MBB: Centennial Conference

[givengo]

Tough and surprising lose by Dickenson, regardless of illness issues. My early prediction holding true so far-,Hopkins, And F and M, with Dickenson missing out  in the big dance.  However anything can happen in CC playoffs, and would be a shame for stud Wixted not to play on national stage to close fabulous career. Also as predicated Muhlenberg in running for that coveted 5 th playoff spot.  Haverford with games against Gettysburg, Ursinus, and resurgent Swathmore and coming off a victory over Wash, may have a say. No game is a lock in ending two weeks to regular season

Nice win over Hopkins on Senior Day, confirming that the Red Devils are back on track. It was the sort of game you like seeing a good team play entering the stretch. Overcoming a setback prior to the stretch run is big.  Hopkins and Dickinson (sp) hold the upper hand for bids currently, noting both strength of schedule and head to head comparisons.  I'm not sure F & M matches up that well with Dickinson.  Big game on Saturday, anyway.

[HoopGuru]

Was able to catch most of the JHU/Dickinson game online.  I thought it was a well-played game on both sides.  Dickinson had trouble defending/stopping Bugarinovic inside. Even when Dickinson doubled down on him, Bugarinovic did a really good job of splitting the double, still finding a way to score.  I was really impressed with his ability to finish with his right hand (off hand for him) which makes him that much tougher to defend.  Hopkins was crashing the O glass very hard early, but Dickinson adjusted nicely.  The 1 thing that stood out was FT disparity - Dickinson took 26 to just 8 from JHU.  Wixted took more himself than the entire JHU team.  Along those same lines, I did not like the foul call w/ 2 sec left that sent Angradi to the line for 3 FTs to win the game (and I am neutral fan).  He looked stuck in the corner w/ no dribble and appeared to jump into the defender...time & score I would have liked to see him have to make that shot or settle it in OT.

[givengo]

When it comes down to it, I'll take Wixted and his supporting cast over Bugarinovich and his, especially seeing Hammer held to just two points in their game.  I haven't liked Dickinson with a target on their backs this season, and think it works to their advantage to have the target on Hopkins now.  Much fun to come...

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

My impression of Dickinson this year is that they're prone to wander mentally in games that might not be as important.  They seem to show up, focused and ready, for the games that matter.  I think we'll likely get their best play come tournament time.  That's not to say they'll win.  There are a lot of good teams in this conference, although I'd be very surprised if the Championship Game is anything but Hopkins-Dickinson.

[Hoopdog14]

Hooper:

Seems like I hit a nerve.  I am just a basketball fan and the CC have some of the best basketball in all of D3.  I am not sure how the other coaches opinions count? If I were them yes I would welcome the current situation as it would make my job easier.

And since you so strongly that my opinion doesn't matter it would follow yours does not as well.

The Mules have a talented squad and it is quite easy to see they are not having fun.  And after all that is what the game should be for them.  The ability to compete at a high level and have fun playing a game they love.

But then my opinion doesn't matter

[hoop master]

Dickenson needed the w more then Hopkins for their and fans pyschy that everything will be ok.  Blue Jays come  playoff time, with home advantage, and  playing with all on the line, will win it all. The question really for CC will be two teams or three in  tourney? . Dickenson /F andM loser may be out. .. Srs  in Baltimore are focussed on a repeat for BluebJays.

[givengo]

If a player is not happy with their situation and their goal is basketball, they should find a better fit for themselves.  F&M currently has 3 former players starting for other schools.  All 3 students were excellent young men, but didn't fit in with their assigned role for some reason at F&M.  Some had skills similar to other players,  some thought their skills were more important than the team's needs, and some had offensive skills, but lacked defensive skills.

