MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sumander]

And if SUM cracked open his wallet, Moorhead St would make 5! 

MM, I crack open the wallet twice a year and support my two favorite MIAC Schools. After that there isn't enough left to support a lowly Dll school in western MN.

Anyone care to weigh in on my post from earlier today yet?

Am I looking through Cardinal and Blue colored glasses or what.............I think the J's have a better shot at beating Carleton in Northfield than they would have beating the Cobbers in Moorhead? Given the two abysmal performances the J's have had the lasty two years in Moorhead I am happy they aren't headed up my way!

[big_shocker]

Boy, everyone jumped on the rumor express pretty soon. UST to D-III- come on. Isn't there anything else to talk about?

How about this- thanks to the fantastic historical stats by MM, one would assume that trends would continue. However, has there ever been a level of parity like this season in that same time period? Would I be going out on a limb to say that of any year, this is the one that will buck the current trends?

[Drake Palmer]

Anyone care to weigh in on my post from earlier today yet?

Am I looking through Cardinal and Blue colored glasses or what.............I think the J's have a better shot at beating Carleton in Northfield than they would have beating the Cobbers in Moorhead? Given the two abysmal performances the J's have had the lasty two years in Moorhead I am happy they aren't headed up my way!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record or a skipping cd, I really think it's going to be a case of pick your poison playing either the Knights or Cobbers. 

The advantages:

*  The Jays played the Carlies in N-field & won in OT about 3 weeks ago.

* Carleton has an outstanding road record of 13-2, but a mediocre record of 5-5 at home this season.

The disadvantages:

* Carleton is on a roll.  They've won 5 straight, albeit 3 of the wins came against SMU, HAM & MAC.  But, they were clutch in money games against "desperately seeking the playoffs" St Olaf, & 2nd place Gustavus.

*  I cannot over emphasize the significance of getting Jeremy Sutherland back to their lineup.  He did not play in the Jays win in Northfield.  Sutherland is a very good athlete.  He's also a tall, rangy, annoying defender who if given a full season could have easily made the PYLTH club. 
****************
If the Cobbs & Knights weren't providing webcast coverage, I'd be tempted to drive down to watch the Sutherland vs. Nick Johnson matchup:  A tall, quick, competitive, chip on the shoulder type PG vs. a short, quick, competitive, chip on the shoulder type PG.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

If the Cobbs & Knights weren't providing webcast coverage, I'd be tempted to drive down to watch the Sutherland vs. Nick Johnson matchup:  A tall, quick, competitive, chip on the shoulder type PG vs. a short, quick, competitive, chip on the shoulder type PG.

Watching the playoffs on webcast?? someone's either getting old, getting lazy or trying to get out of the better half's doghouse    heck, DP, take the old ball & chain with ya if you have to 

Playoffs are best enjoyed in person, where you can hear, feel and even smell the excitement of the crowd. You all but become part of the tension on the court, the nervousness in the coaching boxes and your ears ring with the roar of the crowd. Heck, even the halftime "entertainment" is more tolerable during the playoffs.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Big-Shock-- I agree, this year, more than any I can remember, is a year that trends might be bucked.The #5 seed has a solid shot at shedding the donut. I cant say I'd be shocked if one of the 4/5/6 seeds made the title game for the first time (one might, but not 2), but I also think the trend of 1 vs 2 is a safe bet for the final.

SJU and Car match up so evenly, its almost scary. On paper, I give Car the slightest of edges, but it will come down to staying out of foul trouble for both teams. neither has much of a bench, and hasnt used their bench much. The playoffs are too late to begin developing a good bench.

BU & Cord is intriguing. If BU goes into the paint steadily, they could wear the Cobbers down, as CC is young inside, with the exception of Linz. Baldwin, Johnson and Hagemeyer are solid but lacking in the pressure situation experience (but they will be getting that baptism by fire from Moberg, Reck, et al). Lien isnt a Madson-caliber gunner (but who is?), but between him and Dyshaw, the Cobbs dont do poorly from outside.

[TommieHoops4Life]

DP,

I can almost guarantee there will be a webcast of the game tomorrow. They did a webcast of the women's game tonight (the Knights beat the Cobbers 62-61). I'll be there tomorrow, it's just one thing on a laundry list of a week of big events.

