MBB: Landmark Conference

[ronk]

With conference play beginning tomorrow, here's the preseason poll followed by my preconference play prediction:
2016-17 Landmark Conference
Preseason Poll
Team Points
1. Susquehanna 60 (4)
2. Catholic 52 (1)
2. Scranton 52 (1)
4. Juniata 41 (2)
5. Moravian 24
6. Drew 17
7. Goucher 15
8. Elizabethtown 11

Susquehanna 10-4
Scranton        10-4
Catholic           9-5
Juniata            9-5
Moravian         9-5
E-town            5-9
Drew               2-12
Goucher          2-12

Essentially, the top 5 split with each other, 3 thru 5 lose 1 game each to the 6 thru 8 group, 7 & 8 split with each other and lose both to E-town. 

[CardsFan]

Finally got to see CUA in person this season. Exciting game with Louis Khouri hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer with 41 seconds left to give the Cardinals the lead for good. Capped off a huge game for Khouri who finished with 27 points. Jay Howard was his usual self with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Defending was an issue for both teams, but with the young team CUA has, any win is a good win.

[NEPAFAN]

Top 3 all win their first games. Some had an easier go than others.

How about the Royals not giving up an Offensive rebound? Quirky stuff.

[ronk]

Top 3 all win their first games. Some had an easier go than others.

How about the Royals not giving up an Offensive rebound? Quirky stuff.

Yes, I saw that - certainly makes it easier to win.

[saratoga]

The irony in that statistic is 3 years ago the Royals were virtually dead last in all of DIII in gathering offensive rebounds.
To this day I'm not so sure they hit the glass very well themselves for second chance shots.

[ronk]

The irony in that statistic is 3 years ago the Royals were virtually dead last in all of DIII in gathering offensive rebounds.
To this day I'm not so sure they hit the glass very well themselves for second chance shots.

Drew Shankweiler has been playing like a man possessed in this regard(offensive rebounds) the past 2 games.

[augie]

Saratoga good point and by the way all five guys should be attacking the rim bottom line.Kyle deverna needs to be a starter on that team that kid for a freshman is a player!He does everything a true point guard does steals,assist and drives to the basket great player

[augie]

Another terrible loss to another losing team.But as long as his kid gets 31 to 35 minutes a game who the hell cares if you win just as long as my boy gets 31 minutes and zero points.Where the hell will that help the team?

[NEPAFAN]

Augie,

You going to Puerto Rico? It is going to be old school, no live stats, no video, no radio..

[augie]

Nepafan I am not going to Puerto Rico with the team.After following this team as long as I have and Hotel after Hotel I have never been interested in Danzigs team in the last 3 years and as a faithful follower of Royals.The guy just can't get it done.But maybe with new AD those great Bessior years will comeback.I rather watch bessior 15-10 then Carl's 22-3that never makes it out of the first round.One thing I do know is that he has some pretty good freshman but they play behind his son.

[augie]

Hey Ronk; I would recommend you do your standings again for landmark conference if things do not change meaning lineup with the Royals I say they will miss the playoffs.My starting five would be kyle deverna at point guard kevin Doolin shooting guard mitch cross matt mancuso and vitkus have Ethan come off the bench he is a very streaky shooter and Chris McLoughlin gives you nothing along with Drew Schankweiler.They will be lucky coming out of Puerto Rico with a win.record this year 17 -8

[ronk]

Augie,
  You may be right; their record could be 17-8; currently it's 6-2 with 4 non-conference games left and I foresee a 10-4 conference record.
   I do like Chris McCullough more than u do for his defense and tenacity; they could use a few more warriors when the going gets tough.

[NEPAFAN]

Looks like a link is up on the website for video and live stats for tomorrow at 3pm. If you want to watch in conjunction with your favorite NFL team on the TV.

[ronk]

Looks like a link is up on the website for video and live stats for tomorrow at 3pm. If you want to watch in conjunction with your favorite NFL team on the TV.

Hope they were able to fly out today; 6 years ago, they couldn't get to Vegas cuz the Scranton airport was closed.
  They were originally scheduled to play Dubuque on Monday and Montclair on Tuesday; looks like it has been changed to Emory&Henry on Sunday and Montclair on Monday.

[saratoga]

I think Augie is correct.

I'd rather watch the women during a blizzard than the mens team during perfect winter weather.

There is an excitement & passion that's pretty evident at the women's games...the men, not so much.

Watching the guys is deja vu' year after boring year...cookie cutter pure vanilla.

Walk it up, 2 passes, bombs away.

Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.