Hello all

I was unaware until tonight that my play by play and commentary was a topic of conversation on this board.  I will say I appreciate the kind words and those that are critical of my comments.  It gives me much to think about. 

I hope that those of you who have taken issue with my broadcasts would be as honest in person as you have been here, it's easy to take shots and be critical on these boards, I've done it in the past, regretfully. 

I am a homer, I spend countless hours with SJU Coaches and players in many different sports, I want them to do well.  There's not a coach at SJU or player I've not liked, maybe hard to believe but true. I have good relationships with most of the coaches in the league, during interviews I try to highlight their best player, if they are having a tough year, I try to look for a positive in my first question, and go from there.  I have made comments about St Thomas that some would see as harsh, others would say are accurate.  An apology is in order, so I will offer one here, I should not be so critical, for that I am sorry.  I think St. Thomas has an outstanding football team, they could win it all. I don't agree with some things that have transpired in the past, but as Gary Fasching so often says, you can't do anything about that, so I'll press on. 

I like to think I have a passion, I love what I do, I enjoy it, the SJU slant will probably stay after 16 football seasons and my current 17th basketball season it won't go away.  Thanks again for all the feedback. 

Great effort by SJU...officiating was pretty good, they let them play in the second half...bit of a drought by SJU in latter stage of second half hurt...

Have to re-focus for the Cobbers on Wednesday

Quote from: Retired Old Rat on February 27, 2014, 06:26:21 PM
I would say the webcast was of average quality.  Certainly not up to Carlton standards, but not bad.  The audio was perfect.

I think the webcast is the culprit behind the low attendance.   

I forgot to mention this in my last post.  Since the J's lost, this was my highlight.

VOJ thought he was off the air due to technical difficulties.  Slight pause and you can here a busy signal.  Probably calling the station to find out what was going on.  His response:  "This is fricking unbelievable."  That is the word he used.  So no Bert Blyleven type suspension.  Too bad Anthony LaPanta wasn't next to him.  He's got experience in matters such as this.

Sorry Mark, just couldn't resist. 

Time to go back to the football board for me.

ROR and Drake thanks for the kind words...timing of going off the air in the Bear was awful, right when SJU was coming back...you can site the officials but in talking to the seniors after the game, the coaches and others...too many offensive rebounds for GAC.  Fantastic group of seniors leaving, they will be tough to replace, probably impossible. 

A big thank you to Bob Alpers for his great color man work on that game and a couple of others!!

Congratulations to the Oles and the MIAC's coach K, well deserved championship!!

How long is Tengwall out?  Looked high ankle when it happened.

Interesting to see D3 bracket tomorrow

Maniac...I and many others are wondering how many years the MIAC has been a two bid league to the NCAA tournament?

Also with regards to the officials...neither team was happy at the calls on Saturday, did they favor one team or the other, at times yes, but that's the way it goes.  I have never seen anyone come on this board and say it was a great job by the officials, hell will probably freeze over before that happens or Maniac will actually credit SJU with playing a good game against UST. 

With regards to how the Toms played in the second half, I thought they played hard and had great crowd support behind them.  Obviously I wasn't at the UST-StO match up, but I would have to say that for total atmosphere with the Johnnies faithful that showed up it made for the best atmosphere at an MIAC game this year so far...

Big test for SJU Wednesday night...Gusties with the exception to the home loss to the Tommies have played pretty well down the stretch.

Quote from: miacsuperfan on February 21, 2014, 10:40:55 AM
Shoot, forgot.....VOJ was great to see your name show up on the board the other day.   Come back!
Love to hear your thoughts on SJUs chances in St. Paul tomorrow.  Slim, none?   Can the Johnnies do the improbable? What say you? 

Thanks superfan...The Johnnies will show up and they will give a great effort, an effort that has led to 9 wins in the last 11 games. 

Haven't seen AO come up with what he thinks...and yes the Johnnies have something to play for, getting a home playoff game would be a very nice achievement. 

UST has shown how dominant they are, especially at home...going to be a fun afternoon!!

Quote from: miacmaniac on February 16, 2014, 03:22:54 PM

Quote from: Greek Tragedy on February 15, 2014, 09:53:32 AM
If divisions were actually based on student size, the WIAC schools would be in Division 1. 

