MBB: Centennial Conference

[crambam]

Outstanding news about the link to F&M home games.  I'll probably take advantage of that--unless there's a cost.  It was a little unclear on the site.

I remember they tried to start with this last year, but they had a lot of glitches.  I hope they get worked out before the season. 

I'm also glad the roster is turning over.  At best, I get to maybe one game a year, if time permits.  But obviously, I miss the days when they were on top. 
I know nothing about the current roster, but in GRob we trust.  If it's true that several players are not as committed to the team, then it's cool that they go.  It wouldn't be fair to them or to the team if they continue. 

I just hope the new players are good.  .500 teams just don't cut it. 

[pizzashop]

There is a cost involved. A single game is six dollars, while a season pass runs $50. That will get you all of F&M's basketball games from Mayser, and road games against any other school using B2 Networks.

I promise that this is nothing like you would remember done in the past by anyone in this conference. We learned a lot of lesssons from the Centennial's foray into live video streams for hoops and the swimming championships. This is as close to television quailty as you can find on the web - it matches the level of picture quality the NCAA put out for the women's lacrosse semis if you happened upon that.

The feedback from football folks has been nothing but positive. If you have a good high speed connection coming down, you will be stunned to see where this technology is compared to a year ago. You can plug your computer into your TV and enjoy F&M hoops from the sofa!

[crambam]

It sounds awesome, but I don't know if it's cost friendly.  If you think about it, I could get the entire major league baseball package online for about $95, which is 162 games per team, 30 teams.  HBO or Showtime costs less during the 3-4 month period. 

I may consider individual games, but I'll think about it.  It's still division III hoops.  When I was a student, I would watch for free.  It's a cool idea, but a bit pricey. 

[pizzashop]

Fair enough. We knew going in that a cost would put some people off. I try to think of it in terms of gas mileage! I hope that you'll give it a try for a game or two. I hope that you'll make it to Mayser for a game or two. Please feel free to drop me any additional feedback if you do give it a shot. If you don't, we'll still have the live stats up and running on the web site.

[crambam]

I try to make it every so often.  My fraternity has its Founders Day celebration every February.  When I'm lucky, it coincides with a home game, (usually the alumni game which is an added bonus).

I've seen F&M hoops in 6 different states.  If anything, you should at least have a free audio broadcast. 

More important, I really the season is good.  I know nothing about the current state of the team, other than it hasn't been that good over the last 2 years.  They lost more games last year than in my entire 4 years at the school, and maybe even a few years after I graduated.  I'm not used to that.  I don't want to GET used to that either.

[BRCE4]

Looking forward to the start of the season. Followed this league for a long time, new to posting. Looks like Gettysburg may be the team to beat this year with Swat capable of surprising. Haverford lost their big guy but look to be a contender with Ursinus despite losing 2 starters always dangerous. F&M hard to figure with all the roster moves, Muhlenberg will be young having lost 7 seniors, Johns Hopkins lost their big guys and Dickinson, McDaniel and Washington young but improving. Should be an interesting year.

[diplomaniac1]

Fellow Diplomat Fans (and other Centennial Conference fans as well) -

I was just on the F&M website's Athletics Department page and noticed that the SID has recently posted the pre-season preview. It provides some basic information on the new recruits and GRob's outlook and expectations for the coming 2007-2008 season. You may find it to be interesting reading. So, I have taken the liberty of posting the link to said preview. It follows below:

//http://godiplomats.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110707aaa.html

Enjoy. Perhaps, it will get some discussions and buzz going in this room! It is far too quiet and tame in here?!?

It is only just over one week until the season starts! Yeh! I can't hardly wait - bring it on! Good luck to all Centennial Conference members.

Regards to all.

Eric

[pizzashop]

Crambam -

Free audio from Mayser would conflict with our agreement with B2, but we will still offer live stats (hoops sked page and bottom of GoDiplomats.com).  We will have free audio from WFMN for select road games, and will always link you to the opponent's radio/internet stream when available and not covered by WFNM.

- or -

Check in on this page on gameday: http://godiplomats.cstv.com/multimedia/broadcasts.html to see what multimedia offerings are available.

