MBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

I don't think that just one loss this weekend to a ranked team would knock either of those teams out of the Top 25.

[frank_ezelle]

In the games prior to the injury, Rodney had scored 25, 23 and 21 points against Belhaven, Loyola, and Southwestern respectively.  Against Trinity he scored 15 points in the first half and was injured a couple of minutes into the second half.

The next weekend he started but only played 9 minutes against Colorado, then he sat out the Austin and U. of Dallas games.  This last weekend he came off the bench against OU and had 12 points, then started against Sewanee and had 11 points.  If you hadn't seen him play earlier this year, then you might think he looked okay against OU and Sewanee.  I personally thought he was at 70-80% of pre-injury form this past weekend.  I'm sure another week will get him closer to 100%, but I think that 100% might still be a couple of weekends away.  

Keep in mind that I'm just going by stats and my observation from this last weekend.  I have not talked to Rodney or anyone associated with the team about his condition coming into this big weekend.

[Major_Fan]

For your viewing pleasure... a link to the Millsaps vs Centre/DePauw matchups:

http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/basketball-m/012508elease.shtml

I know I'll be listening Friday and glancing at live stats on Sunday.

[DPULefty22]

Ya know, Major_Fan, I hear DePauw has a radio broadcast for their games too 

[Major_Fan]

Thanks for the head's up.  I added the live audio link as well.

[pbrooks3]

I don't think that just one loss this weekend to a ranked team would knock either of those teams out of the Top 25.

Adding to what Pat said, for those of you following the Top 25, last week the top 2 teams met (#1 Rochester, #2 Brandeis).  Rochester won the game, and each team retained their same ranking at #1 & #2 this week.

[pbrooks3]

While this might not be the game of the year - does any one have a thought on whether Rhodes is ready to get 2 wins this weekend?

[JJFlash]

Can anyone tell me if Sewanee broadcasts or live stats their games?

[DPU3619]

Can anyone tell me if Sewanee broadcasts or live stats their games?

To the best of my knowledge, they do not do either. 

[frank_ezelle]

The link to the Millsaps-Centre story on the Millsaps website is posted above.  Here's the link to the story on the Centre website:

http://www.centre.edu/web/news/2008/basketball.html

I see that Centre goes on Winter break after exams on Thursday--I'm sure there will still be a big crowd on hand for the game but that might make it a few less students in the stands for Centre.

[pbrooks3]

Agree with Wes on Sewanee not providing live stats or broadcasts.

Centre is coming off their short winter term.  Fortunately, of the student body there are a pretty fair share of Kentucky kids from the Louisville and Lexington areas who can still get to the game fairly easily.  The Colonels would love to have everyone of them in the stands along with lots of Danville residents to provide the right welcoming committee for Millsaps.  I recall getting a similar reception last year when attending the 2nd round NCAA tournament game at Wooster when they hosted Centre.  The gym at Wooster is large for D3 - something like 3,400 capacity.  What was so incredible was the number of townies who attended the game who weren't real pleased when Centre fans got to the game early and took what apparently were season ticket seats away from the regulars.  Centre won't have that situation tomorrow night, but hopefully there will be a loud house of fans following the game.

[frank_ezelle]

Any predictions on the Millsaps-Centre game?  I'm not sure if the far west road trip is a good measuring stick but it does present a recent comparison of common opponents.  Both teams went 2-0 and both teams struggled just a bit. 

Centre led Austin 22-21 at the half before winning 68-62, and then they trailed Colorado 27-30 at the half before going on to a 70-55 victory.  On the previous weekend, Millsaps led Colorado 50-35 at the half but that lead got down to 4 or 5 late in the game before Millsaps won 94-83.  At Austin, Millsaps had an easier time, leading 35-27 at the half and winning 85-54.  Rodney Rogan was basically out of the lineup for these games and I don't know if Centre had any injury/health problems.

Maybe the key to the game will be if Millsaps can continue to take care of the ball as well as they've been doing all year.  When DePauw played at Centre, DePauw had 10 assists compared to 24 turnovers.  Millsaps is the leader in the SCAC when it comes to most of the assist and turnover stats.  They are first in assists, turnover margin, steals, and the assists to turnover percentage.  The turnover margin of 8.5+ goes a long way towards covering the weakness of being outrebounded by almost 4 per game.

It should be a great game, especially if Millsaps plays loose and relaxed like they did on Friday against OU.  That's harder to do when you are on the road but Millsaps does have a lot of seniors who have been in tough road situations before.

Once again, thanks to D3Hoops for making this game available to the fans.

[pbrooks3]

Frank, my hope is the game lives up to its billing and that D3Hoops comes away from Sutcliff Friday night glad they Were there providing the audio. Of course, I am pulling for Centre. I'm realistic about things - Colonels are strong on the homecourt and have 2 tremendous senior lead guards in Nestheide and Britt; the Majors counter with super talent, athleticism and experience. Good mix of inside presence (Montgomery) and perimeter play. Both teams should be ready for good games, each having come off less than stellar play last Sunday. On paper and based slightly on strength of schedule, prognosticators probably would lean towards Millsaps on this one. Hopefully there will be a few X factors working in Centre's favor to help them pull this one out by 3 at the end. What each team should want to do this weekend is come away Sunday no worse than 1-1; both squads could be set up for Sunday upsets.

[pbrooks3]

Keys to a Colonel victory tonight:
(1) Excellent defense-hold the Majors below 40% would be a good start
(2) Adequate rebounding - Herman, Noll and Gowers need to neutralize a Millsaps' strength
(3) Reduce turnovers-Majors usually convert these into assists and points
(4) Good perimeter shooting - 5 from 25 on 3-pointers won't get it done

[jekelish]

based solely on having seen Millsaps and Centre each play against Austin College this year, i'll have to give the edge to the Majors based on sheer athleticism.  i would expect a very close game, with Millsaps pulling away slightly at the end.