LC- Yes it is true Mike is the younger brother of Sean Sweeney from St. Thomas and has been playing pretty well so far. He can shoot the heck out of the ball and doesn't make a lot of mistakes. Will he turn out to be like his brother? Only time will tell but as for having no seniors will be intresting for SMU because of the leadership. Looking back at last years young team could be a reason for the JC guys. Having this group for at least two years will defintely be a plus for SMU.

JD- What level of D-I do you mean?


Go Cardinals

JD- It really depends on the which part of D-1 your talking about. Low- Major, Mid- Major, etc. For example, All-MIAC vs NDSU (North Dakota State) would be a great game. All-MIAC vs UNI (Northern Iowa), UNI by 15-20. Now All-MIAC vs Gophers, Don't think about it.

I would say, its better to compare with TOP Division II teams than DI.

In basketball though, cinderalla always come calling when you least expect it. 

1 Karma in the plus column. 

Come on guys, the bus ride to Cardinal Country can't be that bad? It has to be better than driving to meet the cobbers... As sju4 has mentioned, it probably will be a death trap for a few teams who would normally write a W in the win column anyway.  I'm really anxious to get the season underway, so we can see who predictions come true and who's won't. By the way, when does the official pre-season ranking comes out?

Here are mine

1. GAC- Champs until someone proves otherwise
2. UST- Tons of talent, has to all come together
3. CAR- Nice one-two punch
4. SMU- Will shock the world (Root for the home team, wat u expect)
5. SJU- Transfers make an impact
6. Cobbers- Sneaks in by one game
7. Hamline- Last second shot crushes play-off hopes
8. Bethel- Sleeper team, just don't know a lot about...could be scary.
9. MAC- Too much balance in conference for one guy to carry team
10. Aug- Needs two years to get his own boys on campus
11. STO- Well......nuff said

Karma me please  8)

Wow, Stout that high? I guess I don't really know a lot abot them...I take it that they are really good fast breaking type of team where as most of the league is smashmouth in your face physical half court teams?  I really like Oshkosh...Capelle has always been good since his freshmen year. He has grown into very good player.

When the time comes, I am just going to say I told you so!!!

SMU Camp Update.........Coach Trewick is stressing defense a lot more this year since they gave up about 70ppg last year.....Terrence Smith has looked great in practice. It seems as though he has been around forever but he's in the best shape of his life....I have to retract my statement about Mike Rohr.  He's not aggressive enough offensively..The backcourt is loaded with quickness and will cause a lot of problems for opposing teams..Practices have been going well and seem more intense than previous years...any word on other practices around the league?

Maybe I'm confused  or maybe you guys have me mistaken? I believe that good guards is what it takes to win it all.

But I also believe having a good post players to go with them (takes pressure off of them sometimes) makes teams a lot better.
ex: Zeck and Nickel (Lakeland 04)

Here's a question for us to ponder.
Would you rather have a one-two punch of two guards or one guard and one post?

KU was a great team believe me, I played against them that year!! I'm not saying that you will win it all with a great guard. I'm saying that, when the game is on the line. Who is probably going to end up taking that shot? A guard. Believe me, as I stated before I believe having the inside game and a outside game is what makes really good teams.

Some teams are post oriented and some are guard oriented. Usually, the teams that are really good have a combination of both. The post game allows teams to get easier buckets and force the issue underneath as well as winning the battle of the boards offensively and defensively (key element to winning games). But win the game is on the line it comes down to guard play. You can look at all the NCAA basketball championships..how many times was it a post that made the biggest differences late in the game? Last year shawn may (UNC), was a beast for them THROUGHOUT the game and the Illini lived with long three's. Besides, that. Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse), Matteen Cleaves (Michigan State),  and some kid by the name of Mike Jordan. 

Funballer..remember he is just a soph and he had to get his feet wet as a fresh. The one game was an example... but your right, I might be smokin something..But this is what I mean..first of all I need to correct my self on the previous stats..he only had 5 reb..but there was a 5 game span late in the year (at CC, at AU, Mac, BU, GAC) where he avg 15pts 4rebs. Obviously he must be more consistant and that could happen because of SMU guard play...The transfers that entered this year will make it easier for him because you won't be able to help off them as in years past..also lets face it..post players in this league is used for screen and sometimes rebounding thats it...It will be interesting to see how it all works out but....must continue to keep smokin 

jgatz...Cory Nickel did win POY and Weitor didn't win it because they lost in the conference semifinals to WLC and Lakeland won it all. So, your right. Ricky Davis won it the year before that. Weitor just couldn't lead CU to the championship game. If he did then he probably would have won it.

Go Cardinals

Player of the year....hum..I am going to go WAY out on limb and pick one of the most skilled post players in the league and select Mike Rohr as Player of the Year.

Why? Well he has showed the ability to cause problems in the post because of his size (6'7) and skill level. He can knock down the three and has a great touch around the basket. He is just a SOPH but last year as a freshman he had 18pts and 8reb against the powerful GAC. Also, in a guard driven league. There aren't many dominate threats in the post.  His youth and inexperience could be a down fall.
He could stand out tremendously if the following happened.
1. He puts up the numbers he's capable of
2. SMU goes from the cellar to a conference contender.

As a smu supporter this defintely wishful thinking but I believe after watching whats on the team this year. SMU has a legit shot at being the most surprising team in the league. 

Go Cardinals 

Here is a new topic for us to discuss.. I know the WIAC talks about it a lot but how many teams do you think the conference can get in this year because of the expansion to 64 teams? Do we have a shot a getting at least two? If I am not mistaken. This conference is usually one of the toughest conferences in the nation. If I had to pick I believe St. Thomas and GAC would be the early favorites. Could any other team sneak in and take a spot away?

It's not voting for your favorite team if the team you think is going to win it all isn't on your list! Ok let me break it down for you, so even your little mind can understand. If you add all the teams or even "none of the above" to your poll. You can give people the right to pick someone other than your top six. I don't believe it is a uniamous selection for the top 6. Why is the response number so low on a very active board? Could it be because you were pissing in your pants when you thought of dumb question anyway? 

Does anyone know of any incoming freshmen that are on campus now since school has started? Who has the best recruiting class? Will Edgewood repeat this year? if not, who has upset potentail?