MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WXYZ]

AO,

Thanks for the quick response. I appreciate it.

[Gregory Sager]

Most of the people comparing a high school team to d3 have no idea what D3 basketball looks like.

Exactly. It's fairly common to hear people disparage D3 basketball by saying such-and-such high school team could beat a D3 team. Inevitably, the people who say that have never seen a D3 team in their entire lives.

The increased muscle, skill, and experience of a team of 18-to-21-year-olds in comparison to a team of 15-to-18-year-olds makes a massive difference, even if the younger team has more innate talent.

[WXYZ]

I agree completely. The MIAC needs more credit. Thanks to all for the comments.

[Willy Wonka]

Moses just posted over on the football board about the favorite Tommie freshman PG, Waldvogel. Word on the street is he picked UST over SJU because Fritz convinced him he could play/contribute for the Tommies. That's either a terrible pitch by Jim Smith or a great sell by the old Fritz to the young Fritz.

Regardless, it certainly suggests that the UST staff agrees with my assessment of his potential on the hardwood, given their already rock-solid PG situation. That said, I'll be the first to admit football puts you behind the eightball as a freshman. Heck, I didn't see varsity minutes until December or January at GAC

[Drake Palmer]

Random thoughts...

Finger drum roll on the tabletop, I'm surprised there hasn't been more chatter on the hoops board yet. I'm also surprised the D3 pollsters ranked St. Thomas higher than Buena Vista in the D3Hoops Preseason Poll.  If I'm not mistaken, the Beavers return virtually everyone back from their team that beat UST in the NCAAs in St. Paul last year.  And, they almost beat eventual national champion Washington in the Sweet Sixteen before falling in OT at Washington University. The Beavs have got size, speed, shooters & depth. (I still like the Tommies in a repeat.  )

Also, do D3pollsters read the message boards? I understand Bethel receiving votes, but Carleton?  Zorro, Sutherland, Rosett, Biewen & a bunch of talented freshmen. Do you see this Local? 

I will say this, whoever gets out of the Midwest and West regions to the final 4 will be battle scarred and hardened. The top 8 in the poll are from either one of those regions and 13 of the top 25 teams are from the Midwest & West.

The WIAC is going to have a tough conference race with UW-Whitewater, Stevens Point & Platteville all in the top 10.  If either Stevens Point or Whitewater had Platteville's big man Jeff Skemp we could be talking about a team that could do some real serious damage.  Skemp is a horse.

[VOJ]

Random thoughts...

Finger drum roll on the tabletop, I'm surprised there hasn't been more chatter on the hoops board yet. I'm also surprised the D3 pollsters ranked St. Thomas higher than Buena Vista in the D3Hoops Preseason Poll.  If I'm not mistaken, the Beavers return virtually everyone back from their team that beat UST in the NCAAs in St. Paul last year.  And, they almost beat eventual national champion Washington in the Sweet Sixteen before falling in OT at Washington University. The Beavs have got size, speed, shooters & depth. (I still like the Tommies in a repeat.  )

Also, do D3pollsters read the message boards? I understand Bethel receiving votes, but Carleton?  Zorro, Sutherland, Rosett, Biewen & a bunch of talented freshmen. Do you see this Local? 

I will say this, whoever gets out of the Midwest and West regions to the final 4 will be battle scarred and hardened. The top 8 in the poll are from either one of those regions and 13 of the top 25 teams are from the Midwest & West.

The WIAC is going to have a tough conference race with UW-Whitewater, Stevens Point & Platteville all in the top 10.  If either Stevens Point or Whitewater had Platteville's big man Jeff Skemp we could be talking about a team that could do some real serious damage.  Skemp is a horse.

Drake...I got a chance to talk with Coach Fritz not too long ago...he was a little less than enthused about the ranking and how it comes for a team that has had problems advancing in the tourney despite having home court...

I can see Carleton getting votes, they arguably have 2 of the top 10 players in the league...

J's might have the toughest non-conference schedule in conference...opening at #6 Stevens Point, SCSU at home...two games against 20 win squads last year... Chapman and Occidentlal on a neutral floor but in California where they might have a few fans in attendence and then a home match up with the University of Chicago...18-8 last year and number 22 in the pre-season.

Battle tested to say the least...

[sumander]

J's might have the toughest non-conference schedule in conference...opening at #6 Stevens Point, SCSU at home...two games against 20 win squads last year... Chapman and Occidentlal on a neutral floor but in California where they might have a few fans in attendence and then a home match up with the University of Chicago...18-8 last year and number 22 in the pre-season.

