MBB: American Rivers Conference

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It's hard to contain my excitement for Friday ... Sadly, I won't be able to attend the game and according to the UW-SP guys, the games at CUW won't be video streamed.  Evidently the link that I previously posted was for audio only.  Hopefully Goob makes the trip and puts a Norse spin on the KWLC broadcast.

I listened to part of an interview with CUW's coach Shawn Cassidy who says that Junior forward Matt Doedens presents some matchup problems as a 6'5" guard.  Doedens transfered in from Winnona State where he played in 25 games as a sophmore averaging 2.2 points and 8 minutes per game.  This year, Doedens is the second leading scorer on the Falcon roster averaging 14.6 point and 32.5 minutes per game.

CUW has three other players averaging double digit points as they distribute the ball effectively.  This job seems to fall into the hands of 6'-1" guard, Matt Paluchniak, who has served up 104 assists while only turning the ball over 53 times.  Having not seen any game film, I don't know if his style is to drive and dump to the crashing bigs or kick out for a waiting tre.  Either way, the Norse will have their hands full with the #24 team in the nation.

[John Gleich]

It's hard to contain my excitement for Friday ... Sadly, I won't be able to attend the game and according to the UW-SP guys, the games at CUW won't be video streamed.  Evidently the link that I previously posted was for audio only.  Hopefully Goob makes the trip and puts a Norse spin on the KWLC broadcast.

I listened to part of an interview with CUW's coach Shawn Cassidy who says that Junior forward Matt Doedens presents some matchup problems as a 6'5" guard.  Doedens transfered in from Winnona State where he played in 25 games as a sophmore averaging 2.2 points and 8 minutes per game.  This year, Doedens is the second leading scorer on the Falcon roster averaging 14.6 point and 32.5 minutes per game.

CUW has three other players averaging double digit points as they distribute the ball effectively.  This job seems to fall into the hands of 6'-1" guard, Matt Paluchniak, who has served up 104 assists while only turning the ball over 53 times.  Having not seen any game film, I don't know if his style is to drive and dump to the crashing bigs or kick out for a waiting tre.  Either way, the Norse will have their hands full with the #24 team in the nation.

It looks like we were wrong...


http://www.cuwfalcons.com/article.asp?articleID=1280

There's a video link on this site.

I'm not 100% certain that the first game (UWSP vs. SNC) will be broadcast, but you've got a great chance of seeing the Norse and the Falcons play.

[doolittledog]

All-Conference teams announced.  Luther took the top spots...rest of the team evenly spread out among the rest of the teams.

http://www.iowaconference.com/sports/2011/3/2/MBB_201011All_IIAC.aspx

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Minutes before tipoff and I see Crocker is suited up!  The falcons are draining 3 balls at will during warmups ... Luther's D has got to be stout tonight!

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Luther 30 - CUW 29 ... Halftime

[doolittledog]

I've tuned in now...the feed cuts in and out for me.  Go Norse!!!

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Luther 68 - Concordia 61 Final

Woo-Hoo!

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Mark Franzen was quoted as saying "This Luther team will do a good job of representing the Iowa Conference" after the conference tournament championship game.  They obviously did beating the host school that had only lost one game on their home floor all season.  I'm proud of my Norse for pulling out this back and forth game (15 lead changes).  I feel ... no check that, I know that both UD and Coe could have competed just as well in the NCAA tournament.  Next year the IIAC should be considered more seriously for a pool C bid!

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Several keys to the game 1) CUW's center was in foul trouble all night (2 points in 9 minutes vs. season avg. 13 pts in 25 min).  2) Skip Newton-Kemp torched the Norse for 13 points in the first half, but had zero in the second.  3) Norse out rebounded the Falcons 47-29, but 4) Norse almost gave the game away because they were awful at the free throw line.

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Hooray!  We won ...

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Ah crap ... Stevens Point.

Oh well, gotta play 'em all.  The 25-3 defending national champions are on a 13 game winning streak.  They're huge, measuring 6'-5", 6'-6" and 6'-7" in the starting front court.  They lead the nation in shooting percentage makeing 52.7% of their shots.  They also are ranked in the top 20 nationally in turnover margin, 3 point shooting percentage and assist to turnover margin.  The Pointers dominated St. Norbert in round 1 of the NCAA tournament winning by 21 (70-49) or 1.4 points UNDER this season's average margin of victory. I've heard they play good defense to boot - pretty overwhelming on paper. 

The Pointers achillies heel seems to be found in low scoring games.  They are 0-3 when held to 60 points or less.  Good luck to both teams - just a little more luck to the underdogs!

[doolittledog]

That announcer in the game tonight made Gary Rima sound like Gary Dolphin.  Way over excited and homerism to the extreme. 

Great win for Luther tonight.  Congrats.  Now let's see what you can do against Stevens Point!!!

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Google can put the squeeze on content farms, but they can't slow down 5 words or more during tournament time.    I watched parts of two archived UW-SP games and came away with the impression that they are as good as advertised.  They are big, and they shoot well.  They also play ten deep, so tiring them out is unlikely. Luther will have a hard time holding the Pointer's leading scorer, JerrellHarris 15.5 ppg, in check because injuries are depleting the point guard position for the Norse.  Michael Crocker has been in a boot for the last month and Zak Fulerton appeared to injur his knee in last night's game. 

The thing is, Luther is very adaptable and there is no one star on the team that opponents can focus on.  That and their team emphasis on defense keeps things close in most games.  I think tonight's game is going to be much closer than what the Pointers have experienced of late, and if they have an off night shooting ...

[doolittledog]

Luther fans were numerous and loud last night.  That was great to see.

[John Gleich]

Google can put the squeeze on content farms, but they can't slow down 5 words or more during tournament time.    I watched parts of two archived UW-SP games and came away with the impression that they are as good as advertised.  They are big, and they shoot well.  They also play ten deep, so tiring them out is unlikely. Luther will have a hard time holding the Pointer's leading scorer, JerrellHarris 15.5 ppg, in check because injuries are depleting the point guard position for the Norse.  Michael Crocker has been in a boot for the last month and Zak Fulerton appeared to injur his knee in last night's game. 

The thing is, Luther is very adaptable and there is no one star on the team that opponents can focus on.  That and their team emphasis on defense keeps things close in most games.  I think tonight's game is going to be much closer than what the Pointers have experienced of late, and if they have an off night shooting ...

More than preventing Point from scoring, I think that Luther is going to struggle scoring themselves.  SP's offense is driven by the defense.