MBB: Landmark Conference

[ronk]

Preseason Poll
Team Points
1. Susquehanna 60 (4)
2. Catholic 52 (1)
2. Scranton 52 (1)
4. Juniata 41 (2)
5. Moravian 24
6. Drew 17
7. Goucher 15
8. Elizabethtown 11

Ronk's preseason projection

Susquehanna 10-4
Scranton        10-4
Catholic           9-5
Juniata            9-5
Moravian         9-5
E-town            5-9
Drew               2-12
Goucher          2-12

Essentially, the top 5 split with each other, 3 thru 5 lose 1 game each to the 6 thru 8 group, 7 & 8 split with each other and lose both to E-town.

So, after this week's  games, here are the current standings:
Susquehan   10-2   0.833   956   828      20-3   0.870   1867   1606   8-2   Won 4
Scranton   9-3   0.750   873   754      17-6   0.739   1674   1465   7-3   Lost 1
Moravian   9-3   0.750   959   881      16-7   0.696   1915   1803   8-2   Won 3
Catholic   8-4   0.667   902   895      16-7   0.696   1707   1648   6-4   Won 1
Drew         5-7   0.417   852   888      11-12   0.478   1733   1676   4-6   Lost 3
Juniata   3-9   0.250   824   892      11-12   0.478   1624   1563   3-7   Lost 4
Elizabethto   2-10   0.167   739   877      5-17   0.227   1405   1585   2-8   Lost 1
Goucher   2-10   0.167   789   879      5-18   0.217   1470   1667   2-8   Won 1

In this week's games, there were 3 outcomes that differed from my preseason projection(Juniata losing @ home to Mor and E-town, G defeating E-town; so my revised projection:

Scranton         11-3
Susque           11-3
Moravian         10-4
Catholic           8-6
Juniata            5-9
Drew               5-9
E-town             3-11
Goucher           3-11

The 4 postseason tourney teams have been identified(Scr,Sus,Mor,CUA); only the seedings remain to be determined this week. It is possible but improbable to have a 4-way tie for 1st @ 10-4.

This week's Game of the nite:

Wed - Susque @ Scranton
Sat -  Catholic @ Moravian

[ronk]

Back to the hard court...

What an entertaining game between Catholic and Scranton on senior night.  These teams were very evenly matched, and mirrored each other in the stat sheet.  The last 30 seconds featured a 86% free throw shooter missing the front end of a 1 and 1 for Catholic that could have put them up 3, followed by a 78% free throw shooter missing both shots for Scranton that could have tied it or sent it to OT.

Interestingly, for all the talk about defense, I thought Catholic played a very solid defensive game today.  They used Turner and Hayes on Vitkus and both were effective.  Hayes in particular had a really gritty game--started out his rotation rough but adjusted and made some huge plays. 

Neither team took a lot of 3's--I'm used to a lot more jump and long range shooting from Scranton.  Both struggled on offense, Howard was very effective getting to the line for Catholic, and Khouri was his usual reliable self.

So, at this point the only drama left is between Catholic and Moravian for the #3 seed.

And between Scranton and Susquehanna for the #1 seed.

Yes, the 3-pt defense was improved - only 21 attempted by both teams and only 2 by Danzig. Hayes was a force on the offensive boards; may have come of age tonight.

There was 1 annoying aspect to the game tonight; when Scranton was at the foul line in the 2nd half there was a flash from 2 lights at the endline corners from the top of the gym; it happened at least 10 times but not in the 1st half when Catholic was shooting at that end; I also didn't notice it in the women's game. Don't know if it affected the Scranton shooters but it shouldn't be happening. 

[Pat Coleman]

Strobes (used for still photography) are permitted even in NCAA Tournament play, which is traditionally more restrictive than regular season play. Guessing DuFour isn't much better lit than when I last shot photos there -- I certainly wish I'd ever had access to strobes there.

[NEPAFAN]

Scranton beats the Riverhawks and Goucher do they win the conference?

Feel for the young man that missed the FTs at the end of the game hope he keeps his head up he has a bright future.

[ronk]

Scranton beats the Riverhawks and Goucher do they win the conference?

Feel for the young man that missed the FTs at the end of the game hope he keeps his head up he has a bright future.

Scranton would be the #1 seed in the postseason tourney in that scenario via tiebreakers over Susquehanns and/or Moravian.

[CardsFan]

Back to the hard court...

What an entertaining game between Catholic and Scranton on senior night.  These teams were very evenly matched, and mirrored each other in the stat sheet.  The last 30 seconds featured a 86% free throw shooter missing the front end of a 1 and 1 for Catholic that could have put them up 3, followed by a 78% free throw shooter missing both shots for Scranton that could have tied it or sent it to OT.

Interestingly, for all the talk about defense, I thought Catholic played a very solid defensive game today.  They used Turner and Hayes on Vitkus and both were effective.  Hayes in particular had a really gritty game--started out his rotation rough but adjusted and made some huge plays. 

Neither team took a lot of 3's--I'm used to a lot more jump and long range shooting from Scranton.  Both struggled on offense, Howard was very effective getting to the line for Catholic, and Khouri was his usual reliable self.

So, at this point the only drama left is between Catholic and Moravian for the #3 seed.

And between Scranton and Susquehanna for the #1 seed.

Yes, the 3-pt defense was improved - only 21 attempted by both teams and only 2 by Danzig. Hayes was a force on the offensive boards; may have come of age tonight.

