MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[VOJ]

Merry Christmas to one and all MIAC posters, including AO

[columbianmaffia]

In keeping with the holiday spirit...

Ralphy?!

[jquentint]

Nice  Reusse Article on BJ Viau of UST in Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=36711314
Patrick Reusse: He does it for the cause and from the heart
By PATRICK REUSSE, Star Tribune

December 24, 2008

The St. Thomas men's basketball team was going through its last practice before the Christmas break on Tuesday afternoon. The Tommies were 8-0 and sitting No. 3 in the latest national rankings by D3hoops.com.

This lofty status comes off as a bit puzzling when you see the lack of height that coach Steve Fritz is dealing with again this winter. Anders Halvorsen, a backup sophomore center, might be close to his listed 6-8.

The rest of the program heights appear inflated, particularly the 6-6 for Al McCoy, the starting center. Al would be required to stick a wet finger in a light socket -- causing his dreadlocks to go airborne -- in order to reach 6-6.

"We're a bit undersized, but we make up for it with the energy we bring to every game," guard B.J. Viau said. "Steve uses 10 or more players, and we pressure teams defensively for 40 minutes.

"It would be tough to find a group of guys that loves to play basketball more than we do."

Viau was on the Eastview team that lost the 2005 state Class 4A title game to Hopkins. The loss came after Blake Hoffarber's infamous toss while on his back forced a second overtime.

Viau spent his freshman season seeing much of his action on the Tommies junior varsity. He was a reserve as a sophomore, which was the last season for the Big Three of Isaac Rosefelt, Bryan Schnettler and Mike Keating.

The departure of the three seniors left the Tommies of 2007-08 with modest expectations -- outside the program, anyway.

"We knew we were going to be good," Viau said. "And when the season ended the way it did, everyone said, 'It was a great year,' but we were disappointed."

The Tommies were 22-4 heading into the Division III tournament. Included was a startling upset at Winona State, the eventual Division II national champ. And then the Tommies were upset on their home court by Buena Vista in the tournament opener.

There are four seniors who would like to leave St. Thomas on a higher note: starters Viau, McCoy and Lonnie Robinson and backup point guard Brett Tuma.

Viau's hopes for March are such that a later date -- April 5 -- has been chosen for the Viau family's annual Hoop-a-Thon (hoopathon.com) in Apple Valley.

The funds raised (approaching a half million dollars) are directed toward research for Huntington's disease, and for a very personal reason:

Debbie Viau suffered her onset of the disease 13 years ago, when daughter Emily was 12 and son Brian Jr. (B.J.) was 9.

A few months later, the Viaus went to a fundraiser in Minneapolis. It was built around basketball, and there were perhaps 50 people in attendance.

On the way home, B.J. asked his father, "You think we could do something like this in Apple Valley?"

The Viau family's first Hoop-a-Thon was held in 1998, and $6,000 was raised. It's become a combination of basketball and community fair, with a goal of raising $40,000 to $50,000 annually.

Huntington's disease is a debilitating affliction that reads like a combination of Parkinson's, Tourette and MS. It is strictly hereditary. And it has struck Debbie's family from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for generations.

The cause -- a faulty gene in chromosome 4 -- was not discovered until 1993.

Anyone who inherits that gene will develop the disease at some point. Often, it arrives in the 30s, as it did with Debbie, and there also can be a late onset after age 50.

"If a parent has Huntington's, there's a 50 percent chance that a child will inherit the gene," B.J. said. "There are tests that can be done earlier in life that indicate whether you have the gene."

Viau was sitting on a fold-out row of bleachers in the Tommies arena. "I haven't been tested as of yet," he said. "It's an emotional situation."

The Viaus went through an extremely emotional situation a couple of years ago. There was a group residence for Huntington's patients opening near the family home in Apple Valley. The residence had a limit of four patients.

"It was sort of a situation where, 'It's now or never to get Mom this type of care,' " B.J. said. "So, she lives there, and we visit all the time."

