MBB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Hoopsallthetime]

I have to agree with Oxy Bob...Redlands is in great shape to take over the conference with a huge win over CMS on Wednesday. Hopefully it doesn't happen, but we will soon find out. Redlands will still have two tough games remaining at home against Pomona on Saturday and what could be the biggest game of there season on Tuesday in Laverne. I see them winning maybe one or two of there final 3 games...Just my opinion based on past years.
Oxy is looking good the last two weeks and look to have put themselves in the hunt to take a run at the tournament title. It should be a good game Wednesday when the Poets try to end the run and remain in 4th place.

Predictions:
CMS @ Redlands
(I may be bias, but I believe the Stags go to Redlands and pull out a huge "W" on the road to remain in First place. Score 68-64

Caltech @ Cal Lutheran
I believe Caltech keeps it close for most of the game, but Cal Lu's experience pushes them to a 8 point victory keeping Caltech's losing streak alive. Score 72-64

Pomona Pitzer @ Laverne
After watching Reids kids play a tough game against CMS on Saturday, there is no way they let the chance to make the tournament slip out of there hands. Plus I know they want another shot at CMS based on there reactions after the game Saturday night. I don't think this game is even close...advantage Laverne! Score 65-54

Game of the Night
Whittier @ Occidental
I think this game will really come down to can Whittier focus for 40 minutes. We all know that Whittier has one of the most athletic teams in the conference, but can they keep there heads on straight for 40 mins. I just think Oxy is on to much of a roll lately, and with only one more big game ahead of them against Cal Lutheran on Saturday..I just don't see them slowing down. Whittier will keep it close, but I think free throw shooting puts them away and Oxy comes away with a big win to take over sole position for 4th place in the league. Score: 65-61

[CMSfan]

I have to agree with Oxy Bob...Redlands is in great shape to take over the conference with a huge win over CMS on Wednesday. Hopefully it doesn't happen, but we will soon find out.

...

Predictions:
CMS @ Redlands
(I may be bias, but I believe the Stags go to Redlands and pull out a huge "W" on the road to remain in First place. Score 68-64

I hope you're right.  Redlands stands to gain as much as any team from home-court advantage in the SCIAC tournament, so I'm really hoping the Stags can pull this one out.

Currier Gym will be very energetic on Wednesday, you can bet on that.  Redlands has a real shot at a SCIAC championship and they have a big student body without much to distract them on a Wednesday night.  I think it will be very loud.  And there probably won't be much of a CMS contingent out there to support the Stags, unfortunately.  A lot will come down do how the teams handle the pressure of a big game.  Conventional wisdom suggests Redlands will benefit, but I think the weight of playing for a possible championship in front of a huge crowd could lead to jitters, especially if the Stags jump out to an early lead.  Probably wishful thinking on my part.  Anyway, I think the Stags will put together a solid effort and pull out a close one, but I won't be surprised if it goes the other way.

[WoostAr]

Way to sit on the fence CMSFan...

...Still unimpressed by Redlands...

Caltech wins.

[CMSfan]

Way to sit on the fence CMSFan...

Ok, fine.  Stags win 54-53.   

[cmsme]

does anyone know if there will be more than just live stats at the Redlands/CMS game?  audio?  video?
my prediction/hope is that the Stags win. 
I am glad Cody Mivshek is back.  I think the Stags are going to need everyone on the team playing their best. 
I wonder what kind of team CMS would have had if Chris Blees had not gotten hurt, but towards the end of the season, I am very proud how the coach has gotten everyone on the team to step up.  CMS was built around Chris Blees and to have suddenly lost him as a player must have caused some panic. And then Greyson Blue got horribly hurt.
But I think about the Freshmen and how poised they have been, the Sophmores and how they have stepped up and contributed so much more this year, the Juniors and their all out effort, and the Seniors and their leadership when Chris Blees left such a hole. 
(I know Chris is coaching and advising, but it is not the same as being on the court.)
So, my best wishes to the Stags.  Wish I could be at the game. 

[NWCer]

Heard a lot of chatter on this board earlier about Cal Tech winning a conf game, or even  several.....

[etule]

I for one thought they would win a couple! Teams started to take them seriously. They are a decent team! They haven't been able to close the deal.
Very respectable!

[Mr. Ypsi]

In a way, I think their task has gotten harder because they have gotten respectable.

They are no longer an automatic win, but NO ONE wants to be their first victim.

They may have a larger target on their backs than if they were ranked in the top 5!  

[WoostAr]

Ypsi I think you're right....Whittier didn't come in looking nearly as lackadaisical as they appeared in the first contest.

They're still young and they rely heavily on that youth...start 2 freshman (1 and 3 in the conference in minutes played!) and two sophomores (one of which is #7 in conference in minutes played)....Eslinger will continue to bring in great talent (seen a few of his recruits at the games...they certainly look the part).....they'll only be getting better.

I expect one of the next three games to end in a W for them.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 3 Regional Rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2011/02/16/ncaa-2011-regional-rankings-week-3/

[WoostAr]

article on caltech  http://chronicle.com/blogs/postcards/after-25-years-of-losses-caltech-basketball-instills-fears-in-presidents-hearts/951

[stag44]

CMS @ Redlands

In the biggest game of the season upto this point for both teams, CMS comes in clicking on the defensive end, but sputtering offensively. They'll go into a very hostile Currier Gym where I'm sure fans will pack the house given the rivalry.

