MBB: American Rivers Conference

[3baller]

Beavers give up 4 pts in the last 8 seconds.  Still have the lead at half.  41-36

[B.Ver]

BEAVERS HANG ON 72-70

[buf]

Loras hits a 3 with 15 seconds left to go up by 1 and they hang on for the victory.

[buf]

Congrats to the IIAC on going 2-0, both on the opponents home court.

[OshDude]

Wow, wow, wow. Like I posted on the WIAC board, I didn't overlook LC. But that offense LC runs is something else. Don't remember a player doing to WW what White did tonight.

I would have lost a lot of cash on my 14-point spread, and even more had I made a money line. Sincere congrats and best of luck the rest of the way. Very, very impressive second half tonight. Don't know how shocking this final is to the rest of the country, but we (well, maybe just me ...) here in WIAC land are stunned.

I guess LC is Butler/SIU, like I said. Turns out Butler was better than Memphis tonight. Did I say wow? WOW.

I'm rambling and gushing all over here, but accept my humble apologies on not giving LC a shot. I'm now a believer. And a fan. Awesome, awesome win and an impressive basketball display tonight. That was a clinic in the second half. I'll be rooting for LC the rest of the way.

EDIT: LC only allows four WW offensive rebounds (none by Vernon!) and turns it over just nine times. That's about as good as it gets against WW.

[Nites]

Kudos to the IIAC 

[John Gleich]

Huge props to the IIAC!  Some (including myself, I'll admit) didn't give you guys much of a chance in the games tonight as you were playing the hosts for the pods, but the IIAC proves something for itself!  Congrats to the Beavers and the Duhawks!

[The Show]

Great job tonight IIAC!  Now everyone can see that the two bids were well deserved.

GO BEAVERS!!!

[The Show]

I see 2 losses.  The IIAC just doesn't compare physicially and skillwise to the MIAC and WIAC.  Plus having 2 games on thier opponents home courts..I see BV and Loras coming home winless tomorrow morning...

Can I get a second opinion? 

[duhawk]

Well that was a pleasant surprise...a potentially program changing win for the Duhawks tonight.   It's exactly a win like this that can help change the perception that a program is good, to a program can complete on the national level.

Congrats to BV as well, this can only be a good thing for the IIAC going forward.

Did anyone have the image of KW in the huddle telling Gorton, "I'll make it" and then burying a 3pt from the top of the key?  It's actually kind of nice to hear the reactions of other fans who aren't used to seeing KW play on regular basis.

Congrats Duhawks, a stellar victory.

[LCfan]

Did anyone have the image of KW in the huddle telling Gorton, "I'll make it" and then burying a 3pt from the top of the key?  It's actually kind of nice to hear the reactions of other fans who aren't used to seeing KW play on regular basis.

Great game.  White was unbelievable.  Actually, Kyle was told by Gorton to set his feet and make the shot.  I think there were a few other words in there but you get the idea.  And he did exactly that.  WOW. 

On to Wheaton.  We will need some guys to step up tomorrow.  Lets Go Duhawks. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Whitewater goes down 71-70 (story and boxscore)

Whitewater started out 9-2, but Loras weathered the storm to come back to tie it.  Whitewater goes on a run with Goodwin on fire, hitting 4 3's in the first half (?) and Whitewater went into the locker room with a seemingly comfortable 10-pt lead.  I thought Whitewater would slowly pull away, but credit Loras for adjusting to McKay and Goodwin's speed.  They went zone to slow the guards down and when they went zone, there was a lot of standing around by the other players waiting for Goodwin and McKay to "do their magic".  At least that's how I saw it.  When they did penetrate, the whole Loras team seemed to collapse on them to force them into a bad shot or throw it out where the rest of the Whitewater team didn't seem like they had the confidence to shoot the ball. 

Loras' guards were a handful.  They look like linebackers with Centella at 205 (6'2"), Oeth at 215 and the other forwards also coming in over 200 lbs.  They just seemed to muscle Whitewater in the paint by posting up their guards and smaller forwards agains the likes of the lighter Koski (185), McKay (185), Goodwin 175 and Hunter (170).  They also had some pretty impressive spin moves down low.  Obviously, White was the story and Whitewater couldn't stop him. 

Loras came back after being down double digits in the 2nd half and took the lead when White nailed a near 25-footer with about 6 seconds left.  Goodwin came down, put in a little pump and when the defender jumped up, Goodwin leaned into him trying to get the foul.  Personally, I think it was a good no-call.  The ball got away from him and ended up in Koski's hands.  He launched from near the Whitewater bench and hit rim and came off.  Game, set, match. 

It was a great effort by Loras and they definitely deserved to win because they never quit, even being down nearly all of the 2nd half.  A good crowd on hand, number-wise, but kind of quiet.  The student section was full and standing the whole time, but didn't seem to get into the game until about 5 minutes to go. 

Enthusiastic Loras crowd and they were generally louder than the home folks all night.  Looking forward to a good 2nd round matchup, though I would've rathered have seen LU v WW.  Oh well.

[LCfan]

As has been the case for the history of the IIAC (maybe, rightfully so) no one thought they should get two teams in and what happens they both win.  Great job by Loras and BV.  KW was the best player on the court and it is great that the WIAC got a taste of humble pie.  I think I predicted 77-74 Loras but I will take 71-70!!! 

Go Duhawks....I will be there tomorrow in rare form

[doolittledog]

Good job Iowa Conference.  Now maybe we can host some games in future tourneys. 

In other IIAC news the Simpson women won their 1st round basketball game and the IIAC has 4 teams in the top 10 after the first day of the wrestling tourney!!!

[Klopenhiemer]

Congrats to the IIAC.  What a great showing last night, and more importantly congrats to the BEAVERS!!!

Lets hope we are talking tomorrow about two IIAC teams in the Sweet 16!  This can only help to bring more respect to our conference.