Brian Sr. also picks up his wife and they attend B.J.'s games at St. Thomas. Steve Fritz, the Tommy of all Tommies on this campus, choked up slightly when asked about Debbie Viau.

"She's an amazing lady," he said. "The whole family -- B.J.'s dad, his sister ... he's a great kid from a wonderful family."

Debbie came home on Christmas Eve and will spend the next few days round-the-clock with her family.

"No one enjoys Christmas more than my mom," B.J. said. "It will be a great time for all of us."

Patrick Reusse can be heard weekdays on AM-1500 KSTP at 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. • preusse@startribune.com

[Willy Wonka]

Nothing like a D3 story to spread a little holiday cheer in my family...

Papa Wonka: There's a story in the Strib about that guy you hate for the Tommies.
Wonka: Archer?
Papa Wonka: No, BJ.
Wonka: Oh...I don't hate him. Much.

Great story, though. And sad. I'm tempted to get a team together for that fundraiser to lend a helping hand...but I'd have to ask for the SJU shirt I gave Papa Wonka as a gag gift back for the occasion (assuming it hasn't already been burned, anyway). It would make for the perfect team uniform at a UST outing and I'd have to cause a stir somehow, right?

Hopefully the MIAC crowds around the league keep any chanting at BJ above the belt the rest of the way. I could see a few drunk students trying to get under his skin about something like this. Heck, given the way an SJU prof elbow-dropped a stuffed Gustie doll two feet from the end of our bench a few years back, maybe I shouldn't limit it to students...

[Drake Palmer]

Holiday odds & ends:

JQ - Thanks for posting the Reusse article on BJ Viau the other day.  I think this was the 2nd time one of the dailies has picked up this story about this unfortunate disease and the impact on the Viau family.   The Pioneer Press had a small write up a year ago.   Well written, humorous, & compassionate article by a columnist who often gets derided for his cynicism & negativity.   Pat Reusse remains one of my favorite sportswriters & is a personal must read no matter which sport he's covering.  I just wish when it comes to the MIAC he would feature a team other than the Johnnies in football & UST in basketball.
*********

I took in a few games at the Bethel Boys' HS Holiday Basketball tournament yesterday & saw a few players that I think would look very good wearing various MIAC uniforms. 

**Senior PG Kyle Risinger from Minnetonka, along with a couple of underclassmen wings, Cole Stefan & Nick Latzke who I'm guessing is the younger brother of SJU first-year player – Andrew Latzke.

**An outstanding young soph from St. Paul Johnson guard Estan Tyler who I'm guessing is bound for D2+ hoops, & a handful of other talented players who certainly are capable of playing D3 ball or higher.

**If I'm a MIAC coach I'd be taking in a number of Minnehaha Academy's games.  They've got a very talented team with taller athletic wing/forwards who go 6-4+,  can go inside & outside, handle the ball, post up & shot the jumper, along with some very quick, smart junior PGs.  I liked this team's personnel alot.

The usual suspects in terms of college coaches were in attendance – Coaches Berkhoff from UW-River Falls, Koz from St. Olaf, Boe from Concordia –St. Paul along with others I didn't recognize.  I might have spotted assistant coach Jamie Rusthoven from Hamline but it was hard to tell.  One coach that it took me a minute or two to recognize was wearing school different colors.  Then it dawned on me - Nigel Jenkins.  After suffering through a very long year(s) at St Mary's, Jenkins landed a gig as an assistant coach at MSU- Mankato.  It must be a nice change of scenery to go to a school with a winning program.  I also believe the Mavericks were picked to win the NSIC this year & are currently ranked in the D2 polls.   
**************************
Speaking of coaches & recruiting, here's a question for Willy, (or things that keep me awake at nights - like my dwindling retirement funds  )  Has the Gustavus coaching staff made a decision to not actively recruit the metro area?  The Gusties (4) & Cobbers (2) have the fewest players from the twin cities of any school in the MIAC.  Now with Concordia's location - 200+ miles from MSP I understand, but Gustavus is only 1.5 hours from the cities.  And when we take a closer look at it, when was the last time Gustavus had a high impact player from the Cities - no offense to a solid Mike DesLauriers.

