MBB: American Rivers Conference

[Charlie Kohawk]

Most happy to see Brungard found his shot tonight at Simpson (22 points on 6-9 threes and 4-4 frees). I wasn't there, but that had to offset Kilburg's off night (5 points, 2 rebounds and 4 TOs before fouling out with 18 minutes of action). Another nice outing by Kuenstling (16 points, 13 rebounds, but only 3 assists). Who is this Jacobs kid? (10 points and 5 rebounds in 16 minutes!)

By the way, Coe beat Simpson 76-68.

[sportsknight]

Storm What? - I'll give you that one.  I wasn't aware of that info about Wartburg's bond rating.  I would guess the rating will bounce back sometime in the future, but it may take a while.  Wartburg's been pretty aggressive about improving facilities over the past 10 years, though.  Between a new football/track complex, soccer fields, softball field, student union, science center, maintenance building, renovating a couple of buildings, a new library, and 2 new dorms, there's been a lot of dirt moved in Waverly since 1999, and that's not even counting the new Wellness Center.

That said, I think we should all take Charlie's cue and start talking basketball again.  Looks like Wartburg played a pretty good game, but couldn't get it done at Loras tonight.  I, for one, won't be sad to see the Loras Fieldhouse go, since Wartburg has never played particularly well there.  Was anyone at the game?  Box score says Wartburg scored 10 straight points to get within 1 with just over a minute to play, but there was no scoring from that point.  What happened?

I think this game is a big improvement for the Knights.  3 point attempts were as low as I've seen them all year (although 2-13 isn't a great percentage), they out-shot and out-rebounded Loras, and turned the ball over fewer times.  Still didn't get to the FT line all that much, but the difference was smaller than other games.  All that on the road at the IIAC leader, in an environment I'd guess was pretty hostile.  Hopefully this game, while not being a win, will get the Knights turned in the right direction.

[doolittledog]

I will actually be a bit sad when Loras leaves their old fieldhouse.  While lacking in amenities and comfort.  It gave Loras one heck of a home court advantage with its atmosphere.  And I was never given a hard time while there watching UD. 

It seems we lost most of these types of buildings in Div. I 20-25 years ago, and now we will lose most of them in Div. III in the near future.  Even UD will leave their gym after this season. 

Oh yeah, and Dubuque lost at Cornell last night.  Apparently they haven't figured out the whole winning on the road thing yet.

[youcantseeme]

Couple of questions:
1. What is going on with Simpson?  They were a strong pick to finish in the top three in the conference.  They returned everyone from a pretty solid team last year, but are struggling mightily this year.  What is the deal?
2. Can anyone tell me why Thierny (sp) isn't playing very much for Cornell this year?  He had a real solid Frosh year last year and I was looking for him to play a big role for an improved Rams team this season.  I noticed that he is playing every once and a while but for no significant minutes.  I am guessing he is battling through an injury, but I would be interested to hear anything else about his circumstances.

[Walston Hoover]

Hope no one out here has Wartburg bonds.

[doolittledog]

Loras @ Dubuque 38-38 at the half

[doolittledog]

Final score Loras 88-73 over Dubuque

[sportsknight]

Our long, national nightmare is over:  Wartburg beats Luther for first IIAC win.

[pennstghs]

sorry to see wartburg stuggling right now-

also did anyone think that maybe these new facilities are helping the enrollment occur and the future value of the dollars spent now will be evened out with the inflow of newere students attracted by these facilities

[Rock Chalk DuHawk]

Wow the DuHawks really have it rolling now.....is the league that down this year for them to coast to 8-0?  What are the predictions for the second half of the year?  Wartburg on a turn a round with a win over Luther? 

[doolittledog]

From what I heard from the UD webcast.  Loras plays well as a team.  A bunch of unselfish players that really understand each other and are well coached.  4 starters average scoring in double figures with none averaging more than 12.5 points per game.  That is spreading the wealth about as evenly as you can. 

My hunch is Loras continues to play well but won't go the rest of the way undefeated.  I think Wartburg starts to put things together and strings a few wins together.  Dubuque flirts with .500 in the conference and takes it till the final week to determine if they make the conference tourney. 

[sportsknight]

If I remember right, there have been a couple of times in the past 4 seasons or so that Loras started the year out very well, but faded in February to finish around 3rd or 4th in the league.  Not saying that'll happen again this year, but there is a historical precedent.

Not having seen anyone but Wartburg play so far this year, I really can't guess what'll happen in the 2nd half.  I think Wartburg is righting the ship with the close loss at Loras and the W over Luther.  If the Knights get rolling, they could build up some momentum and be a tough team to beat come conference tourney time.  Other than that, I doesn't really seem like there are any teams besides Loras that really want the IIAC title.  Coe losing to Central, BV faltering a couple times, Simpson again not playing up to potential.  Who know what'll happen.  BV is still a pretty young team, but there aren't many coaches better in late February and March than VH.

[Storm-what?]

I think Loras will lose a few but still take the title this year. Kind of surprising to me, saw them play at Simpson in December, they were good but I certainly didn't peg them for winning the conference.

Penn- Wartburg is already at record enrollment and putting students in hotels. How many additional students do you think they can take and still maintain quality? At some point you have to consider the law of diminishing returns.

[pennstghs]

yeah that is true-are they really putting students in hotels? maybe what they need to invest in is a new hotel in the area then haha

[sportsknight]

are they really putting students in hotels?

Uh, no.