MBB: Landmark Conference

[tpm4286]

    We're going to fire up Dmac with all this discussion of the Goucher-Susque matchup. Not looking for Perry to go 7-10 3-ptrs but Boswell is capable of that. Also, not looking for the upset; just saying this is the most likely of the Saturday games to be one.

Dmac-please don't get all emotional at Gouchers senior night as we know you love Hakim, because he was suppose to be the next Garrett Smith. 

Perry and Boswell are a pair of descent shooters but I see Susquehanna making the adjustments to stop Perry even if he gets hot and to control Boswell if necessary, as he has a tendency to go cold. Spenser Spencer, THE BOY NAMED TWICE, is a freshman who can put a hurting on Goucher. It looks to me that this is the most popular game of the weekend.

To answer the question about the Patch stopper rumor, Goucher Gophers see him as the Crusaders most dangerous threat so they put added attention to details about him on the scouting report which fires up players to stop him because they feel as if he is the best player in the league and they have something to prove. Basically what it will end up to is;pay too much attention to Patch and watch others go off like Cosgrove, Spencer and Company.

[NEPAFAN]

D-Mac,
Maybe this actually proves your point, but I think some of these teams still have not adjusted to the back  to back weekend games.  Merchant Marine clearly played a lot better at Catholic than they did at Goucher the following day--to the point that when I saw the stat sheet, I figured you might question my assertion that they were the best team I had seen in the conference over the last two years.

Nevertheless---part of being a good team is winning even when you don't play really well, so I guess they should get credit for that.  But its proving to be very, very difficult to judge what is going to happen on these weekends--and its usually the second game. 

I have a hard time believing the team that wins this conference won't get a Pool B--even with a bunch of in-region losses.  Last year nobody expected this conference to gets two bids, but it seems that the selection committee is showing some respect to this conference and is perhaps showing some understanding that these teams are playing much harder "league" schedules than many of the Pool B candidates simply because they are in a competitive league structure with arguably only one really lousy team.

Other differences in 2009 versus 2008 are:

--the Landmark Conference "busted" in the post-season play in 2008.

Elms is having another "blow-out" season.  Elms, as a Pool A bid last year, blew out Scranton.  Elms will get a Pool B this year in its new conference.

The Moravian loss (hosting John Jay) was ugly in 2008.

Respectfully, as an outsider looking at this conference, I wonder if the Landmark is not in a prolonged drought.

How does 2008 post season performance affect who is selected in 2009?

[TheGrove]

Spenser Spencer, THE BOY NAMED TWICE, is a freshman who can put a hurting on Goucher. It looks to me that this is the most popular game of the weekend.

To answer the question about the Patch stopper rumor, Goucher Gophers see him as the Crusaders most dangerous threat so they put added attention to details about him on the scouting report which fires up players to stop him because they feel as if he is the best player in the league and they have something to prove. Basically what it will end up to is;pay too much attention to Patch and watch others go off like Cosgrove, Spencer and Company.

Watch out for Bryan Majors too... he's sneaky. And Matt McDevitt... his name doesn't come up a lot, but he is the third-leading scorer, second-best rebounder, and will steal a few from ya too.

Basically, the Crusaders don't ride one or two stars anymore. You shut one guy down, someone else steps up. They've had random guys have big games throughout the season (Jason Dawson, Brian Kerwin are two that come to mind).

BTW, what's even better about Spenser Spencer is that his middle name is Casanova. 

[Ralph Turner]

Thanks for the response NEPAFan.

I think that the long-term course of the Landmark has been that weak.

I was willing to concede a conference champion getting a Pool B last year.

Post 1334

This year's team should be judged by this year's criteria, but we fans have a hard time changing our perceptions of our favorite teams and conferences.

As I read these posts, I get the impression that these teams are perceived to be better than they currently are.

The regional nature of D3 does preclude assessment of the relative quality until deep into the playoffs.

Maryville TN (and I am no partisan for Maryville) seems to be putting together a good team, albeit too late in the season.  If Maryville were in a Pool A conference with a tourney, I would be wary of them.  They may be the 2nd or 3rd best Pool B at the end of the season.

That being said, the Pool B process looks at the entire season.  We can see how the B's perform again this year.  (They have not gained the "Bumblin B" moniker for nothing.)

I think that the Landmark will get one Pool B bid.  As for the quality of the best 3-4 teams, they may actually be #40-#90.  Unfortunately, that is just below the cut-off for a 60 team bracket.

Thanks.

