MBB: Centennial Conference

[D.B. Cooper]

A positive note on a Lancaster newspaper article about F&M great Chris Finch. Article link is left below.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/803376_Franklin---Marshall-grad-Finch-building-for-the-future.html

[mailsy]

A positive note on a Lancaster newspaper article about F&M great Chris Finch. Article link is left below.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/803376_Franklin---Marshall-grad-Finch-building-for-the-future.html

Thanks for sharing that +1.

[Gabriel]

http://www.ursinusathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20130110oyn9o2

A good article on Ursinus Assistant Coach Dennis Stanton and his coming induction into the Philadelphia Small College Basketball Hall of Fame.  Dennis has never been one to talk about himself.  In fact, Mark Wonderling---a current freshman starter for the Bears played for Dennis for two years in high school.  Neither he nor his parents knew anything about Dennis' accomplishments nor did they know that Dennis' #20 has been retired and hangs from the rafters until fans pointed it out.
A terrific young man who still holds some CC and Ursinus records.

[onetinsoldier]

http://www.ursinusathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20130110oyn9o2

A good article on Ursinus Assistant Coach Dennis Stanton and his coming induction into the Philadelphia Small College Basketball Hall of Fame.  Dennis has never been one to talk about himself.  In fact, Mark Wonderling---a current freshman starter for the Bears played for Dennis for two years in high school.  Neither he nor his parents knew anything about Dennis' accomplishments nor did they know that Dennis' #20 has been retired and hangs from the rafters until fans pointed it out.
A terrific young man who still holds some CC and Ursinus records.

Are we really almost at the tenth anniversary of the FM/Ursinus title game where Stanton hit the tying shot at the buzzer?  I've never been to another sporting event with that passion and energy.  Even though F&M lost, those two hours defined the greatness of sports.  I've been to professional game 7s that didnt match the electricity in the gym that day.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I think I was on the call of that game... it was a great atmosphere and a terrific game.

[diplomatjunkie]

Wow!  Tough game for F & M in double OT.  I think it was Morgan Lee that saved the night!

[Reserved Seat]

Exciting game in Baltimore.  Double overtime.  Balanced scoring by both teams.  Both teams almost had five players each with double figures in scoring.
F&M  had Porter with 18, Lee with 17, Early with 14, Gyokchyn with 13, and Salandra with 8.  F&M lead the rebounding with a 40-25 margin. Three point shooting by Hopkins almost sank F&M.  Hopkins 6-8  F&M 0-11
Brewer was in foul trouble most of the game and was unavailable for overtime after fouling out, having only played 24 minutes.  Phelps came off the bench to play 20 minutes as Rogo and Figueroa sat on the bench in dress clothes due to injuries.
Lee came up big in overtime.

[diplomatjunkie]

What happened to Figueroa?  Will he be back soon?

[centfan]

Gabriel
I agree about Dennis Stanton...great person, player and example for the student athletes. I met him at a summer camp for kids in Delaware called Sports Challenge years ago where he and McGarvey were working with young athletes.

[Reserved Seat]

The only information I could get on Figueroa was that the injury is to the knee--no time frame given.

Update--sore shins- day-to-day

[diplomatjunkie]

Looked like an easy win for F & M today.  Nice free throw shooting today by the Dips today!  Morgan Lee is developing into a key player.  I am making a starter prediction for next year. 

[centfan]

Swat playing well but losing several close games. Ursinus struggled to beat them in overtime and did so on the continued strong play of their freshman Malik Draper. Gates went off for 30 plus. Lots of fouling and sloppy defensive play. Swat is better than their record. They can't seem to close out games. They play hard and compete in most games.
Hopkins continues to prove that defense wins games.

[HoopGuru]

Just wanted to take the time to introduce myself to the boards.  Been trying to get on here for awhile and was able to finally figure it out and get approved.  Played at Ursinus earlier 2000's and still follow the Bears and Centennial Conference closely. Like to say Congrats to Coach Small getting #200 on Saturday vs. Swarthmore...well deserved!!!  Also, a key win for Ursinus after struggling through some games they probably should have won.  For whatever reason, Swarthmore has given Ursinus problems over the years, even during that final four run the Bears had, if i remember correctly, both games were fairly close.

Not too sure what to think about this years squad.  I don't think they can use the excuse of being young anymore when a majority of the guys have played significant minutes in the past...although it appears there best player this year is Draper who has the freedom to shoot whenever he wants on offense.  I really think they need to start getting more out of Ward inside and he needs to start imposing his will more on teams and demanding the ball inside.  Finally, there team defense must improve if they want to make a run here at the playoffs these last four weeks of the season.  Have to win all the home games and steal some others on the road...Usually the key to making the Centennial Playoffs each year.

Again, Glad to be on the boards....GO BEARS!!!

[centfan]

Hoopguru,
Welcome. I think the Bears have to play much better defense to win. Most teams are not loaded with offense, and I would include Ursinus in that. A few years ago Dickinson got much better by playing fundamentally more sound and by playing harder and together. Hopkins has done that and F&M is defensively oriented as well. Gettysburg is also playing better now as a team with Zurn as their solid leader. Muhlenberg, Ursinus and Haverford don't appear to be tight as a team, despite their different records. Mules rely on Killing too much to bail them out and Bears have started to rely on Draper. I also agree that the Bears need more from Ward. I think he needs more touches and needs to take more shots. The Bears have some of the best size in the conference and should be dominating more down low. As always, a couple of playoff spots are still up for grabs in the CC.

[cocoh2oDad]

HoopGuru,
On the mark with your thoughts on the team, defense is very spotty and that is killing them in all these close losses, obvious with the Sat. win 95 to 90, (a defensive struggle).... And as far as Ward imposing his will, in order to do that he needs touches. Up until this year he has led not only the team but the entire conference each of his 3 previous years in shooting %, fouls committed against him and obviously foul shots attempted.. this year he has bounced back and forth between 3rd and 4th in ave. shots taken for the team. How can you have a player leading the conference in shooting % not getting touches, looks and shots.Comments have been made during multiple games by different commentators doing a Ursinus broadcast, asking out loud why aren't they getting him the ball inside. Also, he has been in foul trouble of late and thats a whole other issue to understand only if you have seen each of the Bears games personally this and the previous couple of years so I won't get into at this time... You are correct in accessing Draper, a very nice, talented young man, as the offensive leader right now, who indeed has been given the freedom to shoot at will. But, as an underclassman, you need to at times realize there are other guys on the floor with you that have a bit more college experience, that are indeed there to help this team win also. Should,as always, be a great home stretch to the playoffs. Go Bears!!