MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

Drake - You'd really take McCoy over Robinson on defense? Think carefully before you respond, because your credibility may take a huge hit with the wrong response....

Before I answer your question, you should thank me.  If we're strongly on opposite sides of an issue, it can only mean one thing.  Your beloved Gusties are in the hunt for a league championship, rather than relegated to the playoff also-ran bin they've been sitting in the past few seasons.  I seem to recall similar arguments & "man-crush" accusations from you regarding UST's Mike Keating 2-3 years ago.  If memory serves me well, Mike Keating was named to the ALL-MIAC Defensive Team his junior year.  Of course, Keating's recognition was pooh-poohed by you, as I'm sure it will be if McCoy earns a similar award.

Now, back to your game.  When did this become a McCoy–Robinson comparison?  But I'll bite, & play along.  Just before the basketball season began, I was asked in a casual conversation who I would select for an ALL-MIAC Defensive team.  Off the cuff, here are the names that were on my list:

T. Drake – CARL
J. Cassens – AUGS
R. Lieser- SJU
B. Brink – SJU
L. Robinson – UST

In my opinion, as the season has progressed, Brink, Drake & Robinson have done nothing but solidify their credentials as candidates for this post season award.  However, this season has also seen the emergence of B.J. Viau & Al McCoy as strong candidates for this award.  In addition, when its crunch time or the closing stages of a tight game, which players are out on the floor for UST?  Al McCoy, Lonnie Robinson, B.J. Viau, Joe Scott & Tyler Nicolai. 

EDIT & Clarification:  As I was so graciously reminded off line, I'd better make a quick correction before the "Gustavus lion" comes roaring back on the scene, hungry after a long winter nap. Please note:  Not all 5 UST players on the floor during crunch time are playing because of their sterling defense. Some are playing because of their ability to score points. 2-11-08 11:18Am. (Nice to know not all Tommie backers are going to leave me hanging.  )

So in this election year, I'll respond by answering your question with this politically correct statement – "Al McCoy, Lonnie Robinson & B.J. Viau are integral to the overall success of the UST basketball team. These fine, young men are playing defense at an exceptional level and are each deserving of this post season award."

I'd also be willing to bet, in the final, official coaches' votes, you'll see these same names along with Scott & Nicolai listed in the various coaches' awards.

Best wishes and continued success

I'm done. (for today - with this topic  )

[VOJ]

for the record: i would take johnson very early in a draft of miac players if i was starting a team. he's tough.

i think i would take mccoy over robinson.  robinson is replaceable.  he might be the third best defender of his kind on his own team after viau and archer.  mccoy has ridiculous hands and a center of gravity unmatched in the miac.  it is very dangerous for a post to dribble near him, and very difficult to initiate power moves with him on your back/hip.

I can't believe I am doing this again...but I have to agree with WW...McCoy in the games against SJU got away with alot of junk in the post, not what I would call defense, more like groping...Robinson on the other hand has a great feel for defending off the ball and on it...

[sumander]

for the record: i would take johnson very early in a draft of miac players if i was starting a team. he's tough.

i think i would take mccoy over robinson.  robinson is replaceable.  he might be the third best defender of his kind on his own team after viau and archer.  mccoy has ridiculous hands and a center of gravity unmatched in the miac.  it is very dangerous for a post to dribble near him, and very difficult to initiate power moves with him on your back/hip.

I can't believe I am doing this again...but I have to agree with WW...McCoy in the games against SJU got away with alot of junk in the post, not what I would call defense, more like groping...Robinson on the other hand has a great feel for defending off the ball and on it...

VOJ, Politics (and dlll hoops discussions) makes strange bedfellows!

[abominable_snowman]

Bottom Line- UST has always preached hard nosed defense.  McCoy's style may be unorthodox, but at the end of the day he's getting the job done. 

I think it comes down to a mentality thing. It is the repsonsibility of the opponent to out-perform their defender.   If Al can get into somebody's head before a game even starts, then he has an advantage.

Just my $0.02.

***********************
Speaking of defense, Gusties host Cobbers.  So what do poeple think are Concordia's chances tonight?  I'm sure GAC is a little sore after saturday, but like WOLF on AMERICAN GLADIATORS, I'm sure they are HUNGRY.  And it appears that corn may be on the menu.  Meanwhile, Concordia faces a tough road game, in a series to close out the season.  But they took care of business in the first meeting, can they repeat?

As indicated in my pickem, I'll go with an upset, and Concordia by 5 or less.

[concordia of the north]

I really wish I could see this game tonight.  I feel like the Cobbers and the Gusties would be a really fun match-up to watch.  paulson, wittwer, and doble on the same court with linz, fraase, baldwin, olmscheid, and Johnson is a lot of long, mobile, athletic fellows.

olson and deslauriers is a fun one to watch. i should just name every player on the cobbs.  they have 10 guys that played 10 or more minutes in a 4 pt road win at bethel.  They just have so many kids playing varsity basketball right now.

I can't believe no one has mentioned how great it is that Con won AT bethel with linz only scoring 10 pts!

[MiacLostProphet]

Hopefully the pipes won't lay an egg tonight and take St. Mary's lightly. 

As for McCoy, he is a very good defensive player.  I have seen him play only once but have played against him in open gyms many of time.  He is so quick for his size.  He has guard quickness and a big body hard to stop/move.  Viau was also a very good role player/defender in the game i watched.  I could easily see both on the all defensive team.

[Willy Wonka]

Drake - The comparison is due to my belief that the third best defensive team in the league — which could easily be fourth by the end of the year — will not have 3 all-defensive performers among the top 5 in the league. I've got to think Viau and Robinson are near locks, which leaves McCoy on the outside looking in. Seems logical enough, right?

McCoy is obviously a critical cog in UST's success and a solid player. However, I think most coaches would find it very difficult to reward a non-starter who plays only 16.7 minutes a game and also got lit up in, arguably, the biggest game of the year so far.

If we can't find a more deserving post, I'll be disappointed.

[VOJ]

VOJ- you should check your facts before saying anything. Johnson was never interested in GUS and never even visited there. STU and Oles were interested and wanted him, but he didn't like either place, not the other way around.

My source on that info is very reliable...I will stand by him...maybe Willie can shed some light here...he seems to be in touch with the Gusty nation...

[miacwatchmen]

VOJ- you should check your facts before saying anything. Johnson was never interested in GUS and never even visited there. STU and Oles were interested and wanted him, but he didn't like either place, not the other way around.

My source on that info is very reliable...I will stand by him...maybe Willie can shed some light here...he seems to be in touch with the Gusty nation...

VOJ- Something tells me basketballlover may know a little more about Johnson's intentions than your Gustie source. BBlover seems to alot about the Carlies team and Sir Zoro. 

[columbianmaffia]

she knows a lot about zoro...almost as if they are related 

[TommieHoops4Life]

For any of you football enthusiasts on here, Chris Meidt resigned from St. Olaf today and has taken an offensive coaching job with the Washington Redskins.

[Drake Palmer]

For any of you football enthusiasts on here, Chris Meidt resigned from St. Olaf today and has taken an offensive coaching job with the Washington Redskins.

WOW!! I only casually follow MIAC football, but that's huge news!  And to the pros no less.  Good scoop TH4L +K.

[VOJ]

Its an interesting move....and that makes two openings in the MIAC this year, one filled(UST)...usually you don't see many moves in the conference on the gridiron...

[Drake Palmer]

At the half SMU up 40-23 over the Pipes;
Cobbs up 35-25 over Gusties

[Drake Palmer]

SMU breaks the streak & defeats the Pipers 77-60.