MBB: Centennial Conference

[ronk]

 2nd tiebreaker is usually better head-to-head with team starting at top and going to bottom until tie is broken.

[onetinsoldier]

2nd tiebreaker is usually better head-to-head with team starting at top and going to bottom until tie is broken.

thanks Ronk, thats what i thought!  That said it still looks good for F&M as long as they split these two road games.  At that point they would need to just hold their undefeated home record to get the title games in Mayser

[cocoh2oDad]

Seems that some "commentators" on here understand and grasp the game and others just seem to have personal agendas towards specific young men and don't get it, or even seem to have a clue at times. I don't at all understand the dissection and negative focus on individual players when there are approx 150 players in this conference. Comments about Ward from Ursinus from one such person on here, such as, "there was some D1 talk which I did'nt quite understand", and "his shooting percentage is high but that is because he does not take alot of difficult, contested shots" clearly shows  his curious, personal biased and lack of understanding about this game and the Ursinus situation in general. Don't know the agenda he carries but understand this. Options to play on other , higher levels MUST have been understood by some on those levels because he had choices there. What it came down to was academics and playing time which with most intelligent, well rounded student players at this level is a common dilemma and choice based on what you are looking to get out of a college education. As far as the second comment he spewed that I quoted, why then was it that up until this season Ward was near the top if not leading in fouls commited against, foul shots attempted and made all three years, (stated on here before by me). Don't seem to know how you get fouled without being contested? So please when that gem of a response forms in your gray matter then travels to your lips I await with anticipation and wonderment. As for those that seem to understand what goes on behind the scenes despite the obvious stats everyone focuses on, its good to hear from those that see and understand it. Gabriel and Hoop Guru specifically. His early seasons with Ursinus, especially freshman and sophmore year with Cousart and Hilton, they were more capable and understanding of getting him his looks and shots when there and also on the break, which no big or even guard ran or runs the floor better when given the opportunity, then or now. His dunks on the break the first two years showed that. On the point of some of the comments on him lacking as a physical player, no question he has been more of a finesse athletic type player during his career, his basketball body type has helped force that. The issue, this year especially as you stated HG is not getting the looks inside at the right time when you bust your ass,(or "carve out your space"), as a Big to seal or position yourself. Gabriel despite your opinion on the forwards that "don't seem to do these things well or at all" I loudly beg to differ. Ward indeed does these things every night, his banged up body tells him that post game. If you played as a big you have to know, if you wait that split second to make that entry down low, turnovers or no looks rule and that's been the case most nights for sure with the Bears this year. I said it before here, how can you have the shooting percentage leader for 4 years, IN THE CONFERENCE, be 4th on the current team in average shots taken per game. You will not and can not win with that floor formula. Gabriel touched on a point also regarding teams packing the defense down low forcing the Bears to beat you from outside. No one has been or is defended HARDER in the paint then Ward in the conference. He is doubled down on, at minimum, every game, especially the last two years. The opposing Bigs, which most teams have 2 to 3 to rotate in and out have 15 fouls to give and they use them, watch the games. Then also as stated earlier, the fouls committed against, foul shots taken and made support and back that up. The team has dissapointed this year no question, answers why differ but one for sure that is evident is the inconsistency, energy, heart from night to night and even half to half. The Saturday game in Gettysburg a perfect example. The first half it was a 2 point game and they played with all the emotions mentioned, the second half they came out lacking them all. The coaches, players and supporters are beyond frustrated and disappointed in this year. A floor/locker room leader or two would definitely be a partial solution and is needed on this team but as a player if you are'nt comfortable, settled and understanding of your role as a player on a team its tough to wear that leadership jersey. Last and most important here HG you also touched on Ward's focus, which is and always has been academics. No one is a more dedicated, harder working student athlete in the conference. His academic record and recognitions have spoken for themselves and continue to do so. Yes, he did spend the summer in Paris, working, studying and researching all involving his major. He had no time to work on his game during the summer so yes that had to hurt him for this year. But understanding what you want out of a college education and need to focus on to best set up your future seems to be a bigger and more intelligent priority when forced to make a choice, which some are in the CC. The choice to attend and study at Ursinus and play in "your" Centennial Conference, (as you put it CF), when presented with his Division I, II and III options came down to academics first and foremost then ball. He could'nt be happier with his choice and the future he is setting up for himself. So, I know, are his very proud parents.             

