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Post by longsuffering on Nov 21, 2022 16:35:00 GMT -5
That's complicated, Longsuffering. Some random thoughts: I think the coaches in the NESCAC are at 100k or higher money-wise, so not a huge gap frankly. I don't think D3 jobs are any more or less secure than D1. One could make the case they are less secure since most D3s don't work with multi-year contracts. The work load for D3 folks is probably higher than D1 folks considering the difference in both staffing and department-wide support for all aspects of program functions at the D1 level. I think if the primary focus of D1 hiring, specifically for ADs in the patriot league, was just to hire the best coach they could find then coaching leadership would look very different. There are a multitude of factors at play for hiring coaches and higher ed has its own view of what's important in a hire too. My guess is this is probably frustrating to some ADs but they have their own job security to worry about. Helpful thoughts. I got the sense when Bill Carmody was hired for HC MBB head coach some consideration was given to his long connection to prestigious academic institutions Princeton and Northwestern and possibly because he was of a similar vintage as Ralph Willard when he was hired as HC was looking to recapture the success of the RW era. No hard evidence of course, but that might be an example of multiple factors in play when hiring.
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Post by bison137 on Nov 21, 2022 17:20:49 GMT -5
That is absurd. No one, except possibly you, would suggest that. No NEXCAC coach would say that privately. Connecticut College finished 4-17 and 2-6 in the NESCAC last season finishing in ninth place. Amherst went to the NCAA Final Four and didn't even win the NESCAC regular season or postseason title. And your point is what? Although it's far from perfect, Massey ranks D2 and D3 teams relative to D1. There has never been a year when the NESCAC was close to the PL. Maybe more to the point, Bucknell's current coach in his four years at Scranton got to the D3 Final Four, Elite 8, and Sweet 16 (twice). He would be the first to tell you that the average PL team is significantly better than the average NESCAC team. Bucknell has also scrimmaged good D3 teams in the past and was not challenged.
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Post by oldschoolhoops on Nov 21, 2022 17:45:08 GMT -5
Total agree, Bison137. The PL is a great league. The NESCAC certainly is not at the same level athletically. It would be fair to say that teams in the PL that consistently struggle would be in some very competitive games with the top of that D3 league and certainly could lose. There's a reason why those particular teams at the top of the NESCAC are not invited play by D1 opponents. But overall, comparing the two leagues and saying they are on the same level would not be an accurate assessment. And the stats back that up.
What D3 teams has Bucknell scrimmaged?
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Post by bfoley82 on Nov 21, 2022 19:27:37 GMT -5
Total agree, Bison137. The PL is a great league. The NESCAC certainly is not at the same level athletically. It would be fair to say that teams in the PL that consistently struggle would be in some very competitive games with the top of that D3 league and certainly could lose. There's a reason why those particular teams at the top of the NESCAC are not invited play by D1 opponents. But overall, comparing the two leagues and saying they are on the same level would not be an accurate assessment. And the stats back that up. What D3 teams has Bucknell scrimmaged? Think about this...the defending conference champion struggled with the ninth place NESCAC team. What does that say to you? It says to me that the top four or five in the NESCAC could easily challenge the top teams.
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Post by thecrossisback on Nov 21, 2022 19:54:01 GMT -5
Total agree, Bison137. The PL is a great league. The NESCAC certainly is not at the same level athletically. It would be fair to say that teams in the PL that consistently struggle would be in some very competitive games with the top of that D3 league and certainly could lose. There's a reason why those particular teams at the top of the NESCAC are not invited play by D1 opponents. But overall, comparing the two leagues and saying they are on the same level would not be an accurate assessment. And the stats back that up. What D3 teams has Bucknell scrimmaged? Think about this...the defending conference champion struggled with the ninth place NESCAC team. What does that say to you? It says to me that the top four or five in the NESCAC could easily challenge the top teams. Foley its one half and one game. Calm down! Why don't they go up then they have enough money! Until nobody cares.
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Post by oldschoolhoops on Nov 21, 2022 20:09:36 GMT -5
Total agree, Bison137. The PL is a great league. The NESCAC certainly is not at the same level athletically. It would be fair to say that teams in the PL that consistently struggle would be in some very competitive games with the top of that D3 league and certainly could lose. There's a reason why those particular teams at the top of the NESCAC are not invited play by D1 opponents. But overall, comparing the two leagues and saying they are on the same level would not be an accurate assessment. And the stats back that up. What D3 teams has Bucknell scrimmaged? Think about this...the defending conference champion struggled with the ninth place NESCAC team. What does that say to you? It says to me that the top four or five in the NESCAC could easily challenge the top teams. I understand the point you're making here, bfoley82. I am a fan of all levels of basketball, including D3. Holy Cross struggled against Conn College for sure. But in the end, they won by 16 and held CC to 49 points. I have no doubt that top teams in D3 can compete in a single game against a D1. There are plenty of teams in the top 20 at that level whose starting 5 would be very competitive. But in the end, the depth of talent (not to mention that couple of players whose size/speed is diff level) is tough to keep up with. So I can't agree that the top 4 or 5 in the NESCAC could easily challenge the top teams in the PL. When both teams have to go to their benches, the gap would show itself. There is not enough data to really take a deep dive on these type of matchups. There are always outliers. I think D3 Gettysburg had a tight game with UMBC this year. But competing with the depth of a D1 scholarship team is a hurdle. I can't remember if any women's D3s have beaten a D1 or what the record is. But it can't be good. Would a Holy Cross game against a better team in the NESCAC be tougher for the Crusaders? Yes. But I wouldn't bet my "Woo-Sox" hat on Holy Cross losing.
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Post by timholycross on Nov 25, 2022 10:00:11 GMT -5
CC's top scorer in our game is, I believe, the daughter of Chris Rojik, who played for HC from 93-97. 1100 point scorer.
I think there is a second daughter who played for Suffolk.
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