MBB: Centennial Conference

[Hooper]

Mules will be better.  Addition by subtraction.   They also got a legit 4 that transferred in.   Big, strong kid who may help a lot.   They are strong at the guard position with 3-4 kids fighting for 3 starting spots.   They could go 6'4" across with the 3 guards.  Time will tell. 

[Polly Math]

The voters have spoken and the preseason picks are in. They look pretty good but here's mine. Shoot at em.

1. Hopkins -- Very impressed by them all last season. In last year's final, Dickinson got big games from its stars, held Hammer and Bugarinovic in  check -- and still had to hang on. Hopkins was a missed shot at the buzzer away from OT. Ryan Curran will be a star.  They have length, shooting and they come at you in waves. They dont have defensive breakdowns and dont beat themselves.  They also have extensive playoff and NCAA tournament experience, which you cannot quantify but is real.  They will host again.

2. F&M -- The obvious pick since they lost the least to graduation of the top 3 teams.  They have no glaring weaknesses, but the second half of last season showed that their offense can struggle when Federici is guarded tight, and everybody knows his number now.  Still, they have size, athleticism and shooters.  They are hungry -- it is getting to be a long time between titles in Lancaster. This is the first F&M team in how long with no players that have played in the NCAA tournament.  They will be right there.

3. Dickinson -- Was all set to demote the Devils given the players that have graduated but cant quite do it.  They still have weapons -- Angradi (streaky but when he's hot,wow), and by the end of the season Hinnenkamp had become a total matchup nightmare. Ask Albertus Magnus. He will be POY if he plays a season like that.  Their young players did well in limited action last year and they have recruited well. But they are young, vulnerable in the low post and their out of conference schedule is brutal. That spells a 3 or 4 seed.

4. McDaniel -- A bit challenged in the shooting department but another squad that comes at you in waves.  Stewart is another POY candidate. He is  a horse for them night in and night out.  They are the best defenders in the conference -- but given their offense and free throw shooting, they need to be.  But they are in most games, and seem to get stronger down the stretch. 

5. Gettysburg -- Solid sound and tough.  Another team that wears out defenses and never beats itself. You wonder if the shorter shot clock will hurt them, given that their usual approach is to slow the game and win 52-48.  My guess is that it will, but they will adjust.  Gladstone is another POY possibility. He is relentless.  If only the conference were weaker... but this year is going to be nasty. Also the Bullets always seem to get hit with injury issues.  Dont know why that is.

6. Muhlenberg -- Dark horse candidate.  Last year had a sometimes explosive offense, but the defense ... the less said the better.  That said, there is a "turn the page" air in Allentown and they certainly have guys who can fill it up.  Their big man is maturing nicely and if they can keep opponents under 70,  they will be fine -- but that will be hard against the better teams.

7. Swarthmore -- They are talking seriously about making the playoffs, and no one is laughing.  Coach has them playing with a ferocity that has not been a Garnet trademark.  Couple times last year they almost overdid it.  They will be a tough out, especially at home -- but it is a big step from "coming close" to "winning the game."  A tough out is still an out.  But they will still be in the discussion come February.

8-10.  Ursinus, Haverford and Wash. Coll. all look to be in rebuilding mode.  If they prove me wrong, good for them.


Should add that these are regular season/playoff seed picks. Have to get back to you in February re the playoffs. Hosting the playoffs has been  a poisoned chalice lately, as the host team has not won the conference tournament in the last 3 years.  No shock if it happens again.  Last year the conference had its strongest season overall in a decade.  3 nationally ranked teams.  Expect that to continue.  Dont want to jinx it, but would not be shocked if the Conf. gets  3 teams in the dance. 

[r.w. mcnickels]

Dickinson landed one of the best recruits in D-III in Jule Brown, who was once committed to Penn. Sounds like he could have the kind of impact on this league that Milligan and Federici did as freshmen. If he's as good as advertised, the Devils are my pick to win the conference.

I'd go with JHU as a close second, and F&M third. The Dips have very little production in the paint other than Cedric Moune, and I think that will really hurt them despite the fact that they return so many players. Levy and Owona have not panned out the way many expected.

[Gabriel]

I too am surprised not to see Hopkins mentioned as they return most key players other than Hammer and could well be the best team in the conference.  Dickinson reloaded and did get a top recruit in Jule Brown, 6'6" G/F from Lower Merion who was recruited by and  verbally committed to Penn at one point.  Apparently that fell through.

