2006 and beat them up, but for 2007 we took the trip down to their brand-new gym and they put on a shooting clinic. The Kean teams I saw were typical NJAC clubs- speed and more speed, with some shooters and lots of slashing through the lane.

It's not going to be as easy as you think with those guys. And if the deal includes a road game next year- enjoy the facility. The gym was quite cold but a very impressive facility. Just a little bit bigger than, let's say....Baldwin Gymnasium;)

[NEPAFAN]

G-Man,


I think Saratoga is complaining just for the sake of complaining. The real issue for me is no Kings/Wilkes on the schedule. Is Scranton bolting for the Landmark still an issue? Those games would bring back some juice to the gym.

[G-manWU]

NEPAFAN,

Indeed, it would not be the same board without Saratoga's delightful commentary. After all, it was he who pointed out my first-ever journalistic mistake- in a Jan. 2007 article for the Wilkes Beacon about the last conference game between Wilkes and Scranton, I wrote "Martz Center" instead of "Marts Center"

Indeed, hopefully we will see the days of Wilkes-Scranton and Wilkes-King's come again in the near-future. It's the case in nearly ever other sport that the schools both sponsor, so hopefully we'll see a return on the court soon.

My only request would be that the games are not scheduled during the winter break for any school- the games suffer greatly when school is out on any of the campuses involved. I've seen that not just with our Scranton games, but also our conference matchups with King's as well.

[saratoga]

G-manWU: I did not mean to imply that by putting Kean on their schedule it would equate to a cakewalk by the Royals. Trust me, any team scheduling Bard, PSU Hazleton & that machine that is Penn Tech isn't taking anyone for granted.
  My displeasure with Scranton's schedule is based on the non-conference schools they've scheduled & how little these schools offer in the way interest, challenge or national implications. Beside Kings or Wilkes there are not really any schools in the MAC that I miss seeing. I'd much rather see games vs. F&M, Muhlenberg, Ithaca & Hamilton added to schedule any day.
  However, the schedule is what it is & I wish them luck. All I can say is they better win the Landmark again...Pool C does not appear to be an option.

[G-manWU]

Saratoga,

Very well understood- I was just sekeing to add some of my relavent experience to your discussion. We had some good games with Kean and they should be a good test if they still have a good squad. They feature a diferent style of play from what is common in the MAC and indeed is probably not common in the Landmark, and that's always a good test to have in a non-league game.

[G-manWU]

As for the rest, a few notes of interest,

Spent the day at Ralston Field watching the Wilkes football opener. Seeing how much most of you love scheduling the Centennial Conference, I should note that the Colonels opened the year with an upset of defending CC Champion Muhlenberg- that includes rallying form a 10-0 halftime deficit and picking off the Mules three times in the second half. Anyhow.......

I spoke to a few people who are **cough** important to the Wilkes basketball program **cough** and the schedule issue came up. As a matter of fact, Coach Rickrode is quite keen on scheduling the Royals, and was aiming for a date in early January. Apparently the Scranton folks wanted to have some days off before their conference play started back up, while Wilkes wanted to use those days to play several non-conference games to get back in the swing. So the Colonels picked up games on the 5th and 7th. Dosen't make sense to me to take a long break before confernece play starts, but all the best to Scranton and hopefully we'll see the two schools back in action in the future.

But I should note that Wilkes and Scranton are scrimmaging this year, so that's a start. And on recruting, the Colonels apparently have app. 25 players ready for camp, the most ever in the JR era. Cheers everyone

[ronk]

Apparently the Scranton folks wanted to have some days off before their conference play started back up, while Wilkes wanted to use those days to play several non-conference games to get back in the swing. So the Colonels picked up games on the 5th and 7th. Dosen't make sense to me to take a long break before confernece play starts, but all the best to Scranton and hopefully we'll see the two schools back in action in the future.

But I should note that Wilkes and Scranton are scrimmaging this year, so that's a start. And on recruting, the Colonels apparently have app. 25 players ready for camp, the most ever in the JR era. Cheers everyone

thanks for pursuing the Wilkes-Scranton scheduling problem, but is Jan 4-7(4 days) the long break to which you referred?

[G-manWU]

Apparently the Scranton folks wanted to have some days off before their conference play started back up, while Wilkes wanted to use those days to play several non-conference games to get back in the swing. So the Colonels picked up games on the 5th and 7th. Dosen't make sense to me to take a long break before confernece play starts, but all the best to Scranton and hopefully we'll see the two schools back in action in the future.

But I should note that Wilkes and Scranton are scrimmaging this year, so that's a start. And on recruting, the Colonels apparently have app. 25 players ready for camp, the most ever in the JR era. Cheers everyone

thanks for pursuing the Wilkes-Scranton scheduling problem, but is Jan 4-7(4 days) the long break to which you referred?

No problem  Believe me, the Wilkes faithful are just as eager to see the matchup return as the Royals are. You just can't beat that atmosphere. Having it during the break woulden't be the optimum time for it, but it would still be better than no meeting at all.

