MBB: Centennial Conference

[r.w. mcnickels]

As to your information on the Dips' early season schedule, I think a tough slate pre-holidays is a dangerous "double-edged sword". I don't really see the upside to any potential early-season losses and, with the exception of the St. Mary's game, any potential early-season wins won't even count as in-region wins. Quite frankly, I am a proponent of the way F&M has designed its early-season schedule in recent years. This is because, I think those games are best designed to get "rid of the rust"; to build team chemistry; to develop the expected standard substitution rotation; and to get the freshman recruits acclimated to F&M's way of doing things. Feel free to disagree with me.

Hello, Eric. I see what you are saying, but I think the other approach would make the team stronger -- that's why I said I was pleased with this year's schedule. Road trips to St. Mary's and St. Louis are great to see, in my opinion.

On an annual basis, my ideal schedule for F&M would include getting rid of one of the two home tournaments (let's say the new year tourney) and filling those dates with a trip to a D-III power. Maybe a New England trip to play Williams and Amherst, with the teams playing in Mayser the following year. Or a trip to Ohio to play Wittenberg and Wooster. Even better, a trip to play IWU or any of the traditional powers in the midwest. This is the kind of approach the F&M women's lacrosse team has taken, and it helped them win two national titles.

The Dips did fare extremely well on the road in NCAAs last year despite a rather unimpressive non-conference schedule. The CC prepared them well, and I also think that particular group of players thrived on the road. Still, I think the program should schedule more difficult road tests in non-conference play. That's why I like this year's schedule (what little of it is actually posted now).

Well, the Centennial forces it to. Otherwise ...

This is the mindset of many people with regard to F&M's schedule. Which is why it's nice to see something different this year...

[Pat Coleman]

As to your information on the Dips' early season schedule, I think a tough slate pre-holidays is a dangerous "double-edged sword". I don't really see the upside to any potential early-season losses and, with the exception of the St. Mary's game, any potential early-season wins won't even count as in-region wins. Quite frankly, I am a proponent of the way F&M has designed its early-season schedule in recent years. This is because, I think those games are best designed to get "rid of the rust"; to build team chemistry; to develop the expected standard substitution rotation; and to get the freshman recruits acclimated to F&M's way of doing things. Feel free to disagree with me.

Hello, Eric. I see what you are saying, but I think the other approach would make the team stronger -- that's why I said I was pleased with this year's schedule. Road trips to St. Mary's and St. Louis are great to see, in my opinion.

On an annual basis, my ideal schedule for F&M would include getting rid of one of the two home tournaments (let's say the new year tourney) and filling those dates with a trip to a D-III power. Maybe a New England trip to play Williams and Amherst, with the teams playing in Mayser the following year. Or a trip to Ohio to play Wittenberg and Wooster. Even better, a trip to play IWU or any of the traditional powers in the midwest. This is the kind of approach the F&M women's lacrosse team has taken, and it helped them win two national titles.

The Dips did fare extremely well on the road in NCAAs last year despite a rather unimpressive non-conference schedule. The CC prepared them well, and I also think that particular group of players thrived on the road. Still, I think the program should schedule more difficult road tests in non-conference play. That's why I like this year's schedule (what little of it is actually posted now).

ODAC schools are relatively close-by too, and would make for a good test.

[diplomaniac1]

Pat -

Thanks for the information on the Dips' partial schedule.

Eric

[Gabriel]

Eric,

I disagree with you.  Who becomes the better ball player, the kid who plays on the playgrounds with the older/better players or the kid who plays with the little kids?  McNally is an example.  Play the best, learn something and become a better team, I think  that is the way to go.

Ursinus plays as many of the best teams from the best schools as they can schedule.  They have played at least one NESCAC school in recent years.  In 2008, they played four all on the road---beating Trinity and Middlebury while losing to Williams and (ugh) Amherst without a healthy Shattuck.  The Bears won two of four.  This year we hope they will play Wesleyan in their tourney.  Both teams have to get by their first round opponents.   It is tough to schedule NESCAC schools as they prefer not to travel that far by bus therefore it seems to be almost impossible to get a home and home series going.  As Pat says, there are plenty of quality DIII programs in eastern PA, Delaware and MD that will suffice as worthy opponents.

