MBB: Centennial Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Wow -- after three and a half seasons, I'm just glad that you either remembered your username and password or the system worked correctly to allow you to re-set it.

[LustyLarryintheToilet]

Otis, i believe the word you are looking for would be favorable instead of easy.  They avoided any buzzsaw teams such as Widener or Ithaca, and they were able to host four games.  But they definitely earned their victories over NCAA tourney caliber teams, and this gave them valuable experience that you would hope carries into next year. 

That said, i saw a few things i liked out of F&M which leads me to believe they are a better team this year.  They are definitely a more athletic team than a year ago, and this definitely shows on the defensive side of the ball.  I really like what i saw out of Baker, looks like he gained strength in the offseason and is a more complete defensive player.  i'm excited for a potential F&M v MM game, and would be giddy about the physical war that could be f&M v WPU

[otis]

Pat - getting back on worked like a charm

Lusty - agreed - getting to the Final four never easy.  The last time the Dips had a strong run in the NCAA's when I was following them closely was the 2003-2004 season. Hampden-Sydney, Gwynedd-Mercey and Amherst were all outstanding teams.  Especially H-S.  I don't know how we pulled that one off.

I didn't see F&M in the play-offs last year but I'm not sure the road was as tough as 2004.  Maybe someone who saw both teams could weigh in. I saw one game last year at Muhlenberg. It's hard to compare diffrent years but from what I saw the 2004 team was better than last years team. Then again, F&M was extremely young last year.

[division3]

despite their good record, i feel F&M was very beatable in conference this year and wiggled out of alot of games where they were in trouble. if they play above their heads they can do well in the tournament, but i think they are very beatable. mcnally is huge for them...then come milligan and brooks and then it drops off pretty quick.

[LustyLarryintheToilet]

for those who read Pat's playoff preview, i would take it with a grain of salt.  here's what he said last year:

"Most likely to disappoint: Franklin and Marshall. The Diplomats are coming into the tournament on a severe down note, having lost three of four and prompting people to question who of any consequence they've beaten this season. They could be one of the few teams to loseon their home floor on Friday night."

Unfortunately he said Merchant Marine is most likely to disappoint in the bracket this year.  that's the kiss of death, i might not even go Saturday (should f&m get there), as Pat has decided the game's fate.  I wouldve just preferred he continue his anti-F&M bias and ensure us another Final 4 run!

and you're right otis, i watched a lot of that 04 team, and they were better in my opinion than the one that went to the F4 last year, or at least more complete.  On the other hand, this current team is significantly better defensively, and is faster than what a lot of teams will expect. 

[Pat Coleman]

Picked them to win the bracket in 2004 if they hosted the sectional. How did that turn out?

[Pat Coleman]

Don't forget, final three-plus hours to enter the D3hoops.com bracket challenge.

You have extra time for the women's bracket, since the first game isn't until 4 p.m. ET on Friday.

http://www.d3hoops.com/pickem/

[LustyLarryintheToilet]

for centennial fans interested, i have obtained a pirated Merchant Marine recruitment video (the first 15 seconds of clip). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlDyr1uS2ys

should be a fun 36 hours to see who gets to the sweet 16!

[docmarc]

As I did not see a response to Lusty, Coleman must be embarassed about being wrong last year.  It also shows how biased he is against F&M.  I remember his broadcasts and predictions from 2004 and 2000.  How often do you see F&M in person Pat? 

Anyway, games start tonight in Kings Point.  I would see MM meet F&M in the 2nd round.  F&M's defense is pretty good.  The problem is how F&M responds to the zone defense thrown at them- they need to shoot well from the outside.  And then F&M has been absymal from the charity stripe- will that change?  See you on B2sports tonight at 6PM with my buddy Bryan Stabbe!

[docmarc]

Lusty- that video reminds me about your reaction about trading for Cromartie. 

[crambam]

Is there anything you guys can do about the feed?  Worked fine for the first half, worked fine until about 4 minutes in the second half when it kept cutting out.

That could be a problem in the future when games are closer.  Great job F&M!

[r.w. mcnickels]

F&M 91, Oneonta State 77

McNally with another terrific game, 26 points and 9 rebounds. Brooks (19), Baker (15) and Driver (12) also in double figures.

A higher-scoring game than I anticipated. Solid win for the Dips, especially with Milligan relegated to the bench for most of the first half with early foul trouble. Now comes a likely matchup on the road against Merchant Marine, a difficult test in the airport hangar tomorrow night.

[crambam]

Don't count Wesley out.  29-28 Wesley at the half.  The video is completely down.

[docmarc]

The video has been awful. 

Glad to hear Pat Coleman has a fan in that head commentator.

Game close 64-61 MM

[Reserved Seat]

Great game at Kings Point
Solid team effort.
Everyone was on the same page and hustled.
Driver played extremely well.
McNally played like a league POY.
Foul shooting reasonable.
Merchant Marines seemed very poised and ran their offense on every possession.
Not much height for MM.