MBB: Centennial Conference

[Gabriel]

DeAngelo would be the likely choice and a good one.  He was terrific against Ursinus. As for the 3-6 spots in the playoffs, much rides on this week's games with Muhlenberg at UC and Swat at Getty being very big ones. Likely will need the tie breaker.

[Swat Fan #1]

Anyone know why Vinny DeAngelo isn't playing tonight?

[Greek Tragedy]

I wondered myself. He played 17 minutes and scored 22 points the previous game.

[McBuckets]

Final regular season games today with most playoff spots settled.

Nice summary of potential seedings done by Hopkins' Tom Quarry:

https://twitter.com/tquarry8/status/1626277160599035907?cxt=HHwWhoCx_cGd2ZEtAAAA

Speaking of Quarry, he looked like he was injured v F/M a few games back and yet to play since.

Anyone have insight?

[McBuckets]

Looks like the Bullets caused some upheaval in the playoff picture.

Box score said Swarthmore had zero assists. Gotta be a typo.

Any report on how the Swat fans/parents behaved?

Some fun matchups on Tuesday. Ursinus gotta look to avenge the beat down that the Mules just handed them last week.

[McBuckets]

Two decisive wins in the playoffs by Gettysburg and the Mules.

Mules really kicking it into gear and totally beat down Ursinus.  When Robino is hot he is most prolific scorer in league.

Bullets stymied the Dips in every way and they were completely overwhelmed.

Solid games on tap for Friday with both visiting teams having beaten their host earlier in the year.

[centennial fan]

Death. Taxes. Hopkins vs Swat in the Centennial Championship game. This is the 5th consecutive year the two teams will meet, should be a great game!

[Gabriel]

Great championship game. Team defense is what separates these two teams from the rest. DeAngelo should be POY, IMO.

[Stretch4]

Great game for sure and full credit to Swarthmore for coming back they way they did against a really, really good Hopkins team. DeAngelo was tremendous, and great work from Caprise and Corzine. Hopkins really missed Quarry in this game. These two teams remain several steps above the rest of the conference, and honestly it is not necessarily that they are more talented than the rest of the conference. The intensity, focus, commitment, player investment and team first approach at all times truly separates them from the rest of the conference. I could legitimately make the argument that Gettysburg, Ursinus and Muhlenberg have more talented individual players, but as collective units those teams are no where near Swat and Hopkins.

Both were disappointed in their NCAA performances last year.  With both hosting first weekend this year, I am sure the expectations are high.

[Stretch4]

Congrats to all the recipients of CC All-Conference recognition. DeAngelo really separated himself from his peers as the season progressed and definitely earned the player of the year, and has to be on All-American teams. Other first team players seem like the right choices, and was happy to see Rubino recognized on the first team as he was without question the breakout performer in the CC this year. Hughes and Gaines close out their careers as a couple of all timers for their respective schools. 

Thybulle as repeat Defensive Player of the Year is a bit of a mystery but given that Hopkins captured first place in regular season, the coaches gave him the nod. Quite honestly Thybulle regressed in every statistical category from last year and you can't have him on the floor in last few minutes of a tight game because he can't make a foul shot. Thinking Caprise is the right choice for DPOY. Rookie of the year had several worthy candidates, but Nocito is a solid choice. ROY could have easily gone to Edmond from Dickinson, Hanson or Paquette from Swat, or Sujeta from McDaniel. All have bright futures ahead of them. A bit surprised that Stafford was the 2nd team choice ahead of his teammate Schaller. Gettysburg really bounced back from a slow start to the season and was clearly the 3rd best team by the end of the season, and if you are watching their games, Schaller is the guy ... as he goes, Gettysburg goes. Nice to see Frink from Washington College get HM recognition as he had a heck of a season, but I was surprised Mann from Dickinson did not get recognized with HM as he had a very impressive season and was probably the most consistent post player in the conference.

Enjoyed the season a great deal. Good luck to Swat and Hopkins in the NCAA's. Congratulations and best wishes to all of the seniors closing out their college careers.

[McBuckets]

Stretch, good comments as always. 

I would be interested in how the voting for these awards occurs and whether you can vote for your own player/self.  I think that these awards should consider conference play/statistics only so that there is common ground.

As to POY, Vinny is a no doubter.  He is a terrific player who is at his best in big moments.

I was surprised by DPOY like you noted but would not vote Caprise (who is an excellent all around players).  Both McGuire (Mules) and McKeon (Gettysburg) have better defensive numbers.

Definitely surprised that both Robino and Gaines made 1st team all conference but when you look at offensive numbers its hard to quibble but I likely would have put Caprise on 1st team. Agree with you on Stafford and Schaller.  While Stafford may be the toughest player to guard in the conference, those spots should be flipped.

When I look at ROY conference stats, the vote was likely close and Nocito is deserving.  I think Sujeta was hurt with his turnovers and defense.  The only other name I would add is Nate Williams of Gettysburg whose stats are comparable to the other players you mentioned.

Are first year players in the league considered rookies? I know it doesn't say Newcomer of the year but would Mann be eligible?

[Stretch4]

Mann was a graduate transfer with four years of college basketball under his belt, so he would not be eligible for any newcomer award. I always feel that the ROY (in any conference) should be a first year college player. It is a huge jump from high school to college in so many ways, so being able to handle that transition and still perform really well on the court is part of the recognition as ROY.

Swat and Hopkins are elite defensive teams across the board (FG % defense, rebounding margin, points allowed, 3 Pt FG% defense, offensive rebounds allowed, etc.). So I think many coaches go with the thought that the DPOY should come from the best defensive teams, unless there is a player who is just head and shoulders above the rest (which I don't think the CC had this year). From the games I watched, including all three of their head to heads, Caprise was a more valuable defensive player for his team than Thybulle. But it makes sense that when you have two dominant teams like Swat and Hopkins, the OPY and DPOY get split between them.

[Gabriel]

McBuckets----- Coaches & SIDs cannot vote for their own players or self.  Many coaches consider how much time, energy and resources are focused on on dealing with a specific player defensively.  For example Ryan Hughes and others selected were doubled every time they touched the ball or teams tried to deny them the ball.  Also, I think Caprise should have been 1st team vice Gaines as he is a much better all around player.

[Gabriel]

Congratulations to Mike McGarvey---hired as the Head MBB Coach at Lafayette after serving as the interim this past season!  Mike is a class act and excellent coach. He is a two time CC POY and a 4 year starting point guard at Ursinus during which time the Bears won the CC championship 3 times. Mike started his coaching career as an assistant at Ursinus, moved on to Colgate as an assistant, then to Lycoming as Head Coach and finally to Lafayette.

[ronk]

 As I remember, McGarvey was the best Ursinus player as a frosh in the NCAA game that they lost by 2 points before a raucous crowd in Scranton, mostly because Ursinus hadn't applied to host that year and went on the road, instead; they had the look of a Final 4 type team.