MBB: Centennial Conference

[centennial fan]

I've heard that Close and also Dan Gaines may return, which would make the conference very interesting. Don't know who is back for Hopkins, but Sidney Thybulle, Carson James, Lincoln Yuetter are the only 3 non-graduating players who played more than 10 minutes/game so they'll need help from somewhere if they want to be at the top of the league again.

[Stretch4]

Can someone please explain how Close could return for Gettysburg.  He played four full seasons (17-18, 18-19, 19-20 and 21-22).  He took off the 20-21 year to be able to play this year. His eligibility is up, correct? For comparison, Delaney and Harkins (Swat) played the exact same years and they are done with their eligibility.  Gaines of course could return as he began his college career in 18-19.  This is also the case for several of Hopkins key seniors who also began their college careers in 18-19.  Unless I have the rules wrong, Close has used up his eligibility. 

[stlawus]

If you played in 19-20 you have an extra year of eligibility.  Even if you played 4 years you can still play a 5th.

[centennial fan]

Close will be playing his 5th year next year. To this point, Delaney also technically has another year of eligibility because of his injury in '18-'19. Although he's been in school for 5 years, he's only used 3 years of his eligibility.

[stlawus]

There's no redshirting in division III so he used 4 years of eligibility.

[Greek Tragedy]

If you played in 19-20 you have an extra year of eligibility.  Even if you played 4 years you can still play a 5th.

I thought it was 20-21.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Close will be playing his 5th year next year. To this point, Delaney also technically has another year of eligibility because of his injury in '18-'19. Although he's been in school for 5 years, he's only used 3 years of his eligibility.

He played 10 games in 18-19. That's too many for a medical redshirt. He's exhausted eligibility.

[Greek Tragedy]

Can someone please explain how Close could return for Gettysburg.  He played four full seasons (17-18, 18-19, 19-20 and 21-22). He took off the 20-21 year to be able to play this year. His eligibility is up, correct? For comparison, Delaney and Harkins (Swat) played the exact same years and they are done with their eligibility.  Gaines of course could return as he began his college career in 18-19.  This is also the case for several of Hopkins key seniors who also began their college careers in 18-19.  Unless I have the rules wrong, Close has used up his eligibility.

My understanding is that 20-21 was a free year. You could have actually played in 20-21 and then played a 5th year in 21-22 because 20-21 didn't count in terms of eligibility. Some teams played full schedules, some played a few games, some didn't play at all. So, they couldn't just count a year for some and not others, so it was a free/additional year. I think Close is done just looking at the years, but I could also be wrong.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Yeah,  I didn't read the years close enough. He's done.

[Stretch4]

Good stuff in the Centennial Conference last night. Headline was an impressive 1 point victory by Swat on the road in a hostile environment, over a very talented Rowan team. Visconti, Caprise and Shaw played tough as expected, with Shaw maybe surprising some people with his point production. Question is regarding D'Angelo who did not start and played a rather unproductive 10 minutes. Not sure what the situation is there - is he injured or coming off an injury? Rowan fans will gripe about a critical call that went against them with 2 minutes to play that resulted in a technical foul, but you had to be impressed with Swat's play down the last 4-5 minutes of the game.

Muhlenberg picks up a nice win behind the return of Dan Gaines. Great to see him healthy and back on the court.  Mules have a strong backcourt, and with Gaines back healthy that should put them in the mix for a playoff spot in the Centennial. 

F&M closes the game with a 21-8 run over the final 4 minutes to pull out a close victory.  Seidman with a very solid all around game, he is one of the sleeper players in the conference for sure.  F&M foul shooting woes continue from last year - need to clean that up or that is going to cost them a few games.

Ursinus cruises to an easy victory over lesser opponent in FDU.  Ryan Hughes probably deserves to be in the discussion for All American consideration, but that may depend on how well Ursinus does as a team this year.  Expectations are high with four starters back and a lot of talent on the offensive end, but honestly they need to take their defense to another level if they want to compete with JHU and Swat. If promising big man Grubbs takes the next step forward in his development and can give them a consistent interior presence on offense and defense every night, I think you will see Ursinus take a step forward as a team and challenge Gettysburg for 3rd spot in the conference.

Dickinson drops 4th straight season opener to York. Disappointing loss for sure as they return 7 of their top 10 guys, but last night clearly looked like several talented players who were very effective in supporting roles last year where not ready to take on the primary roles.  Bright spots were the play of grad transfer Martin Mann and first year Isaiah Edmond who bring a dose of toughness and intensity that is needed on this squad. I would expect to see improvement from Dickinson as they solidify their rotation.

Big one tonight with Hopkins playing CNU.

[Gabriel]

Good post, Stretch4. Enjoy your insight. Ursinus' defense looked to be improved over last year but hard to tell against FDU. Bears fighting nagging injuries like everyone else and lookedrusty Depth looks good with 2 or3 contributing freshmen who will mature during the season---we hope. Go Bears!

[Swat Fan #1]

Good stuff and welcome back all to another season. It has been quiet on here, so who do you guys have winning the conference this year? Cheers!

[Gabriel]

Swat Fan, IMO, JHU and Swat are the favorites with Getty, Ursinus and Muhlenberg strong contenders.  Quite possible one or more of the other five might surprise. 

[Gabriel]

Great game yesterday as Ursinus defeated Widener in OT 90-85.  Both teams played hard and gave it their all marred only by the ejection of one Widener player late in the game.

[McBuckets]

Why did the Widener player get tossed?  That must have been some game.

Ursinus and Muhlenberg off to very strong starts....guard play has been very good.