MBB: Centennial Conference

[dipphan]

Holligan-  with the depth of the Dips, it will be tough for Ursinus.  I like this early season test for the Dips. 

As for the St. Mary game- the team was ranked #17 in the nation.  Please give them some credit.  I mean if it was on the road, it would be better. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

St. Mary's is riddled with injuries with two of their two scorers returning from last year out (one for the season; the second I am not sure how long).

SMC was out of my Top 25 ballot after the first weekend (not that they voted). While it appears on paper like it might have been a good win for F&M, don't count your chickens just yet. It's a solid in region win, but it might not prove to be a big or important win as the season progresses.

[Reserved Seat]

UGLY--no intensity
LBC packed the paint allowing F&M to shoot from outside.  Milligan and Brewer hit their threes, but the rest struggled.(8 for 20) Still too many turn-overs, careless passes.  Hayk lead all rebounders with 12, and F&M controlled the boards 35 to 22.  The whole bench did get to play.  Hopefully, the team was looking ahead to Ursinus.  That would account for the lackadaisical performance. 
Gabriel, do you plan on being at the game?

[UCHooligan98]

St. Mary's is riddled with injuries with two of their two scorers returning from last year out (one for the season; the second I am not sure how long).

SMC was out of my Top 25 ballot after the first weekend (not that they voted). While it appears on paper like it might have been a good win for F&M, don't count your chickens just yet. It's a solid in region win, but it might not prove to be a big or important win as the season progresses.

excellent point Mac! these f&m fans are beating their chests like it means something beating a team that was good two years ago.  at my law firm i work with a few SHU law grads who went nuts when they beat VCU last week, as if beating a team that was in the final four is a statement win, forgetting that all the good players graduated!  Gimme a break. 

[Reserved Seat]

uchooligan, did you read my post?  I said it probably wasn't a quality win.  What post indicates anyone is beating their chest?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

uchooligan - St. Mary's was damn good last year... one win away (8 points, I think) from making it to the Final Four... losing to a very good squad in Middlebury. This isn't a two-year ago reference :-).

That being said, F&M has to prove a lot to people (though, apparently not a majority of Top 25 voters as they moved up to 14 this week). They are not on my ballot, though I debated it. I need to see more then a win over SMC and a decent start to the season after losing a lot of people from last year's roster.

[MidAtlantic Maestro]

Can someone explain the early season difficulties that Ursinus is experiencing? I haven't had a chance to see them play.

[Gabriel]

I just posted about the same time as D Mac and his must have wiped mine so will try again.

Ursinus is not ready for prime time as evidenced by last night's game against Moravian and 6 losses to date.  The Bears defended better, took better care of the ball (11 turnovers which is good for them), and spacing and ball movement were much better.  However, they could not buy a basket even with many very good looks.  23/64 (35%) from the field including 3/23 (13%) from three.  12/18 foul shooting did not help matters.  Numbers like that won't get it done.

The only other bright spot was the play of the freshmen.  Walker had 7 points and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes, Kamara had 6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in just 20 minutes and Trey Harry had 6 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in just 15 minutes. Only one senior played---and just for 13 minutes.  Inexperience shows and team cohesion is still a problem.

The kids are fighters and will get better---hopefully this week against F&M and Swat.  The Swat game on Saturday will be their first home game of the season.  Perhaps that will help.  We can only hope so.

[Gabriel]

I forgot to add that late in the game with Moravian last night, Ursinus had on the floor a line up of three freshmen, one sophomore and one junior.  This when the game was still on the line.  No senior starters, only one plays.

[diplomaniac1]

Reserved Seat and Wild10 -

Earlier, I forgot to list one game from tomorrow night's (11/30) slate of "Pick-Em" games. Sorry about that! Several other posters have already caught my omission and have made their selections for it before I noticed. However, I wanted every one to be aware of it so they can make a pick in that game as well. The game in question is as follows:

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Muhlenberg @ Swarthmore

Selections are due by tipoff time tomorrow.

Good luck. Regards to all.

Eric

[NEPAFAN]

Ursinus seems talented on paper. The PG and the two bigs....what am I missing?

[diplomaniac1]

Folks -

Here are the "Pick-Em" games for this weekend:

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Haverford @ Gettysburg
Swarthmore @ Ursinus
McDaniel @ Franklin And Marshall
Washington @ Muhlenberg
Johns Hopkins @ Dickinson

All predictions are due by tip-off. Good luck!

Enjoy the games! Regards to all.

Eric

[diplomaniac1]

Fellow "Pickers" -

Here are my selections for tomorrow night's (11/30) games:

Johns Hopkins over Gettysburg (home team)
F&M over Ursinus
Washington over Haverford (close call - team with better record)
Dickinson over McDaniel (another close one - home team)
Muhlenberg over Swarthmore

For the most part, it looks like we all have the same ideas, except for my selection of Washington!

Stay dry today! Regards.

Eric

[mulefreak02]

all this talk about ursinus and f&m warms my heart, but i haven't seen much about muhlenberg. where's the love for the team on the rise in a-town?  the mules will be the best team in the conference in a matter of weeks if they aren't already.  liddic is a beast, and the electric malique killing is going to teach a few things to milligan when they meet (and every other guard in the cent).  malique is "killin' it" as he will be for the next 4 years - already setting conference records.  aj dean is another amazing frosh in a-town.  so fellow cc fans, enjoy the banter while the mules enjoy their rise to the top.

[Reserved Seat]

mulefreak02, did you read the older posts?  I mentioned Muhlenberg several times as a team to beat.  The Mules have a scary line-up.
diplomaniac1, I'll take Muhlenberg for Wednesday's game.  Did I miss any other picks?
Gabriel, are you going to be F&M tomorrow?

I still haven't figured out the strength of the teams yet.  Several teams seem very talented on paper and several teams are playing above expectations, so much for paper.