To be fair, most of Mac's losses down the stretch were nail-biters and some could have gone either way. Yes, a loss is a loss. But the Highlanders have been a tough opponent on most nights, as were several other SLIAC teams. That is probably why hopefan more or less called it a couple of weeks ago when he said this probably was the most balanced and competitive league he'd seen in his time following the SLIAC. And the post-season tournament was more or less a jump ball. A few years ago, when Mac and Webster tied for the regular season championship, neither team made it to the conference post-season tournament finals. Eureka, who Mac had beaten twice during the regular season, knocked off the Highlanders, and Fontbonne - with a load of talent but some inconsistent regular season performances, eased past tournament host Webster. My sense is the 2012 tournament, in many ways, mirrors that season. And you had a couple of other teams during that previous tournament - Westminster and Greenville - who were just as tough but didn't get in.

I've always thought good guard play and depth were the difference makers in the post season. Through in some size and solid coaching, and that team probably has the edge. But at the end of the day, if a team shoots well, it usually plays well. I think Mac may be on a mission and is poised to capture the NCAA bid. But Westy, as it proved in Jacksonville not that long ago, will be tough as nails. Should be a very good game that could go either way.

I won't be able to make the game. Been out-of-state all week and need to keep the home fires burning. Mac needs to dig in and bounce back. I think they will. Tough bunch and good coach. Good luck to all and safe travels.

Sorry about the leatherlungs down at Greenville, hopefan. No excuse. I've never understood why parents and/or fans of a team choose to embarrass themselves, their kids, their team, their school, and their community. Seen and heard it too many times, for too many years. I used to think it was a combination of dads living vicariously through their kids, with a heavy dose of has-beens and never-wases mixed in. But now I think it's also just extremely poor manners, immature adults, and people who don't really care what anyone else thinks. On behalf of the many MacMurray parents and fans who respect the officials, the other team, the game of basketball, and only cheer and say positive things about the Highlanders and their opponents, I apologize for those who chose to show the very worst of what sportsmanship is supposed to be all about.

I've seen and heard this garbage from some other schools too, and just cringe when it happens. Wish there was a way to either electronically shut them up, or maybe install and ejector seat that would propel the loud mouth into a padded room for 24 hours.

The way Greenville played, and apparently the way MacMurray responded, I seriously doubt the three officials had any impact on the outcome. Sometimes you just get whipped, breaks or no breaks. It happens. Anyone who has ever played or coached the game knows this, and for any fan to think that poor officiating led to a 20 point loss either doesn't know anything about basketball, has lost touch with reality, or both.

Blackburn    46   Westminster (Mo.) 64   
Fontbonne    71   Eureka 86   
Webster    61   Spalding 65   
MacMurray    71   Greenville    99   

Mac lays an egg at Greenville. Ouch. Missed a great opportunity to move into a tie for the top spot.

Standings


            Conference        Overall
                GP   Rec                   GP   Rec   
Eureka   14   11-3         23   15-8   
Webster   13   10-3         22   10-12
MacMurray   13   9-4         22   12-10   
Westy   14   9-5         23   13-10
Spalding   14   9-5         23   12-11   
Greenville   13   8-5         21   13-8   
Blackburn   14   3-11         23   6-17   
Fontbonne   14   2-12         22   3-19   
Principia   13   0-13         22   0-22   

Get ready for a photo finish, with Webster hosting Greenville and traveling to Mac. Mac also hosts Westy and Eureka. Schedule favors the Highlanders, in terms of controlling their own destiny, but could use a little help. Today didn't help, but a first place finish is still in the cards.

Wish I could make it down to Greenville, hopefan, but too much on the plate right now. Hoping to make it to the Webster-Mac game ion Feb. 18 though. Still some brush I need to cut first.

I think Mac is playing pretty well right now. The bounce back in the second half last night was impressive. Getting different contributions from different players every game helps. Kids play hard, they have some depth, and don't seem to panic when they need a big play. Not sure the Highlanders can grab the #1 seed because of the head start Webster had, not to mention Mac's loss at Fontbonne. That's going to haunt them but it is what it is. But this is a team that will be a tough out in the post-season play-offs.

I look for Coach Creal to have his team ready to go Saturday.

Mac beats Blackburn 81-67. Nice games from Lee (17 pts), Best (19 pts), and Whitlock (13pts). Slagle grabs 11 rebounds and Burton reappears and collects 9 pts off the bench. Balanced efforts by the Highlanders, who trailed by two at halftime, and then outscored BC by 16 in the second half. Mac put together a 10-0 run early in the second half that gave them the lead, but it took some good free throw shooting in the last 90 seconds to secure the win.

Mac at Greenville on Saturday. Big one, to say the least. With Webster traveling to Spalding, lots on the line.

Webster goes down. The plot thickens...

Greenville    79   Fontbonne    78    Final   
Webster    58   Westminster (Mo.) 65    Final   
Blackburn    59   Eureka    88    Final

Mac beats Fontbonne 87-68.

Eureka beats Greenville 101-97. Solid road win for the Red Devils.

Webster 67   Blackburn 62  Final - Gorlocks dodge a bullet

Westy 69   Spalding 55 Final - Long bus ride over, longer bus ride back

Eurkea up 85-76 at Greenville with five minutes left - Defense optional

Nothing on Mac yet.

Westy and Spalding tied at 31 at the half. Greenville up by 12 over Eureka in the 1st half.

Agree with hopefan on today's games, although certainly potential for one or more upsets. Westy certainly capable of laying an egg  on its home court vs. Spalding. Eureka may be headed for a little slide but could very well rise to the occasion and steal one at Greenville. Webster just needs to take care of business. Same for Mac.

Webster still has some heavy-lifting to do, with games at Spalding, Mac, and Westy, plus a home game vs. Eureka. But they are clearly in the drivers seat. Free-for-all for the other three spots, but don't count Mac out yet for a first-place regular season finish. Highlanders look like they're hitting their stride at just the right time.

Looks like six of the nine conference teams have a chance to finish .500 or better overall. Just checking the SLIAC archives, there were six teams that finished .500 or better during the 2006-2007 season, which was a very good year for the SLIAC. Lots of very competitive teams and exciting games, home and away, all season long. But it looks like outside of that season, there hasn't been six SLIAC teams finish .500 or better in a long time. Not sure what that means.....

Weather not good in central Illinois right now and the forecast is for snow and ice. Hope the roads are clear for those headed to Carlinville and Jacksonville. Safe travels everyone.

hopefan - What are the chances of Mac and Webster tying for first, and if it happens, what would the tiebreaker look like?

Mac wins 64-60 at Eureka.

Tough, hard fought win for the Highlanders and Coach Creal.

The "hopefan plan" takes a hit as Eureka fails to hold home court.  Probably won't be the last time this happens before the post-season rolls around.

Highlanders on top 59-58 with 28 seconds left to play.