MBB: Landmark Conference

[saratoga]

CC: UCLA??? Remember, Bess has retired!
  Hoopzwiz: Now you may be on to something. As far as me only having one guess...I'll just say that I doubt the decision originated in Green Ridge.

[NEPAFAN]

So when Scranton wins 20 games this year are we still going to be discussing their schedule?

[cold_case]

Yes, across town to Dunmore.  You get the point.

Across town meaning travelling from South SCRANTON to North SCRANTON.
Staying within city or town limits.
So no, I don't get your weak point.

'toga, rumor has it Kutztown, Mansfield and Bridgeport will be in Scranton's tourney next season. They plan to call it, the For-Old-Time-Sake Holiday Classic.
Yeah, ok, right.

[Pat Coleman]

So when Scranton wins 20 games this year are we still going to be discussing their schedule?

Yes, because 20-5 with that schedule won't get them ranked.

[wvcfan1]

Scrantons schedule looks adequate.  I only question why scranton goes on the road to PSU Hazleton every other year.  They are not DIII

[NEPAFAN]

So when Scranton wins 20 games this year are we still going to be discussing their schedule?

Yes, because 20-5 with that schedule won't get them ranked.

And what does being ranked get them? 20 wins would probably mean a Landmark Championship game and a 1st round exit in the NCAAs...what we have deemed success for the Royals ....

[saratoga]

NEPAFAN: The two transfers I was talking to you about have just been confirmed on Scranton's b-ball page.
  Still not quite ready to book any rooms in southern Virginia just yet.

[lefty2]

Scrantons schedule looks adequate.  I only question why scranton goes on the road to PSU Hazleton every other year.  They are not DIII

Penn State Hazleton is a member of NCAA D-III.

[gordonmann]

I think Penn St.-Hazleton is part of the US Collegiate Athletic Association along with several over Penn State branch campuses that comprise the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference.

Penn State Harrisburg is in Division III, as is Penn St.-Berks, Penn St.-Behrend and Penn St.-Altoona.

[wvcfan1]

Lefty2, you are incorrect. PSU Hazleton is not DIII. 

[ronk]

   It's ironic that the Scranton's men's schedule is gathering all this disrespect while, on the other side of the locker room, last year's women ranked #1 in strength of schedule.

[cold_case]

So when Scranton wins 20 games this year are we still going to be discussing their schedule?

Yes, because 20-5 with that schedule won't get them ranked.

Uh oh, I see your loophole come selection time.

[saratoga]

Ronk: you are 100% correct regarding the irony of the strength of schedules between the Royals & Lady Royals.
  There is absolutely no doubt that playing the schedule Mike plays out of conference gives the Lady Royals a huge advantage come tournament time. Last season he had the Lady Royals play in 3 straight tournaments (all on the road) & against QUALITY teams which was the perfect tuneup for his kids to prepair them for the upcoming conference games going on back to back evenings/days. Coach Strong's "let's play the best" philosophy has worked wonders for his kids throughout his tenure as Head Coach as evidenced by his place in the record books for wins, winning percentage, tournament appearances & once he get's there...winning. I'm fairly certain that anyone that saw the Lady Royals play during the first 3 weeks of the season last year & then didn't see them again until the last 3 weeks would have marveled at their growth & maturity.
  The saying, 'a win is a win is a win' no longer cuts it. To make it a successful season, schools can not live solely on the teams in a current down period  or perpetually bad. Selection criteria clearly mentions "opponents & opponents-opponents winning percentage" as a basis for selection & if you are the Royals...I'm sorry, this schedule is unacceptable.
  Perhaps it's time to stop worrying about whom you may be able to run with with the talent you have & try to improve that talent by having them play the best so their game can improve rather than this ongoing false sense of greatness by knocking off Bard or Penn Tech. Recruit, teach, play the best...it's been a recipe for success for the Lady Royals & former mens coach Bessoir...no reason to think it won't work for the men once again.
 

[NEPAFAN]

Ronk: you are 100% correct regarding the irony of the strength of schedules between the Royals & Lady Royals.
  There is absolutely no doubt that playing the schedule Mike plays out of conference gives the Lady Royals a huge advantage come tournament time. Last season he had the Lady Royals play in 3 straight tournaments (all on the road) & against QUALITY teams which was the perfect tuneup for his kids to prepair them for the upcoming conference games going on back to back evenings/days. Coach Strong's "let's play the best" philosophy has worked wonders for his kids throughout his tenure as Head Coach as evidenced by his place in the record books for wins, winning percentage, tournament appearances & once he get's there...winning. I'm fairly certain that anyone that saw the Lady Royals play during the first 3 weeks of the season last year & then didn't see them again until the last 3 weeks would have marveled at their growth & maturity.
  The saying, 'a win is a win is a win' no longer cuts it. To make it a successful season, schools can not live solely on the teams in a current down period  or perpetually bad. Selection criteria clearly mentions "opponents & opponents-opponents winning percentage" as a basis for selection & if you are the Royals...I'm sorry, this schedule is unacceptable.
  Perhaps it's time to stop worrying about whom you may be able to run with with the talent you have & try to improve that talent by having them play the best so their game can improve rather than this ongoing false sense of greatness by knocking off Bard or Penn Tech. Recruit, teach, play the best...it's been a recipe for success for the Lady Royals & former mens coach Bessoir...no reason to think it won't work for the men once again.
 

Toga: I am glad that the recruiting class has grown from 3 to 5. I wonder if O'Connell's brother tried out for the team at Sacred Heart? Fitzpatrick appeared to be buried on the bench at Ithaca, but that was a talented and guard heavy team. Once again they seems to have a lot of kids who can score but who is going to rebound? Does someone like Wynne or Bogovich emerge this year?

[lefty2]

Lefty2, you are incorrect. PSU Hazleton is not DIII. 

There's a first time for everything.