MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[TearDrop]

St. Thomas beats St. Johns 86-55. St. Johns beats Hamline 81-54. I vote that if Hamline loses by less than 58 points it counts as a tie and hence ends this miserable losing streak. At the very least let the Pipers wear roller skates and fill up on triple burgers before the game to maybe keep it close. Should be interesting inside of hutton tonight

So, 64-59 is a win for the Pipers, right? Nice effort from the Pipers.

On an unrelated note, Augsburg is quietly 7-3 on the front side of the schedule and in third place.

Oh, and you heard it here first: Macalester beats St. Mary's Wednesday to break the 0-for-15 slump.

Them's fightin words!! 

[VOJ]

What's with the Herman kid from SJU? He's not played in the last 3 games or so.....is he hurt or are there other factors involved? (If this has been talked about already, I will apologize.....haven't been reading much lately)

WW....what's the lack-of-talent problem at GAC? Thought Hanson was supposed to be such a great recruiter?

Academics...done.
GAC...still in second place? What's wrong with the talent?

Wonka, others, what is the consensus on the Grey kid from Montevideo? Haven't seen much on him.

Grey is ok...but from what I saw he is still learning his way, adapting to playing in the MIAC like most freshman from a small school...the guy I was most impressed with was Schmidtknecht...he made two big jumpers down the stretch to hold off the J's...

Paulson literally looked confused last night when he was double teamed...but was effective at times posting up and getting his shot off the window...he and Fraase of CC have made that a nice part of their game.

Yes Herman has been lost to academics but hopes to be back with the team next year...Bench development continues for the J's, Sam Blank has been playing very well and is the new 6th man for SJU, Garrett Bassett is showing signs of really coming around, he has strong hands and is strong with the ball inside just needs to be more fluid with his post moves.

[Willy Wonka]

What's with the Herman kid from SJU? He's not played in the last 3 games or so.....is he hurt or are there other factors involved? (If this has been talked about already, I will apologize.....haven't been reading much lately)

WW....what's the lack-of-talent problem at GAC? Thought Hanson was supposed to be such a great recruiter?

Academics...done.
GAC...still in second place? What's wrong with the talent?

Wonka, others, what is the consensus on the Grey kid from Montevideo? Haven't seen much on him.

The difference in talent between first and second is striking. There's nothing wrong with second...but no team has been this dominant in awhile.

Grey played limited minutes against UST and that's all I have to judge him on. He looked VERY hesitant. In fact, he passed up an open 3 as the shot clock expired, which was extremely disappointing.

[columbianmaffia]

... It was also refreshing to see none of the usual spouting off by some "Tommie come lately" to the message board, celebrating a win by the Tommies over the Gusties. But as quiet as it's been around here, mebbe some smack talking & controversy from someone other than the usuals – WW, AO, a few of the elders, might be good comic relief & perk up the board. 

Drake - Is that my cue?!

I was going to ostentatiously gloat over my former squadrons beat down of the hated Gusties, but in light of what has already been addressed, and Drake's preemptive 'calling out' of my demographic, I will just chip in a couple observations:

Cmob, look who's back in town-- The mysterious, shadowy leader of the MIAC cartel is alive! Now if we could just round up USTbumkneez, Jimmy Chitwood, Con of the North, Kel Varnsen, Shocker, etc. we'd have a regular rogues' gallery of posters! 

YAY!! AK47 IS BACK!!

i also miss funballer...

in general...i like people that make me giggle when i read their posts

but i dont like to be tickled

and i dont speak japanese

[oldjammer]

What's with the Herman kid from SJU? He's not played in the last 3 games or so.....is he hurt or are there other factors involved? (If this has been talked about already, I will apologize.....haven't been reading much lately)

WW....what's the lack-of-talent problem at GAC? Thought Hanson was supposed to be such a great recruiter?

Maybe just to put a more positive spin on the talent at GAC since about all I have seen is a negative one based on a loss to St Thomas--I mean they are in 2nd place and 7-2 in the MIAC, and of their 6 losses 3 were to top 20 teams and another to DII Winona State, but I guess some are never pleased.

I have seen maybe 50% of their games this year and it is obvious there are no super stars on the team--nor do I believe that Hanson wants any of them--he said as much after the St Johns game on the radio interview when he said 'balanced scoring builds a better team'.

I do think that they have quite a bunch of pretty decent players--although only a couple of them had significant playing time before this season and many of them are still works in progress.  Of their offensive production this year they are only getting 14 ppg from seniors so most of the team will be back next year.

Just running though their talent---

Jesse Van Sickle--certainly the best outside shooter and they hurt when he doesn't do much scoring.  Not a great ball handler--especially under pressure.