[r.w. mcnickels]

Preseason poll is out.  Ursinus gets the nod with POY Nick Shattuck returning.  It's surprising not to see him gain (at least) an Honorable Mention nod on this site's Preseason All-America team.

1. Ursinus (7) 137
2. Gettysburg (5) 136
3. Haverford (4) 121
4. Johns Hopkins 111
5. Franklin & Marshall (2) 100
6. Dickinson (2)   89
7. Swarthmore   66
8. McDaniel   65
9. Muhlenberg   55
10. Washington   20

[heartofachampion]

It feels like I have not posted on here in a year or two...oh wait it has!

I read the article on F&M's website the other day as well and I am not sure how I feel about this years team.  G Rob seems to think he has a team to build around and gives a positive tone, not sure if this is because the last few years have been rough and he wants people to be upbeat or if he has some serious recruits and is ready to make a run in a few years.  I will say this, it seems every time F&M has a down run for a year or two (Mid/late 90's) they make a run.  I am hoping this means they are making a run!!!

[diplomaniac1]

r. w. -

Thanks for posting the Centennial Conference Pre-Season Poll. You beat me to it! I was going to check the Conference website later this evening. The Pre-Season Poll of coaches and SID's looks just about right to me.

However, given all of the talent and experience lost to graduation, I am a bit surprised that JHU is ranked as high as they are. The Jays are never quite as good when they lack a dominant inside presence and have to rely on their guard and swingmen (small forwards). I might have reversed them and the Dips in the ranking.

I definitely would have ranked Haverford ahead of Gettysburg. I think this will be one of the Fords' strongest teams in many years. A strong team will compliment their relatively new arena. If you haven't been there yet, it is outstanding compared to the old gym! I think the Bullets can be good, I am just not sure how good.

Finally, in my humble opinion, the bottom half of the pool looks OK to me. It appears to be the right teams in the right order. Sorry about that guys.

What are your thoughts? Please advise.

Here's hoping the "new blood" (recruits) restores the Dips to their traditional emphasis on DEFENSE, team play, and winning ways! Regards,

Eric

[diplomaniac1]

Folks -

I am normally a poster in the Centennial Conference room. However, I found this link on the Conference website to an article in The Baltimore Sun containing pre-season previews more than just the Maryland members of the Centennial Conference. So, I am also posting it and sharing in the rooms of several other conferences: AMCC, CAC, and Landmark.

The link follows below:

//http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/mens/bal-sp.smallcaps06nov06,0,2462025.story?page=2

Enjoy! Bring on the season. Good luck to all teams. Regards to all.

Eric

[diplomaniac1]

Fellow Centennial Conference Fans -

Here is the link to the Conference's pre-season preview poll of both coaches and SIDS's that r. w. and I have been discussing. It is for both Men's and Women's basketball.

The link follows below:

//http://www.centennial.org/polls/winter08.html

Enjoy! Any thoughts, oppinions, or comments to spur discussion in here. It is far too quiet this close to the start of the season!

Eric

[diplomaniac1]

Fellow Centennial Conference Fans (especially those Golden Bear fans) -

In the dual interests of infromation-sharing and objectivity, I am providing a link to today's article in The Pottstown Mercury concerning the pre-season poll and the Bears. It is as follows:

Click here

Enjoy the season. Good luck and regards to all!


Eric

P. S. - I didn't want to be accused of being a "hopeless homer" or "shill" for my Diplomats. We are supposed to get light snow up here in southwest-central PA tomorrow! Can you believe that it is that time of year already?


Edited for formatting -- Thanks, Ralph Turner

[bearsfan1]

Its good to see UC picked first in the coach's poll but I dont understand how they could finish first. I am sure that they will make the playoffs but first place seems kind of lofty. I know they have the returning POY but what else.  They lost both forwards to graduation and I cant see what they already had doing all that much damage (unless the freshman are something, this will probably end up being a guard dominated team). I guess I am just skeptical since I graduated but seeing UC picked first was really a surprise to me.  Could someone enlighten me?