I don't envy any scholar athlete who feels he or she needs to contemplate transfer for sport-- or for educational/social fit. Making that initial decision on where you feel you'll get the best education and the right fit is difficult enough.  Add in the chosen sport, the coach, the chance for playing time etc., and it can be a joyful four years or a nightmare depending on the outlook and expectation.  At the d3 level, and particularly in a conference like the Centennial, where most if not all of these players are exercising their brains on a level at least as strenuous as they exercise their bodies, this makes any such decision far more complicated. Unless these athletes have academic scholarships-- which rarely cover but a portion of the cost, or demonstrate need (which again, only goes so far), they may be giving up more than the athletic frustration is worth.   Many of these institutions have total costs of 60K per year.  Consider that not all credits will transfer and they're expensive credits.  Then there's the fact that coaches looking at incoming transfers may well tell you what you want to hear, but until you get there, who knows?  I give a lot of credit to those who choose to ride it out, and if some frustration seeps through, well it just does.
The flip side on transfers out, and the sadder side... Some transfer because the financial burden is onerous to the family.  What many families think they can deal with initially becomes too much.  Maybe they start with an academic scholarship tied to a minimum cum and they can't maintain it.
It's easy to say transfer to play elsewhere if that's your focus, but for many of these guys the athletics are a blink in time, and the education is what will last.  If you take a look at graduation rates for Swat, Haverford, Dickinson, Hopkins, Muhl, Ursinus etc, you'll see the majority graduate in 4 years with high job placement rates.  College basketball is entertainment for many of us, but this is real life for these students.  They give up breaks and visits home to family for holidays.  They spend hours every week on long bus rides and suffer through double headers, when they need sleep, study time and a decent meal instead of pizza. They're our future lawyers, doctors, professors and researchers. They create bonds with teammates as freshmen that will be lifelong because of the shared sacrifice.  Transfer for basketball?  Maybe, but it's just a small piece of who most of these men are. 

[HoopGuru]

Givengo...well said - hints at the many differences/circumstances that the athlete at D3 has to take into account whenever transferring comes into their minds..

Looks like tomorrow's games have a big impact on what will happen in the playoffs.  A win by JHU would give them hosting rights and depending on Gburg/F&M outcome, might create a tie for 4/5 between McDaniel/Gburg if Gburg can pull off upset of F&M.  It will be interesting to see what happens this wknd if both McDaniel and Gburg lose and Ursinus wins tomorrow.  Ursinus would go into Muhlenberg Sat needing a win and a McDaniel win @Gburg to get into the playoffs due to their head to head record (2-0) vs Gburg this year.  I would have to guess that McDaniel would much rather play Ursinus at home in that 4/5 match-up, placing a lot of motivation on that game in Gburg Saturday if that is the case. 

[gordonmann]

So this board now has Hooper, Hoop Guru, Hoops Fan, Hoop Dog and Hoop Master?

Hoop-ditty-do!

[Reserved Seat]

I agree it's a shame that any athlete has to transfer, but sports(unfortunately above academics) are important to some students.  Sometimes students and PARENTS have a different valuation of the player's talent and feel uncomfortable in their situation.  This happens in all aspects of life.  I spent 4 years earning an accounting degree, and shortly after entering the field for an at-the-time elite CPA firm, I decided the field wasn't for me. At the first opportunity, I switched fields and taught elementary school for over 30 year.  If a student isn't in a place that they feel fits their needs, they shouldn't force themselves to stay.  Many students change schools for academic needs, also.  I've had friends who had children transfer to change majors.
I do know that 2 of the 3 students who transferred from F&M transferred because they wanted more playing time. 
As HoopGuru said there are still a lot of possibilities out there.  I believe JHU has little chance of not hosting.  Gettysburg has to win one game to guarantee their fate.

[CCD3Basketball]

Looks like tomorrow's games have a big impact on what will happen in the playoffs.  A win by JHU would give them hosting rights and depending on Gburg/F&M outcome, might create a tie for 4/5 between McDaniel/Gburg if Gburg can pull off upset of F&M.  It will be interesting to see what happens this wknd if both McDaniel and Gburg lose and Ursinus wins tomorrow.  Ursinus would go into Muhlenberg Sat needing a win and a McDaniel win @Gburg to get into the playoffs due to their head to head record (2-0) vs Gburg this year.  I would have to guess that McDaniel would much rather play Ursinus at home in that 4/5 match-up, placing a lot of motivation on that game in Gburg Saturday if that is the case.

