MBB: Commonwealth Conference

[rollingthunda]

I saw a very good Widener basketball team last night.  They are by no means a one-man-band.  Clarkson has progressed lightyears as a player from last year, and Thomas and Ford are both very good players.  Combine that with the quickness and handle of Blakely and they are going to be tough to beat.  Etown, and Widener for that matter, both could not have turned in much better performances last night.  It was a very good game to watch.  Etown had their chances to win.  I thought the 3 in the corner from Adams was definitely in, but a few bounces and calls went Wideners way at the end.  I'd have to say Widener held the edge with the officials, but I am no way blaming the game on them.  Etown had their chances to win and just couldnt get some of the shots to go down when they needed them to.  Etown has no reason to hang their heads after that game.  They played their hearts out.  Congradulatoins to Etown, and most notably the seniors, for a spectacular year.  As I told most of them after the game, no one except the guys in their own lockerroom expected this kind of year out of them.

I also agree with hoopsdafin's earlier assesment in the year that Widener could be a much better team if they played a more uptempo game.  Those kids are lighting quick and would be a nightmare fastbreak team.  I don't think they are in the condition to do it though.  Clarkson can play 40 minutes with the style they play now, but he was tugging at his shorts very early in the second half last night.  I'm assuming that is probably why they chose not to play the running game.  I'll take Widener by 8 in the final on Saturday.  Good luck to both teams.

[hoopsdafin203]

Unfortunately I could not be in attendance last night, but congratulations to Widener. They earned the first seed, got a home game and pulled out what sounds like a great game. Rollingthunda is right though, expectations were not very high in Etown in the beginning of the year due to the loss of 8 seniors, but they pulled it together and got in the playoffs and almost pulled off a great victory.

As for Widener being an uptempo, fast break team I think your assessment is right RT. Looking at the box score from last night only one WU sub played more than 10 minutes and that was Tidswell. In fact, the Pioneers only played 8 guys in the whole game with two of them playing less than 10 minutes. That has to be the reason why they don't play more uptempo. However, the wear-down factor could come into play as the postseason rolls on. With four guys averaging 35+ minutes a night over an entire season, legs become tired especially at the end of games. I still think Widener beats Messiah on Saturday however. Thereiis, is the Widener bench that bad that Duda can't extend some of the subs minutes to give the starters more rest? It looks like they have some talent on the bench, but most of them never get to take off their shooting shirts? What's the deal?

[thereiis]

Wideners bench is actually really good. I could actual make some good arguments that people who barely get time would start on other teams in this league. Thats just the system Duda has i guess, play 8 and use the players that win. I hear the arguements about being fatigued at the end of the season, but this is the end and so far they look ok. Looking back on it, Duda has always really just played 8 or less players a game. I wish I knew that when choosing a school, but thats irregardless now. The only spot where they dont have a sub who gets major minutes is the 2 and 3, but Wyatt has come in many a time and done very well for them. Nyere (not sure on the spelling), has done well too when asked. The other spots they have plenty of backup. So i guess its just what ur idea of a lot of playing time is. I think tomorrow Widener wins, good game, close game, but Widener on top.

[hoopsdafin203]

I guess there is something to be said about having a system, but I know I would want as many guys ready as possible in case of misfortunes (i.e. injury, foul trouble, etc). Also, playing more guys will help out the program in the long run. If they have guys that could start on other teams in the conference and they are not playing something is wrong. I guess that is just my opinion. I just could see that team playing 10-12 guys a night, running up and down the floor, and blowing teams out of the gym. Also, Blakey played 40 minutes the other night, do they have a back up PG? The one game I saw them play this year it didn't look like they had a guy on the bench that could run the team. Anyway, good luck to both teams.

[luvdahoops]

Steve King's three-pointer with 0:01 left on the clock gave Messiah its first Commonwealth Conference title in men's basketball.  The Falcons clipped Widener, 56-55, to earn the automatic berth in the NCAA Division III national championship.

Congrats to the four seniors -- King, Zach Wiernicki, Quinn McCullough, and Dan Snyder -- the rest of the Falcon players, head coach Rick VanPelt, and the assistant coaches on a well-earned victory at Widener.

[thereiis]

I dont even know where to begin. First, amazing game ,hands down the best game ive seen besides one pro game ever. As for that shot, what can u say? From 27 feet with two dudes in ur face. Unreal, someone should send it in to sports center. Now for the other 3 pointer a few seconds early from the other side of the court that was thrown up with no time left on the shot clock, horse ****. That should have been minus 3 points. But what can u do? Amazing game to watch and the fans were crazy for both ends. I think we all went back and forth 100 times. Pretty **** way to end the season for Widener, especially seniors, but hopefully they get a bid. See tomorrow.

Mean time, getting retarded with the team and whoever else is coming......

[Reserved Seat]

Pool C is getting tight.  Widener has a chance with a 10-1 out of league.

[hoopmanic1]

Unbelievable game, one of the best ever.  Thought it was over when Quinn fouled out.
Congrats to the guys and onto the big dance...booooo  yaaaahhhhh

[Knightstalker]

With Wideners regional record and QOWI they will most likely get a pool c bid.

[thereiis]

I hope, with the season they had, to end it on that note blows. The only thing I see hurting them is there non league schedule. It wasnt that great, but either way, they still have a shot.

[gordonmann]

Widener is in, as you probably saw.

Maybe they even host or play at Lincoln on Thursday.  That would be fun.

[Knightstalker]

ECAC Selections

[gordonmann]

The NCAA tournament continues tomorrow night with both MACC teams in action.  If you can't get to Lincoln or York (Pa.), let D3hoops.com and NCAA Sports take you there.

6 PM: Messiah College vs. Alvernia College

6 PM: Catholic University vs. Widener University

Both broadcasts available at

http://www.ncaasports.com/basketball/mens/scoreboard/div3


You'll need Windows Media to listen.  You can broadcast it for free here:

http//www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp

[FalconFan]

Well, it took overtime to do it, but Messiah wins their first ever NCAA playoff game 83 - 77

Looks like it is Lincoln tomorrow night...

[gordonmann]

That game will be broadcast live again.

Same deal as below, just with tip off at 7 PM.