The reason I ask is that at the handful of high school games I attend each year, I rarely see any of the GAC coaches other than at high school sectional games or the state tournament.  And usually the coaches tend to sit together or at least in the same general area as they were yesterday.

From my limited perspective, the hardest working or most visible small college coaches are- Berkhoff from UW-River Falls, Koz & coaches, followed by the UST staff, Carleton, SJU, Augsburg, & Boe from Concordia St. Paul.  Given the current economic conditions, If I'm Coach Berkhoff, I'd really be touting the value of a cost effective, high quality education at close, convenient River Falls in arguably one of the toughest D3 leagues in the country. .

[VOJ]

From my limited perspective, the hardest working or most visible small college coaches are- Berkhoff from UW-River Falls, Koz & coaches, followed by the UST staff, Carleton, SJU, Augsburg, & Boe from Concordia St. Paul.  Given the current economic conditions, If I’m Coach Berkhoff, I’d really be touting the value of a cost effective, high quality education at close, convenient River Falls in arguably one of the toughest D3 leagues in the country. .

Drake...since your retirement funds are taking a dive, just like everyone else's maybe you can become a part-time assistant for the Falcons, maybe their recruiting co-ordinator...   Extra income, close to home...sounds like a win win situation

[gacbacker]

Drake, I'm pretty sure Risinger will be playing football in college, and I'm guessing not in the MIAC. Cole Stefan is highly touted, and will likely go D1 or D2.

As for the Gusties recruiting the metro area, you are correct that they haven't had much luck in recent years. They did recruit several metro area players the last couple of years who have decided to go elsewhere including Barmore and Latzke (SJU), Stu Neville (St. Olaf), Cassens (Augsburg), Halvorson (St. Thomas), Mark Torell (St. Olaf), Olmsheid (Concordia).

I don't know this for a fact, but I have a feeling many of the metro area players are used to playing an up tempo style of offense that isn't very structured. Then they come and watch a Gustavus game and they are slightly bored by it, and actually shocked that a team might hold the ball on offense for 25 seconds without shooting. I have no solid evidence to prove this theory, its just a hunch.

As far as former Gustie impact players from the metro, Sowden (Park Center) and Tim Brown (Bloomington) come to mind off the top of my head.

[Drake Palmer]

VOJ – I should have included a smiley face in the last sentence of my last post.  As much as I respect the WIAC, my heart still bleeds Johnnie cardinal blue & red! ...Or maroon & gold, maroon & silver, purple & white etc.   

Let me also add that with all of the advantages St. Olaf has they should be killing in hoops – great education, great convenient location, beautiful campus, and beautiful women - what more could a 17-18 year old freshman want?   I'm reminded of a game I saw last year at St. Olaf when I saw two coeds jump up & chestbump each other after a trey by Mark Torell. 

Gacbacker - Nice balanced post.  +K. It's refreshing to see that someone can be a supporter of their team yet still recognize perceived flaws or negatives.  I would also tend to agree with your theory about metro players & their preferred style of play compared to typical Gustie ball.  And, it's good to know that the Gusties were at least in on some of those players you mentioned.  I did forget about Phil Sowden & Tim Brown in my earlier post. 

However, it seems with GAC that metro area players are more of the exception rather than the norm.  In recent memory it seems every strong MIAC team had at least one or two good players that were from the metro area.  Wasn't Sowden in the lineup when the Doug Espenson led Gustie team knocked off UST & my MIAC PG of the decade edit- 5 years, Sean Sweeney in the 05 conference finals (made me sick  )  I think the Gusties team of 07-08 with Wittwer & Doble was the last team I can think of that made it to the conference tournament finals without a metro area "all conference" caliber player in the lineup.

