MBB: American Rivers Conference

Klompen · December 13, 2010, 11:41:30 AM

I'm not so sure that Loras and Wartburg will really get things going after the break. By no means do I think that either one of them will have completely bad seasons. I think Wartburg, in particular, will continue to struggle. That may be influenced by the fact that their is more of a rivalry feeling with Wartburg than Loras, given that formal rival Wm Penn left the conference and Simpson really doesn't have the same rivalry feeling as Wartburg. But, back to my point at hand, 0-3 in the conference is awfully hard to bounce back from and they have a long time to sit and think about being in last place. Does that make them stronger or do they give up? Does having 10 freshmen on varsity help that or does is reflect other problems on the team?

Loras, on the other hand, did get a win the other night to set a more positive tone for the rest of the conference season. If either team is to bounce back, I think Loras has the history of success on their side and nobody wants to be part of the team that turns the corner the wrong way. I can see them taking the break to really start putting things back on track. But, they are already two games down and that can make for a big hole to start digging out from.

Central does have a lot of season ahead of them and will no longer be taken lightly. But I think they will be a contender. They have started out as well as possible, beating two of the three early favorites. Last year's success lit a fire under these guys and if they keep playing selfless ball, putting the team success first, I think they have the ability and desire to repeat. They just can't let up on their progress. I think this team saw how far the team that beat us in the playoffs by a narrow margin went and they believe they deserve another shot.

I do agree completely that their is a lot of season that lies ahead and the tourney champ may or may not be the conference champ. But I will go out on a rose colored limb and say that if Central does win the season conference championship, they will be like last years' team and breeze through the tourney as well. (Now please, Dutch, don't make me eat my words, I am your only posting fan you know!)

Titan Q · December 14, 2010, 07:09:11 PM

Big transfer to Loras...

http://www.gobison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2400&ATCLID=205054587

Klompen · December 14, 2010, 10:24:01 PM

So what makes him a big transfer to Loras? His 6'5" size? I read the article, but I know nothing about him other than he only played in two exhibition games and is a freshmen who is transfering. Sorry to not be more up on things, but North Dakota State just doesn't stand out for me as far as big name basketball schools go. He may make a big difference at Loras, he may not. I'm not trying to downplay his transfer, I just would like to know why this is a big transfer, assumed big catch, for Loras.

coebball70 · December 15, 2010, 09:19:51 PM

While I refuse to speak for Titan Q, I will attempt to explain why he thinks it's a "big deal" for Loras to get such a transfer. I remember the young man was elected first team, all-state in Illinois after leading his team to something like to a 26 and 1 team record in Class AA. Also, if my memory serves me correctly, ND State is a school with a fairly strong basketball history. I think it was just two years ago that they almost upset Kansas in the NCAA tourney and finished 26 and 2 for the year. Either way, it is a major addition to a struggling team and I believe he can immediately be eligible to play.

Also, FWIW, I was happy to see Buena Vista give Augustana a strong game before eventually losing in the last three minutes of the game. How many losses will it take to win the IIAC championship this year?

Titan Q · December 15, 2010, 09:57:31 PM

Quote from: Klompen on December 14, 2010, 10:24:01 PM
So what makes him a big transfer to Loras? His 6'5" size? I read the article, but I know nothing about him other than he only played in two exhibition games and is a freshmen who is transfering. Sorry to not be more up on things, but North Dakota State just doesn't stand out for me as far as big name basketball schools go. He may make a big difference at Loras, he may not. I'm not trying to downplay his transfer, I just would like to know why this is a big transfer, assumed big catch, for Loras.

6-5 and athletic PG...a rare commodity in Division III.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si6MUpnynms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru8Jc5rN1Uc&feature=related

Titan Q · December 15, 2010, 10:10:28 PM

A copy/paste of a post I made on this board in April 2010 on Taylor Baxter...
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Posted this on the CCIW board, but will post here too...

Quote from: Titan Q on April 07, 2010, 08:08:14 AM
Links to the IBCA all-state teams...

1A/2A team

3A/4A team

Here are kids from the IBCA teams heading to Division III schools that I'm aware of...I'm sure I'm missing a bunch. Please post if you know any and I'll keep the list updated...

* Victor Davis (Galesburg), 3A/4A 3rd team - Illinois Wesleyan

* Chris Klimek (Fremd), 3A/4A 4th team - Washington U.

* Joe LaTulip (Prospect), 3A/4A Special Mention - Illinois Wesleyan

* Tyler Mitchell (Ziegler-Royalton), 1A/2A Honorable Mention - Greenville

* Scott Suchy (Genoa-Kingston), 1A/2A 3rd team - Carthage

* Brady Zimmer (Delavan), 1A/2A 1st team - Illinois Wesleyan

In response to this post, I received an e-mail stating that 1A/2A 1st teamer Taylor Baxter (Fieldcrest H.S.) is leaning towards Division III Loras. Let me first stress that I cannot confirm this. But if true, this would be big for Loras, as Baxter has not only been recruited extremely hard by a lot of CCIW schools, but he has had several NAIA, D2, and even low D1 teams talking to him. This from January...

Baxter is on the radar screen of a number of schools at varying levels. "I'm still talking to North Dakota State, Northern Arizona, Tennessee-Martin, Eastern Illinois, and Evansville as of late. Division two schools that I'm still talking to are Lewis, Southwest Minnesota State, Ashland, and Illinois-Springfield. Division three schools are all over the place right now, I really like Elmhurst and Loras, and Augustana is still in the mix," said Baxter.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/taylorbaxter2.html

We'll see.

