MBB: Centennial Conference

[docmarc]

I put the line at MM -3 tonight.  F&M will need to be less sloppy and hit their free throws and outside shots against the zone.  F&M's defense was solid- how to defend the 3 is the question. 

[r.w. mcnickels]

F&M 73, Merchant Marine 64

Dips advance to the Sweet 16 with an impressive road win in Kings Point. McNally leads the way with 19 points and 13 boards. Difference appears to be on the glass (46-33 rebounding advantage for F&M) and field goal percentage (45.6% to 35.9%). A solid win for the conference against the Landmark's best.

St. Mary's awaits in the next round, likely in Maryland. Should be an excellent rematch of the early-season game.

[crambam]

This game should NOT be in Maryland.  Head to head, F&M and St. Mary's played, and F&M won.  From what I hear, St. Mary's gym isn't that great either.

[donho]

 Thats fine! Bring your team down to Virginia then, we would like very much to have you all visit us here in Ashland. It is about more then one game crambam. And St.Marys is central for all 4 teams. I believe that is what the NCAA looks at.

[stamolpid]

But what about hotel facilities?  Have you seen where St. Mary's is located???

[donho]

 I travel that area very often. Yes I know where it is. Plus I doubt very much if the teams that played there this weekend camped out!

[docmarc]

Don ho enjoy your roadtrip up north.  Can't wait to play you in the elite 8

[docmarc]

Thanks to mm for being a pain in the butt to get to. And thanks to the ad for yelling at FM fans.  Good job by Pat Coleman who properly predicted that mm would be the disappointment of the tournament

[donho]

 docmarc, no trouble for me. I will take the week off if that is the case and visit with family. I was born in lancaster and lived there for 30 years. Owned a house on Nevin street like two blocks from F+M campus.
Would be very nice to see you in the elite eight.

[D.B. Cooper]

Elite 8 Appearances:
1979: F&M wins over Jersey City State (Lancaster)
1989: F&M loses to So. Maine (Gorham, Me)
1991: F&M wins over Rochester (Lancaster)
1992: F&M loses to Rochester (Rochester, NY)
1996: F&M wins over Wilkes (Lancaster)
2000: F&M wins over Catholic (Wayne, NJ)
2004: F&M loses to Amherst (Lancaster)
2009: F&M wins over DeSales (Lancaster)

I have been fortunate to see all these E8 games starting when I was an undergrad student watching Donny Marsh, Manaskie, Westley, Worley & Anderson lead the Dips to their 1st FF.
If F&M were able to beat St. Mary's in a contest which will surely be hosted by St. Mary's (MD) it could be my longest most remote trek ever to keep my E8 streak intact. It apparently would take me 5-5.5 hours from where I sit in NE Pennsylvania. Unfortunately either St. Mary's or VA Wesleyan as hosts, were going to remove me from seeing the Sweet 16 round in person, but theoretically the E8 game still exists.

[Pat Coleman]

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? 

You should think about reading more closely, Doc.

1) We didn't do predictions in 2000.
2) In 2004 I predicted F&M to the Final Four.
3) I responded to Lusty. Get it together -- you should be better than that.

I haven't seen F&M in person since I moved away from the east coast in 2008. Other than the Final Four last year, of course.

[r.w. mcnickels]

This game should NOT be in Maryland.  Head to head, F&M and St. Mary's played, and F&M won.

Yes, but the Dips couldn't take care of business against other teams. As D.B. said earlier, that loss to Hopkins wasn't so "meaningless." The regional rankings are what matter:

1.   St. Mary's (Md.)
2.   Albright
3.   Cabrini
4.   Franklin and Marshall   

I think revenue potential does play a role in the decision in some cases, but regional ranking determines a lot. I guess we'll find out in a few hours.

[crambam]

DB--they played head to head.  Mano a mano.  F&M won.  They are both in the same spot--Sweet 16.  The point differential in F&M's losses were minimal, and they BEAT St. Mary's. 

[D.B. Cooper]

Crambam, I wish it would be at Mayser. But based on how they view F&M this year, they apparently refuse to consider head to head because its a "secondary criteria" & I suspect will only consider the higher Regional Ranking & the more central location (if St. Mary's is central to anything). Hosting spot is long gone to Maryland, I know how this works. The team can possibly overcome it, but it may stop me from attending even may break my E8 perfect attendance record. Perhaps if Clark had beaten RMC then a consideration for Lancaster hosting, but as it stands it the longest of long shots.

About the games in King's Point, they were entertaining. The feverish adrenaline rushed charges back & forth between Dips & Mariners were superb. F&M's better depth perhaps a key. I agree that I saw no inappropriate behavior by any fans & cannot believe an AD actually said something to anybody.

[godips04]

For those of us who could not make it up to NY, can someone say what the AD said?  Also how many F&M fans were there?