MBB: Centennial Conference

[r.w. mcnickels]

Does anyone know the status of Salem State's injured players?

Reserved-

An article in the Salem News (link) says three players were injured on Feb. 27.  Of those three, only Nick Linear usually plays significant minutes according to the Salem State stats.  Linear has come back to start both NCAA games, scoring 22 against RIT and 17 against Widener.  So, it looks like he's relatively healthy and playing well.  The other two players haven't played in the NCAA games, but I'm not sure if that's due to injuries.

Salem State looks impressive, shooting well from the field and holding opponents below 40 percent.  Should be an excellent game.  I think any of the four teams playing in Mayser this weekend could head to Salem.  I wonder how many F&M students will postpone spring break a day or two...

[r.w. mcnickels]

It looks like B2 will have live video from the F&M sectional both Friday and Saturday, and D3hoops will have live audio on Saturday.

Here's a link with information on the games, including the broadcast schedule:

F&M sectional info

[Reserved Seat]

r.w.
Thanks for the information.  The accident didn't seem to affect Salem's play at Widener.
I talked to a few student today, and they were planning on staying around, but it was only a small sample.

[crambam]

When I was a student at F&M, there would be NO WAY I wouldn't be there, spring break or not.  Hell, I've gone to ROAD sectional games during spring break.  It's the TOURNAMENT for cryin' out loud.

GO DIPS!

[D.B. Cooper]

Crambam, I would have to agree, in 1989 I thougt nothing about heading up to Maine for an Elite 8 game. Unfortunately I couldn't get off work today but if one more pleasant surprise occurs & Dips are playing tomorrow I'll be there to keep my streak of seeing all 7 previous elite 8 games intact with an 8th game to get to FF.

[Reserved Seat]

D.B.
I'm getting ready to leave now for the game.  I'll root twice as hard to help give F&M the home court advantage.  Hopefully, home court will be enough to win.  I, too, hope the students stick around.

[Reserved Seat]

In a game of spurts and sporadic play, F&M was able to hold on to win by 6.
Despite another night of poor shooting from the line(10 for 22), F&M had just enough to beat Salem State.
Both big men, McNally(F&M)3 for 12 and Holmes(Salem State)3 for 17, struggled.
Tolliver and Selig helped F&M to build a 4 point lead at the half.  Without their offense and defense, F&M could have been in a big hole.
Foul trouble hurt Salem State as they played a very agressive game.  Unfortunately for Salem State most of the fouls were on their three key players.
Celestin played a great game for Salem.  F&M fans were hoping he would join his teammates on the bench with 5 fouls.  Salem State was slightly under their seasonal average for fouls. Most of the fouls called on other players for Salem State were in the closing moments.
Brooks and Scovill had good offensive nights with Clay cleaning up a missed shots by teammates with a follow up.
Tomorrow should be an interesting night.  Desales played a great game and didn't panic when they fell behind by 10.
Mayser should be loud tomorrow, because DeSales had a large enthusiastic following last night. 
Looking forward to great game.

[crambam]

Let's hope F&M can keep it up.  I have made the decision to drive in from NYC and see this game.

I hope they make the nearly 7 hours of driving I will be doing worth it.

[r.w. mcnickels]

I'm stunned that F&M is in the Elite Eight.  I have no idea how the Dips are doing it, but they refuse to allow their inability to hit foul shots, lack of a perimeter game, and overall inexperience stand in the way of NCAA victories.

Salem State played a great scheme to open the game, and F&M looked frustrated on offense.  But eventually, I think F&M's defense was the key, holding Salem State to around 30 percent on the night.

There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of a sectional, and last night was no exception.  Hats off to DeSales for a huge comeback against UMass-Dartmouth.  The DeSales fans came out in force, with many students dressed in red shirts making the trip to Lancaster.  I think tonight's crowd will be interesting, with a strong possibility that the DeSales students make more noise than the F&M students.  As for the game, who'd have picked F&M-DeSales to play for a trip to Virginia?  This is a great night for the Mid-Atlantic region!

[Reserved Seat]

Defense has been the key to F&M's success.
With the amount of fans Desales had last night, F&M will have trouble matching the noise with their students now on break.

[kate]

Very classy, r.w.,  , thinking about the Mid Atlantic region representation.  You're right - thanks for that post.

[D.B. Cooper]

The tough physical games of the many talented teams of the CC were an important part of the cauldron that forged this overachieving very young Dip squad. The conference for a second year has shown, & as per some rankings I have seen that the CC is a top 10 national conference & often doesn't get much if any credit. One more win & even more light could shine on our league.

[Reserved Seat]

F&M--FINAL FOUR

[Reserved Seat]

Approximately 2,000 people watched an entertaining game between Desales and F&M.
Desales for a second night in a row had an enthusiastic following.
F&M was able to take an early and build it to 15 points at the half.
With the start of the second half, F&M was able to weather a valiant attempt by the Bulldogs to get back in the game.  F&M had one of better nights shooting threes. making 6 of 16.
Desales make 4 of 20.
Lapinski seemed unstoppable as he bull(dog)ed his way to 23 points on 11 of 15 shooting.
Braswell desperately tried to get Desales, by trying too hard he took too many off-balanced and out-of-controlled shots.
Milligan stepped up his game from the night before by scoring 21 despite some untimely turnovers.  McNally played a strong game and Scovill came through with some key shots.

Next up Richard Stockton who routed their opponent by 43 points.
Stockton looks like another Wesley with a little more height, and possibly more speed.

See you in Virginia.

[saratoga]

Congrats to F&M...enjoy this for a day & then get ready for an event the kids will remember forever.
  PS...box out on Stockton as they all love to crash then run.