MBB: Centennial Conference

[CCD3Basketball]

Here are my picks for tomorrow's Centennial games:

Gettysburg @ Ursinus: The Bullets can't afford to lose this game and have hopes of making the CC tournament. And I think they'll win this one.

Dickinson @ Washington: Dickinson had problems with Washington earlier this year, down by 8 at the half, before Wixted woke up and willed his team to a 12 point win. The Red Devils are going to need him to be big again and take advantage of Washington's post play. The playoff hopes for Washington are pretty much done but they have the chance to be someone's spoiler as far as hosting the tournament. The next 3 games? Dickinson, McDaniel, F&M. I think the Shoremen can keep this game close but in the end I think the Red Devils will have too much firepower.

Johns Hopkins @ Haverford: Good teams win the games they should, and I think Hopkins will do that tomorrow

F&M @ Swarthmore: It's been a long while since Swarthmore had a CC win. They dominated the early stages of their game against Washington the other night, but as Swat Fan noted, they couldn't put the Shoremen away. F&M had a horrible offensive effort the other night against the Bullets and I think they come out firing in this game. I'll take F&M to win and keep pace with Dickinson.

McDaniel @ Muhlenberg: Probably the CC game of the day in my opinion. Muhlenberg had a big lead in the first matchup of the year in Westminster before they went ice cold and McDaniel scored the last 8 points to win. This game is crucial to both teams; to McDaniel as they try to stay a game out of first, and to the Mules as they try to stay clear of the 5th/6th place borderline. The Mule Barn is such a tough place to play and Killing has been on FIRE lately. I think McDaniel will make a better than most effort to shut him down in this game, but when they do I think Killing will be able to get his teammates more involved and lift the Mules to a big win.

What does everyone else think about tomorrow's games?

[CCHOOPS12]

I like your thoughts CCD3basketball...

I smell a HUGE upset tomorrow with WAC over Dick. Also, I do believe FnM will win but remember Swat beat them last year (could be closer than everyone thought.) Gettysburg has to win or it is over...this is a must win game and I am interested to see how the freshman will play in a pressure game... Mcdaniel (a team I predict to make the playoffs this year) will struggle tomorrow in the Mule Barn (I heard Jay Bilas and the crew will be there for College Gameday). Just too big of a stage for this team, look for a monster game from Hargrove... especially if Pupelis is still sidelined. Of course JHU will bounce back strong vs Haverford.

[CCD3Basketball]

I definitely think WAC can pull the upset, but they're going to have to cut back on the turnovers and come out firing on all cylinders. Pat Morgan (son of Haverford women's head coach Bobbi) has been hot from beyond the arc lately. I think the Shoremen need more of the same from him. And, they have to get some sort of post play to neutralize Dickinson's. Not necessarily shut the Red Devil posts down, but keep up with them enough to allow the 3 point shooters to work their touch. It looks like Cunningham hasn't played for them lately (injury I guess?) so any post production they can get is huge.

[centfan]

sat picks:
gettysburg
washington
hopkins
f&m
mcdaniel

[Reserved Seat]

Looks like F&M is down another player.  One of the players was being evaluated for a season-ending injury.  Should know more tomorrow.

[Reserved Seat]

Conf   All
Dickinson                           9-2   
McDaniel                           9-2   
Frank. & Marsh.            8-3   
Muhlenberg                   7-4   
Johns Hopkins                   7-4
Gettysburg                   6-5   
Washington College           4-7   
Haverford                           2-9   
Swarthmore                   2-9   
Ursinus                           1-10

CCD3Basketball, based on the above standings, I'm confused about some of your statements.

This game is crucial to both teams; to McDaniel as they try to stay a game out of first

I'll take F&M to win and keep pace with Dickinson.

[CCD3Basketball]

Yeah, simple mistake. Got F&M and McDaniel backwards in the standings in my head as I typed my picks. Guess I'm just as surprised to see McDaniel be tied for first as everyone else!

After tomorrow, I see F&M and McDaniel being tied for second, a game behind the Red Devils. As much as I think Dickinson could be on upset alert against the Shoremen (thats such a long road trip, plus its an opposite doubleheader, so the men play at 2pm), I still think they find a way to win.

Hopefully the F&M injury isn't too serious or isn't to a real key player....they can't afford to lose anybody else long term.

[diplomaniac1]

Here are my predictions for tomorrow's games:

Gettysburg @ Ursinus:   Gettysburg

Dickinson @ Washington:   May be close for awhile but I expect the Devils to win going away even on the road in a tough place to play.

Johns Hopkins @ Haverford:   Blue Jays have been known to have trouble on the road. However, I expect that they have too much for the Fords to pull off the upset.

F&M @ Swarthmore:   Diplomats win this one, assuming all of their starters are playing.

