MBB: Centennial Conference

[CCHoopster]

F&M held their Blue/White scrimmage yesterday.  It looks like a very young team with a lot of potential.  Eight new members

Whats the team like this year? Have some really solid forwards. Who do you see starting for them?

[CCHoopster]

F&M held their Blue/White scrimmage yesterday.  It looks like a very young team with a lot of potential.  Eight new members

Whats the team like this year? Have some really solid forwards. Who do you see starting for them?

I went to the scrimmage at Messiah Saturday (then stayed for the Messiah Men's Soccer game- nephew plays for Lycoming who Messiah beat for their conference championship. Wow is the soccer team and atmosphere at Messiah absolutely the best ive seen at any D3 sporting event, by far excluding a national championship game).

I'm more of a MAC CWealth than Centennial poster/follower but post in both so hope you are all well here! Franklin and Marshall started 4 freshman and Moune. I believe they were 34, 15 or 13? was a shooter, 1, Moune and another frosh whose number I can not remember. Once things were settled, Messiah was up double digits for 75% of the game. FnM does not  have "ready to play talent" at the PG or wing positions from their freshman. They struggled to stop Messiah in the open court and couldn't guard any of Messiah's sets. Messiah rained 3's from all over, from many different guy's which FnM looked lost trying to defend- Messiah made these all off of set plays. Messiah was up about 15-20 for good part of the second half. Messiah too seemed to rotate in a ton of freshman who brought a ton of energy and frankly seemed really talented and ready to help them. I'm not sure of the CC talent top to bottom outside Dickinson being really good- maybe someone could shed some light for me thanks! I can't imagine them finishing in the top 4 (Stevenson, Alvernia, Widener, Messiah) in the MAC Cwealth. They do have freshman though that will be really talented in another year or two. Moune looked ok. Not special. Morgan Lee did not play which I don't think would of changed things dramatically- guard/wing play is just not there for the DIPS. DIPS seemed to be gassed the last 10 minutes when Messiah was having their way. Messiah seemed in really good shape as they ran for the whole game.

Just a thought. Enjoy this weekend everyone and best of luck to all student athletes in the CC. Safe travels!

[DipsWin13]

Tis the season for team previews!  Here are the ones for the schools that have put them up thus far:

F&M: http://www.godiplomats.com/sports/m-baskbl/2014-15/releases/20141112npg0h9
Muhlenberg: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/athletics/men/basketball/2014review.html
Dicksinson (video intros): http://dickinsonathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/20141111bzqd6p
Washington College: http://www.washingtoncollegesports.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/20141105awufja

[DipsWin13]

Conference pre-season poll is out! 

1-Dickinson (11) 155 points
2-Johns Hopkins (8) 149
3-Franklin & Marshall (1) 117
4-Muhlenberg 106
5-McDaniel 101
6-Gettysburg 98
7-Ursinus 53
8-Swarthmore 52
9-Washington College 38
10-Haverford 31

http://centennial.org/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/11-13-Poll

I'm a little surprised that F&M is 3 and not 4, and that McDaniel is ahead of Gettysburg at the 5 spot, but other than that I'm inclined to agree with just about everything else.  I'm sure there will be some raised eyebrows at Dickinson getting the top spot over JHU, but it feels like the right call to me.

Thoughts?

[Reserved Seat]

F&M was trying to give the freshmen an opportunity to see what they can do.  I only expect maybe 2 of the freshmen to play.  F&M should improve their defense drastically, once they learn how to fit into Robinson's game plan.  Messiah had many opened threes and nailed a high percentage.  I expect to see a different team on Saturday.

[CCHoopster]

F&M was trying to give the freshmen an opportunity to see what they can do.  I only expect maybe 2 of the freshmen to play.  F&M should improve their defense drastically, once they learn how to fit into Robinson's game plan.  Messiah had many opened threes and nailed a high percentage.  I expect to see a different team on Saturday.

The returners did not look very good outside of Moune, who struggled to finish.

[Reserved Seat]

F&M looked like a different team with Morgan Lee back in the line up after sitting out scrimmages with a mild concussion.  With Morgan starting the defense looked much better and F&M dominated the boards and Moune and Lee each had a double double with points and rebounds.  Moune had 16 boards.  Federice showed great court sense despite an off night shooting.  Figuerora came off the bench to had 3 threes and Eggers showed great athleticism.  If he's doesn't get frustrated went taken out to game, he should be great off the bench.  Matthew Tate looked great running the show and is ably backed up by Wright.  Toskovic started but looked a little out of shape.  Owana should improve as the season goes on.

