MBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[michaelscott]

Unfortunately I was a part of the 2006 Trinity team that lost to Maryville in the NCAA at Mississippi College.

I feel as though this year's TU team is in a similar place to the 2006 team as they coming off of a great SCAC regular season but a disappointing showing in the SCAC tournament.

I imagine Coach C will have the Tigers ready to play, particularly at home. Hopefully they can revenge the 2006 lost in the opening round.

Glad to see Centre hosting as well. A pretty good showing for the SCAC this year.

[larry_u]

Can someone post your NCAA team's profiles in here:

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=6299.0

[pbrooks3]

Frank, if I pick Maryville in an upset at Trinity, do I get karma?

Seriously, I think Coach Cunningham will have his troops ready at home.  Centre played Maryville twice earlier this season (2 Colonel victories); they are young but I think they'll compete well.  Youth, TU's homecourt and Trinity offensive rebounding likely spell a Tiger win. 

[frank_ezelle]

Let me throw in an "uh-oh" or two about the Maryville game.  First off, they haven't lost in 2009, having followed up the Centre loss at the end of December with 16 wins.

Second, I was at the 2006 Trinty-Maryville NCAA Tournament game and Maryville was throwing in 3-pointers from all over the place.  In the limited number of times that I've seen Trinity play over the years, my impression is that their weakness is trying to defend a good 3-point shooting team.  Right now Trinity is near the bottom of the SCAC in that category and Maryville is a team that hits 40% from behind the arc.  If Maryville is on their game, then we might see 2006 all over again.

[pbrooks3]

A couple of things are on my mind briefly tonight.

One, Frank's well-thought out post on the new SCAC post-season configuration for the next 2 years was right on.  He identified the cogent points that obviously take away from what the SCAC has done over the past 7 years to make the tournament exciting and of value.  When I first read the new guidelines in the press release I had not given much thought to this other that the decision has been handed down and what else is there to do.  In retrospect, I think the college presidents of the SCAC have made a significant mistake in choosing to change the carrot.  Regardless of which level of NCAA or NAIA a team or player competes at, each student athlete wants to play for something.  This new guideline reduces that something considerably.  

Because I make a habit of attending the SCAC basketball tournament annually, I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Hendrix community for hosting another fine basketball weekend this year.  My hat's off to Danny Powell, Mary Ann Schlientz, Clift Garrison, Dan Priest, Chris Hitchcock and the entire group of athletic staff and volunteers who devoted much time and effort to putting on a first-class tournament again.  I know I ranted Saturday night about officials, but I truly enjoyed the entire weekend, and it took me away from 6 inches of snow on the ground at home in Memphis!

[scottiedoug]

I agree with frank_ezelle that how Maryville will do depends on whether one or two of their shooters has a good game.  If more than one of them is hot, they can be a (young) handfull. They have a good inside game but to open it up, somebody has to score outside.

[hendrixfan]

The Hendrix website reports that asst coach Thad McCracken has taken the Warriors women's head coaching job following the resignation of coach Hitchcock.

McCracken will be a great head coach, and it was expected that he would leave to take a head coaching position.  Great for Hendrix that he can leave and stay at the same time!

[lammersk]

Centre is providing video for Friday and Saturday's Games

I sent an email asking (hoping) that Centre would provide audio or video for the NCAA games and found out they were already 3 steps ahead of me. They are providing free video of the games at

http://www.pennatlantic.com/main.php?tableName=event&fileName=results&recordId=&module=event-results&orderBy=&searchIt=yes&sport=0&month=0&day=01&year=2009&conferenceId=0&schoolId=436

or, if that doesn't work there's a link at Centre's site

http://www.centre.edu/web/athletics/news_general/08_09/news_ncaa_host_tourn_09.htm

Mind you, if you can get there, go to the games. Last year was amazing.

On behalf of us who can't make it I want to thank Centre for letting us watch as well.

[pbrooks3]

Thanks Lammersk - I passed this along to the Heartland Conference.  Weather shut me down from going to Centre for 1st/2nd round games last year. Plan to be there in person Friday night. Go Centre!

[Ralph Turner]

TU 44, Maryville 32. TU has gone up 16-5 in the second half after a 28-27 halftime lead.  14+ minutes left.

TU 64 Murvul 56, 1:20 left. Murvul ball.

TU 68 Murvul 64 FINAL.

[pbrooks3]

Congrats Trinity on getting through the opening round.

[scottiedoug]

Sounded on the radio like Trinity's experience was too much for the young Scots.  Congratulations and good luck!

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity was able to get on the offensive glass tonight and defended the three ball pretty well.   Charles Houston showed why he was the SCAC DPOY and was even more better offensively - seemed like every time Maryville made a run in the second, he would drive inside and score.  BJ Moon was a steadying influence throughout.    Luke Caldarera had a tough nite offensively but was a force on the boards.

Eryk Watson was very solid tonight for Maryville (and only a soph - what a pretty shot), Greg Hernandez fought hard in the post. 

[Big Dog]

Ron,

Congratulations to the Tigers. Maryville had some early season struggles for a Lambert coached team but turned it around somewhat after Christmas. Hope that the Tigers play well as the tourney goes on-Lambert said that the ball pressure they put on our perimeter was outstanding and our offense was operating forty feet from the basket. From Maryville College our best to the Tigers and although I couldn't make the road trip- I know you guys were first class hosts. Great campus, great school and obviously a first class team.

Big Dog Has Spoken

[Fundamentals]

PBrooks....

Looking forward to seeing you tonight at the game!!  GO CENTRE!!