MBB: Centennial Conference

[HoopGuru]

Great win for UC today at home against Dickinson making it 7 straight in Collegeville.  Young team continues to impress and keeps fighting for that 5 spot needing help from others around the league.  From what it looked like UC went with the Triangle & 2 for majority of the game and gave Dickinson fits as they were only able to score 50 pts, well below their average.  I think it was a true testament to the team and coaching staff to stick w/ the game plan as Dickinson was hitting early uncontested shots against the Triangle, which you have to live with in that type of Defense.  UC stuck with it and it ultimately worked out for them.  The upset at WC really helped out JHU at the top as it is going to be difficult for Dickinson/F&M to catch them for hosting rights.  Also hurts both teams from an at-large selection as well.  Exciting last 2 wks of season ahead!!

[Reserved Seat]

Big win for Washington.  Things went awry from the onset as F&M tipped the open tip-off to an open Washington player who drive in uncontested for a lay-up.  Washington dominated the first half as they hustle to keep F&M out of sync.   F&M could never close the gap until they got within 5 at the half. Foul shooting continues to haunt F&M efforts as they only made 13/23 while Washington made 27/34.  Missing the front end of one and ones doesn't help.  Despite Washington's lack of height they dominated the boards with their hustle.  Lee's inability to make lay-ups cost the Diplomats. Owana missed several easy lay-ups as well.  F&M fought back in the second half and seemed the have the game and momentum in their favorite with just over 2 minutes to play.  F&M led by 5(70-65) and were on the line shooting 2.  After F&M missed both, Washington went down court and hit a long three to shift the momentum back to Washington.  Trading baskets down the stretch, the game went into over time with Washington outscoring F&M 10-9.
I was impressed with the play of Drury, who seemed to make every play went needed.  Knox played a solid game for the Shoremen and took control of the boards.  Moune and Federici both scored over 20 points.

[CCD3Basketball]

I mentioned the other day that all of the current playoff teams had tough road tests....and save for JHU erasing a 20 point second half deficit to beat Swat, they all lost. Great wins for Ursinus and WAC in particular. WAC upset a bit more surprising perhaps because of the records this year, but when you look at WAC's recent results against F&M (4 wins for WAC in the last 6 years against F&M while the Diplomats were ranked) its not a major surprise; WC always plays F&M tough. Definitely makes the playoff race more interesting with Muhlenberg grabbing the W today also. JHU gets some breathing room as well with today's results.

[Hoopdog14]

Mules managed to hold on as Gettysburg crawled back from a 12 point deficit with around 2 minutes left to close within 3.  For Mules defense was the issue again as Hunter played well throughout most of the game but in the end fouled out while Rindock posed as a turnstile despite being buried in the zone. 

Killing looked like the Killing of old as he played without restraint hitting key 3s and thrilling the crowd with some spectacular passes resulting in some easy buckets.  LaRose showed some nifty power moves to the iron.  In the end Gettysburg clawed back to within 3 aided by Killing with an unusual miss on the front end of a 1 &1 while Rindock missed both ends of a double bonus.  Fortunately for the Mules Gordon's final 3 missed its mark and the Mules escaped with its 4 straight win.  Still out of a playoff berth they face a must win game next week at Swarthmore

[Reserved Seat]

It's unfortunate that JHU has such a small gym.  It will be difficult getting tickets for the play-offs.

[hoop master]

Mcdanial does what it needed to do in beating Haverford today. Tim Stewart looking like real deal pouring in 25. Though green terror was sloppy at times on  both ends, they dominated the boards with their own limited size, 41-25. Matt Sherman for Haverford continues to be Fords most consistant player scoring 18 and hitting double figures for 11 out of last 12 games. Fascinating  that the Haverford staff keeps perimeter shooting as main focus, with no post presence at all on offense and interior defense. Unsure why 6'8 Frosh never came off the bench to change things up. Fords shooting 26 per cent from three and 34 per cent overall, wont get it done as they attempt to finish  strong and impact standings in cc

[givengo]

I think you're selling the Centennial short  as a whole with your comment.  Not seeing Dickinson as overrated by your argument.  Going into conference playoffs last year, they had five losses, two out of conference, three in-- sat in second, just as they are now, but they have a better overall record this year with three total losses.  Last season, losing in the Cent championship they received a pool c bid and went to the elite eight, traveling halfway across the country to defeat SUNY Geneseo, a top ranked Wooster team, and Wheaton to do so.    Most of the key players are back, and they have been ranked all season, unlike last year. Yesterday was a good gut check--not a bad thing. They were flat. Wxted should have been in down the stretch.  Coaches will evaluate, players will step up.   I expect to see them rebound.  We want two bids at least out of the conference. This is a year where we should get that.
Hopkins escaped yesterday by the skin of their teeth for a second time to a team they should never lose to, or be close to losing to.  Washington College has found a way inside the heads of F&M players for successive years. 

[CC Fan]

I agree Reserved Seat that JHU's gym is small. I don't recall a seating issue when they hosted in 2006 or 2007. I was always amazed at the poor facilities at F&M as far a locker rooms go. They may be one of the top 3 in worse locker room facilities in the conference. At halftime they send you into their athletic offices in an old racquetball court with a glass wall! And then you have people walking by your "locker room" while going over your adjustments. I guess every gym has their pros and cons. And that is just my opinion, which really doesn't mean much. Dickinsonm and McDaniel may be worse then F&M though.

[Reserved Seat]

F&M probably has one of the better locker rooms now.  Several years ago the coaches were embarrassed to take recruits into the locker rooms, but now it's the first stop.  Definitely poor in the past. http://www.godiplomats.com/dept/Locker_Room_Release/Locker_Room_Release

[Reserved Seat]

In 2006-2007, F&M did not qualify for the play-offs.  When I contacted John Hopkins, I was told there were no tickets allotted for non-participating schools, and no tickets were available.  I assume there may have been some tickets available at the last minute, if a participating school didn't sell their allotment, but I was going to risk driving all the way to Baltimore for no seating.

[CC Fan]

I am assuming that those are not the locker rooms that the visitors get. Is that correct? But they look beautiful.

[Reserved Seat]

These are all the locker rooms.  Every locker room was redone.

[CC Fan]

I stand corrected then. Well done F&M!

[Reserved Seat]

CC has 2 teams in the top 10--Dickinson 9 and Hopkins 10

[CC Fan]

Congrats to the CC for having 2 teams still ranked.
Hoping that Gburg can turn the ship around. But not going to be easy. @JHU, @Haverford, and then F&M and McD at home. And only a 1 game lead for the 5th spot....yikes!!