[Reserved Seat]

Federici gave F&M a glimpse of his future potential.  He looks like a solid all around player.  Moune and Lee followed up last night's performance with another significant effort.  New Jersey City was a good challenge for a young team and should do wonders for their confidence.  Tate and Wright gave steady play at the point guard position despite full court pressure most of the game.  Figueroa and Eggers looked good in limited minutes of play, but should be reliable players off the bench especially when they need to play more significant minutes.

[D.B. Cooper]

It looks like CC teams overall are off to a good start. Dickinson, Muhlenberg, JHU, F&M & Mcdaniel all 2-0. Red Devils in particular impressive in crushing the opposition. 

SWAT and Ursinus may be in for tough seasons based on early games.   

After seeing Dips in person I am impressed with the squad. I had already been worried about a <10 win season based on scrimmage reports posted here. It sure seems to me like at least 2 of the freshmen are ready for quality D3 Hoops play. Tate has the promise to be the multi-skilled PG sorely needed since graduation of Georgio the Great. Federici is an outstanding freshman, it would appear he has great court sense and all around solid play but great shooting touch and quick, smooth release should make him a good player now but he has star potential. Old timers may remember Jerome Maiatico in the late 90's as a great freshman offensive threat, I hope Federici can be at least that good. The down side is that the CC top half of teams are experienced and very good, this team could progress and play well and only be in the battle for 4-6th place. However as a positive thought I think the 2008-9 team when Milligan was a freshmen was picked 6-7 in the CC vote and went on to the Final Four.

[Reserved Seat]

Freshmen can really help a team as Milligan showed.  F&M will rely a lot on freshmen and only time will tell.  Sorry to see that Faison quit the team.

[njf1003]

I think this Federici kid might be pretty good. 28 points in his 3rd game!

[Reserved Seat]

Incredible.  Thirteen minutes into the game the outcome looked bleak for F&M as they trailed 15-38.  With little going right in a small, loud, hostile environment , F&M looked destiny to suffer their first lost of the year.  The game was delayed due to F&M's late arrival after running into traffic around Scranton and Wilkes Barre.  F&M came out cold and the Keystone five were on fire raining in threes(8 for the half) and forcing numerous turnovers(13) by the Dips.  Federici staying calm and collected and with Osley entering the game, the Dips warmup and closed the almost unsurmountable deficit by half time.  Federici should be a player to watch for the next 4 years.  Osley added some defensive and quickness to the F&M offense earning himself a start for the second half.  Despite being double-teamed under the basket, Moune controlled the boards.   Morgan played a solid game, despite missing several lay-ups.  Tate struggled in the opening half getting in early foul trouble, but settled down in the second half.  When Wright came into the game, he showed some early jitters under the intense pressure applied by the Keystone defense.  After settling down, he provided adequate ball movement.  Federici is solid shooter and seemed to pick his spot at the key point.  The bench did a fine job of filling in when needed.
A great win on the road against a tough team.  Keystone has some good shooter and play great defense.

[CCD3Basketball]

If there's one thing we've all learned about a Glenn Robinson team, it is to never count them out of any game, no matter how bad the odds look. Federici looks like he could make a big impact, yes, but we'll see if he can keep up his pace once conference play starts. Moune looks poised to have another near double-double season.

As for the rest of the conference, albeit it is VERY early, Dickinson looks to be set for another big offensive year, posting up 90 and 87 in their first 2 games, quite a ways away from home. JHU, McDaniel and Muhlenberg also off to undefeated starts, but another team I have my eye on is the Bullets of Gettysburg. They were very young but still good last year, and with an extra year of development could be poised to make the leap. It will also be interesting to see what Killing can do for the Mules now that a couple of the Mules' key pieces have graduated.

Also, looks like Dave Knox could have a decent post impact down in Chestertown this season for Washington College. Averaged 17 and 10.5 for the opening weekend, including posting 8 and 7 offensive rebounds in his two games, respectively. If he can take the next step and become consistent, and get a little more backup help in the post, the Shoremen could make a little noise if you combine that with the way they take over 30 3's per game

Anyhow, just my two cents a couple of games into the season. So excited now that basketball is back!!!

[Hooper]

Killing will be fine.  Berg installed a new 2 guard offense, so you will be seeing a lot less of the things you have seen the last few years.   He will get his shots, but they will be in the flow of the offense.   Saw them at Ursinus last week vs. Alvernia and the ball movement was very good.   Time will tell but they should be very competitive in the CC.   They can go 4 deep on the wings and can go big with 6'9 and 6' 10 if they have to.   

[centfan]

dickinson will be good again..coach gets the best out of his players and recruits guys understanding how they will fit in. the players tend to over-achieve and buy into his system of team and hard work.