MBB: Landmark Conference

[guest323]

Besides Stevenson, who have the played who qualifies as a quality win? York will be a good test to see if they are legit.

[NEPAFAN]

Yes that would be a nice win. Looks like York has gotten behind in a lot of games only to come roaring back.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I took a look at Scranton from a bunch of undefeated teams for the ballot this week ... and had the same thought: who have they played? I also dismissed the result against Stevenson for now as the Mustangs are picked to finish at the bottom of the MAC Commonwealth. That doesn't mean it will be true, but I also know Stevenson has been struggling in recent years and I want to see what they actually put together this season first.

So ... I got left thinking, "I'm not sure I can vote for them with that resume right now." Scranton wasn't the only one. There were a lot of undefeated teams I didn't vote for. I'm not throwing votes towards Amherst, Millsaps, Lynchburg, or others right now.

There are a LOT of teams undefeated right now. There are also a LOT of teams who are good. Cracking the Top 25 is far more difficult now. Not individual ballots, but getting 25 voters to think the same way with so much parity these days.

[ronk]

Besides Stevenson, who have the played who qualifies as a quality win? York will be a good test to see if they are legit.

I was at York this time last year and saw them beat a highly-ranked Swarthmore team. They did graduate their 2 good big men but everyone else may be back this year. It should be a good road test for Scranton.
Scranton has its flaws: very young, weak on the defensive board, excessive turnovers, and foolish fouls by their best player.
Strengths: youth(greater capability for improvement day-to-day as they gain experience with each other) , team-bonding playing trip in Ireland this summer, up-tempo play, defensive quickness.
Their entertainment value has risen from the mid-70s in recent years to 90 this season.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

York lost three 1,000 career point scorers from last year. They lost a ton of fire power, but seem to have found some pieces to at least keep them competitive ... which is impressive to say the least.

[NEPAFAN]

I took a look at Scranton from a bunch of undefeated teams for the ballot this week ... and had the same thought: who have they played? I also dismissed the result against Stevenson for now as the Mustangs are picked to finish at the bottom of the MAC Commonwealth. That doesn't mean it will be true, but I also know Stevenson has been struggling in recent years and I want to see what they actually put together this season first.

Pre-season rankings are meaningless. Stevenson has rattled off 5 wins after their loss to Scranton.

[saratoga]

"Pre-season rankings are meaningless".

Much like Top 25 polls until about the 10th. week & even then, not worth anything in the eyes of the NCAA.

[Rofrog]

Well I guess Augustana plays a great schedule 0-5,0-6,4-4 killer schedule.

[Pat Coleman]

The actual info:

Augustana (5-1)
Nov. 16   7:30 PM   at Alma (0-6) •   W, 85-74
Nov. 17   3:00 PM   at Calvin (4-4) •   W, 86-67
Nov. 21   7:00 PM   at Loras (4-1) •   L, 74-73
Nov. 24   4:00 PM   at Rockford (0-5) •   W, 78-64
Nov. 28   7:00 PM   UW-Stevens Point (4-1) •   W, 86-84 OT
Dec. 1   7:00 PM   Carroll (2-4) * •   W, 68-56

And then you need the context on who Alma has played to get to its 0-6. A D-II team and five D-III's who have all been in the Top 25 this season.

11/13   at Saginaw Valley   Final   L, 88-78
11/16   vs. Augustana •   Final   L, 85-74
11/17   vs. Illinois Wesleyan •   Final   L, 86-81
11/24   at North Central (Ill.) •   Final   L, 87-67
11/30   at UW-Platteville •   Final   L, 88-61
12/1   at Pomona-Pitzer •   Final   L, 88-76

[NEPAFAN]

"Pre-season rankings are meaningless".

Much like Top 25 polls until about the 10th. week & even then, not worth anything in the eyes of the NCAA.

Fair point. Stevenson crushing Cabrini at the moment 57-40

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I took a look at Scranton from a bunch of undefeated teams for the ballot this week ... and had the same thought: who have they played? I also dismissed the result against Stevenson for now as the Mustangs are picked to finish at the bottom of the MAC Commonwealth. That doesn't mean it will be true, but I also know Stevenson has been struggling in recent years and I want to see what they actually put together this season first.

Pre-season rankings are meaningless. Stevenson has rattled off 5 wins after their loss to Scranton.

Coach's polls usually indicate to me what the coaches in the conference are thinking about their counterparts. While I do realize they can be a little off, usually they aren't so off that the bottom team selected suddenly makes a run to a conference title or something.

However, what I did say is that "it doesn't mean it will be true." There are a few reasons I showed why the win over Stevenson isn't something I'm putting stock in just yet. Stevenson's opponents outside of Scranton are 10-36. Those are the opponents they have "rattled off" six wins since their loss to Scranton.

Cabrini is, now, 2-5, FYI.

[Rofrog]

Just giving love to my Royals that it nothing big.Very very young team.Should be a good test at York.I thought all these teams have been a test since we are so young .

[NEPAFAN]

and yes i am aware we have all jinxed the royals for their game tonight in York..

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

and yes i am aware we have all jinxed the royals for their game tonight in York..

LOL I wasn't going to say anything ...

[saratoga]

Even if this conversation has jinxed them, they are a fun group of kids to watch.

Four of the top 6 in the rotation are freshmen & if he goes big, that player is just a soph.

There will be mistakes but a lot of hustle as well.

As Al McGuire used to say, "The best thing about freshmen...they become sophomores".

If he can bring in a talented freshman big, the Royals may have assembled a group that can break their very own one & done jinx.