Reigning MVP, Weber, fouled out with like 12 minutes left in the game.  Anybody have a score update?

"I think the MIAC, and more specifically UST, struggles in the national tournament scene because of the physical nature of the league and the team.  Other leagues don't play as physically, so when we match up with them we usually end up in foul trouble because in contrast to the other team we look like we are trying to ruff them up.  We saw the same thing last year against Larry U.  Very similar to the style of play seen in the Big 10.

Things are not looking good now... Scott is going to need to catch fire here pretty quick or this ship isn't going to be righted."

No doubt, although IIAC has had their own tourney struggles, but this game comes to mind and it was at BV:
http://www2.bvu.edu/athletics/stats/mbasketball/2003-04/nca0306m.htm

My head hurts from all this thinking.  

The point of my original comment is that with two tough close losses to BV, both of which could have gone the other with an unlucky bounce or a difficult official's call, Loras could come to Storm Lake next Saturday with a chip on their shoulder and will have no problem getting motivated seeking revenge.  Gorton won't need to pull any cheesy motivational tactics, Loras was already wearing their emotions on their sleeve last Saturday and they certainly have not been dominated by BV this year, its a very even match-up.  BV or any other team would certainly be motivated as well, there is an NCAA bid on the line after all!  Regardless of statistics or theoretical dissertations to prove or dis-prove the idea, you ask most coaches and they'll says its a challenge to beat any team three times in the same year, much less a talented, evenly matched opponent that you've been fortunate to play well against and maybe even get a few lucky bounces up until this point.

Some tough road trips over to Storm Lake for everyone in the league, I understand, but it makes you wonder how BV has been able to overcome a long road trip nearly every game!

Congrats to BV on the league crown.  From an entertainment standpoint, I hope Loras and BV are able to meet in a re-match Saturday night.  However as a Beaver fan, it'll be a challenge to beat a quality team like Loras for a third straight time, so I'll be rooting for someone to knock off Loras and hopefully BV can take care of business on their end.

BV wins in OT, 88-81, I'll be interested to hear everyone's take on this game.  Lots of BV steals late in regulation to come back.  Dupic and Franklin sounded unstoppable late.  Best of luck on Saturday Beavers!

BV comes back from 13 down real late to tie and head to OT.  It sounds exciting on the radio

Did you know...
That BV's all time IIAC tournament record is 21-2.  They have won 15 straight games in the tourney games.  That is quite impressive.

I agree Charlie-  but don't tell that to Steve Alford!  (see 2001 Big Ten Tournament)

A big congratulations to Van Haaften and the Beavers.  This trophy has to one of VH's most bitter sweet!  February has been quite the run for the Beavers, let's keep it rolling!

My vote for Coach of the Year, while worthless, goes to Brian Van Haaften.  This team loses like 90% some odd of last year's offense, took their lumps early in the year with a tough schedule, but is playing as good as anybody in the conference come February winning their last six and qualifying for the conference championship game for the seventh straight year.

Sounds like BV's focus on keeping Steege out of sync, while sacrificing some looks for Schmidt, worked out again. 

BV wins at Wartburg.  Big win, VH has really rallied the troops.  Good luck Saturday night at Coe.  7th straight year that BV will play in the conference championship!

Coe/Simpson is tied at 36-36 at half.

BV up 43-37 on Warburg at half.

Should be an interesting second half.

Mighty impressive run for Wartburg.  Walston's own curiousity got me thinking about BV's run during Van Haaften's tenure and their recent win streaks that ended (over Central and Dubuque, ouch!).

Up until this year, BV has had good returning talent each year and posted records of 27-2, 21-6, 23-6, 27-4, 24-5 and 26-4, going to the NCAA five of six years and posting 200 wins in nine years.  They lose essentially their entire offense from last year and have posted a 10-13 record thus far, liikely ending their six year streak of 20+ wins.  On the positive side, they are playing well of late and are now 8-6 in the league.

While they did lose to Central and UD earlier this year, it got me thinking about the win streaks and W/L head to head over IIAC opponents during VH's tenure:
Central:  20-4, winning 17 in a row before recent loss
Dubuque:  18-1, winning 18 in a row before recent OT loss
Loras:  19-3, winning 14 of last 16
Luther: 18-4, winning 15 of last 17
Simpson: 16-5, winning 10 of last 11
Wartburg: 19-7, winning 7 of last 9
Coe: 16-5, winning 14 of last 16
Cornell: 15-3, winning last 4
Upper Iowa: 11-4, winning 7 of last 8
William Penn: 10-0

In total, BV is 162-36, or 81.8%, in the conference and 210-65, or 76.4%, overall.  Mighty impressive and the future looks bright as well.  Best of luck to the Beavers this week and the tournament.