MBB: Centennial Conference

[Reserved Seat]

Wild guesses

Virginia Wesleyan
Elms

[r.w. mcnickels]

Looks like some incredible individual performances at the two Centennial regionals last night.  In all, five players topped the 30-point mark.

Three of those came in the Gettysburg-Salem St. barnburner:

Andrew Powers, Gettysburg (32)
Dan Capkin, Gettysburg (30)
Marquis Victor, Salem St. (30)

In Collegeville, Nick Shattuck scored 31 in the Ursinus win (and John Noonan just missed the mark with 28).  Tonton Balenga scored 31 in Virginia Wesleyan's win.

The performance by Powers has to be among the all-time best NCAA D-III tournament debuts for a freshman (32 points on 12-for-16 shooting, 13 rebounds).

[r.w. mcnickels]

Also, congrats to Gettysburg on its first NCAA win in program history, and to Ursinus for its first since 1982.

[r.w. mcnickels]

NCAA Second Round picks:

Ursinus
Gettysburg

Very few people thought the CC would get two teams in the dance at the start of the season, and even fewer probably thought two would host regionals.  Why stop now?  Homecourt is the difference in two razor close games.

[ronk]

    Agree about the 3 individual performances in the Gburg-Salem St game. Thinking that Gburg beat a better team last nite than they'll face tonite, but keys will be if Elms can defend the high screen for Powers and whether Gburg's legs will recover for full-court pressure for the 2nd time < 24 hours.

[Leo]

Tourney Pick ems:

Ursinus
Gettysburg

[diplomaniac1]

Tournament Pick-Ems -

Here are a couple of "coin-flip" choices:

Ursinus vs. Virginia Weslyan:   Virginia Wesleyan

Gettysburg vs. Elms:   Elms.

Good luck to all. Regards,

Eric

[r.w. mcnickels]

Halftime in Collegeville:

Virginia Wesleyan 44, Ursinus 27

Shattuck hasn't scored in 11 minutes of action.

[r.w. mcnickels]

Halftime:

Elms 35, Gettysburg 33 in a tight one at the battlefield.

[r.w. mcnickels]

Final in Collegeville:

Ursinus 70, Virginia Wesleyan 64

Bears advance to the Sweet 16.

Huge comeback led by Shema and the supporting cast.  Leo and bearsfan, let us know how it was -- it sounded incredible on the broadcast (great job Gordon).

[r.w. mcnickels]

Dorsey at the buzzer!!!!

Gettysburg comes back to win 66-65 after being down double digits, just as Ursinus was.

What a night for the Centennial.  Two teams in the Sweet 16 is simply incredible.  Thanks to Pat and Gordon for broadcasting these regionals.

[bearsfan1]

The Ursinus game was incredible.  VWC showed why they have been one the best teams in the country over the last years during the first half.  They shut down Shattuck as he got into early foul trouble. The Marlins simply outplayed the Bears in every facet. I know I am a "little" biased but I thought the referees made some horrible calls and no calls against the Bears. I mean I have never seen a player (Shattuck) get tripped twice and be called for a walk on both occasions. In the second half, the roles totally reversed and it all started with Shema. He got the game reasonably close with some excellent post play on the offensive and the team defense completely came alive.  The crowd got into it and the outcome became familiar (Bears win).  The atmosphere was great even without a student body on campus. Some other observations. Shattuck had trouble tonight because of his ankle, he was not getting the elevation he usually does when he was in the post and came up short on many shots. So it looks like a Centennial Conference Sweet 16 game.  Can't wait!  Does UMass-Dartmouth host the next round?

[bearsfan1]

I am just wondering if the crowd coming alive in the last 10 minutes could be felt on the broadcast because I think it really did contribute to the comeback.

[r.w. mcnickels]

Sweet 16 games:

Coast Guard vs. Rochester
Gettysburg vs. Ursinus

Ursinus probably has a decent chance of hosting the sectional because of its record and location among the four teams, but I guess we'll find out tomorrow.  Bearsfan, I heard the Ursinus crowd loud and clear on the broadcast.  It sounded like a hostile gym in the second half even without the usual "Hooligans."

[gordonmann]

R.W:

Thanks for the kind words and glad we could be there.  It's a great time of year.

We won't know for certain until tomorrow, but I'd guess Ursinus hosts Gettysburg, Rochester and Coast Guard on Friday.