MBB: Centennial Conference

[D3Parent1]

I think the overall Dips situation is that for the past few years they have struggled at the bottom of the league.  The new coach now has his guys playing his way.   The Dips are making huge strides.   I don't think they are ready to win against SWAR and the like.  But they are getting closer and a loss like this is can be an awesome learning experience for this team and their trajectory is up

[Stretch4]

Watched the F&M/Swat game a day later - great game.  I am typically not on the side of Swat as in general I think they push the limits on aggressive play to a dirty style of play way more than they need to, but in my opinion the play in question in no way warrants any kind of ejection or technical foul. Great defensive play by the F&M defender, then DeAngelo from Swat clearly put his forearm in defenders chest and extends trying to create space to potentially chase down the loose ball (which was correctly called a foul). Then in the split second course of both players tying to get the ball DeAngelo's forearm rises up under chin of F&M defender.  I think it looked dirtier than it actually was.  I also didn't see too much complaining from the F&M coaches on how it was called. 

Still a long way to go in conference play, but F&M is definitely playing well and growing in confidence. I wouldn't sweat the pre-season ranking of tied for 7th as any kind of slight.  In 21-22, Gettysburg was pre-season 7 and Dickinson was pre-season 9 and they finished 3rd and 4th respectively. I don't think the coaches put too much thought in to their pre-season voting. Now, about that foul shooting ... 

[dipfanatic]

I've always had respect for Landry's teams at Swarthmore - they're fast, strong, and aggressive. But this Swat team has crossed a line. Not just a player or two, either. Across the board it's a dirty team.

[noonhooper]

When the Dips were good their teams were super physical and you knew heading into the game you better put on some pads. And the fans were so proud of how "old school" Glenn had the boys playing. But now that its a down period in the program everyone is just complaining.

Biggest game of the CC season to date- who gets the W tonight? "Dirty" Swat or the Dirty Birds of Hop?

[McBuckets]

Not a big fan of Swat/JHU and hope the top of the conference changes but that may still be a year away.

Having 6 teams in post-season is good and the mid-tier teams look solid. Centennial is a great hoop's conference.

[D3Parent1]

And just like that the Dips record takes a few hits.  They are not ready to win all the games they should. Maturity is happening.   Not all the pieces are in place.  Some quality bigs would compliment the guards

[D.B. Cooper]

A key reason for Dips downturn might be the loss of Josh Parra. He was apparently injured 2 minutes into Washington game and hasnt played since. I couldn't see him on the bench at Gburg. If he is out for any significant length of time the Dips outlook is dismal. Seidman & Parra are players they can't afford to be without.

[McBuckets]

Parra was in street clothes on bench for Gettysburg game.  Appeared to be a lower leg/ankle injury.

Bullets have been without their starting center for 4 games.  Rassoul Abakar 6' 9" from Cameroon.

[McBuckets]

In the games I have watched, Parra had been playing very well.

[Reserved Seat]

What's the record for most games lost by one point in a season?
Parra is definitely missed.  Hopefully his return is coming soon

[McBuckets]

Next man up.

Every team has injuries.

Bartlett and Yuetter out for Hopkins.

Haverford lost Torres and Love for a few games.

Abakar out for Gburg 5 games.

Wall out for a few for Ursinus.

[D3Parent1]

Lao true.   So many teams seasons are won and lost on injuries.   It looks like F&M does not have the depth yet to overcome a key injury....yet.   Maybe they win 2-3 more of the recent 5 game skid with Josh healthy?   I am looking forward to them getting back on track heading into the last 8 games of the season

[Stretch4]

Saturday results see Hopkins take round two and give Swat their first conference loss of the season.  James and Quarry with excellent performances, while DeAngelo has a sub-par shooting performance. Honestly, if Hopkins doesn't miss about 10 free throws in the last 3 minutes of the game they win by closer to 20. Hopkins will need help to get the top seed, although based on Swat's remaining schedule I don't think I see another loss coming for them (at Ursinus in about 10 days could be a challenge though).  Ursinus (particularly Ryan Hughes) executes very well in the last four minutes to lead the Bears past a feisty Dickinson squad and put them in the lead for the 3 seed.  Muhlenberg with a nice win over Gettysburg to put them in a much more comfortable spot for playoffs (on paper Mules have the easiest conference schedule remaining). Gettysburg also looks locked in for the playoffs as they are tied with Muhlenberg.  So essentially there are 3 teams fighting for last playoff spot with F&M, Haverford and McDaniel all facing very challenging schedules in last few weeks. I believe F&M holds the tie break with Haverford, so that may prove to be big.

Player of the year watch is interesting, but if you are being objective I believe at this point Hughes is the choice.  DeAngelo, Quarry, Rubino all follow closely.  6 games left ... a lot can happen.

[Gabriel]

Stretch4----Nice summary, thank you.

[dipfanatic]

Well, Dips had Swarthmore on the ropes for 20 minutes, and proceeded to play one of the worst halves I've seen an F&M team play.

Can someone explain the wisdom of sitting Suchy for almost the entire second half while the Dips got absolutely destroyed on points in the paint? He was playing with one foul.