MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sumander]

DP. Maybe Sensei was referring to this deputy 

[Drake Palmer]

DP. Maybe Sensei was referring to this deputy 

that's about right!! 

+k when time permits

[johnniepress]

Sum,

Which SJU website says that the game was Feb. 22?

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Just saw that St. Thomas got their new athletic and recreation center approved. Construction starts in May and should be done by Fall 2010. Where might they be playing next year?

Prob at Mac.  They sure aren't using their court....

Mac is one option, as is Augsburg, Cord-St P and possibly St. Kate's. Personally, I'm hoping its C-StP--makes the most sense, schedule-wise (remember a new home is needed for BOTH men and women who happen to play on same nights)

I know Hamline will not miss the Shoe (they have never won a men's basketball game there). I doubt Smitty will shed tears over it's demise. but gawd, will I miss the place!

[sumander]

Sum,

Which SJU website says that the game was Feb. 22?

JP, here is the link .

[TearDrop]

Alex McCoy - 8.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 53 steals, 30 assists, 8 blocks

I'm sorry, those aren't the numbers of a top 15 player in the league.  Are they solid? Yes. Does he do "intangibles?" Probably.

But do baseball writers of America look at how many nice plays Johan Santana makes in the field to determine Cy Young? No, they look at his stats. Did Kevin Garnett's leadership skills get him All-NBA honors? No, his stats did. Will Nik Backstrom win the Venzia Trophy because he would win twice as many games if he played on Detroit? No.

Stats are what we look it. If McCoy was playing for SMU, would he put up bigger numbers? Probably. But he is the third or fourth option for the Tommies so he isn't going to pass a kid with bigger numbers. Plus, I like to spread the wealth around. Besides GAC, which I voted for zero of their players for All-MIAC.

I thought that Al  McCoy did play at SMU and then transferred!!! I just thought that he changed his name from Terrence Smith aka the wet seal, aka warren sapp 

I wish that those two would have played at the same time!! I would love to see them battle it out in the post

[VOJ]

Alex McCoy - 8.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 53 steals, 30 assists, 8 blocks

I'm sorry, those aren't the numbers of a top 15 player in the league.  Are they solid? Yes. Does he do "intangibles?" Probably.

But do baseball writers of America look at how many nice plays Johan Santana makes in the field to determine Cy Young? No, they look at his stats. Did Kevin Garnett's leadership skills get him All-NBA honors? No, his stats did. Will Nik Backstrom win the Venzia Trophy because he would win twice as many games if he played on Detroit? No.

Stats are what we look it. If McCoy was playing for SMU, would he put up bigger numbers? Probably. But he is the third or fourth option for the Tommies so he isn't going to pass a kid with bigger numbers. Plus, I like to spread the wealth around. Besides GAC, which I voted for zero of their players for All-MIAC.

I thought that Al  McCoy did play at SMU and then transferred!!! I just thought that he changed his name from Terrence Smith aka the wet seal, aka warren sapp 

I wish that those two would have played at the same time!! I would love to see them battle it out in the post

TearDrop...nice comparison, but there was an "edge" to Smith's game which McCoy has not picked up, however if it is the same guy I think an investigation needs to be held and the Toms might have to forfeit a few (24) wins because there is no way he has enough eligibility left.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

I'm a little nervous about UST's chances tomorrow. Hamline has NO pressue on them, no worries-- this is their Super Bowl. They know they gave UST a good battle at Hutton, which should be a boost to their confidence, too. I don't think UST is feeling the pressure of closing in on a perfect season, but I still am worried about this game. Confidence is good, but over confidence coupled with Hamline being loose and relaxed could be a recipe for an upset.  Still, the home court, crowd and Senior Day should be more than enough to keep UST focused on the game at hand, not worrying about what might happen come NCAA time.

Hopefully as many of the 1994-95 team as possible will be there.

[sumander]

Mose,  once again borrowing worries. Tomacats have beat the Pipes by 19,45,6 the last three years at the Shoe. Considering this is the final regular season MIAC game at the Shoe and given what's at stake....this is another mortgage the house betting opportunity. 

[Drake Palmer]

So what's the general mood around here going into the final regular season game Saturday?  Here's my take:

UST-Hamline:
The Tommies would really have to get tight to lay an egg & lose tomorrow.  The game might be closer than what a Tommie fan might hope for, but the Ts should prevail.  I'll put Sum's mortgage on it & save the Men's Wearhouse guarantee for another day. But from the game within a game perspective, I might have to sit behind the Hamline bench tomorrow in the chance/ hope I can witness some type of sideline eruption.

