MBB: Landmark Conference

[ColonelJohn4Life]

I don't know if ColonelJohn knows his history or not, but it's clear he has some issues with Scranton leaving the MAC. Didn't seem to care when it was just other teams in the league.

Absolutely.  Could care less if Drew, some CAC, some MAC-C, et al want to get together and form a conference.  My issue with Scranton joining the Landmine is that they have to abandon the rivalry with my alma mater.  Hell, a segment of the population knows me ONLY as ColonelJohn.  Yeah, it's personal. 

The "history" I know about Scranton - correct me where I'm wrong.  Their rival from the mid-90s on was Wilkes.  Their rival from the mid-90s back to the 60s was King's.  If Scranton was leaving the MAC-F because of a 40+ year absence in a rivalry, they're idiots.  If Scranton leaves their two current rivals, they're idiots. 

The history I remember is Bob Bessoir going for his 500th win, wearing a now-legendary purple tuxedo.  In our gym.  The history I remember is Scranton winning the 1983 NCAA Championship, and losing one conference game the entire season.  At King's.  Recent history I remember is the 2006 MAC-F Championship.  Wilkes at Scranton, decided by 1 point.

However, unlike most, I'm willing to listen if there's history I'm missing.

[cold_case]

The history I remember is Scranton winning the 1983 NCAA Championship, and losing one conference game the entire season.  At King's. However, unlike most, I'm willing to listen if there's history I'm missing.

CJ, are you willing to listen that your legend of being wrong continues to grow at a feverish pitch. Scranton didn't lose a conference game that year and King's didn't even come close to pulling an upset.
I think you meant 1988 when Scranton reached the national title game as the year King's handed them their only conference loss. That was the game that J.P. Andrejko had the flu and played all of two minutes. Ask him, he'll tell you.

[NEPAFAN]

    Talked with both ADs(E-town and Scranton) yesterday separately and neither knew how the individual voting came out or what criteria was weighted the highest; Toby said material was presented to the committee and they came and inspected the facilities. E-town probably has better outside facilities at the present time, but Scranton was probably a better travel partner geographically with Moravian.

They really inspected the facilities before the decided on the last member? Wow.

[Pat Coleman]

That's so common it's not even noteworthy, NEPA.

[wb1313]

I believe what the good Colonel is trying to say is that it really was underhanded how Scranton left for the Landfill.  Scranton coaches didn't even know until after the move happened and it seemed to be a cop out after many, many years of affiliation with their local rivals.  I still fail to see what Scranton will gain from making the move (academically or athletically) but that is their decision.  This is not D1 where travel plans are easy.   Scranton leaving the MAC is the equivelant of Michigan leaving the Big 10...it doesn't make sense!

[NEPAFAN]

That's so common it's not even noteworthy, NEPA.

I had no idea this kind of thing occured at the D-3 level. Sorry for the ignorance.

[cold_case]

Pat,
I thought NEPA's question was fair but the response wasn't. He didn't know the requirements involved to enter a new league.
The only suspense remaining is the date the conference announces it will be placed in the Atlantic Region, although that's already a given.
There are a couple other no brainers but we'll wait to comment on them.

[Matt Letourneau]

I just don't get all the hand wringing here.  If Scranton wants to leave Mac-F, then let them leave! So what?

It doesn't matter if Scranton leaving is a good decision for Kings or for Wilkes.  It matters that its a good decision for Scranton!

Now, I realize that some debate centers around that, but I certainly don't think those who have no allegiance to Scranton are really in the best position to judge.  The bottom line is that time will tell.

I'll tell you one thing--if all this keeps up (remarks like Landfill) I think those institutions that are in Landmark are going to end up with hell of a chip on their shoulders.  I'd watch out non-conference.  These teams are NOT pushovers by any stretch, and even the ones that are weaker in basketball are going in the right direction for the most part.   But this is sort of like the D-1 equivalent of Carolina and Duke leaving the ACC and starting their own conference.  Take lightly at your own peril.

[Salem, VA]

I doubt any the teams are going to care if it is called landfill or landmine simply anything with the word land works for me.   Matt your dreaming if players are reading this caring what the name is called.  And stop telling us how good the conf. is when it is not really that good, YET!. 

[Matt Letourneau]

Its not really the players, its the institutions.  A program develops a certain mentality or atmosphere...believe me, I've seen it.  You give teams a little extra incentive for an early season non-conference game, it could be a big advantage.

If you want an example, ask the Marymount guys how they feel about playing against Catholic.

[wb1313]

Salem, Matt is just yapping because he feels that everyone should be happy for these universities.  In essence, many of them left old conference foes hanging.   Many of these schools are wanna be ivy league schools that think they are better than everyone else at the D3 level.  MAC Freedom fans have a reason to be mad at Scranton as they had said they weren't going anywhere.  Don't let facts get in the way of being hard headed Matt.   The institutions in the "conference I will not name for fear of causing them to develop a complex" will not have that fighting mentality because they already have a mentality of thumbing their collective noses at their former conference schools. 

[NEPAFAN]

Salem, Matt is just yapping because he feels that everyone should be happy for these universities.  In essence, many of them left old conference foes hanging.   Many of these schools are wanna be ivy league schools that think they are better than everyone else at the D3 level.  MAC Freedom fans have a reason to be mad at Scranton as they had said they weren't going anywhere.  Don't let facts get in the way of being hard headed Matt.   The institutions in the "conference I will not name for fear of causing them to develop a complex" will not have that fighting mentality because they already have a mentality of thumbing their collective noses at their former conference schools. 

Have fun developing that rivalry with Misericordia. Just let us know when you are going to stop whining about the move..

[Salem, VA]

We are not whining personally I can careless about the land conference.  Its a matter of Matt thinking this conf. has a chip on its shoulder because people are saying landfill or landmine.  Im sorry but no one cares.  I doubt Catholic is going to go into the Marymount game thinking people on this forum are calling it landmine so we should play harder.  Sorry thats just the dumbest thing I have ever heard. 

wb1313 great comment about the Ivy league- I really think they believe they are better.  Reading some articles online about the conf switch and how its more "economical" for these schools to play in the conf.  Are you kidding me!  How is Catholic traveling to Drew more economical?  Or Scranton going to Catholic?  It seems to me it was about arrogance and tuition for each school to compete with others.  In the end Division III is about participation and academics.

[cold_case]

1_ We are not whining personally I can careless about the land conference. 

2_ wb1313 great comment about the Ivy league- I really think they believe they are better. 

3_ It seems to me it was about arrogance and tuition for each school to compete with others.

Answers
1_ Then why do you guys continue coming on the LANDMARK board and take shots at the schools?
2_ They are.
3_ It was about breaking away from conference's where some schools lowered academeic standards to bring in better athletes. It's called "athletics first and ask questions later."
I can't be any more honest than that, especially on No's. 1 & 3.

[Salem, VA]

1. Why not, its a board for thought and information

2. your not better then anyone, AT ALL.

3.  What colleges have lowered there standards?  Lets hear some facts