MBB: Landmark Conference

[NEPAFAN]

I am looking forward to the match up Sunday afternoon at Kings Point, it will be interesting to see if any of Scranton's 5 seniors can step it up. They didn't steal a road win in Selingsgrove, but if they can do so at Kings Point I think they will be in very good shape.

[BCannon]

JC over CUA

[Matt Letourneau]

As my 2 year old son says...."uh oh."

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Matt - I agree with your son... CUA's loss is a BIG "uh oh." Especially wth a very tough Susquehanna team coming to town tomorrow afternoon!

I said earlier that I had only been impressed with one team in the conference (CUA) when I saw them... make it two. Susquehanna came out on fire tonight and shot .678 in the first half and never looked back. Goucher shot 31% in the same half but were already looking desperate before the ten minute mark of the first half. Certainly disappointing if you are a Gopher fan because they never had a chance!

Susquehanna's Joel Patch is head-and-shoulders my favorite for Player of the Year. This is a team that is certainly clicking on all cylinders, especially Patch, and they are deep off the bench. Now, maybe I shouldn't be assessing things based on a game against Goucher, but since the Gophers have been in a lot of games (just not winning them) and show success and find another team's weakness... the simple fact they were dominated on all aspects of tonight's game gives me enough information to say Susquehanna is in the driver's seat.

By the way, to show you how much Goucher struggled, especially in the first half, Trevino called three time outs in the first 20 minutes. For anyone who knows Goucher basketball, that is telling you something!

[BCannon]

So as for POY candidates we all agree I assume on Patch and Banzhaf. Anyone else? I would still say Samuels deserves consideration but maybe thats only because I chose him before the season started.

Side Note- Recruiting at Goucher is an absolute joke.

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.

or the third place team instead of the conference runner up because that makes sense

[saratoga]

Scranton plays an ok game at Drew yesterday...pretty typical stuff. The Royals had some good looks & hit some big shots from 3 point land & Luke Hawk & Paul Biagioli pretty much had their way when slashing inside to the basket. A very physical game & the refs let it go...I wonder just how much that may have worn down the Royals for today's battle on the Island?
  Primary area to worry about as it is in every game...will the Royals play a serious defense or just go through the motions. Drew had to score 3/4 of their points in the first half from either layups or 5' jumpers well inside the lane. For the most part, Scranton did very little to pressure the ball downcourt & was content to let the Rangers run a very patient offense with crisp passes, screens & cuts that led to far too many easy buckets.
  Today is the test...can the Royals finally win a Big game on the road? Are they serious about winning or very easily pleased? This game has some major ramifications & if Scranton has any plans for the NCAA's...they'd do themselves a huge favor if they realized that defense is a fairly important aspect of the game & played it for once.
  The mind says go with MMA & the heart wants to believe Scranton can finally win a big one on the road & give the kids something to build upon for the last 3 games all at home. In a good one...Scranton:63/MMA:60.

[saratoga]

This just in from the voice of the Royals...Scranton crushes MMA by about 20 & finally gets the big win on the road they so desperately needed. The team held MMA to 63 pts. & seemed as if there was an actual passion for playing D today.
  Great win...now if Catholic can help out a little by knocking off Susquehanna, the Royals can control their own destiny from this point forward. Should the Royals be able to bottle this effort on both ends of the floor from here on out...they'll be in very good shape. Well done!

[saratoga]

The Royals get the break they needed...Catholic knocks off Susquehanna by a score of 83/78. Looks like right now there is a 3 way tie for first with Scranton, MMA & Susq. The Royals have Catholic at home next Sat. evening while MMA heads to the Grove. Could be heading for a photo finish.

[NEPAFAN]

How about Scranton's 27 for 28 effort at the line? Believe that Danzig got T'd up halfway through the first half, his team responded and away they went in the second half.

I watched on USMMA feed rather than listening to "the voice of the Royals". Next weekend should be very interesting indeed , to bad we have to wait a whole week!!

[tpm4286]

Hey guys, hope your weekend was good! First off Goucher needs a change. I'm tired of supporting a team that is terrible. Susquehanna dominated them and Juniata came in and did what they needed to in the second half. I got more to say tommorow that will state distinct and certain facts and reasons why TREVINO needs to go. Its a catastrophe at the Goucher Mens Basketball program and I'm sorry but I hope Leonard is reading this but YOU GOTTA GO, your time is up.

