MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

Bad news in St. Louis Post Dispatch... Fontbonne in serious trouble..  May be old news, but new to me down here in Florida

"Fontbonne University will drop 21 academic programs and eliminate 19 faculty positions among other budget cuts totaling $2.3 million by 2025.

The "final retrenchment plan" announced Thursday comes as the private Catholic institution experienced a 60% loss in enrollment and more than $14 million decline in revenue over the past decade.      (Another portion of the article mentioned 2022 Frosh class of 181)

The cuts total just over half of the university's $5.2 million deficit and include the elimination of the art, religious studies and healthcare management programs.

"As a small private institution with a total student enrollment of just under 1,000, the university has had to make difficult decisions to ensure its long-term sustainability. As part of these decisions, some academic majors and faculty positions, staff positions, and athletic programs have been reevaluated," Fontbonne President Nancy Blattner said in a statement."

Would be so sad to see Fontbonne become another D3 casualty......

[GU1999]

Wow.  That would be truly sad.  I do know that a lot of smaller schools have gone through the programmatic restructuring in the past few years.  GU did it three or four years ago.  Wheaton College near me announced their plans late in 2022.  While I do think it is something of a canary in the coal mine, it may be more of a concern for schools with less margin.  Fontbonne may be that school, but looking at their 990, I am not sure they are at that point.  The problem is if you don't get the restructuring right and there is less and less enrolment, you may not have a viable future going forward. 

Here is a link to their full 2022 990. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/430694556/202301149349301400/full

Other SLIAC Schools 2022 990 infomation below:

Webster

Expenses
$162,640,084
Net Income
-$12,481,908
Net Assets
$241,863,049

Greenville

Expenses
$42,249,635
Net Income
$3,250,785
Net Assets
$58,176,433

Fontbonne
Expenses
$34,939,671
Net Income
$1,900,881
Net Assets
$23,811,545

Blackburn

Expenses
$20,367,377
Net Income
$4,167,323
Net Assets
$64,540,038

Lyon

Expenses
$37,580,960
Net Income
-$3,629,499
Net Assets
$72,435,736

Westminster

Expenses
$40,036,803
Net Income
$21,457,690
Net Assets
$92,057,720

Spalding

Expenses
$42,181,404
Net Income
$2,133,735
Net Assets
$70,088,897

Eureka

Expenses
$15,406,545
Net Income
-$323,469
Net Assets
$43,852,191

Principia

Wasn't sure if i found the right 990, so I wont post for them. 
They are the best positioned of all schools in the SLIAC, by a lot. I recall their net assets being north of a billion.

MUW

Could not find it as i think it is a public university.  I am sure its somewhere.

[y_jack_lok]

I saw a headline (didn't read the article) that Webster's bond status has been downgraded by Moody's. From the 990 info above, Webster has more assets than any of the other SLIAC schools with info provided. A question: What is included in "assets"?

Principia is surely in good shape.

[GU1999]

The net assets is something like the net amount of the total assets minus total liabilities. Should give a pretty accurate reflection of what the college has, what they have invested and deposited, and what is owed.

One item of note is that Websters executive comp is very different than at the other SLIAC schools (note - i am making an assumption about Prins and MUWs executive comp).  Admittedly, they are the largest college/university in the league, but these packages seem out of line especially at a university that has real financial headwinds. My reason for even going there is that it would be a real shame if Webster were to continue its current trajectory while under the leadership of such extraordinarily well compensated persons.  This comp issue has been the source of concern publicly and with the student body.  Post Dispatch has reported on student protests of these comp packages. 

On the 2022 990 Webster disclosed that the top two earners were:

- Elizabeth Strobel - $943,128
- Julian Shuster - $727,813

I have linked a non-paywall article below that has a lot of good information about the financial health at Webster, despite being titled about a rent payment dispute.

https://www.highereddive.com/news/webster-university-sued-over-accusations-of-75k-in-unpaid-rent/692934/

There have been reports that Webster had a great class of 2023 recruiting effort, so hopefully the problems are a thing of the past. 

