MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

VOJ · February 03, 2009, 10:29:03 AM

Quote from: Nites on February 03, 2009, 09:37:42 AM
Piranhas is right, VOJ. SMU suffers 37 turnovers. 20 more steals for the Tommies as they hold Will Wright to 2 points on 1-4 shooting.

Anyone think the Tommies may be peaking too soon?

I also made a BORG reference for those of you Star Trek fans out there...they will push you, make you use your reserves until they are exhausted, they are relentless...

Mac played very well for the first 13 minutes of last nights game at SJU, holding a 22-13 lead, then the J's led by reserves Brandon Budach and Michael Braun and the energy on defense they brought, went on a 17-2 run to lead at the half 30-24, on the way to the win.

HUGE SHOWDOWN GAME WITH ST. OLAF TOMORROW NIGHT

sumander · February 03, 2009, 12:39:45 PM

Quote from: VOJ on February 03, 2009, 10:29:03 AM

HUGE SHOWDOWN GAME WITH ST. OLAF TOMORROW NIGHT

VOJ, I think a little bit of the lustre has gone off this game with the recent losses by STOLAF. J's have a 3 game lead with 6 games to play.

The Johnnies remaining schedule is: @STOLAF, AUG,CORD, @HAM,@UST, GAC. They will go no worse than 2-4 in that stretch. This would give them a 10-10 record.

That would mean STOLAF would have to go 5-1 with the remaining schedule of: SJU,BET,@GAC,SMU,@MAC,@CORD

Don't see that happening. I think the 6 playoff teams are set. The order they finish should be the interesting part.

VOJ · February 03, 2009, 01:32:00 PM

Quote from: sumander on February 03, 2009, 12:39:45 PM
Quote from: VOJ on February 03, 2009, 10:29:03 AM

HUGE SHOWDOWN GAME WITH ST. OLAF TOMORROW NIGHT

VOJ, I think a little bit of the lustre has gone off this game with the recent losses by STOLAF. J's have a 3 game lead with 6 games to play.

The Johnnies remaining schedule is: @STOLAF, AUG,CORD, @HAM,@UST, GAC. They will go no worse than 2-4 in that stretch. This would give them a 10-10 record.

That would mean STOLAF would have to go 5-1 with the remaining schedule of: SJU,BET,@GAC,SMU,@MAC,@CORD

Don't see that happening. I think the 6 playoff teams are set. The order they finish should be the interesting part.

Sum...

why do you have to be a buzz killer??

here is something which could make the game or at least the broadcast a little more interesting...I have extended an invitation to a member of the board to be my colorman for the night...have not gotten a reply however...

sumander · February 03, 2009, 02:22:27 PM

Quote from: VOJ on February 03, 2009, 01:32:00 PM
Sum...

why do you have to be a buzz killer??

here is something which could make the game or at least the broadcast a little more interesting...I have extended an invitation to a member of the board to be my colorman for the night...have not gotten a reply however...

VOJ, Damn, We should turn this into a poll to see who the board thinks your mystery analyst might be?

Sounds to me like you may have lost out on some revenue potential for the might WBHR! You could have had auction to see who wanted to buy their way on the air!

Nites · February 03, 2009, 02:31:16 PM

Quote from: VOJ on February 03, 2009, 01:32:00 PM

here is something which could make the game or at least the broadcast a little more interesting...I have extended an invitation to a member of the board to be my colorman for the night...have not gotten a reply however...

You know, if he accepts, he's going to be wearing a mask . . .

Nites · February 03, 2009, 02:34:56 PM

Sum,

How about those 23-0 NDSCS Wildcats, ranked 5th in the country last time I heard? Looks like the new coach from Texas was a good hire. I think he brought some studs North with him.

Drake Palmer · February 03, 2009, 02:36:09 PM

A couple of random thoughts...

If Hamline's Carl Hipp had only played 2 games last week I'd say fine - based on those game stats give him the POW award. 14 pts, 11 rebs, 2 assists & 3 blocked shots against St. Olaf & 25 points & 21 boards in the game with the Cobbs, but did the voters not take into consideration the egg he laid against Carleton last week? 3-10 FGA for 6 points, 6 boards & 4 fouls. Not Player of the week stats in my view.