[Matt Letourneau]

Matt - I agree with your son... CUA's loss is a BIG "uh oh." Especially wth a very tough Susquehanna team coming to town tomorrow afternoon!

I said earlier that I had only been impressed with one team in the conference (CUA) when I saw them... make it two. Susquehanna came out on fire tonight and shot .678 in the first half and never looked back. Goucher shot 31% in the same half but were already looking desperate before the ten minute mark of the first half. Certainly disappointing if you are a Gopher fan because they never had a chance!

Susquehanna's Joel Patch is head-and-shoulders my favorite for Player of the Year. This is a team that is certainly clicking on all cylinders, especially Patch, and they are deep off the bench. Now, maybe I shouldn't be assessing things based on a game against Goucher, but since the Gophers have been in a lot of games (just not winning them) and show success and find another team's weakness... the simple fact they were dominated on all aspects of tonight's game gives me enough information to say Susquehanna is in the driver's seat.

By the way, to show you how much Goucher struggled, especially in the first half, Trevino called three time outs in the first 20 minutes. For anyone who knows Goucher basketball, that is telling you something!

Hahaha...I almost think you are trying to get me riled up. 

From today's Catholic-Susquehanna stat sheet:

Joel Patch  18 points 2 rebounds
Jason Banzhaf 26 points 13 rebounds

The last time they played:
Joel Patch 13 points, 10 rebounds
Jason Banzhaf 23 points, 7 rebounds

On the season, league games only, NOT including today:

Joel Patch 17.1 ppg, .549 fg pct, 10.8 rpg
Jason Banzhaf 23.1 ppg, .642 fg pct, 8.6 rpg

C'mon. Patch is a pretty clear #2.  It isn't like there is a giant disparity in the quality of the teams--they split the season series and Catholic's just a game behind them.  Patch is not the offensive player that Jason is.  He's a little bit better rebounder, yes, but...

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Matt - not trying to upset you, just stating my opinion. I have seen Banzhaf and Patch play and I think Patch is the better player - besides on the black and white statistical line. Patch could have scored a TON more against Goucher, except he barely played in the second half (thus why some stats are hard to gauge everything by).

Banzhaf is a good player, but I think Patch does more for the guys around him and is better off the ball then Banzhaf. Just my opinion - and based on more than just stats.

[ronk]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standings                                               RS

MMA                8 - 3                                Scranton         4 - 0
Susque            8 - 3                                 Susque          3 - 0
Scranton           8 - 3                                MMA              3 - 1
Catholic           7 - 4                                Catholic          3 - 2
Moravian          4 - 7                                Juniata           3 - 3
Juniata            4 - 7                                Moravian         1 - 2
Goucher           3 - 8                                Goucher          1 - 5
Drew               2 - 9                                Drew               0 - 5

MMA,Sus, Scr clinch playoff spots; CUA magic # is 1 for final spot.
MMA/CUA 1 home game, Sus 2, Scr 3

[Matt Letourneau]

Matt - not trying to upset you, just stating my opinion. I have seen Banzhaf and Patch play and I think Patch is the better player - besides on the black and white statistical line. Patch could have scored a TON more against Goucher, except he barely played in the second half (thus why some stats are hard to gauge everything by).

Banzhaf is a good player, but I think Patch does more for the guys around him and is better off the ball then Banzhaf. Just my opinion - and based on more than just stats.

I know you aren't, I was kidding around.

But with respect--neither of us are really in a position to judge based on what we've seen with our own eyes.   You've seen Patch and Banzhaf play once.  Perhaps in the one game you saw him, Patch was better than Banzhaf--I don't know--but you can't discount an entire season's worth of statistics which are cleary pointing one way in favor of what you might have seen in one particular game.  Of course, you are entitled to your opinion! 

I have confidence that the coaches who have seen each team twice and watched all the tape--will get this one right.  Which won't stop me from reminding people of the facts!

I'd rather  be worrying about Catholic in the playoffs though.  Anything can still happen.

[NEPAFAN]

Juniata can be a spoiler and I am looking forward to see how they can possibly mix things up.

Good call, TPM.