MBB: Centennial Conference

[Reserved Seat]

The scrimmage is suppose to start at 7.

[HoopGuru]

Really excited for the season to get underway next wknd for a lot of teams..being a UC backer i am anxious to see how this team competes in the centennial this year w/ the core being mostly younger guys.  I think they are a year or two away from really getting back to competing for a league championship.  I think the freshman Sutton is going to step in and start at PG right away and will be more of the traditional PG looking to distribute first and be much less of a scorer but able to find open guys, hopefully take care of the ball, and get them into offense.  Unfortunately i dont think he has the outside shot to keep the D honest and most of his scoring will likely come in transition or late shot clock drives.  Obviously Draper is expected to have a bigger role this season for the bears but I think a player who goes unnoticed is Adams; much more of a natural wing player he's had to kind of step into a different position playing more of a 4 last year than a 3 and will likely have to do that again this year for them.  Another freshman that will probably have to play out of necessity is the kid from Cameroon just b/c lack of depth at the F position... Checking their roster recently I noticed that Kamara is no longer on it.  Does anyone know what is going on here?  I was under the impression he was back on the team and playing this year from Gabriel's recent post....Gabriel do you have any info on this?  If he is off the team this would really hurt the bears this season...also a player to watch out for this year if he improved in the offseason is Norton..showed glimpses last year and could be a solid contributer this season

Lastly, my thoughts on CCHOOPS12 predictions...i do like the top 3/4 teams..i just respectfully disagree with F&M being the top pick this year..They have arguable the top 2 players in the league in Wixted and Honig.  They have the experience from winning it last year and got great experience in the NCAA tourney..I just dont see how they cant be the favorite this year to win it again  If they can solidify home court for the playoffs, the Kline Center is a tough place to play and i dont see them losing. Another note from looking over their roster is the fact that Gurney is back.  If he returns and plays like he did before his injury it would be a huge lift for this Dickinson team

[Gabriel]

Hoopguru

All I know about Jermaine Kamara is that he is no longer a student at Ursinus and, thus not on the team.

It is unfortunate, because with him, at 6'9" 240 pounds they had a force in the middle and now they do not.  With him, I believe, they were a top 4 team in the conference with a chance to win it all.  Without him, they will have a hard time competing with the big, physical teams such as Muhlenberg and JHU.  As a freshman, Kamara defended both Hayk and Jerry W very well and he only got bigger and better.  He was an intimidating force in the middle and I had projected him to the a 10/10 player this year----10 points and 10 rebounds per game.  But----that is not to be.

Ursinus' guard play will be their strength this year.  Sutton is a player and will play lots of minutes at the point---perhaps alongside Krasna.  He is a top notch defender and ball handler.  Three point shooting will be a strength this year for Ursinus as well as team speed and athleticism.   However, unless Marciano decides he wants to work and compete this year, the Bears will have a tough time defending the post.  Thus far, he has not shown the inclination so I am not holding my breath.  Should be in the fight for the #5 seed.

[CCHoopster]

How was the F&M scrimmage last night? Anyone see any other action or know of any going on today?

[Reserved Seat]

Scrimmage at F&M was a little disappointing.  Jon Salandra scored well, but picked up numerous fouls.  Fortunately no one was allowed to foul out.  Ed Early sat out, but should be ready for opening night.  Cedric Moune looked good early, but seemed to tire without having Early to sub in.  Morgan and Porter struggled offensively.  Porter looked good defensively.  Play from the point was adequate but ragged.  Subs didn't get to play much until the 3rd half.  Stefan Toskovic shot exceptionally well, and Jared Wright displayed a lot of speed.

[CCHoopster]

Did FnM control the game? How is Messiah. Would I be wrong assuming FnM was the better team? Interested to see how the CC shapes up at the top.

[CCHoopster]

Scrimmage at F&M was a little disappointing.  Jon Salandra scored well, but picked up numerous fouls.  Fortunately no one was allowed to foul out.  Ed Early sat out, but should be ready for opening night.  Cedric Moune looked good early, but seemed to tire without having Early to sub in.  Morgan and Porter struggled offensively.  Porter looked good defensively.  Play from the point was adequate but ragged.  Subs didn't get to play much until the 3rd half.  Stefan Toskovic shot exceptionally well, and Jared Wright displayed a lot of speed.

Thank you RS, appreciated!

[centfan]

i give credit to dickinson coaching staff for their success. i think wixted is mvp material.but if muhenberg had dickinson coaching they could possibly win (hargrove, killing, curry). i think those coaches would turn everyone into a better player and certainly force everyone to buy into a system. with f&m no longer dominant, i feel dickinson and muhlenberg are in good shape this year.

[Gabriel]

I didn't see any real surprises in the preseason picks for the CC.  I thought Muhlenberg might have gotten a little more love.

[Reserved Seat]

Robinson's view on F&M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWFol8ddd2U&feature=youtu.be

[D.B. Cooper]

Here is the Lancaster Newspaper article on F&M's season preview.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/919101_MEN-S-COLLEGE-BASKETBALL-PREVIEW--Franklin---Marshall-players-of-a-mind-to-continue-successful-streak.html

[Clutch]

alvernia up by two, at half .  Midd looks pretty good at rebounding. 

[madzillagd]

Reverse that, Midd is up by 2.

Midd has a 15 board advantage but hasn't really done a great job of utilizing their length on offense.  They've snagged a lot of offensive rebounds but missed a lot of easy looks around the basket.  Alvernia is only 8-24 from the floor and if they can start hitting some shots this could be a fun 2nd half.

[Clutch]

Nice win for Mid, considering its right out of the gate, the all American pg always looks good out there.

[D.B. Cooper]

Middlebury is reminiscent of MIT's good teams with tons of height and great spot up outside shooters. Bennett and Parker looked like nice players for Alvernia.

In 2 earlier CC games against favored and respected competition Ursinus lost to Hartwick ('wick featuring former Dip Matt Wilson starting), but The Fords made an impression on perennial Empire 8 power Ithaca with a 10 point triumph. The CC could be tougher than usually given credit for this year.