MBB: Landmark Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I will make a point to listen in! If I didn't have to work or announce the Catholic/Goucher game, I might have thought about traveling up for that game!

[saratoga]

Dave: Thanks for the analysis...here's to hoping your call is on the mark. I noticed the lead story on Pool B deals up front with the fact Aurora College's mens coach is certainly praying the NCAA Selection Committee understands that his team has gone through some injuries & that is a primary reason his team has lost a few extra games. I don't think it would be much of a stretch to add any number of schools to that list where injuries to key players have had a negitive impact. The main difference is most schools do not have to hold their collective breath & hope for a Pool B bid...as most belong to conferences with AQ's. In all fairness, I certainly believe the very same story could have just as easily been written about Scranton this season. They were doing pretty much as expected until 4 year point guard Randy Arnold went down in the first game of their Holiday Tournament. They then proceeded to lose 3 in a row...two of which were conference games while the other Royals were trying to adjust to a number of players trying to run the show & a whole new approach to various sets. Slowly but surely they got there & Randy has recently come back full time...now the Royals need to win their next three & hope the committee understands the various injuries they have had to deal with in addition to his...and cut the Royals some slack. Never underestimate the setback a team goes through when they lose a veteran point. However, should Scranton lose their last conference game @ Moravian & then not win the Landmark Tournament...well, there is always Lady Royal basketball this time of year.

[Pat Coleman]

Saratoga:

I don't think James Lancaster said anything of the sort and I didn't write anything of the sort. You're really stretching what's written.

[saratoga]

Pat: No, the Aurora coach did not say he is ''praying" the selection committee takes his teams injuries into account...but, he certainly got that message out. I mean there is certainly some print devoted to "already down a starter before the season even opened" and, "the Spartans lost starting point guard Dusty Magee with 13 minutes remaining..." and, "Aurora later lost its second string and third string point guards playing forward Lance Robinson at the point for a December conference game...". The only "point' I was making was had you decided to interview Scranton coach Carl Danzig...I'm quite sure he, in this world of politicing when possible, would have alluded to the loss of his point guard as a turning point & learning point for his team. The bottom line is exactly what Coach Lancaster said...you keep playing the games on the schedule & let the chips fall where they may. When you further describe how Aurora was winning a certain game until an injury..."up 33-30 at the time, Aurora was outscored 33-21 the rest of the way & lost 63-54"...I think you can see how it could be interpreted that teams in Pool B really need the committee to look at the big picture which includes losses & their possible explanation as well as looking at strength of schedule, which Coach Lancaster also mentioned. If I've taken a liberal view of your article, perhaps it was due to watching the debate this evening or last evenings eclipse...or maybe, just maybe...there was some pretty good discussion of the "I" word. By the way, my comments were certainly not meant to be negitive & if I've stretched what your intent was, that was not my intent.

[Pat Coleman]

Yep. Everything that's not in quotes is what I wrote. It's not what Lancaster said and I certainly don't know what he prays about.

For example, I don't think he needs to pray that they cut Aurora slack for a couple of losses. Don't think they'll need it. And from talking to him, I don't think he thinks he needs prayer if his team wins out.

I objected to your post because it sounded like you were suggesting Lancaster was making excuses. That just isn't the case, though, and it takes a little bit of wishful thinking to interpret it that way.

[saratoga]

In no way whatsoever was I suggesting Coach Lancaster was making excuses. My only point is that any team in a Pool B situation had better hope the selection committee has at least a basic understanding of their situation & why certain things may have happened vs. certain teams. Obviously, the loss of any starter will have a generally adverse effect on that team...the good teams regroup, the average teams may not be so lucky. I think we all know that injuries are part of the game & that sometimes a little adversity can bring a team together. It certainly appears that is the case with Aurora...and I hope with the Royals as well. Pool B really is a horrible place to be with a good team...having others determine your fate creates a long selection Monday for many teams & an even longer off-season.

[NEPAFAN]

Saratoga-

+ Karma. No need to defend you opinion. While I think it is getting ahead of ourselves I wonder if Moravian, Juniata or Scranton wins out if they go to the tourny. I think Susquehanna is the only team that can win out and have no shot at the NCAAs.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Matt - looking forward to the game tonight... will you make it?

This is a great rivalry that transfered from the CAC to the LAND. Wait, that's right! I was told the CUA media guide clearly states that Goucher/Catholic is NOT a rivalry!!! I will be double-checking that tonight, but I certainly hope it is true!

[Pat Coleman]

You shouldn't rely on what you were told. A reading of the media guide is probably appropriate before making such a statement.

Typical TV "journalist" there.

[bbald eagle]

Of course, in the CAC, Catholic was pretty much everyone's top rival, but...that's what success does.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Jeez - I meant to write "I sure hope it ISN'T true!"

And us TV journalists usually rely a lot on the written folks - thus why we usually get burned ;-).

And I don't know about rivalry in the CAC... but CUA was certainly everyone's enemy .

[Pat Coleman]

If you rely on the print media then you are a day behind the story.

[Matt Letourneau]

Jeez - I meant to write "I sure hope it ISN'T true!"

And us TV journalists usually rely a lot on the written folks - thus why we usually get burned ;-).

And I don't know about rivalry in the CAC... but CUA was certainly everyone's enemy .

THAT was my point back in November!

Call it what you want, but there was something "extra" in a lot of those games.   Seemed like Marymount played their best games of the season every year against CUA, for instance.

Anyway, I really wanted to go to tonight, but it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to.   We've had all kind of sickness around here and my wife is getting over the flu.  I'd go on my own, but then she'd have to watch the baby all by herself tonight.  So it looks like its a no-go.    

Keep us updated!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Worse case scenario, Matt... I will do a good job updating the scoreboard (which I usually do!).

And if Goucher feels they want to broadcast it on their radio station, I will try and get a link up!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I am updating the scoreboard as often as possible. I also put a link on there for Goucher Radio... or you can try this link: [url'"http://www.goucher-radio.net/tunein.html"]http://www.goucher-radio.net/tunein.html[/url]