Battle tested to say the least...

Good news is they will have the SJU student body to throw at all of those non conference opponents! 

Anxiously awaiting the J's roster to be posted.....although if memory serves me correctly it wasn't til after the start of the season last year.

[Pat Coleman]

I agree that it's though to see St. Thomas as a Top 5-type team but when you look at what everyone has coming back nationwide St. Thomas' resume really sticks out. Preseason polls are based a lot on what teams have coming back and UST doesn't lose much, to say the least.

It isn't like UST lost to a scrub team in the tournament, either.

Just my two cents. I look forward to seeing who does step up nationally this year. I think it's wide open.

[Drake Palmer]

J's might have the toughest non-conference schedule in conference...opening at #6 Stevens Point, SCSU at home...two games against 20 win squads last year... Chapman and Occidentlal on a neutral floor but in California where they might have a few fans in attendence and then a home match up with the University of Chicago...18-8 last year and number 22 in the pre-season.

Battle tested to say the least...

Good news is they will have the SJU student body to throw at all of those non conference opponents! 

Anxiously awaiting the J's roster to be posted.....although if memory serves me correctly it wasn't til after the start of the season last year.

Hey, he returns!! Good to see you back on the board after the many fishing trips, & now upcoming hunting trips! 

I agree with your take on the Johnnies season. With as many players as there might be on the Jays roster, they'll need all of those games VOJ mentioned and then some, to try to find a top 8-9 player rotation.

The Gusties have got a challenging non conference schedule as well.  In their 2nd game of the season they play #8 ranked Buena Vista, winner of the IIAC tourney in 08 & Sweet 16 participant.  The Gusties also play at the defending D2 national champs, Winona State (minus Flowers, Henderson, Smith & others).  In December, they play the Northwest Conference's #31 ranked Puget Sound & #34 Whitworth in consecutive days out in California. Both of those teams are  picked to finish at the top of the NWC this year.  I saw Puget Sound play last year & they'll be a pressing, running challenge for the Gusties.   

From my limited perspective I'd put up Puget Sound, UW-Whitewater & UST as the quickest teams I saw play last year.  And Buena Vista wasn't bad either. 

[WXYZ]

I see that some rosters are starting to go up.  Carleton sure has a bunch of freshmen. Are they starting a JV. I thought I saw something about that here.

It will be fun to see the season previews too!

[columbianmaffia]

my random final standings prediction without much knowledge on the teams in the league this year.

1-T CAR
1-T UST
3 - GAC
4 - SJU
5 - BET
6 - AUG
7 - STO
8 - CON
9 - HAM
10 - SMU

i dont think CAR will go on another epic 18 game win streak to tie for the conference title like they did 3 years ago when FORK was leading the team but i think ZORO is slippery fast and will slide past defenders and lead CAR to a tie for 1st place

i do think that in the anual MIAC baked bean eating contest CON will be the dark horse and win that event

HONK HONK HONK!!

I HEAR A GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!

[columbianmaffia]

ALSO BEWARE OF GOBLINS!!

AND LET BOOMBALAHTIES DRESS LIKE HOTTIES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU TONIGHT!!!

[piperinsider]

my random final standings prediction without much knowledge on the teams in the league this year.

1-T CAR
1-T UST
3 - GAC
4 - SJU
5 - BET
6 - AUG
7 - STO
8 - CON
9 - HAM
10 - SMU

i dont think CAR will go on another epic 18 game win streak to tie for the conference title like they did 3 years ago when FORK was leading the team but i think ZORO is slippery fast and will slide past defenders and lead CAR to a tie for 1st place

i do think that in the anual MIAC baked bean eating contest CON will be the dark horse and win that event

HONK HONK HONK!!

I HEAR A GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!

Where's MAC?

[Drake Palmer]

Interesting developments Willy. The mystery freshman player from Mpls North is not on the Gusties' roster, at least not the varsity roster.  Preliminary (?) 08-09 Gustavus roster

[piperinsider]

Interesting developments Willy. The mystery freshman player from Mpls North is not on the Gusties' roster, at least not the varsity roster.  Preliminary (?) 08-09 Gustavus roster

I see another familiar frosh on GAC's roster - New Prague's Adam Michel (pronouned Mitchell). He needs to fill out (he wears a t-shirt to hide his "under"armor), but he has a nice outside stroke and pentrates pretty well into the lane for his size. I believe he was a high jumper too, so he has some hops.