[Innerloop]

I think the Landmark has a chance to get 2 teams in the dance depending upon who wins the playoffs. I think the winner is in hands down and if the runner-up has a better or equal record then maybe that team too. It also could depend on the scoring margin of the championship game.

[Innerloop]

also--if either Catholic or Susquehanna win out the season they would have 22 wins. That will also get them ranked in the top 20.

[tpm4286]

BTW, what's even better about Spenser Spencer is that his middle name is Casanova. 

That is hilarious, if there was an All-conference team for best name he would be a lock. But anyone got any predications on the score for the Goucher-Susquehanna game?

Majors is one of the best point guards in the league and can really dictate the pace of the game and get players involved. McDevitt as well can have breakout games. To be honest though with the lack of a guy inside for Goucher, Cosgrove and Patch should have big games. Goucher wouldn't be bad and probably could be in the top 4 in the league if it wasn't for there coaching style. Worst in the league. 

Susquehanna and Catholic both have a good chance at making it to the tournament. If they both finish with 20 wins and good runs in the playoff they could have an impressive resume.

[NEPAFAN]

BTW, what's even better about Spenser Spencer is that his middle name is Casanova. 

That is hilarious, if there was an All-conference team for best name he would be a lock. But anyone got any predications on the score for the Goucher-Susquehanna game?

Majors is one of the best point guards in the league and can really dictate the pace of the game and get players involved. McDevitt as well can have breakout games. To be honest though with the lack of a guy inside for Goucher, Cosgrove and Patch should have big games. Goucher wouldn't be bad and probably could be in the top 4 in the league if it wasn't for there coaching style. Worst in the league. 

Susquehanna and Catholic both have a good chance at making it to the tournament. If they both finish with 20 wins and good runs in the playoff they could have an impressive resume.

What is with all the hate for the Goucher coaching staff?

[Matt Letourneau]

Well for one thing--its great to see 4 posts or so since my last one not that long ago!  The board is waking up a little bit.

Couple of things--first on Goucher's coaching---look, I'm glad somebody said it.  I want to be polite here, but...I think that program could use some fresh blood.  And I don't think their lack of success can be totally blamed on recruiting and lack of talent, either---they have gotten some very good players over the years.  But I question discipline, commitment, team unity, etc.  That's not always the fault of the coaching staff, but when it keeps happening...

Ralph--interesting posts and I appreciate your thoughts.  I think you have a point, but perhaps take it a little far.  How can a conference in its second year of existence be in a "rut?"  That's an overstatement, isn't it?  Yes, a few of the individual institutions that have been traditionally strong are down a little bit, but year to year that is going to happen.  2 years ago Catholic hosted in the postseason and won a game before running into a ridiculously hot Lincoln team that would take VWU to like triple overtime or something.  But they were cleary competitive and better than a lot of tournament teams.  Obviously they had a down year last year--really their first in over a decade, so I think they're entitled.  The future is pretty bright for the program though--they are a good team this year, and I think they're going to be REALLY good next year.  Although I'm a Catholic partisan I think the others that have seen them wouldn't disagree.

I see Scranton as always competitive.  Depth, size, skill---all the ingredients are there.  I wouldn't discount them.  Merchant Marine is actually a fairly young team too and they're getting good contributions from underclassmen. I could go right down the line, actually...I don't think too many of these teams are going to fall apart over the next couple of years.  So--I guess I don't really get the pessimism for Landmark. 

Now, I'm not saying that's going to translate into more than one bid THIS year...but I think we are all realists as to the quality of these teams.  If nothing else, the league  is proving to be quite competitive.  Maybe the hurts the teams at the top.

[saratoga]

Guys, I realize I have one foot off the Royal bandwagon already & jumping ship would be pretty easy to rationalize given what they've accomplished on the nationial scene (nothing) in the last 5 years...however, it may be just a little premature to write the Royals off just yet.
 Should they sweep this weekend, my hunch is they will then run the table at home vs. Catholic, Goucher & Moravian. In fact, I can't remember the last game they played at the Long Center when the students were there so the old house may be rocking.
 What tends to cast doubt on that scenario is Scranton's recent history of 1.) Not winning huge games on the road by blowing big leads and 2.) Not showing up for big games at home until the second half & the damage has been done.
 History also teaches us that 1.) Susquehanna tends to fall from the face of the earth around this time every year and 2.) regardless how much potential talent Catholic has right now...they are still young & will probably have to sweep at Scranton & Moravian & that is no small task for anyone, especially a pretty young group of kids. All in all...looks like a great stretch run.

