I heard Hannon is out for the year (knee).  I think they're hoping to get him back next year.  If he does end up playing next year they'll be that much better.  The young guys will have a year under their belt and Nance seems to get better and better.  According to their roster they'll lose Leslie and Pedretti and i'm sure they'll pick up a transfer and a couple of blue chippers.

I've had a chance to see Thomforde play out of high school.  He was at an open gym with a local (twin cities) college team.  He was one of the best athletes on the floor.  He is quick and has hoops.  He didn't do a great job of taking care of the ball but I think he can score it in bunches if he gets in the right system.  He should be a contributor right away.
The Falcons played in the college league over at bloomington jefferson this summer.  I saw them play once.  Does anyone know how they did?  I talked to coach Berkhof afterward and he's excited about his team this year.  They looked pretty good in the game I saw.
Any predictions on how they'll finish?

There have been conflicting reports on Anthony Tucker and what school he will be attending this fall. He was spotted with the Pipes at the Bloomington Jefferson League.

How will the Pipes do with this addition? Watching them this summer it seems to me that the Pipes have a ton of guards and wings and no real post presence. 

Quote from: Willy Wonka on March 22, 2010, 04:32:32 PM

Quote from: AO on March 22, 2010, 02:12:22 PM

Quote from: papahoops on March 22, 2010, 01:11:18 PM
The MN Transitions coach John Sherman has had a positive impact on the MN AAU scene with his Minnesota Magic program. My son had a lot of very positive experieces playing for Magic teams under John's direction.
I do not agree, however, with the way the Minnesota allows charter school to be created and used for various activities. It is not fair for a smaller school that draws from a typical population talent pool to have to compete with a team that is a group of AAU all stars. To their credit, MN Transitions does play some higher quality teams, but they still play a lot of weak teams, leading to tremendously inflated stats that will no doubt distort future state records. I do not agree with the state supported charter school concept in general, so I admit I am biased, but I believe MN Transitions should be placed in a larger school bracket if they are to be included in the state high school league playoffs.

I'm admittedly pro-charter schools because they do a better job for less money, but you can't make a rule that makes all private and charter schools play at a higher level.  There are some truly awful charter/private schools who couldn't beat Hopkins jr. high.  Maybe you would agree with my idea for  promotion/relegation to separate Transitions from the math and science charter school if Transitions wins the A title. 

I understand why we separate college divisions due to the varying amounts of money the schools give to athletes, but I do not understand why we have multiple classes in high school sports when all the schools play under the same rules.

Why can't you make rules that only effect private/charter schools? I know it was at least discussed by the MSHSL a few years back, though I'm not sure to what extent. I believe the talks centered around making private/charter school kids "worth" about 1.4 on the enrollment scale to reflect the obvious advantage that comes with being able to hand pick "students" who happen to excel in athletics. It's basically the opposite idea of what's currently done for free/reduced lunch kids in terms of determining enrollment — they are "worth" 0.6, I believe.

And private/charter schools do NOT play under the same rules as public schools. Exhibit A: The relatively new transfer restrictions apply to public schools but not to private/charters. It's truly an asinine system IMO.

Sooner or later there will be a backlash. But probably not until every state tournament entrant is a private school that brings weak crowds like St. Thomas Academy. Hit the MSHSL in the pocketbook and then things might change...

The financial piece for schools is determined by per pupil unit.  High school students no matter what their socioeconomic or public, private, or charter school status are all worth the same amount of money.

PI- I don't think Johnson is necessarily beating teams because of their depth although it helps.  From watching them it looks like it is their relentless defense and their unselfishness.  I expect to see Johnson in the title game against De LaSalle or Benilde.

I agree with AO on the homeschooling and charter issue.  I disagree with Charters being a joke.  The same teachers who teach in the public schools teach in the charter schools.  They receive the same training.  Charters give students a chance to be successful in a nontraditional setting. 

AO- the multiple classes means multiple champions.  It is similar to what you stated about some charters not being able to beat Hopkins Jr. High team.  It is the same for some of the smaller schools.  This gives more schools a chance to feel the success of going to state.  If I'm not mistaken there was an all class state tournament in the 90's.  "The Sweet Sixteen"  I believe they took four schools from the four classes and put them in a tournament together.

Devean was a 6'2" guard coming out of high school.  I know a few of the MIAC schools were recruiting him but I'm not sure if he got any scholarship offers.  What made him really good was the fact that he grew 6 inches in college and he maintained his guard skills.

