MBB: Landmark Conference

fourguysdone · December 08, 2009, 02:27:37 PM

Insiders say the program at Goucher has been down for a while but the coach still thinks and acts like it's the 90's when his teams did win some. There doesn't seem to be much interaction between players and not much support from fans. Students who have been there for 4 years only know men's bb as a losing program. And that feeds itself and creates more of the same. The common denominator and the one who has to be responsible is the coach. Change is due.

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · December 08, 2009, 04:46:44 PM

Love the "Insiders say"... we all know the program has been down for a while... what changes is not only up to the coaches (as with all problems), but also players who might want to decide that "pride" is more important then just playing.

Also... I have never seen players more uninterested in the rest of the campus and student-body then the last few years. From what I have learned, they aren't much involved in the campus... thus, students don't care much to support them.

It is too bad that sometimes students and players at some schools (and Goucher is NOT alone) feel they are too good for the rest of the student-body, fellow student-athletes, and campus as a whole.

hoopit123 · December 08, 2009, 11:45:15 PM

interesting topic...

From my experience in watching the SU program, i have to completely agree with the importance of team-campus interaction.

prior to the last 2-3 years, attendance at SU games was nothing to brag about. however, it appears as those things changed the past few years, where there is rarely a game at OW houts where the stands are not full of students. from having some interaction with the seniors from the last two graduating classes, i know that they were all stand-up guys that cared for others and making the campus as a whole, and together, a better place. therefore, other SU teams respected them, the student body respected them, and as a result, attendance nears 1000 at most weekend home games now at SU.

to further amplify the the importance of this, just look at the team's record over the past 4,5,6 years. there was a year, in pre-good attendance days where the team was 3-21. however recently, their record continues to get better, and i have to conclude that is at least in part a function of student/fan support. instead of losing close games against the tougher teams in the conference, now, with support of a large fan base, winning these games at home is almost expected. and obviously, it is much easier to do so with a large crowd behind you.

to conclude, it is important for not only athletes at each school to take interest in being 'liked' on campus, but also the athetlic dept. itself in PROMOTING this to happen. rarely do you ever see a successful team playing with empty bleachers.

i can only hope that even with the absence of the players who have built this relationship at SU that it will be continued! there are definitely the type of guys there now to do so, so for all crusader fans' sake i hope they keep it goin!

lefty2 · December 09, 2009, 08:08:28 PM

It seems an NBA game has broken out at Misericordia/Susquehanna: 48-48 at halftime.

TheGrove · December 09, 2009, 09:31:11 PM

Let me tell you, I can't remember seeing two teams hit so many threes! I think it was 28 total at the end.

Susquehanna won, 96-89.

cuabigdog · December 09, 2009, 10:03:01 PM

After topping the 1000-point mark on Saturday, Jason Banzhaf continued his strong shooting, dropping 17 and grabbing eight boards in CUA's (5-3) 70-66 upset over No. 21 DeSales (5-3) on Wednesday evening at the DuFour Center.

Brian Baker added 15 points for the Cards, going 5-of-6 from the field, including three triples, and a perfect 2 for 2 from the charity stripe. R.J. Dixon added five assists and eight points in the contest.

Brian Hunter and Darnell Braswell each scored 16 for the Bulldogs in the loss. Braswell added a team-high eight boards.

The teams played nearly even throughout the first half, with CUA leading by as many as seven twice but settled on a two-point advantage at the break. The teams each made 10 field goals and three triples in the first half along with the Cardinals holding an 18-17 advantage on the boards. The only determining stat in the first half was the hosts 4-of-4 over the visitors 2-of-2 from the free throw line.

In the second half, it was more of the same until Spencer Reed sparked a 14-3 run that put the Cardinals up 10 with 7:47 left in the contest. CUA maintained that lead throughout the remainder of the game, exchanging baskets and converting 13 free throws in the final five minutes of play.

The Cards held a 37-33 advantage on the boards in the contest, but 22 fouls against DeSales combined with 18-of-23 shooting from the foul line put the hosts on top and earned CUA the upset.

