MBB: Centennial Conference

Gabriel · January 06, 2013, 01:08:27 PM

Ursinus/JHU game yesterday was a nail biter. JHU led most of the game----by as much as 11 points in the first half and by 7 points late in the game when they elected to sit on the ball way too early. As has been the case all year, the Bears play from behind but never quit and have the ability to rally. Ursinus made their own job more difficult by shooting so poorly from the field (Draper and Ward missed several "bunnies") and from the foul line---55% on 15 for 27 shooting. Draper hit only 8 of 15. Ursinus started two freshman---Draper and Wonderling and they made offensive mistakes but played terrific defense--particularly in the second half.

Goldfarb Gym seems to bring out the worst in officials. Fouls were about even and both teams had key players foul out---Ward and Krasna for Ursinus and Bugarinovic and Hammer for JHU. If you want to watch an example of how not to officate a game, watch the video of this game, particularly the second half.

The JHU broadcast team of Tim McCarty and his partner did a terrific job broadcasting the game. Glad McCarty graduated as he had a career game against Ursinus last year.

oldford · January 06, 2013, 02:05:19 PM

I didn't see the Haverford game live, but looked at the video of yesterday's game (very hard to see though). The change in the second half was an offensive burst in which Haverford shot close to 60% (5/9 for 3s) and put up 53 points without Cam Baker playing. They outscored Dickinson 24-2 in one stretch). The 77 is the most scored against Dickinson all year. Haverford defended well (mostly 1-2-2 and maybe some 1-3-1 zone) and rebounded well forcing turnovers, but that was true in the first half also. The question is whether this is a sign of more things to come or an outlier (like the second Ursinus game last year).

onetinsoldier · January 07, 2013, 09:36:04 AM

Ridiculous stretch for F&M starts tonight. Seven games in twenty days, six on the road, including a game at Muhlenburg where they never win.

Reserved Seat · January 07, 2013, 08:13:39 PM

Horrendous first half at St. Mary's--five for twenty from the field.

njf1003 · January 07, 2013, 08:34:49 PM

Why doesn't SMC have video?!?!?!?!??!?

Reserved Seat · January 07, 2013, 08:44:17 PM

Spirited comeback-but not enough--15 for 34 in the second half.
Gyokchyan only 3 points.
Twenty-three point half-time lead cut to 4 during the last 2 minutes.
Eight of St. Mary's final 10 points come from the foul line.
Ed Early finishes with 20 points.
Two for sixteen on threes.

Reserved Seat · January 07, 2013, 08:44:54 PM

Quote from: njf1003 on January 07, 2013, 08:34:49 PM
Why doesn't SMC have video?!?!?!?!??!?

Probably no students on campus.

Reserved Seat · January 07, 2013, 08:53:31 PM

Gyokchyan scoring last 4 games-- 40-4-37-3

Gabriel · January 08, 2013, 09:41:54 AM

Quote from: Reserved Seat on January 07, 2013, 08:53:31 PM
Gyokchyan scoring last 4 games-- 40-4-37-3

No wonder he drives GRob crazy!

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · January 08, 2013, 11:29:59 AM

Admittedly, that has been my biggest concern for him and for F&M... he seems so inconsistent. Just when I take note of his performances, he disappears. He kind of did in the post-season last year. F&M is probably going to live and die by his performances or lack of ones in the post-season this season.

onetinsoldier · January 08, 2013, 03:53:10 PM

Quote from: Dave 'd-mac' McHugh on January 08, 2013, 11:29:59 AM
Admittedly, that has been my biggest concern for him and for F&M... he seems so inconsistent. Just when I take note of his performances, he disappears. He kind of did in the post-season last year. F&M is probably going to live and die by his performances or lack of ones in the post-season this season.

F&M basketball is always about strategy. I would look to see how many shots Hayk took in those games, and lo and behold he wasnt taking a lot of shots. The offense clearly wasnt running through him last night, for whatever reason (only two shots in the paint in the first half). It also wasnt running through him in the EConn game, a win. Once i see the team this week i'll have a better feel as to whether or not the term "disappearing" is appropriate

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · January 08, 2013, 05:17:42 PM

Well... my point would be you can't ignore the inside game... so if the offense isn't running through him, then he does disappear from the game plan or the direction. Also, do we know he isn't taking a lot of shots because the game plan or because he is in foul trouble or he doesn't have a lot of looks? If he is a legitimate All-American as his pre-season nod would suggest... disappearing while planned or not planned would be a problem. Further more, if he isn't taking a lot of shots then he isn't a factor. If he is taking a lot of shots and missing - then he didn't disappear from the game, he simply didn't hit shots. I think not taking a lot of shots is a stronger example of disappearing then taking a ton and not making any.

Gabriel · January 08, 2013, 05:29:08 PM

My observation over the past four years is that if you bang him around he loses his fire. If you let him run free and get into a rythm, he'll kill you.

centfan · January 08, 2013, 11:02:26 PM

gabriel,
i was thinking the same thing....to go from 40 to 4 seems as if he is alowed free reing in the paint on one night and getting bodied on the other. he is tall but my guess is that if there are strong bigs in the paint that play physically and don't foul alot, maybe he doesn't show up. were the bigs in the games he scored 4 strong, athletic, physical?

Pat Coleman · January 08, 2013, 11:03:53 PM

Quote from: Dave 'd-mac' McHugh on January 08, 2013, 05:17:42 PM
Well... my point would be you can't ignore the inside game... so if the offense isn't running through him, then he does disappear from the game plan or the direction. Also, do we know he isn't taking a lot of shots because the game plan or because he is in foul trouble or he doesn't have a lot of looks? If he is a legitimate All-American as his pre-season nod would suggest... disappearing while planned or not planned would be a problem. Further more, if he isn't taking a lot of shots then he isn't a factor. If he is taking a lot of shots and missing - then he didn't disappear from the game, he simply didn't hit shots. I think not taking a lot of shots is a stronger example of disappearing then taking a ton and not making any.

Hard for us to know from outside whether this is because of the game plan, or the opposing team's game plan.