That's a tough decision, but I have to say Holland is better, or at least more valuable. He makes a huge impact with less resources than Nicolai and UST. Holland has to have the smoothest jump shot in the league... don't get me wrong, I love Nicolai's game and he is very good, but Holland is just too smooth.
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I haven't seen Holland play this year but I am guessing he is getting the opponents second best perimeter defender.  Nicolai probably started the year with the opponents second best defender but as he has continued to be the Tommies best offensive player this year he got the opponents best defender.  I think Holland is a great player but i wonder if he would be as productive against the other teams best defender.

As far as Ray liking Coach Whitmore because he doesn't get in his face.  I also heard the opposite about Coach Whitmore's style but  I don't know too many coaches who would get in the face of an impact player such as Ray.   There would be a different kind of conversation about Hamline if Ray weren't there.  I think Coach Whitmore knows how important Ray is to his program.  With that said there isn't a coach who treats all of his/her players the same.

I've got Hamline today.  I think Ray comes out even more aggressive than the first game and I really think he's going to torch Crowder when he guards him.  In my experience when a PLAYER gets shut down they have great games the next time around. 

Carleton jumped all over the Tommies the first time they played.  I think they were up 12-0 or 13-1 something like that.  The Knights are gonna have to be able to score consistently if they want to win today. 

Pick'em Roundup
1. UST  19-1
2.  GAC 15-5
3.  Augsburg 13-7
4.  SJU 12-8
5.  Hamline 11-9
6.  Carleton 11-9
7.  STO 10-10
8.  8-12
9.  St.Mary's 6-14
10.  Concordia 5-15
11.  Mac 0-20

I look forward to collecting at the Play-off championship .

Loco-  I saw it coming with Nicolai.  He was torching teams in the summer league.  I know its the summer league but he was the only starting backcourt player who played on the team.  I could see him being MVP if he keeps this up. 

Carltonsid- UST is the hands down favorite, I think Augsburg finishes second in conference.  After that it will be a crapshoot.  Augsburg returns 4 out of 5 starters from last year and they didn't lose anyone else who contributed.   There are a lot of guys over there that can play so the trick for them will be keeping everyone happy especially on the wings.  If UST loses a conference game this year my bet is on Augsburg to do it (not tonight).

You've gotta try the cornbread muffins with the honey butter at Brasa.  I'm not sure if Drake mentioned the best part about Brasa, you are getting quality food.  Organic and Grass fed free range meat.  Not only does it taste good but there are no additives or preservatives.

I saw Nance in Bloomington and asked if he was going to play Football.  He said he was undecided but he is definitely going to be a Tommie!

I think the Tommies go undefeated again in league play and Mac goes defeated again! 
I may change my mind about Mac once I hear something but I can't imagine them having much of a  recruiting class with the coaching change.

A couple of interesting sightings in the box of the Carelton v. St. Mary's game.  The first being Jeremy Sutherland was in the box playing 4 mins.  They are a different team with  him in the line up.  My guess is they wanted to see how his shoulder would hold up in some game time action.  They will  probably try to have him ready for the playoffs.  I am not banking on him playing much this Saturday.  I'll have to give coach Kalland a call to see what the prognosis is.
The other is St. Mary's has gotten a nice pick-up with Pat Freeman from Champlin Park.  He must have transfered recently because I believe he was at Crookston.  He is as nice player that will give the Cardinals another threat and a little bit of size height at a skinny 6'7".

The D-George team his Senior year was the most dominate team I have seen.  Comparing 08-09 Tommies team to the 98-99 Auggie team isn't even close.  As WW mentioned the Auggie team played against great competition in a Schmidt lead GAC team, Joldersma lead Bethel team and Whilhelm lead Carelton team.  The league was very good and they still dominated.  However, it did not transfer over to post season success.  I don't believe the 08-09 Tommies will have great post season success either.

I've seen the Tommies play a few times this year.  They are better than everyone else in the MIAC.  However they are not good enough to be ranked #1.  In my opinion the league is down this year and they have not been tested.  A team with a good post and guards to handle their pressure will beat them.  I see them winning one maybe two games in the post season.  I hope I'm wrong and they make a deep run but I don't see it.

They will be facing an Augsburg team that is playing well.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the Auggies beat them tomorrow.

Wohler got a couple of good recruits and a transfer that helped a lot.  I'm not sure what Whitmore has.  I am also not sure what he is going to bring in.  They have shown glimpses of promise but it could be down hill for them.

I am going to go out on a limb and say UST goes undefeated!  To me Carelton had the best shot at knocking them off.  I don't like there chances as much with Sutherland out for the year.  Bethel put in a lackluster performance.  The Johnnies are in a funk and I'm not sure if they will get out of it.  I don't see any other team that can match up with them.  The only reason why I put the Johnnies in the conversation was because of their great start.  GAC has been inconsistent to say the least.  Augsburg has some good talent but the way they got man handled the first time I don't like their chances either.