The Cardinals will return to action on Sat. Dec. 19 against Carnegie Mellon at the DuFour Center. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

fourguysdone · December 10, 2009, 12:11:38 PM

very interesting take from SU thanks, nice to see that happen at your college. Agreed. Campus interaction of all sports to other constituencies is crucial to athletic support and eventually success. It only takes one rogue sport to ruin the reputation of the others or to give sports a bad name. People understand losing but if other things get added like poor behavior or as D-mac says indifference or even snobbery to the student body as a whole then there are going to be issues. Makes you wonder how much winning would change student support.

hoopit123 · December 10, 2009, 01:16:10 PM

Quote from: fourguysdone on December 10, 2009, 12:11:38 PM
Makes you wonder how much winning would change student support.

yes, fourguys, but also vice versa!! gaining student support makes winning, at home at least, much easier!! but yes, winning games gets the students to come back.

NEPAFAN · December 10, 2009, 02:33:08 PM

So who is the smart guy that voted for Scranton in the Top 25?

ronk · December 10, 2009, 08:01:30 PM

Suspect #1: the coach of their next opponent - Elizabethtown

saratoga · December 10, 2009, 11:02:00 PM

My guess: Stuart Smalley. I've heard he's been seen around Coach Danzig's office lately.

hoopit123 · December 12, 2009, 06:05:55 PM

this is final, and official and not a typo.... SU has beaten Stockton in the King's tourney championship, 69-66. this shows the potential they HAVE, they just need to bring it every game, to avoid some of the hiccups they've had so far.

saratoga · December 13, 2009, 02:01:54 PM

Great win for SU & you certainly do have some very talented athletes.
Then there are the Royals. How many times has it been said the past 5 or 6 years...when they play a team of equal or slightly better talent, especially on the road...they'll need a miracle to win. No such miracle yesterday, dumped by E-town. In the process, Scranton sets a new record for futility by turning the ball over an extremely generous 28 times. Same old story for any well coached team, press the Royals & sit back for the points from turnovers to add to your lead. The Royals have more turnovers this year than the best bakeries in Baveria.
Scranton is very fortunate that Eli came back this season or those great wins against Bard & Hazleton may have ended up in the loss column. The sad part of this is regardless of how well Eli is playing or with his obvious desire, he will more than likely be worn down toward the end of the season. Each & every night he has to bang with multiple players bigger & stronger than he with virtually zero help. There has not been one post player recruited in this current tenure that can step in & play the game on both ends of the floor. Why? Kids are constantly playing out of their natural position because those specific roles have not been filled & kids are getting serious minutes in vital positions that otherwise wouldn't had real recruiting been taking place over the last 5+years. Beside Randy Arnold, what true point has been brought in that can break a press, deliver quick pin-point passes, drive, shoot & set others others up in the right spots?
The whispers of concern for this program are becoming louder as things play out and become a bit clearer. Years of not being able to fill certain vital positions have now placed Scranton in the role of afterthought & national pretender as opposed to seriously being on the national radar & being a national contender.
Should Scranton not greatly improve its recruiting & move beyond the typical 3 schools it visits, should it not upgrade its non conference schedule, should they continue to fail to recruit kids that will be crowd favorites & should they continue to fail miserably in redeveloping a once proud & rabid fan base with their fellow students, then Scranton will no longer need to worry about being on the national radar screen...sonar will do just fine.

kate · December 13, 2009, 07:32:38 PM

Saratoga, have you ever given any consideration to being a D3 Coach? i just have a sneaking suspicion that it ain't as easy as it looks. Seriously, when my Aggies were losing much of the time, i'd look for moments of brillance, as i'd call it. Now, the Women's Del Val team is beginning to show promise. i do remember one night when our treys beat you guys at Aggieland. PlayBall was posting then, & she commented on "the long ride home, & you live by the three & you die by the three". You know, i'm sure, how i feel - just love that team unconditionally - they'll appreciate your support. Probably play better because of it.

kate · December 14, 2009, 10:50:02 AM

A P.S. for Saratoga, you might even start to enjoy the games a little more, if you just relax & focus on two or three of your best players - i just would like it if everyone taking in D3 games could appreciate all the practice & work & sacrifice that go into being on the team. Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all on the Landmark site.