MBB: Centennial Conference

[Hank Mardukas]

Hank signing on for "Hanks Thought of the Day". Today's thought is going to be quick because the wife is making Tuna Casserole. I want to give my thought for the Most Improved Player in the Cent next season. I believe this award will go to none other than Danny Duffey from Gettysburg. Duffy averaged 5.6 points per game and only shot 38% from the field and 25% from behind the arc. This is common with freshman players because of the increase in the pace of the game from high school to college. Hanks believes that Duffy will average 14 points per game and shot 44% from the field and 35% from behind the arc. Duffy totaled 90 assists and had 70 turnovers which was not bad for a freshman, and I expect him to approve upon that. By the time Duffy is an upper classman I believe Duffy can be only the 7th player in Gettysburg history to average 20 points and 5 assists and 5 rebounds. This summer will be huge for Duffy and is works hard and smart, he has a good chance of taking home this award.

[sunny]

Although I am new to this blog I am a long time fan of the Centennial Conference. Having said that, I am going to start giving "Hanks Thought of the Day" and today I will be predicting the final standings for next year's season.

1.Swat
2.Franklin and Marshall 
3.Dickinson
4.Hopkins
5.Gettysburg
6.Ursinus
7.Muhlenberg
8.WAC
9.Haverford

Because this is the first "Hanks Thought of the Day" I will give another thought....

This will be the final year the Great Glen Robinson will be the Head Coach of F&M, this does not mean that he will be leaving the program. It's only fitting that with all the coaching change going on in the Cent that the greatest coach in all of Divison III will join many of his competitors and give up his job as head coach, but he will stay on the staff and be the first assistant. This is because F&M wants a peaceful transition of power (similar to the Obama Trump relationship) and Robinson will help guide and mentor the new coach, my estimate is for no more than two seasons. F&M basketball is Coach Robinson's baby and like any good parent, they want to test out the babysitter before hiring them for good. Robinson will make sure that the future of F&M is in good hands before he leaves for good and inevitably moves down to Florida to enjoy a life of shuffleboard and tuna sandwiches on rye.

What happened to McDaniel?

[Hank Mardukas]

Hank has one to many Gin and Tonics last night, they should finish 7th and every team will be pushed back one

[HopkinsNest7]

Mules strike first with Kevin Hopkins taking the helm in Allentown. I thought McClary deserved another couple of seasons in the barn, but some times you just dont have the horses. Hopkins lack of experience is somewhat of a concern, as we have seen with Byron Scott and his stable of NBA teams: a good playing career does not equal a good coaching tenure. I would have checked in to some higher level coaches, Im not talking crean here but Richmond has a storied assistant Marcus Jenkins who also has ivy league roots. An air force graduate, the mules lack of structure could definitely use a military background. Another candidate I saw fitting is Harry Morra who has local roots in powerhouse DeSales and has also worked elite camps at schools like Duke and Nova which are instant qualifiers. Just food for thought.

[Hank Mardukas]

HopkinsNest7: Reading your post infuriates me because of the utter nonsense and lack of knowledge you have on the process of hiring a coach. Hopkins is exactly what the Mules need, somebody who can relate to the players and help guide them in the right direction. He will have to prove he knows the x's and o's but coming from a well-respected school like Amherst, I believe that won't be a problem. This guy is the definition of a winner, leading his team to a victory in the 2007 National Championship game. How many national championships have any of the other candidates won? I am not stating their will is a direct correlation with being a good player and being a good coach but you can't teach being a winner. I found an article written in 2007 after the national championship game where Coach Hixon states that "Hopkins has the heart of a lion and a killer instinct that can't be matched".  Off the court, he is the role model the Mules need. He has never been convicted of a series crime and he is not the type of guy whose name you will see in the tabloids.

I have the feeling that you're a little jealous that Hopkins couldn't snatch up Hopkins. 

[HopkinsNest7]

Hank--

Are you back on the gin and tonic? Hopkins can hand pick whoever they want to claim the throne of Goldfarb. Interviews have already begun with John Jaques from Cornell, a cerebral individual accustomed to reeling high academic ballers. Another is Terry Johnson from everyones favorite Cinderella; Butler.. he has an outstanding relationship with Hawks reserve guard Shelvin Mack amongst others proving an intense player coach relationship. Lastly I will suggest Mike Rice who is stashed at the Patrick School and desperate for an NCAA bout, also would be a unique opportunity to coach against his son in the Dip Zone.

[CentCraze88]

The two of you must be smoking something good, what on Earth are you two thinking?

None of these Coaches are realistic at all. My prime pick would have been current Fairleigh Dickinson assistant and former William Paterson Head Coach Jose Rebimbas.  Guy had a very high winning percentage and made a final four at bill on the hill.  Something strange happened with his esteemed summer camp and the school ended up letting him go during the season.  Players subsequently refused to play the next game, opting to forfeit instead.  Such a shame, but a proven head coach who is adored by his players certainly would have been a change at Muhlenberg, and I'm sure that he also would be an excellent fit at Hopkins.  As my favorite NFL owner, the late, great, unparalleled Al Davis said, "Just win, baby."

I digress, must give Kevin Hopkins the chance he deserves.  Heard Hopkins is a former big guy-could bode well for freak athlete Werheim.  Hoping he can figure out a way to best utilize his bigs in a way McClary could not.  Absurd that Hunter never progressed, lack of discipline within the program and an inattention to detail can be blamed for that.  A Baez-Werheim frontcourt at their full potential would be a force to reckon with.  Werheim's natural athleticism can allow him to chase quicker guards out on the perimeter, a la Draymond Green in the NBA.  Hopefully Hopkins can get the most out of this group of guys at 'Berg, I've heard their work ethics are unparalleled.

