MBB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[dahlby]

For a preview of Thursday's match-up between CMS and Chapman, go to chapmanathletics.com
and follow the link to men's basketball. Enjoy.

[oldchap]

For a preview of Thursday's match-up between CMS and Chapman, go to chapmanathletics.com
and follow the link to men's basketball. Enjoy.

Here is the exact link giving all the details: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2009-10/news/cms-cugamenotes.pdf

What an exciting game!

[stag44]

might want to change the head coach for the stags.. not sure who mark scherer is

[John Gleich]

might want to change the head coach for the stags.. not sure who mark scherer is

Hmm... he's the head coach at Elmhurst College in IL.

[stag44]

All SCIAC Teams were announced yesterday:

http://www.thesciac.org/sports/mbkb/2009-10/news/mbb_allsciac_0910

The 2009-2010 All-SCIAC Men's Basketball Honors have been named.  The Conference Champions and Dave Jacobs Trophy recipients are the Stags of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (21-6, 11-3 SCIAC).  The Stags were also crowned the SCIAC Tournament Champions with their 57-53 win over Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday night.   

David Wells Player of the Year:  Chris Blees, Junior, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Ted Ducey Award Recipient:  Colin Reinstedt, Senior, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges  First Team               
Jack Hanley   SO   Occidental College       
Drew Menez   JR   Whittier College       
Kyle Knudsen  SR  California Lutheran University         
Justin Sexton  SR   Pomona-Pitzer Colleges       
Jason Toney  SR   Claremont-Mudd-Scripps       
David Liss  SR      Pomona-Pitzer Colleges       
               
Second Team               
Deshun McCoy  FR  Occidental College       
Andy Meyer   SR   California Lutheran University       
Greg Grimm  JR  California Lutheran University       
Adam Chaimowitz  SR  Pomona-Pitzer Colleges       
Joey Anderson  SO   Claremont-Mudd-Scripps         
Damon Perry  JR   Whittier College       



More or less what was expected:

Interesting though, that there was no one from Redlands on there (I thought Coffey would get a mention), and only 5 teams were represented on the All-SCIAC (3 from CMS, CLU, PP; 2 from OXY and Whittier)

Congrats to Blees who won Back2Back SCIAC POYs. I'm sure there was discussion of a Co-POY with Knudsen, but because the Stags won the conference by 2 games, I don't think they could have given it to anyone but Blees.

Very happy to see that Joey was given a mention as well - I think without question he would be the Most Improved player in the conference as well. The scary part is that he's just scratched the surface of his offensive skills and talent. Most of his impact right now is coming from energy and hustle plays and using athleticism to get boards, put backs and stops. One more year developing under Scali, and the frontline for Blees, Anderson and Lacey will cause serious issues for opponents!

[stag44]

CMS Chapman tonight!

I think the game will be decided in the last 4 minutes. Expect a packed house early and very loud. I believe that CMS should have some busses coming out which will create a fun atmosphere.

Both teams will be very nervous and giddy to start. Chapman will be juiced and excited to finally breakthrough in the D3 tourney, and CMS will be itching to get a win and another chance in Spokane.

One thing to point out though is that almost all the CMS guys who log significant minutes have been a part of the NCAA tourney and its hoopla. They also experienced getting beat soundly in Spokane last year. I think their preparation this year was not so much being happy to get to the dance, but rather focused to make a run in the tourney. Blees, Lace, Toney and Bagby all started for the team last year and Faught and Anderson played in the NCAAs last year. I also think that their last 2 wins (vs Oxy and PP) were NCAA-like games. It was do or die for both teams in each of those games, and the Stags were able to win 2 different types of games. Vs Oxy they jumped out to an early lead, gave it up, and were able make big shots down the stretch. Vs PP they were even, and went into halftime on a PP made 3, but really stormed out in the 2nd half dominating the first 15 minutes of it, only to hold on at the end and make a big stop and turnover and fts.

Working in Chapmans favor is home court, rest, and confidence. There is something to be said about winning, winning alot, and winning by alot. This brews confidence and builds a sense of invincibility. Chapman has not had to sweat through a game since their Hawaii trip, and that has to feel comforting for them, because they have won easily. I'm sure that makes it difficult to remain focused and intense in practice, but nonetheless they are winning alot. In big games, being confident and sure is so important as you need that to calm the nerves. Playing in front of a home crowd in their first NCAAs will have their adreniline through the roof and probably slightly nervous. It comes down to how they have been preparing for the last 2 months.

