Chad Kratzer is making significant contributions to the Moravian University men’s basketball team as they aim for a strong finish in the Landmark Conference. Over the past three weeks, his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking have all seen notable increases, marking him as a pivotal player as the Greyhounds (13-8 overall, 7-7 Landmark) strive to qualify for the Landmark Conference tournament.
With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, Moravian is currently tied with Susquehanna for sixth place, a critical position as the top six teams qualify for the tournament. Kratzer, a graduate of Allentown Central Catholic, has stepped up his game, averaging an impressive 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over his last six outings. Notable performances include a 26-point game against Susquehanna and a career-high nine assists in a victory over Elizabethtown.
Despite his individual success, Moravian has faced challenges, recording a 2-4 record during this stretch. Recently, the team lost a hard-fought game after squandering a 16-point halftime lead against Scranton, followed by a significant defeat to conference leaders Catholic, with a final score of 97-69. The absence of senior guard Porter Kelly, who is sidelined with an injury, has further complicated the team’s efforts; he averages 18.0 points per game and is a crucial contributor.
Interim coach Michael Mayes emphasized the importance of Kratzer’s leadership during this demanding period. He noted that Kratzer has improved both on and off the court, stating, “The camaraderie on the team is just better with his mental state. He’s become a better leader, and he’s become just a better guy to want to coach and play with night in and night out.”
As Kratzer’s college career approaches its conclusion, he is determined to make a positive impact during every game. He is also the team’s leading 3-point shooter, having made 69 out of 186 attempts for a 37.1% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Kratzer has worked on enhancing his playmaking skills, averaging 3.0 assists per game this season compared to 2.2 last year. His commitment to involving his teammates is evident, as he has logged at least three assists in four consecutive games.
While Moravian’s performance has been inconsistent throughout the conference season, Kratzer remains optimistic about their potential. “There’s always going to be ups and downs in basketball; that’s just how the game works,” he remarked. “Whether we have a good week or a bad week, we can’t let one loss lead to another loss, and we can’t let one win make us get too high.”
As they prepare for their final stretch, Moravian has completed the most challenging part of their conference schedule. Of their remaining four opponents, three have sub-.500 records in both the conference and overall standings, with the exception being Drew (10-4 Landmark).
Mayes is keen to see his team improve defensively in the upcoming weeks. The Greyhounds are currently among the most efficient offenses in the Landmark Conference, boasting a shooting percentage of 45.5%. According to Mayes, if the team can maintain average defensive performance, they should remain competitive in their upcoming games.
Kratzer emphasizes the importance of mindset as they approach the playoffs. “It’s having that belief that we know we’re the better team,” he said. “We know what we need to do in order to win these games. It’s executing the game plan every game.”
As they look ahead, Kratzer and his teammates are focused on securing their place in this year’s Landmark playoffs.
In related news, the DeSales men’s basketball team (13-8 overall, 8-2 MAC Freedom Conference) recently secured their spot in the four-team conference tournament after a victory against FDU-Florham. This win extended their winning streak to five games, showcasing their strong performance heading into the playoffs.
The DeSales women’s team (15-6 overall, 9-1 MAC Freedom) also clinched a spot in their MAC Freedom Conference tournament, marking their 29th consecutive season of playoff qualification. Meanwhile, the Muhlenberg men (11-10 overall, 4-5 Centennial Conference) are in contention for the final playoff spot in their conference, leading by one game over the nearest competitor. The Muhlenberg women (10-11, 5-6) find themselves in a three-way tie for the last playoff position, with four regular-season games remaining.
In a notable community engagement event, the Moravian women’s team will host their annual Play4Kay Cancer Awareness Day on Saturday. The program has consistently led NCAA Division III in fundraising for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, raising an impressive $20,302 during the 2024-25 season.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these teams as they navigate the final stretch towards their respective conference tournaments.
