Grantham, PA – Messiah College men's basketball is traveling to Alvernia University on Wednesday for a Commonwealth Semifinals match-up. The winner will move on to face either Stevenson University or Hood College in the conference championship game on Saturday, Mar. 1.
 
See below for a quick preview of this week's tournament.
 
Season Snapshot
 
The Falcons' 12-straight wins to start the season was a first in program history, with the streak itself matching the program's longest winning streak in a single season (1973-74). Their impressive play vaulted them to No. 15 in D3Hoops.com Top 25 to account for the highest ranking in program history.
 
Messiah's first loss did not come easily; Stevenson finally ended the Falcons' run with a 103-99 double-overtime win in Owings Mills, Md. The Falcons recovered to win their next two games (both in the Commonwealth) but since Jan. 25 have gone just 5-4 overall. That nine-game stretch included last week's regular-season-finale loss at Alvernia, where Messiah will head tomorrow.
 
Scouting the No. 3 Messiah College Falcons (19-5, 13-5)
 
The struggles of the past month shouldn't be overstated. Sure, the Falcons played themselves out of the No. 1 seed in the conference tourney, but they're still capable of playing at an elite level. Brad Bolen is second in the conference at 20.8 points per game (ppg) and all five players in the Falcons' starting line-up are shooting at least 45.3 percent from the field. David Fernandez (15.7 ppg), Taylor Groff (13.6 ppg), and Zac Hoy (10.8 ppg) also average double-figures, and Messiah shoots an impressive 36.2 percent from three as a team.
 
So what's been going on recently? Let's look at just two areas.

First, the defense. Messiah has not been allowing many more points over their past nine games (72.9 ppg) compared to their first 15 games (72.1 ppg), but they have allowed opponents to score 69-plus points in seven of the last nine games. In contrast, Messiah allowed their opponents to score 69 or more points in just nine of their first 15 games. It doesn't seem like much, but it suggests that Messiah's defense has been relenting too many extra buckets. Throw in the fact that they've averaged a deficit of six extra-chance points in their past four losses and one can see how the points are adding quickly against them.
 
Second, the offense. Yes, the Falcons can score points and, yes, that is not a bad thing—in fact, it's a really good thing and is a strength of having dynamic players that can beat opponents in multiple ways. But one of Messiah's strengths—shooting the three—has faltered a bit as of late. Through their first 15 games Messiah averaged 20.4 three-pointers per game (3PG) and shot an impressive 37.3 percent. But over their last nine games Messiah has put up 23.8 3PG with just 34.6 percent accuracy. More three's at a lower percentage is not a good thing, and it's contributed to Messiah attempting less free-throws than their opponents in five games over that nine game stretch.
 
So, really, the wins and losses for Messiah are in the margins; it's the small plays that have added up to larger results in each game. The Falcons will shoot three's, and they'll look to beat teams in the open court. But Messiah needs to be sure they're getting quality shots while also limiting their opponents' opportunities for high-percentage looks or second-chance points. If the Falcons can put these and other areas together at the same time, they can challenge for the conference title.
 
Scouting the No. 3 Alvernia University Crusaders (18-7, 13-5)
 
The Crusaders were just 5-3 through eight Commonwealth games before finishing on a tear. They went 8-2 in their final 10 conference contests with wins over the other three tournament participants (Messiah, Steveson, Hood).
 
Alvernia is averaging 77.9 ppg as a team and has all five starters averaging double-digit points. Brian Parker leads with 18.8 ppg on an impressive 58.1 percent shooting from the field, and he's also the leader with 9.2 rebounds per game (rpg). Kahill Bennett is behind Parker with 14.9 ppg and leads the team with 37.1 percent shooting from behind the arc.
 
Alvernia will play either man or zone and, like every other team in the tourney, can force turnovers for quick run-outs in the full-court.
     
Scouting the No. 1 Stevenson University Mustangs (18-7, 13-5)
 
The Mustangs held the Commonwealth standings tie-breaker over Alvernia and Messiah thanks to two wins over the Falcons this season. They did lose four of five games spanning Jan. into Feb. but have won five-straight entering the tournament.
 
Stevenson averages 80.2 ppg as a team and they have seven players averaging at least eight ppg.  Alfonzo Hawkins is the high plan with 12.7 ppg and Justin Kuntz is second with 11.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg. Christian Roberts (11.1 ppg), Erik Fisher (10.8 ppg), and Stefon McCray (9.0 ppg) are all capable of carrying the load.
 
Like Messiah, Stevenson is especially deft at scoring in transition, though their 15.4 turnovers per game oftentimes helps their opponents stick around.


Scouting the No. 4 Hood College Blazers (17-9, 10-8)
 
The Blazers defeated No. 5 Albright College on Monday in the Commonwealth Quarterfinals, and now they'll travel to Stevenson on Wednesday for the Semifinal. Hood split with Stevenson this year and, though they lost five of their final seven games, have a chance to reach the Commonwealth final for the first time in program history.
 
Cameron Cook leads the team with 15.8 ppg and contributes in a large way to the team's 24.0 three's attempted per game. He launches 8.1 three's per game himself, hitting on 39.5 percent. Chris Cook averages 12.5 ppg and also shoots well from deep (37.9 percent) and Justin Bowens is also in double-figures at 10.4 ppg.
 
Hood will relentlessly press their opponents in the full-court looking to create turnovers.
 
Commonwealth History
 
Messiah has captured two Commonwealth Championships, winning one each in the final seconds (56-55 over Widener in 2006) and one by a solid margin (68-59 over Lycoming in 2012). They have now made it to the Semifinals in all but two of the last 10 years.

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