On a larger scale, the ghost of players past, the Record, the Shoe, the last team to play in the Shoe, I. A. O'Shaughnessy, tradition, & TI are all standing there with their swagger on ready to help the Tommies roll.

Augsburg-SMU:
The Redbirds will probably give Augsburg a closer than expected battle, but the Dawgs should prevail in Winona to lock down the 3rd seed.

Bethel- Carleton:
Will Bethel beat Carleton? – based on what I've seen from Carleton & Bethel in the last 2 weeks; I'm going with Bethel by 8+.  Carleton seems to have lost some fire after their close loss to UST at home several weeks ago.  Since the UST game Carleton has gone 1-3 with the only win being the "gimme" win over Macalester. The Carlies have lost to UST, GAC & Augsburg.

On the other hand after Bethel's near miss/upset of UST, the Royals & Dawgs both came out flat against each other, got locked up in a defensive battle (which is not the Bethel's strong suit) yet the Royals toughed out a ballsy 56-53 win.  Then the Royals came back and exorcised a 16 year old personal demon and beat the Gusties 87-72 on their home court in a style they much prefer – the track meet. 

I'm giving credit to the Royals' season turnaround to the Admiral and his crew of Pipers/Pirates.  Hamline sailed into Robertson Center on the strength of the fading Manifesto and physically took it to the Royals on their home court.  After the loss, I'm imagining Coach Westie & the boys did some soul searching & said this stuff has got to stop, & they began their climb back up toward the top of the league.  If I'm a UST fan, the large shadow looming in my review mirror is Bethel.  This time they're serious.

SJU-GAC:
This could be a real ugly game. The two teams are both playoff bound but neither team is playing the way they would like.  Pride, desperation, courage, coaching both on & off the bench will probably be on display tomorrow.    The last time there was a big money game up in C-Ville 07 with Phil Sowden (?) I remember there were a few Techs tossed around. Could be a real intense donnybrook.   Regardless of the outcome, I think Willy & VOJ will probably exchange a few pleasantries next week.   

[VOJ]

I'm a little nervous about UST's chances tomorrow. Hamline has NO pressue on them, no worries-- this is their Super Bowl. They know they gave UST a good battle at Hutton, which should be a boost to their confidence, too. I don't think UST is feeling the pressure of closing in on a perfect season, but I still am worried about this game. Confidence is good, but over confidence coupled with Hamline being loose and relaxed could be a recipe for an upset.  Still, the home court, crowd and Senior Day should be more than enough to keep UST focused on the game at hand, not worrying about what might happen come NCAA time.

Hopefully as many of the 1994-95 team as possible will be there.

Are you kidding me?  The proudest Tommie of them all...scared of a team that is 8-11 in the conference and has possibly already fired their best possible shot?  

Wow...where's  the guy brimming with confidence from the run you have been on?

After I saw Fritzy chew Scott's ass for missing a defensive assignment, he is enough to get these guys focused...

[VOJ]

So what's the general mood around here going into the final regular season Saturday?  Here's my take:

UST-Hamline:
The Tommies would really have to get tight to lay an egg & lose tomorrow.  The game might be closer than what a Tommie fan might hope for, but the Ts should prevail.  I'll put Sum's mortgage on it & save the Men's Wearhouse guarantee for another day. But from the game within a game perspective, I might have to sit behind the Hamline bench tomorrow in the chance/ hope I can witness some type of sideline eruption.

On a larger scale, the ghost of players past, the Record, the Shoe, the last team to play in the Shoe, I. A. O'Shaughnessy, tradition, & TI are all standing there with their swagger on ready to help the Tommies roll.

Augsburg-SMU:
The Redbirds will probably give Augsburg a closer than expected battle, but the Dawgs should prevail in Winona to lock down the 3rd seed.

Bethel- Carleton:
Will Bethel beat Carleton? – based on what I've seen from Carleton & Bethel in the last 2 weeks; I'm going with Bethel by 8+.  Carleton seems to have lost some fire after their close loss to UST at home several weeks ago.  Since the UST game Carleton has gone 1-3 with the only win being the "gimme" win over Macalester. The Carlies have lost to UST, GAC & Augsburg.

On the other hand after Bethel's near miss/upset of UST, the Royals & Dawgs both came out flat against each other, got locked up in a defensive battle (which is not the Bethel's strong suit) yet the Royals toughed out a ballsy 56-53 win.  Then the Royals came back and exorcised a 16 year old personal demon and beat the Gusties 87-72 on their home court in a style they much prefer – the track meet. 