[TheGrove]

Boo, who karma-sniped? 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

also--if either Catholic or Susquehanna win out the season they would have 22 wins. That will also get them ranked in the top 20.

Not sure I would jump to put either of these teams in my Top 20. They are good, but from the basketball I have seen so far this season, the Landmark was a better conference last season.

I know many people want to see two teams from the Landmark make the tourney, but I have to agree with Ralph, I just don't see it happening. That is going to require winning out for the most part by more than one team and I don't see the consistency from any team to see more than one making it.

Also, remember one important thing: last year the conference got two bids while there were four Pool B alocations available. This season, it is down to three and with Elms pretty much in control of a Pool B bid, that leaves two bids for the rest of the country. I highly doubt the conference gets both of those bids. And if they don't, the extra team gets placed into Pool C and I don't like their chances with the Midwest, West, Great Lakes, and South region teams also in that fray. And don't forget how upsets in conference tournaments will only add to the challenge.

TPM - I am sure I can handle senior night. This will be my 14th and it has been awhile since I was emotional! There was last year's... never mind!

[Ralph Turner]

Well for one thing--its great to see 4 posts or so since my last one not that long ago!  The board is waking up a little bit.

Couple of things--first on Goucher's coaching---look, I'm glad somebody said it.  I want to be polite here, but...I think that program could use some fresh blood.  And I don't think their lack of success can be totally blamed on recruiting and lack of talent, either---they have gotten some very good players over the years.  But I question discipline, commitment, team unity, etc.  That's not always the fault of the coaching staff, but when it keeps happening...

Ralph--interesting posts and I appreciate your thoughts.  I think you have a point, but perhaps take it a little far.  How can a conference in its second year of existence be in a "rut?"  That's an overstatement, isn't it?  Yes, a few of the individual institutions that have been traditionally strong are down a little bit, but year to year that is going to happen.  2 years ago Catholic hosted in the postseason and won a game before running into a ridiculously hot Lincoln team that would take VWU to like triple overtime or something.  But they were cleary competitive and better than a lot of tournament teams.  Obviously they had a down year last year--really their first in over a decade, so I think they're entitled.  The future is pretty bright for the program though--they are a good team this year, and I think they're going to be REALLY good next year.  Although I'm a Catholic partisan I think the others that have seen them wouldn't disagree.

I see Scranton as always competitive.  Depth, size, skill---all the ingredients are there.  I wouldn't discount them.  Merchant Marine is actually a fairly young team too and they're getting good contributions from underclassmen. I could go right down the line, actually...I don't think too many of these teams are going to fall apart over the next couple of years.  So--I guess I don't really get the pessimism for Landmark. 

Now, I'm not saying that's going to translate into more than one bid THIS year...but I think we are all realists as to the quality of these teams.  If nothing else, the league  is proving to be quite competitive.  Maybe the hurts the teams at the top.

Thanks, Matt.

I forgot about the Lincoln-Catholic game.  Lincoln was a real power 2 years ago.

I appreciate your assessment of the Landmark.  As I look at the conference, the schools with the best programs historically do seem to be Catholic and Scranton.

Can those two schools carry the banner for the conference?  Will Susquehanna are any of the others have more success in this conference?

[ronk]

[quote
Thanks, Matt.

I forgot about the Lincoln-Catholic game.  Lincoln was a real power 2 years ago.

I appreciate your assessment of the Landmark.  As I look at the conference, the schools with the best programs historically do seem to be Catholic and Scranton.

Can those two schools carry the banner for the conference?  Will Susquehanna are any of the others have more success in this conference?
[/quote]

Ralph,
   Don't overlook MMA; they have 6 NCAA trips in the last 12 years.

[tpm4286]

Merchant Marine Academy and Susquehanna are my two picks for the bids. Catholic has a chance but I believe they will get a devastating loss as a result of Goucher. The only success they seem to have is playing at Catholic over the past couple years.

MMA has a handful of young talent. With Izzo Samuel and Hueber being young they can make some noise and be at the top of the league over the next few years. Pat Grace a local Baltimoreohun from Cardinal Gibbons can make it rain, how come Goucher didn't jump on this recruit to bring along with Joel Smith another Gibbons product? Could have been a solid, local talent is always strong but seems to pick other programs...Salisbury, York other CAC teams.

Looks as if the board is getting a little more looks and comments, Good to see. Hopefully the criticism isn't frowned upon as it is just objective points of view expressed on a blog. What else do you expect on a blog, look what Ravens fans write about the Steelers!  Stupid Holmes, go sell drugs.

Looking forward to seeing the matchup Live Susquehanna vs. Goucher