MBB: Landmark Conference

[NEPAFAN]

Sus that ship has sailed my friend, unless you are buying crusader dogs for all Cua fans at the game.

Scranton looks to win three games in a row for the first time all season. Also congrats to Eli Londo who won LC player of the week and was named to the d3hoops team of the week!

[TheGrove]

Yeah susiddad, support the baseball team and buy those hotdogs.

[ronk]

Any predictions for this weekend?

Catholic + Refs  74 Susquehanna 72 
Will CUA fans travel for this most important Landmark game?
Matty?  Lunch?

I'm going with the Pa. teams winning except for MMA over Moravian. CUA fans will probably watch those fine videocasts from Sus and Juniata instead of traveling.

[Matt Letourneau]

Ha--yeah, no chance the Odyssey is gonna make that trip!  We can barely make it to DC for home games.  Back in the old days I used to go to some road games but its too hard now.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I really hate this schedule.  I think it makes it very hard to get some momentum and harder for teams to gel.  From a spectator's perspective, its impossible for a lot of people to get to two games in a row on a weekend and a big time commitment.

I understand the reasons for doing it and the academic focus, but I still hate it.

Matt - you do realize this isn't the only conference in the nation with this type of schedule, right? It is actually becoming more and more common for strung-out conferences. If you think this is bad... try the UAA or the SCAC schedule along with travel on for size, then we can talk about hating it. But strong teams come out of the UAA and even the SCAC... so it seams to work for them. And in the NCAA tournament... how do you prepare for that? If anything, this conference has an advantage of others by being used to the type of travel and back-to-back schedules the NCAA tournament brings along with them.

[Matt Letourneau]

I really hate this schedule.  I think it makes it very hard to get some momentum and harder for teams to gel.  From a spectator's perspective, its impossible for a lot of people to get to two games in a row on a weekend and a big time commitment.

I understand the reasons for doing it and the academic focus, but I still hate it.

Matt - you do realize this isn't the only conference in the nation with this type of schedule, right? It is actually becoming more and more common for strung-out conferences. If you think this is bad... try the UAA or the SCAC schedule along with travel on for size, then we can talk about hating it. But strong teams come out of the UAA and even the SCAC... so it seams to work for them. And in the NCAA tournament... how do you prepare for that? If anything, this conference has an advantage of others by being used to the type of travel and back-to-back schedules the NCAA tournament brings along with them.

Of course I realize that.  The UAA is a little bit unique given the nature of those schools though..

I can see the benefits from an NCAA preparation standpoint---however, there's no empirical evidence to suggest it makes any kind of difference.  The performance of the Landmark schools in the NCAA so far certainly don't suggest it was any kind of advantage, and from the CAC years I know first hand the "old" schedule was certainly not a hindrance. 

Like I said, I understand the benefits from an academic standpoint.  Still doesn't mean I have to like it.  From a school community standpoint, I think the student body is significantly less engaged than it used to be--Wed/Thurs night games used to draw a big student crowd, weekend games not as much.  I think the same is true at other schools in the league. 

[hoopit123]

I have to disagree with the crowd point...at least at SU.  i remember some years back the weekday games were empty.  even back during the good years before the 3-21 season.  Now, if im not mistaken, SU now leads the conference in attendance for these weekend games.  If anything, students prefer them:  it seems they enjoy to engage in some 'nightly activities' before and then attend the game to start off their weekend.  Sounds fun to me! haha   consequently, not only is the crowd bigger, but also rowdier and creates more of a home-court advantage. I have heard some great nicknames the past few years 

[susiddad]

Do fans attend the drew and goucher games?  Don't see it.

I imagine USMMA must be a mad house with the military draw and the support.

Is Moravian still in the Landmark?  I haven't heard anyone make mention of them all season?

[hoopit123]

Is Moravian still in the Landmark?  I haven't heard anyone make mention of them all season?

and is this a problem? LOL

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Do fans attend the drew and goucher games?  Don't see it.

I imagine USMMA must be a mad house with the military draw and the support.

Is Moravian still in the Landmark?  I haven't heard anyone make mention of them all season?