I'm giving credit to the Royals' season turnaround to the Admiral and his crew of Pipers/Pirates.  Hamline sailed into Robertson Center on the strength of the fading Manifesto and physically took it to the Royals on their home court.  After the loss, I'm imagining Coach Westie & the boys did some soul searching & said this stuff has got to stop, & they began their climb back up toward the top of the league.  If I'm a UST fan, the large shadow looming in my review mirror is Bethel.  This time they're serious.

SJU-GAC:
This could be a real ugly game. The two teams are both playoff bound but neither team is playing the way they would like.  Pride, desperation, courage, coaching both on & off the bench will probably be on display tomorrow.    The last time there was a big money game up in C-Ville 07 with Phil Sowden (?) I remember there were a few Techs tossed around. Could be a real intense donnybrook.   Regardless of the outcome, I think Willy & VOJ will probably exchange a few pleasantries next week.   

Nice write up Drake...

UST-Hamline
I agree the Tommies strut their stuff and chalk up a sizeable win...sometimes teams match-up well with each other, but the last time around the Toms did not shoot well, and they always seem to shoot well at the Shoe...

Auggy-SMU
I am calling for the straight out upset...afterall what good are tie-breakers if you never get to use them...WW goes off for 30+ and carries the Cardinals to victory...

Bethel-Carlton
The bigs wear down the Knights...and Madson by the slimmest of margins outguns Zorro, hoping to sway voters for the league MVP trophy

SJU-GAC
Recent trips to C'ville have not been all that kind to the Gusties and I am not sure this one will be much better...SJU still remembers the 6 point loss at Gus Young and that is motivation, along with a nice win for two great seniors who have given all they have to the program.  Js seem to play very well at home, with losses to talented clubs, not say the Gusties aren't talented but too much in favor of the J's.

Drake if the Gusties play well and win, I will come in here and say it, I have done that with every loss the Js have had this year...

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

I'm a little nervous about UST's chances tomorrow. Hamline has NO pressue on them, no worries-- this is their Super Bowl. They know they gave UST a good battle at Hutton, which should be a boost to their confidence, too. I don't think UST is feeling the pressure of closing in on a perfect season, but I still am worried about this game. Confidence is good, but over confidence coupled with Hamline being loose and relaxed could be a recipe for an upset.  Still, the home court, crowd and Senior Day should be more than enough to keep UST focused on the game at hand, not worrying about what might happen come NCAA time.

Hopefully as many of the 1994-95 team as possible will be there.

Are you kidding me?  The proudest Tommie of them all...scared of a team that is 8-11 in the conference and has possibly already fired their best possible shot?  

Wow...where's  the guy brimming with confidence from the run you have been on?

After I saw Fritzy chew Scott's ass for missing a defensive assignment, he is enough to get these guys focused...

I'm like a certain octagenarian you know-- I get worried sick about any game before hand; I'd even be worried if it was the day before UST played a team consisting of over 30 yr old posters on here, coached by your football sidekick 

Actually, from my side of the floor, I could see Scott's face-- he KNEW (without Fritz saying anything) he'd missed the assignment.

I wasnt too far off on my prediction Wed  (88-62....can't help it if the visitor's output was softer than I anticipated)... does 84-52 sound about right?

[papahoops]

Mose keeps trying to come with reasons why he can't expect a victory. I think you like anxiety :)First you worry about the trip to GAC and now show concern over a non-playoff team (although improving) team at the Shoe. You are starting to remind me of Kenny Novak Sr. at Hopkins H.S. who always comes up with reasons his teams might lose then beats you by 30.


PI,
I understand your position on McCoy given his stat line and the fact he is at best the third offensive option on his team, but I still like him in the top 15.
A first place team will usually get at least 2 players on all conference selections, and I believe UST's dominance of the league, and the fact that there are more teams than normal this year not deserving of a representative, justifies at least 3 UST selections this year. Since I would rank McCoy 3rd on UST's MVP list behind Scott and Viau, I would give him the nod. I certainly understand your perspective though, as his stat numbers certainly do not reflect a "typical" all conference player on an average team.

[Willy Wonka]

While I'm not convinced UST deserves to have three on the list, here's a question to consider. Why would people pick McCoy over Lonnie Robinson?

Robinson sets the tone for the Tommies defensively and will be an all-defensive pick again. Heck, he might be *the* best defensive player in the league. He's also shooting 55%, is 5th in the league in assists and 3rd in the league in assists/TO ratio. McCoy isn't in the top 15 in any statistical category. The Tommie season stats aren't working right now so I can't compare scoring, but I've got to think they are comparable.