You're also probably right about Cole Stefan and what level of college ball he might end up playing – an athletic 6-4 wing who can shoot.  But IMO, he's the type of player that distinguishes an average D3 team from an outstanding or exceptional D3 team.  Take one or two exceptional players (D2 or marginal D1 type player) and surround them with solid D3 talent.  For example, your Gustie team from 2003 (Tim Brown) & the talented UST teams from 05-07 (Rosefelt, Schnettler & Keating).  I think that's one big reason why Tommie fans were so disappointed with how those years ended.  As often as I bash Bethel (primarily because of their scheduling) one reason they're highly regarded is because of Tim Madson & D1 transfer – Mike Moberg.   And now St. Thomas & D2 transfer Joe Scott.

Speaking of the Gusties - they got a C-note hung on them out in Cali by #22 ranked UPS.  And today they take on 19th ranked Whitworth.  Yowz!

[columbianmaffia]

Holiday odds & ends:

Speaking of coaches & recruiting, here's a question for Willy, (or things that keep me awake at nights - like my dwindling retirement funds  )  Has the Gustavus coaching staff made a decision to not actively recruit the metro area? 

Drake
GAC will no longer be able to recruit the metro area...they have now concentrated recruiting efforts and sent all of their coaches to southern minnesota schools since the UMAC team that beat them from that area now has control over all the recruits from that territory according to AO

on a side note

sounds like sutherlands injury may keep him out for quite a long time 

on another side note

this is twins territory

[Drake Palmer]

Sorry to hear about Sutherland and his shoulder injury.  Maybe one of the freshmen might be able to step in – Kellan McLemore?

I'd forgotten that the upstart Keyser Sose & his band of henchmen, the UMAC Eunuchs had taken over the metro area. 

I came across the following post a few days ago on another board.  The poster didn't specify, but I believe these are the non conference records of all D3 conferences for the 08-09 season through approximately December 23, 2008.

A look at all the conferences' non-conference record.

Conference	W - L	%
CCIW	60-11	0.845
WIAC	42-17	0.712
NEWMAC	45-20	0.692
Centennial	29-14	0.674
IIAC	44-25	0.638
NJAC	47-28	0.627
OAC	32-19	0.627
NESCAC	50-30	0.625
Empire 8	35-21	0.625
MAC Freedom	32-21	0.604
SCAC	52-35	0.598
Liberty	35-24	0.593
UAA	38-27	0.585
MASCAC	35-27	0.565
NWC	35-27	0.565
ODAC	41-33	0.554
MACC	38-31	0.551
MIAC	24-20	0.545
USAC	33-29	0.532
HCAC	29-28	0.509
SUNYAC	32-31	0.508
PRAC	32-34	0.485
Little East	27-29	0.482
GNAC	30-33	0.476
NATHC	30-34	0.469
Skyline	21-25	0.457
SCIAC	28-37	0.431
Capital Athl.	24-33	0.421
NCAC	29-40	0.420
MWC	23-32	0.418
CCC	50-70	0.417
Landmark	25-36	0.410
AMCC	18-26	0.409
MIAA	27-43	0.386
CUNYAC	25-44	0.362
SLIAC	22-39	0.361
North Atlantic	19-35	0.352
Independents	38-73	0.342
ASC	15-30	0.333
NEAC	25-52	0.325
UMAC	19-40	0.322
GSAC	11-24	0.314

Looking through all the conferences' standing, I'm pretty sure the CCIW is the only conference where every team is above .500 (all are 6-2 or better, in fact), and collectively we've won 49 more games than we've lost! Pretty amazing stuff. The WIAC is also really strong (don't the WIAC and CCIW have 6 of the top-10 teams in the top-25 poll?) but perhaps more top-heavy with UWW, UWSP, and UWP.

(edited by GS for formatting)

[Gregory Sager]

I came across the following post a few days ago on another board.  The poster didn't specify, but I believe these are the non conference records of all D3 conferences for the 08-09 season through approximately December 23, 2008.

Yes, that's what it was.

[Nites]

I came across the following post a few days ago on another board.  The poster didn't specify, but I believe these are the non conference records of all D3 conferences for the 08-09 season through approximately December 23, 2008.

A look at all the conferences' non-conference record.