Susidad? Have you gone to a Goucher game? Where you at the last SU/Goucher game? If you were, good for you... but if you weren't, how can you make that statement. And if you were at the game, then it should be mentioned the Goucher student body just started classes on Monday.

And I am probably speaking for everyone when I ask... can you find a way to stop taking cheap shots when ever you feel like it? It is already really old... not to mention since you seem to be the only "representative" of your school... it looks even worse for SU.

[TheGrove]

I have to disagree with the crowd point...at least at SU.  i remember some years back the weekday games were empty.  even back during the good years before the 3-21 season.  Now, if im not mistaken, SU now leads the conference in attendance for these weekend games.  If anything, students prefer them:  it seems they enjoy to engage in some 'nightly activities' before and then attend the game to start off their weekend.  Sounds fun to me! haha   consequently, not only is the crowd bigger, but also rowdier and creates more of a home-court advantage. I have heard some great nicknames the past few years 

I have to back hoopit on this one. Weeknight games at SU were almost always a mausoleum. I can remember times where the visitors would out-draw the home team (Messiah, E-town were two in particular). Friday night games are pretty big and usually Saturday's are a bit smaller, but still pretty good. Definitely a lot more excitement.

I'm glad we got away from the Sunday afternoon games though; those were a big dud.

[TheGrove]

And I am probably speaking for everyone when I ask... can you find a way to stop taking cheap shots when ever you feel like it? It is already really old... not to mention since you seem to be the only "representative" of your school... it looks even worse for SU.

Clearly the -75 karma hasn't made the point to him...

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I'm glad we got away from the Sunday afternoon games though; those were a big dud.

There not quite done, Grove... there is one Saturday/Sunday series a season, I believe. Goucher and CUA just played it a few weeks back. It involves Drew/Merchant Marine I think when they travel only. The series will rotate through the different travel weekends, so Goucher and CUA won't see a Sunday game for three more seasons.

[hoopit123]

well in other news, how about this weekends games?
big one tonite in Selinsgrove...i am oh so excited to finally get a close-up glimpse of JB; maybe i'll even get a high five from him and never wash my hand again!!!

but in all seriousness, he has to have a VERY big game for CUA to win i think.  as i've mentioned earlier in the season, CUA's guards just dont match up.  who covers SS? dixon is quick, but majors is quicker. i feel as though the very upbeat tempo that SU plays at just cant be matched by CUA.  we know for sure JB is much more comfortable on the block than on the run.  CUA's only hope (of course, as long as SU decides to show up tonite!) is to control the tempo, slow it way down, and feed JB on the block.  but personally, i cant see that happening. too quick!

anxious to see if scranton is for real now or not.  great weekend last week, but they need to keep it going.  if they do, def. a contender now.  i can potentially see londo's confidence and leadership rubbing off on the younger guys and really putting things together for this team; only time (this weekends games) will show if this happens.

[NEPAFAN]

I agree with Matt on the scheduling. Why not at least play your traveling partner during the week?


Regarding the attendance, Scranton actually  leads the league. USMMA attendance is actually depressing!

ATTENDANCE Team                 | HOME GAMES  Avg | AWAY GAMES  Avg | NEUT GAMES  Avg | ALL GAMES   Avg | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catholic             | 10-3100     310 |  6-2099     350 |  2-215      108 | 18-5414     301 | Drew                 |  9-1514     168 |  7-1617     231 |  2-115       58 | 18-3246     180 | Goucher              |  8-2624     328 |  6-3241     540 |  3-393      131 | 17-6258     368 | Juniata              |  8-1697     212 | 10-2593     259 |  0-0          0 | 18-4290     238 | Merchant Marine      | 11-755       69 |  5-1717     343 |  2-0          0 | 18-2472     137 | Moravian             |  8-1337     167 |  9-2759     307 |  1-109      109 | 18-4205     234 | Scranton             | 10-4550     455 |  7-2422     346 |  1-0          0 | 18-6972     387 | Susquehanna          |  5-2230     446 | 10-2200     220 |  3-425      142 | 18-4855     270 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals               | 69-17807    258 | 60-18648    311 | 14-1257      90 | 115-30124    262 |