As to your information on the Dips' early season schedule, I think a tough slate pre-holidays is a dangerous "double-edged sword". I don't really see the upside to any potential early-season losses and, with the exception of the St. Mary's game, any potential early-season wins won't even count as in-region wins. Quite frankly, I am a proponent of the way F&M has designed its early-season schedule in recent years. This is because, I think those games are best designed to get "rid of the rust"; to build team chemistry; to develop the expected standard substitution rotation; and to get the freshman recruits acclimated to F&M's way of doing things. Feel free to disagree with me.

Hello, Eric. I see what you are saying, but I think the other approach would make the team stronger -- that's why I said I was pleased with this year's schedule. Road trips to St. Mary's and St. Louis are great to see, in my opinion.

On an annual basis, my ideal schedule for F&M would include getting rid of one of the two home tournaments (let's say the new year tourney) and filling those dates with a trip to a D-III power. Maybe a New England trip to play Williams and Amherst, with the teams playing in Mayser the following year. Or a trip to Ohio to play Wittenberg and Wooster. Even better, a trip to play IWU or any of the traditional powers in the midwest. This is the kind of approach the F&M women's lacrosse team has taken, and it helped them win two national titles.

The Dips did fare extremely well on the road in NCAAs last year despite a rather unimpressive non-conference schedule. The CC prepared them well, and I also think that particular group of players thrived on the road. Still, I think the program should schedule more difficult road tests in non-conference play. That's why I like this year's schedule (what little of it is actually posted now).

Well, the Centennial forces it to. Otherwise ...

This is the mindset of many people with regard to F&M's schedule. Which is why it's nice to see something different this year...

[crambam]

Any news on the F&M recruits?  Curious how the incoming freshmen look.

[Gabriel]

Any news on the F&M recruits?  Curious how the incoming freshmen look.

Dips fans may be disappointed with the news.  Perhaps Chris Rogers was more valuable than given credit for

[Reserved Seat]

F&M has historically withheld naming new recruits until they actually show up for practice.  Several years ago F&M had a player from Texas who got homesick before the season began.  Several potential recruits weren't accepted by admissions this year.  That's the only rumors circulating on campus.  F&M is currently playing overseas, but should be back on campus soon.
F&M is scheduled to play 2 games in St. Louis during the first week of December.

[Reserved Seat]

This weekend sees City of Edinburgh Kings and Clark Eriksson Fury play host to Franklin and Marshall College.

[Reserved Seat]

F&M 78 Edinburgh Kings 66
F&M 82 Falkirk Fury 60

[diplomaniac1]

Fellow Diplomat Fans -

The Athletic Department has finally posted the Diplomats' schedule on its webpage. All of the dates are there, but some of the slots (three tourney games to be exact) still need to be filled in with actual opponents. The following is the link to the schedule. Enjoy.

Have a great week. Regards to all.

http://www.godiplomats.com/sports/m-baskbl/2010-11/schedule

Eric

[Warren Thompson]

Fellow Diplomat Fans -

The Athletic Department has finally posted the Diplomats' schedule on its webpage. All of the dates are there, but some of the slots (three tourney games to be exact) still need to be filled in with actual opponents. The following is the link to the schedule. Enjoy.

Have a great week. Regards to all.

http://www.godiplomats.com/sports/m-baskbl/2010-11/schedule

Eric

I note there's no Dips v. LVC this season. Has the long-standing rivalry outlived its usefulness?

[diplomaniac1]

Warren -

I certainly hope not! I always enjoyed my trip to Annville despite the rowdy fans in the old bandbox. Perhaps, they will show up in a to be determined holiday tournament game. I do not know why LVC is not on the schedule this year. If I had to make a guess, I would say the games at Washington University in Saint Louis tooks its place for this year only. Regards,

Eric

[Gabriel]

Ursinus is not playing LVC this year either after a run of many years.  My understanding is that LVC chose to take a break from the Centennial Conference.

[diplomaniac1]

Folks -

The following is a link to some interesting reading regarding Lincoln University Atheletics, formerly of Division III:

//http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2010/09/15/sports/srv0000009392323.txt

Regards to all.

Eric

[Reserved Seat]

I didn't see the actual article.  This list was sent to me.  Has anyone seen the article?

Here is the Sporting News preseason Top 10...

1. UW-Stevens Point
2. Franklin & Marshall
3. Randolph-Macon
4. Wooster
5. St. Norbert
6. Eastern Mennonite
7. Williams
8. UW-Whitewater
9. St. Mary's (Md)
10. Virginia Wesleyan