MBB: American Rivers Conference

[Klompen]

Sorry to all of you out there that wanted to watch UD put a wupping on Central without Blum even in the gym.  I have no idea why you lost video or why the live stats didn't work.  I would have had it going because you deserved to see just how bad the Dutch played tonight.  

Congratulations to UD who obviously wanted it more.  Central's inconsistency and spotting the other team a huge lead strikes once again.  I never like it when games are postponed and Central closed yesterday due to the weather, it looked like the guys had too much time on their hands and lost focus.  Most of the night they looked like sloppy ball handlers , much like a junior high team that had never handled the ball before and didn't know how to rebound.  They also forgot that the point of fouling at the end of the game was to rebound missed shots.  

I had a bad feeling about this game going into it.  When I saw Blum didn't even make the trip, I was even more worried.  Apparently our whole game plan was built around him and when he wasn't there, they had  no idea what to do.  I know that Boschee does not believe in calling time outs to break momentum.  Not sure I agree with that, but have come to accept that it isn't going to happen.  But tonight they needed some guidance before the game got down to 2 minutes left.  Somebody needs to take responsibility for getting the team ready and focused to play from the opening tip.  

The team reminds me of a team that is afraid of succeeding.  Whenever things start to look good, they self-destruct.  That isn't to take anything away from UD, they played well tonight in every aspect.  What should have been a slam dunk without Blum was just a slam to Central.  

I bet Doolittle had a whole set of Central voodoo dolls.    

[Klompen]

Oops, forgot to mention, I can't give you the final score either.  I didn't want to see it, but it was around 11 points difference or so I would guess.  Congrats again to UD, they knew they had a monumental task without Blum there and they hustled all night.  Probably similar to the way the Dutch played so well against Luther with 2-3 starters out.  They had the desire that Central lacked tonight and you just can't measure heart.

[TheSportsFan]

Update on Luther's Michael Crocker:

I posted earlier mentioning that it was unclear of the diagnosis.  Latest reports are that it is STILL unclear on his availability.

First reports were a possible broken ankle, then came reports of ligament issues (2-3 weeks).  Last news was the belief there is a stress fracture in the foot which could likely sideline him for the rest of the year or at least until tournament time.

[doolittledog]

Hey Klompen, final score was 72-60.  Interesting you note the Central coach doesn't like to call timeouts.  I think they could have been useful to your Dutch in that 1st half.  And your voodoo doll worked so good Blum couldn't even leave Dubuque.  Press release said illness, it didn't mention if he broke out in pin sized rashes though

UD winning on the road without Blum is a huge statement I think.  This is a confident and deep team right now.  For this old Spartan fan, it is fun to watch. 

[Klompen]

UD shot pretty well last night and did a great job rebounding, getting steals and creating turnovers.  Any time you do that, you are going to be successful.  I think all the UD players knew they had to really step it up without Blum there and, as I said last night, you just can't measure heart.  UD played with a ton of heart last night.  Best of luck to them for the rest of the season.

I forgot you didn't get to see the end of the game.  Central got foul crazy just to get to where they could send UD to the foul line, then 4 straight times, when UD missed, the Dutch did NOT rebound!  It wasn't a game that Central deserved to win and they didn't play like they wanted to any way.  

I agree completely that Central should have called a time out in the first half, maybe several, particularly when they lollygagged getting the ball in and lost it on a 5 second call.  No mental focus at all last night.  But Boschee really likes to save his time outs for the end of the game.  If there were a stat for fewest time outs in the first half, I guarantee Central would lead the nation.  I don't want to criticize though as Boschee is a great coach who pulled Central from the bottom of the conference up to champs last year and still doing better than most expected with 5 graduating starters coming into this season.  You can't argue with success too much. 

But in true inconsistent form, I think they might have a shot against Luther, as surely, hopefully, they will want to prove they are a better team than they were last night.  

[coebball70]

Bummer, my BV Beavers are done for the year.  Wartburg was the better team today.  For whatever reason, the Beavers are going to get a summer to reflect on what might have been.  It's discouraging when a team fails to achieve it's potential for any reason.  Hopefully, some floor leadership will emerge and the commitment to personal improvement will return.  BV's winning tradition is too strong not to endure a second year of under-achievement by all involved.