[onetinsoldier]

Coaching might have a lot to do with the Ursinus situation.  Whenever you have a situation where top players come in, yet the team struggles for victories, it usually falls on the staff

[cocoh2oDad]

OTS, agree, that possibly seems to be a part of the problem also.

[centfan]

for coco,
firstly, the beauty of this board is that everyone is allowed their opinions and everyone loves college basketball, particularly D3. it's not necessary, nor appropriate, to denegrate anyone's basketball knowledge simply because you may disagree. i feel that you are unnecessarily rude, as your karma points indicate. everyone hear voices their honest opinions and cares about the game and should not be disrespected...disagreed with, yes, but not disrespected. my opinion remains that i do not see ward as a D1 player regardless of any interest that may have existed at some point in high school. (i don't believe he could have played on that level, even if he could have gotten on a team, and i would include the ivy league.) I included my comment about not understanding the idea of D1 interest not due to a "personal agenda" but because i think it added to unreasonable expectations of ward when he came into the conference (as if he were a D1 quality player playing in D3.) As far as his shots being difficult, most of his shots are layups (not difficult shots). Many of the fouls committed against him are because he is shooting a layup and they want to make him earn it on the line, or because he gets doubled at times and there is contact due to traffic. Getting to the foul line does not at all indicate that the shot attempted was difficult. You say that there is no more committed and harder working student athlete, no one is defended harder, no one runs the floor like him, etc...and you accuse me of bias! I know it is hard (for some more than others), as a parent of an athlete, to see your son's game objectively, and I can understand your desire to protect your child. Yet, despite your objections, most of the comments on this board (including my own), are within reason whether you like them or not.

[cocoh2oDad]

For CF, .No denegration taking place here, as you talk about the "beauty" of these boards, my words are indeed simply my opinion. If you take my passion for ball and sports in general and my opinions as personal attacks on you, so be it, thats your opinion also. Anyone may go back, as I've stated before, and read my posts including those regarding you and your previous "opinions". I find it very humorous for one such as you,(who has "challenged" me like a 13 year old junior high school student more than once to satisfy some sort of inferiority complex you seem to have regarding your own playing career), to characterize me with all these wonderful adjectives. My opinions and comments stand from previous posts. Regarding seeing my sons game objectively,please, you don't know me from Adam. I have played sports my entire life and anyone that does know me understands I don't blow smoke up anyone's ass to keep anyone happy, especially my son.




My opinions on my sons game are more than two sided as my son can testify. Are there other players who work as hard, are defended as hard, who study as hard, I'm sure there are. I've never said otherwise. You comment on him, his game, and his ability, personally, as if you have been in the stands, seen every play, and every shot, of every game. You also comment on his ability to play on other levels as if you are capable of determining that for any D1 program. What is the purpose of these

statements to make here and to point this out as personally as you do with him when you do that with no other player in the conference. What do you think any parent is going to do. Sit back while some commentator on a basketball forum hides behind a keyboard spewing his " "unbiased opinions". Bulls__ t!! You want to continue opening your pie hole deal with the responses.





       

[Charles]

For CF, .No denegration taking place here, as you talk about the "beauty" of these boards, my words are indeed simply my opinion. If you take my passion for ball and sports in general and my opinions as personal attacks on you, so be it, thats your opinion also. Anyone may go back, as I've stated before, and read my posts including those regarding you and your previous "opinions". I find it very humorous for one such as you,(who has "challenged" me like a 13 year old junior high school student more than once to satisfy some sort of inferiority complex you seem to have regarding your own playing career), to characterize me with all these wonderful adjectives. My opinions and comments stand from previous posts. Regarding seeing my sons game objectively,please, you don't know me from Adam. I have played sports my entire life and anyone that does know me understands I don't blow smoke up anyone's ass to keep anyone happy, especially my son.






My opinions on my sons game are more than two sided as my son can testify. Are there other players who work as hard, are defended as hard, who study as hard, I'm sure there are. I've never said otherwise. You comment on him, his game, and his ability, personally, as if you have been in the stands, seen every play, and every shot, of every game. You also comment on his ability to play on other levels as if you are capable of determining that for any D1 program. What is the purpose of these

statements to make here and to point this out as personally as you do with him when you do that with no other player in the conference. What do you think any parent is going to do. Sit back while some commentator on a basketball forum hides behind a keyboard spewing his " "unbiased opinions". Bulls__ t!! You want to continue opening your pie hole deal with the responses.