I think Hipp has got tremendous potential. If he can harness his ability & the coaches figure out a way to maximize his skills he could be a real stud in the league. Augburg's Nate Alm didn't have the monster game like Hipp did against the Cobbs, but he didn't exactly wilt either when he went up against the league leaders last week. Alm had a decent 14 points & 6 boards showing against UST, & in a win against the Oles 18 points & 9 rebs.

Voj- I think Sum is right & the luster has gone off the Olaf- SJU game on Wednesday night. Maybe we could hire a taxi service & shuttle Willy over to N-field & let him do the color commentary for this game.

In my opinion, the game of the night will be Bethel & Hamline. I think Bethel likes flying under the radar with lowered team expectations. No one's probably noticed other than the Bethel team & fans, but right now the Royals are quietly putting together a solid season & may be getting ready to take a run at the Tommies in round 2. Over at Hamline maritime law seems to be working as the Pipes look to be possibly turning things around, or at least laying the groundwork for next season. This could be a real intriguing matchup & give us an idea of how good Bethel is becoming.

On the other hand, the high flying Tommies are definitely sending a message with
their level of play: "Bring it. We'll take your best shot & hit you with our best shot & we'll see who's still standing at the end of the night." In the big money games so far: Bethel round 1, GAC round 1, Augsburg round 1& 2, SJU round1, Carleton round 1 - they've withstood the test & then some as they've delivered knockout punch after knockout punch.

The other big game of the week will be UST @ Carleton on Saturday. Very interesting game here, so everyone should follow BJ Viau's example wear a mouthguard, & as an added precaution, put on some elbow pads. The UST-Carleton games in Northfield always seem to turn into wrestling matches. I might take a pass on this one.

sumander · February 03, 2009, 02:45:31 PM

Quote from: Nites on February 03, 2009, 02:34:56 PM
Sum,

How about those 23-0 NDSCS Wildcats, ranked 5th in the country last time I heard? Looks like the new coach from Texas was a good hire. I think he brought some studs North with him.

Nites, You been reading in-forum again? Story in this mornings paper about the Cats and their 4 Texas transfers. Sounds like one of them is a "high major" prospect.

sumander · February 03, 2009, 02:49:00 PM

DP, I'm with Nites, I think we might see the masked crusader of D-lll doing color for VOJ tomorrow night!

VOJ · February 03, 2009, 02:50:38 PM

Quote from: Nites on February 03, 2009, 02:34:56 PM
Sum,

How about those 23-0 NDSCS Wildcats, ranked 5th in the country last time I heard? Looks like the new coach from Texas was a good hire. I think he brought some studs North with him.

Well said Nites...sounds like I have been refused in my attempt to learn the identity of the MIAC Shadow...the Ole game is still important to SJU given the fact that they lost to the Oles the first time around and since they are on a 3 game winning streak they want the good vibrations to continue...

Nites · February 03, 2009, 03:23:55 PM

Quote from: sumander on February 03, 2009, 02:45:31 PM
Quote from: Nites on February 03, 2009, 02:34:56 PM
Sum,

How about those 23-0 NDSCS Wildcats, ranked 5th in the country last time I heard? Looks like the new coach from Texas was a good hire. I think he brought some studs North with him.

Nites, You been reading in-forum again? Story in this mornings paper about the Cats and their 4 Texas transfers. Sounds like one of them is a "high major" prospect.

Actually, Sum. I didn't see the Forum, but I'll have to check it out. The post was just a coincidence. I do my reading in the hometown paper http://www.wahpetondailynews.com/sports/.

VOJ - Be on the lookout anyway as you never know if the MIAC Shadow will be there incognito.

Nites · February 03, 2009, 03:43:11 PM

Quote from: Drake Palmer on February 03, 2009, 02:36:09 PM
A couple of random thoughts...

If Hamline's Carl Hipp had only played 2 games last week I'd say fine - based on those game stats give him the POW award. 14 pts, 11 rebs, 2 assists & 3 blocked shots against St. Olaf & 25 points & 21 boards in the game with the Cobbs, but did the voters not take into consideration the egg he laid against Carleton last week? 3-10 FGA for 6 points, 6 boards & 4 fouls. Not Player of the week stats in my view.

I think Hipp has got tremendous potential. If he can harness his ability & the coaches figure out a way to maximize his skills he could be a real stud in the league. Augburg's Nate Alm didn't have the monster game like Hipp did against the Cobbs, but he didn't exactly wilt either when he went up against the league leaders last week. Alm had a decent 14 points & 6 boards showing against UST, & in a win against the Oles 18 points & 9 rebs.

