Corporal Hicks makes a good point in that the Mules should absolutely have a second representative on the all conference squad. I cant help but to figure the wreckless reporting of crazed centennial fan Hank Mardukas may have effected Mules senior PG matt gnias getting rewarded. While it was widely disputed and eventually proven false id assume the sour taste of a juul suspension (not true, grrr Hank) resignated in voters heads.

Also as noted in the past Im as big of a McClary (didnt know his middle name was fitzgerald though) advocate as you can find but I just cant see him roaming the side lines in the Tarble Pavilion of Swarthmore. I cant help but to be inspired by Jim Calhouns ability to take an all girls school and turn it into a successful mens program within 3 years. McClary is a builder not a manager. The only way he comes back to the D3 ranks in my eyes is if he takes the helm at Bryn Mawr, a predominately all girls school sans a few guys. With the proper resources and backing McClary can give the Cent another run from an underdog position, one he has thrived in. Now I know what youre gonna say "Oh Hopkinsnest7 youre insane for comparing McClary to a guy who won 3 titles in Division 1." and you may have a point, probably not, but if Kemba Walker walked through the doors and played in the Mule barn in 2011 they probably would have won the title too. Its a circumstantial result really.

My girlfriend asked me to stop blogging this season so we could raise our son (not a girl dad) so I admit I am a little behind on my Centennial personnel this year. But upon looking through the stats listed on the Centennial website (good job Dave assuming you designed it, looks great and easy to navigate) here are my favorite players.

1. Avery Close- really cool name 11.6 ppg.
2. Nick Lord- really cool name
3. R. Hughes (ursinus)- efficient 18.2 ppg must have had a good year
4. Dallas Hoffman (Mules)- anyone name after a city make this list in my book (9 steals in conference play this season)

Good to be back and looking forward to a Swarthmore run this season, Landry has those guys focused id assume.

Quote from: HopkinsNest7 on April 07, 2017, 04:34:55 PM
The Mules needed a change and got it with Hopkins, my point was there were bigger fish in the pond. The German import Werheim is a gift for any incoming coach and a former post player can do wonders for him and his teammates.

I predict a 6th place finish for the Mules a there will be definite improvements but not enough to get them to Centennial supremacy. And yes Hank, it is always good for the man at the helm to be out of the tabloids.

Not a bad prediction...

Wouldn't be surprised if McClarys name came up in the Gettysburg conversation. Capable recruiter in Pennsylvania, knows the conference. Another name I would not be surprised to see is Ryan Germano from McDaniel. Gave up playing division 1 football to make the jump to NJAC basketball. This shows the needed desire and drive to win games in this highly touted conference. Look for Germanos name to be floated around for several jobs in the future.

All Conf Predictions:

POY: Federici, this is kind of like LeBron James where you can theoretically give it to him every year, so the committee will reward him with him as the player of the year in his final season.

1st Team:

Cam Wiley
Nick Rindock
Zack Quattro
Mike Gardner
Zack Yonda

2nd Team:

Matt England
Kyle Doran
Josh McWilliams
Joe Scibelli
Rob Walsh

Honorable Mention

Matt Gnias
Cam Stewart
Tas Dixon

Coach of the Year:
Loeffler

Rookie of the year:
Michael or Pete Morreale, whatever his name actually is (very few impact rookies this season)

Let me know feedback. I am writing this without stats in front of me, figured it would be more authentic if I wrote solely off of memory of play and the eye test.

Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving.. and today. Hopkins at Mules. My personal paradise, coasting up I95 north to the Mule Barn for a matchup between my two favorite Centennial squads. This is the one day a year my wife lets me get out of dodge for a weekend, (No hall pass though). Though I don't love what this blog has become I have recently contacted fellow user Red to head up to A town with me. Here is what Ill be looking for in todays game.

1.Jake Browns coaching- last time the Mules came down to Hopkins I noted that I couldn't necessarily tell if the play calls were coming from Hopkins or Brown. Mardukas nominated Brown for coach of the year the other day and I'm interested to see if coach Hopkins has become a more vocal leader of his squad.

2. Mike Morreale- Mules freshman appeared to be hurt last game and I didn't catch him in a box score. Assuming this is injury and not suspension? haven't heard much about his character but we all know the discipline problems the Mules have had in the past. I hope to get to see him play, very athletic and the closest thing youll get to a sky walker in the Centennial.

3. Mules vs. Doran: This seems like a matchup that defensive liability Rindock will be in charge up with a potential reinforcement form freshman center Spencer Duke. Doran has been working on his post game whenever I head to the nest for practice. This could pose an issue for the Mules. RIndock theoretically should be able to stop him but it all depends on Brown/Hopkins game plan. Havent seen enough of Duke yet, seems like a versatile player I would compare him to Joe Ingles of the Jazz.

4. Mardukas vs this forum: This guy is a lunatic and I am glad I will get to see this game in person for myself, so I can decide for myself what I think of this rendition of the Mules team.

What a day, what a day! Ill post my thoughts later tonight. Go Hopkins!

PANDAMONIUM AT THE PALESTRA!! Wow what an invigorating time to be a Mules fan.. I have had my doubts archived in this chat room time and time again but I am officially on the Brown/Hopkins bandwagon. I was unable to make the trip to the city of brother love because my mechanic was away and I have a faulty exhaust pipe (my wife drives stick and I am yet to learn.) But I was able to listen to the inspiring broadcast of Jack McCollum which has lead me to believe that the Mules will be a fixture in the playoff pictures this year. Of course there will be doubts regarding the Mules strength of schedule but Brown out maneuvering G Rob in the barn should look good on paper to the committee.

