PSAC WEST

[TheMadLibs]

Regardless if Gannon wins this game or not, the one thing I was disappointed to see was how quickly Coach Fee strayed from his hockey line changes. The 2nd line played 3 minutes first half, didn't fare any differently than the first line, and that same 2nd line never came back in. He made some multi-player substitutions but also a bunch of single player subs too. It would seem this style of play is fueled by rested players and Lincoln punched through their defense many times, and Gannon players weren't getting back like they usually do.

Just think it would have been interesting to see how this true style play would have held up.

That's insanely naive... He did similar in the Charleston game, and I'm going to guess we'll see a similar adjustment in games against Cal, IUP, ESU, SRU, and Hurst. Gannon has a considerable size disadvantage, and like both Charleston and Lincoln, those teams exposed and leveraged for far too easy put backs, which put the full court defense at a disadvantage. He needed length and especially as his two best rebounder were quickly in foul trouble. Coach made needed adjustments and pulled off a big win against a good Lincoln squad.

A good coach doesn't play a style 40 minutes regardless of outcomes. Otherwise is just a gimmick. Our defense is nothing like it'd need to be in the post for it to be the only style we'll play all season. Especially if they can't convert in the post due to size disadvantages. We saw an unwillingness to change systems ad nauseum with Reilly and, uh, eventually not only were there no tricks in playbook that weren't fully scouted, but also no recruiting who was interested in his style. No thank you.

I'm far more impressed with how Fee has brought essentially 15 new players together into a brand new new system, and is making in-game adjustments that players are responding to midgame and with success against bigger teams and still winning. I'll take the win over seeing more of Shelton, Schneider, Anderson, or Lucarotti for one night. No doubt they will and have had opportunities to thrive.

[IUPHawks24]

Regardless if Gannon wins this game or not, the one thing I was disappointed to see was how quickly Coach Fee strayed from his hockey line changes. The 2nd line played 3 minutes first half, didn't fare any differently than the first line, and that same 2nd line never came back in. He made some multi-player substitutions but also a bunch of single player subs too. It would seem this style of play is fueled by rested players and Lincoln punched through their defense many times, and Gannon players weren't getting back like they usually do.

Just think it would have been interesting to see how this true style play would have held up.

Harder for the hockey lines subs to hold up against the better teams. Not saying Lincoln is a great team either.

Ojamafo is incredibly good. Fee should send KJ a Christmas card for recruiting him. the three grad transfers are all solid players too.

Will be curious to see how the style holds up in the West. I could see them finishing anywhere from 1-5. It’s a really smart style to play if you are at a D2 with superior resources.

[bballfan03]

Regardless if Gannon wins this game or not, the one thing I was disappointed to see was how quickly Coach Fee strayed from his hockey line changes. The 2nd line played 3 minutes first half, didn't fare any differently than the first line, and that same 2nd line never came back in. He made some multi-player substitutions but also a bunch of single player subs too. It would seem this style of play is fueled by rested players and Lincoln punched through their defense many times, and Gannon players weren't getting back like they usually do.

Just think it would have been interesting to see how this true style play would have held up.

[Ship69]

ESU HC Jeff Wilson took ESU into CIAA country specifically hoping to test his team to see how they fared against those schools. Doesn't seem like he was looking for guaranteed wins. It's only one example but a valid one...

This was probably the first time in years that Ship has not opened with a CIAA team or two. Decided to go easy and open with West Liberty. /s

[WarriorVoice]

Every time this discussion comes up, you act as though this conversation is black and white. There's so many layers to the discussion for so many different programs, players, and coaches. It's not just as simple as going out and scheduling guaranteed wins.

ESU HC Jeff Wilson took ESU into CIAA country specifically hoping to test his team to see how they fared against those schools. Doesn't seem like he was looking for guaranteed wins. It's only one example but a valid one...

[boatcapt]

Every time this discussion comes up, you act as though this conversation is black and white. There's so many layers to the discussion for so many different programs, players, and coaches. It's not just as simple as going out and scheduling guaranteed wins.

Clearly every program is different. "Sure" win to a 30 win team is quite different than that of a 10 win one. Thought everyone would realize that... guess not. Same with the definition of a tomato can. A tomato can to a 30 win team is quite different than one for a middle of the pack program. If you are a middle of the pack program, a tomato can looks a lot like a 10 win program...af you are a 30 win program, a tomato can includes the 10 win team, but can also include 15, 16 or even 18 win programs. The definition changes year to year and program to program.

[IUP24]

Very true. I personally question weather playing difficult teams in November translates into a deeper playoff run in March. We're talking about a couple of games played four months before the NCAA tourney!! Does it truly matter to a teams performance if those first few games are against teams that end up with 24 wins as opposed to 10 wins?

But rule #1 of any basketball schedule is to schedule teams you are likely to beat. Doesn't do anyone any good to be playing your best ball in February when you've already got 7 losses and have about zero chance of making the playoffs (absent a conf tourney championship).

Every time this discussion comes up, you act as though this conversation is black and white. There's so many layers to the discussion for so many different programs, players, and coaches. It's not just as simple as going out and scheduling guaranteed wins.

[boatcapt]

Problem is, picking up 3-4 early losses doesn't do much for your odds of making the tournament.

Very true. I personally question weather playing difficult teams in November translates into a deeper playoff run in March. We're talking about a couple of games played four months before the NCAA tourney!! Does it truly matter to a teams performance if those first few games are against teams that end up with 24 wins as opposed to 10 wins?

But rule #1 of any basketball schedule is to schedule teams you are likely to beat. Doesn't do anyone any good to be playing your best ball in February when you've already got 7 losses and have about zero chance of making the playoffs (absent a conf tourney championship).

[Ship69]

That will make them STRONG come playoff time! ;-)

Problem is, picking up 3-4 early losses doesn't do much for your odds of making the tournament.

[boatcapt]

I think Daemen beat Division I Oakland in an exhibition. They're a pretty good squad. Ship played an 0-4 Chestnut Hill squad Monday that actually wasn't too bad. Three of their games had been against Daemen, West Liberty, and Millersville — pretty tough start to the season.

That will make them STRONG come playoff time! ;-)

[Ship69]

That's not on their schedule but they did lose to Buffalo by 4 and Syracuse by like 15.

You're right. It was Walsh that beat Oakland. I'd been checking out some schedules and got them mixed up.

[bballfan03]

I think Daemen beat Division I Oakland in an exhibition. They're a pretty good squad. Ship played an 0-4 Chestnut Hill squad Monday that actually wasn't too bad. Three of their games had been against Daemen, West Liberty, and Millersville — pretty tough start to the season.

That's not on their schedule but they did lose to Buffalo by 4 and Syracuse by like 15.

[Ship69]

Cal U. holds on for an 87-86 win over Lincoln. Had a seven-point lead late and looked to be in control, but nearly coughed it up at the end. Vulcans looked good on offense, but had some trouble with interior defense.

[Ship69]

Daemen absolutely crushed Rock.

I think Daemen beat Division I Oakland in an exhibition. They're a pretty good squad. Ship played an 0-4 Chestnut Hill squad Monday that actually wasn't too bad. Three of their games had been against Daemen, West Liberty, and Millersville — pretty tough start to the season.

[bballfan03]

Daemen absolutely crushed Rock.