Sam Paulson--according to a Mankato Free Press article didn't play much basketball in high school--so I guess you could say he is still developing.  Has played some great games--but I believe has low self confidence and poor play breeds more poor play. 

Ryan McPartland---probably the most improved player.  Best defensive player and rebounder.  Gets some stupid fouls after turnovers.  Again not an over confident player, but has done very well of late.

Mike Deslauriers---brings 'old' wisdom and stability adn sets up alot of the scoring action.

Tim Olmstead--good outside shooter.  OK ball handler.

Robbie Schmidt---good outside shooter--when he is hot - is really hot.  Decent ball handler.

Dan Schmidtnecht--pretty good ball handler---and as others have said brings fire to the game.  Has the ability to drive and score against bigger players.  Good shooter--good defender.

Bobby Johnson--doesn't jump much, but seems to be in the right place at the right time for rebounding and scoring.  Look to him to maybe start next year--if not certainly in the 6th man role.

Ky Battern--great vertical leaper--but haven't seen him play to speak of in the last 3-4 games.  Can score inside and rebound--but inconsistent.

Mike Crowder--can do fairly well in scoring and rebounding, but not consistently

Tyler Grey--good outside shooter.  Has had some very good games, but is young and will see spotty action until next year.  Has great potential.

Phil Wirtjes--good shooter--outside or can drive.  Decent defensive player.  Just a sophomore and will see lots of playing time this year and next.

Well - thats enough.  Not a super star in the bunch, but a pretty good bunch overall.  You won't see GAC players in the very top of the stats as they generally don't get the minutes to run the stats up.  I  think they have the ability to continue and finish in the top 3 in the MIAC--of course with Carleton tomorrow we will know more soon.

As far as Hanson recruiting--I think he is doing just fine--results speak for themselves (regardless of the St Thomas game)--no they won't beat St Thomas--but I think St Thomas will dominate for years to come.

[Willy Wonka]

What's with the Herman kid from SJU? He's not played in the last 3 games or so.....is he hurt or are there other factors involved? (If this has been talked about already, I will apologize.....haven't been reading much lately)

WW....what's the lack-of-talent problem at GAC? Thought Hanson was supposed to be such a great recruiter?

Maybe just to put a more positive spin on the talent at GAC since about all I have seen is a negative one based on a loss to St Thomas--I mean they are in 2nd place and 7-2 in the MIAC, and of their 6 losses 3 were to top 20 teams and another to DII Winona State, but I guess some are never pleased.

I have seen maybe 50% of their games this year and it is obvious there are no super stars on the team--nor do I believe that Hanson wants any of them--he said as much after the St Johns game on the radio interview when he said 'balanced scoring builds a better team'.

I do think that they have quite a bunch of pretty decent players--although only a couple of them had significant playing time before this season and many of them are still works in progress.  Of their offensive production this year they are only getting 14 ppg from seniors so most of the team will be back next year.

Just running though their talent---

Jesse Van Sickle--certainly the best outside shooter and they hurt when he doesn't do much scoring.  Not a great ball handler--especially under pressure.

Sam Paulson--according to a Mankato Free Press article didn't play much basketball in high school--so I guess you could say he is still developing.  Has played some great games--but I believe has low self confidence and poor play breeds more poor play. 

Ryan McPartland---probably the most improved player.  Best defensive player and rebounder.  Gets some stupid fouls after turnovers.  Again not an over confident player, but has done very well of late.

Mike Deslauriers---brings 'old' wisdom and stability adn sets up alot of the scoring action.

Tim Olmstead--good outside shooter.  OK ball handler.

Robbie Schmidt---good outside shooter--when he is hot - is really hot.  Decent ball handler.

Dan Schmidtnecht--pretty good ball handler---and as others have said brings fire to the game.  Has the ability to drive and score against bigger players.  Good shooter--good defender.

Bobby Johnson--doesn't jump much, but seems to be in the right place at the right time for rebounding and scoring.  Look to him to maybe start next year--if not certainly in the 6th man role.

Ky Battern--great vertical leaper--but haven't seen him play to speak of in the last 3-4 games.  Can score inside and rebound--but inconsistent.

Mike Crowder--can do fairly well in scoring and rebounding, but not consistently

Tyler Grey--good outside shooter.  Has had some very good games, but is young and will see spotty action until next year.  Has great potential.

Phil Wirtjes--good shooter--outside or can drive.  Decent defensive player.  Just a sophomore and will see lots of playing time this year and next.