With that being said I think it is time for a coaching change in Westminster... McDaniel fans give so much of themseleves and deserve at least one conference win that has not been delivered at this point. It sure would be interesting to see if a former player of Tim Stewarts prestige would be interested in jump starting this suffering program.

Had to watch Mules vs. GBurg on the smart phone tonight... tough night to miss in the barn. Really like what Hopkins is doing but given that Mardukas has experienced these games in person I imagine Brown has a great deal to do with this given his praise. Regardless, this is McClarys recruiting class and that's enough to get me through the Centennial season until McClary inevitably lands another "blue blood" centennial job. An aging G Rob only makes me wonder.....

My favorite CC coach is Scott McClary in case anyone needed clarification on that

Streamed much of Mules vs DeSales yesterday... much of the criticism for Hopkins is unwarranted. It seemed that Brown was a little more under control on the bench today and that Hopkins was calling a majority of the sets. It will be interesting to see the adjustments he is able to make over the upcoming holiday break.

Classic Mardukas talking in the third person, that guy must have a screw loose!

It seems that the beginning of the season has unhinged Mardukas in a way that I am yet to see. These irrational rants filled with misinformation and creative nicknames are ruining the spirit and pride that this blog was built on.

As for a little fact check, The Barracuda is coaching high school ball down in South Jersey. Whatever plug informed you that he was out in Moscow might want to double up on a therapy session with you. Had to use my search engine again to remind myself of who Wickenheiser was, I vaguely remember his bruising play in the mid 90s for the Mules. He drew many comparisons to a less psychotic Bill Laimbeer which usually translates well to patrolling the sidelines as a coach (not).

German would have been an interesting pick up, I have never actually seen someone play the game with so much passion, it was inspiring to watch truthfully. After watching the game Saturday I still have faith in Hopkins (Kevin not Johns) as he seems raw but standing 7 feet tall will eventually leave his players no choice but to respect his intimidating physical stature.

Last thought--- Mardukas I plead you to take it easy with these hot takes, the Mules seem to be a hot bed for this blog but with the McClary era behind us I think these blog stupors should be too. I am not one to interfere with your freedom of speech, but on behalf of Dave please try to keep this more positive. When we eventually pay these college athletes then they can be subjected to anonymous criticism from enraged bloggers, but until then this needs to end.

I'm going to have to take the under here. Historically Amherst had been successful after holiday breaks (Mules had 4 days or so) and I expect nothing less than for Hopkins to continue that trend. He does not strike me as a coach who spends his holiday at a dinner table or on his couch. Kinda seems like a guy who thanks his wife for a well cooked meal and takes his gravy right back into his film room to break down a woefully ineffective defense. Look for the Mules to expand the defensive playbook.

As for an over/under I have been monitoring... I know obviously we all crave centennial banter here but it is important to patrol the high school ranks because after all, legends along the likes of Stanton (Ursinus) and Wixted (Dickinson) have to be bred somewhere. Johns Hopkins has some serious recruits down in south jersey so my line I would like to set is the opening game for Saint John Vianney.

I know Monix will love this one...

Saint John Vianney (-4.5) at home vs Red Bank Regional. Man can some of those guys on Red Bank stroke it so this is gonna be a track meet. I got the over/under at 152.5.

Go Blue Jays!!

I'm big on sticking to sports so I would like to veer off of this political conversation and dive into some talk of the hardwood. I don't see any centennial player kneeling because the notably bias centennial coverage would likely not show their protest on film in an attempt to manipulate the outsiders view of cent basketball. That being said, as you all know it took me a little bit to accept that there would be some turnaround in the Mule Barn but I am finally ready to embrace Kevin "Whats Hoppin" Hopkins as the leader in house. Word has stream lined out of Pennsylvanias third largest city that Hopkins has adapted a new approach of analytics. He will try to emulate Mike D'Antonis system and duke it out with opponents in a battle of nuclear offensive power. Now, I know everyone is thiking "D'Antoni could never beat Popovich so how could Hopkins beat Robinson". And to that I answer, Hopkins has an unparalleled winning pedigree that will inevitably lead to a Mules championship within the decade. Look for the Mules to instill the "Mid Range jumper is lava" theory and assault their opponents with a barrage of 3s from the back court and a copious amount of rim rattling slam dunks by the Big German Werheim. I'm smiling just thinkin about it. Mules for the 5 seed. Guarantee it, this will be my only pre season prediction.

It is fairly clear here that Muhlenberg is having an unusually difficult time transitioning from the McClary era to the new regime. Hopkins inability to lure a big name assistant from an established program leaves a level of pessimism for the young Mules.

Dave- The only reason this blog was relevant the past few years has been to attack the most controversial coach in the conference: Scott McClary

McClary fed off of acquiring high profile recruits, with unpredictable personalities: Killing, Rindock, Hargrove etc. This risk will eventually lead the clown show this blog has become. McClary could not handle the heat in the kitchin, thought H ford might take a risk on him to spark plug a dull program but sadly I was proven wrong.

Interesting take Corp.

Wonder what would have happened to Wixted if he got tied into a Kardashian back in his POY season of 2014-2015.