That's quite a donation to UST, but if they went D-1 (which I don't think they'll do), it would take a considerable amount of time to be competitive in all sports. The campus isn't big enough to be a D-I school, and like DP said, locals are already at arms with the campus growing out. I remember hearing grumblings within the athletic department when I was in school there, but nothing serious ever came to fruition. It'd be an interesting move, but I think the Tommies need to stay in the MIAC. Maybe they'll use the money to put DVD players in the locker rooms or something sweet like when each Dallas Maverick had an XBox in their locker.

PI - Would love to do something pre-game, but like WW, I'm busy with state wrestling, state swimming and section basketball. Didn't we have a few in the UST parking lot last year with OAS or am I getting old with a bad memory?

[Gregory Sager]

Somewhat interesting this is being brought up.  I had actually heard maybe 2 or 3 years ago St. Thomas was looking into moving to DIV 1.  I do have to say that I feel like Minnesota needs another Div. 1 school.  If Iowa can have 4 and Wisconsin can have 5 we should probably have more then 1.  (not sure if my numbers are exact but they are close). 

Iowa: U. of Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Drake (4)
Wisconsin: U. of Wisconsin (Madison), UW-Milwaukee, UW-Green Bay, Marquette (4)

Somewhat interesting this is being brought up.  I had actually heard maybe 2 or 3 years ago St. Thomas was looking into moving to DIV 1.  I do have to say that I feel like Minnesota needs another Div. 1 school.  If Iowa can have 4 and Wisconsin can have 5 we should probably have more then 1.  (not sure if my numbers are exact but they are close).  I do not know if St. Thomas is the best school, none the less it would be great for someone to make the jump.

Question..What are the rules on sports?  Can you have only Div. 1 basketball and the rest something else?  Can everything be Div. 1 except hockey?  What are the guidelines that would need to be followed?

No. As Chuck said, only the schools that were grandfathered into the D3-exception rule (e.g., Johns Hopkins in men's lacrosse, Clarkson in men's hockey) are allowed to retain a D1 program while having an otherwise D3 athletic department. If St. Thomas goes D1, then it's "in for a penny, in for a pound."

[VOJ]

If the Cobbs & Knights weren't providing webcast coverage, I'd be tempted to drive down to watch the Sutherland vs. Nick Johnson matchup:  A tall, quick, competitive, chip on the shoulder type PG vs. a short, quick, competitive, chip on the shoulder type PG.

Watching the playoffs on webcast?? someone's either getting old, getting lazy or trying to get out of the better half's doghouse    heck, DP, take the old ball & chain with ya if you have to 

Playoffs are best enjoyed in person, where you can hear, feel and even smell the excitement of the crowd. You all but become part of the tension on the court, the nervousness in the coaching boxes and your ears ring with the roar of the crowd. Heck, even the halftime "entertainment" is more tolerable during the playoffs.

Yea...what MM said...and while your at it, introduce yourself...you are held in high esteem around here...bask in the glory!  Besides I hear you need to collect on a dinner date wager with MM so you might as well come clean

[kel_varnsen]

GAC boosters have been somewhat quiet, but privately, I would think they're more than a bit concerned with how their team has played over the past two weeks.  1-2 in their last 3 games with the only win coming against 2nd division Hamline. 

Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. They lose a tight contest at home without their starting point guard in a game that's meaningless for them, while the other team is fighting for third. Before that, they lost by 1 point on the road to a team clinging to playoff life. EVERYBODY PANIC. The fact is the Gusties have the experience and the defense to win playoff basketball games. And after fouling out, don't you think Wittwer will be more than a little pissed off come Thursday night?

[abominable_snowman]

Big-Shock-- I agree, this year, more than any I can remember, is a year that trends might be bucked.The #5 seed has a solid shot at shedding the donut. I cant say I'd be shocked if one of the 4/5/6 seeds made the title game for the first time (one might, but not 2), but I also think the trend of 1 vs 2 is a safe bet for the final.

SJU and Car match up so evenly, its almost scary. On paper, I give Car the slightest of edges, but it will come down to staying out of foul trouble for both teams. neither has much of a bench, and hasnt used their bench much. The playoffs are too late to begin developing a good bench.

