Tony,
What's going on in hackettstown?  I haven't caught any games yet this season, but should have some time to catch up on the cyclones.   Why is Atkinson out?  I was excited for this team before the season started with almost everyone but baker back, but it seems expectations of mine were too high.  I know the non-conference schedule is more difficult, which i agree that it makes you battle tested, and it seems after tomorrows game vs the Red Hawks, we have a nice little homestand to turn things around, but what's the deal?  How are the bigs that enrico brought in?  I know there isn't much size, but is there any athleticism?  I am just going on roster info at this point hopefully I will get to see them soon.  Let me know whats going on...

Anybody any thoughts on Cabrini and Keystone? 

Any news on Centenary's newcomers?  It will be interesting to know who Enrico brings in after a successful year...

I want to know some opinions here....

Who do you think is playing their best basketball right now?  Can they continue the last 2 weeks of the season?  Will they sustain it long enough come conference tourney time? 

GMC, Cabrini, and Keystone 7-3 in their last 10.

Centenary and Marywood 6-4.

Looking at the schedule again, I still think that anyone has a chance for the 2 spots.  I think Baptist Bible has a tough road ahead.  3 of their last 5 are on the road, and 1 at home against GMC! They should pick up the Phily Bible win.  Centenary surprisingly may have a shot here, they are at home most of the way until their last game @ Marywood, I fear they might need that to get in though.  If Neuman can start to gel at the right time they will get in.  And IU needs to win the games they are capable of winning.  So, i guess my take on things will be BB and Centenary miss out.  But if I am wrong, it wont be the first time and def won't be the last. 

I think GMC, Keystone, and Cabrini win tonight.

Centenary needs this one tonight , in order keep pace for that last spot.  They are going to have to split with Cabrini in order to do so, and tonight would be a great opportunity with Cabrini getting that big win this weekend. 

Just glancing over the rest of the conference schedule....I really think that last spot is still up for grabs...Immaculata is holding on to that 6 spot, but they have some tough matchups.  Centenary could possibly squeak in but needs to beat IU and split with Cabrini along win the rest of the Bible games.  From what I saw of Baptist Bible I think they are the least likely, Now granted I did see them when Centenary blew them out, but they also had that hangover win against Keystone, but I just didn't see them as a better team even if they did play well, plus Centenary has them at home later on.  I don't know if Centenary will squeak in or not but they still have a shot I think (Good luck Tony!). 

As far as the recruiting issue, I think you make a good point wolf, I understand what you are saying when it comes to selling on facilities, but I think that has a major part to do in recruiting.  Who has the nicest facilities in the conference?  I don't mean Gym, I mean overall, dorms, weightrooms, classrooms, everything on campus. 

Also, you make a good point (lefty) and the schools that are close to each other have recruiting issues.  The upstate teams are close to each other, also Centenary is in a tough area as well, they are within 50 mins of most of the NJAC and Landmark schools, if they would be able to lure some NJAC talent away they would be alot more athletic. The problem there is Centenary is like Cabrini in that it cost alot to go there.

Any ideas which coach will do the best job recruiting this year? or which coach does the best job year in and out?   

When recruiting what schools, in conference, do you guys feel have the biggest advantages when it comes to things such as tuition cost, area, programs, facilities, and anything else you can think of?  Who has the biggest disadvantage?  and which programs do the best job recruiting with what they have?

Quote from: heatlee on December 13, 2008, 01:35:49 PM
Centenary is getting better and they are competing for the first time since Pat Zipfel was the coach.

Centenary is getting better but, they were competetive a couple years ago.  Centenary is now 4-4 at the break, in 2003 they were 4-3 at the break and granted they weren't in a conference then, but they were competetive.  That year they ended up 9-15 but lost 5 games by 1 possession and loss to 2 D-1 opponents.  I believe in 01' they were in the same boat, ended 4-2 at the break, and ended up losing 7 games that year by 3 points or less. 
With that said, Centenary hasn't been competetive since 03' and they are getting better.  I will say Zipfel was a good coach and awesome recrutier, he was the last one to lead Centenary to the post season I believe in 95 he brought them to the ECAC tourney.

I would think that they would receive some votes though...

My intention was not to yell but to EMPHASIZE....

RESPECT means that you are a solid basketball team.  RESPECT means that other teams prepare for what you do in practice so they can find ways to beat you.  RESPECT means beating people on the road.  RESPECT means beating quality opponents. RESPECT means winning conference games.  RESPECT means competeting and winning against top opponents.

I will give Centenary CREDIT for competeting and improving...that is all

CREDIT vs. RESPECT big difference

Who did Desales beat that was in the top 20?  I understand Centenary didn't compete last year, but just because you get a new coach, who is doing a good job, and new players, and it's a new year, you don't automatically get to say that team is good, or even give them respect until they beat someone.  They have wins against some of the worst teams in the region.  Granted the program is moving in the right direction, but as far as a team, they seemed improved and that is all.  You can't say a team gets respect or is good because they beat someone who beat someone.  That's like saying Centenary loses by 2 and Desales beats someone by 6, does that make Centenary better than that team by 4?  NO!  You have to beat someone!!

Sounds like it was a fun game to see.  Granted Centenary played them to the wire, and I agree next year they will improve, especially if Enrico can bring in some size, but to be reckoned with?  I am not sure about that.  I think they will be competetive in conference, but to be reckoned with means something different.  Mind you that Centenary was a home last night and like most teams, teams are probably 10 points better at home.  After the break Centenary will have to prove themselves in the conference first.  They haven't won a conference game yet.  To me Centenary is going to have to EARN respect before they get it.  You don't EARN it by competeting and losing, you EARN it by winning.  They are moving in the right direction, much much better than the last few years, I will say that.

I didn't get to see the game, but from what I read, Centenary fought back in the second half behind Kearny and Baker.  Baker had a good one 21 and 14.  Desales up 2 had a chance to put it away with Hunter at the line with a one and one.  He missed the first, Urie drove the length of the floor and missed the lay in.  Game over...Sounded like it was a good one.  Was anyone there to see the game? 

It is still too early to tell, but I agree GMC is the team to beat. Good win for them last night, at Widener too, I would think maybe GMC would get some votes into the top 25, although their next too games aren't against very strong opponents.  The NJAC is down this year I believe so they should beat Camden.  I think it's alittle of both with IU and Marywood, one is improved and the other has a different identity. 
Desales @ Centenary tonight, I don't see Centenary winning this game.  But I hope that they stay focused over break, this is their last game until January, they got off to a good start and started to slide now against tougher teams, hopefully they can regroup and refocus over break and come back strong for conference play.  That break hurts so many teams...