MBB: Landmark Conference

[bigjoe]

I was at the Scranton vs. Junianta title game and, without question, Scranton is the most improved squad I have seen over the past six weeks.  No superstars, who dominate a game, but Arnold is the best point guard in this conference or last year's conference and Ashworth is a pleasure to watch.  Tom Bicknell is a force, who gets the most out of his talent, and is the emotional catalyst for the team.  The rest of the squad plays Danzig basketball and nothing intimidates them.  This is one of the best-shooting teams I have seen, with 10 players who can contribute when called on.  Kirk can launch NBA 3's and Biagioli, who did not play against Junianta, is a great leaper with a nice all-around game.  Fitzpatrick will slash through the lane and can shoot on the run.  O'Connel and Fuller both come off the bench and hold their own.  Hawk is a very good passer with a nose for the ball.  Along with Bicknell, he gives Scranton just enough reboudning presence.   I believe Scranton will not only get an invitation to the tournament, but I also think they will make it to the 16.  After that, who knows?

[NEPAFAN]

Good Stuff.


Glad to hear the result from this weekend. Congrats to the Landmark Conference Champions, hopefully the first of many.


Tomorrow should be an interesting day. We'll find out if the Royals are in and where they fall in the bracket.


Stay tuned!

[Matt Letourneau]

Wow.   BOTH Scranton and Moravian get in.

[cold_case]

Moravian gets in after losing its final three games of the season?
Pat, where is the Elms/Scranton game???

[NEPAFAN]

Cold Case,


Game is at Gettysburg. Winner of the Elms (who?) Scranton game plays the winner of Gettysburg-Salem State.


I don't know when though, the Scranton athletic site is overloaded.

Congrats to Moravian on getting in!

[cold_case]

Elms is not bad. They won their last 13 games so this could be a great game.
I'll bet the house DeSales is a hornets nest right about now. Finish 21-6 and don't get an invite while Moravian not only gets in but hosts a game. This from a conference that doesn't even have an automatic qualififer. Funny stuff.
Who cares.

[Matt Letourneau]

Well, clearly, eligibility for a Pool B ended up being a benefit this year...who would have thought that you'd be better positioned for a bid by being a Pool B team?

I think there's probably more than a few eyebrows raised.  York's probably not too happy, either.

[bballfan112]

How does Moravian get a bid in front of Juniata, who not only made the conference finals but is apparently ahead of Moravian in the most current regional rankings.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

If Juniata was "apparently" ahead in a regional ranking that isn't even posted... they would be in. Moravian has a better resume than Juniata... that being said... I was SHOCKED that Moravian made it - and I said it on the show.

[NEPAFAN]

Elms is not bad. They won their last 13 games so this could be a great game.
I'll bet the house DeSales is a hornets nest right about now. Finish 21-6 and don't get an invite while Moravian not only gets in but hosts a game. This from a conference that doesn't even have an automatic qualififer. Funny stuff.
Who cares.

Okay but what kind of competition are they playing?


Scranton is in a better bracket than say Moravian (and to the victor go the spoils), who plays 13-15 John Jay, but then has to play powerhourse Amherst in the 2nd round, or Kings, who plays Clarkson but then has to play at Plattsburg St.   Scranton on the other hand, can play with Elms College, Salem St, and Gettysburg.

[bballfan112]

Dave,
Can you elaborate on how Moravian's resume is better than Juniata?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Win-Loss Percentage against regional opponents
Moravian  17-8 .680
Juniata  16-9 .640

Strength of Schedule against regional competition
Moravian  0.464 0.501
Juniata  0.508 0.503

In-Region Head-to-Head competition
1-1 split - Juniata needed OT to beat Moravian at home; Moravian easily handled Juniata at their place

In-Region Results versus common regional opponents
Believe it or not, the Landmark conference games are the only common opponents.
Moravian 9-5 (LAND)
Juniata 9-5 (LAND)

Scranton: 1-2 for both teams
Susquehanna: 1-1 Moravian, 1-2 Juniata
Catholic: 1-1 Moravian, 2-0 Juniata
Goucher: 2-0 Moravian, 1-1 Juniata
Drew: 2-0 Moravian, 2-0 Juniata
Merchant Marine: 1-1 Moravian, 2-0 Juniata
Total - Moravian 8-5, Juniata 9-4
However, the extra lose to Susquehanna probably hurt a bit more for Juniata

In-Region Results versus regionally ranked teams:
I need to work that one a bit more... because I am so tired and I am not sure what the final regional rankings (since no one does). But I will get back to this.

It seems small... but the simple fact that Moravian had a better in region record... probably gave them the edge.

And for the record, I am completely SHOCKED that Moravian made the tournament. It is the ONLY think that has been glaringly wrong in the tourney. But that is MHO.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

In-Region Results versus regionally ranked opponents:
(this is based on the Week 3 ranked teams, so may not be perfect)

Ursinus - no games
Gettysburg - no games
Widener - no games
York - no games
DeSales - Moravian: lost (but since DeSales didn't make the tourney, I suspect this game didn't factor it)
Albright - no games
Lycoming - no games
Scranton - both teams were 1-2 against Scranton

I suspect there were other teams that made the final, but secret, regional rankings that probably gave the edge to Moravian. I am sure these games don't count, but Moravian has wins over Kean and Richard Stockton, both in the tournament. Juniata's only tournament opponent are Moravian and Scranton.

[bballfan112]

Thanks for clearing that up with all those details, Dave. I thought maybe since Juniata made it to the finals and beat the #1 seed Susquehanna @ SU would have helped, and that Moravian lost their last 3. But oh well, that's why they have the selection comittees, right? I think a lot of people around the region are shocked that Moravian got in.

[saratoga]

First off...congrats are in order to the UofS for hanging in there while all the injuries healed & the ship was steared away from all the iceburgs. Best of luck to the "other" Landmark selection...Moravian in their bracket. That said...I really do question how Moravian really did get in. I mean how a team did in the last 25% of their games is actually supposed to account for something heading into the tournament & I'm sorry...losing a game to a very very sub par Catholic team when that victory will allow your team to clinch the top spot & then to get crushed by Scranton at Moravian on their Senior Night is simply not getting it done. Follow that up by another loss at home to Scranton in the FIRST round of the Landmark Tournament & that should be the ticket to the ECAC not the NCAA. I'm still hoping the selection committee can explain this move...thus far, nothing but a bunch of really minimal statistics that have many scratching their heads. However, now that we are all doubting the Greyhound selection...if I were Amherst...I'd prepare  hard...very hard for this game. By the way...John Jay is toast.