There was 1 annoying aspect to the game tonight; when Scranton was at the foul line in the 2nd half there was a flash from 2 lights at the endline corners from the top of the gym; it happened at least 10 times but not in the 1st half when Catholic was shooting at that end; I also didn't notice it in the women's game. Don't know if it affected the Scranton shooters but it shouldn't be happening.

They've been doing the photography during games for a few seasons now. I personally find the flashes very noticeable from the stands and rather distracting. I can't imagine the players don't also notice them. There have definitely been flashes when CUA takes free throws in the past. I agree it shouldn't happen when either team is taking FTs.

[Matt Letourneau]

Maybe it was where I was sitting, but I never noticed the flashes during the game.  The only thing I noticed was that the lights to the secondary gym behind the court were turned on a few times in the 2nd half, presumably by the little kids playing back there.  I thought it was kind of distraction, but Catholic was shooting in that direction.  Staff went over and turned them off each time.

The players are probably so focused that they don't notice any of it. 

I didn't realize that SUS still had to play Scranton again, my mistake. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Back to the hard court...

What an entertaining game between Catholic and Scranton on senior night.  These teams were very evenly matched, and mirrored each other in the stat sheet.  The last 30 seconds featured a 86% free throw shooter missing the front end of a 1 and 1 for Catholic that could have put them up 3, followed by a 78% free throw shooter missing both shots for Scranton that could have tied it or sent it to OT.

Interestingly, for all the talk about defense, I thought Catholic played a very solid defensive game today.  They used Turner and Hayes on Vitkus and both were effective.  Hayes in particular had a really gritty game--started out his rotation rough but adjusted and made some huge plays. 

Neither team took a lot of 3's--I'm used to a lot more jump and long range shooting from Scranton.  Both struggled on offense, Howard was very effective getting to the line for Catholic, and Khouri was his usual reliable self.

So, at this point the only drama left is between Catholic and Moravian for the #3 seed.

And between Scranton and Susquehanna for the #1 seed.

Yes, the 3-pt defense was improved - only 21 attempted by both teams and only 2 by Danzig. Hayes was a force on the offensive boards; may have come of age tonight.

There was 1 annoying aspect to the game tonight; when Scranton was at the foul line in the 2nd half there was a flash from 2 lights at the endline corners from the top of the gym; it happened at least 10 times but not in the 1st half when Catholic was shooting at that end; I also didn't notice it in the women's game. Don't know if it affected the Scranton shooters but it shouldn't be happening.

They've been doing the photography during games for a few seasons now. I personally find the flashes very noticeable from the stands and rather distracting. I can't imagine the players don't also notice them. There have definitely been flashes when CUA takes free throws in the past. I agree it shouldn't happen when either team is taking FTs.

As Pat has mentioned, strobes are very common in the NCAA tournament and I can't for the life of me known a time when a strobe flash affected the game in any manner. Now, flashes coming from the stands absolutely can have an affect since they are far closer to eye level and the eye can see the pinpoint of where the flash came from... but that is why strobes are high up.

[Pat Coleman]

The higher you up, the more distracting they are. But the game is played at floor level -- strobes are high up for a reason. They're most effective when high above the court.

[ronk]

The higher you up, the more distracting they are. But the game is played at floor level -- strobes are high up for a reason. They're most effective when high above the court.

Well, I was sitting in the 4th row of bleachers, not significantly different than the eye level of a 6-3 player standing on the court, and it was distracting to me.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The higher you up, the more distracting they are. But the game is played at floor level -- strobes are high up for a reason. They're most effective when high above the court.

Well, I was sitting in the 4th row of bleachers, not significantly different than the eye level of a 6-3 player standing on the court, and it was distracting to me.

To be honest, you will see them more than the players because you are removed from the floor and turned 90 degrees from their perspective and thus can see the strobes... players on the floor don't see them.

Best example I can give you... when I am courtside at Salem for championships, I don't notice strobe lights ever even though they are going off constantly. When I am at another arena, further off the floor... I notice them all of the time.

[Hooper42]

Heavy weight bout tonight at the Long Center, or a fly weight bought according to D Mac  . A win tonight from either side would put the victor in the driver seat to host throughout Landmark playoffs.

I believe Sus has the better players and deeper bench, but the Scranton matchup zone can bottle up any offense on any night.

As I mentioned before the first matchup, Traub and Vitkus staying out of foul trouble will be imperative for both squads.

Should be a good one in the Electric City, Cousin Sal from the desert has this one as pick'em.

[ronk]

Royals come back from 49-38 deficit to defeat Susquehanna for the 2nd time and will be the 1st seed if they can defeat Goucher Saturday.

[NEPAFAN]

Royals come back from 49-38 deficit to defeat Susquehanna for the 2nd time and will be the 1st seed if they can defeat Goucher Saturday.

How bout them Royals!!!

[Hooper42]

First day of Landmark Playoffs kick off tonight  and the 3rd regional rankings will be released. Will SUS hang on to the 2 spot in the region? while they have the misfortune of playing a road first round playoff game

Jay Howard will be making his first appearance in uniform at the Long Center tonight, will be interesting to see how that game plays out. 

Predictions:
Scranton by 7
Sus by 4 on the road, due to playoff experience and strong road record over past 2 seasons. Moravian could absolutely win this game with the way they shoot the 3, especially in Behtlehem.

Enjoy what should be 2 well played games.