MBB: Landmark Conference

[ronk]

 Yes, Scranton will miss EJ's athleticism. Will say that I talked with his dad & uncle frequently during last season's 2 NCAA tourney games @ Randolph-Macon and there was no indication of any dissatisfaction with his Scranton basketball situation; doesn't mean, however, that they weren't keeping their cards close to their vests.

[NEPAFAN]

EJ Matthew-Spratley no longer on roster. Anyone got a scoop?

Watched the Scranton/Stevens game and the story I heard was that the coaching staff dismissed him from the team. From what I was told there were repeated conflicts and challenges with Matthew-Spratley going back to last year and the coaches had given him numerous warnings and chances to comply with team rules. Sounded as if it came to a head this past week.

If he is indeed done, that is obviously a big blow for Scranton. I can tell you that on the printed program for Saturday's game, his name was not on it. Next man up.

You recieved this insight from the broadcast? Curious where you heard the story.

This is last years FR recruiting class:

11   Nick Colucci   Fr.   G   6-3   Havertown, Pa. / Haverford
12   EJ Matthews-Spratley   Fr.   G   6-2   Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill East
20   Luca Baratta   Fr.   G   6-2   Richboro, Pa. / Perkiomen School
21   Jon Spatola   Fr.   G   5-9   Marlboro, N.J. / Marlboro
22   Teddy Spratt   Fr.   G   6-4   Doylestown, Pa. / Central Bucks West
40   Luke Braaten   Fr.   F   6-7   Brick, N.J. / Brick Memorial
41   Matthew Hanley   Fr.   F   6-6   Staten Island, N.Y. / Monsignor Farrell

[Great Day to be a Royal]

Where did the other two go?

This on top of the other kids who have come and gone in previous years, including transfers that were on the roster for a hot minute and gone.

[saratoga]

Luke still attends school at the UofS, just decided he was done playing ball after 1 year (all too frequent story).
Not sure about the other young man.

Word is clearly out there that if you go to Scranton you better get favored status early or it can be years before playing time is bestowed upon you.

Not ready to say just yet that the wheels are coming off the brotherhood bus but, they certainly won't pass inspection.

[Stretch4]

EJ Matthew-Spratley no longer on roster. Anyone got a scoop?

Watched the Scranton/Stevens game and the story I heard was that the coaching staff dismissed him from the team. From what I was told there were repeated conflicts and challenges with Matthew-Spratley going back to last year and the coaches had given him numerous warnings and chances to comply with team rules. Sounded as if it came to a head this past week.

If he is indeed done, that is obviously a big blow for Scranton. I can tell you that on the printed program for Saturday's game, his name was not on it. Next man up.

You recieved this insight from the broadcast? Curious where you heard the story.

... Heard this in the lobby at the Long Center from a congregating group of Scranton players parents

[ronk]

Luke still attends school at the UofS, just decided he was done playing ball after 1 year (all too frequent story).
Not sure about the other young man.

Word is clearly out there that if you go to Scranton you better get favored status early or it can be years before playing time is bestowed upon you.

Not ready to say just yet that the wheels are coming off the brotherhood bus but, they certainly won't pass inspection.

 I'm thinking Luke is a Presidential Scholarship recipient and that his academic requirements outweigh his basketball contributions, so understandable his leaving the team.

[saratoga]

Stretch:

Now that's doing a great job as an operative.
Pretend to be eating a Royal dog at halftime but you're actually taking notes. 

[Tim the Enchanter]

Luke still attends school at the UofS, just decided he was done playing ball after 1 year (all too frequent story).
Not sure about the other young man.

Word is clearly out there that if you go to Scranton you better get favored status early or it can be years before playing time is bestowed upon you.

Not ready to say just yet that the wheels are coming off the brotherhood bus but, they certainly won't pass inspection.

 I'm thinking Luke is a Presidential Scholarship recipient and that his academic requirements outweigh his basketball contributions, so understandable his leaving the team.

That was actually Luca Baratta:

https://news.scranton.edu/articles/2022/09/news-presidential-scholars-2026.shtml

[ronk]

Luke still attends school at the UofS, just decided he was done playing ball after 1 year (all too frequent story).
Not sure about the other young man.

Word is clearly out there that if you go to Scranton you better get favored status early or it can be years before playing time is bestowed upon you.

Not ready to say just yet that the wheels are coming off the brotherhood bus but, they certainly won't pass inspection.

 I'm thinking Luke is a Presidential Scholarship recipient and that his academic requirements outweigh his basketball contributions, so understandable his leaving the team.

That was actually Luca Baratta:

https://news.scranton.edu/articles/2022/09/news-presidential-scholars-2026.shtml

 Thanks for the correction; I knew it was 1 of the frosh last year.

[NEPAFAN]

I guess you never know who will be lurking in the lobby of the John Long Center. Our network is vast... Thanks for the intel.

[CardsFan]

I'm sensing a dropoff in physical talent this season throughout the Landmark such that coaching, execution and lack of injuries would be bigger factors than normal in determining the champion. Looks like a competitive battle just to be 1 of the 6 in the postseason tourney.

The league does seem to be a long ways away from the talent present in 2015-16: Boken, Weidlich, Josh Miller, Fonville, Jay Howard.

I like the point about coaching. I think CUA will miss Justin Klingman on the bench during the season. I hope he is able to have some success at Goucher.

[saratoga]

CardsFan:

Absolutely agree on the dilution of talent in the Landmark over the past 5/7 years.
If you can recruit good kids & know the x/o's, you could live at the top of this league forever.
Personally, I'm hoping Justin gets his on the job training at Goucher this year & then makes it back home to Scranton to lead the Royals.
Early Christmas wish.

[CardsFan]

CardsFan:

Absolutely agree on the dilution of talent in the Landmark over the past 5/7 years.
If you can recruit good kids & know the x/o's, you could live at the top of this league forever.
Personally, I'm hoping Justin gets his on the job training at Goucher this year & then makes it back home to Scranton to lead the Royals.
Early Christmas wish.

Saratoga I agree that that coach would live at the top of this league. The only thing I would add is I think mental toughness plays a huge part in being successful in Landmark play. Because the talent gap among the teams is so small, the coach that can consistently motivate his players will have a lot of success. My feeling is that is a big part of why Susquehanna has been so successful the past few years. Yes, they have had very talented players, but I am always impressed by the way Coach Marcinek has his team ready to play. I felt they were very mentally and emotionally prepared for both games against Catholic last season, and the Cards did not match that energy.

Similarly, in last season's Landmark semifinal, I thought Scranton's competitiveness in that game affected the Cards. Specifically, EJ Matthews-Spratley played a great game off the bench, he talked the right amount of trash throughout (I am not complaining about this), and he really fed off the CUA crowd. I think mental toughness goes a long way in this conference.

[NEPAFAN]

Cardsfan, I loved how EJ played at CUA last year. That student section is right on top of court, and the kids end up jumping up and down practically on the floor.


Royals back at it tonight Ryan Van Zelst is in a tough spot, the last year of Cabirni basketball, they are 0-5 on the season. Good night to watch some basketball on the stream.

Hope those who are traveling, travel safe and enjoy food, family and football/basketball.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

Yeesh. About as bad a loss as I can remember. Winless program which will cease to exist in 3 months. Ranks up with 03 loss to Marywood.