MBB: American Rivers Conference

[IntramuralChamp]

Upset Saturday Awaits us--
Luther @ Dubuque- Kick a dog when he's down, Dubuque enjoys playing at home and finds a way to give Luther another loss, making the top of the league a tight one heading into final week of season! Taylor Blum and the post players are too much offense for the Norse to handle and Dubuque controls tempo from start to finish. 74 to 66.
Buena Vista @ Coe- With the Luther loss, Coe could make the league race very interesting with a win at home against BV. However, BV gets revenge against Coe and continues their hopes for a first round home game. A possibility that last week had them hoping to make the conference tourney. BV 72 to 67.
Simpson @ Wartburg-Simpson is in a must win situation to keep them in that 6th spot in the conference. Wartburg meanwhile is all but eliminated but Simpson folds under pressure and Sathoff is too much for the Storm to handle. In a big upset, Knights win 68 to 63.
Central @ Cornell- It wouldn't be upset weekend without Central losing on the road to Cornell. I don't know how it will happen, but Central forgets the game is at 4:00 and not 8:00, Cornell plays for nothing, except to see Klompen disappointed face when he looks at stats.

Here's to upset weekend!

[5 Words or Less]

The Kohawks 78-44   win over Buena Vista gave them the first season-sweep of the Beavers in school history.  

http://www.coeathletics.com/article/664.php

Congratulations Kohawks!

[5 Words or Less]

Matt Poirier led UD in scoring with 12 points despite exiting midway through the second half with an injury.   Poirier leads UD with 16 blocks, 15.5 points and 6.7 rebounds a game.

http://www.dbq.edu/udathletics/news.cfm?ID=1657&team=Mens Basketball

I hope it's not serious.

[Klompen]

Dutch had their chances yesterday in spite of playing without two starters due to illness and injury.  But congratulations to Cornell for shutting down the come backs just shy of success.  Cornell gave Central a great game at home, so I knew it would be a challenge today, particularly with the absences.  I think the Dutch played with some heart again today, but not enough to overcome sloppy ball handling.  That is something they will have to work on cleaning up with a week off. 

Congratulations to all of yesterday's winners.  I gave up on Central having a shot for a home floor IIAC tourney game some time ago, looks like IC still had his blue glasses on as BV is now back to hoping for a playoff spot.  I think the Dutch are going to head to BV next Saturday with something to prove as their worst game of the entire season was played against BV at home.  Home floor jinx may well hit again in Storm Lake next Saturday.   

[Klompen]

Central fans are officially jumping on the Cornell bandwagon for the rest of the season.  With Loras and Simpson to play yet, one win by Cornell should put Central into the tourney, which is as much as we can hope for at this point.  Of course, if Central just knocks off BV, that should do it as well.  I apologize for earlier thinking Central was already in, I forgot that 3 teams get left out instead of just two.   

Some time for the new starting guard, in Brock Cave's place, to get more practice will help with the turnovers.  As would just being sharper in the actual passing.     We tend to lose the ball a lot trying to get it inside, which is frustrating when we have great outside shooters. 

Looking forward to Wednesday night just relaxing while hearing what happens with all the other teams, I may do some checking in from time to time on all those games.  I think Central will win the bye, but it will be a challenge game in preparation for BV.   

[doolittledog]

3 game losing streak by my Spartans...must be because I haven't been sitting in front of my computer with my lucky Spartan sweatshirt on

2 more games to go in the regular season.  Let's get some wins so we can host a tourney game!!!

[IntramuralChamp]

Good thing I am not a betting man, I would have lost money on the juice going 2-2 yesterday in my picks. Cornell and Wartburg didn't disappoint and took care of business at home. BV scored 44 points in a tough shooting night and Luther wrapped up its first conference title since Reagan was president. A great turn around for coach Franzen and his staff, congrats to them.

Interesting final week-
Coe @ Luther- Luther needs a win to win the league outright- If Coe can win at Luther I see a shared conference title which would be a shame to Luther. Don't know who holds tie breaker for number one seed- Would depend how Coe and Dubuque would do later in week. Coe beats Luther then beats Dubuque, I think they would have number one seed due to how they win loss record against Dubuque 3rd place team?

BV@ Simpson- BV has a chance to finish as high as 3rd with some help, Simpson is trying to win two games to make the final 6- This is big game for both teams and will be interesting what teams show up and play. A lot on the line.

Loras @ Cornell- A must win week for Loras and it has the most favorable schedule with Cornell and Wartburg- What a great week this will be in IIAC basketball.
   
Wartburg @ Dubuque- Dubuque controls its own destiny and can wrap up the 3 seed with a win over Wartburg, and possibly a 2 seed with a win over Wartburg and a Coe Loss at Luther, and Dubuque win over Coe? Alot of scenarios for every team. Every team needs to take Al Davis's advice; Just win baby, just win and everything will work out.

