MBB: American Rivers Conference

[Kohawk Krazy]

With BV losing and Loras winning this could make for a very interesting end to the regular season.  If Loras wins at BV and everyone else wins out?  Who wins the league?

I'm not sure if it still works like this, but in years past the tiebreaker has been record versus each team in the order of final regular season standings. For example, if Loras and BV both tie at the top, they would turn to how each team did against the 3rd place team. If that would be Coe, then Loras would take the #1 seed based on the fact that they would have a 2-0 record vs. a 1-1 record for BV against the Kohawks (that's assuming Loras beats Coe Wednesday night). If they would both have a 1-1 record, it would continue on down to #4 seed, #5 seed, etc. until one team had a better record against an opponent.

Couple of things...

1. I think Coe beats Loras on Wednesday night.  The game in Dubuque was really close with Coe leading the first 37 minutes if I remember right, so don't count the Kohawks out.

2. Your tiebreaker procedure is correct as of last years tiebreakers.  To add to that, if the two teams that are tied have the same record against all the other teams, they flip a coin for the higher seed.  Both Coe and BV tied for second last year, but had the same records against everyone else, so a coin flip was done to determine the 2/3 seeds.  Pretty big coin flip when your talkin about a first round bye and a home game, compared to a game on tuesday night and travel on a Thursday.

[youcantseeme]

You have to get the feeling that BV is pulling for Coe to get the three seed.  Coe plays BV tougher than any team in the conference and I am sure that the Beavers would rather wait to see the Kohawks in the finals of the conference tourney (if both teams make it that far).

[bballjunkie5]

Predictions for Wednesday's games:

BV over Wartburg: BV bounces back to take care of business, I think the Knights might do OK early, but they lack a consistent scorer if BV takes Mason away. The Beavers are still the best team in the conference and win by double digits.

Central over Simpson: It is about time for Ley, Dehoegh, and Clark to score big numbers again, I think they do it on the Storm.

Dubuque over Cornell: I'll take Dubuque in a close one because it is a home game. Dubuque has just been playing better team basketball this year, I think they get just enough scoring out of the role players to win.

Coe over Loras: This is a game that could go either way, but I'm predicting the upset because it's at Coe and they seem to have it going a bit right now (although so does Loras) I'm hoping this is a close, exciting game that goes down to the last possession...I'll say Coe by 2.

[SLP-O-8]

I dont think BV is afraid to play anybody in the conference.  Coe has played them tough but BV is a very good team and will bounce back from a tough loss to a team that shot absolutely lights out from 3 point land.

[youcantseeme]

I never said that BV was afraid of Coe.  Just that I am sure they would rather wait and see them till the tourney finals if it came to that.  Coe matches up with BV better than most teams, and traditionally have played them extremely tough.  I don't think that BV is afraid of anyone, but they are smart and they know the tougher match-ups.

[Kohawk Krazy]

I dont think BV is afraid to play anybody in the conference.  Coe has played them tough but BV is a very good team and will bounce back from a tough loss to a team that shot absolutely lights out from 3 point land.

Both teams hit 14 3-point attempts in the game.  It was Coe's excellent free throw shooting down the stretch and BV's lack of free throw shooting that cost them the game.

[youcantseeme]

Especially when a guy like Hanna goes 5-7 with some clutch makes.  He is now up to 52.8% from the foul line in conference play.

[Dr. Phil]

I dont think BV is afraid to play anybody in the conference.  Coe has played them tough but BV is a very good team and will bounce back from a tough loss to a team that shot absolutely lights out from 3 point land.

Well that wasnt the case during the first game - thats another one that Coe simply let get away.  BV hasnt shown this year, other than that skimpy 1 point win at Coe, that they can handle this team.

The last team they want to face in the conference tourney is COE - they understand it will take an enormous game to beat them twice.

[SLP-O-8]

I should have said first half 3 point shooting.  #5 shoot absolutely lights out in the first half with i believe 6 3's.  Free Throw shooting was ultimately the deciding factor.  BV 4-13 Coe 17-23.  BV didnt take advantage of their chances at the line and Coe did a great job from the line.  BTW that over half court shot at the end of half was amazing.  BV had a guy in his face he launches it on a line drive and it goes in.  I didnt think it stood a chance.  Got to give credit to Coe on a great win.