     

In my experiences with the press, it is best to just ignore what people write. If you get upset or get all puffed out it makes the xperience less fun for you and your child. Nobody likes bad press, sure, but as parents we need to try to ignore the minutia . Just enjoy that your son has landed at a great school, is enjoying his experience, is getting a great education, likes his team mates and is happy.

[cocoh2oDad]

Thanks Charles, I truly appreciate that advice. Its hard at times to ignore certain things on here and elsewhere in the press at times . It's not like these young men are getting paid to do this, they simply love the game. It's ironic you give me this advice,my son himself and others close to us have told me to not read this stuff that it only will tick me off. Easier said then done I guess. Thanks again, enjoy Tuesday!

[onetinsoldier]

I do not want to add fuel to this fire, but i have trouble believing there arent at least a handful of players in the Centennial that could play at the D1 level.  Recruiting and college selection isnt an exact science based on a player's ability, athletics is just part of the equation.  Once on campus, a lot of it comes down to coaching, training staffs, etc.  Hayk most certainly could crack a 7/8 man rotation in the MAAC, MAC and maybe even colonial.  I havent seen enough of Ward to make that assessment, but i wouldnt be surprised to hear he received D1 attention (there are 330+ schools in D1, and a ton in the Northeast). 

And i have watched enough of Seton Hall this year to know that even the big conferences have players at the low end that have no right playing major conference basketball.  Its all relative.

[centfan]

coco,
once again i will say, as proven by your most recent post again, that your "opinion" comes with hostility and anger which really is unnecessary. you don't know me from adam either, and i have played sports my entire life also...so what? but people who haven't played sports are allowed an opinion in this world also. most fans have probably never played yet they learn the game, follow the game and, most importantly, love the game. recently your son's game has been talked about by many on this board in a critical manner. you choose to take shots at me because i am one of the few who has called you on your nonsense and we have disagreed often in the past. none of my comments about your son's game are personal, or unreasonable...it's just basketball. i only talk about the way that he plays (and i have seen it many times, in the stands, over the last 4 years that he has been in college).people into basketball talk about a player's "game" all the time. unfortunately, you personalize it and lash back (generally at me).you are sweet to those that agree with you and rather disrespectful with those that don't. your behavior on this board does not do your son justice. he seems like a mild mannered young man. sit back and enjoy the few games he has left and stay positive. peace.

[welldusted]

Hello all. New to the board; (very) old to the league.   I think the time has arrived for the Administrator to set up a separate "Ursinus Recriminations" board where Ursinus fans can go to yell at each other and leave the rest of us in peace.  While that is being done, lets talk about who will host the playoffs.  I think F&M still has the inside track on hosting.  Dickinson plays 3 of their last 4 games on the road against winning teams (Muhlenberg, Gettysburg, and F&M) and altho they are playing well lately that is asking a lot.  The X factor is Hopkins, which is only one game behind the 2 leaders and has to play F&M at Mayser, but their 3 other games are against teams with losing records: Washington, McDaniel, and (sorry guys) Ursinus.  But F&M is still in the best position. They end their season at home against Hopkins and Dickinson, so if they defend home court, they should host. 

[cocoh2oDad]

Sorry welldusted, I will end my "conversation" on this forum defending my son. I've stated enough on here to make my points. As I also stated to Charles, if you have ever been a father, hearing the personal dissection of your son or daughter on a forum that requires no responsibility for your "opinions" such as this commentator has continued to spew and hide behind, it's not possible to stay silent. If that has bored anyone, sorry. You and anyone else would concur if in my shoes. As Charles suggested from here on out I will ignore the minutia and enjoy the rest of the season. May the rest of you do the same. Go Bears!   

[onetinsoldier]

Really fun conference race shaping up, and it starts tonight!

[centfan]

as usual it all gets decided in the last few games. the conference seems split in 2 at this point...a top and bottom. despite their season, i think F&M still has the strongest bodies and most athletes out there, and other teams play more together and in more control (dickinson, gettysburg, hopkins)