The fact that Ursinus started off the season 0-7 and 0-4 in CC play, yet still has the chance to make the conference playoffs (and with the way Gettysburg has been playing, a pretty good chance at that), is crazy. It's like I said a couple of weeks back on this forum when Ursinus was being discussed....if you win all your home games and steal a road game or two, you can be right there every year for the conference playioff discussion. And what's happened since? Ursinus has won 7 in a row overall at home and stole a HUGE road win at Gettysburg. And now, they're right there.

Also, pretty much every game on the schedule tonight is a great matchup. Crunch time coming down to the conference playoffs. Gotta love it!

[hoop master]

Giveengo----Very well said  and I agree.

[WPI89]

F & M and The Red Devils will be playing each other twice in a week - I would think if either team lost twice - they could be in trouble for the the 3rd bid?  I know it is not supposed to matter, but Dickinson's success last year in the big Tourney certainly can't hurt though!

If the goal was to maximum a chance at 3 bids - how about Dickinson beats F&M this weekend - then F&M beats them and Hopkins next week.  I think you get all 3 in that way.

Up north - there is a chance the NESCAC could possibly only get 1 bid - which could open up some extra pool C bids - need to root for an early Amherst loss to Tufts - at least personally, I still feel they are the most likely to get the pool C consideration.  I think the committee may think Trinity and Bates are a year away.  NEWMAC is looking at a max of 2 - as long as WPI or Babson win their tourney.  You need to root against Springfield or MIT winning the NEWMAC.

[givengo]

Was able to catch most of the JHU/Dickinson game online.  I thought it was a well-played game on both sides.  Dickinson had trouble defending/stopping Bugarinovic inside. Even when Dickinson doubled down on him, Bugarinovic did a really good job of splitting the double, still finding a way to score.  I was really impressed with his ability to finish with his right hand (off hand for him) which makes him that much tougher to defend.  Hopkins was crashing the O glass very hard early, but Dickinson adjusted nicely.  The 1 thing that stood out was FT disparity - Dickinson took 26 to just 8 from JHU.  Wixted took more himself than the entire JHU team.  Along those same lines, I did not like the foul call w/ 2 sec left that sent Angradi to the line for 3 FTs to win the game (and I am neutral fan).  He looked stuck in the corner w/ no dribble and appeared to jump into the defender...time & score I would have liked to see him have to make that shot or settle it in OT.

Was able to see a replay of the foul call with 2 seconds left.  Watched it three times.   In the film Bugarinovic clearly jumps into Angradi then tries to pull back, not the other way around.  The ref would have been remiss in not blowing his whistle.  It was legit.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Was able to catch most of the JHU/Dickinson game online.  I thought it was a well-played game on both sides.  Dickinson had trouble defending/stopping Bugarinovic inside. Even when Dickinson doubled down on him, Bugarinovic did a really good job of splitting the double, still finding a way to score.  I was really impressed with his ability to finish with his right hand (off hand for him) which makes him that much tougher to defend.  Hopkins was crashing the O glass very hard early, but Dickinson adjusted nicely.  The 1 thing that stood out was FT disparity - Dickinson took 26 to just 8 from JHU.  Wixted took more himself than the entire JHU team.  Along those same lines, I did not like the foul call w/ 2 sec left that sent Angradi to the line for 3 FTs to win the game (and I am neutral fan).  He looked stuck in the corner w/ no dribble and appeared to jump into the defender...time & score I would have liked to see him have to make that shot or settle it in OT.

Was able to see a replay of the foul call with 2 seconds left.  Watched it three times.   In the film Bugarinovic clearly jumps into Angradi then tries to pull back, not the other way around.  The ref would have been remiss in not blowing his whistle.  It was legit.

He definitely jumped into him, but he did it because the defender was out of position.  I don't think he could have taken his normal shot without getting hit.  Completely legit from my perspective.  If anything, leaning into the defender sometimes makes it less likely to get a call, especially since Angradi does that frequently.