MBB: Centennial Conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Just got back from the games.  F & M is way better than I thought.  They are big and strong and deep and Milligan is the best guard I've seen all year.

The game was a bit rough and the refs messed up the second half pretty royally, but Amherst had a legit chance in the end and they didn't do it.  Milligan hit some timely shots and F & M deservedly took it home.

I don't see them having any trouble with MIT tomorrow.

[old_hooper]

Congratulations to F & M.  Great game plan and effort.  GM was terrific!  Was very impressed with Early stepping up like he did in a big game.  Defense  made it very difficult for Amherst to get players involved that needed too.  Well deserved win and proved the Dips were the better team tonight.  With another effort on defense against MIT like tonight and pounding it inside on offense, I will give the edge to F & M for a trip to Salem.

[onetinsoldier]

once again, one tin soldier has delivered a prediction as strong as a billy jack roundhouse kick to the face.  i had a feeling i would set the line at f&m -4 and still wouldve won.  The defensive intensity is amazing.  that said, i believed there was one team at the beginning of this tournament that really should scare F&M fans.  its a team that not only plays great defense, but also can shoot out the lights.  that team is MIT.  tomorrow should be intense

its weird, but i see this going the way of either of 2 previous f&m elite eight games.  either they blow them out like Wilkes in 96, or defensive intensity is too much like Amh in 04.  cannot wait. 

[Reserved Seat]

If I do show up, I'd love to meet other posters.  I'll be the only guy in the building with an Eastern Nazarene College t-shirt on.

I walked around the court twice before the first game, but was unable to locate your shirt.  Talked with several MIT fans who were discussing their point guard.  Based on what they said before the game, he must have had one of the worse games of his career.
After watching MIT only once this year(last night), I pick F&M to win tonight since they played a more balanced game and have more depth.  MIT rode their starting 5 hard in a game that was an obvious victory early. F&M's continued lack of a three-point game and bad fouls shooting could be problem, if MIT nails their 3's like last night.

[r.w. mcnickels]

What a win for the Dips, getting rid of the Amherst ghosts. It was as great an atmosphere as you'll see in college hoops. Milligan's clutch performance has to go down as one of the best in F&M history.

MIT looked very impressive. I agree with Reserved Seat that F&M's continued lack of a 3-point game could hurt them. So could missing free throws. The Dips seemed to leave it all on the court last night, and I don't know how that will affect them against MIT, since the Engineers had a relatively easy win.

njf1003, I hope you and your friends are re-arranging some flights to stay for the Elite 8.

[crambam]

That's my fear too.

The only way to beat MIT is to play as well and with the same kind of mission that got them by Amherst.  I'm really hoping they aren't like the 2003 Yankees, who in the ALCS, threw everything they had against the Red Sox, beat them in dramatic fashion, only to lose to a lesser team in the World Series because they just nothing left.

I have waited a long time to beat Amherst.  I would hate to see it end tonight against a team that is obviously capable of blowing anyone out on any night.

MIT is good.  To go to Salem, F&M is going to have to be great.  I'll be there tonight.

[Gabriel]

F&M was very good last night.  Amherst did not play well but maybe because of the defense.  Milligan was sensational.  Kudos to the broadcast team, the video was great and the commentary relatively unbiased.  Good job to the F&M crew---plus DMac.

[oftdip]

Dips will need more than Georgio tonight... My personal wishlist for tonight's clash is pretty simple: 1- please have refs that are not present residents of a Senior-living center; 2 - let the boys play - MIT looked very athletic as are the Dips - let them play!; packed house - students got free food again today - one more home game!; and finally, get Georgio one more trip to Salem - he deserves it!!! Let the Mayser Madness continue!!!

[diehardfan]

Will there be any issues getting a ticket tonight? My guys are officially out so I won't be as torn about whether to stay home and watch my own team on a grainy internet broadcast and enjoying the thrill of a playoff game in person like I was last weekend.

[oftdip]

Probably not - CoSI fans went home and that was a good size group that traveled south... I am hoping the students stay one more night - free food today on campus - I'd get there by 6:15 to be safe and get a seat too...

[D.B. Cooper]

Some thoughts. When Georgio (he was the point guard the team needed desperately) came on the team 3 years ago he was given a talented team (McNally, Baker & Brooks) & I had hoped he would lead us to some Final 4's & the elusive Title game. No matter what else happens they took care of a ghost from the past yesterday that was appreciated greatly. If he leads this otherwise young & deep team back he will have to go down as at least the co-greatest Dip player ever. My other favorites for the honor were Donny Marsh (NBA/CBA caliber star) & Chris Finch (potential Houston Rocket head coach in waiting).

As a matter for concern MIT shot it lights out from behind the arc (seemed like 90% at half & 60% for the game against CSI), with their discipline & size are a formidable opponent. On the other hand they only seemed to go only 5-6 deep & tended to kick the ball aroung when CSI applied the press. If the Dips could beat this tough squad and make the FF (by beating the #2 & #3 teams) to face Scranton/Cabrini victor it would be the greatest since 1991 E8 victory over defending national champ Rochester in OT secondary to heroics by Will Lasky.

Go Dips Go. Don't look back because something might be gaining on you.

[njf1003]

What a win for the Dips, getting rid of the Amherst ghosts. It was as great an atmosphere as you'll see in college hoops. Milligan's clutch performance has to go down as one of the best in F&M history.

MIT looked very impressive. I agree with Reserved Seat that F&M's continued lack of a 3-point game could hurt them. So could missing free throws. The Dips seemed to leave it all on the court last night, and I don't know how that will affect them against MIT, since the Engineers had a relatively easy win.

njf1003, I hope you and your friends are re-arranging some flights to stay for the Elite 8.

I didn't re-arrange flights! (as I sit in PHL waiting to head home)
There should be a good number of students but probably not as many as yesterday.

[diplomatjunkie]

Congratulations Diplomats!  I am pumped at last night's win. I want them to beat MIT, since this will be the first time in 24 years of following the team I can go to the Final Four.

I am worrried about MIT's size. But, I have faith in F & M's lock down D.

[diplomaniac1]

Great atmosphere last night with a nearly full house. Congrats to the Diplomats.

My pick for tonight is Franklin And Marshall over MIT.

Should be a good game and a close one at that!

Go Diplomats! Let's get back to Salem.

Eric

[Hugenerd]

If If the Dips could beat this tough squad and make the FF (by beating the #2 & #3 teams) to face Scranton/Cabrini victor...

Scranton and Cabrini are on the other side of the bracket, tonights winner gets the winner of VWU and UWW.