Indeed that time frame from Jan 4-7 was what I speaking of- sorry if "long" was not as lenghty as you may have thought. As I said, all the best to the Royals- each coaching staff dose what is best for their team, and perhaps having those days off  is what will suit the Royals for what they need. But hopefully we'll see the matchup back on very soon.

[saratoga]

NEPAFAN,

"My only request would be that the games are not scheduled during the winter break for any school- the games suffer greatly when school is out on any of the campuses involved. I've seen that not just with our Scranton games, but also our conference matchups with King's as well. "
  G-manWU: I think you should let Coach Rickroad know that his window for scheduling Scranton does not meet your previously suggested criteria. In addition, I think most Scranton fans would agree, if you're going to play again...do so when school is in session.
  From the "while you're at it department"...I'd like to know why Wilkes & Kings continue to play the Royals in virtually all other sports except basketball. If you truly want to make a statement (whatever that may be), shouldn't there be a degree of consistancy involved? I still think this was a knee jerk reaction by Wilkes & Kings and the absence of the schools on each others schedules has benefitted whom? Last year Scranton played Kings in a scrimmage & this year they have Wilkes...time for these administrations to quit playing this idiotic power game & let the coaches decide who is & is not on their schedule.
  That said, as much as I want Wilkes & Kings back on...I pray their addition will not be at the expense of Bard & Penn Tech...the cornerstones of Scranton's current non-conference schedule. 
 
 

[NEPAFAN]

Drew seems to have brought in a  solid class:

http://www.drew.edu/depts/AthleticsContent.aspx?id=69752


6'11 kid from Staten Island sounds like the real deal.

[saratoga]

Good for Drew. Their new coach has apparently done his homework & brought in the largest recruiting class in modern history. Somewhat refreshing to see a class include players that go a few deep at every position. Also nice to see kids coming in from all over the place...which runs slightly contrary to the Scranton model which extolls the virtues of bringing in a couple of guards as the incoming class & basically from the same zip code.

[G-manWU]

Good for Drew. Their new coach has apparently done his homework & brought in the largest recruiting class in modern history. Somewhat refreshing to see a class include players that go a few deep at every position. Also nice to see kids coming in from all over the place...which runs slightly contrary to the Scranton model which extolls the virtues of bringing in a couple of guards as the incoming class & basically from the same zip code.

Interesting stuff- I met the new coach at Drew when he was an assistant at Gettysburg and we had a scrimmage down there. Great guy who will do a good job, and obviously has some numbers on the roster.

The only sad thing about Drew is the gym is hardly big eough for high school games...much less top-caliber D3 basketball. You would think with all the money floating around on campus, they would have built a gym that matches the impressive facilities they have for everything else..maybe not as big as the Long Center, but something like O.W. Houts at Susquehanna would be expected I would think.

[NEPAFAN]

Toga,

Beating a dead horse aren't we?

[saratoga]

After that lead you put out there on Drew...just couldn't resist. 
  G-Man: the new Drew coach played a big role in recruiting many of the Gettysburg kids that went to the wire two years ago vs. Ursinus in what I believe was an elite 8 game.
 

[NEPAFAN]

Good Morning all,


Forgive the cross sport posting , but this is for a great cause!

Royal Soccer Teams Looking To "Red Card" Cancer Saturday
September 28, 2009
The University of Scranton's men's and women's soccer teams will be participating in 'Red Card Cancer' this Saturday, October 3, in conjunction with their Landmark Conference doubleheader against Susquehanna University at Fitzpatrick Field.  The women's match will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the men at 3:30 p.m.  Admission is free.

This program is designed to bring awareness through the soccer coaching community in the fight against cancer.  It was developed by current Bloomsburg University and former Royals' men's soccer coach Paul Payne.

"Everyone has been touched in some way by cancer." says Payne.  "Those of us in the soccer community have lost some influential people in the last few years.  Joe Bochicchio, long-time coach at The University of Scranton, and Charlotte Moran, who was the president of EPYSA and one of the most active organizers for girls' and women's soccer in America, have been taken from us by this dreaded disease.  It's time we help in the fight and finally hand a red card to cancer."

Bochicchio was a coaching legacy at the university, taking over the women's program in 1984 and transforming it into a national power.  In 23 seasons, he amassed an overall record of 298-144-33, which included 15 Middle Atlantic/Freedom Conference titles and 11 NCAA tournament appearances.  His youngest son, Jeff, is a senior midfielder on the Royals' men's soccer team.

On game day, participating teams will wear specially designed t-shirts during warm-ups that will feature the "Red Card Cancer" logo.  T-shirts will be sold during the games and donations will be accepted to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Donations will also be accepted on Friday, October 2, outside of the DeNaples Center on the campus of The University of Scranton and during the men's and women's soccer games at Fitzpatrick Field. 

In addition to the 'Red Card Cancer' event, the men's and women's soccer teams are inviting all area youth soccer players to attend the games for the 'Royal Youth Soccer Day'.  All youth soccer players are encouraged to wear their uniforms and to cheer loudly in support of their favorite team.   


--ROYALS--