MBB: Centennial Conference

old ends · February 22, 2009, 09:08:01 AM

Swat dad..

welcome to the board. One thing you can do is click on the link below which will take you to the Centennial Media Guide which will give you an idea on the Conferences History which started in 1994.

Click here: http://www.centennial.org/basketball/guide/men/

There are different things for you to browse through. Hopefully some of the other posters can answer some of the other questions for you.
enjoy

BRCE4 · February 22, 2009, 02:00:23 PM

Swat Dad
Swarthmore struggles primarily because sports are just an extracurricular activity and not emphasized by the administration. Coach Wimberly's teams are usually disciplined, play hard and run good stuff but are almost always undermanned. I was surprised that they won 2 league games this year beating 2 pretty good teams in Gettysburg and Washington. They will need to bring some kids in next year or I suspect it will be another long season for the Garnet.

Swat Fan #1 · February 22, 2009, 02:35:31 PM

Thank you both. Good stuff! I am hoping for a great future of Swarthmore basketball. Hopefully they have a good incoming class.

Swat Fan #1 · February 22, 2009, 03:30:54 PM

I must admit that I do know of one incoming freshman to the Swarthmore team as my son is going there next year and I am not only a fan of hoop, but also a coach. I was looking for some input as I don't know much about the conference at all and want to learn all I can. Thanks for your help!

oldford · February 22, 2009, 04:56:32 PM

Dear Swatdad:
I also have enjoyed the board this season as well. The regulars know their bball and have a sense of proportion and good humor.

In a conference of academically excellent schools, Swat and Haverford are among the smallest and probably the toughest to get into. The N.Y. Times had an article several years ago on athletic recruiting at Haverford and I suspect it is largely true for Swat as well. The two colleges have to meet the needs of many extracurriculars (Haverford has 21 athletic teams including varsity cricket not to mention club sports, and music and drama activities) and do it for a class size around 330-400 (HC and Swat). Thus, there probably won't be huge numbers of bball players joining your son. The hope is that there are a few quality ones so that the team can be competitive. Swat was 3-21, but hung in most of the games. Though they are our rivals, I am grateful that they beat Washington College and allowed us to make the tourney. Good luck and best wishes to your son.

oldford · February 22, 2009, 05:20:01 PM

Actually, the times had a whole series on recruiting (end of 2005 into 2006)-not just one article as I incorrectly wrote

commish · February 23, 2009, 11:52:24 AM

The times are set for this week's Centennial Conference men's basketball tournament.
www.centennial.org/championships/basketball/men/

Wednesday, February 25 - First Round
Haverford at Muhlenberg, 7:30

Saturday, February 28 - Semifinals at Franklin & Marshall
McDaniel vs. Gettysburg, 1:00
Franklin & Marshall vs. Haverford/Muhlenberg, not before 3:00

Sunday, March 1 - Final at Franklin & Marshall
semifinal winners, 3:00

Look forward to seeing you there. If you get the chance, stop by and say hello.

r.w. mcnickels · February 23, 2009, 01:17:30 PM

Looks like it should be a great weekend -- the tournament looks wide open. Muhlenberg has been playing really well and should be able to beat Haverford at home, but the Fords have played some excellent defense of late. Gettysburg is back in good form after diving into the twilight zone for a stretch of games. If McDaniel gets some offensive production to go along with its tough defense, it will be a close semifinal.

F&M was flying along without expectations most of the year, surprising a lot of people (including me). Then in a couple of pressure road games, the Dips couldn't get it done. They have the horses to win, but confidence might be an issue given the two straight losses and zero playoff experience on the roster.

I hope fans of all teams pack the gym for the playoff games. It's a great time of year.

Reserved Seat · February 23, 2009, 03:01:43 PM

Not hard to guess my choices

2/25/09 Weds.
Muhlenberg(inside game should be more than enough to win at home)

Then next Saturday 2/28
F & M(the youngsters come out of their funk)
Gettysburg (tough pick-neutral court-should live up to their rep)

If F&M's in Sunday's game as I predicted, I obviously pick F&M.

As r.w. said, it should be a great weekend. I may not be able to be in my reserved seat if they enforce the color-coded seating for the teams.

Gabriel · February 23, 2009, 05:08:10 PM

Picks for the week:

2/25/2009
(Muhlenberg over Haverford)---Mules played very well against Ursinus but ran into a buzz saw on senior day against the Bears. Haverford looked terrible----they are clearly not one of the five best teams in the conference.

2/28/2009
(Gettysburg over McDaniel)----Getty playing well of late will win against the
offensively challenged Green Terror
(F&M over Muhlenberg)-----another good game but the Dips have a little too fire power and they are at home.

2/29/2009
Gettysburg over F&M---the best team finally surfaces

Gabriel · February 23, 2009, 05:16:55 PM

Too bad D3 Hoops chose to broadcast the Haverford/Swarthmore game on Saturday. Probably the most entertaining game was the Ursinus/Muhlenberg game which was settled in overtime 97-90. Ursinus had a 10 point lead with just over 4 minutes to play and coughed it up. However, the Bears would not be denied in overtime. Great game!!!! Muhlenberg is a load with their front line--especially Barnes and Liddic. Don't know why the coach did not have them on the floor together more.

BRCE4 · February 23, 2009, 05:25:52 PM

1st round
Muhlenberg over Haverford. Haverford has a way of keeping it close with their hard nosed style of play but Mules are just too big. On to Lancaster for the Mules.

Pat Coleman · February 23, 2009, 06:45:48 PM

Quote from: Gabriel on February 23, 2009, 05:16:55 PM
Too bad D3 Hoops chose to broadcast the Haverford/Swarthmore game on Saturday. Probably the most entertaining game was the Ursinus/Muhlenberg game which was settled in overtime 97-90. Ursinus had a 10 point lead with just over 4 minutes to play and coughed it up. However, the Bears would not be denied in overtime. Great game!!!! Muhlenberg is a load with their front line--especially Barnes and Liddic. Don't know why the coach did not have them on the floor together more.

Entertaining, yes, but our goal was to take a game we could guarantee had playoff implications, so that's why we chose how we did.

Gabriel · February 24, 2009, 08:44:02 AM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on February 23, 2009, 06:45:48 PM
Quote from: Gabriel on February 23, 2009, 05:16:55 PM
Too bad D3 Hoops chose to broadcast the Haverford/Swarthmore game on Saturday. Probably the most entertaining game was the Ursinus/Muhlenberg game which was settled in overtime 97-90. Ursinus had a 10 point lead with just over 4 minutes to play and coughed it up. However, the Bears would not be denied in overtime. Great game!!!! Muhlenberg is a load with their front line--especially Barnes and Liddic. Don't know why the coach did not have them on the floor together more.

Entertaining, yes, but our goal was to take a game we could guarantee had playoff implications, so that's why we chose how we did.

Pat,

I understand, I was just jangling your chain. 18 to 11 at the half, it must have been tough to stay awake. The Mules/Bears game did have playoff implications as the Mules lost the #3 seed and now are in the "playin" game.

Gabriel

Gabriel · February 24, 2009, 08:48:54 AM

Old Ends,

Please change my picks (posted yesterday) to show the championship game on Sunday March 1st instead of February 29. Senior moment! Thanks.

Gabriel

MBB: Centennial Conference

old ends