MBB: Centennial Conference

[swish]

Eric,
I'm don't think Teshke is in Grob's doghouse. I think at this point Grob is just trying to shake things up to see if a different  mix of players would work better .

My impression of the game.While I think the game was ugly, I think there were several positives. We kept the turn-overs down to 13 (good compared to other games) and that was against a very athletic team that pressed a good part of the second half. Smith didn't try to force too much-he let the game come to him- he played very well. Leonard also showed he can be a contributor on offense. We'll need that if we expect to go anywhere. Outerbridge was a little off tonight but came up big with free-throws when it counted. Also, I wouldn't get on him too much about his ability as a PG-remember he played a significant roll his freshman year in helping F&M get to the "Elite Eight" and last year as the regular starter. Hines played exceptional. He is a tough kid and showed it in this game. I think he has the most upside of anyone on the team. He just needs to develope a little better touch around the basket and learn to kick it out to the perimeter for an open three when the defense colapses on him and we are going to be tough to beat.

Lastly, I think the game was ugly because the refs never took control. I never complain about the refs but they were horrible for both teams. A couple of times two refs wanted to make opposite calls. They called liitle fouls then let obvious fouls slide. I think that is a big reason the game looked sloppy.

Should be interesting if we meet Lincoln next week. It will be our first game against a ranked team. I'm anxious to see how we do.

[r.w. mcnickels]

Amish Allstar, swish-

Outerbridge has been a consistent player for F&M, but my point was more about whether he's "quarterbacking" the team he way I think he can.  Nobody can deny his ability to score, play defense, and hit big foul shots, but he doesn't take control of the game and assert himself the way a point guard of his ability should.  Sometimes I get the feeling he's waiting for somebody else to make a decision, but that's his job.

Swish, the reason I'm looking for such big things from Outerbridge is because of his potential.  I was impressed with his play off the bench during the Elite Eight run in '04, and a few times last year as a starter.  I believe Outerbridge is the key to how well the Dips gel after the new year.


Eric-

Some might say Teschke was playing out of position at the 4.  Since the Dips don't have many options in the post, I'm sure Robinson will find the right role for him after experimenting with different combinations.

[Amish Allstar]

R.W.

After reading your initial post and the most recent I completely understand what you are saying.  I think he can and will do a better job as everyone becomes more comfortable in their roles.  As it has been said, this is a young team that is still trying to find itself.  I think Obrige maybe looking to Smith a little bit more then last year, where they had multiple options, to carry the team.  i think as the season progress Obridge will learn/understand that he is the second option (as of now) as far as scoring and will do a better job of playing like it. 

I think if Hines keeps developing he will be a very solid player.  Think him and tescke could both benefit from the weight room though and add more to their frame.

Happy Holidays!

[njlincolnlion]

swish:

I am also looking forward to a potential game between Lincoln and F&M.  Last year Lincoln missed the NCAA's due to two losses to NJCU.  Lincoln had to settle for an ECAC bid and play the top ranked Diplomats in Lancaster and the loss ended their season.  I'm hoping Coach Yuille has the Lions ready for their return to F&M, and hopefully the outcome will be different this year for Lincoln.

[gordonmann]

...PROGRAMMING NOTE...
The newly established Centennial Conference Basketball Network (CCBN) broadcast Tuesday's night's game between Trinity College and Ursinus College live at www.broadcastmonsters.com.  The link will be available at that site on game day.

Pregame coverage begins at 7:15 PM with tip-off at 7:30 PM.  If you can't make the trip to Collegeville, please tune us in for the fun.

Programming on BroadcastMonsters.com requires Windows Media Player which is available for free download here.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

[D.B. Cooper]

Some interesting CC tilts tonight. I will be interested to see how Ursinus does in Collegeville against Trinity (CT) in the aftermath of their recent failed upset attempt at York.
F&M tackles highly regarded Lincoln tonight. Looking at common scores & seeing both teams play I would make the Lions a 6-7 point favorite to get their 1st win over Dips since the Korean War. F&M is hard for me to understand this year with results like a horrible loss against less than ordinary Dickinson but also a nice inter-conference win over PAC top-dog & highly respected Alvernia.
I can't be in Lancaster until the Saturday Ursinus showdown & am a bit disappointed that the game @ F&M tonight isn't being broadcast on the net (at least UC-Trinity is).