RW,

Obviously I agree with you.  His HS coach said that as a Centennial Conference coach, Jule will be your biggest coup or your worst nightmare.  Apparently  he projects as being that good.

[Reserved Seat]

Until F&M proves they have more post play, they will struggle.  Morgan Lee is going to be missed for his physical play.  Devin Figuero will also be missed as a solid back up at guard.  Terrel Phelps should help but he has to regain his edge after being off for a year.  Hunter Eggers was coming on at the end of the year and should be a solid player this year.  Moune and Federici are the foundation for F&M's play, but someone will have to step up in the post.  Tate and Wright provide adequate point guard play.  Not expecting much from the freshmen, but maybe one will provide some key minutes.  As of now I still look at JHU and Dickinson being huge hurdles for the other teams.

[givengo]

Glad to see signs of life on the board!   
So what does the general populace think of these little blurbs being dribbled out by the Centennial on You tube in lieu of  the Conference video tip off event?  I'm still holding out hope that we will see something more substantive, and maybe it's just a lead up to the real deal? 

[Polly Math]

Re Dickinson:  Take a wait and see approach to freshman phenoms.   We've all seen can't miss prospects...that missed.  And even high flying frosh will typically slow down in February as the bigger opponents, longer games and season take a toll.   Its a big adjustment from high school.

Re F&M: The poormouthing of their chances is over the top.  Cedric Moune is not James McNally, or even Jon Salandra.  So what?  He is still better than most anyone else playing the 5.  Other than Hopkins, who has a front court that can match F&M?

[Reserved Seat]

Who's poormouthing F&M?
I've only seen positive posts on Moune.

[Polly Math]

Reserved: You're right about Moune. Sorry. Moune doesnt need defending.  Still say the stuff about F&M's lack of post play is overdone.  They have 4 solid post guys with size. No one else has that. The bigs on Hopkins and Dickinson who took it to them last year have graduated.    They lack production in the post? Compared to who? We will see how it plays out, but my guess is that if F&M struggles, it wont be because they are getting dominated in the paint. 

[Reserved Seat]

Moune and Federici lead F&M to an easy victory.  Federici scored 24 points in the first half and made several nice passes to lead F&M in scoring.   Moune dominated the boards with 16 rebounds and altering many plays.  Eggers had a solid all around game despite missing numerous shots that were barely off the mark.  Shawn Hines played his best game ever with shooting 3 for 3, 2 nice backdoor assists, and solid defense.  Tate ran the offensive well, and Wright played great defense with 3 steals.  Levy looked good on offensive and played adequate defense.  Lionel still struggles with keeping a solid grip on the pass.  He did play defense well.  Tomorrow will be a better test.  Elizabethtown was mismatched at every position.

[Gabriel]

Ursinus defeated Stevens 83-80 on Friday and lost to Scranton 71-62 on Saturday.  Bears played both games without Remi Janicot, arguably their best player'   I think Remi will be among the top three Centennial rebounders this year. Bears played Scranton without Janicot and Matt Knowles, their second best player, on Saturday.  Both have ankle sprains and should return soon.  Matt sprained his in the late stages of the Stevens game after scoring 15 points. 

Bears still have trouble shooting threes but freshman Eric Williams did well off the bench with 9 points against Stevens and 25 against Scranton.  Bears are probably a year away from returning to the top tier of the conference but other teams should not take them lightly.
A "team first" attitude has returned so buckle your chin straps!

[Reserved Seat]

Gabriel, how good is Scranton? 

[Gabriel]

Reserved,

I know it's early but Scranton did not look all that good.  Bears out rebounded them 44-30 even without Janicot.  Neither team shot the ball well.  Scranton's  Boken and Doolan are good but no one else impressed.

[Reserved Seat]

F&M's weakness in the post almost cost F&M a victory.  After Moune, there is little threat from the post.  Moune left the game 2 1/2 minutes into the first half with two fouls forcing F&M to go with backups in the post.  Oneonta went on a scoring spree forcing Robinson to bring Moune back into the game.  Other than Moune's high for game 27 points(and 15 rebounds) the rest of the post players scored 4 points.  Federici was covered closely by Oneonta forcing him into 1 for 11 shooting.  Eggers picked up the slack scoring 26 points and 8 rebounds while playing excellent defense.  Tate, Wright, and Stern provided adequate offense and played solid defense.  Coleman played a outstanding offensive and defensive game for Oneonta.
 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Did Federici put on any weight over the summer?  A little bulk would certainly help his ability to score inside - a part of his game that would really make him difficult to guard.