Well - thats enough.  Not a super star in the bunch, but a pretty good bunch overall.  You won't see GAC players in the very top of the stats as they generally don't get the minutes to run the stats up.  I  think they have the ability to continue and finish in the top 3 in the MIAC--of course with Carleton tomorrow we will know more soon.

As far as Hanson recruiting--I think he is doing just fine--results speak for themselves (regardless of the St Thomas game)--no they won't beat St Thomas--but I think St Thomas will dominate for years to come.

Those are all honest takes on individual players, but you almost make the opposition's point at the same time. The "good" and "pretty good" and "most improved" are not terms most of us have been associating with GAC players over the last 10-15 years. Espo, Tebrake, Quam, Chenke and the original Bobby J (and others) were all guys capable of dominating games from start to finish. Those names might be unfamiliar to you if you're a current Gustie student, but I'd suggest making a trip to Hanson's archives before trying to disagree

I'd argue that the rotation currently being thrown on the court is not all that different from the '05 Gusties who won the MIAC title...minus Espo. It's a solid crew of worker bees who will, generally speaking, play good defense, rebound effectively and fight tooth and nail on every possession — something any basketball purist can appreciate. But it's missing the dynamic player who can score in bunches, as was painfully obvious to any who saw the UST game.

Feel free to stick around, oldjammer. It's always fun to have another GAC opinion on here.

[Drake Palmer]

...I'd argue that the rotation currently being thrown on the court is not all that different from the '05 Gusties who won the MIAC title...minus Espo. It's a solid crew of worker bees who will, generally speaking, play good defense, rebound effectively and fight tooth and nail on every possession — something any basketball purist can appreciate. But it's missing the dynamic player who can score in bunches, as was painfully obvious to any who saw the UST game.

I'm not so sure about that comment  Willy.  In addition to Espenson, on your 05 team championship team you had a future league superstar in FY Trevor Wittwer, another explosive scorer in JR Adam TeBrake & a very solid, if slightly undersized post player in SO Phil Sowden.  Although I still think this year's Gustie team is solid, I'd take Wittwer, TeBrake & Sowden over any of your current Gusties.

[Drake Palmer]

Dang - I made a landmark post (1900 posts) & I posted about the Gusties?!?   

[oldjammer]

Wonka---wouldn't necessarily disagree with anything in your last post.  As I said there are no super stars (or dominant players)--but as Drake said 'solid'.

I just don't really know too much beyond a few years back--I believe I saw Sowden play a few times when I first moved to this area (no I'm not a student---I moved to this area a few years ago and by nature of location-I live out on Lake Washington--I have adopted the GAC teams.  I am certain their have been dominant players--and much better teams, but someone has to balance you out a bit 

[sumander]

DP, congratulations on 1900!

I am planning on attending the Tomcat v. Corncob fracas tonight. Look for a full report tomorrow.

[Drake Palmer]

DP, congratulations on 1900!

I am planning on attending the Tomcat v. Corncob fracas tonight. Look for a full report tomorrow.

Man, I think I'm in a state of shock, first AK47 & now Sum.

Sum – glad to see you're pushing off the old banking visor & getting in a little R&R.  I was thinking about posting a Missing Posters notice on a billboard off Hwy 94 between DL & Moorhead! 

[TearDrop]

SMU comes back from down 9 at half to beat Mac in overtime. Lukas Holland hit a big three to send the game into OT with about 3 seconds left on the clock. Bradley Bruno, one of their FY guys that has played pretty solid all season had a double double with like 12 points and 10 boards. Will Wright ended up with 17 but judging by the stat-line he did not have one of his better nights. I am going to retract my statement about him being mentioned in the MVP/POY talks... Not because I don't think he is good enough but because he has not played great since then!! 

I think that SMU will win around 3 more game the second half of conference play which would put them at 7-13 which I have to admit is better than I expected them to be this year!! If they can bring in some solid recruits (BIGS) I think that Coach Landrum has the program headed in the right direction.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

with UST winning big in Moorhead and Wheaton losing....if the Tommies can beat Olaf Saturday, they should become the first MIAC hoops team to be ranked #1, ever

[Nites]

with UST winning big in Moorhead and Wheaton losing....if the Tommies can beat Olaf Saturday, they should become the first MIAC hoops team to be ranked #1, ever

+k you beat me to that post.  Is it really the first ever?

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

with UST winning big in Moorhead and Wheaton losing....if the Tommies can beat Olaf Saturday, they should become the first MIAC hoops team to be ranked #1, ever

+k you beat me to that post.  Is it really the first ever?

yep...no MIAC team has been as high as #2 in regular season...GAC was #2 in final poll in 2003

but UST must win Sat to move up. Sounded like they were on track in Cobberville tonight