MBB: American Rivers Conference

keith45 · February 26, 2007, 09:48:44 AM

Tough draw for Loras...as a SPARTAN, I can't really root for them, but I wish them good luck.

sumander · February 26, 2007, 10:11:29 AM

Congrats to Loras for Winning the IIAC title. Looking forward to seeing your squad in Collegeville on Thursday night! The Johnnies have been awfully tough at home this year. Their only loss at Sexton Arena was to D-ll St. Cloud St.

That being said they are coming off probably their poorest perfromance of the year in the MIAC Championship game against St. Thomas.

Things can't be all bad for Loras, I see your head coach is from Staples, MN. That is pretty darn close to god's country!

lorbec47 · February 26, 2007, 01:50:19 PM

I guess I'm curious as to how Loras has to go to St. John's when Loras was the regular season/tournament champ in their conference. I suppose St. John's had a higher regional ranking, but their draw is pretty bogus in my opinion.

keith45 · February 26, 2007, 02:16:58 PM

Lorbec,
Not really....the IIAC isn't a highly rated conference, and I think STJ's had a higher regional ranking. And I don't think Loras had any great non-conference wins (I know they lost to Aurora, who ended up ranked 15th nationally)

sumander · February 26, 2007, 02:43:21 PM

Up until they lost twice in the last week to St. Thomas, SJU was the #3 rated team in the West region!

lorbec47 · February 26, 2007, 03:24:14 PM

Highest rated conferences according to who? When comparing common opponents, it was interesting to see the only loss that St. Thomas had at home was to UW-Lacrosse, the same Lacrosse team that Loras beat. I guess in any other playoff system, the second place team in a league doesn't get the home field against an opponent that won theirs. However, all crying aside, Loras just needs to represent the IIAC, and get it done on the road.

sumander · February 26, 2007, 05:51:50 PM

UST's loss to LAX was when there starting center was out with Mono. Isaac Rosefelt averages 17.8 pts and 10.2 boards/game.

Rock Chalk DuHawk · February 26, 2007, 10:15:32 PM

It is a tough draw for Loras, but any team they would have played in their bracket would be tough. This might be the strongest bracket top to bottom.

Loras will have to pull together and play a mere perfect game to win on road. Their next possible game will be a huge test against UWSP....either way they didnt get that great of a draw for winning the regular season with one loss and winning the conference tourny.

Best of Luck to my Duhawks......and Keith you better start rooting for the Duhawks b/c your Spartans are not going anywhere too soon, especially with the loss of Thomas and one year from now Tyler.

Greek Tragedy · February 26, 2007, 10:33:33 PM

Quote from: lorbec47 on February 26, 2007, 03:24:14 PM
Highest rated conferences according to who?

Pretty much everyone.

keith45 · February 27, 2007, 09:12:21 AM

Quote from: Rock Chalk DuHawk on February 26, 2007, 10:15:32 PM

Best of Luck to my Duhawks......and Keith you better start rooting for the Duhawks b/c your Spartans are not going anywhere too soon, especially with the loss of Thomas and one year from now Tyler.

I know, I know..this year should have been the year, 2 guards who averaged 20 each??? come on..but the IIAC has post strength, and that was the killer. Next year, the freshman post (6-6 kid, forgot his name, blocked a few shots, was out with a broken hand for a while) will be back, and they brought in a transfer at semester who was raw, but big and athletic and strong..so we shouldn't slip too much...
and I'll never say Go DuHawks..bad enough I married a Duhawk!

lorbec47 · February 27, 2007, 09:15:57 AM

Who else loves these Minnesota guys?

I'll state it again, in what other situation does a 2nd place team, get home court advantage over a conference champ? POLITICS!!!

Just like any other situation, go IIAC.

sumander · February 27, 2007, 09:20:20 AM

Quote from: lorbec47 on February 26, 2007, 03:24:14 PM
When comparing common opponents, it was interesting to see the only loss that St. Thomas had at home was to UW-Lacrosse, the same Lacrosse team that Loras beat.

Comparing scores is a slippery slope. Carleton beat LAX as well 75-64. Carleton finished 5th in the MIAC with a 10-10 conference record. Two of their losses were to SJU.

keith45 · February 27, 2007, 11:13:54 AM

Quote from: lorbec47 on February 27, 2007, 09:15:57 AM
Who else loves these Minnesota guys?

I'll state it again, in what other situation does a 2nd place team, get home court advantage over a conference champ? POLITICS!!!

Just like any other situation, go IIAC.

Lorbec,
Check out Loras' QOWI vs St. Johns. Then check out Loras' SOS versus St. Johns...then check out the IIAC's NCAA record (23-45) vs the MIAC's NCAA record. The best teams in recent memory from the IIAC (UIU in 98-99(with all the transfers from juco's), Simpson in 96-97 (Doll and Ackerman), BV (with Jones et all) made how much noise on the national stage?
Think of it in terms of the D1 NCAA's..would Duke (3rd place in their conferece) be a higher seed over a conference champ from some smaller weaker conference? Yup...

Greek Tragedy · February 27, 2007, 03:35:39 PM

Quote from: lorbec47 on February 27, 2007, 09:15:57 AM
Who else loves these Minnesota guys?

I'll state it again, in what other situation does a 2nd place team, get home court advantage over a conference champ? POLITICS!!!

Just like any other situation, go IIAC.

Are you speaking regular season champ and 2nd place regular season position?

Freebird · February 27, 2007, 05:27:51 PM

Quote from: lorbec47 on February 26, 2007, 03:24:14 PM
Highest rated conferences according to who? When comparing common opponents, it was interesting to see the only loss that St. Thomas had at home was to UW-Lacrosse, the same Lacrosse team that Loras beat. I guess in any other playoff system, the second place team in a league doesn't get the home field against an opponent that won theirs. However, all crying aside, Loras just needs to represent the IIAC, and get it done on the road.

Bethel won the MIAC crown in football this year and was rewarded with a trip to the WIAC's #2 team UW-LAX