MBB: Centennial Conference

[r.w. mcnickels]

bearsfan1 -

I think the coaches and SIDs have respect for Kevin Small's program.  With no obvious powerhouse in the CC, and the return of Shattuck and a good backcourt, Ursinus gets the benefit of the doubt.  But Gettysburg is just a single point behind the Bears in the poll, so there really isn't a clear favorite.  Chaz Thomas and Haverford will have something to say about the race as well.


Eric -

I agree, defense has been sorely lacking in Mayser the past two years.  Combine that with a serious lack of playmakers on the offensive end, and it's been a recipe for disaster.  The days of 26 wins and deep NCAA runs have faded away quickly.

[crambam]

Have there been any roster changes at F&M to suggest a reversal of the trend?

[BRCE4]

Mules looked good against Albright in a scrimmage Friday.  After 40 minutes, Mules led 70-62. Both coaches used a number of different combos so it's hard to evaluate the score but Mules big guys played well and team shot well.

[r.w. mcnickels]

Have there been any roster changes at F&M to suggest a reversal of the trend?

crambam -

This article in today's Sunday News might interest you.  Hard to say anything before the ball is tipped on Friday, however, so take it for what it's worth!

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/212220

[diplomaniac1]

r. w. -

Thanks for posting the article. It was interesting reading. I am sure there will be other articles in the two daily papers in Lancaster. I will try to post them if I see them. Otherwise, here's looking toward a much improved season and a return to normal at Mayser Center!

Eric

[bballfan112]

Anyone have any word about how the Dips fared in any of their preseason scrimmages?

[nescac1]

Williams fan here.  Other than Shattuck, who on Ursinus is noteworthy?  What style of team are they?   

I also can speak about one recruit in this league.  I am familiar with James McNally (F&M) and I believe he will be a big time player at the Div-III level, he definitely got some higher looks.  He is very strong / physical for his age with a nice scoring touch, and dominated at a fairly high level of competition (big school league in central jersey).  I would be surprised if he does not develop into an all-league caliber player.   

[r.w. mcnickels]

Williams fan here.  Other than Shattuck, who on Ursinus is noteworthy?  What style of team are they?  

An Ursinus fan would probably be more helpful, but here's what I can add:

Shattuck is the latest in a line of star players for Kevin Small.  Most of the offense will run through him because he can score inside and outside (he averaged over 20 ppg as a junior).  They lost two starting big men but return 6-10 Michael Shema.  Cousart is a solid point guard.  Not sure about any newcomers, etc., but they usually recruit well.

Thanks for the info on McNally - F&M hasn't had a really good big man since Juskin graduated a few years ago.  We'll see if they've got one soon.

[diplomaniac1]

Fellow Diplomat (an other Centennial Conference) Fans -

Here is a link to an article that ran in one of Lancaster's daily newspapers today. It offers some interesting reading on the Dips' new recruits and potential starting line-up. We haven't had any impact transfers from other divisions since Jack Wright! Sounds like the outlook is very positive and encouraging.

http://http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/212381

Enjoy! Are any of you folks going to make it to Mayser Center this weekend for a first-hand look at the 2007-2008 Dips? If so, please offer comments and impressions early next week.

Regards to all.

Eric

[diplomaniac1]

nescac1 -

I appreciate the scouting report on and encouraging analysis of McNally. Did you see him play in person? Please advise. Sounds like he has a tremendous upside.

Looks like GRob must have done a better job of recruiting this year! That's what was missing the last two years - that hard-to-find mix of ability, mental and physical toughness, "coachability", and hard-nosed desire. Hopefully, he hates to lose and will be really "coachable" and fully develop throughout his four years in Mayser Center. The various newspaper articles seem to indicate that he will see alot of playing time as a freshman.

What Division I programs were interested in him or vice versa?

Eric

[nescac1]

Sounds like Ursinus should be a good test for where the Ephs' stand.  Williams got off to a horrific start last year with a very young team, but expectations are much higher this year.

As for McNally, I have not seen him play, but he attended my high school so I have followed his career and heard only good things (I also hear he had a very strong academics, so I was hoping he might consider Williams).  I don't know if he had any Div I offers, but I read that some Patriot League schools were at least checking him out.  Because of his size and strength, he was able to physically dominate most of the competition in H.S., so there may be an adjustment period, but he definitely played some solid competition in Group IV New Jersey (Bridgewater has produced some big-time players in the past, including NBA'er Eric Murdock and a few other guys who played in the Big East). 

More on McNally:

http://www.metrohoops.com/Magazine%20James%20MCnally.htm
http://www.nj.com/hssports/boysbasketball/ledger/index.ssf?/hssports/boysbasketball/stories/somerset.html

[crambam]

The last few posts show a hell of a benefit to this board.  This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. 

Given the last 2 seasons, I wouldn't care if Coach Robinson wanted to have a freshmen five starters, and let them grow together.  If they are this good, they could actually gel by CC tourney time and become something.

That can definitely happen.  I always felt that the 1993 team (first year post-Lasky era) really gelled at the right time.  The team just got WAY better at the end of the season than at the beginning.

Coach Robinson can't possibly be happy with the last 2 years.  I know as an alum who spent a lot of time yelling at Mayser, when they don't make the tournament, it sickens me.  Call it spoiled, but winning is everything, and I really want Robinson to get that national title.

I love the idea of a DI transfer.

Hopefully they will roll through Sponaugle.

[heartofachampion]

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/212456

Article on F&M in todays paper.

[diplomaniac1]

nescac1 -

Thanks for your follow-up post and the links you provided. They were very intersting and encouraging reading for all Diplomat fans. I think we need to hear more from you in this room! Keep on posting.


crambam -

I couldn't agree with you more concerning GRob and being spoiled by many outstanding players and seasons. I also agree that if the freshmen are as good as advertised they should start or, at the very least, play alot of minutes by the end of the regular season. Both the Lasky/Finch-led teams and the Janetta/Detz-led teams started many underclassmen and were very successful in their respective regular seasons and deep into the tornaments.

Concerning the Division I transfers, it their academics are strong, I think it is great that they transfer and get more playing time then they got at their respective Division I schools. Everyone deserves a chance to shine.

The other observation that I will offer about past teams is that the last squad to visit Salem in 2000 (Alex Kraft, Cas Thomas, Mike Ritacco, Jerome Maiatico, Dave Manzo, Mark Sadowski, and Grant Sporny) also gelled at the right time at the end of the year. They had a decent start to the season with Jerome in Italy and, after he returned, a horrible mid-season stretch in late January when they lost five of seven)!


heart -

Thanks for posting the link to today's Lancaster Newspapers article. You beat me to it as I saw it early this morning but was too busy today to get on D3hoops until now! Sounds like Scovill will be a real contributor. It is too bad that he didn't start out at F&M as a freshman.

Regards to all.

Eric

[BRCE4]

Good luck to the Centennial teams as they start the season tonight.