BU & Cord is intriguing. If BU goes into the paint steadily, they could wear the Cobbers down, as CC is young inside, with the exception of Linz. Baldwin, Johnson and Hagemeyer are solid but lacking in the pressure situation experience (but they will be getting that baptism by fire from Moberg, Reck, et al). Lien isnt a Madson-caliber gunner (but who is?), but between him and Dyshaw, the Cobbs dont do poorly from outside.

Ummm, MM they haven't really done this at all this year.  I would be pretty suprised if all of a sudden they realized they had a post presence.

[Freebird]

http://bethel.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=509400700389&ref=nf

Madson last second shot to win the Augsburg game

[Drake Palmer]

Misc. comments

** It seems the Tribune's Patrick Reusse had several new job responsibilities added this year.  I think he's written about 2-3 columns about the MIAC this winter.   Nice story on Hamline winning the MIAC league hockey championship. Hamline Goes from Dregs to Title

** CMob- if the Oles land Bloomington Kennedy's Alfred Jaryan & Bobby Fong, it could be a nice little recruiting coup.  St. Olaf will have a number of holes to fill in their lineup next season with the graduation of Bobby Hunter, Steve Banick & Chad Norberg.

**  If the opening rounds of the MIAC playoffs are anything like our next door neighbors in the WIAC, it could be a wild & woolly week.

Monday, February 25
Quarterfinals

UW-Whitewater (#1) 78, UW-Stout (#8) 67 (at Whitewater)
UW-Superior (#5) 67, UW-Oshkosh (#4) 66 (at Oshkosh)
UW-Stevens Point (#3) 74, UW-La Crosse (#6) 66 (OT) (at Stevens Point)
UW-Eau Claire (#7) 84, UW-Platteville (#2) 80 (at Platteville)
WIAC

Stevens Point was on the ropes in regulation & came back to win in OT. #4UW-Oshkosh knocked out.  #2 UW-Platteville knocked out.

**  Kel – I'm simply stirring the pot.  And while I'll respect your defense of the Gusties, its' still not the type of momentum a team wants to have going into the playoffs.  I'll go back to the Gusties last five games, 2-3.  See above. 

** Snow - you're absolutely right about the Royals.

**  Mose & VOJ – If the Carleton-St.Johns' game was in the cities, I'd seriously consider it.  But as it is, I've already made 4 trips to Northfield this season & with Bethel at Concordia, too many choices. Plus, this is the time of year that's a hoops fan' paradise.  On the tube you've got #1 Tennessee playing Vanderbilt, & on the local high school scene a number of intriguing late season matchups:

Eastview @ Burnsville
Eden Prairie @ Bloom. Kennedy
Sibley @ St. Thomas Academy
Concordia Academy @ St. Bernards

[columbianmaffia]

i will be at the eastview burnsville game tonight...it was an OT thriller last time around

[abominable_snowman]

I know I said a noon  deadline, but I'll be considerate for the first round, and provide a little extension.

But for the rest who are curious about how the picks went down, here ya go....Playoff Grid

For late comers. Entry Sheet

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Big-Shock-- I agree, this year, more than any I can remember, is a year that trends might be bucked.The #5 seed has a solid shot at shedding the donut. I cant say I'd be shocked if one of the 4/5/6 seeds made the title game for the first time (one might, but not 2), but I also think the trend of 1 vs 2 is a safe bet for the final.

SJU and Car match up so evenly, its almost scary. On paper, I give Car the slightest of edges, but it will come down to staying out of foul trouble for both teams. neither has much of a bench, and hasnt used their bench much. The playoffs are too late to begin developing a good bench.

BU & Cord is intriguing. If BU goes into the paint steadily, they could wear the Cobbers down, as CC is young inside, with the exception of Linz. Baldwin, Johnson and Hagemeyer are solid but lacking in the pressure situation experience (but they will be getting that baptism by fire from Moberg, Reck, et al). Lien isnt a Madson-caliber gunner (but who is?), but between him and Dyshaw, the Cobbs dont do poorly from outside.

Ummm, MM they haven't really done this at all this year.  I would be pretty suprised if all of a sudden they realized they had a post presence.

good point Snow...the question is how can they NOT realize they have a potential potent force in the paint?