[y_jack_lok]

^^^Thanks for that info and the link to the article.

[Ron Boerger]

According to their most recent available audit (June 2022), Fontbonne's endowment was $23.8M, down from $25.4M the year before.  Most colleges realize a significant amount of their annual operating expenses from their endowments, but there are restrictions on how funds can be spent and only about half of this total doesn't have some kind of restriction.  This is a very small endowment and doesn't provide much flexibility. 

And when you look at their balance sheet, most of the assets the school holds are its land and buildings with only $14M in investments and less than a million in cash & equivalents.  Not a good situation.

[GU1999]

SLIAC SATURDAY (all games at 3p central)

Westminster (1-5, 1-0)@
Webster (1-5, 0-1)

A very quick rematch of the SLIAC opening game between Westminster and Webster. In the opener, Westminster won on a buzzer beater. I expect Webster to absolutely crush them today at home.

Principia (1-5)@
Fontbonne (5-1)

Despite Fontbonne's 5-1 record appearing better than it actually is due to the level of competition that they have played, I do expect them to handle Principia today at home. 


Spalding(0-4) at
Greenville (4-3)

Slight edge to GU, but Spalding has played a very good schedule so far. In particular the close game against IUPUI indicates that they are a much better team this year. Spalding has a negative assist to turnover ratio on the season, and is averaging almost 15 turnovers a game. If that trend holds today they will turn it over 30+ times and lose.

Eureka@
Blackburn

I think that Blackburn's 1-4 record is deceiving given the quality of teams that they have played and their respectable results againstthose teams. Give me Blackburn in this hard fought game.

Lyon and MUW no conf games this weekend.  MUW has a busy week ahead. Two d1 exhibitions (Sunday and Tuesday) and then traveling to prom next TH.

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ Pretty good prognosticating. Looks like your Panthers lost a close one. But your SU turnover prediction was on the nose.

[GU1999]

Spalding is long, athletic and finished well with a variety of floaters, runners and push shots and athletic off-beat goofy foot finishes at the rim.  They are a bit turnover prone (which was apparent coming in).  That will cost them a few games in the league, but, IMO, this is the best team Coach Gray has had in quite a few years. 

That does not change the fact that GU just shot it very poorly and was far too comfortable with their own turnovers.  I think I counted 6 travelling calls.  An aside on the travelling calls, I will say that all 6 were borderline.  They were the type of travelling call where a player gets going too fast and lifts a pivot before beginning to dribble. They all occurred on wing catches which had a simultaneous rips toward the baseline in one blur of the kinetic sequence.  In the 90s it would have always been called a travel.  Today, it rarely is, as long as the sequence is smooth and the player doing it is perceived as a good ballhandler. 

Anyway, on to the next one. 

[SpartyBlue]

An aside on the travelling calls, I will say that all 6 were borderline.  They were the type of travelling call where a player gets going too fast and lifts a pivot before beginning to dribble. They all occurred on wing catches which had a simultaneous rips toward the baseline in one blur of the kinetic sequence.  In the 90s it would have always been called a travel.  Today, it rarely is, as long as the sequence is smooth and the player doing it is perceived as a good ballhandler.   

That's a very astute point and, I think, a pretty plausible claim. 

[GU1999]

Tuesday:

Blackburn 57 @ Spalding 64

Spalding continues to show me that they are a top 4 team.  They are long and smooth.  More than a few athletic 6'5"+ guys with good skill.

Anthony Dillard is a real problem for the league.  The 6' 5" Jr. F from Georgia is currently averaging 22.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg.  He is currently shooting 2s at a .754 clip.  His percentage number is skewed a bit by his 17/20 against GU, but he did shoot 6/7 against Hanover, 9/13 against Berea, 9/14 against Asbury, and 5/7 against Blackburn.  Dillard was a 15 and 8 guy last year but he looks to have made a good jump. 

