MBB: American Rivers Conference

[Hoosiersfan2323]

In case you missed it, Loras best Macalester last night 165-89... not a typo. Loras scored 100 points in the first half. I believe the 165 points was the most scored in any NCAA game this season.

Not too many takeaways from this game, as Macalester is not good and most of Loras' points were scored on wide open buckets. I suppose the one item of note is that freshman's Rowan McGowen is averaging over 13PPG for Loras after dropping 26 last night. Back at it tonight against Monmouth...

[Smitty Oom]

In case you missed it, Loras best Macalester last night 165-89... not a typo. Loras scored 100 points in the first half. I believe the 165 points was the most scored in any NCAA game this season.

Not too many takeaways from this game, as Macalester is not good and most of Loras' points were scored on wide open buckets. I suppose the one item of note is that freshman's Rowan McGowen is averaging over 13PPG for Loras after dropping 26 last night. Back at it tonight against Monmouth...

MAC in 2017 is one of the worst MIAC teams I have seen. Plus they started playing a variation of Grinnell system... not much take away is right.

Anyone have thoughts on Wartburg? They are ranked pretty high in d3hoops poll but I bet thats mostly due to good run in the NCAA last year and solid start, even though they dont have too many (maybe UWSP) good wins. I think they are solid but will be interesting to see how they do against Neb. Wes and Loras.

It should be known I really like this Prairie Wolves team.

[rlgyank]

NWU got Schimonitz back last night against Grinnell. Assuming he doesn't have any issues with his knee after playing on it for the first time, that will help NWU quite a bit. They are playing really well right now. It was a good win for them yesterday against Grinnell. They had a couple of good contributions from their bench players, which they needed because all of their players who usually play the most minutes had 4 or 5 fouls.  I could make a 2 page post on that part of the game, but I will save everyone the agony of reading my ramblings. :-)

[Greek Tragedy]

In case you missed it, Loras best Macalester last night 165-89... not a typo. Loras scored 100 points in the first half. I believe the 165 points was the most scored in any NCAA game this season.

Not too many takeaways from this game, as Macalester is not good and most of Loras' points were scored on wide open buckets. I suppose the one item of note is that freshman's Rowan McGowen is averaging over 13PPG for Loras after dropping 26 last night. Back at it tonight against Monmouth...

MAC in 2017 is one of the worst MIAC teams I have seen. Plus they started playing a variation of Grinnell system... not much take away is right.

Anyone have thoughts on Wartburg? They are ranked pretty high in d3hoops poll but I bet thats mostly due to good run in the NCAA last year and solid start, even though they dont have too many (maybe UWSP) good wins. I think they are solid but will be interesting to see how they do against Neb. Wes and Loras.

It should be known I really like this Prairie Wolves team.

Point hasn't been any good for two years and counting now.

[Alfredeneumann]

Wartburg beat by Augsburg. 68-64 on Saturday.

http://go-knights.net/news/2017/12/30/no-13-mens-basketball-falls-to-augsburg.asp

Herman and Sabus 23 each.

[Hoosiersfan2323]

In case you missed it, Loras best Macalester last night 165-89... not a typo. Loras scored 100 points in the first half. I believe the 165 points was the most scored in any NCAA game this season.

Not too many takeaways from this game, as Macalester is not good and most of Loras' points were scored on wide open buckets. I suppose the one item of note is that freshman's Rowan McGowen is averaging over 13PPG for Loras after dropping 26 last night. Back at it tonight against Monmouth...

Follow up to my original post, worth noting that McGowen is shooting 52.2% from 3 for Loras this season. Really impressive start for the freshman.

[Alfredeneumann]

Wartburg beat Central 80-65. Gehling scores 15 to lead balanced scoring. Wartburg started game on 9-0 run  and lead by 10-20 points most of the game.

http://go-knights.net/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-gehling-nets-career-high-in-win-over-central.aspx

Conference home teams went 3-1 tonight. Only road team to win was BV winning @ NWU by 16. 91-75
Loras 98     U Dbq 91
Simpson 83 Luther 60

[Hoosiersfan2323]

Wartburg beat Central 80-65. Gehling scores 15 to lead balanced scoring. Wartburg started game on 9-0 run  and lead by 10-20 points most of the game.

http://go-knights.net/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-gehling-nets-career-high-in-win-over-central.aspx

Conference home teams went 3-1 tonight. Only road team to win was BV winning @ NWU by 16. 91-75
Loras 98     U Dbq 91
Simpson 83 Luther 60

Anyone who attended the Loras-Dubuque game got to watch fireworks offensively. Dubuque senior guard TJ Lake dropped 50 - yes, 50 - points for Dubuque in the loss. Did it on 20 shots, too. Loras was led by junior Josh Ruggles, who scored 30 on 9-13 shooting (11-11FT). Two of the top three scorers in the IIAC this year, Lake and Ruggles did not disappoint.

