MBB: American Rivers Conference

[Walston Hoover]

I don't think it is any coincidence that since Franzen tranferred in and started to figure things out, Wartburg lost to the conference leaders by 1 and won the next 2 somewhat easily. Its nice to have a 6'6 big man to help out.

[knightlife06]

Good win by the Knights last night.  Hopefully they can continue to ride the win streak for a while and get into the conference tourney.  Sounds like the boys are coming together nicely.

On a side note, it was hard to listen to the game last night.  The radio guys weren't exactly J. Gav and Tubby.

[sportsknight]

Good win by the Knights last night.  Hopefully they can continue to ride the win streak for a while and get into the conference tourney.  Sounds like the boys are coming together nicely.

On a side note, it was hard to listen to the game last night.  The radio guys weren't exactly J. Gav and Tubby.

What can I say, we have big shoes (and waistlines) to fill.

[StormE]

I haven't denied that there has been inconsistent play by the Storm this year, but I DID think they were going to straighten out.  In fact, they did end up reaching .500, but they have been "up and down." The absence of Soppe the last few games is an obvious problem.  In the 20-pt Cornell win Lyndon Hawkins had a career night to pick up the slack and there was a lot of scoring help from the bench, but I wouldn't expect that to happen very often.  The difference in the last game vs Wartburg was that the Knights hit their threes, unlike the first matchup, as well as having a lot more chances at the free-throw line due to an unevenly called game. 

The question about leadership is a good one.  Hittenmiller is a consistent scorer, but Parkinson has been dropping off the last few games.  While some may judge leadership as getting 18+ points every night, I think it is very evident that Simpson looks their best when they have a balanced scoring attack.  The Central and Cornell game showed that.  It seems to me that the seniors lead by example plenty on the court, in knowing where they need to be and what their roles are as well as the roles of the younger kids.  But if anyone steps out of their roles, tries to do too much or gets flustered, and/or dumps the ball to the shooters and expects them to win it for the team, it puts a lot of pressure on them and the team. 

[youcantseeme]

I think a point of concern for the conferece so far is the fact that the officials seem to be taking the post game away in the IIAC.  This year there have been more offensive fouls in the post, before the ball is entered, than I have ever seen. 

Post play has always been a staple in this conference and I dont like the fact that teams are becoming hesistant to go inside for fear of drawing fouls.  The defensive fouls in the post have also increased this season (at least it appears that way to me).   

Is this something that other people have noticed too?

[youcantseeme]

The absence of Soppe the last few games is an obvious problem.

The injury to Soppe hurts, but the Storm weren't exactly jelling before he went down. Their inconsistancy has been maddening all season long.  It also doesnt help that SC has ran the same offensive sets for the last couple of years.  I am sure other conference coaches have picked up on that as much as the fans have.

[Storm-what?]

Granted- it's not great losing Soppe but I agree- we wasn't doing a ton for the team and certainly not living up to his potential. He played as well his freshmen year as he did this year. And I would say the same is ALMOST true for Parkinson and Hittenmiller- although Hitt has been doing pretty good lately. None of them are 4 years better that is for sure.

To me, a leader can motivate, play hard and most of all pick their team up when they are falling apart or getting shaky. Bascially, settle them down, get them back into their element. No one is doing that for the Storm right now. I also believe it's important to set an example off the court- be someone other players respect enough to follow. While they may be fun to party with, not sure any of those 3 have that quality (my knowledge on that is 2nd hand for the most part- though I have seen at least 2 of 3 three drunk off their a$$e$ in public places- during the day- a possible sign of immaturity and lack of respect for authority) I don't REALLY know of any those 3 personally- but I don't see any of them having the heart to be a great leader for the team.... in my humble opinion.

I still believe the team has potential- they will surprise a few people yet this year and they do have some nice talent in the younger players.

[Storm-what?]

Picks for this week:
Simpson over Central- huge toss up so I'll go with the pride.
Coe over Luther
BV over Cornell
and the last one is really tough. I'm going to sat UD over Wwartburg but  Idon't feel very confident.

[S Carter]

Central will get this one......

[Storm-what?]

Nah! Central wants it but the Storm are hyped up from the ceremony tonight and will kill em again! 

[Storm-what?]

Simpson beats Central, 74-57 to hit .500 for conference play.

Central tried to string together a late run but they were just a little behind all game. Soppe looks like he hurting a little.

Simpson women dominate the Dutch by 50 points. Big game against Luther tomorrow.

Good job Storm! Always nice to have a W over the Dutch!

[sportsknight]

Wartburg men lose to Dubuque tonight.  First time since December of 1999.  13 in a row Wartburg had won over the Spartans until tonight.  Looks like the Knights took a step back from the progress they had been making in the Loras and Simpson games.

[keith45]

Big win for UD tonight..I was on that last UD team to beat WB, good to see I lived to see them beat them again!

[doolittledog]

And UD follows up their big win over Wartburg losing at Coe 71-56. 

Dubuque was up 33-27 at half...a tale of two halves I guess you could say. 

[Kohawk Krazy]

Coe's Mike Kilburg was named IIAC Player of the Week for his outstanding performances in the Kohawks three wins this week.  Two more wins this week and the Kohawks are back in the hunt for the title!