Wednesday :

Webster 63 @ Eureka 70

The key stats of this game

Eureka shoots:
37.3%/30.4%/76.5% 

Webster shoots
38.2%/14.3%/46.7% (on 4 of 28 from 3)

For Webster to pull a game off where they shot this badly they would have need a huge possession/shots differential.  They did not and only took one more shot then Eureka.  Not enough to make up for the brickfest.

Greenville 134 @ Westminster 107

I watched the game last night and it was not as close as the score indicates.  The most fun of the night was keeping a watchful eye on Coach Creal.  He was very displeased with this team during the game.  He was on his feet the whole game, rapidly pacing with his shirt either half tucked or entirely untucked (although there was a short period of front tuck and rear untuck).  After most unforced errors or made GU 3, he was forcefully putting his hands on his face and dramatically pulling backward through his hair.  He was not having a good night. 

The non-competitiveness of the game meant that there were a lot of extra minutes for the 3rd shift.  That shift has been averaging 0 - 2 60 second shifts a game the last few games. The third shift had three players who had 6 minutes and two with 9.  Great to get more guys minutes and to do some body conservation for the others in a game like this.  I will say that Westmin has some size.  Although it looks like size that would be best fitted for a slowly played game.  Also, I was impressed with Freshman F Aaron Poage.  Hes listed at 6' 6" and he can really score.  He was not hesitant to take 3's against GU and was successful ending with 23 on 12 shots (3 of 7 from 3).   

Key stats:

GU out rebounded Westmin.  53-50.  That should never happen against a system team. 
GU won the turnover battle 29 to 10. 

Looking forward to the first night of DEEP SOUTH SLIAC action.  Just for fun, give me Lyon and MUW.     

[GU1999]

It is going to be a wild race in the SLIAC this year. 

Lyon over Fontbonne in St. Louis.
Prin over MUW in Elsah.

Only two unbeaten teams left (Spalding and Lyon).  Not even 2 games in. 

[hopefan]

It is going to be a wild race in the SLIAC this year. 

Lyon over Fontbonne in St. Louis.
Prim over MUW in Elsah.

Only two unbeaten teams left (Spalding and Lyon).  Not even 2 games in.

Forgive me... I am no longer familiar with SLIAC detail... what is the status of MUW and Lyon?  Do their games count in SLIAC standings?  Are they eligible for the conference tourney?  If either were to win the conference tourney, are they eligible for NCAA tourney?

Hoping you can keep the detailed write ups coming.... THANKS!!!!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

It is going to be a wild race in the SLIAC this year. 

Lyon over Fontbonne in St. Louis.
Prim over MUW in Elsah.

Only two unbeaten teams left (Spalding and Lyon).  Not even 2 games in.

Forgive me... I am no longer familiar with SLIAC detail... what is the status of MUW and Lyon?  Do their games count in SLIAC standings?  Are they eligible for the conference tourney?  If either were to win the conference tourney, are they eligible for NCAA tourney?

Hoping you can keep the detailed write ups coming.... THANKS!!!!

MUW is a full member of the NCAA this year.  Lyon is a 2nd year provisional.  Games against them do not count as regional.  They are being included in the SLIAC standings.  They were not included in the conference tournament for fall sports, so I assume that'll carry over to basketball as well.

[hopefan]

It is going to be a wild race in the SLIAC this year. 

Lyon over Fontbonne in St. Louis.
Prim over MUW in Elsah.

Only two unbeaten teams left (Spalding and Lyon).  Not even 2 games in.

THANKS RYAN!

Forgive me... I am no longer familiar with SLIAC detail... what is the status of MUW and Lyon?  Do their games count in SLIAC standings?  Are they eligible for the conference tourney?  If either were to win the conference tourney, are they eligible for NCAA tourney?

Hoping you can keep the detailed write ups coming.... THANKS!!!!

MUW is a full member of the NCAA this year.  Lyon is a 2nd year provisional.  Games against them do not count as regional.  They are being included in the SLIAC standings.  They were not included in the conference tournament for fall sports, so I assume that'll carry over to basketball as well.