Not all is lost for the Oles. Despite their loss, they could jump Dubuque in next week's regional rankings as Dubuque also lost at home to Loras. Losing to St. Thomas is better than losing to Loras.

especially when Loras is coached by a UST Alum 

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it is official.. UST has clinched at worst a share of league title #9 in a row, while the Oles wrapped up the #2 seed and SJU secured a spot in the playoff field. Bethel, Carleton and Concordia have an interesting battle going on for the final spot.  it looks to me like GAC will host SJU in one quarterfinal, while Auggie hosts the survivor of the battle for 6th, but with a lot of games this week between playoff teams and contenders, it should be an exciting and fun week.
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Memo to VOJ-- the red rodents will always be the Evil Empire 

So says you with the purple shades...seems most share my opinion.  See you Saturday!!

Quote from: AO on February 13, 2014, 08:40:56 AM

Quote from: miacmaniac on February 13, 2014, 08:32:23 AM
decent piece by Reusse, although his facts are slightly off....St. Olaf has won 3 MIAC titles, most recently in 1988-89 (but none under Koz):

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/245306211.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Sure didn't take long for a commenter to come in and declare that St Thomas is too good and doesn't belong in the MIAC.

They can't leave, who would be the evil empire then?

Quote from: madzillagd on February 12, 2014, 09:52:23 PM
Foul away from the play on a 3 point shot.  Basket is good.  Refs give the ball out of bounds to St. Olaf?   Is that the correct call?  I don't think I've ever seen that.  I thought always when the basket was good you just give a single free throw for the person that was fouled.

Fellas, it can be the correct call depending on the time of the foul and the timing of the shot...I saw it happen in a game that SJU played earlier this year.

Sounded like a classic slugfest and I am not suprised it got a little rough in the trenches.  Glad to hear the Ole students were out in force. 

Regional rankings show St. Olaf 5th...better than I expected.

I have been told Zimmerman is hurt...Happy Thanksgiving to all...

Quote from: miacmaniac on February 27, 2012, 01:24:58 PM

Quote from: Drake Palmer on February 27, 2012, 12:33:04 PM
Tough draw for the Gusties - Wheaton will be tough. Tim McCrary for Wheaton is suppose to be a stud. 1-2 time All American.

I think STO, Hamline or UST has played Claremont in their trips out to California. Similar style to the Gusties?

Twas Olaf (Oles lost a fairly close one)....you can bet JT has been in touch with Koz for tips/info....and Im sure CMS coaches have done same with P-P, which lost to UST

Wheaton is a tough draw, no question.... and CMS is no slouch. the MIAC drew some tough opening round games and then likely battles with the WIAC co-kingpins.

VOJ-- care to ride shotgun with me on Friday?  We can stop in RF and pick up DP and he can give us the highlights of TH's barnburner  (and yes DP I am only tweaking you)

If you were bringing chicken...maybe...Good luck to both programs representing Minnesota GAC and Northwestern...whoops I mean all three, Tommies nearly slipped my mind 

Point taken Maniac...the Rat Pack is not what it used to be and to be perfectly honest I totally forgot about them.  They are approaching the "wake the echoes" status that Notre Dame football now is.

Like I said earlier I didn't see what others are describing, just providing a little perspective on the situation.  Red glasses are optional...but encouraged. 

Fellas...

I did not see what happened at the end of the game other than a group of kids who won a game at the buzzer jumping around and celebrating a win over a team that had gotten the better of them twice this year and won 6 in a row against them at Si Melby.  Did many pick SJU for the Final 4 of the MIAC...probably not.  I guess they should have just went back to the locker room or up in the stands behind the J's bench.  It was a last second win in a tense atmosphere where the season continues if you win or your afternoons open up if you lose. 

I don't know what Mr. Burns did, I am not here to defend it or pile on, just offer perspective.  I do understand the frustration factor boiling over for those involved in the taunting of Andy Burns.  I know if it was my son that was the subject of the taunts it would be hard not to stick it in the faces of those riding him all game.  Drake, Maniac, ROR and others are you telling me you would have not been a little upset that your child was getting targeted all game?  You can say you would not have acted out, but it is pretty easy to say that without having it happen to you.