McDaniel @ Muhlenberg:   Mules win at home in the "Barn"

Enjoy the games! Regards to all.

Eric

[Swat Fan #1]

Looks like F&M is down another player.  One of the players was being evaluated for a season-ending injury.  Should know more tomorrow.

That is a shame as the four years go by so fast. I hate to see this. I hope the young man is back quickly!

Swat was without their best player (Kober) last game and was in street clothes for the game. It appeared to be an ankle injury. I am not sure of his status. Without him, teams focus on Barkley and the team struggles to score.

On another note, I am in the Syracuse area and there has never been a sporting event that has charged people up around here other than the national championship game a few years ago. The SU-Duke game is a sell out with over 35,000 people going. Everyone was dressed in orange yesterday. I love college hoop! I hope everyone has a great day watching the greatest sport on earth!

[Reserved Seat]

F&M struggled to put away an aggressive Swarthmore.  F&M had its troubles early as the Garnet raced to a 18-8 lead, but F&M was able to fight back to tie the score before giving up some points at the end of the half to give the Garnet a 36-31 lead.  Stepping up the defense in the second half keyed by freshman Jared Wright the Dips were able to force Swarthmore into more contested shots.  The Garnet's early threes added the early run.  The Garnet's aggressive defense had them in foul trouble(28-14) much of the second half as they try to prevent F&M from pounding the ball inside.  F&M's foul shooting(19-32) woes continue to plague F&M keeping them from taking advantage of all the fouls.  Swarthmore's foul shooting was excellent(13-16)

Caleb Faison should be our about 3 weeks.

[centfan]

i see phelps played very few minutes for F&M...is he okay? anybody (reserved seat) kow why?

[Reserved Seat]

Phelps was struggling on defense.

[centfan]

thanks...was hoping he wasn't injured

[CCHOOPS12]

As we are in the last month of the season here are my end of the season awards. Let me hear your thoughts as I am sure some of you FnM and Ursinus guys won't agree

1st team
Killing
Honig
Hammer
Wixted
Salandra

2nd team
Porter
Morgan
Moune
Cohen
Hargrove

Player of the Year- Killing
Rookie of the Year - Kiefer
Coach of the Year- Kevin Curley

[CCD3Basketball]

CCHOOPS12,

I'll entertain your All-CC teams talk with one of my own!

First Team

Malique Killing, Muhlenberg- No brainer. The offense revolves around him. If he were to have an off night or be in foul trouble the Mules would be doomed.
Adam Honig, Dickinson- Wixted gets a lot of the headlines but the team runs through Honig too. Having an excellent season.
Jon Salandra, F&M- Great all around player. Scores, shoots great, cleans up rebounds and blocks shots.
Gerry Wixted, Dickinson- Should have been CC player of the year last year. Another obvious first teamer.
Matt Porter, F&M- Could honestly flip flop him and Hammer from Hopkins here. But I think Porter's defense gives him the edge.


Second Team

Jimmy Hammer, Hopkins- Hopkins is balanced but when Hammer gets hot he can turn a game
Brett Cohen, Haverford- To me, if Haverford was winning more he would be an obvious first teamer. Was tempted to place him there anyhow. Scores, rebounds, defends. Just doesn't have the help/wins to make his numbers look spectacular.
Pat Morgan, Washington College- The conference's best 3 ball shooter this year. Has kept the Shoremen in a lot of close games with his shooting.
George Bugarinovic, Hopkins- Perhaps being overlooked by most, but is a great post presence for the Jays. The best big man that nobody ever pays attention to.
Cedric Moune, F&M/Kevin Hargrove, Muhlenberg- Have a hard time deciding between these two. Take your pick. Moune almost averaging a double/double and stays on the court a lot longer than Hargrove because he stays out of foul trouble. At the same time, when Hargrove is on, he's one of the best big men in the conference.

Player Of The Year-Malique Killing, Muhlenberg. If Wixted gets hot over the last couple weeks and Dickinson wins the regular season title, I can see him stealing it. But Wixted's chances may even be hurt by the fact that Honig is playing so well. There's no doubt that the entire Muhlenberg game plan revolves around Killing and he has gotten even better this year compared to his first two. That's a scary thought.

Rookie Of The Year-Cody Kiefer, Gettysburg. Having a great all around season for the Bullets. I think this competition could come down to him and his own teammate, Tanner Kirkpatrick. Both will be key for the Bullets in years to come.

Coach Of The Year-Kevin Curley, McDaniel. And it's not even close. Based on my predictions, McDaniel won't have anybody on the first or second team this season. Despite that, the Green Terror sit at second in the CC, one game behind the Red Devils for first place. If that alone doesn't SCREAM Coach Of The Year, then nothing does.

Curious to see everyone else's thoughts? I'm sure everyone has different opinions!