MBB: Landmark Conference

[NEPAFAN]

https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/local-sports-icon-guy-valvano-dies-at-96/article_7a3166bc-8c9f-11ef-91b9-1b9caebb06ea.html

[ronk]

 Guy was the uncle of a friend of mine; the awards he won(Chic Feldman & Joe M Butler) were the prime sportswriters of the Scranton newspapers when I was in college there.

[saratoga]

Guy was a great man...always up to date on anything sports or history.
Last time I spoke with him was this past March while at the funeral of another great writer from that era, Jack Seitzinger.
Both writers loved the Royals basketball teams & covered many games on the road.
If I could have the mental acuity Guy had at 96 should I ever live that long, I'd sign up right now.

[saratoga]

Hard to believe the Royals didn't make the Pre-Season Top 25 (for about the 17th. year in a row). 
However, with the return of their backcourt, a healthy Will, & some kids that received considerable pt last season now a year older...perhaps they can win some of those games they couldn't finish last year.
With Catholic losing 2 really good players to Mercyhurst, it may give the Royals an opening.
The cupboard gets extremely bare after this year so the braintrust in Royaland better strike gold while they can as more 4 win seasons may be in their future if things stay the same.

[ronk]

Hard to believe the Royals didn't make the Pre-Season Top 25 (for about the 17th. year in a row). 
However, with the return of their backcourt, a healthy Will, & some kids that received considerable pt last season now a year older...perhaps they can win some of those games they couldn't finish last year.
With Catholic losing 2 really good players to Mercyhurst, it may give the Royals an opening.
The cupboard gets extremely bare after this year so the braintrust in Royaland better strike gold while they can as more 4 win seasons may be in their future if things stay the same.

 I see them losing only Parham and Khoza after this season, so at least 2 good seasons coming up.

[saratoga]

Ronk:
Parland is a 5th. year so he's gone after this year
& the following are all seniors...
*M. Thompson
*C. Merriman
*C. Khoza.
In addition, although Will could return as a medical redshirt, that's not carved in stone.
Too many years of milquetoast recruiting by Danzig & this is where we are.

[ronk]

Forgot about Merriman, but Thompson could be a med redshirt, also.

[saratoga]

I think he (Thompson) played too many games prior to his injury to even be eligible.
At this point, does it even matter?

[NEPAFAN]

Too many years of milquetoast recruiting by Danzig & this is where we are.

I love when you bring out the "milquetoast".

[saratoga]

It goes wonderful with champagne & coaching changes.

[ronk]

I think he (Thompson) played too many games prior to his injury to even be eligible.
At this point, does it even matter?

Mason played in only 5 games, so he was under the threshold to get another year(30% of schedule or, in this case, 7.5 games)
 Vicky Toomey was in the same position til she made a cameo appearance in the 2nd semester, eliminating her from a med redshirt this season. I'm guessing, with the type of injury, she decided not to play anymore.

[saratoga]

The Vegas line for the over/under on Royals wins this season is listed at 12.
As a true non-believer, I'll take the under. 

[ronk]

 As an optimist, I'll take the over; projecting 18-7 regular season.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

Welcome back to another season!

Anyone know who the Royals scrimmage this pre season?

[NEPAFAN]

Welcome back to another season!

Anyone know who the Royals scrimmage this pre season?

Nope...