MBB: Landmark Conference

[jmcozenlaw]

I went looking through some of the publicly available data today, just to see where Scranton stands in comparison.  I looked at Christopher Newport as the comp, largely because they're the most successful program in the region over the last decade or so.

Both teams spend about the same amount of money overall (about $350k, salaries included), but the personnel allocation is quite different.  Scranton lists Danzig as a full time employee with part time assignment to basketball, which means he's got other duties.  Some schools have to do that to pay a competitive salary, but if you talk to any coach, that shared attention makes a huge difference.  John Krikorian has nothing to do, but focus on his basketball team, 12 months a year.

Scranton has two assistants listed, one a full-time, fully dedicated to basketball position, and a second part timer.  CNU has one full time and two part time assistants.  There are only salary averages available for Scranton, while CNU is a public institution with public salaries, but I suspect, even if they've been able to put a competitive package together for the HC, the assistants aren't getting paid commensurate with CNU and the man hours allocated to basketball aren't that close.


(Oh, and not to throw a wrench into things, but Swarthmore has one full time HC and three part time assistants, and spends almost exactly half of what either CNU or Scranton does on men's basketball.)

Ryan, as a Swarthmore undergrad, THAT point makes my chest swell with pride (as well as being a tough point to debate against)!!

[NJRoyal137]

Some updates from the new Scranton president:

How about a favorite sport?
Well, I'm not much of a sportsman, I'll have to admit that. But, I really enjoy college athletics, especially when they're connected to the school at which I happen to be serving. So, the athletes and the coaches at Scranton will see me in the stands and in the bleachers as often as my schedule allows.

When you're in the stands for those Scranton athletes, are you a rowdy fan?
Well, I'm afraid that sometimes I run the risk of getting thrown out of the gym. But, I promise to be on my best behavior.

source: https://news.scranton.edu/articles/2021/05/news-president-lighter-q.shtml

[NEPAFAN]

Some updates from the new Scranton president:

How about a favorite sport?
Well, I'm not much of a sportsman, I'll have to admit that. But, I really enjoy college athletics, especially when they're connected to the school at which I happen to be serving. So, the athletes and the coaches at Scranton will see me in the stands and in the bleachers as often as my schedule allows.

When you're in the stands for those Scranton athletes, are you a rowdy fan?
Well, I'm afraid that sometimes I run the risk of getting thrown out of the gym. But, I promise to be on my best behavior.

source: https://news.scranton.edu/articles/2021/05/news-president-lighter-q.shtml

Thanks, doesn't sound like a big sports guy. Just need him to recognize the value of athletics that we have reinforced on this site over and over again.

[saratoga]

Good DIII landing spot for Univ. of Hartford is the Landmark.
Between I-84 going from Hartford right into Scranton & points south & east as well as proximity to I-95 (Baltimore & DC.) & I-80 from Scranton to Bethlehem & Madison...seems like these schools match up far better than some little NE. conferences.

[ronk]

Good DIII landing spot for Univ. of Hartford is the Landmark.
Between I-84 going from Hartford right into Scranton & points south & east as well as proximity to I-95 (Baltimore & DC.) & I-80 from Scranton to Bethlehem & Madison...seems like these schools match up far better than some little NE. conferences.

The trip to Juniata might be a deal-breaker, though. 

[NJRoyal137]

Good DIII landing spot for Univ. of Hartford is the Landmark.
Between I-84 going from Hartford right into Scranton & points south & east as well as proximity to I-95 (Baltimore & DC.) & I-80 from Scranton to Bethlehem & Madison...seems like these schools match up far better than some little NE. conferences.

I was thinking Scranton could take their spot in the America East Conference 

In all seriousness, Hartford could be a good fit in the Landmark. I'd like to see a few more schools get added to that conference anyway. At least bring it to 12.

[saratoga]

Rule # 1.

If you are a private school, never join a conference full of state schools.
The average cost of the American East for tuition alone is roughly 20k per year.
Scranton is 24k...per semester.
Some schools such as Binghamton & Mass. Lowell can bring in 2 full-time scholarship kids for every one at a private.

[Tim the Enchanter]

If Scranton was to go DI, the MAAC may make the most sense:  all private, mostly Catholic (including some Jesuits), similar sized institutions.  And no football. 

[saratoga]

Tim:

I have to admit, that conference (MAAC), is about as close to a 10 on the yawn meter as we could find.
Just stay DIII and make the appropriate commitments for all athletic teams.

The more I've read about some of the back-room, underhanded & sleazy things the current Hartford President pulled right after the mens basketball team played in the schools first NCAA D-I tournament, the more I think leagues should turn their backs on them a while & let him spend his precious savings traveling all over the northeast looking for games.
The Hartford Courant has some good reads.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Agreed on both counts.  The MAAC isn't the most exciting, but probably the most realistic, DI option.  Geographically, the A-10 and Patriot could also make sense but I don't see those happening. 

But this is all speculation anyway:  they're DIII, with no indication of that changing.  So they should focus on being a consistently strong DIII program.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

I never can make sense of where the Scranton D1 talk comes from.  Is this just hopes of some?  There has been nothing news wise that would lead anyone to believe they would ever make that jump, nor want to.  I also wonder why given the state of D1, anyone would want to make that jump.

[Tim the Enchanter]

I know there was a study done in the 90s, and they decided to stay DIII then.  I think that with the new athletic complex finally happening, that has revived some of the chatter.

[Tim the Enchanter]

On to recruiting for the class or '22.

It looks like the Royals are pretty active with some rising seniors that were at the Philly Pride tournament this weekend: 

https://www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article/show/1162940

(About 3/4 of the way down)

[ronk]

+1, Tim

[NEPAFAN]

I never can make sense of where the Scranton D1 talk comes from.  Is this just hopes of some?  There has been nothing news wise that would lead anyone to believe they would ever make that jump, nor want to.  I also wonder why given the state of D1, anyone would want to make that jump.

I believe it is hopes. Same that have been expressed about more emphasis on Athletics from the University in general.