MBB: Landmark Conference

[NEPAFAN]

Can anyone tell me why Josh Robinson missed the past two games?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Word I have heard is he is out with a season ending injury, but I don't know the details.

[saratoga]

CC: I have to admit...I did make the pilgrimage to OPACY this afternoon. Matt: I certainly don't think Jason has the ROY award hands down by any means. He's certainly had a really nice season for a team that has not won too many games. On the other hand, Zach Ashworth has stepped in as a freshman and made huge contributions to the Royals this year both when Randy Arnold was hurt & since his return. Just this weekend he averaged 15 ppg. vs. Catholic & Goucher...handled the ball well against the Goucher press & has nailed huge free throws in games that have a bit more significance since the Royals are fighting for a playoff spot. Against Scranton on Sat. Jason scored 10 & Zach had 16 including three 3's. against Catholic. All things considered...a co-ROY would not be a bad thing. Both these kids have very bright futures ahead of them.

[ronk]

    Only scenario in which Royals finish 3rd instead of 4th finds them(9-5) beating Moravian(9-5) and Susquehanna(10-4) beating Juniata(9-5). In tiebreaker for 2-4, all 3 2-2 in head to head. Next, in record vs 1st place, royals and moravian 1-1, juniata 0-2 to finish 4 seed. tie between royals and moravian for 2-3 broken by moravian better record against mma 1-1 vs royals 0-2., as i perceive it.

[cold_case]

Only scenario in which Royals finish 3rd instead of 4th finds them(9-5) beating Moravian(9-5) and Susquehanna(10-4) beating Juniata(9-5). In tiebreaker for 2-4, all 3 2-2 in head to head. Next, in record vs 1st place, royals and moravian 1-1, juniata 0-2 to finish 4 seed. tie between royals and moravian for 2-3 broken by moravian better record against mma 1-1 vs royals 0-2., as i perceive it.

That sounds eerily familiar regarding how I explained it to NEPAFAN.

[NEPAFAN]

    Only scenario in which Royals finish 3rd instead of 4th finds them(9-5) beating Moravian(9-5) and Susquehanna(10-4) beating Juniata(9-5). In tiebreaker for 2-4, all 3 2-2 in head to head. Next, in record vs 1st place, royals and moravian 1-1, juniata 0-2 to finish 4 seed. tie between royals and moravian for 2-3 broken by moravian better record against mma 1-1 vs royals 0-2., as i perceive it.

What can I say? I am sllllloooow.


Okay, since I don't want to see the Royals go play Moravian ( we they are 10-0 at home). In what scenario would Scranton play at SU or Juniata?

[saratoga]

Dave: Since you've recently seen both the Greyhounds & Royals play at Goucher...just wondering what your take is as both teams get set to square off Sat. in a game that has some implications regarding seeding. It's been quite awhile since I've seen Moravian...but, in that game, they torched the Royals seemingly at will from all over the court. Scranton has certainly put together some nice games since then...but, they are also a team that still lacks a killer instinct & that's not a good thing this late in the season. Thoughts from your vantage point?

[ronk]

NEPA,
  royals and juniata win - juniata is 1, royals 4 because of mma(2 losses)
  moravian and sus win - sus is 1 cuz 2 wins vs jun, royals 4

  moravian and jun win - mor is 1 cuz jun loss to goucher, jun 2, sus 3 royals 4 so

royals @ jun under 1st scenario
            @ sus under 2nd
            @ mor under 3rd

if i got it right.

[ronk]

the kids from both schools seemed to be getting along...some kids sharing laughs with each other during breaks in the game...some really nice sportsmanship.

Saratoga,
   I noticed the same thing - refreshing break from constant in your face of recent years; they may have been discussing the music played during the breaks; I was pumped hearing Jessica(Allman Bros) a few times, myself.

[bballfan112]

Any predictions of what will happen in playoffs? I know we do not have the matchups set yet, but does anyone have any predictions? Who are the two best teams right now?

[NEPAFAN]

Thanks for explaining the various scenarios, Ronk. Moravian is undefeated at home and that scares me a bit. Regardless of the final weekend's outcome, the Royals are going to need to be road warriors in the playoffs. That being said, I think that all four playoffs teams could beat one another on any give night. I think it is too early to predict, but it should be a very interesting playoff week.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Dave: Since you've recently seen both the Greyhounds & Royals play at Goucher...just wondering what your take is as both teams get set to square off Sat. in a game that has some implications regarding seeding. It's been quite awhile since I've seen Moravian...but, in that game, they torched the Royals seemingly at will from all over the court. Scranton has certainly put together some nice games since then...but, they are also a team that still lacks a killer instinct & that's not a good thing this late in the season. Thoughts from your vantage point?

From what I saw this past weekend, I would be incline to be leaning towards the Royals. I honestly wasn't that impressed with Moravian. They had a very large lead against the Gophers and were easily shaken with pressure defense... nearly costing the game.

Scranton seemed to be a much more disciplined team. They faced the same tough defense and while they falted at times, they kept themselves together and eventually beat the Gophers.

Now with that comparison out of the way, I think Scranton has more threats. I said earlier I didn't understand the Royals record after seeing them play (I also didn't understand Susquehanna's season). They shoot well from all points on the floor and have plenty of weapons. They also have some size inside, which helped them beat the Gophers - while Goucher, a smaller team, dominated on the boards for much of the game against Moravian.

Also the fact Scranton had little trouble with CUA the same weekend, while Moravian struggled in a loss to the Cardinals also leads me to think that Scranton is the better team.

Yes, the game is on the road, but I think the Royals are playing better basketball at this time, and while Moravian will probably eliminate the Landmark from getting a Pool B bid with a loss (so, why route against them), Scanton seems to be the better team this time around.

Does that help? That is off the top of my head without going back to check stats and stuff.

[Matt Letourneau]

I didn't actually see Moravian, but I have a pretty good idea as to what happened at the CUA-Moravian game and I did see Scranton...

I think Dave is exactly right.  Catholic applied a lot of pressure to Moravian too and it really threw them.  Scranton played one half of a great game against Catholic, at least, and has enough weapons were everything probably doesn't have to be working in order for them to win.

So I'd say advantage Scranton, too.

[fbfan814]

I think it is going to come down to Juniata and Moravian.  Moravian has been pretty steady all season and they are always a threat.  And you can never count Juniata out.  Especially if they get to play at home.

[gordonmann]

Programming note...

D3hoops.com will broadcast Saturday's Scranton/Moravian doubleheader live from Johnston Hall in Bethlehem...

5:30 pm - Women: Scranton Royals versus Moravian Greyhounds
7:30 pm - Men: Scranton Royals versus Moravian Greyhounds

The broadcast will be available at www.d3hoops.com/audio starting with pregame coverage 10 minutes before tipoff.