Voj- I think Sum is right & the luster has gone off the Olaf- SJU game on Wednesday night. Maybe we could hire a taxi service & shuttle Willy over to N-field & let him do the color commentary for this game.

In my opinion, the game of the night will be Bethel & Hamline. I think Bethel likes flying under the radar with lowered team expectations. No one's probably noticed other than the Bethel team & fans, but right now the Royals are quietly putting together a solid season & may be getting ready to take a run at the Tommies in round 2. Over at Hamline maritime law seems to be working as the Pipes look to be possibly turning things around, or at least laying the groundwork for next season. This could be a real intriguing matchup & give us an idea of how good Bethel is becoming.

On the other hand, the high flying Tommies are definitely sending a message with
their level of play: "Bring it. We'll take your best shot & hit you with our best shot & we'll see who's still standing at the end of the night." In the big money games so far: Bethel round 1, GAC round 1, Augsburg round 1& 2, SJU round1, Carleton round 1 - they've withstood the test & then some as they've delivered knockout punch after knockout punch.

The other big game of the week will be UST @ Carleton on Saturday. Very interesting game here, so everyone should follow BJ Viau's example wear a mouthguard, & as an added precaution, put on some elbow pads. The UST-Carleton games in Northfield always seem to turn into wrestling matches. I might take a pass on this one.

Drake,

I've been watching Hipp's performances for a while. Lately, he's come up big because he has logged decent court time. If you go back and check stats, you'll find that he frequently has played less than 20 minutes a game. Now, I don't know whether that's because he's prone to foul trouble, because he hasn't been in shape, or because of Whitmore's playing time carousal. Maybe it has been a combination. In any event, the Pipes have been playing better recently and Hipp, Thrasher and Clute have been the beneficiaries of more playing time.

As for Bethel, they've been playing well, but I think their bench has been weakened significantly by the loss of Much, Otterson and Flannery - particularly Much.

I was somewhat surprised that GAC lost to the Auggies. I thought Hanson would find a way to pull that one out since the Gusties had a bye on Saturday so they had more time to prepare. Alm is playing great. However, he appears to be foul prone and the Auggies are very, very vulnerable when he gets in foul trouble. Any team playing Auggie should attack Alm early in the game to see if they can get him into early foul trouble.

papahoops · February 03, 2009, 03:51:59 PM

I will agree with VOJ that the STO/SJU game still has importance. I would agree the "lustre"would be off if schedules were equal for the balance of the year, but I see STO's schedule for the rest of the year as being much easier. Given the tail end schedule for each of these teams, it would not surprise me for STO to run the table on their last 3 (SMU/@MAC/@CORD) and SJU to could easily lose their last 3 (@manifesto inspired Hamline, @UST, GAC). I'm not saying this is going to happen, but if I'm an SJU fan I would not want STO to head into the last 3 games within 3 games of the last playoff spot. Thus, a SJU win to take a 4 game lead has definite meaning,

Drake Palmer · February 03, 2009, 04:07:47 PM

Quote from: papahoops on February 03, 2009, 03:51:59 PM
I will agree with VOJ that the STO/SJU game still has importance. I would agree the "lustre"would be off if schedules were equal for the balance of the year, but I see STO's schedule for the rest of the year as being much easier. Given the tail end schedule for each of these teams, it would not surprise me for STO to run the table on their last 3 (SMU/@MAC/@CORD) and SJU to could easily lose their last 3 (@manifesto inspired Hamline, @UST, GAC). I'm not saying this is going to happen, but if I'm an SJU fan I would not want STO to head into the last 3 games within 3 games of the last playoff spot. Thus, a SJU win to take a 4 game lead has definite meaning,

Pops - your argument makes sense but if time & distance didn't matter tomorrow night which game would you check out: Bethel vs Hamline or St. Olaf vs. St. Johns?

For my money, I still think the greater entertainment value is the game in Arden Hills. Plus, I could sit directly behind the Hamline bench & could have the opportunity to hear the Admiral engage in some pleasantries with the refs.

sumander · February 03, 2009, 04:09:08 PM

PHoops, Even if STOLAF beats SJU I still think they lose at least two if not three games after that. MY guess is they lose to BET @ home, on the road to GAC and CORD. Both of the latter two are tough place to play (as you are well aware).

That being said the J's are not above a complete collapse.

I just don't see it happening.