[du-sz]

Well that wasnt the case during the first game - thats another one that Coe simply let get away.  BV hasnt shown this year, other than that skimpy 1 point win at Coe, that they can handle this team.

The last team they want to face in the conference tourney is COE - they understand it will take an enormous game to beat them twice.

Although I might be a bit biased...I still think the last team BV wants to deal with is Loras.  I know Coe got the win the other nite, but can they do it consistently? 

The Beavs had to drop in a late jumper to beat Loras earlier in the season, and the Duhawks beat up on them three times last season.  I know its cheap to throw in last season, but both of these teams are trotting out basically the same line up (at least with the starters). 

Loras leads Coe in about every major offensive and defensive category (albeit not by a huge margin). I think Loras' ability to shut down the oppositions' offense and score inside and out will suit them well when they meet up with BV again.  A fully healthy Ricky Kolze won't hurt either.

I'm not gonna say Loras is way better than Coe right now, though. I just don't want the #2 team in the league to be forgotten. Coe is dangerous and playing better of late (especially with the big win over BV).  The outside threat coupled with Kuenstling is a scary prospect heading into Wednesday's matchup.     

[du-sz]

Just to add to my last post, I don't think BV should be fearing anyone in the IIAC right now.  They still look like the best team, despite the recent loss.  I don't think Loras or anyone else in this conference can take them down consistently.  To get it done against BV, a team will have to hit hot from outsideand matchup well with Fogelman.  If there are two teams in the league that can possibly take them down come tournament time, you gotta believe the prime candidates are Coe or Loras....maybe UD if they can get consistency underneath and continue to have great guard play.

[Kohawk Krazy]

Scores of the past few Coe - BV games:

2/2/08 at BV - Coe 83, BV 78
12/5/07 at Coe - BV 64, Coe 63
2/22/07 at BV - BV 88, Coe 81 OT (Coe led big late)
2/3/07 at Coe - Coe 59, BV 56
1/6/07 at BV - BV 84, Coe 79 OT (Coe led big late)
2/25/06 at Coe - BV 69, Coe 66 (IIAC Title Game)
2/7/06 at Coe - Coe 85, BV 71
1/24/06 at BV - BV 68, Coe 46

These are the games in the Juckem era.  Other than the first two, it appears they have been pretty evenly matched.

PS- I love how the IIAC site archives all of their stats, would be nice if the schools did all that too.

[The Show]

Just to add to my last post, I don't think BV should be fearing anyone in the IIAC right now.  They still look like the best team, despite the recent loss.

BINGO. BV has the best depth in the conference.  That will come into play, especially during the conference tourny.

....maybe UD if they can get consistency underneath and continue to have great guard play.

You almost lost credibility there...  UD is improved, but BV beat them by 19 at their place and it was way out of hand when they played in Storm Lake (30+)

[The Show]

Well that wasnt the case during the first game - thats another one that Coe simply let get away.  BV hasnt shown this year, other than that skimpy 1 point win at Coe, that they can handle this team.

The last team they want to face in the conference tourney is COE - they understand it will take an enormous game to beat them twice.

A "skimpy" 1 point still puts the "W" or the "L" in their respective columns.

Some (not all) of you Coe guys are sounding like the little kid down the street who finally stands up to the neighborhood bully.  Built up enough courage, walked up to the bully, and kicked him in the nuts.  Sure, the bully stumbles and you're feeling good about yourself, but all you really did was piss off the bully.

[du-sz]

....maybe UD if they can get consistency underneath and continue to have great guard play.

You almost lost credibility there...  UD is improved, but BV beat them by 19 at their place and it was way out of hand when they played in Storm Lake (30+)

Well, that was a big maybe I must admit....but neither of those games featured Taylor Blum, a major factor in the Spartans' recent success. The guard dropped in 18 points vs. Simpson and 20 against Loras.  He brings a lot of points to the court, can create scoring chances underneath off the dribble and opens up Daugherty for more open shots.  His biggest issue might be consistency, though...but when he's on, he's on.

Still, it would be a very tough task for them to take down BV if they get the shot.