MBB: Centennial Conference

[r.w. mcnickels]

Always glad to lose a pick-em because the Dips prove me wrong for my only incorrect pick. They've gotten most of the ghosts sent back to the Twilight Zone now with a sweep over the Bears. I guess I'll have to try to get off for the Sweet 16/Elite 8 weekend now.

D.B., I thought you mentioned the Sweet 16 a few weeks ago, and I found the above post.  Well done!  If only I had your predictive powers.

[r.w. mcnickels]

According to the story on the front page, Ithaca probably would have been a shoo-in to host this weekend.  Even after DeSales upset Ithaca, I thought UMass-Dartmouth would get the sectional because of its record and gym size (I actually started thinking how I could get there).  So, I'm surprised the games are at F&M.  I can only guess that the NCAA criteria involving revenue potential and attendance history tipped the balance in F&M's favor, as Saratoga predicted.

There is no way Desales will get it & the 2 Mass. schools are iffy at best as far as bringing in a crowd & the green.

[D.B. Cooper]

RW. That euphoric prediction was after Dips finally won in Collegeville & I thought the sky was the limit then. As always with a very good F&M team the biggest hurdle is to actually make the dance, as they rarely seem to punch their own ticket, but once in the field often go several rounds.

[Pat Coleman]

According to the story on the front page, Ithaca probably would have been a shoo-in to host this weekend.  Even after DeSales upset Ithaca, I thought UMass-Dartmouth would get the sectional because of its record and gym size (I actually started thinking how I could get there).  So, I'm surprised the games are at F&M.  I can only guess that the NCAA criteria involving revenue potential and attendance history tipped the balance in F&M's favor, as Saratoga predicted.

There is no way Desales will get it & the 2 Mass. schools are iffy at best as far as bringing in a crowd & the green.

I really think it's all seeding these days, actually. These decisions have really changed over the past three or four years.

[r.w. mcnickels]

According to the story on the front page, Ithaca probably would have been a shoo-in to host this weekend.  Even after DeSales upset Ithaca, I thought UMass-Dartmouth would get the sectional because of its record and gym size (I actually started thinking how I could get there).  So, I'm surprised the games are at F&M.  I can only guess that the NCAA criteria involving revenue potential and attendance history tipped the balance in F&M's favor, as Saratoga predicted.

There is no way Desales will get it & the 2 Mass. schools are iffy at best as far as bringing in a crowd & the green.

I really think it's all seeding these days, actually. These decisions have really changed over the past three or four years.

I wish the NCAA would reveal the seeding so we'd have a better idea of how things might shake out in hosting decisions, etc.  I remember they used to reveal the seeds in the mid-'90s, and probably before that, too.

[Reserved Seat]

Comparative stats--Salem State/F&M

                     Salem State      F&M
Category                Rank       Actual    Rank       Actual   
Won-Lost Percentage (392 ranked)  37       77.8       23     81.5
Scoring Offense (392 ranked)          39      79.1       66    76.6
Scoring Defense (392 ranked)        158       69.0      109    66.9
Scoring Margin (392 ranked)       32      10.2       36    9.7
Field-Goal Percentage (392 ranked)    45      47.6       15    49.4
Field-Goal Percentage Defense (392 ranked) 16    39.1      96    41.9
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game (392 ranked) 317   4.9      392    2.7   
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage (288 ranked)not ranked      not ranked
Three Pt FG Defense (392 ranked)    10      28.0      119    32.8
Free-Throw Percentage (392 ranked)    378      60.0       250    67.5
Rebound Margin (392 ranked)       79       3.8       26    6.0
Assists Per Game (392 ranked)       106       14.2      79    14.7
Assist Turnover Ratio (392 ranked)    223      0.82      129    0.95
Blocked Shots Per Game (392 ranked)    16      4.8      48    3.9
Steals Per Game (392 ranked)       20      10.6       47    9.6
Turnovers Per Game (392 ranked)    326       17.3       209    15.5    
Turnover Margin (392 ranked)       119      1.3      82    2.1
Personal Fouls Per Game (392 ranked)    277      19.4       176   18.1

Salem State actually shots foul shots worse than F&M.
Looks like a good match-up.
Salem State doesn't give up many threes, but F&M doesn't take many.

[Reserved Seat]

Does anyone know the status of Salem State's injured players?
According to the box score against Widener, most of the starters(players with the most minutes per game) played against Widener. 
Salem State's height should match up well with F&M.  F&M might have an inch or two at some of the spots.

[D.B. Cooper]

Here is a link to an article in the Lancaster paper about F&M hosting the sweet 16 sectional. http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/234843

[r.w. mcnickels]

Muhlenberg coach Dave Madeira announced his retirement after 22 years in Allentown:

Muhlenberg press release

Morning Call story

Best wishes to Coach Madeira, who had a fantastic run at Muhlenberg that included a 311-247 record and two CC titles.

[wvcfan1]

Who are possible replacements?

Csensits from Dickinson, Schlosser from Etown, maybe the assistants from Lafayette?

[D.B. Cooper]

The Mules have always been well coached in my memory first with Coach Moore & then Coach Madiera. I have them picked third at this point for next year behind F&M & McDaniel. So the cupboard will not be bare. I can remember both his likely successors from their playing days. Hoppes with LVC (playing with Mailen & Freysinger I think) & of Lesko was a top level big man his whole career with Muhlenberg.

[Pat Coleman]

Who are possible replacements?

Csensits from Dickinson, Schlosser from Etown, maybe the assistants from Lafayette?

I suspect Muhlenberg will get nearly a hundred applications.

What about Muhlenberg would make it more attractive to Dennis Csentis or Bob Schlosser? Those guys have been at their school a long time and from here such a move seems fairly lateral.

[wvcfan1]

A couple of reasons:

Both coaches have ties with the area.
The success that Muhlenburg has had over the years overpowers that of the Dickinson Tradition. 

In Schlossers case, he coached at a high school in allentown.

Another guy may be the former assistant from DeSales(Kraft)

Maybe a local high school coach?

Or D1 assistant

[BRCE4]

I would think that they will receive hundreds of applications. I have no idea what the pay may be at this level which may discourage a D1 assistant. Kraft, the former ass't at DeSales and head coach at Marywood may make more as an assistant at St. Francis then he would make as a d3 head coach.  Do any of our posters have any idea what the typical d3 head coach makes? I would think it would be a coveted job but I'm not sure the E-town coach doesn't already have a good situation. Will they hire from  within? Both Hoppes and Lesko know the school and the team.  I suspect they wouldn't hire a head coach away from another team in the conference as they may cause problems within the conference and again because I believe they will get all the applications they need.  It will also be interesting to see if they try and get a coach in place before the end of the semester so the returnees can meet him prior to next school year. 

[Pat Coleman]

Any readers here who are even thinking they might want to attend the Final Four should enter the City of Salem's contest: Free lodging, free tickets, admission to team banquet and VIP passes:

http://www.d3hoops.com/salemgiveaway/