Central @ BV- Central is in a unique situation with not playing Wednesday, they currently sit in 4th and could finish anywhere from 6th or 7th if everything is played against them and they lose Sat. By Wednesday night we should have a good idea of what needs to happen to get in, I am hoping something crazy happens. Its been a year of parity from spots 3-7 and someone is going to be left out. Here is to the upset of the week that costs someone their season.

[IntramuralChamp]

Here is how I see it going down as of Sunday, this will obviously change by Wednesday but I have predicted everything and been wrong all year so why not fire some people up and tell you what I think again!

1. Luther
2. Coe
3. Dubuque
4. Buena Vista
5. Central ties Loras for last spot, but due to head to head- they finish 5th
6. Loras

Simpsons loss to BV , and Loras's 2-0 week gets them in, in the final spot!

3 vs 6- Loras travels cross town to play Dubuque
4 vs 5- Central travels back to BV for 2nd time in 3 days

[Klompen]

Here is how I see it going down as of Sunday, this will obviously change by Wednesday but I have predicted everything and been wrong all year so why not fire some people up and tell you what I think again!

1. Luther
2. Coe
3. Dubuque
4. Buena Vista
5. Central ties Loras for last spot, but due to head to head- they finish 5th
6. Loras

Simpsons loss to BV , and Loras's 2-0 week gets them in, in the final spot!

3 vs 6- Loras travels cross town to play Dubuque
4 vs 5- Central travels back to BV for 2nd time in 3 days

I think you have 1-3 right.  I really don't expect those to change.  On the other hand, I do think the Dutch have something to prove at BV and I think they could do it.  They have a week off to get some people hopefully healthy and ready to play.  So I see Central in the 4 spot, Loras and Simpson filling in the bottom spots.  I like the idea of Loras going to UD and Simpson to Central.  Keep the travel to a minimum.    

[AndOne]

Hello from someone not too familiar with IIAC doings.
Whats happened to Cornell this season?
After starting out very well last year, they seemed to tail off toward the end of the  year, and now I see where they're occupying last place in the conference standings.
Was this expected? What is responsible? Thanks

[doolittledog]

Hello from someone not too familiar with IIAC doings.
Whats happened to Cornell this season?
After starting out very well last year, they seemed to tail off toward the end of the  year, and now I see where they're occupying last place in the conference standings.
Was this expected? What is responsible? Thanks

2 years ago, after Cornell won the IIAC tourney, the school then asked their coach to take a 20% pay cut.  He declined this offer and left the school.  While the Rams new coach could be a good coach, he is greener, has a minimal budget to work with, and I would imagine it is not lost on the student athletes that they really don't have the administration behind them.  All that put together can lead a team to take a nose dive in the standings. 

[5 Words or Less]

Hello from someone not too familiar with IIAC doings.
Whats happened to Cornell this season?
After starting out very well last year, they seemed to tail off toward the end of the  year, and now I see where they're occupying last place in the conference standings.
Was this expected? What is responsible? Thanks

2 years ago, after Cornell won the IIAC tourney, the school then asked their coach to take a 20% pay cut.  He declined this offer and left the school.  While the Rams new coach could be a good coach, he is greener, has a minimal budget to work with, and I would imagine it is not lost on the student athletes that they really don't have the administration behind them.  All that put together can lead a team to take a nose dive in the standings. 

Are you serious???

[doolittledog]

Hello from someone not too familiar with IIAC doings.
Whats happened to Cornell this season?
After starting out very well last year, they seemed to tail off toward the end of the  year, and now I see where they're occupying last place in the conference standings.
Was this expected? What is responsible? Thanks

2 years ago, after Cornell won the IIAC tourney, the school then asked their coach to take a 20% pay cut.  He declined this offer and left the school.  While the Rams new coach could be a good coach, he is greener, has a minimal budget to work with, and I would imagine it is not lost on the student athletes that they really don't have the administration behind them.  All that put together can lead a team to take a nose dive in the standings. 

Are you serious???

That was the talk on here at the time.  The coach left the school saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.  He was back in coaching within a year.

[Kohawk Krazy]

Thoughts for tonight...

Wartburg at Dubuque - Spartans get a win here and look to get closer to locking down the three seed.
Buena Vista at Simpson - Could be the last chance for the Storm to get in.  Beavers still down from their beating on Saturday.  I'll take the Storm.
Loras at Cornell - Both teams have been playing well in last week.  Rams clinging to hopes of getting in tournament still.  I'll take the Rams.
Coe at Luther - Something tells me Coe won't be giving up 62 points in the 2nd half to the Norse again.  Crazy to think that two teams that didn't even make the IIAC Tournament last year are battling for the title in the last week of the season.  I'll take the Kohawks here.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

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