As someone who follows Loras fairly closely, it was also great to see Duhawk junior Demond George put up a big game (22pts), as he's been struggling with injuries for much of the year. Looked good last night, though.

[duckfan41]

Wartburg beat Central 80-65. Gehling scores 15 to lead balanced scoring. Wartburg started game on 9-0 run  and lead by 10-20 points most of the game.

http://go-knights.net/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-gehling-nets-career-high-in-win-over-central.aspx

Conference home teams went 3-1 tonight. Only road team to win was BV winning @ NWU by 16. 91-75
Loras 98     U Dbq 91
Simpson 83 Luther 60

Anyone who attended the Loras-Dubuque game got to watch fireworks offensively. Dubuque senior guard TJ Lake dropped 50 - yes, 50 - points for Dubuque in the loss. Did it on 20 shots, too. Loras was led by junior Josh Ruggles, who scored 30 on 9-13 shooting (11-11FT). Two of the top three scorers in the IIAC this year, Lake and Ruggles did not disappoint.

As someone who follows Loras fairly closely, it was also great to see Duhawk junior Demond George put up a big game (22pts), as he's been struggling with injuries for much of the year. Looked good last night, though.

In the two games I followed yesterday, offensive onslaughts were put on full display. What Josh Ruggles has been doing in his first college season healthy is something awfully special though. The kid is an absolute baller and likely would have had much more than 30 save his 4 fouls. Truly a special competitor and better kid as I've been following him for most of his career from high school on.

[doolittledog]

I was happy to see UD give Loras a run for their money.  Hopefully the Spartans can take this and build for the rest of the year. 

[AndOne]

Quite a difference of opinion re NWU.

Matt Snyder has the *Plainsmen at #6
Massey has them in at #9
D3Hoops poll says they are #43!

* Forgive me. I understand the political correctness of the current mascot's name, but I played as a Plainsman and, as much as I've tried, I don't seem to be capable of being able to morph into a wolf. 

[dunkin3117]

NWU is definitely a talented team, but their non-conference schedule appeared to be fairly weak.  Looks like the have Schimonitz (sp?) back, which is a huge addition with conference play in full swing.  Some big games this week. I've got to admit that BV has been a surprise so far this year.

Tonight
Luther @ Wartburg (Prediction Wartburg by 7)
NWU @ Loras (Loras by 1)
Simpson @ Coe (Simpson by 12)
BV @ UD (BV by 20)

Saturday
Loras @ BV (BV by 5)
Coe @ Central (Central by 8)
UD @ NWU (NWU by 15)
Wartburg @ Simpson (Wartburg by 9)

[doolittledog]

Dubuque is still taking losses.  But they are giving the top teams a very hard time of it. 

[Alfredeneumann]

Knights beat Luther 73-51.

6 point game at 1/2 Wartburg 40-34, Most of second frame was 10-15 range until it got to 23. Luther score 17 in 2nd and shot 27% and 1-13 from 3. Knights played tough defense.

http://go-knights.net/news/2018/1/10/no-21-mens-basketball-prevails-over-luther.aspx

[Hoosiersfan2323]

Loras took down Nebraska Wesleyan at home in OT last night by a score of 97-87. Definitely becoming an intense/chippy rivalry between two teams who don't appear to like each other very much.

Scoring was incredibly balanced for NWU, with all five starters in double digits. Josh Ruggles led Loras with 20 points, Ryan DiCanio had a ridiculous 15 rebounds to go along with 13 points. Jordon Kedrowski had a nice game as well, with 14 points of his own. Demond George was big down the stretch with a few timely buckets. Loras back at it against Buena Vista Saturday....