In a close game in the 2nd half, I have to give the edge to the Stags. They have been in close game situations more often and frequently and understand how these scenarios unfold in real games. While you can simulate end of game situations in practice with the clock and fatigue, you truly do not capture alot of the pressure or unknown of actual game scenarios. I'll be very interested to see how Chapman reacts if they are pushed in with under 10 minutes to go.
The Stags have to take control from the outset and not let Chapman get in an offensive or defensive rhythm. I'm sure they were at the CMS-PP game last Saturday to scout and see how both teams were playing. I'm sure they'll be out guns blazing running their controlled sets. I think that they will try and get Ramme started quick with a couple of 3pt attempts. By doing this, they'll be setting up Riley and Kaiser inside with their high low, block -to- block action. Thats where they really want to do their damage. While their sets to get Aguilar off a curl cut to create an advantedge work, the second parts of those plays is really what they look for - Riley on a duck in, or pop to dump into another post. Once they start abusing you inside and have the threat of Ramme, thats when you get Wood into the game and picture. With bigs weary to help and and wings worried about 3pters, Wood gets free reign to bust 3s and get to the rack. Finally, and what I think the x-factor for Chapman will be is Dan Aguilar. He's their unassuming glue guy. I've never seen the guy rattled or phased during a game. He always seems to come up with HUGE rebounds and loose balls and make plays around the basket that go unnoticed. If he plays well, they are very difficult to beat. Ramme can lose his cool; Wood is solid but may have a couple tos, Riley gets far to excited and this game may over juice him, and Kaiser can be caught in a personal battle with the other 5man.
Defensively the Panthers are very VERY sound. They don't give up much easy and are physical and help oriented. Off missed shots, they rebound exceptionally with Riley Kaiser and Aguilar cleaning up the glass. They will force you to be patient and grind out a contested jumpshot. They are well coached in transition and don't give up many easy ones. The stags D has to lead to about 10-12 points in the Fastbreak for their success. Also, Chapman is taught to help and then recover, but I'm curious how they will defend Faught and Bagby - Do they help off and give them a chance at open 3s or do they make the bigs come over instead causing a different type of rotation. I don't think they'll play a zone, but if they do, it will only be to change or stop the Stag rhythm.

The key for the Stags will be patience, discipline and controlled chaos. Much like the PP game, they'll have to harness the nervous energy and excitement towards physicality and execution against a very tough Chapman team. All the players have to also understand that they do not have to be the singular hero and score each time, but rather be excited and ready to make the correct read, whether pass shot or dribble, in each situtaion. If they do err, they have to bounce back and play harder on the other end. This is a game where going 1 on 5 will lead to easy buckets for Chapman, so they have to read the D and make their adjustment accordingly. Defensively, they have to be physical in the Key with Riley and Kaiser, maintain and contain Wood up top, contest all Ramme jumpers and force him into tough midrangers, and make Aguilar a non factor. They also need to assure that the Panther bench doesn't get a couple of cheap buckets. Most importantly, and I know this will be emphasized by both sides, the Stags MUST win the battle on the boards. They need to one-and-done the Panthers, and gain 2nds and 3rds on their end.

Very excited for this matchup!

[OxyBob]

might want to change the head coach for the stags.. not sure who mark scherer is

Hmm... he's the head coach at Elmhurst College in IL.

Freudian slip. Elmhurst was 1-13 and last in the CCIW this season. Another stiff Chapman played.

OxyBob

[dahlby]

Game time is over twelve hous away, but OXYBOB is warming up already. But, I wonder why he is warming up... OXY isn't playing. Do you think he knows that? But don't worry OXYBOB, baseball season is here, and football  season is only 6 months away.

I am hoping for a good game tonight, and may the winner be decided by quality of play.

[D O.C.]

Very excited for this matchup!

Gads!  I guess. Ramble on.

No mention of the refs getting their chests out and wanting to prove how good they are thereby affecting the game's flow?

[West Coast Bias]

Interesting though, that there was no one from Redlands on there (I thought Coffey would get a mention), and only 5 teams were represented on the All-SCIAC (3 from CMS, CLU, PP; 2 from OXY and Whittier)

Congrats to Blees who won Back2Back SCIAC POYs. I'm sure there was discussion of a Co-POY with Knudsen, but because the Stags won the conference by 2 games, I don't think they could have given it to anyone but Blees.

Very happy to see that Joey was given a mention as well - I think without question he would be the Most Improved player in the conference as well. The scary part is that he's just scratched the surface of his offensive skills and talent. Most of his impact right now is coming from energy and hustle plays and using athleticism to get boards, put backs and stops. One more year developing under Scali, and the frontline for Blees, Anderson and Lacey will cause serious issues for opponents!

I am also shocked that there is no Redlands representation on the All SCIAC.  I wonder if it had anything to do with their 5 man line change substitution pattern.  Pat Coffey was too good this year, and over his career, not to receive some recognition.