[Klompen]

I feel your pain.  My Dutch suffered another loss today as well.  This time they didn't spot the opponent a big lead, but they did play a better team that was not having an off day.  Central started out well, but simply wore down as the game went on.  There are always things that could have been done better, but Luther was the better team today and my hat is really off to the Dutch that played in the game at Luther with Caves, Chappy and Winkler out.  Luther may have had an off day then, but Central must have really battled to do that well on their floor. 

I also still appreciate the effort that all the Dutch have put forth this season and will cheer them on for the rest of the season and however long they can play in the conference tourney, assuming they will make it.  I want to say that even with the loss, they have a tourney game clinched at 7-6.  They only have 3 conference games left and two teams have 10 or more conference losses, but the conference site does not show a clinch yet.  Right now they are more or less in a tie for 4th through 6th and that is better than people thought they would do.  Maybe if they get some focus and consistency going for them they can stay on that high end and be more than one and done in the tourney.

Congratulations to Luther, you earned that win today.

[Klompen]

Here's hoping the Dutch can get fired up for Simpson at home tomorrow night.  I don't know what to expect any more, but would still pick my Dutch for a win.  I don't think they want to lose to Simpson twice.  There should be a little rivalry fire there, but sometimes it is hard to tell. 

Good luck and good health to everyone playing, let's see who can get fired up and win down the road.  The Luther I saw Saturday was much better than in their first game with Central.  I predict they may well win out as Central did last year and really make a statement that it was their year.  They reminded me a lot of last year's Dutch team.

[Klompen]

I give up on predicting, I would have struggled tonight with all but the Central game.  I might not have gotten that right either if I had known James Chapline would miss the game and that Brock Caves would have sat out the second half with an injury.  Demarco Turner had a brilliant night in front of the home fans for the last time this season.  While the season is not yet over, I do want to extend congratulations to both Turner and Chapline who have likely played their last game in Kuyper Gym.  Best of luck the rest of the season and hopefully in the conference tourney, then through the rest of this semester.  I know you will both be successful after graduation.  All the best to you!

Now, what's up with Cornell beating Luther and Loras beating Coe?  For that matter, I was surprised that UD lost to BV.  I knew there would be interesting games down the stretch and I can't say it is a big surprise that BV won, but the other two did surprise me when I read it. 

Good luck to all the seniors who will be playing their last games over the next few weeks.  It has been fun to watch you, and some of you (Blum) I will be glad to see graduate.     You have been good opponents.

[doolittledog]

UD women lose after giving up a 10 point 2nd half lead...UD men trail the entire game...Iowa loses in OT to Wisconsin...oi vey, last night was a tough night to take. 

My wife told me "this is why women like movies with happy endings, so we don't go to bed mad"

[Klompen]

Oh, no, a stereotyper wife!      Some women also like sports and let me tell you, we can go to bed mad about the results of a game too.  Then again, I do like movies with happy endings!     I have the day off and am looking at the possibilities for such a movie as soon as I get off here.   

[5 Words or Less]

... I predict they [Luther] may well win out as Central did last year and really make a statement that it was their year.  They reminded me a lot of last year's Dutch team.

I give up on predicting ... what's up with Cornell beating Luther ... ? 

... You must have jinxed 'em 

[5 Words or Less]

Given that, I see Buena Vista AND/OR Central AND/OR Coe AND/OR Cornell AND/OR Dubuque AND/OR Loras AND/OR Simspson AND/OR Wartburg winning out! 

[Klompen]

... I predict they [Luther] may well win out as Central did last year and really make a statement that it was their year.  They reminded me a lot of last year's Dutch team.

I give up on predicting ... what's up with Cornell beating Luther ... ?  

... You must have jinxed 'em  

I have that effect a lot, mostly on the Dutch though.  If that works, I think Luther, Coe, UD and BV will all win out.  Better throw Cornell in there too since the Dutch play them Saturday.  

There is also the effect I have on Taylor Blum who couldn't even make the trip to Pella.  And they played better without him. 

[5 Words or Less]

Loras is IIAC's hottest team

• Defeated Luther 51-50 on 1/29/11
• Defeated Dubuque 63-56 on 2/5/11
• Lost to Buena Vista 94-75 on 2/7/11
• Defeated Coe 70-68 on 2/9/11
• Cornell & Wartburg remain