MBB: Landmark Conference

[tpm4286]

Hey Matt,

Just as a conversation starter to get away from SUICIDEDAD (SUSIDAD). How do you think the strong teams of the Catholic vs Goucher era would have faired in this league? Would they match up easily and crush the Landmark's top teams this year? The teams from 1995-2000 specifically

You would be able to answer this question since you have been around the CAC for awhile. I understand there was some top-notch national talent on both squads back in the day.

[saratoga]

OK, tipoff in a few minutes so the prediction has to come now. What type of teams give the Royals problems? One are the very quick up & down teams that are very athletic & the other seems to be those teams that pass the ball extremly well & have that one big guy that they can play inside out with. Seems like the Judges fit the bill for the latter & since the Royals have yet to prove they can play defense with a purpose, I've got a tough time thinking all of a sudden they'll put it all together. Please prove me wrong...Judges 77/Royals 68.

[Matt Letourneau]

Okay...well, I went on to see what time Scranton played tonight--and it turns out they already played and they lost.  Didn't look especially close.

So much for that.

TPM--good discussion topic.  Since apparently we have some time, I'll hold off for right now but will weigh in later.

[Reserved Seat]

Scranton played a decent first half and were able to keep the score close, but Brandeis had too many weapons.  Number 33 for Brandeis must have had a career night from the way he was acting.  He seemed surprised to be scoring so easily.  Brandeis' guard Small was too much for the Royals to handle.  DeLucia is dominant player and will give F&M fits.  Olson, the national leader in 3-shooting percentage, had an off night(3/7.  Scranton's height didn't come into play as Brandeis seemed to dominate the boards.  Half-way through the second half, Scranton seemed to pack in and were ready to go home.  Disappointing second half by the Royals.

[saratoga]

Reserved Seat: Your description just about sums up another futile Scranton attempt at the NCAA's this decade. Somewhere, somehow they will allow someone to have a career night while they find a way to not get it done in a big game. Exactly why some alumni refer to them as the "one & done" Royals in recent years. Not playing all out till the very end in the tournament...inexcusable!
  Cruelest statement made tonight at the Long Center during the womens game when the score was announced..."At least the varsity will probably win tonight". So much work to do...so little time.
  Best of luck to F&M tomorrow! Best of luck to the Royals 5 seniors!

[ronk]

   Royals outworked for rebounds and loose balls. Talent is good enough to win at the Landmark, Freedom, or Commonwealth level but not enough work to win at the NCAA tourney level. Positives were jumping off to 11-4 lead, numerous blocked shots in the first half, and offensive success of Paul B. throughout.
   This was a winable game unlike Elms last year when the Royals held a 3-pt lead part way thru the 2nd half and ran out of gas against a relentless defense.
Despite a 11-1 offensive rebound disadvantage and 10 turnovers in the 1st half alone, the Royals trailed only 34-31 after what should have been the final shot of the half by Brandeis only to have a long rebound go off and over Dan O'Connell's hand to the sideline where Brandeis drained a 3 pt-er in the final second to make it a 6 pt-deficit. Coach Danzig was not a happy camper on the way to the locker.
   Paul Hawk not able to play; a significant factor similar to the Catholic game(the only one of the 3 that Catholic won) that he missed with the original injury. Still, with being outworked, likely not to have made enough difference, Guards had trouble finishing moves against Brandeis quickness.
   All in all, a successful 4 years for the seniors with 3 Ncaas and 2 conference titles.
   Brandeis and F&M match up well; I'll go with F&M by 5(the home court advantage).

[Matt Letourneau]

Look--I wouldn't be beating up those Scranton guys too much--they certainly had a very successful career.  Sometimes success in the NCAAs has a lot to do with the draw--and it sounds like Brandeis has a chance to keep playing for a while.  I know that a few years ago I really felt that Catholic was at least a sweet 16 team talent-wise...and indeed they won their first round game handily until running into Lincoln.  They hung with Lincoln pretty much the whole game--but those guys were really good...and we ended up seeing that as Lincoln took the eventual national champ to 3ots or whatever it was.   A different opponent and Catholic might have at least proceeded one more round. 

Anyway, point is, its a little tough at this moment to tell how disappointing it was for Scranton to lose last night.  Their seniors had great careers regardless and I see no reason why the entire program and its supporters shouldn't be proud of what they accomplished. 

Obviously the bottom line in this world is results and winning, but there are other things at play, too...I've said the same thing to a few people who are upset that Catholic hasn't quite had the results the last few years...program wise, what is happening?  Are the guys still performing academically? Yes.  Are they graduating in 4 years (except for finanical issues or other factors like that)?  Yes.  Are they messing around with shady transfers ala more than a few CAC teams? No.  Do the players and coaches conduct themselves with dignity, play hard, and represent the school well on and off the court?  Yes.   Well, then I'd say the program is in good shape.  Are they moving in the right direction (for instances, are we seeing improvement from individual players year to year, indicating that they are working hard?)  Yes. And from what I can tell, the same things all apply to Scranton.  As much as we all want our teams to win, THAT is really the most important thing.

Now, with all that said...I'm looking forward to the next season of Catholic basketball--a couple more w's and this program should be back in contention.

[NEPAFAN]

What happened to Paul Hawk?


Londo filled in nicely, but I wonder how much that changed the game. Would love to see Eli back for another year, he has 1 year of eligibility left.

I am going to wait and see what Coach Danzig brings in this year before I push the panic button.

[ronk]

   Yes, I should emphasize that the team has accomplished a lot in their 4 years, that they are achieving every program and academic aspect that you mentioned, Matt, and that Coach Danzig classily thanked the 100 fans there for their support of the players and program.

[Matt Letourneau]

Catholic's season ended tonight also...with a loss to Washington and Jefferson 57-41.

I have no idea what happened, but...

Free Throws/Attempts:  Washington and Jefferson 21-28
                                       Catholic 1-3

Uhhh....

[Reserved Seat]

Wow 1 for 3.
I wonder what the record is for fewest foul shots in a game.  Three has to be close to the record.

[ronk]

What happened to Paul Hawk?


Londo filled in nicely, but I wonder how much that changed the game. Would love to see Eli back for another year, he has 1 year of eligibility left.

I am going to wait and see what Coach Danzig brings in this year before I push the panic button.

  Someone said Paul was a medical scratch and not able to practice all week. Eli did have 5 blocks and I should have mentioned him individually but they came so fast and furiously that I lost track of who was doing what.

[saratoga]

Let's see...F&M is essentially an underclass laden team with zero playoff experience & Scranton is a senior dominated team with 3 years experince going to the NCAA tournament. Scranton gets blown out by Brandeis...F&M somehow finds a way to get it done against Brandeis. Oh, that's right...a bad draw yet again for the Royals. F&M 1-0 thus far...Scranton 0-3 & counting. Go figure.

[Reserved Seat]

Why was this a bad draw for Scranton?  This was suppose to be the easy bracket.

[Matt Letourneau]

I think he was being sarcastic.