Truth be told I was a little annoyed at what was being chanted as well, must be my red colored glasses or as maniac so eloquently put it: "despite the fact I allegedly have some red bias"?  When I first heard it I thought it was much more derogatory, glad it was not,  but be that as it may, those who buy the tickets have a license to say what they want.  Augsburg students supporting their classmates were trying to get the one of the Johnnies top players off his game which some may say worked for a while but he kept making plays in the second half as his 14 points and 6 assists indicate.  According to his comments after the game, the taunting contributed to his motivation late.  He said he told Coach Smith he wanted the ball...and then he hit the shot that won the game over the leading shot blocker in the MIAC, Cory Polta. 

Remember these guys are the truest form of student-athlete, they aren't on athletic scholarships, not embarking on a pro career but they are out there in the public to get jeered or cheered.

So should Andy Burns be able to walk into a classroom at Augsburg of one of those students who chanted at him and when they get a paper back with a C or D grade on it...chant "D-student", or "loser"?  Just something to think about.

In light of the recent comment on the board from Gustie12 I can only imagine what he will face tonight.  Just more motivation, I guess.

Maniac it was good to see you Wednesday night, I know I won't see you tonight...have fun.  ROR and other posters, if you get there early enough, come up to the press box and say hello. 

One more thing...I think the coaches wanted extra days to prepare for the playoffs, especially those who play in the quarterfinals, I also think the potential doubling up reason entered into it, where on a Tuesday or Thursday night the women would have to play at 5:15 rather than showcased at 7:30.

Quote from: westie on February 18, 2012, 06:44:23 PM
Ugly game for the Gusties today in St Peter.

1st half was VERY physical and relatively well played by both sides.  Seth had a huge first half to keep the Gusties in the game.  Taylor Hall was held in the check for the most part and forced to shoot from the outside.  The 2nd half was all Taylor Hall and good Bethel defense. The Gusties struggled to get any open looks and Seth had to force a bunch of shots...it wasn't pretty.

Of course the game wouldn't have been complete without some terrible MIAC officiating.  A number of WTF calls that had Hanson as angry as I have seen in years.   The officiating did not cost GAC the game but crippled any chance of a rally.

What is going on at Bethel?   Playing GOOD defense?  Not bombing away from behind the arc???

Checked the boxscore, not familiar with Wittman but the other two guys are solid officials.  Also if I had a vote, I would have Neville as the MVP...Anderson has had an awesome year but Neville might have had the best overall year of any player in the conference.

Quote from: miacmaniac on February 15, 2012, 11:22:57 PM

Quote from: gustie12 on February 15, 2012, 11:14:22 PM
How about the outcome tonight? GAC plows over CC and UST beats out Bethel. It is safe to say Bethel needs a win against GAC saturday to receive a playoff berth. What are everyone's predictions? Personally mine are....

GAC over BU
STO over CAR
SJU over CC - (very intriguing matchup)
HAM over MAC
UST over SMU

If this plays out we'll see GAC win the regular season MIAC outright, as well as putting Hamline and SJU in the playoffs. Let the predictions begin....

Just for the sake of argument, I will go with BU, STO, CORD, HAM and UST...putting BU and HAM in the playoffs and UST as the #1 seed.  BU @GAC is far and away the best matchup of the day, if not the week. Both teams need the W, so something's gotta give. Does anyone know the last time Bethel won at GAC?

Sake of argument?  Nice try maniac...got a nice chuckle out of you picking the Cobbers.  I know it does not matter much now...but I don't think its  the combined record of teams that finish in front of you, its your best win vs their best win...meaning if you beat the conference regular season champ but the team you are tied with did not, you have the tie-breaker.

Biggest shot of the year for the Johnnies:  Burns jumper to win the Hamline game....

Quote from: miacsuperfan on February 05, 2012, 09:57:55 AM
heard radio call of the game winner on saturday at sju.  nice!     
voj, you should be working for 'cco so a few more people could hear you.   

Thanks for the props superfan...interesting game.