[Warren Thompson]

HopkinsNest7: Reading your post infuriates me because of the utter nonsense and lack of knowledge you have on the process of hiring a coach. Hopkins is exactly what the Mules need, somebody who can relate to the players and help guide them in the right direction. He will have to prove he knows the x's and o's but coming from a well-respected school like Amherst, I believe that won't be a problem. This guy is the definition of a winner, leading his team to a victory in the 2007 National Championship game. How many national championships have any of the other candidates won? I am not stating their will is a direct correlation with being a good player and being a good coach but you can't teach being a winner. I found an article written in 2007 after the national championship game where Coach Hixon states that "Hopkins has the heart of a lion and a killer instinct that can't be matched".  Off the court, he is the role model the Mules need. He has never been convicted of a series crime and he is not the type of guy whose name you will see in the tabloids.

I have the feeling that you're a little jealous that Hopkins couldn't snatch up Hopkins. 

Wait a minute. Didn't "Mr. Warmth" die yesterday?   

[HopkinsNest7]

The Mules needed a change and got it with Hopkins, my point was there were bigger fish in the pond. The German import Werheim is a gift for any incoming coach and a former post player can do wonders for him and his teammates.

I predict a 6th place finish for the Mules a there will be definite improvements but not enough to get them to Centennial supremacy. And yes Hank, it is always good for the man at the helm to be out of the tabloids.

[CentCraze88]

I actually caught the tail end of the Amherst-Keene State game this year up at Ramapo College while I was visiting my wife's family. A heartbreaking defeat for Amherst on a last second shot, similar to what the Mules experienced multiplet times over the last few years.  Hopefully Hopkins can turn some of those excruciating losses into wins for the Mules.

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you guys, my friends, that my wife and I are finalizing a divorce this weekend.  I've been too wrapped up with that to be on here recently. Truly, it is long overdue, and hopefully I'll be able to find some more happiness.  God bless to all of you. 

Any word on recruiting classes around the Cent?  Haven't really heard much.  Wondering how the coaching turmoil will effect recruiting for these incoming classes.

[HopkinsNest7]

Craze--

Best wishes in the new chapter of life.

Heard Ursinus has a top prospect coming in, I saw some of his high school tape and he reminds me of a young Hinnenkamp with a more perimeter oriented game. Could be an issue in Collegeville for the likes of the Cent. Possibly sending Robinson to that shuffleboard court and tuna fish filled picnic table sooner than expected.

[Hank Mardukas]

Hank Signing in:

Today I want to give "Hanks Prediction on Player of the Year." I am a firm believer that it won't be either of the early front runners in Wiley or Federici. Hank is confident that is will be none other than the "Parisian Prophet" in Remi Janicot. The key for Janicot to complete this upset victory is to reduce his turnovers where he had 54 and increase his assists where he only racked up 22. What I really like about Janicot's game is that in out of conference games he shot 75.4% from the free throw line but in conference games he increased that to 78.4%. This shows that he has the ability to focus in times of distress. He averaged just short of 8 points a game but I am confident that he will be scoring just under 20 a game this year.

[HopkinsNest7]

Any updates on Haverford College coaching search?

[CentCraze88]

Hopkins being introduced shortly as Muhlenberg's coach.

Very interested to see who Hopkins hires.  Jeff Van Gundy played under outgoing Nelson, maybe he will step in?  Not sure if JHU can put together a convincing enough offer salary wise.  However, committing major money to JVG could catapult them to the Division 1 level, thinking the Patriot league?  With BIG 10 revenue sharing from lacrosse, the success of the track and field, football, and baseball teams, a commitment in the form of JVG could give them enough well rounded sports to entice a conference to bring them in.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Hopkins being introduced shortly as Muhlenberg's coach.

Very interested to see who Hopkins hires.  Jeff Van Gundy played under outgoing Nelson, maybe he will step in?  Not sure if JHU can put together a convincing enough offer salary wise.  However, committing major money to JVG could catapult them to the Division 1 level, thinking the Patriot league?  With BIG 10 revenue sharing from lacrosse, the success of the track and field, football, and baseball teams, a commitment in the form of JVG could give them enough well rounded sports to entice a conference to bring them in.

Absolutely NO reason for Van Gundy to step away from his current role and paycheck and take over the JHU team. Not worth it in any sense of the definition.

I am told they interviewed or talked to about 20 people while at the Final Four in Phoenix. I am also told they are using a company to help with the search which I also know resulted in some interesting head-hunting. A lot of D1 assistants have been in the mix, but I have learned there has been some vocal opposition to that idea - because many D1 assistants just want to use the job as a stepping stone. Some of the names I heard in the mix may result in a more long-term approach after all (which the vocal opposition wants).

As far as the BIG 10 money... pretend you don't even know about it. JHU lacrosse programs have to be run and operated (including budget) completely separately from the rest of athletics (DIII). They can't intermingle the money. That is the grandfather rule to having the DI lacrosse programs. There is a reason the lacrosse field has a football field on it versus a football field that has lacrosse lines.

Yes, the success of the other programs has lead to a pretty big crop of applicants, but in your last sentence what do you mean by "a commitment in the form of JVG could give them enough well rounded sports to entice a conference to bring them in" That makes no sense unless you are alluding to moving all of JHU to the BIG 10 - I don't think that is what you are saying, but your sentence structure makes it confusing.

But back to my first point... JVG - just because he has connections to Bill - doesn't mean he would be interested in the job. He has a fine life. Coaching JHU isn't going to suddenly be something he wants to do.