Interesting that you mention Knudsen as potential POY, but not Justin Sexton.  Sexton was 3rd in the league in scoring, and 1st in rebounding, 3rd in assists,  and ranked somewhere in the top 15 in every other category.  Knudsen was the most talented player in the league, Blees was the best player on the best team, but Justin Sexton was the POY.

Joey Anderson has offensive skills and talent?  That is news to me.  I only saw CMS play a twice this year, but it seemed his offensive "talent" was to launch himself into the air and pull down every offensive rebound in sight and make a layup. Or wait for teams to double or triple Blees, stand by the basket and make a layup.  Don't get me wrong, he is a huge part of that CMS team, and probably the main reason they are still playing, but I don't every remember seeing anything resembling offensive talent. 

Then again, Stag44, your offensive game consisted of standing near the basket and waiting for teams to double Parsons, Taylor, Winterbottom, and Maceira... so I guess that your view of good offensive talent is different than most.     

Good Luck to CMS tonight!  Make the SCIAC proud!

[OxyBob]

Joey Anderson has offensive skills and talent?  That is news to me.  I only saw CMS play a twice this year, but it seemed his offensive "talent" was to launch himself into the air and pull down every offensive rebound in sight and make a layup. Or wait for teams to double or triple Blees, stand by the basket and make a layup.  Don't get me wrong, he is a huge part of that CMS team, and probably the main reason they are still playing, but I don't every remember seeing anything resembling offensive talent.

Must disagree on Joey Anderson. It's not an accident that he gets so many offensive rebounds at key times. His overall defensive play reminds me of Ron Lee. Any coach would love to have him on the floor.

Then again, Stag44, your offensive game consisted of standing near the basket and waiting for teams to double Parsons, Taylor, Winterbottom, and Maceira... so I guess that your view of good offensive talent is different than most.   

OK, that was funny. Of course, let's not forget that stag44 still thinks that CMS played Whitworthpirates even.

OxyBob

[Pat Coleman]

Don't forget, final three-plus hours to enter the D3hoops.com bracket challenge.

You have extra time for the women's bracket, since the first game isn't until 4 p.m. ET on Friday.

http://www.d3hoops.com/pickem/

[cmsme]

Don't stifle Stag44.  I like reading all that he writes.

Regarding Joey Anderson--what is wrong with launching yourself in the air, pulling down every offensive rebound in sight and making a layup?  These games are all so close that if a team can't make the easy points, they are probably going to loose.

Joey  is 50% at the 3 point line--you can't beat that statistic for offensive talent.    

[West Coast Bias]

I think my point wasnt clear enough.  Joey Anderson is a Stud.  I love his game.  I think he is a true difference maker.  Every team in the SCIAC would love to have a guy like him.  He is a defensive monster and a rebounding machine.  He definitely deserved 2nd team ALL SCIAC.

I was just poking fun at another overstatement by Stag44.  That despite his wonderful qualities, I wouldn't really say that Joey Anderson was just scratching the surface of his offensive skills.  Deshun McCoy is just starting to scratch the surface of his offensive abilities.  So are Trevor Woodland, Jordan Sanvictores, and Donald Okpalugo.  If you said pick one guy to get a rebound to win the game Joey is my guy.  He is a gifted offensive rebounder.  I just don't think he has the skill set to be an offensive juggernaut in the SCIAC.

And while your games are similar,  he is missing the patented Stag44 fist pump as you are running down the floor after a rebound put back... but that will never be duplicated. 

[fhsutiger]

I think my point wasnt clear enough.  Joey Anderson is a Stud.  I love his game.  I think he is a true difference maker.  Every team in the SCIAC would love to have a guy like him.  He is a defensive monster and a rebounding machine.  He definitely deserved 2nd team ALL SCIAC.

I was just poking fun at another overstatement by Stag44.  That despite his wonderful qualities, I wouldn't really say that Joey Anderson was just scratching the surface of his offensive skills.  Deshun McCoy is just starting to scratch the surface of his offensive abilities.  So are Trevor Woodland, Jordan Sanvictores, and Donald Okpalugo.  If you said pick one guy to get a rebound to win the game Joey is my guy.  He is a gifted offensive rebounder.  I just don't think he has the skill set to be an offensive juggernaut in the SCIAC.

And while your games are similar,  he is missing the patented Stag44 fist pump as you are running down the floor after a rebound put back... but that will never be duplicated. 

I can honestly say Stag44 is one of my favorite stag players of all time. Not only did the fist pumps get the crowd going, but his charge-taking abilities were unmatched. I've never seen a player spend more time on the floor than Mr. Stag44.