Klompen · December 16, 2010, 08:35:17 PM

Ah, thanks, the videos really showed why he is a big recruit for Loras. He does look like a player who can make an immediate impact and I believe it is correct that he would be eligible right away. Like I said, I didn't mean to any disrespect by my question, I was just not aware of who he was or what he could do and the article from North Dakota State really didn't clarify any of that. Not that you would expect them to want to admit they lost what looks to be an outstanding recruit.

Makes me glad Central already beat Loras and that the next time, it will at least be on our floor. Thanks again Titan Q and also to CB70. Sorry CB70, but glad that BV will still have to play Loras twice. Here I thought Central was stuck playing them early, maybe I will be glad they got them early.

doolittledog · December 16, 2010, 09:11:17 PM

The article said the kid was homesick and wanted to play somewhere closer to home. Hopefully, after 1 semester at Loras, the kid doesn't wan't to be closer still to Chicago land and finds a CCIW school that is even closer to home for him for next year.

Gregory Sager · December 16, 2010, 09:45:14 PM

Quote from: doolittledog on December 16, 2010, 09:11:17 PM
The article said the kid was homesick and wanted to play somewhere closer to home. Hopefully, after 1 semester at Loras, the kid doesn't wan't to be closer still to Chicago land and finds a CCIW school that is even closer to home for him for next year.

Nah, you guys can keep him.

Titan Q · December 17, 2010, 10:40:24 PM

http://www.newstrib.com/articles/sports/todays-n-t-sports/default.asp?Article=24906&aname=Baxter+to+transfer%2C+but+destination+not+set

The North Dakota State announcement said that Baxter was transferring to Division III Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Baxter said that is inaccurate, and he has not decided on his destination.

He is making a visit to Loras on Sunday, and he will then visit Illinois Wesleyan on Monday.

"I'm kind of 50-50 at this point. There's some stuff we have to figure out at the meeting," Baxter said. "I have a great relationship with both coaches at both schools. It's definitely going to be hard to tell one of them, 'No.' I got to do what's best for me."

Baxter said that both Loras and Wesleyan will give him the chance to return to playing point guard, which is the position he played last year when he earned all-state honors and the NewsTribune Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

coebball70 · December 18, 2010, 09:32:40 PM

Wow, my Beavers lose again. Not sure what to think. It looked as though Grand View just controlled the game from the start by controlling the inside game. Kevin Smith had a career game, making BV's post players look clueless on defense. I'm still hopeful the Beavers will come out on top in the IIAC, but I must say my confidence in the team I watched humiliate Aurora University is waning. Seven losses in non-conference play, when is the last time that occurred? Maybe a Florida trip will help, but I think Defense 101 would help more.

Klompen · December 19, 2010, 04:41:47 PM

My Dutch lost yesterday too. It sounds like they had a lot of turnovers and lost a little focus. Good lesson to learn before returning to conference play I guess.

I think BV in basketball is a little like Central in football. Always a top team for consideration, but not the almost automatic lock that it used to seem to be to win. Adjusting to that kind of change is hard because they have been so good for so long that you get complacent about winning. It's kind of nice, until it stops.

doolittledog · December 19, 2010, 05:35:46 PM

Quote from: Klompen on December 19, 2010, 04:41:47 PM
My Dutch lost yesterday too. It sounds like they had a lot of turnovers and lost a little focus. Good lesson to learn before returning to conference play I guess.

I think BV in basketball is a little like Central in football. Always a top team for consideration, but not the almost automatic lock that it used to seem to be to win. Adjusting to that kind of change is hard because they have been so good for so long that you get complacent about winning. It's kind of nice, until it stops.

Yeah, but Central has been near the top for like 50 years...BV in basketball has been 10-15??? For those, like me, that took a break from IIAC basketball for over a decade...I had no idea BV was a dominant team in the IIAC. It won't seem all that strange for me if BV takes a step back in the standing. Though I still doubt they are really headed downhill yet.

Klompen · December 20, 2010, 07:11:18 PM

Quote from: doolittledog on December 19, 2010, 05:35:46 PM
Quote from: Klompen on December 19, 2010, 04:41:47 PM
My Dutch lost yesterday too. It sounds like they had a lot of turnovers and lost a little focus. Good lesson to learn before returning to conference play I guess.

I think BV in basketball is a little like Central in football. Always a top team for consideration, but not the almost automatic lock that it used to seem to be to win. Adjusting to that kind of change is hard because they have been so good for so long that you get complacent about winning. It's kind of nice, until it stops.

Yeah, but Central has been near the top for like 50 years...BV in basketball has been 10-15??? For those, like me, that took a break from IIAC basketball for over a decade...I had no idea BV was a dominant team in the IIAC. It won't seem all that strange for me if BV takes a step back in the standing. Though I still doubt they are really headed downhill yet.

Downhill, in the case of a really dominant team is anything that isn't a first place finish.

I'm not saying BV won't contend or even end up at the top, just that certain games that in the past had a seemingly foregone conclusion, aren't necessarily that way anymore. Kind of like Central vs. UD in football used to be, but darn it, no longer is.

When you go into a season expecting nothing less than a championship, getting a loss takes awhile to reconcile with your expectations. Like Coe beating BV earlier or the same thing happening to Central in football.

Central's football dominance is longer, but you have to start somewhere and BV in basketball has enough history, that I think they have a similar expectation of success.

coebball70 · December 21, 2010, 12:11:04 PM

Wow! The Kohawks hit stride last night. Knocking off the University of Chicago by fifteen points was the last result I expected. Chicago had just knocked off Illinois Wesleyan and appeared to be gaining strength as a team. So file this one under "I guess that's why they play the game" and enjoy a good win for the IIAC! Looks like the Kohawks turned up the second-half defense dial as the Maroons only shot 25% going 7 for 28!