MBB: Landmark Conference

[ronk]

This game was essentially defined by the last play of the first half.
The Royals are down 12 with the ball & 29 seconds left.
They hold outside until 10 seconds then feed into the post & they force an off balance shot which is rebounded by Catholic with 5 seconds left.
One quick pass to a player on the wing, a second perfect pass to their outlet streaking to the hoop and in the blink of an eye, they score at the buzzer for what is now a 14 point lead.
Same horrible basketball, different day.

In tomorrow's class we'll dissect the Royal's Hall of Fame "Perimeter Defense" and how it makes so many average teams look so good.

Had to be a big deflator heading into the locker room at halftime; you're supposed to shoot with enough time to offensive rebound and try again but not enough time for the defense to score at the other end; the player chose otherwise - 6 secs was too early to shoot; when will they learn?

[Augie2020]

Ronk not being a smart ass but offensive rebound everyone of them run away from the basket except Spatola(smallest dude on the court but can jump).It has been a long 22 years of this same style and you keep saying maybe next year and that year never comes.Seriously the last great team I saw at the U was the 1993 team.I can't even stay and watch them anymore.We can't keep hiding the fact and they do it well at the U with the write up of how the game went tonight.9-1  to start the game never in it at all!

[saratoga]

Well, once again our current men's coach gives an absolute BS line to Scott Walsh, Sports Editor with the Scranton Times/Tribune that one of the reasons the Royals lost yesterday to Catholic is because, drum roll please..."we're young".

In fact, this is his actual quote:
"They've (Catholic) got kids that have been playing there for 4 years".
"We're young and growing and aspire to be where they're at".

What a totally bogus excuse.
The fact is, Catholic starts the following:

*Herbert-Freshman
*Nealon-Soph.
*Buckley-Soph.
*Kelly-Jr.
*Heifmeister-Jr.
So please explain how these kids have been playing together for "4 years"?

Meanwhile, his team starts the following:
*Danzig-Grad student (5th. year)
*McLoughlin-Soph.
*Braunstein-Senior
*Parland-Jr.
*Spatola-Freshman

The Royals clearly have the more experienced team so their current coach really needs to stop with these yearly lame excuses of poor us, we're young.
You're not!

The simple reality is you were, out-played, out-hustled, & yet again, out-coached.

The patently false claims of youthful indiscretion are not a good look.

[Augie2020]

Well said Saratoga!!I was going to mention that about Catholics youth and Danzings BS .It is about time to pull the plug on this guy.Martin was at the game yesterday to give out awards to the 83 team and to see that kind of game was an embarrassment.

[NEPAFAN]

Well, once again our current men's coach gives an absolute BS line to Scott Walsh, Sports Editor with the Scranton Times/Tribune that one of the reasons the Royals lost yesterday to Catholic is because, drum roll please..."we're young".

In fact, this is his actual quote:
"They've (Catholic) got kids that have been playing there for 4 years".
"We're young and growing and aspire to be where they're at".

What a totally bogus excuse.
The fact is, Catholic starts the following:

*Herbert-Freshman
*Nealon-Soph.
*Buckley-Soph.
*Kelly-Jr.
*Heifmeister-Jr.
So please explain how these kids have been playing together for "4 years"?

Meanwhile, his team starts the following:
*Danzig-Grad student (5th. year)
*McLoughlin-Soph.
*Braunstein-Senior
*Parland-Jr.
*Spatola-Freshman

The Royals clearly have the more experienced team so their current coach really needs to stop with these yearly lame excuses of poor us, we're young.
You're not!

The simple reality is you were, out-played, out-hustled, & yet again, out-coached.

The patently false claims of youthful indiscretion are not a good look.

+1 for doing this research. I was going to do it myself, but you saved me the trouble. Coach Kelly at CUA has done a great job in 4 years.

[Augie2020]

Well Scranton men take on Drew in Madison tonight any thoughts?

[ronk]

 Looking for a victory @ Drew - too many Royals from NJ that won't want to lose in front of family and friends.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

The Royals still getting plenty of love from the voters in terms of regional rankings, and those who are contributors on other platforms discussions regional rankings. Skating right on the line. Would still think they need to win the conference to get in.

[Augie2020]

Great- yes indeed!This is in Alphabetical order at 14-7  the only way they get in is by winning the Landmark.

[Augie2020]

Should be tough in Madison tonight!

[Tim the Enchanter]

I think they should win tonight at Drew.  Not confident, but I think it's more likely than not.  This is a winnable game, and they need to bounce back after Saturday's loss.

As far as NCAA tourney chances, I agree they need to win the Landmark tournament.  If they win out the season but don't win the Landmark tournament, that puts them at best 19-8.  I don't think that's good enough to get in the NCAA tourney this year.

[NEPAFAN]

The Royals still getting plenty of love from the voters in terms of regional rankings, and those who are contributors on other platforms discussions regional rankings. Skating right on the line. Would still think they need to win the conference to get in.

Holding onto that early season success?  Had some good wins early on in the season.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

Perhaps parity is real. The clip I saw was keeping Scranton high bc of SOS. I still think they need to win conf, but nice to see people think they are good. They have certainly showed plenty of signs they are good. See what tonight brings on the road.

[NEPAFAN]

Enjoyable game with my diminished expectations.

EJ is a stud.

[ronk]

 Like EJ also - last nite, a couple of pass fakes with the ball against overplaying defenders - not done enough by others at this level; the way he takes it to the hoop, just has to learn when to abort such a move(part of a frosh learning experience); defended McBurnie adequately when the other bigs were in foul trouble; willing to take the big shot at the end of regulation.
  Would like to see Matt Hanley get more time, especially with Will hobbled.
  Path to a tourney berth is in their hands; they have the ability to win out from here.