[Pat Coleman]

Trinity (Conn.) was delayed getting to Ursinus, so airtime is now 7:40, tipoff at 7:55.

http://www.broadcastmonsters.com

[cc_fan]

Trinity is a very good basketball team.  Ursinus could have won the game but they had a few costly turnovers at the end.  I would like to Ursinus take some better shots rather than rely on three pointers.

[r.w. mcnickels]

An amazing performance by Lincoln last night in Mayser Gym.  How did these guys lose three games?  Myrick and Wylie lived up to their billing as a top-notch backcourt as the Lions used a press to help cause 27 F&M turnovers.  Lincoln is a very well coached team that will go deep in NCAAs if they play like that in March.

Whenever F&M loses at home, you'd usually call it an upset, but this wasn't.  Lincoln was on another level.  Late in the second half, I think many F&M fans stopped worrying about the score and simply appreciated Lincoln's array of high-flying dunks and crisp passes.  People who opted to stay home and watch the Orange Bowl may have seen a good football game, but they missed seeing an excellent D-III basketball team in Lincoln.

F&M got another high-scoring game from Smith (33 points).

The Intell story:
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/19714

[fritzdis]

After reading some of the quotes from the Lincoln coach and players, I'm a little less disappointed by F&M's showing.  It sounds like Lincoln considered this game a bit of a milestone game for their program.  I'm sure the F&M players knew this was a big game, going against a ranked team, but when a team as talented as Lincoln finds some extra motivation like they may have had yesterday, they're going to be real tough to deal with.

[Amish Allstar]

Wasnt at the game but heard some people say that this was one of the most athletic teams they have seen play @ Mayser.  Sounds like the just caused some matchup problems for F&M. 

Agree with yo Fritz, just read the article and it does seems like a milestone for the program.  Players and caoches very well quoted and seem like a solid focused group of young men.

Big game in Mayser this weekend. CC games back in action.  Dips need this one

[Coach C]

I think the quoate form Lincoln's coach is a great one.  Is this a one game anomaly, or is this a sign of things to come in both programs?

C

[Amish Allstar]

Dont know much about the Lincoln program except that they have some exceptional athletes.

From an F&M standpoint, I do not believe it is a path in that direction.  I think the Lincoln squad is unlike ANY in the Centennial and maybe even in D3 (being honest I dont see teams outside the CC and who F&M plays), in that they combine athletes with size and speed into one complete package.  Lincoln is simply the better team this year and I see them moving up in the rankings.  I think we need the CC to play out this year to determine the road the F&M's program is taking.

Any thoughts?

[njlincolnlion]

Coach C & Amish Allstar:

I think Lincoln's Coach Yuille quote about the programs was interesting.  With that said, Lincoln has made dramatic strides in improving their Basketball program. 

Coach Byars, the long time Lincoln Basketball coach at Lincoln was not the person for the job.  Byars had a 7'2' freshman named Bunch who led the nation in block shots his freshman year (2004), and the team didn't really do anything.  Bunch transferred after his Freshman year to Monmouth (NJ) University, a D1 school.  Byars combined record in his last two years (2003-2004) was 17-32. 

Coach Yuille, a Lincoln Alumnus has a two year record (2005-2006) and "counting" of 34-10.  Additionally, Coach Yuille being a Philadelphia native (Overbrook High) knows the talent in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.  I also think Coach Yuille's disciplined approach to the games and his conditioning regiment has the Lions "pointed in the right direction for now and the future.

As an old Track man, I hope Lincoln's Track success (16 NCAA Championships) has contributed to the current success of the Basketball team, and it will have a domino affect on all athletic programs at Lincoln.

[Amish Allstar]

njlincolnlion:

Where exactly is Lincoln located? Do you attend their games regularly?