MBB: Landmark Conference

[CardsFan]

Scranton has been pretty consistent all year.  Yes, I suspect you all got excited about the home win over Catholic, as it was certainly Scranton's best performance all year, but the non-conference schedule wasn't great and they performed pretty much as expected in conference, based on the early season results.

Perfectly valid to be disappointed, of course, but I don't think there was any dip in play or quality.

I would argue that Scranton's defense was noticeably worse in the second half of conference play. Through nine league games the Royals gave up about 68 points per game. Over the final nine league games, they gave up about 78 points per game. The comeback wins against Goucher, Moravian, and Lycoming may have masked the true extent of those defensive deficiencies.

[saratoga]

CardsFan:

You're right on the money.
Typical cupcake early schedule builds some false hope & as other coaches make their adjustments in the second half, the Royals fade from view.
That & the fact that the Royals have been absolutely trounced repeatedly in big games makes it hard to even take this program seriously any longer.
Some coaches live for the bright lights...others just melt in them.

[stlawus]

All I can say to that is:

The NCAA better revert back to the eye test. 
Either mens basketball as a whole is horrible this year (which I don't think is true) or...
Scranton is way, way over-rated (which I think is true).
I mean my God, they're barely beating teams with 2 conference wins right now. 

If you look at their rating on Massey their actual rating is 50 spots higher than their power rating. So far it hasn't happened yet but a disparity that big usually means regression to the mean. Just something to keep an eye on.

I noted this a couple weeks ago.  I think it was just unfortunate timing with regression to the mean. After the last game there is still a 44 point delta between the actual rating and power rating. If it's like a ~20 spot difference between ratings there's not much difference, but a disparity that big can bite you without coaching adjustments.  I have tuned into Scranton games when I can since I appreciate the large and involved fanbase engagement on here, and I have to agree with some that the coaching is suspect at times.

[NEPAFAN]

All I can say to that is:

The NCAA better revert back to the eye test. 
Either mens basketball as a whole is horrible this year (which I don't think is true) or...
Scranton is way, way over-rated (which I think is true).
I mean my God, they're barely beating teams with 2 conference wins right now. 

If you look at their rating on Massey their actual rating is 50 spots higher than their power rating. So far it hasn't happened yet but a disparity that big usually means regression to the mean. Just something to keep an eye on.

I noted this a couple weeks ago.  I think it was just unfortunate timing with regression to the mean. After the last game there is still a 44 point delta between the actual rating and power rating. If it's like a ~20 spot difference between ratings there's not much difference, but a disparity that big can bite you without coaching adjustments.  I have tuned into Scranton games when I can since I appreciate the large and involved fanbase engagement on here, and I have to agree with some that the coaching is suspect at times.

Thank you. It is good to get an indepdent perspective, so we know we aren't all crazy over here.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

All I can say to that is:

The NCAA better revert back to the eye test. 
Either mens basketball as a whole is horrible this year (which I don't think is true) or...
Scranton is way, way over-rated (which I think is true).
I mean my God, they're barely beating teams with 2 conference wins right now. 

If you look at their rating on Massey their actual rating is 50 spots higher than their power rating. So far it hasn't happened yet but a disparity that big usually means regression to the mean. Just something to keep an eye on.

I noted this a couple weeks ago.  I think it was just unfortunate timing with regression to the mean. After the last game there is still a 44 point delta between the actual rating and power rating. If it's like a ~20 spot difference between ratings there's not much difference, but a disparity that big can bite you without coaching adjustments.  I have tuned into Scranton games when I can since I appreciate the large and involved fanbase engagement on here, and I have to agree with some that the coaching is suspect at times.

All points nailed on the head.

They have to play a more challenging non-conference schedule. You only get 7 non-conf games. Get rid of the non-competitive opening tournament. I know the locals hate this, but drop Kings. You have not been challenged by them in years. Hit the road and go play some teams. You can't wait until late January to start being challenged.

It is like in Rocky III where Rocky realizes Mick has been carrying him for years through junk fights.

[ronk]

 The Royals will be playing in a special holiday tourney/classic? format next season in the Richmond area involving "historically good" basketball programs: Babson, Christopher Newport, and Randolph-Macon. All 3 should be in the NCAA tourney this season.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

The Royals will be playing in a special holiday tourney/classic? format next season in the Richmond area involving "historically good" basketball programs: Babson, Christopher Newport, and Randolph-Macon. All 3 should be in the NCAA tourney this season.

I forgot about that!  Excited to see that play out

[Greek Tragedy]

The Royals will be playing in a special holiday tourney/classic? format next season in the Richmond area involving "historically good" basketball programs: Babson, Christopher Newport, and Randolph-Macon. All 3 should be in the NCAA tourney this season.

Wow. That's a tough tournament. A fine line to walk. Do you beat Sisters of the Poor by 30 or potentially lose by 30 to CNU, RMC and maybe Babson? At least you'll be challenged for the upcoming conference season.

Over in the WIAC, Eau Claire started out 11-0 in the non-conference slate and proceeded to miss out on the WIAC conference tournament featuring the top 6 of 8 teams after going a paltry 3-11 in league play.

[NEPAFAN]

Scranton lacrosse played a mind numbing Out of Conference schedule last year. Went something like 0-9, and then when undefeated in Conference Play, Won the Landmark and went to the tourny.

Maybe there is something to that model.

[Greek Tragedy]

Take a look at Yeshiva's non-conference schedule and then their conference record. Although the Skyline is just bad.

[ronk]

Scranton lacrosse played a mind numbing Out of Conference schedule last year. Went something like 0-9, and then when undefeated in Conference Play, Won the Landmark and went to the tourny.

Maybe there is something to that model.

 That model will prepare you to win your conference but if you don't win it, the NPI from all those losses will forego an at-large berth.

[NEPAFAN]

Upset city!

[ronk]

 My preseason prediction that this would be the closest race in years was borne out; 6th(Susque) seed playing @ 4th seed(Wilkes) for the AQ and the 6th seed was in only because the 7th seed(Moravian) lost @ the 8th seed(Juniata) in the final regular season game

[CardsFan]

Defensive disasterclass in the second half dooms the Cards. Missed switches and blown assignments galore. Defensive inconsistency has been a theme all season. They can defend great for 40 minutes (at Drew) but they can also be a mess (2nd half at Scranton, 2nd half vs. Susquehanna).

Ronk's statement about the closeness of the league this season is true. No team has a sizeable talent advantage so consistency and execution have mattered more this season than recent ones. Who knows where Susquehanna would have ended up in the standings if the Sanchez kid doesn't miss a bunch of games in January?

A quick word of praise for Wilkes. They really do it with only five guys but those 5 know exactly what they are supposed to do. They just keep running their stuff. They were worthy winners tonight. Should be an interesting game Saturday.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

I agreed. After seeing every opponent in person, top to bottom, the league was better than years gone by.