I'd assume the game starts with a frenzy and will involve turnovers, fast pace, and low scoring given the environment. Once the teams settle in, I think we'll see a very hotly contested physical game. Both teams are fighting for home court advantedge, and the Stags realize this will essentiall lock a three-peat championship and #1 seed for the tourney.

Redlands though, is in the same position with a win, owning the tiebreaker.

The key for me comes down to the Bigs and PGs. Lacey needs to play HUGE down on the block and rebound from a couple uneven performances. He's been carrying a massive load in the key and 30+ minutes for a 5 at any level takes its toll. He realizes the magnitude of this game and will thrive in the hostile rode environment.

On the flip side, he'll have to deal with Sanvictores and Mills. Both are lanky lefties that rim run extremely well and are crafty on the offensive end. They can be exploited defensively with quick feet and power, but do well with their length to rebound and alter shots and airspace.

In the PG space the key will be turnovers and penetration. The team that can stay under 10 tos should win. Also, keeping guards out of the key will be the primary objective of Redlands. if the stags can get into the paint with guard penetration it opens up dumps for Lacey as well as 3pointers for the squad. The Stags have to shoot better than 4-17 they shot during the last game.

Should shape up to be an INCREDIBLE game.

[OxyBob]

Wednesday night's scores:

Redlands 77 Claremont 69
UR: Sanvictores 21 and 10 rebs, Mills 11, Ervin 11
CMS: Lacy 14, Heidrich 12

Redlands and Claremont clinch spots in conference tournament. With win UR has inside track to #1 seed.

Cal Lutheran 72 Caltech 56
CLU: Van Klaveren 16 and 10 rebs, Grimm 14, Sulker-Hall 12, Nettles 11
CIT: Edwards 16, Elmquist 15, Cramer 15

CLU led all the way.

Pomona 63 La Verne 49
PP: Weiss 12, Maki 11, Moss 11
ULV: Napolitano 12

ULV stumbles. Huge game at Whittier on Saturday.

Whittier 57 Oxy 53
WC: Perry 15, Mebane 13
Oxy: McCoy 18, Stapleton 10

Biggest game of the year for Tigers and Kingsmen this Saturday.

Saturday's schedule, all games 7:00 p.m.:

Cal Lutheran (12-11, 6-6 SCIAC) @ Oxy (12-11, 6-6)
Pomona (8-15, 4-8) @ Redlands (12-11, 9-3)
Caltech (4-19, 0-12) @ Claremont (13-9, 9-3)
La Verne (12-11, 7-5) @ Whittier (12-11, 7-5)

Do or die for Oxy and CLU. To make the conference tournament, Oxy has to win its last 2 games against CLU and Caltech. CLU is not out of it, but needs to win its last two games against Oxy and Whittier. The Poets have the tiebreaker against Oxy, which has the tiebreaker against ULV.

Remaining games:

Redlands: Pomona, @ La Verne
Claremont: Caltech, @ Pomona
La Verne: @ Whittier, Redlands
Whittier: La Verne, @ CLU
Oxy: CLU, @ Caltech
CLU: @ Oxy, Whittier
Pomona: @ Redlands, Claremont
Caltech: @ Claremont, Oxy

OxyBob

[Hoopsallthetime]

After the stumble last night at Redlands, CMS looks to turn things around on Senior night against the Caltech Beavers with Pomona on Tuesday. I really believe CMS still has a good shot to win the conference and get the #1 seed for the tournament if they can take care of business in the next week.

Wednesday night's scores:

Remaining games:

Redlands: Pomona, @ La Verne
Claremont: Caltech, @ Pomona
La Verne: @ Whittier, Redlands
Whittier: La Verne, @ CLU
Oxy: CLU, @ Caltech
CLU: @ Oxy, Whittier
Pomona: @ Redlands, Claremont
Caltech: @ Claremont, Oxy

After looking at the remaining schedule Redlands will have a tough road moving forward. Pomona matches well with Redlands and are playing spoiler throughout the remaining schedule. Hopefully, Pomona can come away with a win on Saturday to give CMS a chance at the number 1 seed. There final game at Laverne will not be an easy game either, because Laverne will possible be playing for there life and a chance to be in the tournament.
CMS has an easier road if you can say that with games against Caltech and Pomona. I believe they can get past Caltech on Saturday (which isn't as easy as it used to be) and then will have a battle on their hands Tuesday night in Rains. That game can go either way, but hopefully we will be fighting for a Conference championship and a #1 seed in the tourney.
All eyes will be on the contests between OXY vs. Cal Lu and Whittier vs. Laverne. All these teams have a shot at the 3 & 4 seeds in the tournament. Could shape up to be a great week in SCIAC basketball.

When it all pans out here is what I see happening:

Saturday
Pomona @ Redlands (Winner: Redlands)
Caltech @ CMS (Winner: CMS)
Laverne @ Whittier (Winner: Whittier)
Cal Lu @ Oxy (Winner: OXY)

Tuesday
Redlands @ Laverne (Winner: Laverne)
CMS @ Pomona (Winner: CMS)
Cal Tech @ Oxy (Winner: Oxy)
Whittier @ Cal Lu (Winner: Cal Lu)

Final Results
CMS 11-3
Redlands 10-4
Whittier 8-6
Oxy 8-6
Laverne 8-6
Cal Lutheran 7-7
Pomona 4-10
Caltech 0-14

[Fan O SCIAC]

Can anyone enlighten me as to the tie breaker criteria for the final standings?  I assume head-to-head competition is first.  However, if it's a two-way tie and the teams split the seasons series what is second?  If it's a three-way tie I assume won-loss record in the four games played amongst the three teams involved is first.  What is second?