MBB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

I can't say I know enough about these teams to be making predictions yet.

I like IC's picks.

Central lost all 5 starters and travels to Loras to take on a team that despite a bad start, did just beat Platteville.  Loras was always strong in their old barn, not so much in their new palace, but I think Loras beats Central.

BV at home sounds good to me...I'l take IC's word for it

Warty at home sounds good to me...I'll take IC's word for it

I'm a Dubuque homer, so of course the Spartans will win over Simpson.  With Central playing all the way over in Dubuque...Klompen drives the 30 miles over to Indianola to watch UD's Blum play in person...and maybe get his autograph 

Just to be different...Luther watches film of the Loras win over Platteville and copies that to get a win over the Pioneers

[Klompen]

Or maybe Klompen chooses to at least start watching the Central game to see how they do on the road against the preseason favorite, or one of them anyway.  I wouldn't care if I never had to see Blum play again.     Don't want him hurt, but couldn't he have to attend family weddings or something on the days/nights they play Central?   

Good luck to the Dutch!  Even though I would expect Loras will win tonight.   

[Klompen]

Nothing like making my picks at 8 pm!  Doesn't matter though, I think IC has all of them picked right.  Unfortunately, that makes all the active posters on here happy except me!  Oh well, the early part of the IIAC season will hopefully be the worst as the players are still adjusting to the new line-ups, might as well get the heavy hitters out of the way while we are more likely to struggle so when we get to the mid-pack teams we can win.

[Klompen]

Well, it is halftime at Loras with the Dutch up by 14, 37-23.  If I count right, the Dutch have 7 - 3s to their credit.  Central started out really hot and cooled way down about midway through the half.  Good news, Loras in the first half never really got going offensively.  I'm afraid that won't last, but it will be nice to start the second half with a double digit lead since we are on the road against a league favorite.   Hopefully the Dutch can withstand the runs that Loras is sure to make at them. 

I did expect that the Dutch could surprise some teams, but it surprises even me that they are doing this well tonight.  I realize the final outcome may well be different, but who does it say more about, Central or Loras, or both?

[coebball70]

Coe up by 10, with 9 minutes to go.  Kohawks hitting over 60% from 3 pt land.  The Beavers are being handled by the Kohawks. 

[Klompen]

Coe up by 10, with 9 minutes to go.  Kohawks hitting over 60% from 3 pt land.  The Beavers are being handled by the Kohawks. 

Wow, neither one of the pre-season favorites is doing well.  The Dutch were up by 21 when I lost the feed.  Hmmmm?

[coebball70]

Coe withstands a furious Beaver rally to win 69-68.  It's going to be a wild conference chase this year.  My bet is 3 losses will win it!

[John Gleich]

Luther watches film of the Loras win over Platteville and copies that to get a win over the Pioneers

Well, it wasn't a carbon copy... but close enough, Luther beats Platteville by 2, 55-53

[coebball70]

Really happy to see the IIAC take another victory from  Platteville ... Decorah is hoppin' tonight!

[Klompen]

Central withstands furious comeback effort by Loras and wins 74-64.  Heard about Coe's win, congratulations to them and Central for going on the road against the preseason favorites and taking their first conference wins.  Heard Wartburg got beat by 1 also.  Going to be an interesting year to say the least.

[IntramuralChamp]

What a great way to start the year for my picks.... 0-5 on the night- good thing I am not gambling man. I will be the first to admit I was wrong. What ever happened to home court advantage?  Very surprised by the Coe and Central wins, but my hats off to them. Also a congrats is in order to Zanders at Simpson for a big time win to start the year. Cornell goes into Wartburg and wins and Luther beats a WIAC team. Great night for basketball for the average fan.

Preseason 1 and 2 picks (Loras and BV) are 1-5? Who would have thought that! What is going on in Storm Lake and Dubuque?

Doolittledog- appreciate the confidence in me with my picks- you may choose differently next time after 0-5 start for me. Great Luther pick! Klompen- hats off to your Dutch!

[coebball70]

Here's the video that caused last night's amazing results in the IIAC;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkBOI4lNfYs

I posted this on the CCIW board where I normally lurk, but I believe all of you will enjoy the message....please take 2:16, turn up the volume and enjoy!

[Klompen]

Coebball70, liked the video, thanks for posting it here. 

IC Champ, I knew the Dutch would surprise somebody, didn't expect it to be me though!     I knew this team could be better than most would expect after all 5 starters graduated, but these "newbies" did something even last year's champs didn't do, that was winning AT Loras.  Even I didn't expect that, so you're right, hats off to this Dutch squad.  First win at Loras in 19 years!

I guess so much for catching other teams by surprise now.  Up until last night, people just thought I was a fan looking through my red tinted glasses.  Nice of the team to make me look so good!      Still not ready to move them up on my pre-IIAC predictions, I will let them win a few more games first.     The nice thing is according to the coach, this team is still improving with every game. 

[doolittledog]

Oh great...so dominating in football wasn't enough for Central   

I wonder if the Dutch are following Warty's lead and offering funny money to athletes

Thanks Coeball, I liked that video.  I wish someone at UD could dub that soundtrack onto video of UD players to pump them up during pregames. 

I think UD still has the potential to finish in a similar position as last year...about a million place tie for 2nd place in the conference.  UD has shown flashes this season, they just need to put an entire game together.  I'll be watching them from my computer this year to see if it happends.  Like Klompen, I'm a fan, win or lose.

[Klompen]

Oh great...so dominating in football wasn't enough for Central   

I wonder if the Dutch are following Warty's lead and offering funny money to athletes

Hey, we have to make up for a down year in football.  Third place!  Man, that team should have been in first and they would agree!     Okay, maybe second, Coe did outplay us.  Still not convinced about Wartburg, but saying so cost me a ton of karma.   

As to the funny money?   

What happened to Blum and the Spartans?  I went along with IC's predictions the other night too, but I knew just enough to think they were likely right.  Woe to me for not expecting my surprising Dutch to do something last year's experienced players and conference champs couldn't do.  Still basking in the glow of an astonishing win at Loras. 

But on to today, Go Dutch.  It's killing me that I can't be there today, but will be wishing I could be every minute!