Blazerball,

I have seen the thuggery this year in two games at Bethal and away...I have seen the effects of it when playin the Blazers right after the thugs got ta Heikkenen and go ask the Gusties.  This is really disappointing to read a bunch of adult wanna-be's who get all confused when someone calls 'em out on behavior that's happenin right in front a their noses.  I don't hafta have seen 20 years of MIAC or Bethal hoops to recognize dirty play in the two games I saw THIS YEAR.  Mark my words, if something is not done, hopefully by the Bethal administration, fans and a cooperating coach, this will end up staining the MIAC, someone is gunna get seriously hurt ...you bozos who are tryin' ta psuedo-macho rationalize this stuff are not doin' yourselves or yer teams any favors.

KEEP THE FAITH AND STAY AWAY FROM THE KIDS, THEY DESERVE BETTER'N YOU ARE!

East Coast MIAC Fan,

Your response to the thuggery of the Bethal women's team does nothin' for the image of Bethal or Bethal supporters.  As for trying to make the women's game more like the men's...I've played and watched basketball for 45 years and if ANY mens team tried the same intimidation and outright cheap retaliation when they're gettin beat, they'd be run out of the gym first by thier own fans with the refs right behind 'em. 

This behavior is a coaching problem...at the very least the coach can't control his players, and at worst it's a coaching strategy.  It starts in the gym in practice and is played out on the court during games.  Don't give me that crap about makin' it as physical as the mens game...we are not talkin about good hard basketball, we're talkin about bump and run picks away from the ball, clothsline switches to the throat with elbows locked (intent to injure). and straight line elbows to the head in front of God and everyone.

As for my kid...she's one of the toughest players on her squad, she always has a bruised lip, black eye er other badge of hard play and she's one of the smallest players on the team.  You are , in my opinion, a major part of the problem  because you don't understand the game enough to recogonize or appreciate good, CLEAN, hard play from any team, yours or an oponent.  I hope the real Bethal fans can get this problem under control before you and a few out of control players smear the image of the whole school.

And if I see you in the gym after one of the games ...I'll show ya what I mean by dirty play!

KEEP THE FAITH AND STAY OUTTA MY WAY!!

Scorekeeper,

Sigh...see my comments to the Cobber fans, they could serve as role models for you Bennie folks. But it's must be tough ta recognize proper social behavior if ya don't get outta St. Joseph unless yer drafted inta the Marine Corps.

I would like to add  a compliment to Concordia fans...you're the best folks in hosting visiting spectators,  real class and a really class program (some other folks out in the middle a the prairie might take notice).  Thanx Cobber fans

This is my first time participating on this site.  I have only been watchin MIAC women's hoops for 3 years now but what an education.  This may very well  be the one of the 3 best D3 women's leagues in the country.  My kid talked to the U of Chicago coach 3 years ago and she looked down her nose at anything west of Chicago...the kid talked to Johnson at Ripon too but she didn't blink when the kid told 'er that she was goin to the MIAC.

I have one suggestion ,however, directed toward the Gustie, Carlton, and Concordia folks (the St. Benny people too if you aren't too comfortable with the way things are).

Something must be done about the officiating and the "good ol' boy" network at the conference offices.  There are at least 4 officials who should not be allowed to manage a rock garden let alone control a top quality MIAC hoops game.  The method of evaluating and selecting officials for specific games must be made MUCH more transparent...coaches like the "Benny boy" must not be allowed to rule their home courts by intimidating the same tired, old, post retirement officials that have been servicing St. Bens since Jesus was a PFC.

This is a problem which if not faced, is gunna kill the golden goose.  All the women's programs are getting noticably better starting with coaching  but if something is not done to improve the officiating at St.  Bens, Gustavus and Carlton specifically, then the rest of the league will sink back and the quality at the top will not continue to perform at a high level in post season.  This is a concern of mine that I hope some of you folks at the "annointed" schools will recognize as legitimate. 

I would also like to express a concern I have that is even more serious than the above but, actually part of the foregoing...the "chippy", no I'll say DIRTY play at Bethal must be called out and the league must hold the head coach to account.  My kid's team beat those folks twice and didn't lose anyone (luckily) but the cheap shots, bump and run picks and clothsline switches started in warmups and didn't end until well after the final buzzer.  And this was at BOTH their place and ours!!!  The fact that their "hatchet lady" has taken 3 of the best players in the league out is no coincidence...unfortunately, the dirty play is not limited to that designated thug, but includes both front and back court players.  The coach must  be held accountable to the league for this and officials must be competent and confident enough to take control from the opening tip in every  Bethal game.

Finally, tonight's games may be very interesting...I hope the Gusties ken take care of business but it won't be easy unless the officials get a grip early.  And, don't be surprised at the outcome down in Northfield...the wicked witch a the west may jest get her britches bundled tonight.