MBB: Centennial Conference

[LustyLarryintheToilet]

is it true, according to the release, that Merchant Marine only had 300 people at their last game, the title game vs scranton?  if so a terrible job by the NCAA allowing that program to host.  A 2 seed in their region (show me the teams they beat) hosting a 3 seed in the mid atlantic that oh by the way owns a win over the top seed?  My assumption is the ncaa figures fans from all teams that live in NY region will make the trip to see the game.  This isnt to trash MM, but I'm not impressed. 

[Pat Coleman]

Hosting isn't about the turnstile count. This isn't a money-maker for the NCAA as much as it is rewarding the programs that have earned the right to host, whenever possible.

[Reserved Seat]

Oneonta seems to have height and three point shooters
Starters
Beckford(6'9"SR)14.9 pts and leading rebounder
Grimes(6'4"SR)13.6 pts
Hooks(6'1"JR)12 pts and leading 3-point shooter
Gillette(5'10"JR)7.1 pts
Walsh(6'8"SR)6.8 pts

Key Sub
Talbot(6'1"JR)10.3 pts
Hahn(6'6"JR) 5.3

Looks like they only go 7 deep

Stats look like they spread the points with no dominant player.

Shoot 42% from 3-point arc
Shoot 65% from foul line

Had impressive early season wins against Muhlenberg, William Paterson, and Ithaca.

[docmarc]

Anyone know start times for merchant marine division on Saturday?  Pat what are your predictions for games at mm?

[LustyLarryintheToilet]

Based on my statistical analysis, i would create lines of F&M -8 and MM -14 in that pod.  This is based on pace of play as well as efficiency ratings that i have created.  A match between the two in the final would be very even, a pick'em in my book before any home court advantage MM might have.

[diplomaniac1]

F&M's website lists this weekend's games times as follows:

Friday @ 6:00 P. M. - F&M vs. Oneonta State

Friday @ 8:00 P. M. - Merchant Marine vs. Wesley

Winners will meet on Saturday at 7:00 P. M.

Hope this information is helpful.

[Gabriel]

 FYI, Oneonta,'s Brian Beckford was named SUNYAC player of the year and 1st team all conference.  Michael Grimes was named second team all conference for the second year in a row.

[Reserved Seat]

What's the usual home attendance for the Merchant Marine team?

[docmarc]

DOC will be out there at Merchant Marine for Saturday's game at 7PM.  The Dip Zone will be in full swing- be aware refs, other schools, other teams, and others! 

[LustyLarryintheToilet]

Yesterday i posted my official take on the two games in the MM pod.  I have reviewed the "William Paterson" region.  According to my stats, this region features two of the best three defenses in the country: WPU and F&M.  Both teams should win through the elite 8 unless running into an opponent that poses matchup problems.  For F&M that team could be Merch Marine, a solid offensive team that plays smart, but I'm unsure if it can match F&M athlete for athlete. 

William Paterson has no equal in their group of 8.  MIT and Desales will pose tests, but i dont think they have enough. 

This region also features the two best first round games of the tournament, Richard Stockton v Virginia Wesleyan.  I lean Stockton, but either team would pose a threat to St. Mary's in Round 2.  The second game is Desales v MIT. 

Cabrini v Randolph Macon is also a fine matchup, too close to call.  But i see either team defeating Albright and any of the three an underdog to a game likely played at William Paterson.

Here's how i handicap the region:
Favorite:  William Paterson, great defense, home court advantage.

Second: F&M.  Should this team survive Merchant Marine, a game with WPU would await, and that game could look like a Big Ten 44-41 slugfest

Third: Merchant Marine, two games at home followed by a winnable sweet 16 matchup vs an overrated St. Mary's.

Sleeper: Cabrini, a very efficient offensive squad that likes to play in the 70's. 

[r.w. mcnickels]

Second: F&M.  Should this team survive Merchant Marine, a game with WPU would await, and that game could look like a Big Ten 44-41 slugfest

Solid analysis, Larry. But unless their free-throw shooting improves, I'm not sure the Dips get past Oneonta State. F&M has a good defense, but missed free throws have already cost this team dearly (9-18 in the loss vs. JHU). With no reliable 3-point threat, they can't afford to give away points at the line.

I'll go with Merchant Marine coming out of this pod.

[lizalan07]

What's the deal with the E.C.A.C. South tournament this year? No teams from the CC or the CAC invited. Didn't anyone from the CC want to participate this year? Just wondering.

[BTEXPRESS]

I know from the Football season that many of the CC teams did not join the ECAC for this academic year. There was discusion that this was done as a cost saving measure.

[ronk]

  Only 9 schools from the CC and CAC are ECAC members and 2(F&M, Wesley) are playing in the NCAAs, instead.

[otis]

It's been a long time since I've posted up.  I wish F&M all the luck in the world but I don't see them going too far this year.  Last year they lucked out with a pretty easy schedule to the Final Four.  It looks like this year they are going to have to beat some real quality teams to advance.