Conference	W - L	%
GSAC	11-24	0.314

tr]

UMAC	19-40	0.322
MIAC	24-20	0.545
WIAC	42-17	0.712
CCIW	60-11	0.845

(edited by GS for formatting)

GO UMAC!!!!   AO, if we reverse the order, the UMAC is second best in the country behind the vaunted Great South Atlantic Conference.   They'd be No. 1 if Bethany hadn't screwed it up and taken down the Gusties.   

[AO]

I thought this was the MIAC board?      to satisfy your craving for all things UMAC, I'll attempt to shed some light on this discussion in order to end it, and move on to all things MIAC.

Northland is terrible, Crown is worse and out of the 13 non-conference losses Morris and Presentation have, 4 of them are against D3 teams.  Meanwhile the 3rd place UMAC team is 3-0 against the MIAC.

I really expected the Gusties to do better out west.

[Willy Wonka]

Gusties lost 79-58 to Whitworth tonight.

Whitworth shot 65%, outrebounded GAC 30-20 and held the Gusties to 42% shooting. Sounds ugly, especially after no starter reached double figures last game.

Remember when I called this the least talented GAC team in 10+ years? Check out this analysis on gac.edu after yesterday's loss: The 102 points are the most points allowed by the Gusties in 14 years (a 128-102 win over St. Olaf in Northfield). It is also only the second time the Gusties have allowed an opponent to reach the century mark in the past 10 years.

As far as Drake's question about recruiting, I'll share a few thoughts...

• Hanson isn't the biggest recruiter ever and his midweek trips are typically limited to more local venues (re: Hollerich, Espo, Kaus, Olson, Paulson, the original Bobby J). That's no secret. Simple logistics, really, especially when compared to every other MIAC school except SJU and CC.

• While many college staffs are filled with recent college grads, GAC's isn't. Drinkall puts in the time, but I'm not sure that's what the former head man at Mankato East had in mind when he signed on a few years ago as the second assistant.

• Hanson has spent a LOT of time going after some recruits in the cities the last few years. However, the effort hasn't really panned out — he went hard after Leslie (UST), Kaiser (SJU) and a few others. He even missed exchanging high-fives with me last year when UST fell flat in the national tourney because he was out recruiting in the cities.

• While I can't speak to every recruiting class, mine including all-conference players from Wayata, Hopkins, Bloomington Jefferson, Northfield and Mendota Heights. Was that due to Boschee or Hanson? Hard to say, but it certainly suggests they've *tried* to recruit the area. That said, it can be hard to sell a city boy on a school in the relative boonies when said school celebrates taking a charge as much as bringing the thunder.

• Big picture, how important is it to recruit the cities? While you seem to suggest its uberimportance, take a look at GAC's best players over the last 10 years:

Bobby Southworth (Gibbon)
Luke Schmidt (New Ulm)
Bobby J (Jackson)
Chad Henke (Gaylord)
Kirk Wahlberg (Annandale)
Chris/Adam TeBrake (St. Peter)
Espo (Mankato)
Trevor Wittwer (Redwood Valley)

Second post coming...

[Willy Wonka]

Heard an interesting rumor over Christmas break when discussing MIAC hoops with another hoophead from up north...

Seems like there might be a little more juice than one might expect behind at least one Cobber departure this season. James Baldwin, who averaged 6.0 and 4.7 last year while starting 20 games as a sophomore, left the program after a disagreement with new Cobber coach Rich Glas.

Glas, who had TONS of issues with players and fans at his last gig, has tried to implement early-morning lifting sessions for Concordia. In theory, this is a great idea. However, my people tell me that Baldwin is part of/leads an early-morning Bible study group and, for whatever reason, couldn't change that schedule. He offered to lift in the afternoon on his own to keep up. Glas refused. The situation escalated until the big farm boy, who probably doesn't even need to lift, decided to continue his Bible studies instead of hoops.

Quite a way to start a new regime...

In a related note, Papa Wonka (who is in the Cobber HOF) continues to be baffled by the Glas hire. He fully expects him to be gone within three years.